Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 June 1877, Page 5

A pigeon-match is to bo held on the Tokomairiro, to-day. A long felt want is about to be supplied =at Gore, the Education Board having sanctioned the erection of a side school in the township. The monthly meeting of the Tokomairiro School Committee on Friday last lapsed for a -want of a quorum of members j only two attended. The Licensing meeting advertised to be held at Balclutha on Wednesday, the 6th inst., ■will be adjourned until the next day, Thursday, 7th, at noon. The settlers in the Owake Flat mustered on Monday, and triumphantly brought a threshing mill into ike Flat for the first time. This ■will be a great boon to the district, and we hope it will be encouraged. It has been arranged that the ploughing match under the auspices of the Tokomairiro farmers' Club will take place on Wednesday, 20th June, instead of the 21st, as the Clutlia match cornea off on the 22nd. An accident happened to a "boy named Reid at Fairfax the other day. When on the top ■of a load of straw, the horse unexpectedly tnoved and the boy Ml upon a hay knife, by "which he was severely cut on the face. In our report of the opening of the Inch Clutha Church last week, the amount of subscriptions was given as £611 ss. We now find that thi3 was the amount of subscriptions actually paid. The amount subscribed is £840 15s, leaving the sum of £228 10s as yet unpaid. At a meeting of the stewards of the 'Tokomairiro races, the protests against Raven and ■Happy Jack weie sustained. With regard to Paddy, it was determined to write to the Secre•tary of the Tuapeka races for information. The "various sums were paid over. The meeting was Tather a 'stormy one. There were no cases heard in the Resi--denfc Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. The case of Whytoek v. Weir waB struck out, there being no appearance of either party, and that of Pollock v. Black was adjourned. A slaughtering license was granted to Mr Jas. Aysou, and Mrs Murphy's license of the Bridge Hotel, Kaitangata, was transferred to ilr Jaoies Gray. As the railway between Invercargill and Waipahi is now about completed, it is high time some steps should be taken to have the main road between Otaria and the railway station formed. Until this is done, the settlers will be completely shut out from all markets. The main road between the Mataura Bridge and that district is now all but impassable for heavy traffic. A preliminary meeting was held in the Eoyal Mail Hotel, Clinton, on the 24th inst. ? for the purpose of electing a Committee for the Clinton annual ploughing match, Mr David Murray in the chair. The following ' gentlemen were elected : — Messrs Fitzclarence .Roberts, Jas. Scott, William Brooks, John Taylor, Alexander Orr, David Murray, John Moffatt, Alexander Gaw, William Pagan, William M'G. Murray, William Stewart, Archibald Hutherf ord, James Black, and James Garden. The first meeting of Committee is to be held on Tuesday, the sth proximo, at Allan and O'Kane'a Hotel, Clinton. We understand that the Church Extension Committee of the Presbyterian Church has appointed the Key. Mr Ewen to the Catlins and Ahuriri districts. He enters upon his duties on Sabbath first, conducting divine worship at Ahuriri at 11 a.m., and at the Lower Owake at 2 p.m. It is expected that service will be held «it the Lower Owake every Sabbath, and that Ahuriri will alternate with the Upper Owake. Mr Ewen has been appointed for two months from Sabbath first. We have no doubt Mr Ewen will be warmly received, and liberally supported by the people of the above districts. Last Monday evening Acting-Adjutant Reid inspected the No. 2 Clutha Rifle Company. There were present on parade 18 rank and file, •one corporal, two sergeants, and three officers. ! Alter the arms and accoutrements had been inspected and the company had been put through the manual and- marching drill, the Adjutant addressed a few words of praise to the Company for the excellent condition of their arms and general knowledge of drill. A meeting was held after drill, when it was decided to shoot for the Company's cup on Saturday first at two o'clock. This cup, we may mention, has been subscribed for by a few of the members of the company, and is now on view in Mr Hogg's window. It is intended to make the matches handicap matches, and the cup to be won five times before becoming the individual property of any member.

i The Illustrated New Zealand Herald for i j the present month is a very good one, and the , views are excellent. It is reported that Mr H. Bastings : would not object to stand for the Tapaimi Hiding in Tuapeka Comity Council, should Mi- Poynter resign. 1 The fine weather is being taken advantage of by the settlers in the Otaria district for fencing and breaking-up. A large quantity of , ground will be broken up there this season. A telegraph station is at once to be opened at Stirling. We understand that Percy Duncan, sou of Mr A. D. Duncan, Milton, has j been appointed to have charge of the station. A rumour is current to the effect that the recent application to purchase the Kaitangata and Tuakitoto lakes was made on behalf of a friend of a very large property holder in this and the neighbouring Colonies— Mr Clarke. The Milton bakers have raised the price of bread to 9d the 41b loaf. Enquiries are anxiously made as to the whereabouts of some who formerly so actively exerted themselves to establish a co-operative bakery in the township. An advertisement is published in another column regarding the collection of the dog tax in the Bruce County. We believe that peremptory instructions have been given to the collector, and owners of dogs will have to pay at once in order to obviate legal proceedings. In the Gorge district, Tokomairiro, the threshing for this end of the season is about finished, and the ploughs are busy in all directions. A good deal of winter crops are sown. Several weeks ago Messrs Blues and Dutlrie had 100 acres and Mr John Sutherland 50 acres sown. Nearly all the timber for the new school at Otoria has now been carted. Some of the settlers, however, seem to allow an undue procrastination to interfere with the performance of their quota of the work. We have been asked to give this hint, as the completion of the school is impatiently waited for. The District Engineer, Mr Blair, passed through Lawrence a few days ago, on his return' from a survey of the Molyneux River. We (Tuapeka Times) understaiad Mr Blair had been acked to report upon the navigable condition of the river as far as Cromwell. He had also visited the several proposed routes of railway to the interior, and we are informed his preference is decidedly for the Strath Taieri route, as being the shortest and easiest made, and the one that wiU •open the largest areas of good country. A meeting of the directors of the Owake Friendly Societies' Hall Company (Limitsd) was held in Mr John Eeay's on the evening of Friday last. The following tenders for the erection of the new hall were received : Jonas Laurends, L 17 5; Neil MaUoy, LIGS 9.< ; Derbyshire and Falconer, Ll6's; D. Cameron, L 162 10s; Wm. M'Phee, Ll5O. Mr M'Phce's tender was accepted. Messrs Andrew, Dabinett, and Sutherland were appointed inspectors. After some business of a formal nature the meeting adjourned. | The Central Committee for the Macandrew Testimonial request that all subscriptions towards the funds be sent in not later thaa the 25th June. There has now been ample time to attend to this matter, and as it is intended to present the testimonial before Mr Macandrew leaves for the Assembly, which meets on 20th July, further procrastination should ba avoided. We trust, therefore, that those having charge of I the lists in the various districts will at once comI plete their canvass and forward the amounts. Should any prefer to hand them in to this office, they will he sent to the honorary treasurer. j Mr A. M'Donald, engineer, Milton, has just constructed a very nice engine (horizontal) of two-and-a-half horse power, 8-inch stroke. The engine, as it stands, looks like a very handsome model. The most minute parts are done with a care and finish that show Mr Al'DonaUl to be a master of his profession. This is the first engine that has ever been constructed in Milton, and it speaks well for the township, When such work can be turned out there. The engine is to the order of Mr Andrew M'LwenBefore the threshing seasoii commenced, Mr M'Donald had several engines through his hands. We are quite aware of the difliciilty the Presbyterian Church experiences in end.-avouring to find ministers in sufficient numbers to attend to all the claims from outlying districts, and we are also aware of the efforts made in this direction. There is one district, however, which seems fco be either altogether overlooked or is very much neglected. We refer to Otaria, where no minister has visited for the past six months. The last was Mr Stobo. A Sunday School and afternoon prayer meetings are regularly held every Sabbath in the house of Mr Cummings, but the importance of the district now deserves more attention at the hands of the Church. A meeting of Committee of the Clutha Horticultural Society was held in the Farmers' Arms Hotel, on Tuesday evening. Theie were present : Messrs Cramond (in the chair), Tosh, Hope, Robertson, M'G-regor, Sutherland, Moir, Fleming, and Dr Smith. The minutes ot last meeting having been read and confirmed, the Treasurer (Mr J, Robertson) gave in his report, from which it appeared that all liabilities had I been paid, and there was a balance of £9 6s. The Secretary was instructed to procure 100 member's cards, and to have 200 copies of the rules printed. A general conversation ensued as | to the affairs of the Society, and it was arranged that the judges should at once proceed with the inspection of gardeas. The prizes for the best kept gardens will this year be awarded in three classes according to their size — half -acres, quarter-acres, and one-eighth of an acre. Members only can compete for these prizes. We call attention to the fact that Mr Oliver White, photographic artist, is now in Balclutha, his studio being situated near Mr Campbell's tailor's shop. This structure is.a novelty in. its way, being two moreable apartments suited for a studio and dwelling-house. When a removal is determined upon, the one house is telescoped into the other, placed on wheels, attached behind a waggon, and it has thus easily been moved throughout the Middle Island. Mr White's portraits are the best we have yet seen in Balclutha, and we would ask those who have not yet visited his studio, to do so and judge for themselves. He has also a large collection of views of the most principal towns and villages in the Province, as well as landscape and lake scenery. His portraits, however, we most admire, and we trust Mr White will receive such liberal patronage as- will induce him to prolong his stay amongafc it. ,

We understand the Coombe Hay estate —Mr Chapman's property— is for sale privately . Mr Peter Farrell forwarded to the Benevolent Asylum tlie sum of £1 ls, awarded bo liis horse Tommy in the Consolation Race at the Queen's Birthday races, Tokomairiro. The tender of Messrs M'Kay and Proudfcofc has been accepted for fche section of railway between the bridge and the township. Tho prico is LIO,OOO, and we believe the workwill bo commenced forthwith. The contract includes the construction of two timber bridges —the one 402 ft in length, and the other 462 f t; also, the erection afc the township of a station aud platform, tho latter being 150ffc in width. The station building comprises a goods shed 60ft by 30th, and is sufficiently large to accommodate four engines. The inquest regarding the death of Margaret M'lntyre, servant to Mis G. F. Reid, was concluded on Monday, when a verdict of manslaughter by Mrs Reid was returned. In accordance with that verdict the Coroner on Tuesday morning committed Mrs Reid for trial, upon that charge, at the next Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court. Bail was applied for and allowed, in two surieties of L 250 each and the bond of -the accused for LSOO. The sureties were obtained, the bondsmen being Mr John Reid, of Corner Bush, and Mr Maekerras. A soiree in connection with the Wairuna school was held in the above school-room on Friday evening last. The weather was all that could be desired. The house was crowded, particularly of the fair sex, whose gay appearance throughout the audienca contrasted strongly with the other members. Through the unavoidable absence of Mr Thomson, M.H.R., who was appointed chairman, Mr D. Clarke was called upon to occupy the position. The good things, which were provided by the ladies of the district, were done ample justice to at tea, and ifc need scarcely be said that they were of first-class quality, and reflected much credit upon those who provided them. After a few introductory remarks hy the chairman, the Clinton brass baud commenced the programme by play.'ug a few selections, which were rendered in a first-rate style. Songs and recitations were given by fche following: -Mrs Murray, Miss Macaudrew, Messrs Gangster, .Kay, M'Culloch, Austin. Churlton, Lange, Heffernan, and Muir. Readings were contributed by Mr I'hos. Harrison, the new teacher, whom the chairman introduced to the meeting, and by Mr Murray. Mr T. Taylor, Secretary, made a fewremaiks as to what a teacher's duty should be, and how he should be treated by j the School Committee. "Votes of thanks were then given to the Indies, who so kindly provided everything for the soiree ; to the singei s and reciters, and to the Clinton brass band for the excellent music which they supplied, coupled with the name of Mr Heffernan, their leader, who deserves praise for the high standard to which he has raised them ; and to Mr D. Clarke, who | so ably discharged the duties of chairman. The '_ pleasant meeting was then brought to a close by the baud playing the National Anthem, and everyone dispersed to tbeir respective homes highly delighted with the entertainment.