Untitled

Western Star, Issue 406, 1 January 1881, Page 2

The Hon. Mr Bryce, the Minister for Native Affairs, accompanied by Mr Parris, Native Commissioner at Taranaki, arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday. The hon. gentleman’s mission was in respect to the liberation of the Maori prisoners, and it is understood that thirty of what are known as “political ploughmen,” have had their offences condoned. The Native Minister was expected to arrive in Invercargill last evening for a short visit, and it is probable his visit will be extended to Riverton, when."amongst other matters which will be enquired ip to, by. him will be the advisability of 'shifting the post-office to the railway station.

Lurasden was all astir (says bur correspondent) at Christmas; A soiree and ball at the Town: Hall and a concert and' ball at Daniel’s Hall took: place: oni,Christmas Eve. The business places were nearly all decorated with evergreens, and iv few had flags flying; The races which took place on Saturday were the beet that we have had here. The winners were as follows : —Maiden Plate, Milligan’s Time; Trotting Race, Stanford’s Jessie; Lumsden Handicap, Anderson’s Stirling, 1; Kidd’s Teva, 2; Hack Race, Howarth’s Lancashire Lass; Ladies’ Purse, ■ Malone’s Arien ; Consolation, Doan's Jessamine. The Caledonian sports, were :also;}a great success. The dancing, running,; &c.,..gave great satisfaction to all who attended, .as. did the bagpipe music also. I think I, may safely say that the muster both of the "fair and stern sex exceeded that of any formerjoccasion. 'Mr R. Daniel had a booth on the ground. Ari excursion train returned; from the Lakes to Dunedin on Sunday. The., weather was all that could be wished for. .

A piece of wanton mischief,was. enacted a few days ago, that under, some circumstances might have resulted in very serious consequences to both life and-property. The buoy placed bn the beach- ■■near''Maori Eaik to mark the bar channel haaMbeon completely destroyed, and the rear one also considerably damaged, doubless by some of those imbecile hoodlums, who at this time of year appear to think they can be guilty of all sorts of mischief with impunity.' ■ Tbs first intimation of the buoys having bren.destroyed received by Capt. Tall, harbor master ,and pilot, was when bringing in the Maid of Otago on Tuesday, when he failed to discover the buoys to guide him. To anyone less acquainted than Capt. Tull with the entrance to the ’harbor the consequences might have been serious. As soon as the Maid reached the jetty, Capt. Tall put the buoys in temporary repair, and reported to the Harbor Board authorities the mischief done. A reward should .be offered for the discovery of the offender, and an example made of him if found.

A meeting of the Regatta Committee was held atLocke’s Aparima Hotel, on Wednesday, the President, Capt. Tall, in the chair—to make final arrangements for the regatta, which takes place on Momlsy. A petition, signed by seven intending competitors in the amateur events, was read, asking that an alteration be made in rule a, viz., that the words “ With the exception of those used in the amateur races, number 3 and 8 should be omitted,, r and the rule made to read “ All pulling boats to be in-rigged, and not to exceed 26ft. in length over all.” It was agreed to make the alteration suggested. On account of the performance promised in aid of the fund* not coming off, it was anticipated that there would not be sufficient funds to carry eut the published programme. A proposal to curtail the amount of prizes or the number of events, was after some consideration negatived, on the understanding that a special effort be made to collect additional subscriptions, aw l that the Caledonian Society be asked to give a donation tc the funds. It was resolved that the railway authorities be requested to put on a lata train to luvercaigill on the day of the match. Quoting Mr M'Culloch’s remark, “ It’s awful,” about the number of public-houses in Riverton, the “Cromwell Argus” says.:—“ Mr M'Culloch should visit the goldfields to have his sensibilities properly shocked.” The Riverton Band have been engaged to play at the Bluff regatta on Monday.

Tho balance sheet in connection with the late entertainment in aid of N. Millar will, we are-requested te .state, be published 1 in Wednesdar’a issue. ,

A Chinaman (says the K Tuapeka Times,”) who is employed at the Canton Quartz-reef, Waipori, was in luck!* way a day or two ago. He drew a monetary prize of the value of £236 in a game of pak-a-pu. The money was promptly handed over by the banker.

Dr Lemon informed the New Zealand Times that on Friday evening he carried on a telephonic conversation by means of the Ed'son Bell telephone with an operator at Napier with perfect success. Though the distance is 218 miles, the conversation was sustained with almost the same facility as it would ensue were the two speakers in the same room. This (says the Times) is a most, conclusive test of the merits of the invention.

A gold watoh, chain and pendant, illuminated address, and tea and coffee service, were presented recently at Wellington by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Independent Order of Good Templars to Mr John W. Jago, P.G.W.0.T., in recognition of his eminent and valuable services to the Order and to the cause of tempsrance.

The ‘ Poverty ’ complains of the gross immoralities of the Maoris in and around Gisborne. *• The Natives,” says our contemporary, “ with few exceptions, have ceased to labor. Their lands tie barren, or nearly so. What they cultivate will not keep them, and the little they have they sell for drink. At Wasrenga-a-hika the nightly orgies to be witnessed are as disgraceful as they are disgusting. The storekeepers state that every article has le bo kept under a most watchful eye or the Maori steads it, and with the women it is sheer open prostitution. This stats of things cannot be expected to continue. It is time such .a state of things with the Maori population was inquired into, and some measures taken to prevent the people of the Bay being saddled with a largo number of pauper Maoris in the last stage of demoralisation,”

The regal Ui on Monday promises to be a great success. Seven entries were received last evening for the First-class Sailing Race, as follows Trent, Hit-or-Miss, Express, Firefly, Zephyr, Flyona, and Rambler. Amateur Four-oar Race, three entries—Kate, Sanspareil, and Annie. Arna'our Pair-oared Race, two entries—Wild Wave, and Kate. It is expected that, a considerable addition will be made to these entries on the morning of the match, up to which time, by payment of a fine of 2s in the First-class Sailing and Fouroared Races, and Is in the Pair-oared Race, entries can be made.

The Presbyterian Bazaar was brought to a close on Wednesday evening, after a season of three days. The total proceeds amount to £l7O, but only about the half of the goods were sold, and there still remains to the good. The method of the future disposal of these is not yet definitely decided. Tlie bazaar is considered a great success, and the result lias given great satisfaction. In our notice of the bazaar last week; we mentioned the names of three ladies only, iwliose efforts in connection therewith were deserving of special recognition- In doing so we unfortpnatelv overlooked several other ladies who were, a’so most deserving of Itenerary mention. The omission though unpardonable, was quite unintentional, and we trust that MesriameS Punkhurst, Chapman, and Fullartbri—to whose energy and labor of love the' success of the bazaar was in a great measure due—will accept this explanation. - 5

A meeting of the Caledonian Com—ittee will be held in the Marine Hotel this evening.

Hogmanay—New Year’s Eve —passed over very quietly last evening; and but for the shops remaining open a few hours later thanusual, and the band parading the streets, little difference was observable from an ordinary occasion. “ Seeing the old year out and the hew one in ” was done in an approved fashion ; the band discoursed musie, a few crackers and fire arms were! lo’tibff,-just at-the “ ’witching hour.” That relic of semi-barbarity and old world superstition—first-foisting—was attempted in a few cases. The only local amusement for the holidays is' the regatta on Monday, and the complimentary, benefit.to Mr and Mrs Hunter the Cvetiiihg nf Hthe iame day. doubtless many will find their wayinto the Invercargill games to-day and on Monday. A few also intend visiting the Bluff regatta on Monday, for one of the events at which a local crew will compete ytritlx; llie. Rowing Club’s Boat.

. The first wool sales of the season fake place at ’lnvercargill on ’ Tuesday next, 4th inst,, when sales will be held at the stores of the Tv. Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., the National Mortgage and Agency Co., and Messrs. McArdell and Co. ». We have to acknowledge the receipt from the local agent, Mr T. Daniel, of a copy of the Victoria Insurance Co.’s calendar for 1881. We remind our readers of the complimentary concert to Mr and Mrs Hunter on Monday evening next. A specially attractive programme has been prtpared, comprising Christy Minstrels, two farces, and a musical melange. The names of the hin&jiciaries have been inseparably connected with almost every charitable enter! ainment that has taken place in Riverton, and the public cannot do belter than practically show their appreciation of thoi>- services by attending the concert. One of the crew of the whaling barque Sapphire, when off the Solanders a few days ago, met with a fatal accident He was aloft, furling the lower foretopsail,' when by some means lie let go his hold, and fell into the water, striking his head on the rail in his liessent. He rose once, but before assistance could be afforded, the poor fellow sank, to rise no more.

it tho Land Board meeting on Thursday, the Aparima Road Board requested the Approval by the Board of plans of roads in their district upon which they proposed to expend the third of deferred-payment, receipts for the benefit of deferred-payment selectors.—The following village-allotment applications were granted : —John Hare, section 5, block 5, Wairio, 2 roods; James Paterson, section 1, block 6, Wairio, 2 roods. The following de ferred paymont applications were granted : John Fraser, seclion 6, block 8, Waimatuku, 15n Or 6p : Louis Walker, section 21, Lintley Village, 49-» 3r 39p ; Wm'.-'Blwidol, section 273, Forest Hill, 190 a 3r ISr ; Hector McKay, section 42, iWaiani,. 200 acres. There being several applications,for seclion 120, block 15, Invercargill Hundred, it was resolved that it be put up to auction. Section 500, .Hokonui, was applied for by two and it was accordingly decided to sub-nit it to public •competition. Patrick Lyons’ application for section 502, Hokonui, was refused.—ln forwarding plans of deferred-payment sections 55 to 58, Wairaki district, the Chief Surveyor stated that the land was somewhat broken, and not easy of access. Under those circumstances he would recommend an uniform upset price of £1 per acre. Recommendation adopted. —On the Chief Surveyor’s recommendation the upset price of sections S3l to 346, Turingaturu district, was fixed at £1 5s per acre, the land for the most, part being heavy arid crab-holey and requiring a deal of draining. 'lt was of very fair quality, however. i. '

Mr John Joseph Mechi, whose death is announced in our cablegrams to-day, was an enthusiastic agriculturist, his various works on the improvement of farming having attained an enormous circulation, while his contributions to agricultural journals, describing experiments on his model farm, buve been specially valuable. His; father was.an Italian. Yourg Mechi began life as a clerk, but eventually set up as a cutler, in which business he realised a handsome fortune. Forty years ago he turned his attention to farming, and at Tiptree Heath, Essex, carried out a course of improvement in agriculture that has given him a worldwide name. He was an Alderman of the City of London for many years.

Several schemes for the artificial production of rain have been noticed in recent issues of the “Scientific American.” Mr George H. Bell, of New York, goes further, and sends the, plan of a rain tower, by which he would not merely produea rain when it is needed, but prevent rain when nature is disposed to grant that blessing too liberally.

Special attention is called to the price-list of the Rodanow Manufacturing Co., of Boston, U.S.A. published in these columns. All those wishing to secure an excellent and correct timekeeper are recommended to address themselves to this old and reliable firm. No further’ evidence of the invariable good quality of their manufactures will be required beyond the following facts: The firm was established in 1849, and since then have gained prize medals at the Exhibitions of London, Paris, Vienna, &c., for excellence of manufacture. They are,, appointed by warrant, watchmakers to the s Queen of England, Prince of Wales, the Emperor of Russia, and the Bey of Tunis.— ; Advt.

The villain of a play always meets with execration from an English gallery, and some-times even with rough handling, but fortunately ide missiles at command are not usually more fatal than nuts and orange-peels. 7t is different in Nevada. Mr Edwin Booth says that the most genuine compliment lu> ever received was on the occasion of his playing lago for the first time ,-.t Grass Valley, then a new mining camp. The audience, which had not seen a play for years, was so much incensed at his apparent viilany that they pulled out their shooters in the middle of the third act, and began blazing away at the stage. Othello had the tip of his nose shot off the first volley, and Mr Booth only escaped by rolli.ig up the stage on his stomach, and dissappearing through a trap door. A speech from the manager somewhat calmed the house, but even then Mr Booth thought it best to pass the night in the theatre, as a number of the most elevated spectators were making strenuous efforts to induce the Vigilance Committee to' turn out and lynch “ the infernal sneaking cuss,” as they called him.