The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 1874.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 7, 20 August 1874, Page 2

The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 1874.

We give in another column the <* Clutha River Trust Reserves Act, 1874,"which passed the' House of Representatives on on Riday last, and we understand there is a fair prospect of the measure being favorably house; The inhabitants of-this district mer indebted to Mr, Thomson, ,M.H,R.,, for the interest he has taken iff tfbe matter, and through! "whose ertions success has so far been secured.. The Bill as at first.introduced by Mr. Thomson was different from that which was ultimately passed... Itf provided that a Crown Grant for the lands should be issued to -the ;ftnd;- such' Undoubtedly was the intentioh of the Provincial Council. •'! Mr." Tnomspn, h"ow- | ever found that sucb a clause could not be passed, the; chief Jbewßjp | that it the poses; af quired. To had to alter which as now:passed;;ifli vervtsiinple'in:; its provisions. TJie .Board lstogbe c^n-, stituted by ordinance of tbeProyißfcial" ;Counbil, and, as,soon 7 as coDj3tituted, thejrent of the lands wilt tb,p eventf-bf -aoy of tthe^lSii_lß;i|ing ] sold, the moneys so arasirig are Jto be> inyestjed. % in • Government* securities for the purposes mentioned, that the lands.iextenS; 50* 200 acres, and consist principally■ "sl_ x*ans 129 and;2sß, the former known as^

J Brogh's, and lthp|tt%^tpe»l I and • \frs^\ ; &mtibib *' ; BilJf Atatitojafe it mayfg|ss 5* c* c ffe?Kislagye can;.:■;■ v IoF course Betaken of ' BoarS has to It satisfactory, however, to Mow, that the | matter is in afair wayv of being ad- ; I justed, and those who have long seen :| the advantages which would/ accrue- to 1 the district trom the openingrup of this. noble river for navigation, have now a pf ospedt will ere long be realised. . ] . / Thursday lasti the i Premier a'nnblinc^d 1 the receipt; of reporting the breakdown ■ ot vthe Californian mail servico~fir/FoBBEB, in London, proving himself qinte unaible , to carry out. the contract. ~ Mr.. Hall-. has left Sydney for' America, arid attempts are beinffmade.ito' enter into arrangements with home ship builders to carry on the doubtful, in the meantime, whether these will prove successful.. A telegram. from Sydney says the'''GdVernfaSent f. there intends taking the r matter into v their owii hands, and to the line despite present prospects. It is >s undoubtedly of much .importance to this -Colony that an eflßbient 'mail X service ■ should be established: via San -~ ■ - Francisco, and thus bring , us into closer relations With :our : Americaia" cousins.; v but.aU : attempte,in r thißjfeec-; : tion have hitherto proved abortive, arid' the present breakdown will perhapsmofc ••- excite a very .great amount; .of surprise..

; ?oor usual leader, letter from Mr. A. f , Stewart, and onr Duhedin and Lawrence correspondence, together with local and general newe, hare been ;, '' rA ■ The San Francisco, mail was due at Auckland on Friday last but we notice by a Wellington telegram that in consequence of the break-down of tHe eervice there will " l "'" : be no mail this month*, r - £James lUsidV butcher, " filed a declaration of insolvency in the Dm* ■ trict Court of Tokomairiro and Clutha. Mr. D. Beid is solicitor for the bankrupt. Professor Bruce, mesmerist and' 'phren- ' otogist will give an entertainment in Barr'e Hall heretbis evening. Hi*abllities have been highly reported by the prew elsewhere, and no. doubt they, wiltibißSfuUy o: .appreciated by a Clutha audience tonight when we hope to see a full ft:-, • ?; We have pleasure in directing attention to H. Clancott Esq/e \ anuoun&m&n.t in \' f another column, giving the dates of the: delivery of lectures pnthe subjectiof Life Insurance, at Knitangata, Popptunoa, Port Molyneux and Warepa. On each of these occasions MrVClapcott will also give selections from hie readinge from,, popular authors. The mere mention, of readinge by Mr. Clapcott ie quite snfficient overcrowd the largest building available in any of the' dieteicte'^nirae'd^'^MrV^CWpybtty"'. 7 "' mode of treating Ineurancejiß>nbtfbnly iostructive. and convincing, but ;is{at : the eainetime interesting, sometimei amusing--* : "' ; end j never fails to be appreciated by his audience. He is also most securing proposals. In this toiwpSand neipbborbodd alone, where he remained a few daye, he Fecured eixty, representing a . cash total of of ; - similar successi nwvefforti:j|tt4the; eurroundiag districts. -• / We are requested to cell the attention of our readers to an advertiflement which appeare in another'column of an jiupbrtant '• eale of.horses on Saturday Bret by ? Mepere, Wright, Stephenson, and Col ' Thle shipment ie by the " Omeo," and we believed ! one of the beet that has been Janded -for; some time* It is therefore with conedence J we commend the attention of farmers and breeders to the sale. : The ! lace n and " Mountain Chiet," two pure Clydesdales, carry withi them flrst-elasa pedigrees, and should it be the lot of either to come to this dietriet we.feel sure that stock breeders will enlistitheicservice ac •{ no purer blood can be found in'the Province. ■ ' • ..'.is.'/.;v:.1- 4 r; f a. Iβ there any.poundkeeper in Balclatbaf . r . If there ie fee loet a splendidliaul of hbrsea' and cows laflt Sunday, aod if there •; is not there ought te be. In their playful caactere through the streets a number of . former claie : of aninw!i 9 ! eeve^^tiinli'' endangered the lives of .children, .., The itbwnehip is 'now g^ttirig'foo^enedy J V ppulated to admit of the public, streets being longer used as ceMmm grazing A- meeting of the Balclntha Town .Connpil;was held last jPmefit-^ , His Worship the Mayor ana CouncUlorg Donne,: S*ewftrt and llaton. - Minutes confirmed 1 . Account for drayman's wa&es V L2O ■ }^fi^^fl^^^mM.Jm^' i - prsvellinef 6f footpaths in mametreetfrom v Barr's Hotel to WW*&S '*'' Bub-divasion japproyed? ordered to called•i-^ ? theTw(^:fc ; : v ' J \TnV-'' r Caerkj was instructed towrite to the Chief, Postmaster and Mr. Logan 'of graph; Pepartnaent; iihatitheicoffices in the townawpi: ifnW' ; the Councir 4 for ' thetqwoehjp.. With'iej^eni^to frpin to ■ -y^^jf^^wm^wi^i^wvS^yA cootril>ut6 towards th« of a reyenne out of] the Bakers , and MilJere , Act, CounclUoxDuone-moyea^l|^*C!bOT not see its way to contribijtrto contribute ' .towards theT:ob3e^:|Mgpf|^^ u l||y;,:<,.. Carned.; The foliowirii the motion of Ck)uncaior Dunne, Mconded temporary station at the preeent railway :and%p^fc,o^ihe' ; exist for : been completed. mt&Bufi sfaamo§§

At a meeting, of the Council of the Uni. versity of Otago on Tuesday, Dr. Miller Oonghtrey "Wae appointed Professor of Anatomy and Physiology. Coat from the.Bruce Coal Company's Pit wee used by the railway locomotive at Waihola on Tuesday, and was found to he most suitable in every respect. We observe that the farewell entertainment by Mr. Kennedy and family, to far as this Colony is concerned, will commencein Dtmedfn to-night. It is understood, says the * Guardian, , that the Rev. Mr, "Lindsay Mack ay, of Victoria, will accept of the pastorate of the First Church. The ■* Tnapeka Times * publishes the following telegram from Clyde under date the 14th instant:—A writ has been served by Glawford on Bead and Party, of Tinkers, for polluting Thompson's Creek by tailings; damages, £i,OOO. The aid of Miners* Associations is solicited for the defence. A telegram from Tapanui in the *TuaK>ka Times * says:—" It is reported that a rge block of land, from Beaumont Ferry to Bellamy stockyard has been sold. Great indignation is felt at the Ferry in consequence." It is said this block (the Bellamy run) cannot be less than 10,000 acres, while the Waste Land Board recently fixed 400 acres as;the largest quantity that would be sold to any one individual within the poldfields. No doubt we ehall hear more of the matter by and bye. The township of Port Molyneuz recently presented quite a busy appearance, no less than three steamers being alongside of the jetty at one time, two Dunedin steamers which took away full cargoes, and the Tuapeka, which is also very busy bringing down cargo. Owing to the rough weather end heavy sea, no. Dunedin steamers were round last week which is much to be regretted, as the jetty and stores are all filled with cargo for Dunedin. If the roads were once dried up and improved, we believe that more storage accommodation will be required aa there is a Urge amount of grain and other produce to come in from Ahuriri and other districts. A correspondent writing from Macrae's flat, says—" We have been visited of late by frosts of unusual severity. Aβ a consequence, farming operations have been almost at a stand-still. The miners have also been unable to wash up their heaps of wash-dirt owing to the frosts having penetrated them through.—The Progress Committee, of Hyde bad an interview with Mr. M'Kellar, Secretary for the Goldfields, on Saturday last, for the purpose of urging upon him the necessity of bridging the Taieri Kiver between Macrae's and Hyde. They also asked for another block of land on Deepdell Run to be thrown open under the agricultural lease system, as the last block has been nearly all taken up. Various other matters were brought before him, all of which he (Mr. M'Kellar) promised to bring under the consideration of the Government, and he promised to use his influence in their behalf. A recent visitor to Inch Clutha, observing a clump of native bush standing in etch of Mr. Ferguson's paddocks, Inverclutha, expressed his surprise that that gentleman should not have the same cut down and the ground cultivated. Mr. Ferguson" being at hand very coon convinced his visitor that these patches were the most profitable portions of his farm. In summer they are a shade for his stock from the scorching rays of the sun, and in winter a shelter from the cold fierce blast. By the free right of access to these bushes, the stock can keep themselves comfortable under the most adverse circumstances. "While the nutriment of others, shivering with cold upon unsheltered paddocks, goes to keep up the natural warmth of the eyetem, that of those in sheltered situations goes to form bone, sinue and fat. The value of such spots is thus apparent. Pity it is that more of our settlers cannot see it, and consequently do not follow Mr. Ferguson's example. At so rapid a rate is the township of Balclutha at present progressing, that both carpenters and timber are at a premium, the supply of both being utterly inadequate tojneet the demands. Houses are scarcely to be had to let either for love or money and rents are very high. We understand many parties are anxious to build but are unable to find either material or labor. Amongst the many hundreds of ■immigrants who have arrived of late it seems reasonable to suppose there may be a considerable number of carpenters, and if so, they at least have no reason to be a day out of work, considerißg the state of ■matters here and in many other up-country towns. So far as Balclutha is concerned, we have no doubt work of the class re» ierred to will be plentiful for years to come as unquestionably when ' the railway, is ■opened to tows, the demand for house accommodation here will he largely Increased. Apart from the building trade, other classes of laborers are much in demand, and were the Government to erect a few working men's cot , ages here instead of confining their operations in this respect to Dunedin, and thus encouraging new arrivals to hang about town idle and discontented, they would find plenty of work' and plenty of pay. It would be .well that •the Government should make enquiry into •the matter and act as they see right. In this issue we commence to ■pnblfeh a new story entitled "Victor Moredant, or TheLostShips,"atale-of the great Glasgow sea-frauds of 1820. The story was written expressly for the 'People's Journal, , Dundee, perhaps the -most extensively circulated newspaper in Scotland, and with the readers of wtych ** Victor Meredant" ha* been immensely popular. It is by the -same author as " Eustace Outcast,' , * " Mahew the Mfllspinner," and other tales which have so largely tended-to popularise the journal referred to. "Victor Moredant" .embodies rhe extraordinary inci-' dents in the .still unparalleled career of M'Dongall and Menetee, whose trial for ship sinking produced such a sensation in Glasgow, and throughout Scotland in 18*20, these incident* being worked into a plot •of thrilling interest which the highly popular author invariably manifests. We have no sympathy whatever with much of ?the trash published now-a-daysintheform of sensational or popular stories, but we have every confidence that the tale we have selected as the first to appear, in this journal will be acceptable to our readers, and be appreciated by them in a manner commensurate with the very high merits we coneiderthe story possesses. We would only add that in order to obtain *the-first chapter it will be necessary for new-readers to apply early for copies oi this issue of the XjKADEB.

We beg to call attention to the announcement in another column of special religous services, to be held in the Presbyterian, and Weelejan Chnrches, here nest week. ' The contractors lor the road from Port Moly neux to Balclntha along the banks of the river, are.only waiting the arrival of the district engineer to make a commence* ment with this mtich required work. A new business has just been opened in Balclutha and not before it was very much wanted. Indeed it is surprising that the township should have so long been left without the service of a plumber, tinsmith etc. Messrs Paterson and Kamage now supply this want, and, considering the number of new buildings, additions, etc going on, there can be no doubt their services will be in constant requisition. We recently had occasion to call attention to the necessity of having the footpath of the main street cleared of verandah and telegraph posts with which it was dangerously obstructed. We are glad to observe that at the request of the Town Council these have now been all removed. The great improvement effected is quite apparent. In. oui* report of the Matau ploughing match* it was omitted to be mentioned that Mr Teague, photographer of this town, took several views of the match throughout the day. These are now printed off, and judging from the specimen he has. sent us, they are very, well executed indeed, the individusl portraits being very distinct and recognisable at first glance. Mr Teague has been very successful with the portraits and views be has taken in this locality and so soon as the good weather sets in, we understand he intends to vi.it, with hie camera, most of the picturesque scenes of the district. Tenders have been called for the construction of the railway from the Mataura to Clinton, a distance of twenty-five miles and thirty chains. It commences at the termination of the Invercargill and Mataura line I near to the Gore township; thence up the ▼alley of the Waikaka lor about two miles past Captain Boyd's station, and along the low-lying grounds to the crossing of the Waipahi Biver, continuing its course through Waipani to Popotunoa, and terminating as above. The gradients and cuives will be very easy, and no heavy cutting or other obstructions occur along the line. Since the discovery of a euperior class of coal at Kaitangata, and the establishment of a considerable township in that locality, a large amount of traffic has been carried on with Balclutha and even distant towns and districts. This has virtually been suspended during the winter months in consequence of the then impassable condition of the roads. We understand the sum of L2OOO was voted at last session of the Provincial Council for the formation of a new road from.the end of the bridge here down the river bank to join the swamp road. This would shorten the distance and materially facilitate traffic, and as the good weather may now be expected shortly to eet in, it is to be hoped no dflay will be allowed to take place in the carrying out of the work. Perhaps the members for the Matau and Clutha districts would be kind enough to use their influence with the Government in the matter. Our attention has been called to the necessity which exists for the erection of wings, or short fences, at the Southland end of the Mataura bridge, bo as to facilitate the crossing of stock. The other evening an attempt was made to cross a mob of 200 head. The stockriders exerted themselves and their horees to the utmost for two hours; occasionally they succeeded in getirig 40 er 50 across and haying to leave them to return for the balance, they (the bullocks) took possession of the township, cleared the streets of the human element for the time being, and then recrossed the bridge. The attempt was ultimately given up; the cattle were driven a mile or two up the river and were forced to swim it. The erection of wings at the approach to the bridge would save all this trouble and delay. The expense would be but a trifle, and as the bridge is frequently used for crossing stock the matter* should at once be atiended to. A correspondent who passed along the river bank road from Port Moljneux the other day, says it is about six miles nearer than the old road, and would make a delightful canter were it not for the extraordinary interruptions in the shape of most awkward gates which have to be encountered. He says there are fifteen of them to open and shut between the Port and Balclutha, and most of them are either rails or constructed and fastened in a manner calculated to give the great st trouble imaginable to the traveller. He suggests that gates across road-lines should be such as could easily be opened and phut without dismounting, and that if permission has 'been given by the Road Board lor the erection of these gates, such permission ought to be granted only upon condition that they be of this description. These gates are no doubt a great saving and convenience to the adjoining settlers but it would seem only'reasonable that the convenience of travellers should be had some respect to, and probably the suggestion of our correspondent would be a fair compromise. The other day we met in the vicinity of the Schoolhouee, a Chinaman hawker carrying his wares in fashion as the wont of our Celestial strangers is. He was followed for some distance by two boys or lads who were actively engaged pelting him with mud and harder substances. A threat to send for Sergeant 'Finnigan had the effect «of making them take to their heels, the unfortunate Chinaman at the saraetitne loading us with thanks—or what •from hk gestures appeared to be such. The threat re the Sergeant was not carried out as the boys were of meet respectable, parentage, and a warning may serve the' purpose. Now, we "know it is a habit with these boys to -treat Chinamen in the manner described Whenever opportunity occurs. A few days previously they so exasperated one that he repeatedly turned' and chased ■them, brandishing an open knife in his> hand. Supposing he had inflicted an injury upon some of these young rascals who would have been most to blame? It must be remembered that with Chinamen life is reckoned at a low value from what it is with us, and not knowing our language they can scarcely be expected to be acauainted with our laws. If, therefore, icy adopt the Chinese mode of taking revenge for insult and injury, they are not so much to be blamed. Perhaps parents wiH therefore, warn their children against repeating the molestation to which we refer. *

Mr W E Farrer the manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Ltwrence, wae presented with a puree containing about L2OO at a public dinner on Tuesday evening. Mr Farrer has been manager of the bank for a long peiod, and the extent to which he has gained the good wishes of the com* mumty. is proved by the above handsome donation. Mr Farrer is about to pay a visit to the old country, and hence the above manifestation of the respecet in which heis^held. We ' Glasgow Herald,* underetand that a commission has been sent to this country for a first professor of theology in the Uni-. yersity of Qtago, Dunedin, The income is to be L4OO a year, along with a professional residence. This professorship has been offered to the Bey, L. D.F. Salmond, Free Church minister, Barry, Forfarshire." The 'Guardian* reports that the works in connection with the tunnel at Deborah Bay are progressing very satisfactorily. Five chains have been completed at the south end. A very large number of sheep, says the ' Wakatip Mail * are reported to have been snowed up during the recent frosts, and there is little hope of the ultimate recovery of the larger number alive. It is said that heavy loss will fall upon the owners of sheep throughout the district. Mr John Archibald Duncan Adams, Dunedin, was on Wednesday last admitted and enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. TW 'Southland News 1 states that the settlement at Martin's Bay is likely to be abandoned, owing to the difficulty of saving grain crops from the ravages, of small birds and the effect of the prevailing wet weather. The following is from the 'Lyttelton Times':—"On the motion of Councillor Lane, the City Council have resolved, 'That the attention of the police authorities be called by this Council to the disgraceful and dangerous practice that prevails at all elections in the city—viz., the throwing of flour, soot, lime, &c, at candidates and their supporters, —with the request that decided measure's" be taken to put an end to the custom before it results—under strong party feeling—in riot, destruction of property, and possibly of life. , " Befering to the land sale at Invercargill on the 4th inst, the Southland News writes: The result of again throwing open the land for free selection has verified the expectations formed by a considerable section of the public. Some 70,000 acres of the finest land in the Southland district have passed into private bajads, by far the greater portion at upset price of Ll an acre—being classed either as "pastoral" or as "comprised in old Hundreds.'* This large area of country,.sufficient on the deferred payment py6tem to have located 3/50 new settlers —much oi it alongside the line of proposed railways has passed into the poses* sion of some thirty or forty persons, of whom perhaps two : thirds, holding a very small proportion of the whole quantity, are bona fide, cultivators. The rest are graziers or speculators. So far as we are aware, there are not half-a-dozen names on the list of buyers that belong.to new comers. Hence, it may be safely asserted that although a huge slice of the public estate has been parted with, the true settle* ment of the country has not been appreciably advanced, but on the contrary it has been retarded. Looked at even from a revenue point of t iew the transaction h&e been a losing one; for there is not an average acre of the land sold at Ll but is worth an annual rental of ls.6d. That is to say, in other words, the land sold for L 70,000 would have been Rood security for over LIOO 000 of borrowed money—would have absolutely paid interest and a suffi cient sinkiog fund to have extinguished all further liability in fifty years. The latest telegrams from London are to august 7th. The following are the chief items of news :—Parliament has been prorogued. The Boyal speech stated that foreign relations continue fiiendly. Her Majesty's Government would employ all its influence to maintain treaty obligations, and promote the consolidation of peace. A delegate has been sent to the Conference at Brussels, which bad assembled oh the suggestion of the Emperor of Russia, after assurances had been received from the various powers represented that no proposals would be made to alter tbe recognised rules of international law,or place restrictions on naval operations, but in sending a delegate her Majesty's Government received full freedom to accept or reject the recommendations of the Conference. Negotiations have been commenced in reference to the reciprocity treaty between the United States and Canada, and k is anticipated that the treaty will be revised at an .early date. The continued disturbances in Spain are deeply regretted, but, while her Majesty. earnestly desires the restoration of peace and civil order, it is believed that such a result will more surely be brought about by a rigid abstinence from any interference by the European powers. The treaty with the Sultan of Lanzibau, for the suppression ofelavery, has been faithfully observed, and already much has been accomplished in that direction. It is a subject for much I gratification that the famine in India has hitherto been attended with little mortality., Such a thankful result is mainly attributable to the exertions of the Viceroy, Lord Northbrook, and bis subordinates. The Speech also refers to the steady progress of the measures taken for the pacification of the inhabitants of the Gold Coast and the organisation of a Government in that de- | pendency. Treaties ot peace have been , concluded with important tribes, and the •King of Ashantee persevered in hie efforts to discharge the obligations of the Treaty with Great Britain. During a discussion in the House of commons, Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Disraeli both said that although tranquility prevailed in Europe, influences exist indicatory of great troubles sooner .or later, in which Spanish affaire would play a prominent part. Mr. Bour&e, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question from an hon, member, said no power contemplated armed intervention as regarded Spain. England would discourage any such proposition. In the House .of J Commons Mr: M'Arthur moved a resolution approving the 'Government decision to annex Fiji, which was discussed. Sir C. W. Hilke moved an amendment,,urging caution, but both were .rejected. Mr. Gladstone spoke strongly against Parliament relieving the Government from entire resposibility. Mr. Lather, Under Secretary for the Colonies, declared that the cession must be unconditional, and domestic slavery would not be tolerated.