Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVII, Issue 1439, 16 October 1900, Page 2

John Sleigh has been sentenced to death at Sydney for fche murder of Curran, near Bombala. The Gove Rifles have accepted a challenge from the Kaitangata Rifles to fire a match at Gore on the Prince of Wale's birthday. Lady Ranfurly has left Wellington for England via Sydney. She is accompanied by her daughters. A cable from Lord Roberts intimates that he hopes to be able to allow the New Zealand Contingents to return homo by the 4th December, if not earlier; The members of the Clutha Mounted Rifles go into camp on Saturday. On the following Saturday, 27th inst., the military sports will beheld, for which a good programme of events has been arranged. During a football match at Auckland on Saturday a young man named Walter Chatwin came into violent collision with another player. Cbatwin immediately ran off the Held, and fell down i*i an unconscious state. Medical aid was summoned, but Chatwin died in 20 minutes from ths effects of the shock. On Wednesday last two boys named Foster (aged six) and Dyer faged nine) left Lyttelton for Sumner. As they had not returned by night search parties were organised, but they were not found till the following morning, they having been exposed to the heavy rain all night. They had fallen over a cliff at Sumner. Foster has a leg broken and Dyer was insensible. A cable message from Berlin dated Saturday reports that the Empress Frederick (eldsst daughter of Queen Victoria), whose health has recently been the cause of anxiety, suffered a relapse. She is suffering from an affection of the kidneys. Professor Renvers, of Berlin, has been summoned to Kronberg. The Emperor has cancelled all engagements, and is staying in the vicinity of his mother's residence. At a meeting of the School Committee a few months' ago the project of purchasing a flag for the school was discussed, but owing to the lack of funds the matter was shelved. About two months ago the chairman was able to announce that both flag and flag-pole had been presented to the school. The flag which is a Union Jack is 20ft Gin long by 12ft wide, and was presented by Mr J. W. Mitchell of this town, and the pole about 30ft long was presented by Mr Greig of Glenomaru. The erection o"f the pole will be immediately proceeded with* The Premier of New South .Wales has received the following cable from the j Imperial Government on the subject of Mr Seddon's proposal for a federation between this colony and Fiji: "Referring to your telegram of October 9, her Majesty's Government are not prepared at present to consider any pioposal f.n- changing the political position of Fiji. Inform the Governor of Fiji." Sir W. J. Lynn explains that in his cable tn Mr Chamberlain ho also referred to some other islands in the Pacific it was repoited New Z -aland intended to annex and he supposed the reply covered these islands as well as Fiji. There are 23 Boot rifles in the lobby of the House of Representatives. These rifles were sent by Lord Robert* lo the New Zealand Government as trophies of the war. The question was raised the other day in the House ns to what should be done with these rifles. The Premier said he thought they i should be distributed over the colony. MiThomson remarked that if ifc should be resolved to do this with the rifle?, at least one of them should go to the Clutha, because Balclutha and neighbourhood had supplied nine men of the First Contingent, and this was probably a larger number than any similar district in the colony had supplied. No doubt the Premier will give effect to Mr Thomson's suggestion.

Band contest at Milton to-day and tomorrow. The election for borousjh councillor in place of Mr Peter Nelson (resig .ed) takes place to-morrow (Wednesday). In consequence of the high price of coal in Europe all the steamship" companies have decided to raise fares ten per cent. This will apply to the passage money to and from the Australian colonies. The Hon. J. G. Ward has promised to give earnest attention to tbe request of the Southland County Council that the Government should offer a substantial bonus for a sure method of small bird destruction. The Rev. R. J. Porter returned to Oamaru on Friday (says the Mail). He is much improved in health, but on the advice of his medical practitioner, and with the concurrence of the managers of St. Paul's, he will take a further three months' rest before resuming his ministerial duties. The Excelsior (Waiwera and Kaihiku) Club held its annual meeting on Saturday evening when a fair number of members were present. As far as finances are concerned the club is in a flourishing condition, having a credit balance of Ls los. It was unanimously resolved that an asphalt pitch be formed and that a concert be arranged in aid of same. It was decided to open the season on Saturday, 20th, when players of other clubs arc cordially invited. Refreshments will be provided by the young ladies of the district in a rather sumptuous manner. Tbe following office-bearers were elected :— President, Mr Walter Nicol .; vice-presidents, Messrs James Fyfe, Thos. Jamieson, E. Breeze, R. Sutherland.'M. Paterson, W. Turner, and W. Sheddan ; hon. sec. and treas, L. J. Edwards ; delegate to Association, L. J. Edwards. The appointments of captain, deputy-captain, and match committee were left over till opening day. The members of the club seem very enthusiastic and it is anticipated that a successful season lies before them. On Monday, Ist inst., Mr J. W. Thomson presented a petition from the settlers of Pomahaka praying for a reduction of their rents. After presenting the petition he moved, as a matter of urgency, that it be referred direct to the Waste Lands Committee. This having been agreed to, the Committee considered the petition, and passed a motion referring it to the favourable consideration of the Government. This should lead to something being done in tbe interests of these unfortunate settlers. Two or three days after this a paragraph went the round of the newspapers to the effect that the Otago Land Board intended to evict the tenants. Mr Thomson on Friday last asked the Minister of Lands whether he was aware of this and if he intended to take any steps to prevent it. The Minister replied that he had wired to Dunedin for particulars, and would reply k) the question in a day or two. Mr Thomson has suggested to the Minister that he should get the improvements of each settler on the estate valued, and that he should ask Parliament to vote money to pay for these improvements. The result of this would be that any tenant who gives up his lease would get the value of his improvements. At present the rents are running on, and as the improvements are responsible for tbe rents it is simply a matter of time when the improvements would all be eaten up, and the tenants would have to go out penniless.