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Western Star, Issue 346, 24 April 1880, Page 5

The first of our represent a* ives to break the ice this year is Mr Hirst, lie having announced his intention to give an account of his stewardship at orepaid on Hatur lay next. Will the member for Riverton follow .suit ?

Doubts have been expressed in some quarters as to whether the liberal estimate formed as to the yield likely to be obtained this season from the crops on Mr Clippies’ and other-properties iu the neighborhood of Strathmore, Otautau. Mr Cupples wheat and barley have now been threshed, and the result is quite up to-the expectation formed. That gentleman had 70 acres of wheat, which averaged 50 bushels to the acre. The barley yielded 63 bushels per acre. The oats have not yet been threshed (nor is it the proprietor’s intention to do so as I’ong as the present bw rates ore maintained), but it is estimated that 80 bushels per acre will be returned. The wheat has been disposed of at 3s lUd and the barley at 4s 6d per bushel. These are facts that “ winna ding,” aud taken as a whole it is doubtful! whether the crop can be beaten even on the famed Canterbury plains. The crop was threshed by Mr J. Hay, in a manner that, gave great satisfaction.

We learn that Mj* P. Porde is the successful tenderer.dot the Waicola contract of the OtautauNightcap railway. . The length of the section is seven miles and a half, and the amount of the tenter £4300, or about ; £6OO per mile. Wnen the Railway Commissioners arrived at Cromwell, the following telegraphic egrresphndonee took place between them and Mr Vincent Pyke, the member for Dunslnn “ Cromwell',’ 12tlj April, 1880, 9.40 a.m. —To Mr Vincem, Pyke>. —The Railway Commissioners will arrive at. Clyde about 6 o’clock this evening. Downey, secy.” To which Mr Pyke ma ie.reply : “ Who are the ‘Railway Commissioners,’ and what are their functions ?” To this no answer was vouchsafed. With the wisdom of a serpent, “ Vincent.the terrible ” can assume the innoctn ce of the Heathen Chinee when it suits hiu temporary political bias. The “ Cromwell Argus” states that the Rev. T. E. Ash, formerly of Riverton, was to have left Duustun district this week, his future .ocalion being Canterbury.

By the lust San Fiaueisco Mail we received from the inventor a phamphlet explanatory of an instr ument named the all iiphone, a new invention that enables the deaf to hear through the medium of the teeth, and the deaf and dam to hear and learn to speak. It is claimed that the audiphone possesses the property of gathering the faintest sounds, (somewhat similar to a telephone diaphragm), and convey them to the auditory nerve, through the medium of the teeth. The external ear has nothing whatever to do in hearing with this wonderful instrument. It is made in the shape of a fan, and can be used as such, if desired. When a 1 Justed for hearing, it is in suitable tension and the upper edge is pressed slightly against one or more of the upper teeth. Ordinary corersation can be beard with ease. In mo t cases deafness is not detected, it being generally supposed, as is the experience of the inventor, that the party deaf, is simply an.using himself with the fan. The instrument also greatly facilitates conversation by softening the voice of. the person using it. enabling—even in cases of mutes —the deaf party to hear his own words distinctly.

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings Stacey’s Panorama of Australian and New Zealand scenery was exhibited in the Oddfellows’ Hall to moderate houses. The principal towns in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, and New Zealand were shown, all of which were vivid representations of the originals. The descriptive part of the entertainment was not in keeping with the exhibition. At intervals Miss Stacey, a young lady of some ton or twelve summers, sang a number of seriocomic songs in a very creditable manner. At the close of the performance, each of the audience was presented with a gift of more or less value,

The Rev. Father Rehoe officiated at St. Coliunbkille Church, Soutli Riverton on Sunday last. We understand the rev. gentleman has been permanently appointed to take charge of the Riverton and W inton districts.

An accident of a very severe and nearly fatal nature happened to a man named James Stott, a few miles above Otuutau, on Wednesday last. The man was engaged driving grain from Buyswater to Otnutau station, and when riding in the horses preparatory to yoking-up on the morning named, he fell off the horse, which kicked him on the left side of the head, fracturing the skull and tearing the sculp. Mr R. James conveyed the injured man to Otaulau, and from there he was conveyed to the Riverton Hospital by Mr W. Lawson. Dr Young, the Surgeon- Superintendanf, was promp} in attendance and dressed the wound.

A Lumsden correspondent writes, making a few suggestive querriesss to the Mararoa railway. He asks°; Whose ground does the railway open up ? Will any crown lands or the country at large be benefited thereby ? Who were the wirepullers that succeeded in getting Government to undertake this work P He then proeeesds to state his belief that the railway in question is a job ; that it will simply increase the value of two pr three large landholders’ properties, but open up no crown la..ds whatever. The faith oi the public, sajs our correspondent in the economical disposition of the present Q-oveinment will be greatly shaken if this work is gone on with. These are grave charges, but from cursory euauiries, we believe they are substantially correct. ; ■ '

The trustees of the Aparima Rabbit District met in Riverton, oh ; the 17th inst. Present all the trustees. Letter Dr Hoclgkinson —re destroying the rabbits was read. ..Resolved that the trustees gi re notice of intention to levy a rate of one farthing per acre on all holdings of landowners 'within, the ..rabbit district for the year, ending 28th,,Feb.:, .1881 —said rate to be made on Saturday. 15th May,.and payable in one sum to the collector in Riverton on or before the first day of July, 1880. .Resolved that the inspector be' instructed to employ men to destroy the rabbits on those properties where the owners or occupiers fail to do so.” The trustees adjourned to meet oh Saturday, 15th May next.

The “Bruce Herald ’’ hears that .notice lias b“en received from heal quarters'to .the effect that an amount of 5,s 3d will bo deducted from the capitation allowance of all volunteer companies who last year went to take part in the Invercargill review, for damage dens to,railway carriage'windows during'the trip.

Rabbits have been so universally considered a nuisance that it is quite a novelt y to hate, to chronicle .that a royalty of 3 1 per head iV being paid lory the privilege of killing them‘on some properties in lids district. ‘ It. appeals that there is a considerable demand in Duue.iin at present for hunny’s carcase as a variety to the table of that Epicurean city, and they command a fair price there'if landed in good condition. Any infested ground near a rail way offers inducements’ for supplying this demand, and we have been credible in for Vied that tire royally named has been paid for the'right to kill mb nls'tliereon. It is also stated that the skins are increasing in value. It can scarcely be argued from this that the nuisance on runs will suffer any appreciable diminution, as from the distance they woul I have to be conveyed from outlying places their-being landed in Dunedin in wholesome condition would be an impossibility. Mr R. -I. Nicholas, photographer, intimates that his season in Riverton will positively close on Tuesday next, 27til inst. Mr J. Allison’s tender for contract No. 23 (works on deferred payment block) was accepted by the Road Board on Wednesday. The tenders were as follows :—J. Allison, £8 16s for culverts, 7s fid pci chain formation by tabling, 9s 6d per chain ditching and formation ; Q-. Stewart, £l2, ys tid, Us fid ; B. Doduy, £B, Ss, 14s.

The exceptionally mild weather which has* prevailed for some months past seems to have completely revolutionised the “ order of tilings in the gai-uen so much so, that at Orepuki a second crop,of strawberries, some of the fruit being of a large size, has been shown by Mr Escott as having been grown in bis section. The abundance of ish in the local market during the past week has again drawn attention to this neglected source of wealth at our doors. Tiio value of our fishing grounds has never been fully appreciated, and no systematic attempt has been made to develop an industry that, if properly worked, would be the means of giving profitable employment to a large amount of labor and capital, * There is a legitimate field here for private or public enterprise, which with a moderate amount of capital aiid experience would be handsomely rewarded. If agencies were established in all the centres of population within reach of the railway us far as Dunedin, a steady consumption would be ensured. By the preseul intermittent system of prosecuting the industry, the supply is very irregular, aud frequently exceeds the local demand. Eiih can be conveyed 'by .rail .to a large market whit bin twenty-four hours after'being caught, which would ensure their being in good condition. We commend the subject as one of considerable importance to the community.

Emulating the action of Groper's Bush residents, the people of Flint’s Bush have also determined to have a library for the district. To give the movement an impulse, it has been derided to hold a concert in the schoolhouse there on Vi ednesday next, 28th iust Mr T. M. Macdonald, Chairman of tlm Education Board, will b« present aud address the meeting. Messrs 11. West, E. Clifton, and other well-known Invercargill aiuljj • ivertou amateurs will assist at t he concert.

Mr G. 0, Cassels, the secretary and Treasurer of the Wallace and Fiord Hospital, desires us to acknowledge with thunks, a. very handsome donation of hooks from Mrs J. Nugent Wood. The Rev. Father Kehoe will celebrate mass at Wrey’s Bush on Sunday, 2nd May. The following gentlemen were elected a committee for the Southland Acclimatisation Society at the annual meeting held at Invercargill on Wednesday -Messrs Nurse, Surman, Perkins, Stuart, J.'C. Ellis, Hume, and E. Tanner. Mr Nurse was re-elected president, Mr Perkins treasurer, and Mr Tanner secretary. Meetings of ratepayers in Otautau and Wairio ridings County were heldat the sohoolhouse, Otautau, on Tuesday, and at Mr Johngfon/g residence, Wrey s Hush, on Wednesday, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the ratepayers iu these ridings were favorable to the county borrowing £2500 to erect a bridge over Jacob’s River, at Double Cabbage Tree. The meetings were presided over by the members for the ridings, Messrs Mackintosh and Johnston (Wairio), and on botii occasions there were a numerous attendance of ratepayers. There was strong opposition evinced to tlie project by a number of deferred payment settlers, wlio contended that while they would be liable to be taxed for the bridge, it would be of little service to them, is the outlet for their properties was via Winton. After discussion, a motion was carried at the Otautau meeting approving of the scheme. At .Wrey’s Bush the proposal was rejected, although we understand a | large number of those who voted against it have, / since the matter was tho. oughly explained to them, regretted doing so. A poll of tne rate--1 payers on the subject will he taken at the schoolhouse, Otautau, on Wednesday, 28th inst., and at Mr JohnstonV residence, Wrey’s Bu-di, on Thursday, 271 h iust., between tho hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. We again direct attention to the sale of the township of Longwood, which will take place, on Saturday next, Ist May, at Sloan’s Hall, Invercargill. Two lithographic maps have been fully circulated, the one being a sectional plan of the township the other a sketch of the district, showing the Longwood range and the site of the township, tie Bourakino river, Orepuki railway and the proposed tramway branching ♦ herefrom through the township to tho Longwoon. The latter gives a'» excellent idea of the lay of the country, and although the draughtsman has been taxed with drawing upon his inauguration in depicting the future traffic —four or five vessels being shown steaming up the Pourakino, and a railway train travelling towards the township—it is but fair to say that he bus only anticipated the traffic.

"Wy The preparations for the Otautau races are now complete, anil it is expected that a very enjoyable d iy’s amusement will bo provided. Thursday next, 23th lust., is the day appointed for the meeting. From the programme which is issued to-day, it will be observed that there are six events, comprising a Hurdle Race, Otautau Cup, Ladies’ Purse", Trotting dace. Consolation Race, ami $ Hurry Scurry. There are two conditions in the rules which should induce a numerous competition, viz., ho horse allowed to win more than one event, and no horse that has won over £5 of public money will be allowed to start. *

Our local chemist, Mr S. Myers, calls attention of the surrounding settlers, to the fact that he has now on hand poisoned wheat, and that it is advantageous to small purchasers to huj it ready made. Orders should be sent in at once.

On Thursday Butler pleaded guilty to.burglary at Mr Stamper’s house, but not guilty to stealing books from the Catholic Church, The jury found him guilty on the latter charge, and he was sentenced to eighteen years’ penal servitude. The Crown Prosecutor was not certain whether the other indictments would bo proceeded with.