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Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 156, 6 July 1877, Page 5

The Bruce County Council have refused to grant a subsidy to the Milton Athenreum.

"We understand the various Road Boai*ds ■within the County of Clutha have now received from the Colonial I'reasurer their respective shares of the sums voted to them by the County Council. We have nob learned the amounts, but fear they may prove slightly disappointing.

The postal card system, which was at first received in this country with o much indifference, is found in many cases to be both useful and economical, for example, it is used by proprietors of newspapers in rendering their subscribers' annual accounts, and thus a saving is effected in labour, paper, and envelopes, as well as in postage. In some classes of bills ifc no doubt would lead to offence to send tbem by the open system of postal cards, but in tlie case of subscriptions to newspapers, no reasonable man can possibly take offence. Tho cards only go through the hands of the postmasters, and even if they had the time, and took the trouble of reading them, they would obtain but a very small amount of information. They knew previously that the man received the paper aud intended paying for ifc. Thus the cards seem admirably adapted for this class of postal communication, and.we believe they aro being taken full advantage of by most newspapers threughoiatt the Colony.

Four hundred and fifty dogs have been registered in the Bruco'County.

The 41b. loaf has risen to lOd in Milton. There is some, talk of getting Dunediu broad for sale there.

The trial of Mrs O. F. Reid for manslaughter will commence on Thursday next bo-

fore a special jury

It has been resolved to sell tho East Taieri manse and globo, and to erect a new manse alongside the church.

Mr Coomb, Milton, has been very unlucky with his horses lately. His grey buggy mare Star died ou Thursday. Sho was a very valuable one.

At the meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery on Wednesday the following motion was passed : '* That the Presbytery recommend to tho Synod as tho subjects for tho proposed new ol a : r in the University, English Literature, Rhetoric, and Constitutional History." *

Tlie contractors for laying the permananeut way of- tho section of railway between Wtiipahi and Clin to a arc progress'n ; satisfactorily with the work. Two miles of rails havo already been laid, and it is fully expected tho line will be completed within the contract time — 7th October,

The members of tho Georgia Minstrel Troupe perambulated tho city of Dunedin on Wednesday, playing various airs iv houour of Independence Day. In passing tho Guardian office they serenaded the editor, for which compliment that gentleman expressed his thanks in yesterday's issue. Tho half-yearly meeting of tho Loyal Heart of .Friendship Lodge, M.U.T.0.0.F., Catlins River, was held iv the lodge-room on Saturday evening. The following officers were elccte 1 : —KG., Brother Osborn ; V.G., Brother C. W. Flowers; Secretary, Brother Francis M'Lean; Treasurer, Brother John Kay.

A conference of County Chairmen, convened by Mr P}'ke, has been bold iv Dunedin during tlie week. The Counties Act, the Financial Arrangements Act, aud the Rating Act have All been considered, and numerous amoud ments suggested. The conference terminated on Wednesday night. A report of the proceedings is to printed and forwarded to tho Couuty Councils in the provincial district of Otago.

The Committee appointed af last meeting of the School Committee to make arrangements for the opening of a nr_-.it school, havo succeeded in their object. The arrangements are that Mr Grigor will conduct classes from 7 to 9 o'clock ou the evonings of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, commencing oti Monday first. This muse be regarded as a most satisfactory conclusion to tho matter. We trust the 3*011113: lads of the township will now show their appreciation of tho efForts mado in their behalf, and turn out in large numbers to the evening school.

Mr Inspector Thomson, of Tuapeka, paul a visit to Balclutha ou Wednesday, to examine into the working of tho Constabulary force in these parts. We have uo doubt he found everything iv complete ordor. Mr Thomson has has now charge of the Tuapeka, Bruce, and Clutha Counties, and those who know him will f'vl assured that tlie staff will he kept iv an efficient state. Willi him business must be attended to in a business manner. We would recommend him to make I-alolutha his headquarters as being the most important and pleasant place of residence.

A Clinton correspondent writes : — A son of Mr 1? Lauge, baker, Clinton, met with an awkward accident oti Monday, 25th uit. When about to throw a rug over a horse in tho fiell, the horse, although generally very quiet, kicked out and struck the lad just below the right eye, displacing tlie bones of the nose, and knocking him insensible to the ground. Luckily, as the bleeding was great, Dr Bogle was in tho township, find- quickly present. We are glad to learn that the wounds are healing well, and that there will be little disfigurement. — A shepherd of Mr Logan's, of Popotunoa Station, met with a somewhat similar accident on Tuesday last. He was rifling a young horse, which fell with him, and in struggling to rise, kicked tho man iv tho mouth, splitting tho lower lip nearly into two.

A meeting of the Clutha branch of tho Educational Institute of Otago was held in. Balclutha Schoolhouse, ou Saturday last, the President, Mr A, Grigor, in the chair. Mr Alexander Ayson, President of the Miiton branch, and Mr Thomas Brown, Secretary, represented the Tokomairiro Association. A letter of apology was received from Mr Malcolm, who had to attend a meeting of the General Committee in Dunedin on the same day. Mr Malcolm also wrote, suggesting a meeting to consider tho proposals of Professor Shand, respecting the examination and classification of teachers. It was agreed to defer the consideration of these until next ordinary meeting. The President was requested to call a special meeting as soon as the Government Education Bill was in circulation. Mr Grigor delivered an interesting address on " The Early History of Education iv Otago."

At the meeting of the Waste Lands ' Board on Wednesday, Mr Bastings, in reply to a remark by the Chief Commissioner, as to the necessity of exercising economy in the working of the department, said— " I say ifc is perfectly ridiculous to talk about tho expense of this De- i parfcment, which, though ifc has such a largo amount of business to transact, could not, I venture to say, be managed more economically. The Government does not advertise enough the business of this Department, There is plenty of land sold under its value, because of the pennywise and pound-foolish course adopted in this respect." Several members concurred with Mr Bastings' remarks. We endorse them by expressing oar conviction that the land revenue suffers very seriously by parties wanting land not knowing of the sales. We have heard of man instances of land being sold at n.uch less than its value from this cause. The present system of advertising is ono we are sure every member of Government, of tho Waste Lands Board, and overy private individual would consider ruinous to adopt with his own private property. Yet it is adopted in dealing with the public estate at a time when revenue is urgently required. Besides, many men are preveufced from obtaining the land they want, and would profitably occupy, by the sales being coudiicfced in the present somiprivato manner. We believe the Government are at present fettered by an absurd contract in the matter, and wo regard the loss as such, that •if thoro be ho 'ofclnJi* 'remedy, the Government should delay all land sales until the contract expires. This course would at ouoe be adopted in the case of private property.

Tho member.- of the Bruce Ooruity

Council strongly object ,to bo called Councillors

We understand it is the intention of Capt. M'Neil, Jtfo. 2 Clutha Rifles, to give a Volunteer invitation ball sometime in August.

A correspondent expresses his surprise that no blacksmith js to be found in Warepa, whore he says thero is a iino opening for ono in the trade.

The sum of £60 has been collected in Tokomairiro for the Macandrew Testimonial. A few pounds of this was a balance from the old Convention fund.

Tho engine we mentioned some weeks ago as being made by Mr A. M'Donald, of Milton, to the order of Mr A. M'Laren, has been put up and set agoing. Wo will now have a new industry in Tokomairiro— -"sausages by machinery." Some people apparently imagined tbat the abolition of tho Taieri tolls would lead to au increase* of dray traffic which would " double the increase of the Clutha County from tolls." Indeed this has been published as ascertained fact. Ifc is pure fiction. The amount collected afc tho Clutha toll— there is only ono— 'has not boon so small for many months as sinco tho Taieri tolls were abolished.

The Warepa Headings of Priday last were postponed till (ith -Tuly, as tho heavy rain whicli fell during the afternoon prevented anything like a fair attendance. However, tho few that assembled heartily enjoyed themselves for about an hour or so in a veiy agreeable manner. Ifc is to be hoped that a largo audience \rill attend next evening, as an extensive programme is promised, and some excellont singers (especially ladies) aro to como forward.

Captain Hayward, Catlins River, reports under date July 2, 1877 :— Tho number of vessels that cleared during tho past month was 14 arrived, equal to 570 tons register, aud 17 sailed, equal to 613 tons register. Nine sailed for Dunediu, six for Lyttelton, one for Waikouaiti, and ono for Mooraki. Eleven loaded afc the Big I\[ill, and six at the Owake Mill. The Edith Reid and Jane Hannah are at tho Big Mill and tbe Fanny and Good Templar afc the Owake Still loading.

Wo have seen in the shop of Mr Sandilands, gunsmith, Balclutha, a pheasant and starling, stuffed and mounted bj- Mr William Smith, of Caversham, for whom Mr Sandilands acts as agent. The specimens of art referred to are really veiy carefully and beautifully manipulated, and we understand the charge is very reasonable, We certainly are surprised that this stylo of ornamenting dwellings is not far more adopted than ifc is. The birds are now plentiful, aud we trust a good many will be saved from the boiling or roasting process and sent to Mr Smith.

There was no business of great importance before tho meofciug of the .Milton Town Council on Wednesday evening. Tlie Council de'eided to tako no stops iv tho matter of the proposed conference of Mayors afc Wellington. Tho nomination for Mayor was fixed for Monday, 10th July • poll, on the 21st. Nomination for Councillors, 27th July ; poll, Ist August. Returning officers were appointed, polling booths fixed, and other arrangement.-: made for the forthcoming elections. Several accounts were passed, and some small works ordered to be

done

A pitiful talc has been told and published of the heartrending sufferings of passengers from Invercargill upon their arrival afc tho Waipahi station. A two hours' stand on the river bank, the hotel shut up, frightful road to Olintou, passengers had lo wado knee deep in mud and drag the coach, &c, &c Pity ifc is to spoil such a fine sensation, but the hotel is not closed, and the passengers can walk from tho station to ifc by the bridge any day— scarcely a mile * the road is metalled a great part of the way, and never was in so good condition during tliO winter months. The drivers have expressed themselves as delighted to get "upon ifc, and that they are do longer obliged to traverse the main road to Ma-

taura,

The following cases were heard at' the Resident Magistrate's Court, Tokomairiro, on Tuesday : — Lilburne v. John Bollick.— Claim of JA, as service performed as a veterinary surgeon in attending a horse belonging to flollick. His Worship in this case gave judgment for defendant, as plaintiff had agreed that if he did not cure the horse he would charge nothing.—Margrie v. Humphries. — Summons not returned from Wellington, where it had to be served. Adjourned for fourteen days. — Wyber v. Mansford. — Claim of L 5 4s 7d. Defendant confessed judgment for amount claimed.— John Tough v. M. Moses.— Claim of L2O, for board and lodging of defendant's children. After some time had been occupied in hearing evidence and proving set-off, the case was adjourned till next Tuesday.

It will be observed that Messrs Robert Grigor and Alexander Stewart have entered into partnership, and Will in future carry on business in Balclutha under the firm of Grigor, Stewart, and Co. Por full particulars of that business, we refer to advertising columns. We would only say here fchat with the experience these gentlemen have had in the various branches of business tho new firm will conduct, find their intimate acquaintance with the inhabitants of the Clutha and the surrounding districts, there is every reason to congratulate the district upon the advent of the firm, which will undoubtedly do a very extensive busiues3. With the large increase of trade which we anticipate is in store in tho near future for Balclutha, there is abundance of room for the operation of such an establishment, which we trust Will have a full share of public patronage, and wiU enjoy a long aud prosperous career. At a meeting of the Waste Lands Board ou Wednesday, Mr David Telfer requested tho Board to recousider its decision of the 20fch December last Avifch reference to tho surrender of section 3, block IV,, Waikaka District. Applicant to be reinstated 'in his previous position • with regard to section before he surrendered the same.— Mr George Harvey surrendered section 64, blocklH., Glenkenich District, held on deferred payments. Surrender allowed; proper form to be forwarded.— A report was received from Mr -Pierce Power on application by Robert Kirk for a lease under section 54, Waste Lands Act, foi* sections 11, 12, and L 3, block 11., Glenkenich district. Approved. — A petition was ; presented from certain rosidouts of Kaitangata, protesting against the lease of section G, bloclc XXI, being granted fcp David Dunn, for a lock*-;* keeper's "residence, as the land Was wanted tor ', railway purposes. The Board s'batod 'that the 1 .mattdr had been referred -to -Mr Ulair, inspector • •of public worka. '

An t_*nij>usia-;tie pnhlic luuo'-ing v/h---hciii in i'unt-vlin in t ln*. Temper-fiie*-* ilall ot. I'uo.-id.ty evoniny, v/hon resolution*; wor* pu;..--.->' urging tho Government lo complete the main trunk line of railway from Waitaki to Invrr vercargill, aud protesting against the delay that has already taken placo in filling up the gaps in the lines. Resolutions wero also passed iv favour of a line to tho intorior via Strath Taiori. A committee of influential gentlemen was appointed to further tho object of the meeting in any manner they might deem

advisable.

Hill i*. Pine and Pino v. Hill, two cases for using threatening and abusive language towards each othor, were the only cases for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court., Balclutha, on Wednesday last. Mr Henderson (who appoared for Mr Pino) objected that the words used ought to bo set out in the information against Pine, and, after argument, his Worship amended tho information -by adding the words. Hill and ono witness wore contradicted by Pino and his witness, and the information against Pino was dismissed, his Worship thinking that Hill was too oxcited to know what actually took placo. The case against Hill was then withdrawn.