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Western Star, Issue 347, 1 May 1880, Page 5

The installation of officers of the Aparima Masonic Lodge, No,. 1617, E-0., took place on Thursday evening last. P.M. Bro Henderson was the installing Master, the ceremony being performed in a most impressive manner by that brother. He was assisted by P.M. Bro Jacobs, P.M. Bro Crofts, I.P.M. Bro Mills. The attendance of brethren included a number of visitors and was the mo.st numerous that has ever taken place in connection with the lodge. The following officers were duly installed: —Bro J. Tall, 8.W.M.; Bro J, Horr, S.W.; Bro F. Locke, J.W.; Bro A. Bums, S.U.; Bro G. Featherstone, J.D. Bro L. W. Petchel, Treasurer ;

Bro S. S. Myers, Secretary ; Bro T. Woolf, 1.(3-.; Bro Tuson, Tyler. After the installation ceremonT, the company to the number of thirty adjourned to Bro Pattison’s Globe Hotel, where a most liberal repast was in waiting, served in a manner most creditable to the worthy host and hostess of “ The 'Globe.” An hour or two’s conviviality followed the removal of the cloth. The company broke up about midnight, after spending a most pleasant evening. A meeting of the Committee of the Western District Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at the Great Western Hotel to-day, at 4 p.ia. sharp. As the business is to take into consideration matters connected with the annual grain show, a full and prompt attendance is required. ■ Mr 11. Hirst, M.H.R for Wallace, will address his constituents at Orepuki this evening, at eight o’clock. We notice that a meeting of the Harbor Board lias been convened for Monday next, at 1.30 p.m. It is doubtful if there will be a quorum, judging from the attendance at the last three or four meetings. Tim is not a matter for surprise, considering the posinon of the Board. As the time, however, is approaching for holding the next session of Parliament, it would be as well if n meeting could be held before that event took place, with a view to arranging a definite request with respect to an endowment or a grant of money for improvement of the harlnr, and a consultation held with the member for the district before his departure with regard to bringing the same before Parliament. Residents of Otautau and the district beyond will be glad to learn that there is a prospect shortly of the telegraph, line being extended to that township. Mr Hirst, M.H.R. for Wallace, has received the following letter regarding the mutter:—“Sir, —I am directed by the Hon. Telegraph Commissioner to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 19th March, reminding him of promise to erect a telegraph line to Otautau, and to inform you that the work will be procee led with at an early date. —lam, &c., C. Lemon, Superintendent.” A correspondent writes with regard to the refusal of the Road Boa'-d to expend the sum voted by the County Council in making a road to Groper’s Bush railway station. Ho believes the Board’s action to be contrary to the Ordinance, as they “ have no power to refuse to make the road as far as the Council’s vote will admit.

. . . ■, . . Of course I see that the ‘ wire pulling’ is now to get money expended otherwise, but I am < onvinced it is a mistake. There is nothing that will tend so certainly to the good of the district as increasing the railway facilities.”

With regard to the proposed alteration in the Flint’s Basil mail arrangements, the Chief Post master, Mr Wilkins, informs us that the Postoffice will shortly he shifted to near Waimatuku railway station, a settler there having consented to . lake charge of toe mails. It is doubtful il this arrangement will be quite as convenient as the present, but this will be greatly compensated for by a daily instead of a hi-weekly mail.

The services of the Southland Hussars have been aecep’ed by the Government. Mr F. W. Burwell, lion, secretary, has communicated with a number of gentlemen in Riverton, requesting their co-operation in forming a contingent, and from the enthusiastic manner in which the project has been entertained there is little doubt that, so far as Riverton is concerned, a strong contingent will be formed. Mr D. Murchie has been requested to act as local secretary. The head quarters of the company will be established at Invercargill, with depots at Riverton, Winton, Gore, and Wyndham. Preliminary drill instructions will be rendered by the lion, instructor, Capt. Heywood until the gentlemen elected as officers in the various districts are sufficiently experienced and competent to undertake the drill, and central quarterly drill will be held at headquarters, Invercargill. The Government have promised a free supply of arms and accoutrements. The estimated cost to troopers for uniform is £5 ss, but it i expected that the Government will grant a capitation allowance of £3 per annum. -As it is that the troop will be sworn in next week, it is requested that persons wishing to join will hand in their aames to Mr Murchie.

An ingenious artist in Dunedin'lias been tampering with Union Bank of Australia notes by converting by a clever alteration *of the figures one pound,into five pound notes. We warn the public to be on their guard, and scrutinize carefully any notes passing through their hands belonging to this bank. : * The monthly Government inspection of the Riverton Rifles took place last evening, Major Thomson being the inspecting officer. The total number on parade was 58, including all the commissioned officers. The company was exercised in company and squad drill, and, accompanied by the Band, marched to the bridge and back to the Hall. The Major then said he was pleased to state that no complaint had been made agaiust. any member of the Riverton Company as having participated in the disorderly conduct at the Christchurch Review, Dr Young was, on the motion of Oapt. Hirst, seconded by Lieut. Myers, .unanimously elected ffon. surgeon to the company. It was resolved to hold a hall on the 21st May, and a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The Otautau races on Thursday were a success in every respect. There was a large and orderly attendance, and nothing transpired to mar the day’s sports. The various events were won by horses belonging to the following gentlemen : —J. Henderson (Hurdle), J. Smith (Otautau Cup), H. Marlin (Ladies’ Purse), J. M Leau (Consolation), <J. Ward (Hurry Scurry). We have been requested to call attention to Mr W Todd’s sale by auction of Mr D. Murchic’s valuable household furniture, on Monday next, at noon.

A poll of the ratepayers in the Otautau and Wairio ridings of Wallace County, as to the prop'sal to borrow £2500 for the purpose of erecting a bridge over Jacob’s River at Double Cabbage Tree, was taken at. Otautau on Wednesday and at Wrey’s Rush on Thursday. Judging from thv number of votes polled, the settlers interested manifested very little concern in the question. The voting was as follows Wrey’s Rush : For. 11 ; against, 7. Otautau: For, 29; against, 1. As pointed out elsewhere, this decision cannot bo looked upon as final. The destruction of stacks by fire all over the country has been uncommonly numerous this year. On Saturday evening, seven stacks of wheat, valued at- £ iOA belonging to itr Johnston, of Wreys Rush, were totally burnt. About the same hour a stack of threshed oats containing about 1000 bushels was destroyed on Ringway estate, near Otautau. The police inquiries respecting the latter have failed to throw' any light on the origin of the fire, and the manager, Mr Laidluw discards the idea of incendiarism. Owing bo the absence of Mr Johnston from homo since the morning of the clay on which the fire took place, full particulars as to the loss, &c., hare not yet been ascertained. The whole of the formation of the first section of the Orepuki railway is now completed with the exception of a twanly-sis chain embankment and a twelve chain cutting. These, however, it is estimated will take six months to complete at the present rate of progress.

A t the ordinary weekly meeting of the Land Board, on Thursday, Alex Manson, the holder of section 40a, Wairio, wrote regarding his application for an extension, and it was resolved that, pending the receipt of the Judge’s opinion on various points raised, all former decisions granting extended areas be rescinded, applicants to be informed of the same. B. Reid wrote, stating that his application for sections 15, 16, 17, and 18, block 2, Longwood, which was opposed by Mr Hirst on January 29tb, and in consequence referred to Mr Maoassey, had been decided by that gentleman in his (applicant s) favor. He wished to know if he might commence to fence in the said scctioas. Resolved, that Mr Reid be informed that the land in question had not been granted to him by the Board, and chat nothing would be done until the receipt of the Judge’s opinion on the whole question. The District Surveyor forwarded a memo., showing the valuation placed upon sections 581-585, Wairio, placing a valuation of £1 10s per acre on all the allotments except section 585, which was put down at five shillings less owing to the hilly nature of the country. Resolved, that His Lxcp'lency the Governor be requested to proclaim the lands open for selection at 80s pot* acre. ’ The settlors in Wild Bush district celebrated the time-honored Harvest Home by a social meeting in Mr M'Naughtou’s barn last evening. The value of West Coast guano as a fertiliser has j ist received another illustration in t he extraordinary crop' of potatoes taken from Mr G. O. Ciissels’ garden this season. In the early part of the season the ground (light sandy soil) received a slight dressing of this valuable manure, and the result was such as to leave no room for doubt ns to the wisdom of the experiment. Three potatoes shown weighed 5£ lb. They were perfectly healthy and sound. The past season in this district has been most favorable for the growth of good potatoes. One of the finest samples that could be produced is on view at Messrs Petchell Bros.’ store, raised by Mr Saunders in South Riverton. Mr S. Myers, chemist and dentist, bogs to inform the public that ho utilises nitrous oxide gas while extracting teeth, thus saving the patient from pain. Teeth stopped with gold or silver. Children’s teeth regulated.— [Advt.] The usual raontlily meeting of the Committee of Management of the Wallace and Fiord Hospital takes place at the Hospital, at 2 p.m. to-day. ■