COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3640, 4 October 1873, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(from our own correspondents.)

MOERAKI,

The district schools were recently examined by Mr Hislop, and I am happy ■to add that the progress made by the pupils in the various branches met with Khis approval. Our township has hitherto been but poorly stipplied with blacksmith's shops, 1 tout now a man may have each of his torse's shoes put on by a separate son. of Vulcan if he chooses. Now that the roads shew a tendency to ■-dry, there is great necessity for a few • extra surface men. The Moeraki Maoris have taken heart •of grace during the winter, and have ■'fcusied themselves in the construction of a very good road into their property. This road, when completed, will constitute a most enjoyable drive, and render acces- : «ible to visitors all the delightful scenery ■of the locality. The natives have a curi- • ous way of setting about this sort of work. Each man takes with him two women to -■cook, each woman is accompanied by four -children, and each child has a following of eight dogs. Upon the ariTival of a stranger, all the children -cry, and all the dogs bark ; the vociferations of the women to quiet the children lacing added to those of the men to ■pacify the dogs. The whole is a melange, .the musical effects of which, like those of the bagpipes, are very much improved by being heard from a distance. The Natives' -dinner —during which is the only period of •ihe day their tongues are quiet—consists -of mutton-birds and potatoes; some old garden in the vicinity usually furnishes a ..Bupply of Maori cabbage, and if this is mot obtainable, they will accept sow--thistle, or, in fact, anything that turns ■up. They seem fully aware that any re'anarks they might hazard during the elsewhere social meal, will involve a sacrifice •of some portion of the mutton-birds. During my visit a Native was so unfortunate as to be attacked by a severe fit of «coughing at this particular time. Old women say, "Feed a cold,, and starve a fever," but however desirous the party -alluded to may have been to follow out -the former advice, he certainly had no -opportunity-on-the present occasion. A use has been found for the Moeraki mew jetty ; it has been taken formal possession of by a colony of industrious -shags, who are evidently under the impression it has been constructed for their ■*ise as a fishing station, and do not appear ■to see why their particular local industry ahould not be encouraged. CLYDE. During the week (I write on the 28th September) we have enjoyed beautiful ■spring weather. The peach and apricot trees in the surrounding gardens are a magnificent sight, being one mass of Ijloom. The farmers are all busy getting the crops in. The grass on the ranges is springing fast, and this season is likely to be a favourable one for stockowners. The Dunstan ranges are covered to a great -depth with snow. I scarcely remember -ever seeing so much at this season of the year. The Old Man and the ranges to the wesi are similarly covered. It is, therefore, anticipated that there will not be any scarcity of water. Of course, the face-owners and miners have reason to .rejoice. This being a broken week on account of the races and other amusements, Hhere has not been a great deal of work

done. The miners up the Wai-Keri Valley seem satisfied, but are reticent as to the exact results. I have seen some splendid samples of coarse gold obtained there. Those sluicing on the Molyneux banks are making a steady thing, whilst able to command water. The Pneumatic Co. 's punt is approaching completion of its alterations, and will be ready to receive the water-wheels so soon as they arrive from Dunedin, when another trial |of the river bed will be made. The Sal a niander dredge was dropped down stream and is prospecting near Muttontown. On Wednesday evening a goodly company attended the Town Hall, in honour ; of the first anniversary of the Clyde Brass Band, and as a compliment to Mr Wilde, the band master. The band played several marches and other tunes in their usual capital style, the company enjoying the mazy dance till eleven o'clock, when the guests and members found the festive board, which was done ample to. The usual toasts were given and responded to, and the party broke tip about one o'clock, all apparently gratified with the night's diversion.

On Thursday, a party of gentleman assembled on the Dunstan Flat. They were accompanied by a spring cart, containing several boxes, and some of the gentlemen carried ominous looking instruments, which made one think they had some deadly intent. This was confirmed after taVing a slight glance at the boxes, as they were placed on the ground and were found to contain the veritable blue rocks. After a few - preliminaries had been settled, and a little Glenlivet had been passed round, Mr D. Sfcronach, of Ida Valley, and Mr Stewart shot a match, 15 birds each, which was won by Mr Stronach, he having killed 11 out of 13 to Mr Stewart's 9 out of 14 birds. The shooting was remarkably good, and even till about the eighth bird, when Mr Stewart killed his bird but it fell out of the limits. The score is as follows :— Stronach ... 1011111011111 Stewart ... 10110111101010 I A match, sides, 5 birds each, was then shot off Mr U. Burke was captain of the one side, having with him Messrs J. G. G. Glassford, A. Fraser, L. Lowe, and Stronach. Mr Stewart was captain of the other side, having with him Messrs C. Turnbull, Groom, R. Turnbull, and Bouchier. The match was won by the former team. Messrs C. Turnbull and I A. Frazer then shot a match, 5 birds each, with the following result : — Turnbull 01111 Frazer ... 10001 A sweepstake was made up, 5 birds each, but it was ultimately found that there were not enough birds to decide it, therefore the three highest on the score divided it. The shooting was as follows : — J. G. G. Glassford ... 1011 U. Burke 0110 C. Turnbull 1011 Stewart ... 1101 The parties then returned to town to dine. Old Sol ushered in Friday in such a glorious manner that no cynic had a chance to growl. Horses and horsey men were seen about the street, reminding one at once that it was the day for the Spring races. The folks began to arrive from the outlying districts, all supplying their quota of pleasure seekers to make the meeting the success it proved to be. The late rains had the effect of ridding us of one of the pests we are wont to put up with—that is, dust, the absence of which tended much to.the real enjoyment of the day's sport.

The first race on the card was the Alexandra Handicap, which brought f our horses to the field, viz.:—Wild Manx Boy, Sweetlips, Artful Joe, and Silvertail. Sweetlips and Wild Manx Boy had about an equal number of admirers; the betting being even. After a well contested race Wild Manx Boy was landed the winner ; Sweetlips, second ; Artful Joe, third. Six started for the Maiden Plate, which was won by Pickpocket. The grand event of the day being the Dunstan Handicap. Wil d Manx Boy was the favourite, and young Charley Holt managed to put him just past the Judge's chair hands down. The Hack Selling Race (heats) was won by a game old horse called Blackbird, and the Consolation Stakes by Sweetlips. Thus ended, many say, the most successful Spring Meeting.

In the evening the soul-stirring notes of the Brass Band put us on the qiti vive, and all wended their way to the Town, Hall to see the entertainment given, in aid of the funds of the Dunstan District Hospital by the Cromwell Amateur Dramatic Corps, accompanied by. the Clyde Brass Band. The bill consisted of the laughable farce of "Turn him Out," by the company, a Bong and dance by Mr Hurley, concluding with the well-known farce of "The Lottery Ticket." There, was a bumper house. It would be invidious to particularise each performer, and suffice to say that the parts were \yt-ll sustained and met with rounds of applause from the audience, showing that the histrionic talent displayed was duly apprec ated. At the conclusion of the "Lottery Ticket" the company were called before the curtain. Mr W. L. Simpson returned thanks on behalf of the Committee for the asbistance rendered towards the support of the Hospital. The seats were then cleared away, the band struck up, and dancing commenced in right earnest. There cauld be no mistake, everyone went in to enjoy, themselves, and this they did until the wee hours had set in, when the baud played "God Save the Queen," thereby intimating it was time to knock off. The funds of the Hospital will receive a substantial addition, it is to be hoped that we may gee many such a pleasant evening spent in social amusement. OREPUKI. Affairs in general are so quiet here that there is scarcely anything worth recording. The weather is, on the whole, dry, but the wind has been very boisterous. A case is pending for the Wardens' Court, which promises to be of some interest. A dam burst, and has done some damage to a tail-race—at least the owners of the race make out so. They are talking of claiming damages to a large amount. The Warden is expected here very soon. The price for retorted gold has been raised to £4 Os 3d per ounce. It is to be hoped it will remain so—unless, indeed, it should go still higher. We have obtained a grant of £200, for school repairs and teacher's residence, both of which are greatly needed. The tramway survey is nearly complete. Mr Stewart is behind taking the levels, while his brother is coming through with the line ; he is close here now. I hear the services of our Volunteer corps have been accepted, but no positive information on the point has as yet been received. Gardening is all the go at present, and I think we can boast of growing as fine vegetables in this district as any part of New Zealand: in fact, everything appears to thrive well, the bush land being very good. One of our storekeepers has sold out, and is making arrangements for going home to Scotland. (For rest of news tee supplement.)

STK\NGEtts paying a visit to Dunedin are often at a lo« to know what is the best establishment to visit for the purchase of drapery and clothing. Herbert, Haynes, and Co. offet special advantages to the public that can be met with nowhere else in the city. They keep at all times the largest and best assorted stock of every class of gooris, imported direct from the leading laanur'acturers and warehousemen at home, which, being bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to offer goods of such sterling value as cannot be equalled by any other house in the trade. Every article in stock is marked at a fixed price for ready money, from which no abatement is ever made, so that the most 'inexperienced buy their goods at the same prices as th* best, judges. Their terms are—net cash, without discount or reductions of any kwd. A fuller description of their stock will be found in an advertisement in the first page of this paper.— Advt ">

&, Liquid Fire cast not be oonvbhted into a medicine by infusing into it a little gen-ian or Colombo. ■ Hence all alcol/ol c topics aie pernicious. They bl ster t"ie stomach, influne the blood, wreck the nervous system. »f you Deed a tonic, an .alterative, or an antiseptic, select the preparation upon wbi^h Providence seijms to have set i s approving seal, viz : —Db.'Walker's Califoi*:-ia Vjegetablb Vinegar Biti'eks. A blessing rests upon it, for these sound reasons: that it is compounded of the finest mcdi cinal herbs that Go 1 has given us., and that it is free fioin sout-and-body- lajing alcohol.—P. HAYMANand Co., Wholesale Agents, Usttray street.