The Clutha Leader. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 1874.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue I, 1 October 1874, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 1874.

Our leading article, reports Of tne R.M. Court at Balclutha and- Tokomairiro, cor* respondents 1 letters and other matter ha* been crowded out, but will appear in our next issue.

The inhabitants of Wyndham intend shortly to present the Hon. Dr. Menzies with a testimonial in recognition' of the many valuable services he has rendered the district.

A mob of upwards of 300 cattle passed through this township on Monday afternoon. They were very good stores-, brought down from the Mataura by Mr A. M'Larep, of Tokomairiro, and we ur-derstaud will be exposed lor sale by Messrs Driver, Stewart aud Co. at Mosgit-.1, to-morrow.

We have to call special attention to the tale by Messrs Drivtr, Stewart, and Co. ot the township ot Hclensborough, .at their rooms, here on Friday week. Those who wish to secure sites for residences will then have such an opportunity of doing so as is seldom met with in 'this locality. In all probability the competition will be a keen one.

The committee" of the Balclutha Athenaeum met on Tuesday evening, when tbe tendtr of Alexaodtr Bain was accepted fur the erection ot ihe building, the price being L 614. Ie will be seen by advertisement that thtannual entire horse parade iv connection with tbe Clutba Agricultural aud Pastoral Association will be held to-morrow week, Friday, the 9th iustant, and that the annual stock show has been fixed to be held on Friday, the 27th November.

The Kirktou market, Puerua, takes place to-morrow. So lar as we can learn there is likely to be a iarge numoer of stock brought forward for sale, aud it is to be hoped the buyers will also be numerous. Alter the market is over, the unsold stock will be ex poised to sale by auction, and to facilitate business the agent of the National Bank will, as usuai, be present.

We are informed that the fine Clydesdale entire horse "Taieri Lad," has bee.purchased by Messrs James Petrie and C Anderson. This horse will be kept in the district to travel this season.

A vessel Ireighted by the French Go* vernment was to sail on July 29 from Bor deaux, with sixty women from different Houses of Correction, who had expressed a willingness to contract marriage with convicts of New Caledonia.

A presentation to Mr. Donald Grant, Kirklands, West Taieri, of a gold watch and chain, as a token of respect from the farmers of Maungatua, West Taieri, acd Lake Waipori, took place at hia own house on the 21st ult. The presentation was a token of the respect in which Mr. Grant is held by the people of the above districts. The practice of worshippers* allowing their canine domtstics to accompany tbem to church has long been abandoned in most civilised communities throughout the world, and their absence certainly rather adds to than detracts from the decorum of the service of the sanctuary. In the various congregations of a township not far from Balclutha, however- the presence of these animals is still tolerated during public worship, much to the annoyance of the worshippers. \Ye ur-de-sUi.d there are dog's chains to be had in the township, and it is to be hoped this notice will ttnd to an increase of trade in that commodity.

We observe- the Crown Hotel stables, which have afforded shelter to many a weary nag during the past ten years, have been "unrooted and are undergoing speedy demolition. For the sake of the amenity of the township no one will regret thi'ir removal, and it is to be hoped their site will speedily be occupied by buildings more in kef ping with the surrounding premises. Tbe site is one ot tbe most valuable in tbe township, and ought to be occupied with elegant and substantial business premises. Monday eveDiDg having proved very dark and the rain falling in torrents, the attendance at the entertainment of the Dramatic Club was but small. Some of those who were to take part in the musical portion of the programme believing that the entertainment wo; 'ld be put off, did not put in an appearance, and the original arrangements had thus to be somewhat modified, but tbe whole entertainment was more successful than could ha.ye been ex* pected under the adverse circumstances. We observe from an advertisement that the same piece — " Mrs. Green's Snug Little Business" and will be repeated on the evening of the Walking Show here — to morrow week — when there will no doubt be a large attendance. We urderstand Mr John M-Neil is about to make sundry alterations and large additions to the Crown Hotel here. Plans for the same are in course of preparation and when completed, we shall be able to indicate the exact nature of the improvements to be effected.

Mr P. S. Canning, having resigned his position as publisher ■. of the ' Gucrdian,' was presented by its runners with a handsome greenstone pendant, surmounted with gold, aßd a meerschaum pipe. Tbat journal says the gifts were accompanied by an address, setting forth that the presentation was made as a slight token of the great esteem of tbe runners for Mr Canning, and of their appreciation of his businesslike habits and gentlemanly bearing at oil times towards them. Mr Canning is still connected with tbe 'Guardian,' and will shortly proceed North. A correspondent saya that in one respect Catlin'B River occupies an anomalous position. There are, he says, nearly a hundred men in corinfction with the several saw mills there, and a considerable number of settlers in the neighborhood, and yet there is riot one shoemaker in the district. The consequence is that if one's boots gets out of repair they have to be thrown away aud a new pair procured. There can be no doubt that a good opening exists at Catlin'B for a tradesman in the line referred to.

Tbe contractors for the new road from Port Molyneux to Balclutha have made a. commencement with the work, and from the well-known, energetic manner in which they have finished other Government contracts, it may be takrn for granted they will lose no time with their new work. The road, when finished, will be a great ■boon to the Balclutha people as it takes six miles off the distance by the old road, besides being perfectly level all the way. It will be an advantage to those on business as well as to the pleasure-seekers who may wish to enjoy a day upon the ocean beach.

Oaits are at present iri- good request in this locality ; potatoes are getting Bcarce arid are wanted for the Dunedin market.

it will pc übstrved that the Sacramental Past in c»nnecti<r*n .with the . Presbyterian congregation here has . beenfixfcd for this *ay week.

His Excellency t ne Governor has been leased to pace Mr Robert Grigor, JVJay or >r' Balclutha, u pi o the commission ol the Peai'c for the Coio/ y." *

New and promising quartz discoveries fiave been made at the dividing range ittwten .Shotover and Arrow on the Macctown side. •

S'Uii'. -of t he Waitahuna diggers (sayst c 4 Tuapeka Times') intend leaving next week for tbe Palmer. Two of them, Mr O'Kane and Mr M'Lvllan have sold out of their claims with that intention, Several are also leaving Tuapeka for the Northern Territory. Mr fimaill was yesterday engaged surveying the road from Balclutha bridge by the bluff along the river bank to the railway, and it is expected that tenders, for the work will shortly be called. We observe that a meeting of the Balclutha Cricket Club is called for to- morrow evening. It is very desirable there should be a full attendance.

Referring to our report in last issue of the meeting ot the Presbytery and the case of Mr Robert Gillies against the Rev. Mr Bannerman, we understand upon good authority that it is Mr Gilliea's intention to prosecute the matter at the Synod. The full report we give in this issue from the • Daily Telegraph ' of the sale of Mr Leney's shorthorns will be interesting to our agricultural readers.

It will be observed from an advertisement that the New Zealand Insurance Company have resolved , to increase the numbtr of their shares. 50,000 shares are offered "to the public at L*t 10.* each. Forms of application can be bad from the local agtnts, Messrs Stewart and Gow.

i The Port Molyneux usual Monthly Readings and Concert came off last Wedntsday evening, aud notwithstanding its being a very rough evening, there was a very good attendance. The singing of iVlessrs Millar, Wilson, Shiels and Pollock, and the readings of Messrs M'El wen. .Millar, and Shiels, were attentively listened to and frequently encored. In consequence of the inclemency of the wt-ather and other unforseen circumstances, some of the principal contributors to the evening's amusement did not appear. An assembly followed the concert, the music being supplied as by Messrs Anderson and Begg, and all went away w«U satisfied with the evening's entertainment. The Provincial Council of Wellington have advertised lor sale, on October 26th, 100,000 acres of pastoral and agricultural land. One block, adjoining tbe Rangitikei district contains 44,000 acres; another, on the East Coast, 43,000. There are other blocks, of which 6000 acres are in tbe vicinity of Wellington. The Provincial Government have also determined to sell all the land now under reclamation between Pipitea Point aud Mill's Foundry, and upon which the new Government Buildings and Railway- station are to be erected. The area is about 40 acres. It will be sold on December 2igt.

A. Port Molyneux correspondent writes . An awkward mistake occurred here latey through the placing of too much confidence in one's own memory or that of another. Tenders being called for road works, a party well known iv the township tendered; but instead of enclosing the usual deposit, he told the Clerk in whose bands he had left it for him should he not be present at the meeting, and in case the tender should be accepted. He was not present; bis tenderß were tbe lowext, but the Clerk forgot to mention what had been told him «bout the deposit. Another party got the job. This is not the first time the same party's tenders have been passed over. This eeems strange, seeing that be allowed the Board to take th ir road any way they wished thorough his property, .while the successful tenderer has caused no end of disputes snd complaints by his fencing and altering the road during th,e past eighteen months. Besides, I believe he has occasioned the Board an t-atUiy of at leasj; L*o or LSO.

During the past few days we have had wretched cold, wet, wintry weather. The surrounding hills have been covered with enow, and the river yesterday had risen about four feet above its former level. As it may be some consolation to know that this dia'rict has fared no worse than others throughout the colony we give the following telegrams which appeared in Tuesday's papers:— Wellington— lt has been raining the whole day, and blowing hard from ihe north* west. The Hutt has overflowed the road. The river went down Jhst night, and has rissn again to-day. There have been many slips along tbe Hutt Road. Westport. — There has bern incessant and heavy rain for 48 hours, and it is still continuing. The lower portion of the town i 9 flooded with surface wattr. The river is rising rapidly. No damage has yet been done. Oamaru.— The schooner Ricbatd and Mary came ashore in a stiff nor'-eaater. She missed stays in beating out, but is at present uninjured. The Eiderslie . and barque Kassa, lying at anchor, and some others, got out. There is still a stiff northeaster blowing, and heavy rain. Queeos.--town. — Heavy but warm rain fell on Sunday and heavy cold raid to-day. Floods are anticipated. There is a complete 'break in the weather. Barometer 28 50, and falling* Clyde.— lt has beep .raining here steadily since Saturday night, and, from present appearances, there -is no telling when it will cease. There is snow on tbe ranges, and, although there is no great rise in the Molybeux as yet, if the rain cour tinues it must cause a heavy flood. Alexandra. — The river is now higher than ever. The country above here is air flooded, and, tbe loss to the crops will be heavy. Lawrence.— A strong, easerly wind has been prevailing 4or theJast4Bhoure,and.is now veeringto the south-east, accompanied by heavy showers of rain. Greytown. — There was a heavy -flood here yesterday, from mid-daiy till evening, during which, tme the town .was , under water. A good deal of fencing was destro*. Ed, and .one or two houses damaged. "The cotbh cannot' get through to ,Greytown. Waikouaiti;-— i The weather is f rightfully rough and wet, ' but there ie„no danpage from floods as : yet. /The water is rapidly rising, and, if there bje no ceasatiqn of .rain soon, damage is bound to result. Yesterday's telegrams from all . quarters report matters as much worse I and no appearance of the storm abating. Tsq loss of life ia reported .

. The Post says '.' it is; currently/ reported, 'and we know the report is well founded, serious charges b&ve'^beeri preferred to Government against a Member of the Civil Service holding a high position. The charges are relative to his conduct in an office which he formely filled in connection with the a^r^injstration of intestate estates.' ! < " '

On Friday evening last, as Mr. Charles Smith, market gardener, Geraldine, was ridiug; home frqq} Geraldine to his own house, he feHofJ' his horse and sustained most severe injuries about the head. Dr. Fish was in attendance on the sufferer, and we learri that qn Saturday afternoon the doctor held but a small hope of recovery. Since the foregojng was in type, we learn that Mr. Smith died on Saturday evening. —'Timaru Herald.'

The following is the latest Australian and English news:— Melbourne, Sept. -21. Notice has been given of a Government measure to deal with the larrikin nuisance, ! which will provide for whipping in certain cases. — The members of the German Astronomical party for Auckland Island has arrived by the Durham.— The trial of George Butchart, for forgery, is proceeding at the Criminal Court.— -Shannon has been committed for trial for the murder of Moriarty at Morningtou,— The Sydney Hunt Club races passed off satisfactorily on Saturday.— Admiral Richout has deposed several officers at New Caledonia and sent them back to France.— -In Western Australia a Bill has been read a second time for a new Constitution, and a dissolution has taken place. The Constitution provides for two Chambers, a nominated Upper House } and a Lower House of 25 members. London, September 19th. — The Great Yorkshire Handicap was won by Mr Eraes's Louise ; Mr A. C. Barclay's Bertram being secondhand Mr C. Alexander's Thunder third. George Frederick, the late Derby winner, was scratched. — Sir George Berkeley's appointment as Governor of Western Australia is contradicted. — The Turkish loan of sixteen millions was subscribed at L 43 10s. It was considered a great success. — In wool sales prices continue firm. — The porn market is languid. Home deliveries are large. Paris, September 19. — The trial of the accomplices in the escape of Bazaine has terminated. The Governor of the fortress was acquitted. Vilette and Plantin have been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and two received slight sentences. — Marshall Macmahon has returned to Paris. Hi 9 reception in the Northern Departments was cordial. Madrid, September 19.— The Carlists allege that the Czar of Russia has communicated with Don Carlos, expressing sympathy. New York, September 16th.— Sanguinary disturbances have occurred at New Orleans, where -the white population ousted Governor Kellog and installed a new Governor. President Grant upheld Kellog, and ordered the rioters to dsiperse. The insurgents at New Orleans have submitted.—Governor Kellog has been reinstated at New Orleans.