The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, MARCH 2ND, 1876.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 86, 2 March 1876, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, MARCH 2ND, 1876.

In another column wo give tlie jesult of the Colonial Trize Firing; at Wanganui; from wbich 1 it willbe seen that 'the. chief honors have . be t en secured for. tUe; Cluth¥di_ffict.- :i M¥kWillo'cl__, of No 1 Cliftha RifleS/has won the Champion Belt bf-the^Solony,-' while Mr Blackie of the same company tak-S second place. The'reYult must ;be highly gratifying, I not 1 only to .the victorious champions, j but also to fhe Company, and the district; generally ; but the gratification is muoh -enhanced when it is considered that this is. the firs.t occasion in, which' the' Clutha. Companies have been represented at the Colonial, contest^ and that the belt- Was "won by Mr Willocks very easily, he-having'eight points to "spare. Hitherto^. he 'Champion has been; very hardly pressed, and scare ely' : cVuld he _taid-:.'.G> BaVe'the smallest margin to spare. 7 ' For-example, the following were the scores i; of- r th*e /principal shots last year --^Sl-inheT (champion), Auckland, 3ia; : Eiaef,--A.C; r 3l3jWil-on,Otago, 310/ GoldiX Otago, r 308 , .Hoskins, Thames,- 306 ; Armstrong, ■ Thames, 304, Gilbert, AlGl,\ 304. This/^ year '.the. points to'be in aW were not the sanie a§ last year, but the scores m&de^by^ the' six'highest contestants wef^Willpelfs/ &Vag ; o, 247; Blackleg. Otago; ?23? .; ' Armstrong-, - Thames, 239 ; Crossman,Nelson, 237 ; Mann, Otago, r 236; Wilson, Otago/ 236. It will thus be seen that while — the ; . pthW/five .- . were. , very . dose to each ot hpr ; , : WisQffid^s&6n^ way a-hfcad." * We : know that 'Hh. members of No, 1 Company have practised most indu_ttiously at the butts during, the past summer, but few supposed "they had : practised to such good purpose. Some Of our Dunedin friends recently indulged in a; little harmless pleasantry over the high scores Willocks was reported to have -made.- He simply waited his opportunity and has now taken ample revenge Dunedin may beai^ the palm in 'some matters, which, however, may riot always add to it's credit; but in such sterling* accomplishments as rifle shooting it ; can attempt, to boTnpete vvith the gentlemen of the Clutha .rifle, companies. We dare say Dtfnedin will 1 *bow ; " make a great ado over/the return' of 'the- representatives, and especially.of the Champion from the North.' It-is right that it should do so,, and give "honor to whom honor is due. 'Although Willoc_s belongs to the Ch_tha, he is worthy of- a hearty metropolitan* "reception,' and should receive it. Bat his achievements also deserve recognition at the hands of the inhabitants of the Clutha district; and we believe the initiatory steps have already been taken to this end. - -What shape the recognition should take has ;nbt yet of course been decided upon.' We have no desire'to dictate in the matter,. but we do hope those who are interesting thems.lves in the matterwill manage to steer clear of the stereotyped dinner (now yclept 'batquet') arrangement. Suppose we were to have a ball arid supper, to which could be invited young ladies and other friends ?"'. This : we believe would be the most acceptable to the champion, the other competitors, the •volunteers,- the ladies, and the'public generally. But we merely make the suggestion., In the mean time we heartily,- congratulate Mr Willocks. Mr Blackie, and the other competitors "who hnve^so/horiorablyir'-presfinted Ofcagoin ' the; late-important contest.. '

lIBrbBTS of meeting of -Town Council and Ma-■kau'-Ro-d Bcßirjdi and milch Ideal matter crbwdod out!- !■■ l' : -«- "' '" -; '--' ' '•" '"' "-' '"' '■ ■'-

The next English mail," via San Francisco, will leave Dunedin on the Sth instant, • The mail will be made up at the office here at 10 p.m. oh the 7th— Tuesday first. , . ' W_i regret to' learh tKat ratKer a 1 serious accident occurred at -Puerua on Sunday last; :'- It appears that while Mr Begg-, of tho Hillend station, was ; drivirig a buggy, in .which' were his mother, Mrs :Begg, of Anderson's Bay, frna sister, Mrs, Somervilie. and some. others, .the liorse suddenly shied, causing^ the wheels to lock' and; the buggy to oapsize; Mrs Begg had the .mall bonb' of her ar.Ttb-o_?en^and sustained some severe contusions abqj\t the face. \.Mr_ Somervilie 'had her wrist -ftrTSmed and sustained several contusions,./ .The ©Ihl&sbf -he party escaped with a severe shaking nnd sbme bruises. Dr Smith was sent for, and' attended^ to the sufferers, who, Wuniler-taiid, ifre getting on favorably. '' "- " :

? Ay well-known Catlins Biver farmer is going -UjQv hog-farming," to get rid of his oat crop.

.rsTHE City of Auckland with ths English Mail "via; San Francisco arrived at Auckland yesterday morning, ' . . ■ . -- .',

Those interested in. the forthcoming race meeting at Balclutha, will find advertisement in our advertising column referring to the matter.

Mb W. M. White, formerly of the Milton Pottery Works,- is erecting extensive premises at; Kensington, with a view to the manufacture bf salt-glazed pipes' and, ultimatoly, pottery ware.

A correspondent ; writes— The Upper Owake farmers complain that they have been rated in full general and special rates this year, but have not had anything more done for them than the cutting aiid formation of a road through the bush, although there was £200 voted for them by Government.

The 'Otago Guardian' and' Southern Mercury ' newspapers were exposed for sale by public auction by Messrs Whitelaw and Co., in Dunedin on Saturday. .The plant, good- will, &c, of the papers were ultimately knocked down to Mr Stout for £3000. It is said the purchase Was made on behalf of Mr Keedof the /Evening News,' who has disposed of his half -interest in the ' Auckland Star' for "£4OOO, The 'Guardian ' will'therefor© be devoted to the interests of the Anti-Centralist party, and should now succeed commercially.

Wb understand that a match is to take place at Milton on Saturday, the llth instant between the Bruce and Clutha Cricket Clubs. On Friday next seven of the Clutha Club are to play fourteen of .the Star Club (Clutha), which has been recently formed. There are some very promising." Stars," ancl we trust that by proper attention to practice, the new lumimaries may shine, considerably, as it is from such Clubs as these the district will have to get its representatives.

Accounts have at length arrived of the missing Strathmore. A telegram dated Bombay, 25th .February, says : — " A ship touched at Galle yesterday, and landed twenty survivors of the Strathmore, from London to Port Chalmers, which was wrecked on Crozet Island in July, 1875. . They were rescued in a wretched condition on January 22 by the American whaler, Phoenix, which .elfin with and transferred them to the Josh Bentley. Mi- Crombie was landed at Galle, Mr and Mrs -Wordsworth, Mr Walker, and Mr Keith remained in .the Phoenix. The captain and mate of the Strathmore wore drowned." The telegram is provokingly meagre, as it does not indicate the fate of the rest of the .passengers and crew. No doubt full particulars will shortly be to hand.

Messrs Tosh and Cosens commenced work on Thursday last with a new thrasher and engine. The former is eight and the latter seven-horse power, and are by Messrs Marshall, Sons and Co., they having been specially ordered by Messrs Tosh and Cosens direct from the makers. Special instructions were given to manufacture a thra.her with, every possible improvement and appliance for turning out the best sample of grain, and we hear that, judging from the work already done; the makers have been peculiarly fortunate in supplying the articlerequired. The whole machinery of both mill and engine went off smoothly and sweetly on the first trial, when every part was found to fit perfectly. We understand Messrs Houlison Brothers have also procured a similar mill and engine from the same manufacturers. No doubt the settlers of this district will see it to be for their own interest to employ such first-class machinery, and thus not only suitably reward enterprise but secure a high character for" the Clutha-grown and Cluthathrashed and dressed grain. It is to be feared that only " prime samples " will be much in demand this season.

' A CORRESPONDENT writes ! -The most successful producer of oats that I have heard of in Otago ' came under my notice the other day- The agriculturist referred to, some years ago ploughed a large quantity of land which he sowed. with oats. The land'being very fertile, and „the .crpp^-over ripe when c_t, > - t 'J ,J ?ok a good deal, thu.* "selfsowing tho lan?3_u m - Next season this selfsown crop was so good as to equ^. any-, of his neighbors' fields, and our worthy -friend conceived the idea that he would ' continue this profitable and economical system as'louga's the grain contained flour. - 1, believe last year the grain s;ave symptoms of long spurs and husk, while I t94s;.ymr ; tbese aigxis have become Ammistakeably ?;^i]>lfe^4rSWficl>> so •' as to form a theme of conjecture with tho; owners .pf district thrashing mills, and their -folio w«rs, the bagmen, and ' feeders, by the latter whether the whole lot has hot now become straw ; by the other, how they can stow the long tails into bags, and when stowed, what is the use of them. Our correspondent adds they may be used for mixing crushed feed.

A CORRESPONDENT svrites : — Public attention is called to the state of the Milton District Schoolhouse, as being altogether inadequate to the piesent comfort and accommodation of the scholars in attendance, who number about 100 boys and the same compliment of, girl?. The walls of the schboihouse are innocent ' of whitewash, and are becoming dingy with age and dust. It may, easily be understood how a schoolhouse may require sweetening after containing 200 children for six years from year's end to year's end. The wai' s of the . entry into the school, which were plastered are now battered and destroyed, and the boys in their headlong haste still further tear it down each day. Caps find theii? way to stray corners, and thiols have generally a durable down dreary aspect. Another evil resulting from this crowding of public schools, and a very serious one is that tho number of teachers is .insufficient to tlie number of scholars, which is proved by the fact that not less than 50 children have been kept in after school hours to be heard their lessons, and this I am informed has happened day after day. Itis not to be wondered at thej-efore, that parents complain of the want of equal attention giyen their children, and the wear and tear of their clothes owing to the roughness of accommdation. White- wash and alum once a year would sweeten the walls of more public buildings than the Milton schoolhouse.

The Combintation Tro'ipe made their first appearance in Balclutha on Friday evening last in St. "John's Hall. From' some unaccountable reason there was but a small attendance, but it may possibly, have arisen from the fact that the visit of this troupe followed so closely upon that of the Australian Star and Burlesque Company, or it may be that the inhabitants of the district have had enough of dr.imatic performances for the present. Our spacedoes not permit of a.y'erv detailed report of the performances, bufc-tliat' they were appreciated by those .present was evident from the frequent applause with which each piece was received. The entertainment commenced with the laughable farce " Betsy Baker," in which the various characters wero well sustained by the Company. . The musical melange caused a good deal of amusement, and Miss Polly Leake was deservedly encored. The concluding piece, "Nan the Good for Nothing," created roars of laughter, from the remarkably '■ cool, quiet, and collected" manner in which the various parts wero performed. :' Notwithstanding the small patronage, accorded them on Friday,, this energetic company again made their appearance on Saturday evening, the attendance being about the same as on the previous occasion. The programme was in many respectsthe same, and concluded with the amusing farce "Kiss 'in the Dark.? Itis {^matter of- regret that -the attendance on these two evenings was not larger so as at least to have enabled, the' Company to have cleared their 'expertses, '_ : the amount of which niu'st have been considerable. •: Their connection with the Queen's Theatre in Dunedin, coupled with their endeavors to amuse all, should' have brought fliem a good hojise. "We understand Miss Rose Willis has; not long been .connected wjth the stagehand with perseverance, in her new profession, we Bhall hot be surprised to hear of hprfamd accession to great- favoritism. Miss Polly, Leak's , performances ; are too wellknown; and appreciated to require, comment. .She has already made a 'good name "for herself which' we hope _he will long retain. ■ Wei Were . sorry Vto hfear- of Mr Hoyle's temporary 'illness during the performance on -Saturday <-_\'Jning. , He. was seized faintTftSjf which necessarily' delayed tne proceedings for ; a short time. The: heat 'throughout the day had been very excessive, which no doubt was the cause of it.

In the'town of Nelson not a* single drop of rain fell during the. month of January. . .

The DunS tan summer race meeting is to come off on Thursday and Friday,, tlie < 25th and 2Gth July.' '•' '.; ! ; - ' ' '- ' v ''".'."

• Mr Robert Sutherland, of Kaihiku, has "cut a first-class crop of' white velvet wheat this season: . .. ' ' •,.-■.,'. : •■

The grain crop in Kaihiku this season is particularly good, some farmers having as .much as 50 bushels of wheat to 'the acre.

■ A TELEGRAPH station is now open at Wakapuka (the transmitting station for-the Australiacable) in the Province of Nelson. ' : -.

A proposal, is oh foot at Adelaide : tp fix the standard weight for good wheat at 641 d, and on all weighing less, . one penny per lb should be allowed the buyer. • ;

I. is reported that Mr G. E. Barton will shortly leave Dunedin for Wellington, as , he intends that for the future the-Erripire. City shall have the benefit of his legal knowledge and fussy eloquence.. ,

Wb notice: that .the Milton Municipality ai*e putting a calvert over the southern end of . Ajaxstieet drainage channel, thus allowing the escape of surplus water in this direction. In winter this ditch will drain ,the whole street. .

Wb notice that Mr E, -Todd, of Waitepeka has a number of nicely-bred cattle. A heifer, purchased from Mr' Newson, "of Moa Hill, especially attracted our notice, whose fine skin, horns and head, together with her width of hip, showed her Durham origin." She is by" imported sire and dam... ' - -

•Glenfallooh, the residence of Mr Robert Campbell, is a beautiful spot, surrounded with flowers and trees. One might go far to find a bonnier. We understand. the place to be named after Rob, Roy's highland home, and to mean " Tho Hidden Glen."

The land on the, Owake and Caledonian flats is first-rate, and tho crops very good. We noticed fine Chevalier barley and linseed growing on Mr J. P. Braid's farm.; first-class onions at Mr Braidfield's ; grand oats and potatoes at Mr M'Cullum's and fat stock at Mr Tolmies.

Bbi?oeb leaving, Mr. Bannerman secured, the services of Mr Morris, of Port Chalmers, to fill his pulpit during his absence in Scotland. Mr Morris has officiated at Blueskin for many years with great acceptance. He is a good earnest man and^minister, and -\ve are sure he will meet with a kindly reception at Puerua and Port Molyneux. We understand he will enter upon his duties on Sabbath first, » ' ' '

New arrivals must be greatly surprised at the difference in price which sometimes rules for an article in different localities, and often in different stores in the same town. As to tho incongruity in prices which prevail throughout tho colony, we notice that the Auckland millers have lowered tbo price of wheat AJI per ton, whilo the bakers of Napier have raised the price of tho _lb loaf to _d. In this quarter of the country it was recently Bd, and is now reduced to 6d. In o doubt Sir Julius Yogel will soon put a stop to this absurd state ct matters. .

Sometime ago wo read in our Bruce contemporary a glowing description of the Churclv of England pic-nic, 'and amongst other curious things, a description is given of a certain frisky and sportive portly gentleman who. disported himself amidst the fair, in the circulation of sweet and honied words. ., Ye next road that tho " aristocracy " of Milton mingled freely with the ' ' common " people. We would advise tlie reporter of our contemporary to read Thackcry's book of Snobs. .

That the Municipality of Milton are veryeconomical, writes a correspondent : — For the last ten days we have had no moon, in lieu of which we' naturally expected kerosene to light up the darkness of our streets. This, however, has been'denied tis, audi hear from a neighbor that a lady friend of his was tripped whilo endeavoring 1 to pick her way across "Onion-street the other evening. - Tlie difficulties of navigation can be faintly imagined when it is known that some of the streets are metalled with stone squaring 3s inches, and wholly destited of blinding.

We recently copied from a homo paper an application to the master of the mint by a. Peter. Reid, Postmaster, B,ri:lge of Cally, Perthshire, for a penny with two heads, for tossing with. The result of the novel application is thus given in the ' Dundee Advertiser' :— Peter Reid, Bridge of Cally, who a short' time ago distinguished himself by his amusing application for pennies with two heads and two tails, has found cause to regret, that his letter gained publicity. He has received intimation of his dismissal from the Post office service, but at the same time has it in hii own option to resign. . Peter lost his. twoheaded penny, and he now loses bis situation.— 'Duu dee Advertiser.' . .

TIIK following commercial, transaction is reported by the 'Wairarapa Standard' to have taken place within 1000 miles of Featheiston, in one of those homes of bless which are reserved for the newly ai-rived . immigrants. A mai. 'lucky fellow) sold his wife to a friend for ss. The following were the conditions of the sale :— '• First, that the children should bo equally divided. Second, that the husband should be allowed to live in the same house, provided that he paid 20s a week for the board of himself and his half of the young stock. The ' Standard ' says that, the demand for other men's wives is still active, and that where there is not too much incumbrance, higher ratesthan the ore quoted above may be obtained.

THE following petition is bsing numerously signed by the Native chiefs of the North Island : — To Queen Victoria of England and Ireland, and also Queen of these Islands of New Zealand, which are guarded by your kindness. We the chiefs and people of sonic of the tribes of New' Zealand, who admit your Sovereignty over us, now forward our prayer to you, asking that you may be pleased to appoint Sir George Grey, X.C.8., permanently as Native Minister in the Government of the New Zealand Colony ; who shall conduct all matters relating to'onr National life, and by whom we may be led from the evils of those changes in Government, by which we as a people, and the Europeans also, now feel burthened. And we also submit that he be the medium of communication for the Maori racewith the Parliament of England. We assign our reasons : — 1; His fairness of actions whilst as Governor he ruled these Islands. . .2. His very perfect knowledge of the Maori people,' as also of the Europeans now residing in -New Zealand. 3. Because we know Sir George Grey is of .noble birth and antecedents. We pray that our request may be granted, and that your Sovereignty may ever last. ■'"..'

Writing upon the subject of the. result of the recent elections, the ' Wananga,? a Maori paper, published at Napier, says : The entrance of nearly forty new members into the House will bo a welcome infusion of new- bloody • and so far as tlie change has' affected the. Government following, it will do"something .towards raishag. the. calibre of the House, the lowering of which during the last Parliamenfc'was so much deplored by a pure and public spirited morning print., pf Napier.Whatever may bo the issue, whether the Go-, vernment or the Provinces stand or fall, the. whole Colony will ■> be; moved by one common feeling of profound relief atthe absence from .the Assembly of tbe Cb l<?hy, of so many bf those members who for years notoriously.' sought 1 only their own interests, and sacrificed for. the most unworthy considerations the interest , of. their, constituencies. . . '."•. " ; . '.' .'' .: . ..I ' ,.' The day of the present Government ha. -gone by. There is ah end to:insane borrowing/-, to corrupt and extravagant expenditure, to jobs .and.logrolling. „ " Not all tho King's horns; and all the King's" men " will be able to put this! humptydumpty Government back upon. its' pprchu -in "the very height and '.plerititude^b. . their power, while revelling with their faithful followers.' and feasting, on the : public revenues, 'and the public: lands, the hand ., of .-public, opinion, has' written in. letters of. fire upoh the wall '" Mene mene tekel pharsin." ' : A 'cliange.;- 'will' "bome, arid ; we Jiope it will bp.aiCpmplete .change..;-; ,'lt\ Svill; not satisfy the. outraged, feeljng of (ihe '■• electors, !, that, .fthembmbers bf trie Government; only shb'uld go out, there iiidst.be a 'sweep,- of" all the .sycophant^^apdp.Haftgei-s-bn. who have-; eaten.? so, muchdirt, ahd/bagged .sq'irnuch priblibs money, .'duringthe existence of "the 'mostdishbnbfc't -Go-;-vernment which over presided ovec the destiny of one of Her Majcsly's Oolonies, '-'

• We are. informed that some ot the Catlin's River farmers would'™lik'e to see' a "travelling thrashing machine — such, as ■. Tosh and .'Cosens'-r---in ilheir district. "" • •■-)....:

- Two severe shocks of earthquake, iwere.- felt 'in Balclutha on -Saturday jnprning— the one ; abdnt 3 o'clock and the ,6'ther abont a quarter to"9. .The; first seems to have beeii the most severe, but was only felt by a few.,, .On both; occasions substantial houses were shaken,,. furniture, .;moved, ; crockery, and glassware ! gi_gled but "no damage, was' occasioned. The 'shocks 'seem to* have 'been I ' felt pretty generally .throughout .the Province, and :asa rule were -more, severe elsewhere than .in ..this quarter. .We gather from 'our, cdntempbrietf that in tlie comppsiug room of ''-'the' 1 Guardian . office,Dnnedin ' the- heavy.. cast-iron . ltables; technically known as imposing-stones, oscillated .very distinctly, and the gas nttihgs f 'attach_d'tb the walls and coiling were observed to swing'to and , : fro for several seconds. Thr shock was- also felt by : the night barman at the Occidental" Hotel ; "and three gentleman who ehanced-to be standing on the' pavement in front of the EmpitesHotol, state that the effect upon the buildings fronting the, street was very marked.. The. bell .attached to , the University clock gave for tht several peals, and the quake was sufficiently; -.severe;. to- awaken 'many sleepers'. ' At Port. Chalmers, sp. severe was tho shock that some people thought their houses 'Had: been thrown of the piles they swore , built, upon ; whilst others were sensibly affected for. sometime afterwards, with palpitation . of ' the heart and : dizziness. The shocks 'seem to have' been /most severely felt at Oamarul, The.nrst occurred, at' half-past threo, the; vibration being very severe,shaking houses and moving pieces of furniture. Several clocks stopped atthe time: -Tlie' secoiid happened aboiyt an [hour later, the.vibratiori behigmuch slighter than the 'first. The. third and' most serious of all took place at 9 o'clock; a great number of chimneys were] cracked and knocked down. Most of the stone buildings were damaged more or less. The stone ornaments ori the top of the Empire and. Star and Garter- Hotels w^re precipitated to the : groimd,. tho, barman of tho Empire having a narrow escape from being killed. The new Presbyterian Church was considerably damaged and shaken. Concrete buildings on the Esplanade arc much cracked, and; very great excitement.and alarm felt by all. .' At-Kakapui and Otepopo the shocks were severely felt and somo damage was done. It was also felt at Timaru and at Lawrence, it shook buildings and, sawakened. slumborers. AtNasebyand Pigroot the. sliocks were very ' strongly felt. Three more shocks occurred at Oamaru on Sundar morning but .of a milder character. The sea was greatly agitated, and most of the vessels put to spa;T>ut"shortly returned. Altogether it is admitted that ;the earthquake, of Saturday was the. mb^t , severe ever felt iv the Province, and has caused ■ considerable alarm. - ' ' s; :