COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1158, 7 February 1874, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

PORTOBELLO.

The dearth of labour which is so generally felt in all parts of the Province, has been exemplified here by the difficulty in getting tenders for the erection of buildings in this locality. The teacher's residence, the Presbyterian Church, and the jetty at the Spit, Portobello Bay, have all been advertised for contracts, but only a single tender has been received. After considerable delay the jetty is being proceeded with, and on the 3rd inst. the Church was commenced, but at present sufficient labour is not available to carry it on with the prospect of speedy completion. The teacher's residence is as yet not begun.

LAWRENCE, Cobb and Co.'s Dunetan coach capsized near this township on Saturday, carrying all the passengers with it. All got off comparatively safe except Mr Eastwood, the agent for Bachelder's Panorama, whose leg was severely fractured. He is now lying in a state of great suffering from the effects of the accident. Preparations are being made to erect a handsome new store for Mr Sheath, butcher, Ross Place, to replace the building recently destroyed by tire. The Grammar School has been opened with a very Irvrge number of pupils (200), which shows the public appreciation of the management and conduct of studies carried

on, and reflects well upon the conduct of the teachers. I have no doubt a large addition to the above number of pupils •will take place as the session goes on. In the Court here there has been little doing. A charge of receiving money, knowing the same to have been stolen, was enquired into, and resulted in the accused being discharged. John Wilson was charged with larceny, and convicted by the Resident Magistrate, upon the confession of the accused, who was awarded imprisonment in Lawrence gaol for three months, with hard labour.

One of the largest attended tea meetings which has taken place here was held in the Athenaeum in honour of the opening of the Congregational Church. People came from all directions, and many could not gain admission. Those who were fortunate enough fco gain entrance were highly entertained with the proceedings, and heartily wished the denomination all progress. The new church is much better adapted to aid the minister, as he can, without much trouble, be heard distinctly in all parts of the building. We have had Mr Kennedy and Family catering for our amusement, and the fine weather has enabled many to avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoyment thus afforded. Their songs delighted all. CLYDE. A newspaper war is going on just now anent the election of a surgeon for the Hospital. Each candidate appears to have strong supporters, who give vent to their feelings through the columns of our local paper. As a matter of course, the argumenta of each are diametrically opposed to the other, and many doubtful things are put down as facts ; so much so, that one gentlemanhas challenged another to put down £10, to be forfeited to the hospital if the other will do the same, should he be not able to prove what he asserts is correct. The past few days have been exceedingly hot, the thermometer standing at 90 in the shade. The harvest is progressing favourably. The crops are being got in in good order. New oats are steadily coming into the market, no doubt a little too_ soon for those who were holding for high prices, and most likely some have bitten their fingers by holding on too long. The decision in the case of Police v. Stan* brook has been given. This was a case against a person said to be a licensed auctioneer, for selling chances in a Calcutta sweep of ten horses, contrary to the Licensed Auctioneers Ordinance. The Bench said that the police had failed to prove that defendant was a licensed auctioneer, and this must be fatal to the case. The Bench were also of opinion that, irrespective of this, the case muse fail on its merits. What had been sold ? A chance. The interpretation clause in the Ordinance did not embrace such a word. This was a lottery, and as siich was illegal under the Colonial and Imperial Acts. In fact, it represented nothing the law could take cognisance of, or recognise or enforce, No action would lie. Calcutta sweeps were illegal ah initio. On these grounds the caße was dismissed. The Bench remarked on some language used to the police of an ia« solent nature, and cautioned people in future not to make use of such language to the police. QUEENSTOWN.. The holiday season and Governor's visit being over, we are settling down to the ordinary humdrum affairs of life. In the way of amusements we have had sports, as they are called, — in other words thepublic looking on, under a broiling sun, at ancient barbarisms carried on for mercenarypurposes. A regatta wound up the sports, and was really enjoyable. It is a pity that our boating men were not better prepared. Although we have two clubs here, outsiders took most ol the prizes. The races extended over three days, and drew larye attendances. The course is now fenced in, and a very substantial grand stand erected. There was, however, a pretty generally expressed dissatisfaction at the length of time between the different events, and also a kind of floating doubt that all was not fair. I fear the stewards are powerless in these matters. _ Not understanding racing, I am not in a position to give an opinion, but if possible, I would say all book-makers should be excluded, and public betting prohibited. It is difficult to see the difference between gambling in a hotel and on a race - ceurae. In the one case the hotelkeeper is liable to a heavy fine, while in the other the practice seems rather fashionable than otherwise. As a question of public morality, I fail to see any difference. During these five days I have not heard of a single arrest for drunkenness. This fact speaks for itaelf. The Governor's visit was a very tame affair indeed. No one seemed to know anything about it. The Mayor (Mr Malaghan), Mr Beetham, R.M., and Mr Worthhigton, Receiver of Gold Revenue, accompanied His Excellency's party up the Lake, and in the evening Mr Beetham and Mr Worthington were invited to dine with him and accompany him to the Theatre. He also attended the races, but refused luncheon from the stewards, and held himself bo much aloof from everyone that he gave you the idea of Jove looking on at the amusements of the lesser divinities. Some, but they are a very small minority, applaud this course of conduct, and say it proves that he has a soul above buttons. Others say it would be quite proper if he were visitiDg in his private capacity, but, as Governor, he has no right to exhibit more of the essence ot royal hauteur than would be sufficient for half a dozen crowned heads. One thing is certain, that if he wants a Vice-regal reception in Queenatown at any futuye period

he won't get it. People who do not care for | show and ceremony — and they are very few if all were known — are apt to forget the , psychological effect these things have on | Demos. First, he admires tinsel, whether in the shape of a Windsor uniform or the full dress of a Colonel of Volunteers. He may know that there is no real nobility in the first, or knowledge of drill in the other ; but if a little urbanity is added to either in whatever shape, he goes home believing that there is really something hi it. While, on the other hand, if he does not get a pare of the show, he naturally asks why he should have to pay. My own opinion is. if we wish to keep the spirit of Republicanism, or Socialism, or any other of the Democratic "isms" quietly in its grave, we must stick to ceremony. Demo* is really dangerous, and always has been, when he begins to ask cul f/ono ? So amuse him as long as possible, or he may begin to think. The crops of the Wakatip never gave promise of such returns as they do this seasou. Our weather has been most favourable. I regret I cannot say much for our mining prospects. The river Shotover is keeping unusually high ; in summer the melting of the snow, or even a slight fall of rain floods it. It is only during heavy frosts that our miners get a real chance, and then so rich is its bottom, that the majority clear expenses, and many make what miners call a pile. The town has been flooded with tourists, and our steamers and hotel-keepers must be doing well. We are just now in the middle of the season. The glaciers on Mount Earnslaw seem the great attraction, but we have mountain scenery entirely superior. Unfortunately tho tracks are very bad, and require steady nerves. OAMAKU. The only interruption to harvesting operations which has yet taken place was the heavy fall of rain on Sunday (yesterday), but as it has been succeeded by bright breezy weather there is no reason, to apprehend that much damage will be done to thecrops already cut down, and to some of the later crops it will be positively beneficial, while it is also quite apparent that the runs of the squatters and the pastures of the farmers will be greatly improved by the refreshing rain. Whether it be due to the very dry and hot weather which has now prevailed for some time, or whether the farmers are too busily engaged in the harvest to attend to their usual work of furnishing supplies of dairy produce to the citizens, I cannot say, but that there has recently been a very short supply of butter is a fact ; and indeed so scarce had this commodity become towards the end of the week that housewives could with difficulty find a single pound to grace the breakfast-table on Sunday morning. The circumstance, your readers will admit, is not creditable to a district so eminently adapted for dairy farming, or to our provision merchants, who ought to have the intelligent foresight to provide at least good salted butter when the supply of fresh becomes short. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Hospital was held in the Volunteer Hall on Tuesday, 27th ult., and I am pleased to report that the interest shown in the success of this benevolent institution was indicated by the presence of a considerable number of i citizens, albeit the hour chosen — noon — was not fitted to induce a large attendance. J\lr Steward, M.H.R., was called to the chair. '. The Secretary (Mr Church) read the report ' and balance sheet, which were botli adopted. , The latter showed a credit balance of upwards of £500 on the 31st of December last, besides a sum of £27S due by the Provincial ! Government as subsidy at the same date. ] From the report it appeared that (53 ' patients had been admitted during 1873, 55 of whom had been discharged cured or re- ' lieved; 3 had died ; and 3 remainedin the Hospital at th c end of the year. The average cost of ( each patient was ascertained to be a little ( under 7s per day, and as the average dura- ' tion of stay in the Institution was iound to be twenty-one days, the cost of each patient 7 was £7 7s. At first sight this may appear a < large sum ; but as the estimate includes all •* the expenses connected with the efficient ■ working of the Institution, it is not really ] so. The statements furnished in the report 1 and balance-sheet seemed to give the sub- ' scribers much satisfaction, and as during the s current year there is a good prospect of libe- I ral donations being forthcoming, I think the Oainaru people may safely be congratulated on the establishment of an institution much needed in this wide district. Messrs .1. M'Lean and E. A. Julius were elected without opposition to the offices of President and 1 Vice- President respectively ; Mr J. Lemon ] was re-elected Hon. Treasurer, and Mr ? Church as Secretary, at a reduced salary of . £30 per annum. Messrs J. K. Auderson and K. L. Livingiton were appointed auditors. Tvrenty gentlemen were nominated < as members of Committee. Out of these, sixteen were declared duly elected— the s election being effected in the way provided by the Ordinance. The new Committee ' consists of men who are likely to devote at- ' tention to their duties, and has the advan- i tage of an infusion of new blood, while some 1 of the best men of tho old Committee are re- < elected. The only matter for regret in i connection with the report is that the ] reserves set aside as an endowment fund are J still in such a position that the manager i cannot deal with them — the General Govern- i ment having been advised that reserves set . aside for benevolent purposes by Provincial 1 Governments are ultra vires. The Crown ] grantß are therefore still unsigned ; but it is " to be hoped that the difficulty will bo over- i come before long. I may here mention that i there are now in the Hospital eight patjeats ; —» number which occujuep all tha ward* at i

present prepared — and it is contemplated that, before long, an addition will require to be made to the building. The site for the institution has been carefully selected, and is admirably adapted for its purposes.

On the same evening, and in the same place, a musical and dramatic entertainment took place on behalf ot the Surat fund. There was a very good attendance, and the performers upon the whole acquitted themselves creditably, while there were individuals who elicited loud and long applause. A ball was afterwards held, at which dancing was kept up with spirit until early morn. The proceeds were, 1 believe, nearly £40. Beyond this result, I am not aware that any further sum has been contributed to the relief of the sufferers by the wreck of the unfortunate ship.

Although at the enquiry held before a jury as to the cause of the late fire at Otepopo no evidence was forthcoming to prove its origin, yet I notice that the Government, acting, I presume, on the open verdict returned by the jury, that the fire took place under "suspicious circumstances," offers a reward of £50 fer needed information.

On Thursday last John Dods, whose property was burned down, was brought up before the Resident Magistrate, charged with making a false declaration before a J.P. of the value of the said property, and after hearing evidence, the Magistrate fully committed him for trial.

The annual meeting of the members of the Mechanics' Institute was held o'i the even ing of Thursday. There was but a moder ate attendance. G. Sumpter, Esq., M. P.O. occupied the chair, and Mr T. W. Hislop Hon. Secretary, read the report, which was extremely satisfactory in its record of improved circumstances — the increase of subscribers being considerable. The balancesheet was also indicative of prosperity, inasmuch as a credit balance of jE34 6s 3d was shown, whereas a few years ago the Institute was indebted to a large amount. Previous to the election of office - bearers for the current year, a revised code of bye-laws — the work of a Sub committee in 1873— was submitted, and after some amendments and discussion, these were adopted, and ordered to be printed. No attempt was made to have the Institute opened on Sundays, but looking to the numbers of idle men on Sundays who, having no home and no comforts save the delusive and wretched attractiveness which the publichouses afford, 1 feel almost inclined to favour the throwing open of this and kindred establishments. If the men alluded to could only be induced to take advantage of the concession, and thus lessen the evils which are apparent from the frequentiDg of hotel bars on Sundays, I fully believe the most rigid Sabbatarian would admit it to be an improvement. But I fear that class of men does not care for any kind of intellectual recreation. On Saturday Messrs Fleming and JTedley oflered for sale by public auction the valuable properties of the Star and Garter Hotel, the Empire Hotel, &c. The first did not reach the price set on it by the proprietors— the N.G.T.A. Co , I believe — and was withdrawn at £5000. The second was purchased I by J. M'Lean, Esq., of Rcdcastle, for the sum of £1733. The railway station will soon be finished, in so far as the outward frame is concerned, and from its appearance now, I should think, it is much too small for the traffic that will eventuate when the railway is opened. There are a few mild cases of scarlatina amongst the children in the town, but there is no noticeable decrease in the attendance at the schools. I learn with pleasure that the Government has granted an additional sum of money to the Committee, in order that the work of erecting the new North School may be proceeded with, the tenders previously received being all in excess of the sum allotted —£900.

The reports connected with the crops are very conflicting, some anticipating an increase of yield as compared with la3t year, while others are as equally confident that it will be barely an average. For my own part I think the oat crop i^ very much better, but the wheat crop slightly deficient over the whole district, yet in some localities very superior. The f«w patches of root crops to be seen are almost sure to be good.