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Western Star, Issue 778, 26 September 1883, Page 2

Slowly and by degrees the Oropuki railway is being completed. Another section, about one mile and a quarter in length, was opened on Monday last. The portion opened is the section known as Bennot’s contract, and extends the line to the station at Bound Hill crossing. Although only a short distance, it will prove a great convenience, as the piece of road between the present and the former terminus was an awkward one, and no accommodation was provided for passengers or goods at the latt<*r place. The occasion was marked by no formal proceedings, and but for the fact chat apparently the whole of the native population at Colac Bay turned out on the platform to witness the arrival of the train, there was nothing to indicate the importance of the event. A feeble attempt at “ three cheers” utterly failed ; even the member for Wallace, who is always “ equal to the occasion” —especially when the Orepuki railway is the subject under discussion —seemed to be influenced by the depressing surroundings, and could not be prevailed upon to mount the rostrum. The reporter of the local journal, allured by the hope of recording the flow of eloquence, was disappointed, closed his note book, and sadly returned it to its wonted place of safety. “ Here endeth the second reading” of the story of the opening of the Orepuki railway. The district horses, Wuit-a-Wee. and Victor, the property of Messrs Caller and Guppies respectively, were exhibited at the Dane 'in walking show on Friday List. Wait-a-Wre was afterwards sold to Mr James Allan, of Hopehill, Teieri, for the very satisfactory price of 600 guineas. Victor was also sold at a satisfactory price to a Palmerston settler. Mr Calder also submitted Scotland Yet to the hammer, but it failed to reach the owner’s reserve and was passed in at 185 guineas. The service of this valuable horse will therefore probably be retained for this district during the incoming season. Mr Cupples has brought some fresh Clydesdale blood from Dunedin, a three year-old by Nimmo’s Prince and a four-year-old by Wallace (imported). They are both fine looking animals and will be exhibited at the Invercargill walking show on Saturday next, and failing to find purchasers at satisfactory prices they will travel this district during the season. Mr Cupples brought a valuable addition to the brood stock of the district, viz., the prize marc Young Maud, by Sir George Grey (imported). She is rising three years old, and cost the handsome sum of 100 guineas. Mr J. Hay has since become her owner, and he intends to keep her for stud purposes.

Members of the Riverlen Rifle Corps arc reminded that the quarterly Government inspection takes place to-morrow evening. The “ Great Highland Gathering and Ball” under the auspices of tile Gaelic Society of Southland, which takes place in the Garrison Hall, Invercargill, on Friday evening next, promises to be the event of the season. As indicative of the attendance, it is said that tartan of any pattern is at a premium, whil,, kilts and philabegs cannot he obtained at any price.

After the inspection of the Southland Hussars on Friday evening la-fc, when a muster of 50 officers and men answer d the the roll call, Major Harwell entertained the troop and a large number of civilians to a dinner in the Garrison Hall, at which over

120 persons were present. The hull whs handsomely decorated for the occasion with military devices, &c., and the Garrison Band played selections at intervals. The affair was one of the most sumptuous and enj ijable that has taken place in Invercargill.

Eew representatives of the Clydesdale breed of horses have had such a triumphant career in the show ring as Mr J. Lindsay s wellknown dark bay gelding. The animal has only been beaten once, although competing against first prize geldings of Christchurch and Oamaru. The gelding is too well known to require any mention of his qualities, and we only refer to it as a prelude to the intimation that his owner will offer him for sale by auction, at Invercargill, on Saturday next, after the walking show that takes place there on that day.

The “ Mataura Ensign ” notices by the « Otago Witness ” that the Wyndham, Invercargill, and Riverton P. and A. shows all occur on the same date, viz., December 6th, and thinks “ someone has blundered ” in fixing the same date for three of the Southland shows. That “ someone has blundered ” is quite clear, the culprit on this occasion being out usually well-informed contemporary the “Witness.” As far as the Riverton show is concerned, we are in a position to slate that the date has not yet been fixed. The committee liave always studied to select a date that would not interfere with the Dunedin or any of the Southland shows, and doubtless similar consideration will be shown this year. The announcement last year by several Dunedin aud provincial journals of wrong dates of Southland shows was the cause of much misunderstanding, and in some instances prejudicially affected the number of entries. We trust similar mischievous carelessness will not be exhibited this year, and that before announcing dates of shows care will be taken that the same are correct.

Mr Daniel, M.H.R., arrived in Riverton on Saturday evening. Notwithstanding the fact that the member for Wallace is credited with being one of the closest attendants on parliamentary duties, during which he must have had his share of tho reported draughts and foul air of the House, and equally|foullanguage sometimes indulged in by the elect of the people, his moral and physical nature lias not perceptibly suffered. Edwards, the Dunedin pedestrian, has written accepting the challenge of Harry Vaughan, of New York, to walk for six days for the world’s championship, for £SOO aside.

The inadequacy of the accommodation for public gatherings at Thornbury, as illustrated at tho soiree held there an Thursday last, when Messrs Whittingham Bros and Instone’s large grain store was unequal to the occasion, has suggested the erection of a public hall of competent dimensions. We learn that initiatory steps have already been taken in this direction, and that ere long a building will be erected suitable to the requirements of the district.

The cricket match —“Home Country v. Colonials” —was continued on Saturday afternoon, the number of the teams being reduced to eleven each side. Tho following are tho names of the players Home Country : Lyle, Sheppard, Bridge, Bell, Cogan, Carraody, W. Hunter, Grime, Booth, Gray, Borne. Colonials; Reyliug, E. Daniel, G. Daniel, G. Howell, T. Howell, Mills, R. Stirling, C. Brown, MoNaughlon, Williams and Durbridge. The match resulted in a draw, the Home team closing their innings for 79, and the Coloniah putting 64 together before time was called, with four wickets to spare. The principal scorers for the Home team were Bell, with 16 ; Lyle, It; and Carmody, 12. For the Colonials Reyling totted 13; T. Howell, 11; and Stirling 10. The ground was in a better condition than on the Saturday previous, but is still much too rough for playing with anything like safety.

At the District Court, Invercargill, yesterday, before Judge Ward, Mr Russell for defendant in the ease of Cowie v. Webb, which had been previously before the Court, but was withdrawn before it came to a conclusion by plaintiff, applied for costs. —Mr Mr O’Reilly for plaintiff objected, and after argument the Court struck out the case; costs allowed.

A number of people were attracted on Saturday, (says the “ Otago Daily Times ”) by the unusual spectacle of frozen mutton displayed for sale at the shop of the City Butchery Company in Rattray street. Mr S. Gf. Smith has had about a score eff sheep from his own stock frozen at the Refrigerating Company’s works, and was offering them for sale that day. In appearance the carcasses differ very slightly from those not subjected to the freezing process, but this slight difference is decidedly in favor of the frozen meat. It is a trifle paler in colour, but is decidedly more attractive to the eye. Although the meat was almost thawed on Saturday evenit had lost none of its distinctive appearance. If this first experiment seems to hit the public fancy, it is probable that a good deal of frozen mutton will be offered for sale here duiing the summer months.

Mr K. Gralbruith, the well-known footballer, is leaving Invercargill for Oamaru. On Thursday evening in the former town lie was presented with a morrocco writing case, a dressing case, a bat with a silver plate bearing a suitable inscription, and a russialeather pocket-book containing a sum of money. Thick heads, heavy stomachs, bilious conditions—Wells’ May Apple Pills—-anti-bilious, cathartic. 5d and Is Moses, Moss, and Co., Sydney, general agents.