NASEBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 7

NASEBY.

I have not written you for gome time past, owing to the paucity of news, and now think that a few items may interest your readers. To commence with the Sludge Channel and Head Bace, they x both draw on a weary pace towards completion. The Head-raOe has not been carried to a farther length than it was some three years ago, though every attempt has-been made to render it efficient as far as the large dam made for flushing purposes is concerned. The late floods have done material damage thereto, which will take some time to repair. The Sludge Channel also suffered, but not to so material an extent as was at first supposed. It is estimated that some £400 will repair all the damage done. It is ot great moment to the district that those works should be completed without delay, as there is a large area of sluicing ground taken up, the owners of which, are awaiting the proper appliances. Numbers of men who hold claims are now away harvesting, and on their return will find themselves out of employment, unless the Government put their shoulder to the wheel and complete the works.

The valuation of property within the Municipality liable to rates has just been made, and shows a sum of £4089. Our County Council (Maniofcoto) have held but one meeting, their second meeting being fixed" for the Bth March next, when it is very doubtful whether the whole Act will be adopted, or its adoption remain in abeyance for the present.

There has been some excitement in munipal matters lately, owing to the Mayor having absented himself from the meetings of the Council for more than a month. The Ordinance enacts that under such circumstances the offics shall be declared vacant, and the offender 13 made liable to a penalty nob exceeding £50. The Mayor was sued for that amount, and the case resulted in his being fined in a mitigated sum of £1, with costs— £3 10s. The Council thereupon dedared the office to be vacant, and a election took place, resulting in the re-election of Mr Busch without opposition. This speaks well of the estimation in which that gentleman is held by the citizens.

One of the most terrific thunder storms which it has ever been the lot of •• the oldest inhabitant " to witness passed over here on the night of the 17th mat. After a fine day, with oppressive heat, immense sheets of sheet lightning were visible in this district, which gradually environed the whole horison and culminated in a grand burst of chain and forked lightning, which appeared to fall to the ground in every direction in and about the town. The Main Gully was flooded to as great an extent as in the previous week, most of the tail races— notably that of the Extended Company — being completely filled up and undiscemable. Fortunately, there is no accident to life or limb to record. On Saturday evening last an old up-coun-try celebrity— Mr W. J, Barry— favoured us with a leoture at the Town Hall, on " Sensational Experiences during 47 years' .Residence in the Australian Colonies." The attendance was not so large as might have been wished, owing to short notice, and to Saturday being the principal business night of the week. The lecturer commenced by reverting to the time of his landing at Sydney, in 1829, and proceeded to give many thrilling adventures and experiences there in the convict days, and of his many vicissitudes in the whole of the Australian Colonies, California, India, and the Indian

Archipelego, finishing his lecture with many ludicrous experiences in New Zealand. Mr Barry (who, by the way, was several times Mayor of Cromwell) is well known to all old Colonists as a man of wit and humour, which position he maintained here. He has been for a long time past writing a history of his "Experiences," which is to be published in England, and will doubtless command a ready sale. Leaving aside the humorous portions of his lecture, there is a great fund of information in it. It is his intention, I believe, to visit Dnnedin (amongst other places), and deliver his lecture, arid I can assure those of your readers who may attend that they will leave both edified and amused.