The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1885.

Western Star, Issue 1002, 25 November 1885, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1885.

The Walau diggings are still in. full swing, but the shallow an 1 so far as is yet known limited nature of the ground, is not suggestive of anything like permanency. The back claims have not yet been tested, and until then value has been proved no idea of the permanency of the workings can be formed, ilie sits of the rush is situated a distance of about sis miles from Orepuki and about a mile from the Wuiau. The alluvial deposit has evidently been brought clown by the river and washed back by the sea. The claims front a tidal lagoon which has been scooped out by one of the eccentric movements of the river, and the richest ground is at low water mark. The successful working of the claims is therefore subject to a considerable extent to the state of the tile. Bat li'tie work has been done during the past few days on account of most of the claimholders being engaged in .litigation at the Warden’s Court, the disputes "arising from attemptol claimjumping. The discovery, it is expected, will give an impetus to prospecting in the locality, and as a strong inducement to that end a ferry at the mouth of the Waiau should be established. The danger of fording that river and the absence of a depot from which to draw supplies is sufficient to deter the most enterprising from attempting the feat unless in a staunch craft. This is a matter that the County Council might wisely devote some attention to, and either assist the scheme itself or aid in an effort to induce the Government to grant the use of a piece of land in consideration of a person providing a boat for passengers. We understand thaT there is a small reserve of some ten acres set apart for such a purpose, but that (irea is not sufficient to induce any one to entv - upon the enterprise.

4= ® For some years a number of black swans have been known to frequent Lake George, near Colac Bay. Their numbers have not increased very rapidly, or the young must seek fresh fields on attaining maturity, ilr A. Clode, of Colac Bay, recently found a nest containing four eggs. These he placed under a hen, and in due course four fine birds were brought forth, which are now about half grown. He also scoured a bird a week or two cld which had apparently strayed from the parent nest. This he succeeded in bringing up, and along with the olhers, it has become quite domestic. The agony of the incubating iaen when her “chicks” grow so rapidly that a a very short time she could not cover them, was amusing to bebold, but when they took to the water, she was so disgusted at such extraordinary behaviour that she left them to' fight their own way in the world.

The first wool of the season for export arrived at the Bluff on Friday, and was taken aboard the Ardendee. The ‘'clip ” was from the Beaumont statiou.

Mr Campbell, contractor for building the new school at Paihia, has got tho work all but completed. It is expected that the school will be opened after the holidays, with an attendance, to start with, of about 25. Considering tho very unfavorable weather of tho past few months, Messrs Hunt and Bulman are making fair progress with their contract for clearing two miles of the new road Colao to Bound Hill, tho contract for which they secured some two or three months ago. The contract covers the clearing of about half tho distance to Canton, where tho road will terminate. When metalled, the road will prove a groat boon to tho residents of the Hill, who have long been at a very great disadvantage for want thereof. It will, however, be an expensive work, and the Council’s financial position will scarcely allow of its completion iu this year of graco. Under the circumstances, therefore, w’ould it not be better to complete the work as it goes along, rather than expend the whole of a vote upon clearing, which can not bo used for traffic until gravelled, and in the meantime incurring the expense of keeping tho old corduroy track in repair ? The annual meeting of the Eivertoo Regatta Club was hold in the Aparima Hotel on Saturday evening. Capt. Tail, vicepresident, in the chair. The balance-sheet for the past year, duly audited, was read and adopted. It showed that the receipts in connection with the regatta and the champion sculling race had been £205 odd, and the expenditure a trifle under that, leaving a small credit balance; The election of officebearers was then proceeded with. Mr A. Crdss was unanimously elected President; Capti, Tall (re-elected) and Mr S. G-. Instone, Vice-Presidents; Messrs T. Booth, and A. Galloway, re-elected to the offices of Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Messrs D. McLeod, Borne, Burns, Bridge, Taylor, Geo. Robertson, Locke, Paltison, and

members iof committee. Some discussion took place as to the most suitable date for hoi ling the regatta. The 28th December, the 2nd and 4th of January were each suggested the majority seeming to favor the first mentioned date. The matter was however deferred until next meeting, when that question as well as the arranging of ihe programme will be considered. A good deal of enthusiasm was manifested in the affair, and there is every probability of our aunud regatta meeting proving a success.

During the hearing of the case Dell and Raker v. Young and oihors in the Warden’s Court on Monday, Mr O’Reilly animadverted on the action of Mr Wade in allowing one of his clients to conduct his own case, counsel sitting down all the time and merely prompting his client occasionally, lie said the position of counsel aud client appeared to bp reversed, and he requested our reporter to sute, the case tints “Mr Young, with him Mr Wide for the defence.” Mr Wade replied that he arrived late, and had not lime to be ins'meted in the case, and was there merely to watch the caa L , for his client, and advise him on any law p ints that might arise. The Warden said ho did not see how he could interfere ; it was merely aj matter between counsel and bis client and did not affect the ease in any way whatever. Mr O’Reilly replied that in all his experience lie had never heard of sijeh a proceeding as had taken place at the Court that day.

The Treasurer of the Wallace and Fiord Hospital acknowledges with thanks the receipt of the following additional donations;— No.-12, Mr John Proctor’s list, £■t 10s Od; No. 37, Mr W. Hamlyn’s list, £3 10s; No. 27j Mr 11, Foster’s list, £3 11s; No. 30, Mr John Woods’ list, £1 10s ; No. 20, Mr 11. llazlott’s list, £3 10s; No. 11, Mr Arthur Ward’s list, £7; No. 10, Mr James Quin’s list, £6 13s; No. 39, Mr W. Fraser’s list, £2 11s 6d. Full details will bo published when lists are all to hand. After reading the harrowing details of tlae massacre of the Geographical Exploration party by New Guinea savages, it is pleasantly disappointing to learn that the party have arrived safely at Cooktowu. Attention is directed to the full programme of the Wrey’s Bush races to be held on Boxing Day. Sine o the programme was first issued the prize money has been sub; toy Ij increased, making the stal^^— 4jA' valuable tnindua; ~.ia.S'4|!: frpj ; '— l ■ fill

Sporting men and the community generally will regret to learn that Mr Kenneth Fraser’s grand blood mare Fidget died somewhat suddenly on Saturday night from inflammation. Fidget was by Traducer, seven years old, and was admitted by competent judges to be the best blood mare in Southland. What makes the loss more severe is that she was on the point of dropping a foal to Hilarious. In the season 1883-84 she won five out of the eleven races in which she competed—a record that few horses can show. She was insured for £SO, but her owner valued her at £IOO.

A concert and dance, in aid of the local Athenaaum funds, took place in Cotterell’s Hall, Hirstfield, on Friday evening last. Unfortunately the weather proved very unpropitious, and the attendance in consequence was meagre—a result that will not greatly benefit the institution. Tho quality of the entertainment certainly deserved a better fate. Tho local brass band introduced the programme with a well rendered selection of music, which was followed by Miss Hogg, who gave several solos, and in company with Miss. M. Pattison also rendered nicely a couple of duets. Mrs McLean and Mrs Griffith, established local favoricies, contributed to the evening s enjoyment by their vocal efforts, and Mr H. P. Young was very effective iu “Sailing.” Mr Devonshire’s character songs, as usual, were much applauded, and as usual also, he had to respond to encores , as indeed several of the others had to do. Mr Butler’s serio-comic efforts should likewise be mentioned, and Mr Bateman’s were not the least attractive contributions to tne programme. A selection of Scotch airs on the violin, by Mr Jenkinsou, showed that that gentleman possesses marked ability as a violinist. Mr McLean presided at the piano as accompanist

in his usual excellent manner. Rut the most attractive feature of the entertainment was the scenes (in character) from “ Othello,” by Mr G-uy (Otbelle) and H. P. Young (lago). It is not too much to say that Mr Guy displayed histrionic ability of no mean order, and an intelligent perception of the character rarely met with amongst amateurs, and his efforts were well sustained by Mr Young. A dance brought a very enjoyable entertainment to a close.

J. R. Mills and Co.--Additional entries Thornbury sale. t —McLecs and party—Application for water race. M. Bates and party—Application for water race. Messrs Reid Bros, insert a funeral notice. The programme of the Wrey’s Bush races is inserted. McArdell and Co.—Stock sale, Thornbury. "Wilson, Taine, and Co.—Stock sale, Thornbury. An amended programme of Otautau Athena;am concert is inserted. C. Small notifies that he has laid poison on hi property. Dr Speer inserts a notice. Groper’s Bush Library—Notice. Misses Knipe intimate that they have commenced business at Thornbury as milliners and dressmakers . Shearers are wanted at Merrivale.