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Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 139, 9 March 1877, Page 5

The next English mail via Suez will close at the office here, on Tuesday next at 10 p.m. The crops are promising well in the Catlins Rivor district, and tbe farmers are busy securing them. The weather has been favourable for that object.

The farmers in the Wairuna district have completed their reaping, and are now busy leading in. Threshing has commenced in one or two instances, and will soon be general.

It will be observed by advertisement that Mr J. P. Armstrong, dentist, of Dunedin, will visit Clinton on Tuesday first, where he will practice his profession for a few days.

We understand the congregation of St, Mark's Episcopal Church here, havo agreed to purchase from Mr 7ohn Dunne, for a parsonage, the new house at the corner of Drumclog and Glasgow-streets, now occupied by Mr George S. Robertson.

On the Clinton-Waipahi Bection of the southern railway, Mr Lyttcn's contract is rapidly approaching completion. Mr Kerle, the engineer, "has been busily employed measuring off, whilst a number of men are engaged levelling, preparatory to ballasting.

A labourer named Isaac Jeffreys was accidentally killed at Invercargill yesterday morning. While driving a load of firewood into town, his horae made an attempt to bolt. Jeffreys' feet got entangled in the reins, he fell, and was dragged some distance. "When picked up he was insensible. He was conveyed to the Hospital, but died before reachiug it. He leaves a •wife and three children.

At the quarterly meeting of the Licensing Court here, on "Wednesday, Messrs Carew,

Pillans, and Dr Smith occupied the Bench. A transfer was granted of the license of the Catlins River Hotel from George Sutherland to J. S. "Vial. A transfer of a wholesale and bottle license from James Gray to Walter Hislop was granted.

In this case there was no appearance for either •party, and his Worship stated that the decision -of the Bench to grant the license must not be taken as a precedent, it being necessary for the parties to appear. An application for the transfer -of -the license of the Railway Hotel, Stirling, from F. O'Kane to W. Rae, was held over for a

week, as there had not been time to give- the necessary notice. There was no other business.

Mr J. P. Armstrong, late M.P.C, Dunedin, delivered oue of his popular lectures to a good audience in Barr's Hall here, on Wednesday evening. The subject of the lecture was " Wanderings in America and Reminiscences, or an Irish Pilgrim's Progress through America." The lecture was somewhat in the form of a narrative of a journey by the lechuer from Ireland to America, a two years' sojourn there, and return to his native land, and abounded with anecdote's,

witty sayings and humorous remarks, expressed in a quaint manner peculiar to Mr Armstrong. "Wherever he has delivered these lectures they have been thoroughly enjoyed and received with bursts of applause. Mr Armstrong is now making a tour of Otago, and we have no doubt his journey will prove even more successful than his now celebrated tour through America. Our

Clinton friends will observe that he will lecture - tfera on Thursday evening, when : we have no doubt he will have a- crowded houßft.

We understand the Warepa school will re-open on Mondt-y, the 12th instant.

A cricket match will be played at Clinton on.March 17 St. Patrick's Day) between the Tapanui and Clutha Clubs.

The Camp Hotel, Milton, is now being thoroughly renovated, and we have no doubt the new lessee, Mr D. M'Kinnou, wiil get on well in it.

The order of Good Templars seems to be in high favour at present iv the Catliu*3 River district. Auother lodge is about to be opened at the Big Mill.

We learn that Mr John Southall, late driver of Cobb and Co.'a coaches, lost his pocketbook containing £150 in notes and bank receipts for a large amount, between Lawrence and Milton on Wednesday last.

In another column Mr Morris acknowledges the gift of £26 I2s 6d recently made him by the Puerua congregation. We have to explain that tho delay that Ims occurred in publishing the acknowledgment has arisen through no fault or oversight on Mr Morris's part.

We are glad to see that action has been taken in Balclutha in the matter of the Macaudrew Testimonial. His Worship the Mayor has called a meeting for Monday evening of those willing to act on committees, or to assist in procuring subscriptions. We trust there will be a large attendance.

We call attention to the annual Boiree of the Presbyterian, congregation to be held at Clinton on the evening of Tueaday first. It is also anneunced that the Rev. Professor Salmond will preach at Wairuna in the morning, at Waiwera in the afternoon, and at Clinton in the evening, of Sabbath first.

Mr David Templeton, Clinton, has grown a very large quantity of fruit trees this year at his nursery, Wairuna. Judging from a sample of his golden ball, golden drop, and other varieties of plums, the quality is exceeding good. These he has this year sold at Is per lb. He now has a large quantity of young trees, which will no doubt be sought after at the proper season. We exceedingly regret to learn that the Wairuna district is about to lose the services of Mr F. G. Odell, teacher, who has conducted the school with such efficiency, aud who, by his genial disposition, and energetic mode of action, has gained for himself tho confidence and esteem of all. The regret felt at his departure is somewhat mitigated by the consideration that he goes to a wider field of usefulness — Alexandra, where he has been appointed teacher. We heartily wish Mr Odell every success in his new sphere of labour.

It is expected the line of railway will be opened to Lawrence on Thursday next week. The inhabitants of the township have long looked forward to tbis event us oue fraught with important beneficial results to the town and district, and now seem determined that the celebration of the opening shall be a right loyal one Much indignation is felt at the alleged niggardly action of the Town Council in refusing a donation of £25 towards the expense, but the inhabitants are subscribing liberally, and the line will be opened " with all tho honors."

It will be observed from a report elsewhere that a Young Men's Christian Association has n>w been established in Balclutha. Such an institution will, we believe, have the kindly sympathy of the inhabitants, and with prudent and energetic management will no doubt have a prosperous career, and be productive of good results. The office-bearers are : — President, Mr Wm. .Matthews; Vice-President, Mr A. Grigor, Treasurer, Mr A. H. Kilgour • and Secretary, Mr A. Ro3s, The meetings are held every alternate Tuesday, in the vestry of the Presbyterian Church.

A correspondent signing himself " Crickeier" writes : — '* I am sorry to see that no settlement can be come to by the Clutha and Bruce Clubs about their last match. Ido not wish to discuss the question, but would make the following suggestion, which would do something towards settling it so far as which ia entitled to first honours in the noble game is concerned. Let next season be set apart by the Clubs for a trial of strength, three matches to be played, the winner of two to be considered the victor. In the event of drawn games, fight the matter out until there is a victory for one side or other. The choice of grounds, decision of boundaries from whence each Club could pick players, and selection of ximpires, etc., could be satisfactorily arranged. And let a trophy of some kind, a cup, or say a certain quantity of cricketing material, be the prize fought for. I hope this suggestion will be taken up, and all bickering thus settled.'*

Messrs Heith and Wilkie, of Dunedin, have now issued their key map of the Province of Otago, including Stewart's Island, compiled from official and private surveys of Messrs Connell and Moodie, Dunedin. The map has been drawn on stone, and printed in colours, by the celebrated lithographers, Messrs W. and A. K. Johnston, Edinburgh. It is mounted on strong cloth, with rollei-, and measures about sft. by 6ft. Tt shows the boundaries and names of Hundreds, boundaries of goldfields, boundaries and numbers of runs, boundaries of land districts, agricultural lease blocks, commonages, deferred payment blocks, land open for sale within the late Province of Southland, native reserves, bush, towns, maiu roads, railways, sheep stations, hotels, gold workings, land sold or open for sale under deeds of warrant or special arrangement with the Government, survey districts, boundaries of Counties, educational reserves, University endowments, &c, &c. All these are printed in different colours, aud are exceedingly distinct, so that there is not the slightest difficulty in finding the information wanted. The map also gives a table of distances and a table of the area of land at different elevations. Having mentioned the names of the publishers, surveyors, and lithographers, it is unnecessary to add that the whole work is got up wfth great care, and in a highly artistic manner. It is by far the finest, most distinct, and useful map of tho Province we have yet seen, arid it cannot fail to have a very extensivo sale. The price— three guineas — seems extremely low for such a map, und while it will no doubt be procured by all public bodies, and find a place in all public offices, we believe many private individuals will secure copies. It would be of great value in schools, as it would enable young people to obtain with great distinctness a knowledge of the geography of their own country, a matter upon which many, both young and old, have as yet but very imperfect ideas. We have no hesitation in commending this really excellent and valuable map to all and nundry.

The Taieri annual races will be held at Mosgiel to-morrow week.

We have been sent a curious gleaning from the harvest field, Inch Clutha. It is a head of wheat nearly ripe, with a pea of oats growing in the centre. It is fully formed and ripe, and appears to have found as much and as congenial nutriment upon a wheaten stalk as if it had been produced upon ono of its own species.

It is notified in the Gazette that the following students succeeded in passing the University examination in November last: — Examination for honors- First class, Peter Seton Hay, University of Otago • final examination for the B.A. degree, Kate Milligan Edgar, Auckland College j first section of examination for the B.A. degree, William Tisdall, Auckland College.

The Illustrated New. Zealand Herald for the preseut month is a capital number. Amongst its numerous illustrations are a page sketch of the town of Oarnaru, with views of a number of the principal buildings ; holiday rambles from Victoria to New Zealand ; landing wild animals for a circus at Melbourne, etc. The reading matter is carefully compiled, and altogether the number will be highly prized, especially by Home readers.

.The new school at Mataura Bridge was opened on Monday with a great turn out of children. Mr M 'Galium, the new teacher, was introduced to the children by the late teacher, Mr Winning, in a characteristic speech, in which he inculcated the duty of obedience under all circumstances tending to their advantage and wellbeing, which was harmoniously replied to by Mr M'Callum. From all appearances the turn out on Monday augurs well for a good future, so far as the school is concerned.

The South Molyneux Road Board is making much needed improvements in the Catlins River subdivision, but much has to be done to make the roads passable in tho winter. There is a piece of road near the landing at the Owake River which is scarcely passable after a shower of rain in summer, and which is horrible in winter. Might not something be done to it while tho weather is good, as there is plenty of metal alongside. We suppose the County Council have saddled the Road Board with the care of this road. We trust something will be done this season to this part of the road, as the rest of it is now in tolerably good condition.

The All-England cricket match in Dunedin was finished on Monday evening. The scores were :— Otago eighteen, first innings, 76 ; second innings, 106. All-England, one innings, 163, The Englishmen only needed 30 runs to win, and having only a quarter of an hour's time, they decided not to go in, so the match resulted in a draw. The Otago team was weak in bowling, and made a better show in batting, perhaps, because Shaw, the premier English bowler, was xinable to take part in the match. As it was, however, the Englishmen had it all their own way. They have since played at Invercargill, when the scores were: All- England, 158; Invercargill, first innings, 47 : second, 46. They were to leave for Melbourne by tho Alhambra last night.

We have again to call attention to Professor Black's lecture to be given in Barr'a-hall here on Wednesday evening in aid of the funds of the Athenseum. We desire to urge upon all, both ladh-s and gentlemen, the desirability of there being a full attendance on this occasion. The object is a very laudable one, but apart from this the lecture is a most interesting and popular one, and ib would be a very good thing to have periodical visits from such eminent men as Professor Black. The best way to do this is by showins: an appreciation of their lectures by securing a large attendance,. We do hope that on Wednesday evening the house wiil be crammed. We might then look for a return visit from the Professor, and also expect that the eminent lecturers who occasionally make their appearance in Duuedin would come as far as the Clutha,

We have received No. 1 of the New Zealand Volunteer Service Gazette, published by Mr T. C. Beid, Dunedin. The Gazette is a paper of eight pages, is a monthly publication, and contains a large amount of carefully-selected matter specially interesting to volunteers. It is published entirely in the interest of the Force, and the publisher expects to make the Gazette take the place in New Zealand of its English namesake, and to win for it the position of an official organ. He says, "It is not started as a pecuniary speculation. The promoters will be well satisfied if it meets with such a measure of support as will suffice to cover the expense of production. They confidi. "vly appeal to Volunteers to lend a hand both with mite and pen to further its success, and the Gazette, for its part, will ever be ready to advocate to the very utmost the interests of the Force."

The Star's travelling reporter writes : — The Milton Pottery Works are about at a standstill. It appears that the stuff so much wanted is not the right stuff for fine ware, and because fine ware will not come out from it, none at all is to be produced. It seems another instance of bad management, or insufficient knowledge on the part of the projectors. The people of Toko, mariro look forward with gloom to the effects of the Lawrence railway upon their trado and occupations, as Milton, instead of having its seven or eight coaches passing through, has now none. On the other hand, there is not much likelihood of Lawrence being passed by for some years to come. It is, therefore, to be the new starting point of coaches into the interior, and already arrangements are made for extending coaching communication, Cobb's run to Qneenstown and to some other places of growing importance.

A correspondent writes from the Gorge district, Tokomairiro : — The reaping is nearly finished, but there is very little of the crop stacked yet. With tho exception of a few showers and some smart blasts of wind, that did little harm, the weather has been for some weeks all that could be desired for harvesting. The crops of wheat, oats, barley, and turnips are generally excellent, but several are complaining that their potatoes are rotting in the ground, tho effect, no doubt, of the heavy rain during the late flood. I observe some of the farmers busy threshing part of their crop out of the stook. — On Saturday last Mr L. W. Smyth, late .Sergeaut of Police, left . Tokomairiro, accompanied by Mrs Smyth, bound for the mother country. During the years he has been in the district, he and Mrs S. have made many attached friends, who now sincerely regret their departure. Mr Smyth was a man faithful and judicious in the discharge of his official duties, very unassuming, and a Christian of the true type. As an elder, in connection with the. Presbyterian congregation of Tokomairiro, bis removal from them is a great felt loss, and many good wishes follow him.

At the quarterly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery on Wednesday, permission to introduce instrumental music was given to tlie North Dunedin Church.

A telegram from Taupo dated March 7 svys :— Letters arrived yesterday from the Maori King, apprising the friendly chiefs here of tho Native Minister coming to Taupo this month, the object of his mission being to carry out the policy bequeathed by Sir Donald M'Lean to New Zealand, aud interpreted by the Taupo chiefs as the policy of peace and goodwill.

Captain Hayward, Catlins Paver, reports under date March 1, ,1877 :— The number of vessels arrived during the past month was 20, equal to 805 tons register, and 16 sailed, equal to 664 tons. All sailed for Dunedin. Eight loaded at the Big Mill, and tbe remainder at the Owake Mill. The Fanny is at the mouth, waiting a chance out. The Catlin and Jessie are at the Big Mill, and the Good Templar at the Owake Mill, loading.

Messrs M'Meokan, Blackwood, and Co. have entered into a- three years' contract with the Government of Tasmania for the conveyance of mails between Hobart Town and New Zealand. The mails are to be carried to and from Hobart Town, and Wellington, via the Bluff, once every four weeks each way, and the Government of Tasmania have been fortunate enough to have this important service undertaken for the sum of £500 per annum for three years.

A great stooking match recently came off at Waihola Govge between two well-known employers of labour there, viz., Mr James Macdonald, of the Lime-kilns, and Mr James Blues, of the firm of Blues and Duthie. The bet was £5 a side. If an abundant overflow of perspiration be a test of energy and skill, certainly both gentlemen showed, on the occasion, that they had plenty of both qualities. When the judge came upon the field to examine the work done, he gave his decision in favour of that done by Mr Blues. Although Mr Blues fseems a little triumphant, Mr Macdonald is by no means crestfallen.

At the regular meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery, held on Wednesday, a discussion was evoked concerning Bishop Nevill's action in consecrating tbe Maori Kaik Church under the auspices of the Church of England, and taking possession of a building the" maintenance of which has been solely contributed to by the Presbyterian body. They evidently regard themselves as getting into the hands of the Philistines, Dr Stuart, Dr Copland, and the Rev, Messrs Will and Gow spoke in condemnation of the Bishop's action. Considering the subject under discussion, tho speakers were temperate in their remarks, though the procedure of the Bishop was designated as "discourteous, ungentlemanly, And high-handed." Professor Sal mond was desirous of being informed what constituted the Bishop's action discourteous. Tho following minute was recorded : "Dr Stuart drew the attention of the Presbytery to the recent faction of Bishop Nevill ro t'uo induction of the English ciergyraau over Maori Kail: and Taiaroa Heads, and moved that in the interests of Christian peace and harmony the Rev. Mr Blake be advised to discontinue his visits in the meantime."' — Guardian.

The Waste Lands Board (says the Daily Times) had under consideration on Wednesday tne important question of how to deal with four runs, the leases of which will expire early next year. The Chief Surveyor reported that the country composed in the runs was very rough, and unfit for agricultural aet'-lement - and proposed that the four runs should bo cut up into five, for the purpose of re-leasing. Mr Green dissented from this view, pointing out that the land, being very close to the Coast settlements, and some of it within a few miles of Dunedin, was certain to be in good demand, and would realise more than £1 an acre, He admitted that a great deal of it was rough country, but yet there were also manj- fertile valleys. Strictly speaking, it could not be called fit for agricultural settlement ; but still, it should be remembered that a great deal of the land between Dun edin and Waikouaiti was originally not much better ; and rough country about Blueskin. — which at one time it was said would be taken up for cultivation only by lunatics— was now occupied by prosperous farmers; The Board did not come to a decision, and the matter stands adjourned till next week.

A shocking occurrence, which ought to stimulate the city authorities into taking steps to provide suitable sea-bathing facilities for the public, happened on the beach on Wednesday afternoon. About five o'clock, a cabman named Wm. Mason conveyed a party of females to the Ocean Beach, afc Anderson's Bay, where they proposed having a dip in the sea. The party comprised Mrs Young, a dressmaker, residing in Clark-street, and two women named Cecilia Philips and Emily Gardiner. Ou their arrival they all went into the water for 50 or 60 yards. Mrs Young was suddenly taken off her feet and carried out by the surf. She was oi)Berved floating on the waves, but, although the cabman and the other bathers did their utmost, the strength of the tide prevented them from proceeding to her assistance. In about 10 minutes after being carried to sea she was carried baok sufficiently near the shore to enable Mason to secure the body. Life was found to be quite extinct, and the deceased was conveyed back ia the cab, the body being deposited eventually at the Hospital, The deceased was about 36 years of age, a widow, and she leaves three children— a girl of fourteen, a boy of nine, and a younger boy, who is at present in the Industrial School.— Guardian.

A telegram from Wellington says : — It is reported that the Constabulary and Police will be at once amalgamated, but they will not be sworn in till the 13th June next, so that those who have been engaged under Provincial Ordinances may, if they think fit, retire after that date. From Ist Jnly, the whole force will be enrolled for one year. Four specified divisions, numbering oaO men, will bo held as a reserve, and stationed in the Native districts. These will receive the same pay as the present Armed Constabulary, and do similar duty. The remaining division, numbering about the same as the aggregate of the present several Police Forces will form the Police for tho whole Colony. They will bo liable to serve in any part of it en which they may bo concentrated in case of emergency, to de. fend threatened attack until the Forces are organised, but they will not be required to take the field. Their pay will be about tbe same as that now received by the Christchurch Police. The Inspectors will be moved from station to station with a view to their acquiring local knowledge in each district. Probably one SuperintendentInspector will, be appointed, but there will ba no sectional Inspector for each Island. The proposed changes will, it is believed, effect a saving of about £30,000 per annum.