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Western Star, Issue 350, 19 May 1880, Page 2

The office of tins journal had an exceedingly narrow escape from total destruction by lire yesterday. About 10 a.m. the portion of tho roof of the building through which the stovepipe passes was observed to be ablaze. The roof being a shingle one, the fire made rapid progress in the course of a very few minutes. No time was lost in the endeavor to extinguish (he fire, and to the prompt manner in winch the staff and a few neighbors (to whom the proprietors bag to tender their thanks) rendered assistance, the ultimate safely of the building may be attributed. A ladder was quickly procured, and being well manned, buckets of water were passed along to the burring portion of the roof by many willing hands. This had the desired effect, and in a short lime the fire was checked—not, however, until three or four yards of the roof bad been destroyed A delay of a very few minutes and the fire would have been beyond control, when tho adjoining building (Mr Vaughan’s butcher shop) would also have been doomed. The fire was communicated to the building by the stovepipe.

Winter may now be considered to bare fairly set in throughout the district. On Saturday last, a strong S.W. gale set in, accompanied at a later stage with violent showers of rain and hail. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, the gale raged with more or less strength, while vivid Hashes ot lightning and loud peals of thunder occurred at intervals. As a oonsequouee, the rivers and creeks are in a very flooded state. We are glad to report, however, that up to the present time no damage has been sustained. Begular shipments of Blankets, Tweeds, Wincies, Calicoes, Sheetings, Marns, &c., &c., are now received by Robertson Bros, direct from the Clyde, thereby saving intermediate profits, which will enable them to show their friends in the Western District as good value for their money as can be obtained in the largest town in the colony. A shipment of 12 cases ex “Oamarti” now openedout.— Adyt.]

Our report from the Longwood tins issue i 3 to the effect that a crushing of stone from Print z’s claim was expected to have commenced in the Pioneer Battery yesterday. Owin'' to tho extremely inclement weather, however, this is doubtful, and for the same reason no information was received in town by those interested. We learn from the manager of the Duffer claim that work in their drive is proceeding satisfactorily. They are at present cutting a hard slatcy rock, with shoots of quartz running through it, but (ho country is expected to change sh-ortly. The drive is now in 210 feet. The veins increase as the drive is proceeded with, all dipping towards the line of reef. The weather during the past week has been so severe that work in most of the claims has been stopped, Mr P. Kb M'Oaughan, the member for Riverton, will a Ureas his constituents in the Odd fellows’ Hall this evening at 8 o’clock. *Our report, of tiio meeting of the Town Council held last evening will appear in Saturday’s issue. At the Education Board meeting on Friday, Dr Menziesagain brought forward the matter of procuring a portion of the unullocate I reserve# for secondary education for the Riverton school. He staled, says tbo “Times,” the present rental of such portion was £566 Bs. Competitive claims would, no doubt, be made for a share in these reserves, on behalf of the District High Schools of Tokoraairiro and Lawrence. The speaker advocate 1. in strong terms, tho claims of Riverton. The Tokomairiro school had 186 of a working average of pupils; Lawrence, 263; aim Riverton, 258. It would thus be seen that the claims of Lawrence and Riverton Were nearly equal. Dr Monzies concluded by moving that Mr Shanks and himself, together with the other Southland members, should be requested to press upon the Government the claims of Riverton to one-third of the reserves in question, in view of a District High School in that quarter. Mr Denniston seconded the motion, which was supported by the chairman, and carried unanimously.

Gentlemen win intend joining the Riverton contingent of the Southland Hussars are requested (o meet at the Commercial Hotel at 7 p.ir. this evening, when Messrs M'Cuughan and Harwell (the newly-elected captain and lieutenant respectively), with Troopers Leesmith. Tapper, and Finn, will be in attendance for the purpose cf swearing in members and placing I lie contingent in a position to elect its own officers. The company promises to be a very strong one, as, including the Gore and Winton contingents, it already musters over 100 sabres, in addition to which it is expected the Riverton contingent will contribute twenty. The cost to troopers is estimated at £5 ’ss for uniform, which will ultimately be defrayed out of (be annual capitation allowance of £3. The Government provide the arms and accoutrements. The captain informs us that ho yesterday received a telegram from the Minister of Defence, stating that 150 swords ond accoutrements for the cavalry had been despatched per To Anau, due at Bluff to-morrow. Mr R. Birrcll, of the Gladstone Nursery, near Invcrcaiv.ill, is already in the field for the season with a varied assortment of fruit and forest trees, shrubs &c, Mr Birrell’s reputation as a successful nurseryman issecond to none in Southland, while the prices charged (as will be seen from our advertising columns) are most reasonable. The trees left in the district last season by ilr Birrell have all, we understand, succeeded admirably. Messrs P. Grant and Co., will hold periodical sales by auction throughout the district at intervals duri.g the season, the first of which takes place at Riverton, on Thursday next.

✓Constable Carroll, who lias for the past twelve months been stationed at Riverton, lias through the exigencies of the service been re ■ moved to Invercargill. During Mr Carroll’s stay in Riverton, bis official conduct was characterised by gieat. discretionary zeal, and his intercourse with the public was most courteous and obliging. (Jonslaole Mitchell of Invercargill succeeds hiniy.

The Rev. Mr Ferguson, the pastor-elect of (lie First (BrobyUrinii) Church, Invercargill, 1 ireaelled in (be Riverton I’reshytei'inn Church mi Sunday evening last. The rev. gentleman , we uniters!and, is a native of the colony, but received Ids collegiate education in Scotland, from whence i.o lias but recently returned. As a pulpit orator Mr Ferguson is a 'e.t success, inul tlie congregation of the First Church, Invercargill, are to be con grit tula'ed upon llieir choice. His address cm Sunday evening was characterised by great forcibleness and \ igor, while tils illustrations were most appropriate. The attendance, unfortunately on account of the very severe weather, was not large. In connection with (.lie forthcoming grain show, we have pleasure in drawing attention to a very handsome prize in the form of a silver cup offered by Messrs Whittinghani Bros ami Instonc to the highest aggregate money prize taker at the show. This should prove an incentive, not only in inducing exhibitors )o come forward, but to a higher standard of excellence in the several exhibits. The prize is a most liberal one and reflects the greatest credit upon the donors. Intending exhibitors arc reminded that all entries must be in by 10 a.m. on day of show, in order to get them class!fle ;. Storage may be bad at the hall for grain sent in two days previous to the show.

Mr S. Myers, chemist and dentiV, begs to infonn the public that he utilises nitrous oxidegas while extracting teeth, thus saving the patient from pain. Teeth stopped with gold or silver. Children’s teetli regulated.— [Aclvt.] On Friday evening the popular Carandini Operatic and Ballad Company open at the Oddfellows’ Hall for a shrrt season of two nights. We gather from our exchanges that the company still retains its well-merited reputation for excellence. We again beg to draw atlention to the Volunteer ball, which is announced to take place to-morrow (Thursday) evening. We arc requested to state that dancing will commence at 9 o’clock. A draught match is on the tapis between six residents of Riverton and six of Invercargill, to come off it is expected on the 24th inst. The names of the probable players on the Riverton side are as follows :—Messrs Scott, Jas. MTJoimld; D. M'Honald, Myers, Wilson, and Robinsoiu-, Wo' Imre received from tbe publishers a copy of “ Maekuy’s Otago Bradshaw” for May, 1880. The work is a useful compendium of information connected with the railway, comprising time table, freight and passenger charges, &c. Mr Fred Clifton and Miss Fanny Sava, assisted by Mr X. Wiluiot, champion hornpipe dunerr, will give an entertainment in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday evening next. the last two months close upon 200 miner’s rights have been issued from the Warden’s office, Riverton.^ “Why am I made a sandwich ?” said young Snobsoii, plaintively' as a lady sat down on either side of him in the horse-car. “Because we are belter bred than you are,” said one of the damsels, sweetly, and Snobsoii mustard courage to squeeze out of tbe platform. In a little family disenstion the other day, (ho madam remarked - somewhat tartly,

when I marvy again—” “ I suppose you will man's a fool, ” iutcrupted the husband. Funny fellows they are, these Christians of Europe. The Czar gives the bloodthirsty Afghans a sword, with the inscription, “ May God give the victory over the infidels,” and the English sell Asiatic Fagans the prettiest little idols, made in the most artistic mannerol Glasgow, Sheffield,[and Birminghan ware. The same cargo for India often includes 10,000 Now Testaments, 5000 Bibles, 10,000 idols, 20 missionaries, 3 opium merchants, 3 spies, 2 dealers in idols, 1 bishop, and 4 preachers of the Anglican persuasiou. They were sitting together Sunday evening, with an album or two between them, when she pleasantly asked, “How would you like my mother live with you?” In just fifteen seconds he had his hat half way down over his face, and was bolting through the gate.

The trustees of the Aparima Rabbit District met on Saturday lust. Present: All the trustees except Mr Guppies. The correspondence being read and ordered upon, it was resolved that the Chairman enter info an agreement with Mr Myers for the supply, of the prepared grain, the inspector to superintend the preparations thereof, the same (o be delivered to settlers at a price to be fixed by trustees. It was further resolved, that public notice bo given, that those residents within the Rabbit District can obtain, by application to the Inspector, a supply of the poisoned gram prepared for the trustees. The t rustws made a rate of a id per aero onfall holdings of landowners within the Rabbit District, said rate to bo payable in one sum to the Collector in Riverton, on or before tbe first day of July, 1880. Resolved, that the inspector give the natives and residents in the native reserve notice to destroy the rabbits on their holdings. Thereafter the trustees adjourned to a day to be named by the Chairman.