News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1419, 1 February 1879, Page 26

News of the Week.

The telegrams received from Gore on Wednesday respecting the condition of Mr Conyers were of a somewhat less hopeful character, but in the^ evening the information was more reassuring. The telegrams recsived were as follows :— " Invercargill, 290h January. — Last advices from Gore reports Mr Conyers better this evening than in the morning, but no better than he was yesterday. The doctors say he has arrived at a most critical state, and that the next twentyfour hours will in all probability decide his case." — " Special to the Times. Gore, 10 p.m., 29th January.— Conyers gradually improving again since feverish reaction set in yesterday, and no further bad symptoms visible this evening. — N. W. Weery."

Our Palmerston correspondent writes : — "The reaper and binder contest, which was to have taken place on Friday next, is postponed, some of the machines entered not being able to be present on that day. The compptition is for a priz,a of LlO, offered by the Shag Valley Agricultural Society. I hear that three machines are already entered ; the ground selected being a paddock belonging to Mr J. Muir, Shag Valley — one every way suited for the purpose. Although the day is not definitely fixed, it will shortly take place. The crops in the district are generally looking first- rate, and the yield will be fully up to the average. Some of the farmers have already made a commencement to cut, and the rest are busy making preparations for so doing. The crops in the Goodwood district are admitted by competent judges to be the best ever seen in that district, and will turn out from 50 to 80 bushels to the acre."

A deputation of settlers from Inch Clutha waited upon the Hon. Messrs Macandrew, Ballance,and Stout, on Saturday, torequesttho Government to repair tli6 breaches in the river bank at Inch Clutha, and to ask a loan of LSOOO, to be expended by the Road and River Boards in repairing damage done to roads and works by the floods. It was stated by members of the deputation that if the breaks in the river bank were stopped the water on the island would dry up in a week, and settlers would then be enabled to set about putting their land to rights. Mr Blair, who was present, stated his opinion that to repair the breaches would cost LBOO. After consideration of what had been advanced by tbe deputation, the Minibtera agreed, under the exceptional circumstances of the case, to allow the breaches to.be repaired at Government expense, and to advance L 2500 ■without interest as a loan for the purposes mentioned, to be repaid by yearly instalments of LSOO each.

An application was made to the Waste Lands Board on Wednesday by a tenant of one of the Wakatipu runs to be allowed to surrender his depasturing license. The reason given for the request was that, owing to the heavy snowstorms of last winter, tho applicant had not only lost a very large number of sheep, but was unable to work his run profitably. Mr Maitland remarked in connection with the application that every week he was receiving fresh intelligence of tbe very heavy losses in sheep occasioned in outlying country by the severe winter of last year. On some runs not less than half the stock had been destroyed. The Board agreed to recommend tbe acceptance of the surrender applied for to Government.

At the last meeting of the Vincent County Council, it wa3 resolved to vote L 25 per annum to the Benevolent Institution of Otago, as the Institution was regarded as being of a general and not of a local character. The example Ret by tbe Vincent Council, if followed generally, would place tho Benevolent Institution in an independent position, and enable its important work to be conducted upon an extensive ecale. This just recognition of the claims of the Institution, upon the remote districts within the boundary of the late Province of Otago, is worthy of general approval and imi tation.

The Commission prs appointed to examine and report to the Government concerning the mental condition of the man Welsh— the Waikawa murderer— have, after a. careful investigation, decided that he is not insane. Upon this question Dra Skae and Kemp and Professor Macgregor, tho Conimissioneis, came to a unanimous conclusion and have reported accordingly,

Our obituary column contains a notice of the death at his residence, Caistor, North Lincolnshire, on the Bth November last, of John Innes Mackintosh, M. D., after a short but very severe illness. Dr Mackintosh bad practised at Caistor for over 30 years, where lie held important public appointments for many years j his annual reports as medical officer of health, which have been printed, being models of what such documents ought to be. In addition to very shrewd powers of observation aud diagnosis, Dr Makintosh was gifted with ready courage and determination, and was consequently more than ordinarily successful in a very extensive practice. He was a successful horticulturist, a groat botanist and naturalist, and took a warm interest in all political matters, being for many years chairman of the Local Conservative association. Dr Mackintosh was a brother of Mr Henry Mackintosh, the popuhr aud affable guard of the Dunedin, Peninsula, and Ocean Beach railway.

The Queen's Theatre, on Saturday evening last, was again crowded to overflowing, when the debate between Messrs Green and Bright ■was concluded. The Hon. R. Stout proposed a vote of thanks to the disputants, which was seconded by Mr Thomas Fergus, aud carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. The admission tickets realised tho sum of £157 &> 6d. The balance, after paying expenses, (including reporting and printing the debate) will bo handed over to the Benevolent Aaylum. That instituti m will also receive tlie proceeds from the sale of the report, two thousand copies of which will be printed.

Wo are requested to stnte that the name of Thomas Finnic, given as tho winner of ono of the attendance prizes at the late examination of the Saddle Hill school, should have been David Miller. "

The Rev. J, W. Inglis on Tuesday evening delivered a lecture in New Knox Church in aid of the Building Fund. The subject of the lecture was "Dr Guthrie." It was treated in an extremely happy style by Mr Inglis, who, in a sympathetic manner, gave a biographical sketch of the distinguished preacher and philanthropist. Dr G-uthrie'b work in connection with ragged schools was fondly dwelt upon, aad many incidents were quoted showing the_ iuterest he took in their success and the delight he felt at finding that success so well assured. The closing scene of Guthrie's life was graphically and feelingly described, and tbe lecture throughout was fully shown to be the work of a warm and true admirer of one of the most perfect specimens of the Scottish minister. The audience, which numbered perhaps 400, was a highly appreciative one. The Rev. Dr Stuart was in the chair. At the close of the lecture Mr Robert Wilson, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Inglis, mentioned that there was every probability of the congregation's achieving within the year, of which ten months had now gone, what they had set themselves to do —namely, wiping off L3OOO of the debt upon the building. L 1940 was already in hand, and some LSOO or L6OO was promised in addition to that sum.

A meeting waa held in the Waitati Hall, Blueskin, on the evening of the 25 th instant, to consider the best means of improvipg the township. Mr Quayle was in the chair, and after some discussion Mr Sector moved, Beconded by Mr Clent— " That a Progress Committee be formed, to consist of Messrs Quayle, Colehan, Fergusson, Schofield, Sector, Bland, Stewart, M'ConnelJ, and Johnson, with power to add to their number." Subscriptions amounting to L 7 14s were given in the room, it being agreed on to apply in the first place to the Blueskin Road Board for extra aid, and afterwards to the County Council. Subsequently the gentlemen present resolved themselves into another meeting, Mr Quayle in the chair. The Chairman read a memorial he had drawn up to be presented to the Minister of Justice, petitioning for a Resident Magistrate's Court to be held at the Waitati monthly, and all present signed it, it being considered necessary that such a Court should bo held.

Railway telegraphs are being placed under the charge and management of a separate department, of which Mr Floyd has been appointed superintendent. That gentleman has within the past week or two been making a tour round the country railway stations in Otago with the view of getting everything in trim for the separate working of the telegraph in connection with them, and estimating what improvements and additions may be necessary. We understand that the main stations will ba directly connectedjSuchasChristchurch.Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, probably Clinton, and Invercargill; while separate means of communication will be provided throughout the sub. stations between these centres For these purposes the Railway Telegraph Department will have a couple of wires entirely distinct from those now in use.

The commanding ofncpr'd monthly parade of No. 2 Company Wakari Rifles took place at tbe Drillahed, Mornington, on Tuesday evening. There were present the commandant, lieutenant, sub-lieutenant, colour sergeant, two sergeants, bugler, and 19 rank and file. After the company had been inspected, and put thiough various movements by Captain Reid, his Worship the Mayor of Mornington (Mr D. L. Simpson), was introduced, and with a few appropriate remarks presented to the Company two very handsome silver cups, which had been subscribed for by residents in the district, for competitive rifls-shooting. The presentation was suitably acknowledged by Captain Reid, and the Mayor afterwards intimated that he would himself give a cup to be shot for by the members of the Company. This announcement was received with applause, and three cheers were given for the Mayor, the subscribers to the prizes, and the commanding officer respectively. Only one. of the cups has as yet been shot for, and this was won by Lieutenant Telford ; but it must bettirice competed for and thrice won before becoming the property of a member of the Company. The presentation was witnessed by a considerable number of persons, among whom were Messrs Malcolm and Dunn, who had been chiefly instrumental in collecting funds for the purchase of the cups.

His Honor Judge Batbgate and Messrs J. S. Webb and J. C. Moiris, assessors, sat in the District Court on Monday to" consider the case of Thomas Calcutt v. W. Shand and others, which was a claim for compensation for certain land at Otakaia taken for railway purposes under "|The Immigration and Public Works Act of 1877." Mr Haggitt appeared for the plaintiif, and Mr J. A. Cook for the defendants. It appeared thai; the price for the land was agreod upon some eight years ago, but it was found that the necessary conveyance could not be made out until the land was formally assessed, so that, after evidence had been given to the effect that it was worth LB6 10s, the Bench gave judgment for that amount.

For the supply and delivery of telegraph poles for the line Kaitangata to Nuggets and Cafclia's River, the tender of Mr Geo. Eraser, at 27a 6d per post, has been accepter! hy the Telegraph Department ; and that of Tapper Brother*), also for polee, for the lino Lowther to Kingston, at 25j yor pole. The erection of both lines is to be proceeded with at once, and tbe department hopH to have them in working order by the beginning of winter.

The amount realised on Saturday afternoon from the sale by Mr D. M. Spedding of calicoes, dresses, &c, sent to the committee by the patrons of the late calico ball, was L 34 7s. This amount, with the subsidy to come from Government, will represent L6B 14s to be added to the funds of the Benevolent Institution.

We understand that on Tuesday afternoon a writ for LIOOO damages, for libel, was served on the Age Co-operative Company, at the instance of Mr J. E. Denniston, solicitor. The alleged libel was contained in an article published in the Age of the 22<id instant, under the heading " An Indignant Attorney."

The ship Wellington left] Glasgow for Port Chalmers on the 29th of November, 187S, and has on board 332 emigrants— equal to 293^ statute adults— viz., 40 married couples, 108 single men, 74 single women, 28 male children, 35 female children, and 7 infants. Their trades and occupations are »s follow : — 108 farm labourers, 8 shepherds, 15 ploughmen, 2 gardeners, 1 gamekeeper, 1 brass-fiuisher, 2 brickmakers, 3 miners, 1 carter, 1 weigher, 1 engine-driver, 58 domestic servants, 2 nurses, 3 dairymaids, 2 cooks, 2 housemaids.

The annual meeting of the Melbourne Total Abstinence Society was held on Monday, 20th inst. The report adopted showed, after paying interest and workiug expenses, and transferring L 1750 to the building account, a balance to the credit of the Society of L 1149 3s sd. It was resolved to co-operate with other temperance bodies to induce Mr J. B. Gough, the temperance lecturer, to visit the Australian Colonies and deliver a course of lectures— the president (the Hon. James Munro) and Mr H. Beauchamp each promising to give LIOO to the guarantee fund necessary for this purpose. The subject of coffee taverns was brought before the meeting, and the members were exhorted to lend their assistance to the movement, financially and otherwise, so as to secure their establishment in Melbourne.

Mr F. Williams' stud of racehorae3 were offered for sale at Kirk's Bazaar recently, when the following animals changed hands :—Coongoola was bought by Mr S. Wal'lock for 420 guineas ; the s-aoie buyer took Fancy for 150 guineas, and Fitzroy for 70 guineas. Mr J. Henderson, bought Richard for 70 guinea", and Mr R. W. Carrick secured Lapidary for the low price of 55 guineas. The celebrated old brood mare Rose de Florence was not sold, but it is probable she will be disposed of by private contract shortly.— Argus.

The Exhibition Commission at Sydney decided on the 21bt inst. (says the Argus) to carry on the work by night as well as day, by the aid of the electric light. An order has been sent Home by telegraph for a supply of Jablochkof candles, similar to those used at the construction of the Thames embankment.

The Melbourne Argus of the 21jt < instant says :— " Intelligence was received in Melbourne by cable yesterday, that at tbe meeting of the proprietors of the Union Bank of Australia, held in London on the 13th instant, a dividend was declared at the rate of 16 per cent, per annum for the half-year ending 31st December, 1878. £20,000 was added to the reserve fund, and L 7465 carried over to next .account.

A Glasgow paper gives a li3t of upwards of 150 failures in Glasgow and the West of Scotland directly and indirectly traceable to the stoppage of the City of Glasgow Bank. The total liabilities of the Scotch firms who have been dragged down are L 25,000,000. The value of the capital of the Scotch banks on October Ist was L 24,000,000. The value on Saturday, 16th November, was L 19,000,000.

We understand the tank against which Mr Conyers unfortunately struck was a contractor's tank, and not situated at the regulation distance from the line. A similar accident happened Home three years ago to a manager in the North Island, and the taaka were put further back in consequence.

The meeting for the election of the Dunedin School Committee, held on Monday night was extremely well attended, and much interest was taken in the proceedings. Most of the city clergymen were present, and a number also from the surrounding country districts. The Bible-in- Schools Association presented a ticket containing the names of Messrs K. Ramsay, T. Dick, A. R. Livingston, W. D. Stewart, W. M. Hodgkins, and G. P. Farquhar; of these all but Mr Ilodgkias were elected, so that five out of the seven new committeemen may be counted upon as certainly in favour of Biblereading in schools. Besides the five on the card mentioned, Messrs Nathan and Robin, members of the last year's Committee, were re-elected.

We understand that the National Bank of New Zealand has purchased the valuable site on v/hich the Victoria Hotel now stands, at the corner of George and Hanover streets, with the intention of erecting banking premises thereon at the expiry of the present tenant's lease.

The contributions made on Sunday at- the laying of the foundation stone of the Roman Catholic Cathedral amounted to L 2750, and not L 2300, as stated elsewhere.

We understand the following names will be recommended by the Executive to tho Governor for appointment to the Harbour Board :— Mesurd Hugh MacNeil, A, Burfc, and Captain Logan.

The anniversary soiree of the We3leyan body at Port Chalmers took place in the chapel there on Tuesday evening.

Mr James Simpson, of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, has been appointed Superintendent-Collector of tbe Agricultural Statistics for the Peninsula, Taieri, and Waikouaiti Comities.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Blueskin Agricultural Show on Friday, the 25th, Mr Coll. M'Donald was declared the winner of Messrs Kobn and Co.'s circulating cap, and Mr E. Johnson was authorised^ reply to an article in a country paper respecting the late show.

The Public Works Department sent out a party on Monday to proceed with the woikiug survey of the Catliu's River railway line.

The Moeraki School Committee have resolved to vote for Messrs M. Fraer and Keith Ramsay as members of the Education Board.

The annual picDic of the railway employe's, which wa« to have been held at Hampden on the Ist February, has been postponed indefinitely, in consequence of the accident to Mr Conyers, the Commissioner of Railways. A meeting, to fix tho date of the picnic, will be held as soon as Mr Conyers is reported by his medical attendants to be out of danger.

The Tnvercargill express has now got into thorough running order, apparently. No diffi culty h experienced in doing the journey in the time allotted.

The Government aro calling for tenders for the erection of a goods-shed and loadingbank at Goodwood, on the main trunk line of railway. Tendoi-3 will bo received up to the 7th of February.

IVndors are required for tho construction of tho Kuipara-Puuiu Railway.

Lovera of the drama and music will be glad to hear that arrangements have been entered into with a view of bringing to New Zealand a continuous stream of first-qlaga artists from Europe, America, and Australia. The Queen's Theatre, Dunediu, t'ae Theatre Royal, Christchurch, and Theatre Royal, Wellington, have been bespoken by the leading theatrical managers of Melbourne and Sydney, who will act in conjunction with Messrs Hiscocks and Hayman, now in this Colony with that object. Dramatic, operatic, concert, aud other companies are to follow each other in their tours round tbe Colonies ; and the managers announce their intention of securing only the cream of these. The arrangement, if properly carried out, cannot but be advantageous to the amusementloving public, who will then have opportunities of witnessing the performances of artißts they might not otherwise be able to do. The system will be inaugurated in Dunedin on the 12th of April next, when an opera-bouffe troupe, including the baby ballet corps, at present performing at the Melbourne Opera-house, will make their appearance at the Queen's.

The Native chief Paul, of Orakei, is at present in Auckland, making arrangements with Tawhiao for a meeting between the Natives and the Government in March. Before the March meeting takes place a preliminary meeting is to be held, at which Paul will preside. For this purpose a ruuanga-house has been built at Mokau at a cost of Lls, and a well is now being dug, so that there will be no scarcity of water. Stores of all kinds are being laid in in abundance. Paul has, by advertisement in the Maori newspaper, invited all and sundry to come. It is impossible to say how many may respond to the invitation. The pre • Jimiuary meeting is expected to last a week. Local subjects will first be considered, and then the meeting will discuss the aspect of affairs between the Government a»d Tawhiao. That done, they will go up to Waikato with Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, to attend the Native meeting at Kopua.

" O, Love of Mine," is the title of an exceedingly pretty tenor song composed by Signor Carmini Morley, a copy of which has reached us. The song has already been heard in public here, having received very creditabla interpretation at the hands of Mr T. B. Low some months ago, when it was well received. It is written in the key of D major, and ia ramarkable alike for its flowing melody and graceful pianoforte accompaniment. It contains two verses, the words of which are full of earnestness and sentiment. The printer ha.3 performed his task well. In Bhort, the composition is likely to provoke the admiration o{ all musicians who have at heart the cultivation and encouragement of music in our city. The publishers aro Messrs C. Begg and Co., of Princes street.

The total increase in the Customs revenue of last year is L 131.465. Of this Auckland has contributed L 28.755 ; Wellington L23]877 } Christchurch L 39,60 4; and Dunedin L 19.134.

The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, in reply to a deputation on Wednesday, said that the portion of the Strath-Taieri railway running through Mullocky Gully would be opened to tenderers, with the exception of a section to ba reserved for applicants to the Government as unemployed, during the first week in February, and that the construction of other portions of the line would be taken into consideration.

The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company was held on Wednesday in the office of the secretary, Mr J. A, Mackenzie. Mr C. S, Reeves occupied the chair, and there were fourteen or fifteen shareholders present. The balance-sheet (published by us a day or two ago) was laid before the meeting aud adopted. It was agreed that the directors (seven) be paid a total sum of L 75 per annum for their services, and it was also agreed to raise the secretary's salary by L 75 a year. The remainder of the business was unimportant.

The lloslyi^ tramway scheme has received already a considerable amount of support, and is likely, in the energetic hands of Messrs Reid and Duncans, to get beyond the point of a mere project, and at least to reach the top of the hill. It is a scheme that, if once fairly put into work in its earlier stages, will necessarily grow.

At the meeting held on Wednesday in connec tion with the projected movement for raising subscriptions in aid of the Glasgow Bank share holders, it was decided to send out subscription lists in Dunedin and through the country districts at once, and a committee was formed to make all arrangements, &c. The Rev. J. W. Inglis has offered to lecture in aid of the movement. A report of the meeting appears elsewhere.

The Dunedin Naval Cadets were inspected at the Drillshed on Wednesday by Captain Jack, of the Dunediu Volunteer Artillery, '.["here wero present : Captain Stanley, two lieutenants, four petty officers, and 44 gunners. The inspecting officer expressed his thorough, satisfaction with the stats of the company, arms, &s. The Artillery were also inspected afterwards, when the lieutenant, four sergeants, and 45 gunners were present. In future it is intended that drills at periodical intervals shall be held of the Artillery and Naval corps in a body.

In connection with an application for the lease of a gravel bank on the Mataura River, it was mentioned that in one week lately, tho owner of the adjoining land killed no less than 800 rabbits upon it.

At Wednesday's meeting of the Waste Lands Board, the Waikouaiti Runs, Nos. 75 and 76 (Orbell's) were dealt, with. The total area of these two runs is 20,000 acres, of which 7000 acres are to be set aside on deferred payment in three large blocks, none of less area than 10C0 acres ; and the remainder will be declared into a hundred, and offered |for sale at LI per acre.

The following tenders were on Wednesday accepted by the Works Committee of the City Council : — One year's grazing right over northeast portion of the Cattle Market Reserve, Carroll Bros., L 5; one year's tenancy of the Stuart street weighbridge, W. Rtfdoch, Ll3l 10i. The tenders for works in connection with the Gas Department were referred to the Gaa Committee.

Two informations for perjury .have been lodged by Andrew Reid against l»Irs Johnstone on account of the evidence sho gave in the perjury case against Mrs Reid. Tho charges will be hoard at the Police Court on Monday next before some of the J.P.s, Mr Watt being a witness in the case.

The breach of promise case, Cayford v. Carruthers, was to have been heard at the Supreme Couit on Monday morning, but an agreemeut was laid before the Court by which both parties agreed to a verdict for plaintiff for L2OO, without costa. The case was not, therefore, entered upon.

The artistic and literary contents of the Illustrated New Zealand Herald for this month, are as varied and attractive as ever. Among tae illustrations aro a view in the Otira Gorge, Now Zealand, tho outrages of tho Kelly gang at Euroa, and a Victoriaa vineyard. It is an excellent number to send to friends at Home,