CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 22

CLYDE.

June 18. — Rain commenced falling on Friday evening, and it rained unceasingly all through Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday night. The mountains are covered with snow, but the atmosphere is not yet disagreeably cold. The Late Hon. Vincent Pyke.— That Central Otago has lost ita best and truest friend in the decease of Mr Pyke there can be no question, and as a people we shall miss the friend upon whom we could rely to further the interests of our district whenever opportunity offered. It is impossible for me to state how much we are indebted to the energy and goodness of that life that was wholly devoted to the furthering of our well-being. It only remains for me to say that we loved the " old man," and we were certain that he loved us and our sunny sky and our happy homes. On Sunday, lOth inst., at St. Michael's Anglican Church, Clyde, the Rev. Mr Ghent, in referring to the death of the Hon. Vincent Pyke, concluded his remarks as follows : — " As you are aware, by the merest accident in the world the parsonage "became the property of the church, having formerly been in the possession of Mr Pyke. The garden to this day bears evident traces of his Somersetshire breeding. It is very far indeed now from what it was then, but yet there are traces of a man's hand to whom the culture of trees and flowers was as the breath of heaven. On such subjects I pin my faith to the Hon. Vincent Pyke. He foresaw all along from the earnest in that lovely garden the immense opportunities for similar cultivation throughout Central Otago. He spoke of railways as the arterial connection with the heart of the province, and knew that Central Otago would never receive justice, nor would the colony at large, till such railways were completed. Again, I repeat, in spite of all opposition to Mr Pyke's opinions, that he was probably pre-eminently the most capable authority on such matters in New Zealand. I will conclude by praying that his soul may rest in peace, in the hope of a joyful resurrection, such as the spring will bring his own beloved flowers, and may perpetual light shine upon him henceforth and for ever."

Vileness.— One of our most respected townsfolk had his household linen and the roof of his dwelling-house besmeared with filth about a fortnight ago. The matter was given into the hands of the police — that is to say, the finding of the parties who committed the offeace was entrusted to them. A handsome reward for evidence such as would convict the offenders was also offered through advertisement in the local paper. However, the police constable managed to run the perpetrators to earth, but strange to relate no further steps are to be taken in the matter. This is certainly tying the hands of justice, and if Buch a course of action is allowed to be pursued it will assuredly lead to grave complications amongst the community. Nevertheless, the constable is to be complimented upon the effectual manner in which he sifted the whole affair.

Political. — Already we have Mr Scobie Mackenzie advertising his candidature for our suffrages. We are expecting a good many con testanta in the field. Mr Fraser is sure to stand, and then we have the off-chance of the Hon. Mr Larnach standing. Mr Champion Rawlins will probably stand for the mere fun of the thing, and last, but by no means least, we are expecting Mr Reginald Pyke (son of our late member) to contest the seat. 1 am not in a position to definitely state whether or not it is Mr Pyke's intention to do so, but he is spoken of as a probable candidate. Should he decide upon such a course the vacant seat will undoubtedly fall to the lot of either Mr Scobie Mackenzie or he.

Concert. — A concert is to take place in the Clyde Town Hall on the 29th inst. The proceeds are to go towards augmenting the school funds. Mining. — Jack Frost has not yet-interfered with the water supply, and those sluicing on the west bank of the river below Clyde have had a full supply of water throughout the season. The dredges are keeping steadily at work, and handsome returns are comin? in each week. Mr Jones, proprietor of the Dairy Creek coal-pit, has had prospecting operations carried on recently at the mine, with the rosult that a splendid seam of fairly well-developed lignite has been discovered.