Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 311, 13 May 1869, Page 2

Local and General.

Plecuc-Pnkumonia.— The following is a return of the number of cattle that have been destroyed under the provisions of the Diseased Cattie Acts, or that have died from the effects of pleuro-pneumonia, and of the number slaughtered for beef, with the number remaining on the Maori Run, from the outbreak of the disease to May Ist, 1869 : — Number destroyed, 192 ; found dead, 5 ; slaughtered for beef, 133 ; total, 330. Number remaining on Maori Run, 317. Lkithfield. — An accident of rather a serious character, occurred at the Flax Mill of Messrs Benn aud Walker, Leithfield, on the Sth inst. A lad named Knowles, about fourteen years of age, was engaged in taking the flax from the machine as it was dressed, but by some means the boy's arm became entangled in the flax, and was pulled through the " beater." The little sufferer was attended by Dr Morris, who dressed the wound. We learn that the boy is progressing favourably. Oust District — The threshing in this district being nearly all finished, and thr corn carted away, the farmers are busy ploughing and getting the ground in order for sowing. There will be fully three times the acreage in crop this year compared with last year. f*£he crops have turned out very middling. TDlio average yield may be estimated at about 15 bushels wheat, 17 barley, and 13 oats, which average scarcely reaches that calculated on in February last. The root crops are very indifferent, particularly potatoes, winch will not exceed four or five tons per acre. The early crops were stunted for want of rain, and the late, are cut off by frost. Turnips, mangolds, and carrots are

very indifferent indeedjyHThe bell for the church is not yet ereefeoj owing to the want of funds. Subscriptions are being actively canvassed for, and it may be put up in the course of a week or two. Reform and Retrenchment. — The Superintendent of Nelson, in opening a session of the Provincial Council on April 27, made the following remarks : — As soon sis the actual state of things beotime apparent to me, I reduced the expenditure upon public works, so far as was consistent with engagements already entered into, to a point within the diminished means at my disposal, and devoted my attention to all practicable reductions in the departmental expenditure of the province. By the estimates which will be submitted to you, you will fin i that the reductions which have been made effoct a saving to the extent of between £12,000 and £13,000 in the annual expenditure of the province in snlaries and contingencies. In making so sweeping a retrenchment I have performed a difficult and extremely unpleasant duty. I ask for your support and encouragement in a task ' which I have ondeavoured to execute with as little inconvenience to the public, and a3 little hardship to individuals, as under the circumstances was possible. The principle upon which I have mainly effected this large reduction in our expenditure has been that which invariably guides commercial establishments in a similar position, namely, the reduction in the number of officers employe 1, end not the reduction of the salaries of those whose services cannot be dispensed with and whose work is in many cases largely increased. When the estimates for the current year, which are now in coursa of preparation, are placed before you, you will see that I have abolished ihe formal distinction of "Departments" in the provincial service, and have classed them in groups under distinctive headings. Each officer will be required to give his services in any way in which they can lie ma-le efficiently available, nn arrangement which, although only occasionally practicable, will probably prove useful with a staff so greatly diminished.