Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 108, 4 August 1876, Page 5

Correspondence and other matter crowded out. The Balance sheet of the Matau Road Board will appear in next issue. The installation of the officers elected for the ensuing term of the Lodgo Hope of Balclutha will take place this evening. It will be observed that Messrs, Stewart and Thomson have commenced business as tinsmiths, &c, in Lanat k-street, near "Campbell's corner.*' We have no doubt they will receive hearty support. Ths road from Balclutha to Clinton is now in very fair condition. We trust tho short unfinished portions will be taken in hand and metalled during the ensuing summer, which, if done, will make this a very fine and favouriie drive. The polling for the election of Mayor of Dunedin took place yesterday. The excitement was great, and we learned by telegraph last night tbat the contest had resulted in favor of MiBeeves. The voting was— Reeves 1433, Woodlands 1329. Majority for Reeves 104. We have much pleasure in calling attention to the entertainment, to bs given by Mr A. Roscoe in Barr's Hall on Monday evening. We believe it will prove exceptionally interesting and instructive, and we trust the good folks of Balclutha will show their appreciation of such efforts by securing a crowded house. The concert given in Barr's Hall on Wednesday night, in aid of the funds of St. Mark's Church here, was a splmrtid success, tbe hall being filled in every part, and the music, both vocal and instrumental, first-class. We had in tended giving an extended notice, but tho crowded state of our columns compels us to hold the same over till next issue. We are always glad to chronicle a kindly action, and we are vain enough to believe that the simple fact of publishing in this way tavors bestowed by kind neighbors on those for a time rendered helpless, to some extent repays the kindness. It has just come to our knowledge that the settlers whose names we publish below, turned out their double-furrow ploughs, on Tuesday last, to give Mr George Aitkin, Te Houka, a day's ploughing. It may be remembered that Mr Aitkin a short time ago raet with a severe accident, from the effects of which he is still suffering, unable to do anything in the way of manual labor. His neighbors have been very helpful to him, and we are sure the hearty way in which the help was given, made it all the more acceptable to Mr Aitkin. We trust he may soon get over his troubles. The following ' had each a double furrow plough, on the field : — Messrs R. Houliston, R. Renton, John Sutherland, James Wilson. William Dallas, Benjamin Jeffries, and James Smith, and we understand ' an excellent day's work was done. Some others i of the neighbors had previously assisted Mr i Aitkin in a similar manner, and others are yet to t send their ploughs. Wliile we are at this topic we may mention that, on the day, following six [ ploughs turned out to plough the paddock surj rounding the Presbyterian Manse. By half -past four the work was done, a <sapital day's work vn believe. We are glad to notice our Presbyteriar friends are going iv for the planting around th< ' Manse. This will not only be an adornment bul 1 will also afford shelter to their property.

Wk observe tho contractor for the railway bridii-e here haa commenced operations on the south side of the river where the abutment is being proceeded with.

Mr Frank Black, of Tokomairiro, scoured the first honors at the Waitahuna ploughing match on Friday last, on his way to the more important contest at Tapanui. He also got at Waitahuna the prize for the best kept harness.

The 'Illustrated New Zealand Herald' for July is an excellent number. The principal picture ia a very good likeness of Sir George Grey. With this number is given a very largo and wellexecuted engraving, being* a bird's-eye view of Adelaide.

We understand that a representative of tbe

Otago Licensed Victuallers Association is visiting this district for the purpose of forming branches of the Association in the various towns. He was in Lawrence on Tuesday by appointment with the hotel-keepers, and was subsequently to make arrangements for meetings at Balclutha and Milton.

Mr Macdonald, of the Royal Mail Hotel, Olinton, has just made an addition to his bil-liard-room, and has secured for it the table formerly owned by Mr Crossan, of the Criterion Hotel, Milton. Judging from tho amount of pati onage accorded to Mr Macdonald, the billiard table would seem to be a very good speculation.

! Mr William Reid, Hillend, met wiih rather t a Berious loss on Monday afternoon. Wheu engaged breaking-up in Mr Anderson's paddock, above the Swamp road, south of Stirling, one of his horses got bogged in the soft ground. It gave a plunge to releaso itself, and broke one of the hind legs above the knee. The animal, which was a valuable one, was destroyed.

It will be observed from an advertisement that the Matau Road Board have called for tenders for a breakwater to turn the current of the river at Mr Anderson's property, opposite the lower reserve here. It is net yet decided whether the work will be of rock or bags of sand, and the tenders are wanted for both materials. The result of this experiment will be watched with interest, and if successful, no doubt a great many similar works will be undertaken along the course of this rapacious liver.

A NDMBER of trout about two pounds weight were observed on Tuesday last disporting themselves in tho water-race at Mr Somerville's mill, Waitepeka. Theie is no question about the fish seen being real trout, and are no doubt a portion of those liberated in the creek about two years a*o. It was some time ago reported that trout had been seen in the Puerua River, but we question if those above referred to are not the first seen for certain on the south side of the Clutha.

On Saturday . last, Major Atkinson, of the Commercial Ilotel, Milton, purchased trom some men a seal of a very large size, which they had secured at Measley Beach. It measured from tip of nose to back fin, 4ft. Sin. The seal was laid out jin St. George's Hall, and the children being invited to inspect it at a small charge, upwards of 100 satisfied their curiosity regarding the wondei-ful creature by paying a visit to the hall. The seal was sent to Dunedin, under tho charge of Mr VV. Wallace, for exhibition.

AN* idea seems to have been entertained by some that tho Balclutha Athonceum had been shut up pending the securing of latch keys, which ivere agreed upon afc the annual meeting, Such, however, is not the case, as the old ar rangement was of course allowed to go on until the new one was commenced. The building is open daily until 10 p.m. It is now kept clean-

well lighted, and in every respect comfortable, and the attendance is [rapidly increasing. Aca talogue of the books will shortly be printed, and when once the valuable character of the works are known, we believe there will be a largo increase to the number of members.

Wk are glad once more to see about Tokomairiro the familiar face of our old friend, Mr James Adam, who has just returned from the Home country, along with Mrs Adam, in good health and spirits. Mr Adam has had some hard work since he left here two years and a half ago, and has done good service to Otago, the effects of which will bo felt more and more as years roll on. In a late issue we referred to Mr Adam being on his way back to the Colony, and suggested that some appropriate recognition of liis valuable services and indefatigable efforts on behalf of the Province should be made. We trust the matter will not be lost sight of, but that some influential individuals will t.ike the initiative, when its accomplishment would be an easy matter.

Wa call attention to the meeting on Wednesday evening of the ploughing match Committee of the Clinton Agricultural Association to make . final arrangements for the match on Friday, next week. We may mention that the ground selected for the contest is a paddock on Mr James Roy's farm, three miles beyond Clinton, and which i 3 in a very good condition for ths purpose. It is expected there will be a very good turn out of ploughs and visitors. Mr Macdonald of the Koyal Mail will have ample provisions for the inward man on the ground. The Treasurer informs us that Messrs Reid aud Grey of Dunedin have contributed a guinea towards the fund. No doubt a considerable number of agriculturalists and otb.oi-3 from the Clutha district will show their sympathy with tho movement at Clinton by putting in an appearance. A start at 8 a.m . would be in good time for the match, it being only a three hours ride. The dinner in the evening will be at as early an hour as possible after the match, so that with good moonliglit visitors can easily get home same evening.

A meeting of the Balclutha Athenfeum Committee was held in the Reading Room on Monday evening. There were present : T. T. Ritchie, Esq., Chairman* Revs. J. M'Ara and F. Knowles ; and Messrs Robertson, A. Grigor, Fleming, Campbell, and Renner. Messrs M'Ara

and Robertson reported as to the cost of latch-

keys, and the same were ordered to be procured without delay. Mr Grigor reported the progress made in compiling a catalogue of the books in the library, and the same was ordered to be printed as early as possible. It was reported

that the chess and draught boards had been or-

dered, and were daily expected to arrive • also, that new lamps and brackets liad been procured, and were fitted up. It was further reported that

Mrs Rtevenson had been engaged to clean and take charge of the building. This was approved of, and it was decided that she should enter upon her dutiea on the Bth August. Mr Renner reported that Dr Gillies' lecture had realised the sum of £4 3s Gd for the benefit of the institution. A letter was read from Mr Pre, resigning his position as a member of Comynittee, consideration of which was deferred till next meeting. The Rev. Mr Knowles suggested the desirability of establishing evening classes in connection with tie institution. After a conversational discussion, consideration of the subject was held over till next meeting. The meeting then adjourned,

We some time ago called attention to the urgent necessity for providing private letterboxes at the Post Office here, and feel somewhat surprised that the matter has not been attended to before now. Wo are sure a good many guineas would at ouco be forthcoming. Tho boxes would not cost much, while they would provo a great public convenience, and would do away with what must be a source of considerable annoyance to the postmaster — parties calling for their letters at all unseomly hours. Jf the Government cannot spare so much money for a local purpose, we daresay the Town Council would put up the boxes if the revenue were handed over to the township.

We observe carpenters are busy at work transforming St. John's Hall into business premises for Messrs Soutter and Gray. A partition has been erected across the hall sixty feet from the front, and the whole of this space, 00 by 24, vrill be occupied as a sale room. The front is being altered to suit the business, and an arch twelve feet wido has been cut out of the centra of the old partition which divided the front shop from the hall. The back end of the hall, behind the new partition, will make a commodious storeroom. The alterations are expected to be completed aud the building occupied next week.

The best pun between "Tambourine" and "Bones" at the minstrel entertainment in Milton on Tuesday evening, was — "Why is Major Atkinson like tho Lord Chancellor ?" Various solutions were given, and amongst others—"Because he's big enough." — " Because he is the keeper of the' great seal ?" (He had a seal exhibiting in Duuedin.) As an instance of the precocity of some of our Colonial youth, a boy called at the Commercial Hotel tho other day, and coolly expressed his wish to have an interview with the Lord Chancellor. He was introduced to the Major.

We observe Mr Watson is now making rapid progress with the erectiou of the bridge across the Matau afc Stirling. Pile-driving was only commenced on the 4th July, and since then rather more than a pile a day lias been driven, The piles for six of the piers are r.o v driven, and only those for othor three are to drive. It will bo remembered that a delay of a good many months occurred through tho birch pies being rejected, and the timber having to be procured from Australia. The spars brought over were magnificent ones, some of them being from sixty to seventy feet long. It may be mentioned that at the site of the bridge the river is forty feet deep, and the piles have boen driven, on an average, eighteen feet, so that the work is one of some difficulty. Everything, however, has gone on smoothly as yet, and it is expected the structure will be ready for traffic in about three months.

A Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was instituted on Saturday last {29fch inst.) at Canada Reef, by tho D.D.G.W.C.T Bro. A. Peach, assisted by members from various lodges. Nineteen persons were duly initiated, and the following officers elected for the present term .—W.C.T., Bro. Thomas Clarkson; W. V.T., Wm. Paul ; W.S., John Kerr; W.F.S., R. Morton ; W.T., R. Kerr; W.C., Abel Kerr, sen.; W.M., Henry Scott; W.1.G., John Clyde; W.0.G., John Yule ; W.D.M., Sister Elizabeth Kerr; W.R.H.S., Sis. Mary Kerr; W.L.H.S., Sis. Jane Benetto ; W.A.S., Abel Kerr, jun. Bro. Abel Kerr, sen., was then recommended as L.D. The W.C.T. having returned thanks for the high honor conferred on him, the members were addressed by the instituting officer, who pointed out their future course, giving them every information required. Ifc was resolved the juodgo should be called the Crystal Fountain, No. LGO pro tern. The members having been addressed by Bros. Dyer, Edwards, Gilbert, and Phi'ips, a vote of thanks to Bro. Peach and visiting members was carried by acclamation, aud the Lodge was closed in due form.