Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7002, 25 July 1884, Page 2

their use.

Next time an election is held in Dunedin South we hope the authorities will see fit to get more suitable premises for a polling-booth than those used during the recent contest. The miserable little shed is ordinarily used as a rabbitskin depdt, and the citizens had the pleasure yesterday of hearing the returningofficer declare the state of the poll from behind a cart filled with pigs' feed and skins. There is no office accommodation whatever, and we are informed that the reason of the delay iv declaring the state of the poll on Tuesday night was that the shed was too small to admit of the returning-officer having any assistants. William Hook and Eichard Beatty were brought before the magistrate at Oamaru, on Wednesday, in connection with the disturbance on the night of the election. Sergeant-major Thompson said he could not go on with the case, as the Act under which the charge was brought provided for the power to arrest, but did not provide for a penalty. Hook waß accordingly discharged, and tho charge against Beatty withdrawn.

The Lyttelton Times learns that Mr Fitzherbert, who has replaced Mr Mason, a staunch Ministerialist, at the Hutt, was supposed to be an Independent, but declared himself before the polling-day as an Oppositionist, with a tendency to support Sir Julius Vogel,

We call attention to the prospectus published in to-day's issue of a gold-mining company to be formed at Rough Ridge, about 15 miles from Naseby, Maniototo county. This is what our contemporary the Mount Ida Chronicle cays of the project:—" JudgiDg from the general tenor of the prospectus, and its moderate and truthful tone, and from what wo know of the matter, we should imagine the venture to be one worthy the attention of investors. It is time some of the capital now being drained from us by doubtful West Coast speculations was diverted to interior Otago. We are well assured that many of the quartzreefs which were hurriedly and inconsiderately abandoned in former days in the district indicated would well repay a fresh trial under new

and improved conditions. A local writer, under the norn de plume of ' Revenant,' has been stirring up reeling- matters in Manioioto for some time past, and we are informed that this gentleman has at lea3t tho courage of his opinions, and will become a considerable shareholder ivi tho proposed company. The plan proposed for testing the reefs at low levels is a good ono. In Victoria and California quartzminaa are profitably worked at depths of 2000 ft to 3000 ft, and wo have no reason to doubt that similar conditions will eventually obtain in Otago undsr intelligant and honest manage mant. The Ofcago Central Gold-mining Company has our best wishes for its succesa."

A disturbance occurred at the Salvation Army meeting at Rangiora on Monday night (says the Lyttelton Times), which had rather a serioua termination for one man. At about the middle of the meeting, a considerable amount of noise being made at the lower end of the hall, Captain Patrick went down the room and taxed a man named Thomas Winters with having misconducted himself, and requested him to leave the place. This he refused to do, and said in a defiant manner that not a man in tho building could put him out. Cadet Buckingham—who stands about Gft Gin in height, and on that account rejoices in the sobriquet of " The Baby "—quickly proceeded to undeceive him, and in the scuffle which ensued a friend of Winter's, named John Nicholls, who came to hia rescue, was forcibly ejected through the doorway, and, falling over the step, severely dislocated one of his knees. The cries of the injured man put an effectual stop to the row,

According to the Cromwell Argus, to Mr S. N. Brown belongs th 9 distinction of being the first person to drive a buggy direct from Arrowtown to Pembroke across the Crown Range. The exigencies of electioneering business was the moving cause of this plucky work, which is sufficiently important to be placed on record. The Saddle had a good deal of snow on it, which was rendered slippery by frost, but with care and a sure-footed horse the journey was accomplished successfully. This being so in midwinter, it is clear that the road in summer will become a favourite one to connect the Wakatipu and Wanaka Lakes districts. The road down the Cardrona Creek is very bad, and should at once have something done to ifc.

The Dunedin Freethinkers have had an addition to their ranks during the week by the arrival of Mr Sawkins, a lecturer from Australia, whose name is intimately associated with the Freethought movement in Adelaide, S.A., where he founded ths present Society. Mr Sawkins commenced lecturing in 1879, and 13 thus one of the earliest exponents cf Freethought, and is the first lecturer that appeared in Australia advocating the views of secular-

A correspondent at Waitepeka writes: "The meteor Been on Sunday evening, and noticed in your paper from other districts, must have had a more singular effect hero than elsewhere. Those who had the good-fortuno to witness it declare that it was something magnificent, eclipsing in its brightness and fervent light the electric-light now getting so common, and the meteor in its flight showing many of the colours of the rainbow; but the effects following were very singular, for aa soon as the meteor disappeared a low, rumbling sound, like distant thunder, was heard as from underneath, and a slight tremor was perceptible in- several houses. This was followed by a flash of lightning. The evening was clear and starlit, with a slight tendency to frost."

The importation of New Zaaland mutton (saya the North British Daily Mail) continues on a large scale, and we are informed that the shipments will be still further, and very largely, increased. Judging from the samples recently received in Glasgow, the quality of the mutton is very superior; indeed, though it had been two months killed, yet no one could discover any difference between it and tho best Home fed. The lamb was particularly good, and those who tasted it expressed themselves much pleased. Glasgow will have the credit of sending out the first steamer, the Elderslie, specially designed and built for the trade. We wish her every measure of buccoss, and trust that the enterprising owners, and those associated with them in New Zealand, may find the adventure so profitable that they may in course of time ba induced to build other boats for the trade. We need scarcely say that large importations of dead meat from New Zealand and other parts of the world.will be a great boon to the people of this country, and at the same time cannot fail to be profitableto the producers. The quantities which can be sent to us are practically unlimited, and shipments will depend entirely upon what is required and can be profitably imported. The present importations of mutton in one month from all parts do not exceod the consumption of London alone for one day. It is, however, quite evident that there is a " great future" for such importations. Our Naseby correspondent writes us under date July 23 as follows:—" A meeting of the provisional directors of the projected Otago Central Gold-mining Company was held at Naseby last Wednesday. Present: Messrs Mackenzie, Johnstone, Evans, Mitchell, and Hosie. After disposing of a littte routine business, the meeting adjourned, the secretary (Mr Norman) being directed to place the Company in the market at once. Before separating, 1000 shares were subscribed for by the directors present. Besides this number, lam authoritatively informed that various persons have guaranteed to take up shares amounting in the aggregate to 2000; so that at the present moment, before tha prospectus has been issued, ahout 3000 shares have been subscribed for. It is expected that the balance of the shares will be taken up within a very short time. Possibly this may be but the prelude to the inauguration of reefing operations on a large scale in Maniototo."

Our Wakatipu correspondent writes:— " While staying at the Frankton Hospital, Lake Wakatipu, to which Mr Fergus removed in order to profit by Dr J. Douglas' unremitting attention to his injurad leg, which had become much worse on the tour to Cromwell Bannockburn, and Pembroke, Mr JTergus received a deputation from the patients at the Hospital—lo in number—asking that gentleman to address them. Mr Fergus graciously consented. It might be mentioned that the deputation was a poor fellow whose hand had just been amputated. Another man, who suffered "from frostbites in hands and feet,'was chosen as chairman because he couldn't applaud ; the rest of the audience were either in bed, or less or more tied up and bandaged; and the candidate was on crutches, with his leg in a sling. It is questionable whether any candidate under similar circumstances ever addressed a more " suffering and patient" meeting. Mr Fergus was attentively listened to—though it may be supposed there were some groans, but not from disapprobation of his speech,—and at the conclusion he received a unanimoua vote of thanks. The Hospital being a polling-booth—being centrally situatod,—it may be accepted that the patients will record their votes in Mr Fergus' favour on that gentle man's merits, as well as on the strength of Shakespeare's maxim, " A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind." Mr Fergus' friends will be pleased to learn that under efficient care his leg has much improved, though it may take some time before it is porfectly restored." The Lyttelton Times gives the result of the election as follows:—"The Opposition has polled 57 votes out of a total of 91 members ; while the Ministry count a tally of 32. The Independents, wonderful to relate, do not number more than two." The Press says: " On the whole Ministers will, we think, best consult the interests of the country if they retain office till the* House assembles, and then accept their defeat at the hands of Parliament."

The usual monthly entertainment given by the members of the juvenile branch of the Church of England Temperance Society in connection with St. John's, Roslyn, was held last evening, and despite tho unpromising state of the weather the attendance of members and their friends was very good. As usual, a somewhat lengthy programme was presented, the whole of the items being given by the juveniles, who all, even to the very youngest, displayed not a little talent in the rendition of the several pieces allotted to them. The Rev. R. A. Kerkham presided, and among the performers were Misses Jack (3) (who gave a trio in character which was very amusing), Varley, Alison, Cook, Braithwaite, Fisher, Baron, Holland, and Masters Cook and Braithwaite. A glee party, under Misses Green.and Pettit, also contributed to the general harmony of the evening.

A vessel called Iho Tilly has been built en the Clyde, intended for fishing in the Java seas. Sho is an iron steamer, 105 ft long. The mo3t remarkable part of her fittings is a sub. marine electric arc lamp, which is enclosed in a watertight casing of glass. This is to be Bubmergod in order to attract fish. The lamp is of 15,000-candle power, and during a trial trip of tho Tilly the lamp was submerged for four hours at a stretch. When darkness came on the sea was illuminated by the lamp for a coußiderablo distance, and a very

novel effect was produced. The lamp when hoißted on deck still burned brilliantly, and w»3 in perfect working order. Tha dynamo which supplies it makes 700 revolutions a minute.

A lecture on "J. B. Gough, tha greatest temperance orator," was delivered in the Cargiil road Wesleyan Church last evening by tha Rev. J. a. Smalley. There was rather a moagre attendance. Those, however, who were present were evidently not only interested, but also very much amused with the lecture. The lecturer gave a brief sketch of the life of J. B. Gougb, whom he characterised as a king among orators, a prince amongst social reformers." After the lecture, a collection was made in aid of the Blue Ribbon fund, and a number.of members were enrolled in the Army.

The half yearly maetm? of the Carrick Fango Watoc-supply Company will be held at Cromwell en August 6.

Mr E R. Guinness will sell wheat, oats, and barley at Studholme Junction on August i Messrs Bastings, Le:vry, aud Co. will cell the Prince Imperial Hote*, Forbury, on Thursday next. Mossis Donald Reid and Co 'a sale of <*ra;n, butter &c. \vi:l ba held at 11 o'clock this morning. Mr W. Pym will sell now Beaßon's tea, ex Tamsui, at his rooms on Tufsday next. Mr L. MacleaT will aell potafoas on Monday. Mr D. M. Spodding will aell saddles and harness tomorrow.

Waehter s Royal Charter and Gold-top Champagne, in magnums, quarts, and pints, on sale.—Nkill Bbob Jjornwkli, and Kennie have much pleasure in being able to supply primo beef, mutton, and veal from 2d per lb; prime joiatj Id and 2d per lb extra. The sniallgooda are the best possible. Smoked muttou hams, 4d; American pork hams, 9d; corned beef, very cheap. Carts supply the Bamo for cash.- [ Advt ] Tub Grand Hotel.—Air A. M. Garland, in the Clnojgo Tribune, aiys of Dunedin:-"It certainly has the best hotel to bo found in the Australasian Colonies; at least this ia the verdict of everyone who has had opportunity for par3onally making a comparison."- [Advt.]