Local and General.

Western Star, 15 August 1874, Page 5

Local and General.

The Rev. Father Carden will say Maas at tho house of Mr. John Ford, Groper’s Bush, on Sunday, the 23rd inst. Colds and rheumatism are very prevalent at the Bakes, in consequence of the sudden change from dry, hard frosts to milder-weather. At the meeting of m Waste ;Land Board on Monday, 10th inst, the application of William Stevens for 40 acres in f he Jacob’s'River district was granted". At the adjourned meeting on Tuesday, Mr. James Mackintosh’s three applica-Tt-yr.va for agricultural land in the Oreti Hundred were deferred to a full meeting of the Board. We hive been frequently asked why the 11 arrivals and departures ” of the Melbourne and coastal steamers are not posted at our Telegraph office; the same as in other seaport towns. We certaiijly do hot’ sce any reason why they should pot he; rnid'we commend this matter to the attention of th’d" powers that be in connection with the Telegraph Department, as it would most unbo a great convenience to people in business, and every oho concerned, who are much delayed arid nut to considerable expense in consequence of being kept in ignorance of such an important matter necessary to the trade of the colony. “ Old Bob Among tho Mountains,” writing from Takitimb under date the sth August, says: We were visited on the 29th ultimo by one of the heaviest snowfalls experienced here for the last ten years. The snow lay from 2ft. to 3ft, deep, and iu some gullies to a much greater depth. To make matters worse, directly after a very severe frost sot in, which lasted up to date without the slightest thaw. All traffic between Centre Hill and Takitimo Post-office has been entirely stopped. I have no doubt a great many sheep must have perished,[and it is to be hoped that we will rain on account of the cattle. that our mailman has been he arrived 'pv*'? carried

His Worship, the Mayor, in response to a requisition sent him by a number of burgesses, convened a meeting for Tuesday evening last, at 8 o’clock, at the Court-house, Riverton. The object of the meeting as stated in the advertisement, was to take steps to assist Mr. M‘GHllivray and other Otago member’s to urge upon the notice of the Government the subject of harbour improvements. In response to his Worship’s invitation, a large nnmber of townspeople assembled at the time appointed, and waited patiently till past 9 o’clock ; up to that hour the Court-house remained with its doors fast closed, aud in utter darkness, and though his Worship was continually asked for’, the only response obtainable was “no appearance.” This continued until the patience of many became completely exhausted, tmd most of those present departed, as they went murmuring one to another—" the same old thing over again.” A few of the more determined, however remained, and after a-few moments it was discovered that his Worship was presiding at a Town Council meeting in the Town Clerk’s so intent, it is to be presumed, upon the discharge of his mayoral duties, as to have entirely forgotten that such an important matter as harbour accommodation was to be dealt with. Presently the indefatigable Town Clerk made his appearance, and informed the select few (who by this time had adjourned into the reading room of the Athenseum), that his Worship the Mayor would be with them in “two-twos” and commence the business of the evening, if nothing else intervened to prevent him. A few moments later his Worship, accompanied by bis Council, entered theAthenfeurn Chamber, and were received with feelings of gratification by those present, in whom feelings of patriotism and a desire for home appeared to be struggling for the mastery. The foregoing is an exact account of what took place up to the time of the commencement of the meeting, and we publish it in that form to show tire apparently utter indifference shown by those in authority—whose duty it is—to foster and assist in anything tending to promote the interest of the town and district. “Punctuality” is a rule “morehonored in the breach than in the observance ” in the conduct of all our public affairs, and in the interests of the public, it is high time some alteration took place.

By a Gazette notice, his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint the following Mayors Justices of the Peace, under the Otago Municipal Corporations Act, ISGS : Messrs. David Anderson .Tolly, Cromwell ; Thomas Gee. Betts, Queenstown; Alexander. Jj.vww. Arrowtown; John Lyon McDonald, Riverton ; Andrew M'Kinnon, Port Chalmers ; Thomas Pratt, Invercargill; James Samson, Alexandra; Samuel Edward Skrimsti, Oamaru. Mr. John Honywill has been appointed Deputy-Registrar of Marriages, Ac.

The men employed at the railway entting adjoining the Lawmence Athenaeum, whilst removing some rubbish on Thursday discovered some false teeth set in a gold plate. A young member of a Northern volunteer corps, on leaving the Albert-street Temperance Hall in company with a young lady, said, “ My dear Ellenor, I have long wished for the sweet opportunity, but hardly dare trust myself to utter the deep and tender emotions of my heart, hut I declare unto you, dear Ellenor,, that I love you most fcenaerly. Your smiles would—ah—ah shed- ” “ Never mind the old drill-shed now, George,” replied Ellenor, “ that will soon be removed ; but go on, pray go on with your pretty talk.” The N. Z. Herald is responsible for the following—The goose that laid the golden egg has been eclipsed, and henceforward the Matakana turkey will be sought for with avaricious eyes. The champion of the Matakana farmyard will command a ready price when the story of his hidden wealth becomes known. By a late trip of tho Lady Bowen, Mr. Kulmo, the provedore, brought up some turkeys, which he disposed of at a reasonable price to the provedore of the Golden Crown, to be served up for dinner on board the latter steamer. The first turkey was killed, and in due course ‘ drawn,’ when some small nuggets of gold were discovered in his crop. Another was slaughtered, with the same result. The fact was commuicated to Mr. Khune, and he has determined to discover the El Dorado where these prolific birds wore reared. It is quite evident that if there is any truth in the discovery of gold in the turkeys’ crops, the precious metal must exist in tho neighbourhood from whence they came. There is no doubt that on the return of the Lady Bowen from Matakana we shall hear more of this wonderful discovery. In the meantime we recommend the provedore to bring up with him all the turkeys he can procure, and he will not regret his venture. The second half-yearly meeting of the Otago Typographical Society was held on Saturday evening, at the Provincial Hotel, Dunedin, the President (Mr. D. Stark) in the chair, The report of the Board of Management and the for the half-year wore read ard th showed a healthy state of affair?, 10 handsome sum of ore elected for the r Jlfc Mr. D. Stark ; V 0 HHHHHHHBvHarris ; Treasurer, Mr. S.Mr. W. A. W. Watheid Walker, J, Pierce,,and d Management, Messrs, J. Mr HUH, W. T..Mountier, A. Judge. • HHKarove, and S. Sankey. Mossr J. Aris were elected Auditor had been transacted

The following resolutions were passed at a meeting of about 600 immigrants held at the Athenosum, Dunedin;— 1. “ That this meeting pledges itself not to work for the Government under the certified rate of wages.” 2. “ That the newly-arrived immigrants are reasonably entitled to look to the Government for employment on public works, at reasonable wages, in accordance with the promises held out to them before emigrating to New Zealand.” 3. “ That in the event of the Government refusing to ratify its promises made to immigrants, authentic representations be forwarded to the London Times, Daily Telegraph, and Daily News, setting forth the treatment they experienced on landing in the Colony, and that a committe be formed to press upon the Government the resolutions passed at this meeting.” We extract the following from the Canterbury Press ; —“ The following rules to be observed in the treatment of the first stage of frost bite have been sent to us by the Provincial Government for publication :— ‘ Do not stimulate. Revive the parts slowly ; avoid heat and hard rubbing ; place the person in a cold room and rub the frozen parts very gently with cloths dipped in cold water. When the blood begins to circulate in the part administer some warm soup or other fluid, avoiding spirits, and cover the part with dry flannel.’.” A strapping fellow, lately arrived, and who was recently talking over the question of Government employment with his brother immigrants, held out a pair of brawny hands and said, “ Look at these, mates. 1 Do they look like breaking stones ? No ; I couldn’t do it; and I won’t. Besides, I have been deceived. When I left home I was promised a billet in the hospital to look after the patio«.ttt, and now I’ve got here I find there’s no vacancy. It’s too bad ; and I’ve a great mind to go back again.” Really, this would bo the best thing the poor fellow could do, unless, indeed, he chooses to petition the Govorment to erect auother hospital for his special accommodation. The Clyde correspondent of the Guardian furnishes the following : —-“It is pretty clearly acknowledged by this time that, in our contact with the ‘ Heathen Chinee,’ we have but little improved hin\ in morality. An incident, so amusing as fp bo worth plucking from oblivion, came lately inder my notice in my rarablings. A Chinaman employed a shoemaker to repair one of his boots, and went the other evening to claim I and pay for it. He tendered a note, and the shoemaker, in extracting his hand from his trousers pocket, in the search for change, accidentally drew forth a£l note, which'dropped on the floor, to all appearances' unobserved by the shoemaker. ‘ John ’ thought this a chance too good.to. be loStj’and quietly clapped his foot on j the recumbent note, all thcy vrKUe slyly watched | by the shoemaker. John’s nest move was to lei. fall the boot, which ho had hold in his hand on the floor, close to the cached note, when ho at once stooped, and with one adroit sweep of his hand recovered'the boots and the'note at the same ins'ant, and then ‘ made tracks.’ The bootmaker allowed him to get just beyond the threshold when ho called him back, and said to him, calmly, ‘ John, I want that note,’ to which John replied, with the utmost na'fveto and without betraying the least symptom of excitement while returning the money, ‘You see mo P —all—a—right! So long,* and departed, feeling only, if he felt at all, that to his clumsiness must be attributed the failure of his laudable effort to make an honest penny.” .. • ’’ In speaking of the Licensing Bill the Hon. Mr, Fox made the following remarks regarding barmaids :—Ho had no hope of carrying the House with him, or he would move the introduction of an enactment prohibiting the employment of all females in -a bar or other places where liquor was publicly sold. If he could not carry that point, lie would like to go half-way towards it, and have an enactment that no woman under thirty of age should he so employed, so that young girls of seventeen or eighteen years of ago should not be plunged into the allurements that surround such a position. If he could not carry that, ho would appeal to the House—and ho, would cai*ry the House with him in it—that the taprooms and places where liquor was sold in public-houses should he consi.lorod to be places included within the provisions, of the Employment of Females Act of last session, which was introduced by the hon. member for Waikaia to his infinite credit and everlasting honor, so that women should not he employed in such places for forty-eight hours at a time, as they had boon. Ho would have every bar and tap in New Zealand brought within the limits of that Act. There would be no particular romance or sentiment in that.. They would see one of those frightful inconsistences in the liquor traffic and everything connected with it done away with: inconsistences that made other nations brand us as hypocrites, and made us think wd were so. At the present moment they —pro remonstrating with the Agent-General at Home, and there was an outcry in half the newspapers in New Zealand', because by some misfortune ? few girls were brought from Irish workhouses. They would havd none but the purest of womankind in the Colony, but the moment they came they allowed thejm to become barmaids. , j A very flarge .number of sheep (iays the-, Wakatip Mjaill. are renortokLto hayd U P (hying/ the the\ ber alive. »■«- •' the owners V- ’ 1 \‘T,v _ v-.v'.tAi The SmitJ^ Dunedin, jfl *-1 less

The Invercargill hotelkeepers have formed an association to protect the interest of the trade. Dunedin Harbour was a few days ago covered with many acres of sheet ice. Snch a thing has not been experienced in the memory of “the oldest inhabitants."

New arrivals may be interested in knowing the general authority for expenditure in connection with immigration in this province, jjhe management of which has been by the local Government. 1. Local staff, including immigration officers, dep6t, master and matron, visiting surgeon, quarantine keeper, &c„ £1,106. If circumstances render it necessary to increase the staff, consideration may be given to the same on the recommendation of his JHonor the Superintendent. 2. The immigrants’ dep6t, quarantine station, &c., authorised to be kept on good serviceable repair, so as to be fit and suitable for temporary accommodation, of immigrants. 3. Under ordinary circumstances maintenance for immigrants is authorised for one week after arrival, during which time they may be supposed to find work. Unless under exceptional circumstances, single men should certainly not require to be maintained for more than a week after arrival; but further time may be allowed to married people with families. 4. All expenses for landing, wharfage, and carriage of immigrants and luggage to the depot authorised. 5. Necessary medical attendance for immigrants while in the dep6t or under maintenance by the Government. 6. Pecuniary assistance in exceptional circumstances, such as want of means to proceed to a place where employment is offered, loss of luggage, insufficent outfit to suit climate. Promissory notes, in such cases, to be taken for the sura advanced. ■:

“ Anti-Humbug*’ writes us (Wellington Tribune) -.—Torn and Jerry go out on what is regularly termed “ the running fuddle.” They stop at the first public and call for drinks. “Here, old man, just put your name on this petition, and support the liberties of the poor man, and enable him to get his beer on Sundays.” They pua their names down, and go into the next “pub,” call for more drink, and are again invited to sign the petition. “Oh! we have already signed it at the last place we were in.” “ Old man, sign it again here. The more names the better, or if you don’t like to put your own name down put some others, anything will do, so that we fill up the lists. We must put a stop to tlise cursed teetotallers somehow.” And so on ad libatum. I should advise the Temperance party, in the event of the so-called petition being presented, to employ a couple of sharp scrutineers to find out how many people hare signed the precious document more than once.

A write-;* m the Southern Cross has the following observations : —As a matter of-faet+lwe is no employes in the community so poorly paid as a policeman, in proportion to work performed. For a pittance, which any employer of labour would be ashamed to offer to an average mechanic, he surrenders personal liberty, domestic comfort, and civic rights. He is supposed to be on the spot at every street row, and arrest the brawlers. In doing so, he probably sustains tho fracture of a rib)’ ecchymosis eye, and a damaged uniform. He is expected to guard acres of furniture and effects during a fire, and to prevent rival superin: tendendents of brigades from committing a breach of the peace. It is the duty to capture collarless dogs, regardless of bites and possible hydrophobia.' While thus engaged, he neglects to salute some passing J.P., who, forthwith, reports him for disrespect. He must keep a vigilant eye on transgressing perambulators, and be ever on the watch for Sunday liquor sellers. . While preserving decorum at au election meeting, or Q-ood Templars’ soiree, his presence is required about half-a-mile off, and he is abused for not being übiquitious.'

Miss Fanny Sara and Mr. Fred Clifton, assisted by Mr. kVotton, gave their last entertainment on Saturday evening last, to a large, and enthusiastic audience. The performance was equal, if not better, than that given on the previous. evening. Wo understand this company intend to again visit us shortly, when they will be accompanied by the “inimitable Small” of “unfortunate man” notoriety. The Church of England Fund Concert takes place on the Ist proximo. Great care is being taken by those engaged to make it a complete, success, and worthy of patronage. We understand that Mr. Hautrie West/ organist, and choirmaster, Invercargill, will assist on the occasion. By advertisement it will he seen that the p.s. Comerang leaves for Dunedin at 1 o’elock this * Tenders are called elsewhere for the erection of five immigrant cottages in Riverton, and- five at Otautau. The tenders are to be sent in not later than the 26th inst., and addressed to the office of Secretary'of Works, Dunedin. This is indeed.a step in the right direction. - jC The usual meeting of the Town Council was held in the Town Clerk’s Office on Tuesday evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Instone, Milis, Murcliic, Reid, Beer, and Small. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, and eoresjiondence outward read and received, it was moved by Councillor Beer, and seconded by Councillor Murohie, that .Councillors Mills, E-eid, and Small be appointed a Public Works Committee. Carried. Councillor Mills Councillor Small seconded, that his and .hillora Reip, and fmigratiqn Conn ?•.-**&'** '*•*/ J Cgjrf

The only cases before the Police Court during the week were two charges against a new arrival named Frederick Hayden—one of using insulting and obscene language, the other of damaging Q-ch v yernmeni property by breaking a window pane at the Immigration Barracks. On the prisoner expressing contrition for his misbehaviour, and as it was his first offence, the Bench discharged him with a caution, warning him that if he appeared before them again he weuld be sent .to gaol for three months. A boy named James Barry was brought round from Orepuki on Wednesday night, on his way to the Dunedin Indusrrial School, having been sentenced by the Magistrate there to seven years servitude in that institutionfor stealing a watch. An accident of a slight nature happened during the week to one of Messrs MTntyre and Lahey’s coaches on the afternoon trip from Invercargill to Riverton. It appears that in crossing the sandhills at the last cutting by some means the leader got outside the traces, and by pulling to one side, caused a capsize; but through the able exertions of that redoubtable “ knight of the ribbons,” Bob M'Kenzie, the team were at once pulled up and the coach righted, and the mishap resulted in nothing more serious than a gentleman inside — the only passenger—receiving a slight scratch and a fright, from which he very soon recovered. We understand that Mr. Nicholas, of Messrs. Nicholas Brothers, is about to take a short tom throvgh the country districts of the Province for the purpose of taking photographs of the magnificent scenery to be found in his journey. Wa wish him every success in his undertaking, and have no doubt he will find some beatiful spots as subjects to add to their already large collection. A meeting, convened by his Worship the Mayor was held in the Athenaeum on Tuesday evening last, the subject under consideration being the improvement of the Riverton Harbour. His Worship occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading the advertisement convening the meeting, and called on those present to suggest some plan by which they would be enabled to assist their representative (Mr. M'Gillivray) and other Otago members in urging so important a matter upon the notice of the Government. Mr. Daniel, M.P.C., explained the action taken by the Provincial Council in reference to the Harbour Ordinance, reserved for assent, and stated that he had ascertained the feelings of the Otago members in reference to procuring a sum of money from the General Govertment to carry out the work, and he was certain they would support Mr. M‘Gillivray in a body. * If' money could not bo -got m any other way, it might he by way of loan. North Otago had a loan, and it was only fair South Otago should have one also. He knew for certain his Honor the Superintendent would do the best he could for them, and use his influence to assist in the matter. The action taken that night should have been taken long ago. He was afraid it was now almost too late to correspond in any way other than by wire; and, under the circumstances, ho would suggest that that means be taken ad- I vantage of. A general discussion then ensued, M and ultimately it was moved hy Mr. J. R. seconded by Mr. I). Murchie, and carried, “ ThaH Messrs. M'Donald, Daniel, Instone, and the! mover bo appointed a committee to with our representative (Mr. M c GiUm-*y) 4 ' - Messrs. Webster and Outhbert?c-rr, ahd ask thelru to urge on the General Government the necessity ' of raaKiuj, provision for harbour improvements for the Port of Riverton.” A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings, ‘