(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 10, 10 September 1874, Page 5

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. )

(»BOM oUa OWlf OOttRKaFONDBNT.) Dunedin, Sept. 9th, 8 p.m. The application of English Church Committee, Balelutha, for a site for erection of Church, was refused to-day by Waste Land Board, in consequence of not having power to grant it.

Messrs. Capstick. Du<hie and Co. held their weekly sale on the Bth i;.st. There was a lirge ascendance, and toe bidiiog ppirited. Th '. following lots were disposed of :— The wtll known stallion, Marquig, wan knocked down to Mr. James Drinnaa, for tne msn of L2OO. Louden I'am, a 4 year oM, V\e progeny of Marquis, wa* bid up to L H3, ami knocked down to tne vendor at L 250. ttlaok gelding, 3-jear o!d, L 3 3; bay mare, 9-yeur old, in foal to Marq ds, L 37 ; bay gelding, 5 year oid L6O | black cob mare, Ll2 ss ; bay gelding, 4-year old, and mare, 5-year old, Hold as. a pair at L 94 ; also, varions other light horses, at puces -varying f.om L7 to Li 5 There waa 600 mer-n » ewes, in lamb, bat very pjor. Sold at 5s ea h.

We regret to learn tbat Mr. George Warnock, of Wangaloa, met with an accident on Saturday last. Upon going up into a stall in the stable beside a young colt, the animal jammed him against the boards breaking his arm. Dr. Smith was sent for and reduced the fracture, and Mr. Warnock is progressing favorably. Dr. Carr gave phreno mesmeric entertainments in Barr's Hall here on the evenings of Thursday and Friday last. The weather on Thursday night being inclement the attendance wa< consequently only limited but on Friday night the Hall was well filled. His lectures on phrenology and love, courtship and marriage, and mesmeric seances created much c xcitetnent and amusement amongst the audience. On both occasions he secured an ample number of plaint subjects to operate upon We observe that tenders are called in the Provincial Government 4 Gazette ' for the erection of stone and timber bridges on the road Clutha to the Mataura, between Clinton and Mataura bridge ; also for a timber jetty at the Toi Tois.

Mr. Teague, photographer, succeeded the other day in takiog a very excellent view of the township of Balelutha from the bend of the road just beyond the bridge. The bridge, the river, and almost the whole of the township, with Rosebank house, and the Warepa hills in the distance are all very distinct, and combine to form a pleasing picture*. It is printed off in different sizes suitable either for framing, or for sending to friends in the home country. We understand Mr. Teague will shortly leave to fulfil an engagement of* som-:-months in the Mataura diVriet, so that those who intend having portraits or views taken should apply without delay.

The New Zealand Gazette publishes the following list of Provincial Ordinances allowed by the Governor : — Riverton Harbour Board Bill ; Naseby Recreation Reserve Management Bill ; Riverton Government Reserve Bill ; Lower Kdkorai District Road Lands Exchange Bill ; Papakaio Railway Reserve Sale Bi'l ; Dunedin School Site Bill; Education Reserves Management and Leasing Bill ; New River and Jacobs River Ferries Reserves Leasing Bill ; Waitahuna West District Road Compulsory Laud Taking Bill ; Riverton Drill Shed Reserve Management Bill; Palmerston School Glebe Exchange 1: Bill ; Invercargill Reserves Management Ordinance Amendment Bill ; Port Chalmers School Reserve Sale Bill ; Dunedin Presbyterian Church Lands Ordinance Amendment Bill ; _ Roads Diversion, No. 2 ; and Castle street Diversion Ordinance. Provincial Ordinances left to operation: Hospital Ordinance; Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act, 1873, Introduction Ordinance; Dunedin City Council Borrowing powers Extension Ordinance ; Clyde Corporation Borrowing Powers Extension Ordinance : Otago Municipal Coiporations Ordinances Amendment Ordinances O'agoDock Trust Ordinance, 1865, repeal Ordinance; Sawyers Bay Lands Leasing Ordinance ; Sosfyn Institute Ordinance ; and Caledonian Society of Otago Incorporation Ordinance.

We nave beeu requested to state -£hat Mr. A. R. Neville, commission agent, has been appointed agent for the Standard Insurance Company at Balelutha. It is understood that when Sir George Arney retires, Mr. Prendergast ' will be made Chief Justice, and the AttorneyGeneralship will be offered to Mr. Travers. A telegram from Wellington says, after Mr. Yogel concludes his business in Sydney respecting the electric telegraph cable, he will proceed to England. The subscriptions in aid of the widow of the late Captain Hart, already amount to over LI2OO. aud are expected to reach LISOO.

It is announced that his lordship, the Bishop of Dunedin will officiate in St. Mary's Church, Inch Clutha, on Sunday forenoon, and at the Courthouse, Balelutha iv the evening.

We understand but little progress has yet been made with the raising of the Tuapeka sttamer, which se^ms likely to prove a work of greater difficulty than was at first anticipated.

Seven neighbors sent teams to give Mr. A. D. Duncan a day's ploughing on his newly- acquired farm, luch Clutha, on Wedue^dny last, when a considerable breadth of ground was turned over ready tor the seed. The day proved inconvenient for a number of other settlers who yet intend to gtve ft practical welcome to their new neighbor. The Lady of the Lake has arrived at Port Mulyueux, notwithstanding the rough weather and tbe heavy sea which has been experienced for some time. This is her fourth trip in two weeks. She discharged cargo iat tne Port aud proceeded up the river.

A very handeome obelisk monument has just been erected in the Southern Cemetery, Dunedin, to the memory of the late Mr. Adam Johnston, civil engineer, who lost his liie by an accident at Tokomairiro on the 21st January last. The. memorial has been erected as a mark of esteem by tbose associated with him on tbe public works of Otago.

Tbe steamer Alhambra is expected to leave tbe Bluff at 11 a.m. on Saturday, tbe 12th instant. Telegrams for the Australian Colonies or Europe via Java o!able, will be received at the Balelutha office for transmission to Bluff up till 1Q o'clock of the 12th iustanc.

We publish in another column a letter by " fclector," regarding a pretended report of Mr. Thomsoa's meeting on Monday evening. The only redeeming feature in the report is that it has been so clumsily writren, that its apocryphal character is apparent to the most casual reader.

Mr. Gria or informs us that he has just received information that a modal and certificate has been awarded to the Kaitangata Coal Company Registered, and which now lies in Dunedin at the Company's disposal for a sample of coal sent to the Christchurch Exhibition, in 1873. Tbe fact ol the Company having succteded in being awarded a medal ought to be very satisfactory to the shareholders in this Company, who have in consequence of the hi«hn*B3 of freight been compelled to curtail their operations. The intrinsic value of these mines, which are inexhaustible, and the quality of coal itself which, however much may have been said about it by iut* rested partita to reduce it in value and quality, will hold its own against any on the Fa^t Coast.

As the Tuapeka is not now running, the grain and produce is nearly all away from Port Molyneux, and there is little coming down by the roads in consequence of their being ao bad, and the farmers being hu9y putting in their crop-* By the l»st three trips of the L-»dy of the Lake, she took away nearly 9000 bushels of drain, besides flour, fhx, pota'o-s and other produce,

Mr. Wil-on Gray held hia civil September sittings at Lawrence on Tuesday last. There was one civil case for trial before a jury— Henry v. R. Lancaster, claim for damages, L*2oO for alleged breach of agreem< nt to le'-ise defendant's farm at Beaumont to plaintiff. . Mr. MCoy for plaintiff, Mr. Taylor for defendant. Before the jury were sworn, Mr. Taylor took a preliminary objection that his Hone could not try the case, inasmuch as the summons was invalid not bearing date when issued, a 9 required by District Court, -rule 41. Mr. MCoy argued that this was not necessary, but his Honor held tbe objection fatal, and struck out the Cisc, the jurymen consequently being relieved from further attendance.

Henry Clapcott, Fsq, Government Insurance Sub Commissioner, delivered a lecture upon Life Assurance at Port Molv nex on Tuesday evening, when he,, also gave readings from popular authors. The lecture wa* delivered in Mr. C.'s usual masterly style, and listened to very attentively by a large audience. He very ably shewed tbe great advantage to be derived from Insurance, and also removed the objections that are brought forward against it. The arguments he used, and the facts he brought forward could not fail to convince tbe most credulous. His readings were listened to with great attention, and were greatly applauded. The sinking of tbe steamer Tuapeka has been a great disappointment, and is likely to occasion much inconvenience to settlers up the river, who have no' yet had a chance of getting their last season's produce removed. Between Greenfield, Ciycievale, and Whitelea st-itions alone, there are *oinewbere about 3000 bags of barley sold and expected to be delivered this month. Of course the steamer was depended upon as the means of transit to town, and it is now impossible to say when the grain can be removed. Both sellers and purchasers are thus disappointed.

We have received a copy of Messrs. Reith and Wilkie's map of tbe Province of Otago, compiled by Mr. L^uis Basch, from Government surveys and explorations, with additions up to the present year. The map has evidently been very laboriously got up. and is very well executed. It contains also a vast/ amount of information upon almost everything connected with the colony. Messrs. R. and W. deserve the puoport of the general public in their undertaking as the map will be found moat useful and interesting to all and sundry.

Mr. Clapiott's meeting at Inch Clutha on Saturday evening, was well attended by ladies, while almost all the gentlemen of the district seemed to be present. Mr. C.'s lecture and readings were as usual listened to with attention and appreciation. Tbe practical result of the meeting — the proposals of iu*urance, were al s o numerous and tbe benefits will, in the common course of nature* he reaped by jfche rising generation by-aud-bye.

A large quantity of timber is now lying at the old jetty, Catlin's River, waiting for a vessel to convey it to Dunedin. There was no business of importance before tbe meeting of School Committee on Monday evening. The Crown Hotel has again changed hands, Mr. John M'Neil having purchased all Mr. Townsend's right, title, and interest in the house, stable and appurtenances. We understand Mr. M'Neil takes possession next week.

A new jetty is being erected at Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach's saw mill at Catlin's River; It is estimated to cost is LIOO, aud will be capable of accommodating three or four vessels at a time.

Tbe schooner Huon Bell is at present clearing away all the remaining sawn timber from Button's mill, Catlin's River. This mill, in consequence of some misunderstanding between the proprietor and the lesee, has now been at a 6tand for some time. A pity it is so seeing that the mill is situated bo conveniently to a fine bush and tb/at timber is co scarce all over the country. Messrs. Burton Brothers, of Dunedin, photogrophers and artists, opened their Milton gallery on Friday last for, a short season of three weeks. The excellence of Mes-rs, Burton's photographs, are so well known not only in this district but throughout the Colcny that they require no recommendation. We have no doubt they will have their hands full during their present ptay in Milton. Mr. Robert Robson, of Whftelea, has just returned from Victoria, where he succeeded in securing two very fine merino rams from the stud flock of Alexander Armstrong, Esq, . of Warrambeen, whose stock ia celebrated throuuhout the Australian Colonies. Mr. Armstrong last year sold U bales of merino wm>l which fetched in the London market the extraordinary high price of 3a 5Jd per lb, which we have never heard received in the Colonies. He also sold 120 bales at 3s 2d per lb in the same market.

A friendly pigeon match waa fired in Mr, Townsend's paddock on Friday last by Dr. Smith and Messrs. Hutchi&s and Walsh — 13 shots each — 21 yards rise. Toe birds were ss docile that it was with difficulty tht-y were persuaded to take the wing. As the result of his 13 shots, Dr, Smith had 10 birds; Mr. Hucchins 7, and Mr. Walsh 6. After the match had been concluded, a number of the spectators tested their sportamauship hut the birds had tbe best of it. , . .

An editor gives a brother quill-driver this first-rate no'Mce: "The volcanic, pimple- headed, blister; brained, owl -faced, spike- nosed, weasel eyed, web- footed, peg-h-gged, lilliputian, lopgy-pettifoger does not like our personal appearance. Until this fonlmouthed, brazen debaser has been run through a seive, filtered, scoured, scrubbed, swabbed, sponged, and disinfected; until, the snarling Intelligent Vagrant is a fit object to en er decent society, we will forbear having anything to say about him." The latest telegrams from London are to August 23th. The money market was easier. The Bank of England was stronger. Heavy rains interrupted harvesting. Bazine hid arrived at Cologne. The death of Sir William Fairbairn was announced. Discount, 3 per cent. A Bonapartist deputy had been elected for Calvados by a large majority. A rup'ure is threatened between Ctiina and Japan ou account of the Formosa expedition. China is making immense preparation for war* Mr. Haaat, of Canterbury, had received the Order of the Iron Cro«s. Austria and Russia had assented to the recognition of Spain ia pursuance of the agreement made by the three Emperors at Berlin for common action on aU diplomatic questions.

The road from Gleimmaru to Catlin's River is at present in a very bad state. It bad originally only been formed — neither gravelled nor metalled, and it is now so overgrown with underscrub, that the sun cannot penetrate to dry the soil which is of a very soft nature. The consequence is tbat in the Owa\;e Flat especially, the road is almost covered with water, and unseen bog- holes require to be 'carefully uuarded against. The traffic is now rapidly increasing, and something should be done to put the road in a proper state of repair during the summer months. In the Aburiri Flat, U a culvert in a very dangerous condition, the timber being broken into holes, which it is impossible to escape. It could be put to ritrhta by one man in a day aud ought at once to be attended to. A mef-ting of tbe Matau Road Buard was held at M^s'S. Smith Brothers' on the 29' h ult. Tbere were present, Messrs Smitb, MDonald. Bell, and Inglis (in the chair ) The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr. Baasett, resigning his posi tion as ranger. The resignation was accepted. A long discussion took place with reference to improvements required at Kaitangata point, such as gate*, fencing, additions to jetty, etc. It was ultimately moved by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Macdonald that tenders, be called- in the Clutha. Leader for tbe improvements decided upon. The following accounts were passed and ordered te be paid: — M'Kenzie, carting gravel, L3 ; Jas. Young, for valuation L 10; A. Black, formation of Like Road. L l3 Bs, and Mr. Bassett, ranger, L5. A memorial was received from settlers at lower end of the Islaod, asking for a ditch to be cut alongside a rotdline co as to enable them to get access to their land, A k-:ter was read Irom Mr. Arnott, asking that a road .near the Schoolhouse be opened. Messrs Macdonald and Bell were appointed to enquire into these mitrers. and report at next meeting. It was agreed that a ranger be appointed for Eaitangata and Inch Clutha, ancl,tbat the amount of assessment for the ensuing year be fixed at next meeting. The meeting then adjourned. Don't think ot persecution, or enmity, or ill-will. Be right with yourself, and just to aU men, and outside enemies will soon vanish like the morning c oud and the early dew. Cultivate feeliogs of kindness and go d- will for others ; seek to help rather than to binder them ; to excuse instead of magnifying their faults, and you will soon find that you have troo| s of friends where you now see only persecuting enemies. Above al', look inward for your real f jes, ior the true disturbtrs of your peace, and 'sworn destroyers of your life. Unless you put all the powers of your soul in battle array, and fight against them, as the children of Israel wer commanded to fight agaiast the Canaanites — even to their utter extermination and banishment from the land— they will make life bitter and burdensome.

Lady Bowen proceeds to Europe by the mail steamer next month.

A small sheep farmer named John Moriarty has been murdered near Schnapper Point, Victoria. The murderer is yet undiscovered.

Reports from Melbourne state that seven men belonging to the brig Prairie were drowned by a boat accident at Bowse Island The Governor will visit Christchurch during the forthcoming race meeting. The Wellington Co-operative Baking Society is doiog an extensive business, 1000 loaves per day being the average sold. The ' Lyttelton Times ' states that Mr, goes Home to negotiate a new loan and contract for the establishment of cable communication.

Official accounts from the Palmer state that the Goldflelds are prosperous. Provisions are dear aud scarce. The blacks are troublesome.

The ' Tribune ' says : — " We understand his Excellency will shortly pay a visit to the Province of Marlborough. Seymour, the Superintendent of that Province; has remained in Wellington to accompany him." The Wellington 4 Tribune' tells a story of a newly-arrived female immigrant who marched into the Police Court, where the magistrate was sitting, took a seat on the bench beside him, and coolly remarked, " If yer plaae, sir, I believe you want a sarvant."

The Christchurch City Council has attempted in several places the concrete side channelling. They are thoroughly satisfactory, and, besides doing their work so well, they impart a compact and very uniform appearance to the footpaths. Referring to a petition presented to the Legislative Council, Captain Fraser said "he attached very little weight to the number of signatures to a petition. He knew very well that in all large towns they could, get canvassers to contract to supply signatures to petition? at the rate of L 5 per thousand." It is to be presumed the hon. and gallant member thus spoke from personal experience in getting up such documents.

There was (says the Christchurch correspondent of the 'Daily Tirneß) a neat little episode connected with the narrow gauge business tbat I must not omit. One of these new-fangled engines was about to start from tbe Eakaia on a trial trip, when a young urchin — having trodden, perhaps, upon the blossoms of some eleven Bummers — sung out to the driver : " I say, mate, I'll run you for a hundred yards for a fig of tobacco."

This how they treat informers in Melbourne ; — Tbe ' Herald ' mentions the case of Mr. John Connor, of liotham, who obtained a glass of ale from a publican on Sunday, and then informed against him. The publican was fined, but Mr. Connor was mulcted in the penalty of L3 8s for having aided and abetted in the offence.

Womau'a Rights" would appear to be much more appreciated at Warrmmbool than they are ia the boroughs throughout Victoria. Seven candidates offer themselves for election as borough councillors, and the whole of them in their addresses to the ratepayers commence by saying " Ladies and gentlemen." One candidate in the neighboring shire follows suit, the other does not. We pity tbe other. The Grey Star denounces as scandalous the .statement made by Mr Fox, when speaking against the new Licensing Bill, that on one occasion the bellman at Hokitika announced — "Ten new barmaids just arrived by: the Alhambra ; roll up gentlemen, roll up, aad see them !" It winds up an outburst of virtuous indignation, with the exclamation : — " Ten barmaids in one bar, in this age of crinoline and dress improvers ! The idea is preposterous, and the great Pox has proved himself a still greater goose by giving credence to such an improbable story."

The Melbourne Herald relates a curious discovery as having been made by a child, daughter of an employee of the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway. She was pick; ing food for rabbits oa the line alongside Flinders-street, when she picked up au orange. Being, child-like, overjoyed at her good fortune, the little one ran home to her mother— who, by the way, lives in a house of thecorapany's close to the Morgue — with her treasure. The mother inspected the fruit to see there was nothing wrong with it before allowing the child to partake of it, when she was struck with its peculiar appearance and weight, Opening the orange the contents were found to be rather valuable. The works of a horizontal watch in good order, two cornelians (one bearing an inscription of Shakespeare's head, the other a crest with the letters '' W.S.") V The property was immediately handed over to the police authorities, and yesterday was identified by Mr. Dancker, of the Exchange Hotel, Williamson- street, as belonging to him, being portion of some property which he lo9t on Saturday night, and for the recovery of which a reward had been offered A Habj> Hrr.-rrThe members of the Upper House are no doubt wise, but they «re rarely witty (says the 'Wellington Tribune'), yet one of the best things ot this session was said by Dr* Grace the other day. In the discussion on a Bill to delegate the powers o£ the Goldfields Act in the Province of Nelson to tbe Superintendent, " under the advise of his Executive," one Lord said he was not going to delegate powers to persons whu had no more property than they could cover with their hats— referring, it is supposed, to the Provincial Secretary, and thereby showing, we are happy to say, that he was very much misinformed, although had it been otherwise, the public will fail to see the point of the observation. Dr. Grace very quietly remarked that there was some persons who had lots of laud, but whose hats covered very little, and how they got the land the Lord only knew.

Rabbit trapping in the Porabernelt and South PuFrumbete stony rises is now (says the Hampden 'Guardian,' a Victorian paper) an acknowledged, and withal, a very proutaole industry. To such an extent has this occupation spread during the past two years that now there are no less than sixty or seventy trappers busily engaged iv snaring rabbits, who- furnish the Colac Meat Preserving Company" with some 7000 couple per week, and draw for the same Company cash payments to the extent of L3uoo weekly. So very profitable has this trade now become that land that was formerly regarded las an utterly valueless accumulation of stony barriers, ferns, aud trusties, is:how jealously guarded as a rabbit pr; strvei and many an occupier whose experiment;; Of -feeding ' sheep jon stiraes resulted in failure, can now easily realise. L5 a week by rabbit catching*

m The Waitaki River is at present sufficiently low to be forded with safety.

Prisoners are at present engaged in street formation in Lawrence.

Eight double-furrow ploughs we at present at work breaking up on Mr. Smith's Greenfield Station.

The Town Council of Oamaru propose to borrow L 25,000 for drainage purposes publio works, &c.

It is rumored on good authority that the Mayor of Christchurch intends, before the expiration of his office, to invite the Premier to a banquet.

The Messrs. Mackenzie are about to resume work upon their contract for the Manuka Creek section of the Tuapeka railway. Turkish Baths are now being erected; in Moray Place Dunedta, on the property of Messrs Gibbs and Clayton, adjoining Messrs Paterson and M'Leod's Bond. A large number of trout, varying from 18 fo 30 inches in length, have been lately seen in the river Avon, in Canterbury. The German expedition for observing the transit of Venus arrived at Melbourne j by the mail, and will proceed to the Auckland Islands. Tbe Eaglish* expedition, for Christchurch, sailed in the Merope on July 4th. / His Excellency the Governor was entertained at dinner hy both Mouses of Assembly. Major Richardson occupied the chair. His Excellency made an excellent speech in reply to the toast of his health. In Western Australia they have not only a proportion of lady members on the school | boards, but. a large number of telegraphic operators are feminine, and in one instance ahalf caste native girl makes a most efficient clerk. An additional section of the Great Southern Railway, 18 miles in length, from Rakaia to Ashburtou, was opened for general traffic, last week . The total length now open from Christchurch is 50 miles. A spring race meeting, says the ' Tuapeka Times,' will be held at tpe Beaumont on Friday, the 2nd October. • An excellent programme has been arranged, comprising maiden plate, two handicaps, a hurdle race, and consolation stakes. Several gentlemen bave already promised individual subicrintions of five pounds. There is every probability of this, the first spring meeting held in the district, being a great success. We are to receive two valuable additions to the thoroughbred stock of New Zealand. Barwon, by BoUrdo from Jeanette, by Little John from Wilhelmina, has been sold for three hundred guineas tor New Zealand. At the animal sale of thoroughbred stock at Kirk's Bazaa*, Melbourne, a few days ago, the horse Flying Dutchman, by Peter Wilkins, was purchased by Mr Coombe, and will be sent to New Zealand. Most sporting men will remember Flying Dutchman's great performance in the Australian Cup in 1872, when he ran two dead heats with Saladin.

An accident of a serious nature occurred during the night of Tuesday last to the Pneumatic Dredge. On Wednesday morning it was discovered that the barge, containing the machinery, was on its beam ends, and had sunk by the head, nearly half being under water. It is supposed that the cause of the disaster was an unexpected rise in the river, so tightening the moorings that the boat could not remain upon the surface. Efforts are being made to remove the machinery, and float the barge se as to recover the " pueumatic tube."-— 'Dnnat*-. T->« '