BALCLUTHA (From our Own Correspondent.)

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 146, 24 November 1870, Page 6

BALCLUTHA (From our Own Correspondent.)

"In the midst of life we are in death." This solemn and commanding statement has been sadly verified in this community since I last wrote you. An old and respected settler at Warepa, who died very puddenly, was scarcely laid in the narrow bed "when the still more sad and sudden death of Mr. Ryrie was announced by the electric wires. The time and manner of his death you already chronicled in your local columns ; arid although the jury have declared it purely accidental, it will be long before the public can repose the same confidence in Cobb and Co.'s coaches, although supported by Mr. Mansefield's seventeen years experience. If Mr. Mansefield's supervision over his coaches was not enough to ensure his knowledge of a similar accident having lately occurred on the same line of road, we may safely infer that had this latter one not been attended with such dire results, he would remain ignorant of its ever happening. Mr. Eyrie's body was interred on Friday last in the Balclutha cemetery. Tne funeral procession was the largest ever seen in this district. Business was entirely suspended, and the settlers from the surrounding districts gathered almost to a man to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom we all expected would live long and be useful among us. It is seldom that such an awfully solemn event overshadows oar' earthly habitations as this one. In its suddenness, in its severity, and in its peculiarly exceptional precision it has shrouded the whole district in gloom. There is another change in the police force; Sergeant Bullen left here on Monday last for 0-iinaru, and Constable Albert is permanenly stationed at Balclutha. Port Molyneux is left without any police protection, and its digging population are almost gone. During Sergeant Bullen's stay here he haa proved himself a most

efficient officer ; he-k-new his duty, and performed it without fear or favour. The votaries of " Yankee . grab " do not lament his departure.

T.ie volunteer movement 13 rapidly progressing, the company now numbering about one hundred men.

Amidst the almost geueral outcry of dull timea, it is cheering to observe buildings of a substantial nature, and intended for commercial and ecclesiastical edifices appearing around us. The Wesleyan Chapel is slowly but steadily approaching completion. Mr. George Townsend, of Inch Clutha, is fitting out a -large and commodious building adjacent to Mr. Barr's hall, which he intends soon to designate the George Hotel; and Mr. Campbell, a knight of the thimbles, has just had erected for him the largest tailor'^ premises on this side of Duuedin. It is to be hoped his spirited venture will be well rewarded, and that the building may, ere long, occupy a more sociable article than tweeds or broadcloths, or even a favourite goose. In the face of such a determined temperance movement, Mr. Townsend exhibits wonderful courage, as we already possess three hotels and t.iree licensed storekeepers. With, the economy and prudence hitherto practised by him, he will perhaps outlive present depression. But at present with the Newmarket in the market, and another supposed soon to follow suit, Mr. Towusend's courage may be sorely tried.