The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1902

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1508, 11 April 1902, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA : FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1902

The article which we published on Tuesday giving an account ot some of the misdeeds leading up to il»e execution of the olhcers of the Bushveldt Carbineers, from the pen of an eye-witness, and one who was partly instrumental in bringing the officers to justice, has created somewhat of a sensation, not only in this district but in other parts of the colony also, and the demand for copies of the paper with the article has been unprecedented. So far as we know the narrative is the first that has been published direct from the pen of one who was in close touch with the whole of the dastardly business, and the wonder is that he lived to tell the he did not share the same fate as the missionary and Van Buren, who " knew too much." Unfortunately there is a break in the narrative, one of the letters has never reached us, but we are able to publish sufficient to show that the military authorities were warranted in the highest degree in meeting out exemplary punishment. In this issue on page six we publish a second instalment of the gruesome story. In our next issue we shall give a snort account of the death of Capt. Hunt, and Sergeant Eland—killed at the same time, which does not support the statement that Hunt's body was mutilated in any way ; and also some particulars of the laying of the informations against the olhcers and their subsequent arrest. The portion relating to Captain Hunt's deatn was written sometime prior to the rest ot the narrative.

Pressure on our space compels us to hold over leading and local matter, several correspondents' communications, etc.

Several additional deaths are reported as a result of the collapse of the stand at the Glasgow football match.- "

The Clutha Sheep Dog Trial Club's annual dog trial takes place on the Barnego Flat to-day, the proceedings commencing at 8 o'clock. Three rinks of the Clinton Bowling Club paid a visit to Gore on Wednesday, and after a very interesting game, victory rested with the home team by 20 points ; the total scores being 69 against 49. The Federal Postmaster is taking steps to intercept the correspondence in connection with bookmakers' business, and all letters relating to church bazaars, raffles, and art uniois.

The Professorial Board of the Otego University ha? recommended that the Women's scholarship be awarded to Miss Helen Kirkland Dalrynrple, daughter of the Rev. A. M. Dalrymple, M.A., Puerua. Although a few dry days with bright sunshine have recently been experienced, the weather, as a rule, continues very unfavourable for harvest operations. It still is mild and moist, and bright breezy days are much wanted to dry the grain now in stook, a good deal of which is somewhat discolored, and has commenced to sprout. We learn that the Kaihiku School Committee has asked the Education Board to confirm the appointment of Miss J. P. Grigor as head teacher of their school. Miss Grigor's qualifications should meet the ambitious aspirations of the Kaihiku people in regard to "higher education."

It is explained that the closing down of the Orepuki Shale Worbs is by no means of a permanent character. In the present state of things the company cannot afford to work the mine by day-labour, and for this reason have closed down pending the arrival of labour-saving machinery, which was ordered some time ago from America, and is due here in six weeks or a couple of months. The following will be of interest to our readers :—" Pretoria, 19.2.02. En route Colesberg, Cape Colony : Joining District Military Intelligence ; 10s and found. Got exemplary discharge B.V.C. ; paid off yesterday. In good form. Pushed for time. Perhaps more danger in D.M.1., but have tip-top references from late company, and might just as well be shot on 10 bob as five. Ta, U.—Jas. Christie." We learn that a good deal of the potato crops throughout the district are effected by a disease somewhat similar to that now so well known, and so much dreaded, in the Home Country. Here it has been discovered both in the township and throughout the country districts. It is not peculiar to any class of potato, but seems to attack all alike. When the disease shall have more fully developed, its exact character will no doubt be more readily determined.

The committee of the Balclutha Men's CLub met last evening to consider an offer with regard to the lease of the Masonic Hall. After a very lengthy discussion the matter was held over until Tuesday evening, when a public meeting will be held in the Borough Chambers at 8.15 p.m., to discuss the matter.

The train from Dunedin last evening was an hour late. The 10.30 a.m. goods train, Balclutha to Dunedin, left the rails at tne Cattlejards points, and blocked the line. The passengers had trans-shipped, the afternoon express returning with the 4.20 passengers to Balclutha, and vice versa. A serious accident was narrowly averted, the engine nearly going headlong into a creek there. A gang of men were busy " jacking " the engine up on to the rails last night, an*, through, traffic will no siouW be tesujped to-day.

W« notice a paragraph in an exchange that the Bush Veldt Carbineers are now known as the Pietersburg Light Horse. From letters, of which we have had the perusal, we think this is hardly correct. The Bush Veldt Carbineers were disbanded entirely some time about September Last; those members wno were helu as witnesses in connection with the charges against the officers were temporarily attached to the Pietcrcburg Light Horse headquarters i ending the court-martial, and a few others joined voluntarily. We do not think there is any other connection between the Carbineers and the Light Horse.

We remind our readers of the popular entertainment io be given in the Oddlel'o'ivs' Hall this evening, in aid of the school funds. No less than 15 items on the programme aie assigned to the children, who have been assiduously rehearsing for months past. The other items on the programme are in capable hands. Some very fine vegetable marrows are now to be seen in Mr Donald Sutherland's garden. He weighed one yesterday, which turned the scale ~t 371bs. It was perfect in form and fully ripe. Mr Sutherland has a number of others about the same size.

The first match in the Southern division of the Otago Rugby Union was played on the Lower Reserve here on Wednesday between Balclutha and Clinton, and after a very even and keenly-contested game honors resulted even, each team scoring seven points. Pressure on space prevents a fuller report. There was a tremendous meeting' of about 3000 persons in Christchurch on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the presentation of an address to Mr Seddon prior to his leaving the Colony to attend the coronation ceremony in London. The Mayor presided. Sir John Hall presented the address, and spoke very briefly, commending the Premier for his untiring energy in the Imperial policy, stating that though political differences existed, in the matter of the unity of the Empire the Colony was as one.—The Premier was in good form, and delivered one of his best and most vigorous patriotic addresses. The meeting was wildly enthusiastic throughout, and was in every way thoroughly successful.

Perhaps no more enthusiastic meeting has ever been witnessed in the Colony than the great gathering in Mr V. Thompson, who is a member of the crew of the Janie Seddon, one of our new harbour defence boats, has invented a handy article by which potatoes and apples may be pared, vegetables sliced and cut into discs for soup, apples cored, and nutmegs and other substances grated. The article is sold at almost nominal cost, and it should obtain a ready sale. Messrs Baldwin and Rayward are applying for patent rights on behalf of Mr Thompson.

Children's services will be held in the Balclutha Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, when the children connected with the congregation are requested to attend and to take their seat in the centre of the church. In the afternoon the prizes will be distributed to the successful scholars, while in the evening a special address will be given to the young men and women. The Rev. Mr Ramsay, of Stirling, takes the services of the day, exchanging with Mr Currie for this purpose. Our Clinton Correspondent writes : —A very quiet but popular wedding took place in the church, here on vVednesday, the 2nd inst., when Mr J. Ward, now of Milton, was united to Miss A. J. Porter, third daughter of Mr Seaton Porter, Balclutha. After the ceremony, which was witnessed by a large number of people, the party proceeded to the residence of Mr Seaton Porter, Jun., where the wedding breakfast was partaken of. - After all had done justice to the good things, the officiating clergyman, Mr M'Allister, in a speech brimful of wisdom, proposed the health of the young couple, which was drunk in bumpers of wine. The bridegroom briefly but suitably responded, after which the party joined the afternoon train going north. The presents were numerous and costly, all testifying to the esteem in which the young couple are held by those who know them. Our Ahuriri Valley Correspondent writes :—Our valley was quite alive at Easter, no less than three weddings having taken place. The contracting parties were Mr T. Wilson and Mrs Forsyth, Cannibal Bay ; Mr W. Ward to Miss Robinson, 'of Owaka, and Mrs Ballock's second daughter to Mr D. M'Arthur, formerly of Owaka. I wish them all happiness,and prosperity.

Should other remedies fail ysu can always depend on TUSSICURA. All who have .tried it say the same.