News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1503, 4 September 1880, Page 18

News of th e Week.

We are glad to hear that after considerable negotiation satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Government for the working of the Waimea Plains railway in conjunction with the Government lines. The time-table, which is advertised in another column, and which is to take effect from Ist September, is so arranged that through passengers from Dunedin will perform the journey to Queenatown in one day. It has also been arranged that goods will be carried at through rates for the whole distanca to Kingston, which comes within the 150 mile rate.

A lady wai nominated for a seat in the Norih East Valley Corporation on Saturday, but owing to the fact that the name of the ward for which Mrs Forrester desired to stand was not mentioned in the paper, her nomination wa3]declared to be informal. One of the ratepayers who had signed the nomination paper for the lady was not at all pleased that his candidate was defeated upon a technicality, but he consoled himself by remarking that the office of Mayor would soon be open for competition.

The subject of the dismissal of the pilots was reopened at the Harbour Board at its last meeting. The Harbourmaster recommends the reappointment of Captain PatoD, who expresses contrition for his conduct ; and state 3 his intention of trying to work the service without filling up the place of Captain Louden. Through. Mr Harris, solicitor, Captain Louden applies for an inquiry into the circumstances attending his dismissal.

In the Legislative Council last week the borrowing powers undar the Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act were reduced from L 150.000 to LIOO,OOO on a division by 14 to 12.

Thid district (says the Cromwell Argus) is favoured with the preaence of a gentleman who has demonstrated to his own satisfaction a variety of celestial problems, the elucidation of which ha 3 engaged the attention of scientists in all ages. Mr Jame3 Thoma-i, being anxious that all men should profit by his special knowledge, has, it appears, in a moment of weakness addressed a paper to the editor of the Witness. The editor does not seem to have been impressed with the importance of Mr James Thomas' profound studies and wondrous discoveries,forhe handed the document over to the writer of "Passing Notes," who make 3 light of the benighted Thomas. Mr Thomas is sore about this, and desires that, through tbe columns cf the Argus, the perfidy of tae Witness editor should be exposed from the North Cape to Dusky Sound. On the understanding that Mr Thomas will not njjain trouble U3, we have agreed to publish his indignant and dignified protest which runs :— -'• To trie Editor New Zealand Press: Gentlemen, — The editor of the O ago Witness has not treated me as a gentleman in'not publishing my letter, But gave it to Pas-ring Notes who has published it not verbatim, he appears ridiculous when hesays the Earth is flat not round and proves himseif to be the animal who spoke once we are told in the Bible. If original letter is not returned shall be in Dunedia soon. Silent contempt. — James Thomas." We can assure Mr Thomas that his letter was inserted in " Passing Notes " verbatim el Jit&'atim.

Daring the past week only one declaration of insolvency has baen made. Tiie debtor U William Todd. Dunedin, dairyman. Debts, L7l ; assets, L 34 163 4d.

At the monthly meeting of the Portobello Road Board the members present were — Messrs W. A. Wilson (in the chair), Dlclrson, Geary, Gretn Dick. Mackay, Bacon, and Robinson. Mr W. A. Wilson's resigna'ion was accepted, and Mr Gr'cn vras elected chairman. Mr Jamps Mnir waa elected a member of tho Board. Mr W. R. Latham's tender for the treasurerdhip waH accented. Mr W. G. Mac artney's tender for the colleccorship was alto accjpted at 3 per cent, on one-shilling and 5 per c-nt. ou fcixpsnny rates. It was resolved that Mr James Muir should hold office as c*erk until the next meeting. A vota of tbank-j was passed to Mr W. A, Wilson for his serviee^ as cbsirinan of the Board. It was rtwolve'i v: at rtpAiw bhoull be •■& ct-.J on tbe Leah. \v-l':. Cuuty ro,.d, und H.j'.pei'j; Inlet, B a ;;eh r'a''. A committee w^s arip'-iiitft to sllncsto tbe deficiecc7 in thft account* ao'ong?t tue saveral subdivisions of the diatrlct, and accounts amounting to L 36 17a 6d were passed for pajmeut,

The following appears in the Western Star : — On Wednesday morning last wo published as an extra the following telegram from Mr M'Causrhan to Mr Daniel. The message is dated Wellington, August 20ch, but did not reach its destination sooner in consequence of the telegraph line being down :— ' We have thrown out Otago Central railway, and got our Western railway pushed on. We will get many unemployed from Otago Central railway to Orepuki line, the completion of which will be forced earlier than expected/ In confirmation of ahove, Mr Hirst telegraphed yesterday that a vote for the completion of the Orepuki railway has been placed on the Supplementary Estimates." This is strange if true, and the Hon. Mr Oliver will doubtless be interviewed on the subject when next he visits Dunedin. It will be observed that a sum of L 75.000 has been passed on the Supplementary Estimates for employing the unemployed, and this is at the absolute discretion of the Goverment. It is for Dunedin to see that the Otago Central gets a share in preference to a miserable abortion like the Orepuki line.

A crowded audience assembled at tbe Queen's Theatre on Sunday night, in order to hear Mr Chalet (the ventriloquist and lecturer in connection with the Pantascope) lecture about Colonel Ingereoll. Mr Chalet contented himself, for the most part, with Riving a reading of the well-known lecture by Ingersoll, entitled " The iMistakes of Moses." As a reader he was wonderfully successful, and the audience — who, judging by the laughter and applause, appreciated the tone of the lee ture — were kept in almost constant laughter, and applauded very liberally. Mr Chalet stated that he had heard Colonel Ingersoll deliver the lecture in Chicago, and he was therefore able to imitate his style to a consider* able^ extent. A band supplied appropriate music before and after the lecture.

We are informed that Mr Bastings has positively decided to stand for Waikaia. The other probable candidates spoken of are Mr Morris, of Switzers, and Captain Mackenzie. The writ is returnable on September 30th.

At the nomination of candidates for the North-East Valley Borough Councilon Saturday Messrs Marshall and Farquharaon were returned unopposed, but for the vacancy in West Ward there were two candidates, and a contest will take place. The present Mayor of the borough (Mr Schlotel) and Mr D. Cameron are the rival candidates.

The Qtago Harbour Board Bill has escaped by the '" skin of its teeth," and has in a modified form passed both Houses. The borrowing powers ara reduced to LIOO,OOO, and the leasing powers are struck out. In other respects the bill has passed safely through the severe ordeal to which it has been subjected.

Mr Vincent Pyfee, af terjoccupying four precious hours of a dying session in a most unseemly squabble which brought him into contact with the Sergeant-at-arms and under the censure of the Speaker, on Saturday night apologised, and was forgiven, thus escaping whatever dreadful doom was impending over him. The whole scene, though it had it' comic aspects, was a disreputable ones and the only excuse for it was that >the House hadbeen sitting many hours, and fatigue is apt to fly to some members, heads and reduce them to a condition familiarly known as "mops and brcoms."

About 50 Maori families reside at the Kaik. near Hillgrove (says the North Of; ago Times) They have 636 acre* of land, a portion of which is cultivated, aud they live undet the control of their chief, Matahi. The use of stimulants is strictly forbidden, and any Maori resident transgressing the rule against their use subjects himself to a fine of LI for each glass of grog, When practicable, the fine is rigorously imposed j but, as might be expected, delinquents occasionally get off with impunity.

The Wellington correspondent of the Southland Times telegraphed on Friday :—": — " A deputation of Southern members, supporters of the Government, waited on the Premier to point out the injustice that had been done to the southern part of the Colony by the withdrawal of the 20 per cent, of the land fund, as provided by the Financial Arrangements Act, without providing something in lieu thereof, as was contemplated by the Local Public Works Bill, withdrawn by the Government. The Premier Btated, in reply, that the financial necessities of the Colony were the justification which the Government had for taking the coarse they had taken ; but if any means could be found for alleviating the blow which had fallen upon the counties in the South, the Government would be prepared to adopt any reasonable proposal."

A public meeting of persons interested in the establishment of a Farmers' Co-operative Association in South Canterbury was held at the Groavenor Hotel, Tiniaru, on Saturday afternoon. The attendance was not large, although the date of the meeting had been publicly announced several days previously. Mr Goodwyn was voted to the chair. The committee appointed at a previous meeting submitted their report. Mr Cooper said the basis of the company would be (if the report of the committee were adopted) that the management should be limited to farmers and owners of farms, and that all profit over 10 per cant, on the capital invested would be returned to the person on whose produce the profit was made. There would be no objection to allowing persons other than farmers taking shares in the Association, but if; was the intention of the promoters of the company to guard against speculation in shares, and prevent the manag-m-int falling mto mercantile hands. A lony discu sion took placa on the repoit, and Mr lir\ It-haw, although a member of the Ct-mmicee, declined tosuV-cribe to it as thefund^mmtal bssh u;_ioii v?li'ob. the Association phonld be established. He moved — "That instead of a licoittd liability campany, a Farmers' Co operative Society ba formed, to be confined exclusively to farmers. " Mr Page seconded the motioD. Mr Cooper moved as an amendment—" That the report be adopted." Tho resolution was carried. The following Committee, with power to add to their number, were then appointed to make further inquiries, and endeavour to carry out the resolution, viz : Messrs Cooper, Postlethwaite, Buckle, Page, Lovegrove, Bourne, Kelland, Bradshaw, Talbot, Goodwyn, and Campbell. The meeting then ad j „ urned.

Mr J. Bathgate [retired from office as Resident Magistrate and District Court Judge of Dnnedin on TueEday. Mr W. L. Simpson will occupy the bench at the Resident Magistrate'b Court for the present, but it is not yet definitely decided that he is to occupy the position of Resident Magistrate tf the district permanently.

Wo fira infern,el that by tf> c mail which arriv-d'on Tu-jsdiy tbe 'factor of the Presbytaria.ii Church received intelligence that no less than 37 app'icatioi.s had been rccaived from < i ftudiisntßs lor the new professorship in our TLiivf :• itr. A II- fc of the applicaa s has been for-ardtd, bat ihs ap^ointmeni. had nob been in.tdo w.i^n tbe mail left. Information has been received by cable teat a s&leetion has been nude, bub the name of the successful candidate is not yet known.

The vital statistics for the district of Danedin ! for the mouth of August are :— Births, 181 ; deaths, 46 ; marriages, 31. At a meeting of the Committee of the New Zealand _ Industrial Association on Tuesday evening it was resolved to hold an exhibition of New Zealand products and manufactures in Dunedin in the month of June next year. We have been shown a letter from a gentleman who lately left New Zealand for Cape Town, and which does not speak in very favourable terms of South Africa as a field for the labouring classes. The writer is a contractor of considerable Colonial experience, and his opinion of the Cape is therefore worthy of attention. After referring to the collapse of the extensive railway construction scheme brought forward by the Government at the last session of the Cape Parliament (particulars of which were given in this journal recently), the writer Bays : — " The great number of labourers who came along with us from New Zealand are greatly disappointed, for wages are only 43 to 53 per day : while bad beef and mutton are 8d per lb." A meeting of the Board of Conservators of the West Taieri River District was held on the 28th of August. Present: Messrs J. Shand, P. Grant, Cox, and Dow. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved that the clerk be instructed to summon all those who had had the use of the derrick, piledriver, or punt for the amount agreed to be paid for the use of them in each case. It was resolved that the surfaceman be instructed to slope the bank of the river where the groins are about to be placed sufficiently to allow the pile-driver to be worked. Mr Shand offered to give the timber required to repair the caving near the railway bridge, provided the Board would do the work required. The offer was accepted. A meeting of the Blueskin School Committee was held on Monday evening, there being present Messrs E. Johnson (in the chair), G. Charlton, J. Wilßon, and R. Hislop. After some formal business had been disposed of, a letter was read from Mr R. H: Ferguson, the head teacher, in which he stated that the at tendance of children during the month had occasionally been 136, the average being 130. In a concluding sentence he requested permission to use the schoolroom half an hour each school day, in the morning before 10 o'clock, for the purpose of imparting religious instruction to those children whose parents might wish it. A discussion took place about the matter, in which all the gentlemen present took part, Mr Charlton and the Chairman expressing strongly their reasons for objecting to any privilege of the sort being accorded the teacher or clergyman of any denomination on a school day. Ultimately Mr Charlton moved — "That the use of the schoolhome be not granted for religious instruction excepting on Saturdays." Sir Wilson seconded the metion, which was carried. Subsequently some conversational remarks were made about the manner in which the Committee had been treated by the Education Board, in not having been apprised that the ground for the new school had been bought, the school tendered for and tender accepted, that a pupil teacher had been appointed a month or more before, and was then daily teaching in the room they were in, and yet without their official cognisance. It was also stated that in matters financial and otherwise, the Committee were not communicated with. As a consequence Mr Charlton moved — " That the Secretary ba instructed to write to the Chairman of the Education Board, complaining of the scant courtesy this Committee receive at the hands of the Board, that body not acknowledging receipt of communications, and not informing the Committee of the determination of the Board regarding school matters in this district." The motion was seconded by Mr Hislop, and unanimously carried, A lecture, or, a3 it was termed, "An hour's talk about my trip Home," was given by Mr J. Bathgate on Wednesday evening. Miss E. K. Hay, the matron of the Union street School, has, we are informed, forwarded her resignation to the Dunedin School Committee. The time for sending 'in returns under the Property Assessment Act has been extended until September 30th. From the tone of the meeting of railway employes held at Christchurch on Sunday it seems that everything is ripe for a strike if the Government persist in their all-round reduction of 10 per cent. The matter will require considerable tact on the part of the Ministry to arrange satisfactorily. The reply of Mr Conyers to the men here, however, if it has been correctly stated, denotes that the Government have shifted their ground as regards railway employes, although there is a vagueness about it as it stands that is unsatisfactory. With reference to the recent agitation among the railway employes, we understand that a graduated scale for payment and promotion is being arranged, and that it is likely to meet the wishes of the disaffected officers and workmen. We hear that Edward Wilson, leading fitter at the railway shed, who was deputed by the meeting of the railway employes to attend the meeting at Christchurch, has been suspended, for being " absent without leave. 1 ' Mr W. D. Stewart, M.H.R., arrived in town on Wednesday night ; also Messrs Bain and Hirst, en route to InvercargilL Two overtures of a somewhat unusual character were read at the meeting of the Dunedin. Presbytery on the Ist, and will be considered at its next ordinary meeting. One of these requests the Synod to take into consideration the "Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill," and the other is to the effect that regulations be made respecting bankrupts. The Rev. Dr Stuart also gave notice of aa overture advising tbe Synod to authorise lay-readers to assist ministers by conducting services in parts of the country where population is scattered. At a special meeting of the Executive and General Committees of the Dunedin National Industrial Association, held on Tuesday evening, it was unanimously resolved — " That, considering the great advantages likely to accrue from a more perfect knowledge of the natural resources of the Colony, and with a view to the encouragement and development of our native industries, an Industrial Exhibition be held in Danedin, in June, 1881." A working committee of management wa3 elected, and a guarantee fund for expenses necessary for such an undertaking at once set on foot and liberally subscribed at the meeting. Mr George Grant, who has acted as local secretary to both the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibition -Commissioners, has, at the request of the Committee, agreed to act as secretary, and we have no doubt his experience in such matters will be of much value to the undertaking. A programme, we "are informed, will shortly be issued, and in the meantime intending exhibitora and all interested in the success of the exhibition are invited to communicate with Mr Grant. ■Mr H. Goodman has pcratcbed York for tha Publicann' Handicap aud Sylvanus for the Cup at the Geraldine races, considering that the weights were altogether too heavy for the hows named.

Several of ;the members of the Assembly reached Dunedin from the North on"Wednesday night, and some of them were expected ' by the s.s. Arawata on Thursday forenoon, amongst the latter being the Hon. Captain Eraser, M.L.C., and Mr W. A. Murray, M.H.R. The annual licensing meeting will be held a Outram on Tuesday next, when three new ap plications — one for the Hitor-Miss Hotel and two from Mullocky Gully — will be heard. | „r A meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery wasf held on the Ist, at which the report on the state of religion was brought up for consideration. After discussion the subject was remitted to the Committee for more definite recommendations, which are to be placed before an adjourned, meeting. During the debate general sympathy , was expressed with the report, but it was con- " sideredby some to be too vague in its character and to recommend more than it would be practicable to accomplish. Dr Copland in hia speech referred in emphatic terms to ihe recent delivery of Ingersoll's "Mistakes of Moses" at the Queen's Theatre on Sunday evening last. With reference to the remarks made by our West Taieri correspondent about the locomotive" Weka" running on the Outram line, we are informed that the. reason that small engine has been put on the line is that the bridges ara hot at present in a state to carry a heavier one. Materials have been sent oat to repair the' bridges, and as soon as they are strengthened another engine will be substituted. At a Committee meeting of tho Oamaru Football Club on Tuesday night it was resolved, on Mr Clayton's motion, seconded by Mr M 'Donald, that the hon. secretary be instructed to write ta the Danedin and Invercargill Football Clubs re formation of a Rugby Union Association for Otago. It is probable that shortly the Land Board ' will be called upon to consider the advisability of letting runs to rabbiters, there having been several inquiries in that direction recently. There are several in Otago which cannot ba leased for sheep-runs in' consequence of the large numbers of rabbits on them, and there seems no good reason why the country should^ not be granted to parsons who will destroy the ' rabbits. In fact, as a member of the Board remarked once when the question was talked ' over, the Board leases the run to depasture jsheep ; but if the purchaser finds it pays him ' :betterto depasture rabbits, there can ba no' objection — at any rate so long as bja neigh* hours are not injured, ' - We have seen at Messrs Reid and Duncans' a, large drawing of the working details of tha Roslyn tramway, admirably executed by Ms George Sinclair, for the Melbourne Exhibition. The drawing is embellished with an excellent water-colour view of the Roman' Catholic Bishop's bouse and adjoining buildings ia Rattray street. " The dummy oar with ' its machinery, and the underground apparatus for attaching and detaching the wire rope, are clearly depicted, as well as the winding gear. We understand that contracts to tha extent of about L6OOO in all have been entered into, and < the prices came out very close 1 indeed to the ■ original estimate. There is every probability that the tramcara will be running on this' novel line by Christmas. Mr R. B. Martin, Government auctioneer, held a sale at the Crown Lands Office on the Ist inst. of the leases of a couple of Wakatipu runs.! Three or foar bidden attended. Both runs' were secured by the former lessee — Mrs Meiklejohn. The upset in both cases was Id' per acre. Run No. 9, containing 8500 acres, - brought IJd an acre ; and Run No. 9a, containing 7500 acres, brought 3&d an acre. Mr Stout delivered a lecture in the Athenaeum' Hall last night before the Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland Association, on " Orkney and Shetland a hundred years ago." There. was a good attendance of the members and their friends. The lecturer in the intro ' duction gave some .interesting particulars as to the early history of these islands— how the aborigines were Picts, but were driven oat in the ninth century by the Danes and Norsemen, who held sway until in the 15th century the islands were pledged to the Scottish Crown, and never afterwards redeemed. .Coming to the manners and customs of a century ago, he quoted considerably from a book written by the Rev. Mr Low, describing a visit he had paid to the islands. Showing the way in which wrecks had contributed to the population, it was stated that in one portion the inhabitants were of Spanish characteristics, and that the method of dyeing wools in vogue was exactly similar at the present day as that practised in Andalusia. The wreck of the Spanish Armada evidently accounted for these facts ; whilst on one of, the small islands the inhabitants misplaced their aspirates to such an extent that only English castaways could have set the fashion. Interesting particulars were given of the system of land tenure, of tha religious, political, and social condition of tha people, and of the trade and fishing industries carried on. At the close a hearty vota of thanks was carried, on the motion of Mr G. C. Matheson. Mr Mackay, the president of the Association, occupied tha chair. Mr Horace Bastings has decided to come forward as a candidate for the representation of Waikaia (says the Tuapeka Times). In soliciting their suffrages, he declares himself to be an advanced Liberal. His creed ia therefore simple, and easily stated : — Education reserves to be sold on deferred payment, the proceeds to be devoted to education ; ordinary deferred-payment settlers to be allowed to borrow to the extent of two-thirds of their improvements ; ballot for deciding between rival applicants for deferred-payment sections, instead of auction ; the present system of education ; against Local Option and Chinese immigration—that is aIL Captain Mackenzie will probably be a third candidate. An individual ' called at this office last evening (says Thursday's Daily Times) for the purpose of informing us that at a numerously attended meeting of Irishmen held at Mornington on Tuesday evening it was resolved unanimously that the Duke of Connaught ehould be the future King of Ireland. It may be as well to state that our informant, before departing, called for three cheers for the Queen, and informed us that, being a family man, he did not intend to take part in any conflict with the British Government. Sir Wm. May, hairdresser, Balclutha, has entered the." Consultation" lists. Particulars will be found elsewhere. Mr George Mathewa, of Hawthorn Hill, Mornintgon advertises a number of farm implements for sale. Mr Horace Bastings publishes elsewhere a list o the dates on which he will address the electors o Waikaia. Applications have been made to register the Mount Aurum Gold-mining Company as a limited liability company under the provisions of the Mining Companies Act, 1872. Claims for compensation in connection with the con struction of the Taieri contract oi. section 7 block II township of Waihola, on the Waitaki-Bluff railway' must be sent to the Public Works Office, Dunedin. The Taieii County CouncU are inviting tenders fo" the supply of 200 yards of 2-inch metal for the Main South road, between Sunnyeide and the Mosgiel quarry. "

There is no foundation for the report that Mr Mansord, R.M., is to succeed Judge Bathgate. The directors of the Geelong Gold-mining Company Limited), Longwood, have made a call of sixpence per share. Mr Cornelius Bunhury, of JHanover street, has con tributed the very handsome sum of £20 to the Benevolent Institution. „ „ The directors of the Blue Spur and Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Co. (Limited) have made a call of one shilling per share. _ The term at Orakanui College will begin on September 21st. , „ „ The bye-laws adopted by the Wardens of the Crown Terrace Hundred for the year 1880 are published A lease of Crown lands in the North Molyneux district will be held at the Crown Lands Office, Dunedin, on Friday, October Ist, at noon. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. In another column will be found a statement of the affairs of the Dunstan Creek Water-race Company, Limited, for the half-year ended June 29th, 1880. Tenders are invited for printing the electoral roll for the district of Waitaki. The examination for the University and junior scholarships in connection with the University of New Zealand will commence on Monday, December 13th. A general meeting of shareholders of the Victoria Gold-mining Company, Hindon, will be held at the office of Mr J. P. Watson, High street, at 4 p.m. on Monday, the 6th inst.