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Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 172, 26 October 1877, Page 5

The members of the Athenaeum ComI mittee will please keep in mind the monthly j meeting on Monday evening ab eight o'clock sharp. It vrill be observed that Mr Henry Driver will hold the first of a series of twomonthly sales at his yards, Stirling, on Thursday, Btli November, when a large number of first-class stock will be exposed. The surrounding hills were quite covered with snow for some days in the beginning of the week, and on Sunday afternoon and night there was a severe snow storm all over the country. Since then the weather has been very unsettled, and evidently the storm has not yet quite abated. We have been informed of a very unusual and difficult operation being performed by Mr W. H. Mathieson, Veterinary Surgeon bore, upon a horse belonging to Mr Alex. Davidson? The animal was apparently useless, but within four days of the operation he was quite well and as fit for work as ever he was. We regret to learn that Mr J. Waters, of Milton, met with a severe accident on Monday last. When riding after some young horses, and when passing a loaded dray, his horse shied and threw him, cutting him severely. Hs was conveyed home in a buggy, and although .still confined to bed, we learn that he is expected soon to be about again.At the inspection of the Bruce Rifles i on Wednesday night, Major Jones read a telegram from the militia officer, Dunedin, intimating that free passes would be issued to volunteers who attend the review in Dunedin on tbe 9th prox., returnable up to Saturday night. We hope to see the country corps well represented after this. We have to call the attention of the members of the Clutha Caladonian Society to the annual meeting, to be held on Mouday evening, when the usual reports will be submitted, now officer-s elected, and other business done. Tlie annual holidays are now approaching, and it is time steps were taken in reference to the games, etc. We, therefore, trust to see a full attendance on Monday evening. We have to oall attention to an alteration iv the date of Messrs Whyte's Clinton sale, which will take place on the 2nd instead of the 9th proximo. This is the f rst of a series of quarterly sales intended to be conducted at Clinton, and from the large number of stock being brought forward, there is ample evidence that such sales were wanted, and will be fully supported in the district. We call attention to the very important j land s;de to be held at Waipahi on 2nd I proximo— this day week. It is well known l that Mr Roberts possessed the choicest sections I in the Waipahi district, and these are now rendered immensely more valuable by the communication having been opened up by the railway to the spot. This at present is, and no doubt will continue to be, the junction of the communication with Tapanui and the large surrounding districts, and very likely will shortly be the site of a large and flourishing township. It will be observed that the terms are unustilly liberal, and we havo no doubt the competition will be keen. Our readers will remember the famous petition and deputation, consisting of Messrs Dyer, on behalf of the inhabitants of Toko, mairiro, and Mr Mosley on behalf of those of the Clutha, to Mr Conyers, requesting that Milton should be made the junction of the Lawrence and main lines, so as to enable passengers to procure refreshments at Milton, Apparently the petition, absurd as it was, has gone through the official routine, and a reply has now been sent as follows:— "I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to inform you that the question of •removing the junction of the Lawrence line from Clarksville to Milton has received his consideration, but he is unable to direct that the proposed change should be carried into effect?' We presume in the arrangements in connection with the Balclutha station, provision will be made for a refreshment room. Passengers from Dunedin will certainly be ready for a cup of something when thej' arrive at Balclutha, and before they start per coach to catch the train at Clinton. Our Wyndham correspondent writes : — The weather has again allayed the buoyant spirits of the inhabitrnts of Lower Mataura and the adjoining districts thereof. Snow to the depth of two inches so late iv October, with a hard and piercing cold sou-wester, is making those who have late lambs feel rather chilly with their lambing luck. We will be nothing the worse of the rain if we have steady and mild weather, with occasional showers that are needed to keep the hearts of the farmers soft and easy. Everything was getting dry enough, and in cases where the. wheat crop is not over strong, a continued drought would have told heavily. — With the opening of the year everything is beginning to look a little more lively, and dull times don't seem to be very hard lines for tho people. The commodiouslooking premises of the Bank of New Zealand will soon be ready, and, it is reported a sister [ Bauk is about to open a branch in Wyndham.— While progress in business is apparent, there is also an alarming increase of larrikinism, and without citing cases, it is sufficient to say that those who indulge in such tricks as a few seem capable of, do prove themselves worthy of the " cat o' nine tails,"— A Good Templar Lodge has also been formed, and after a fortnight's existence it can count its membership as being between twenty and thirty. It is to be hoped the Lodge will do much good", as something of the kind is much needed.

Mr Fraser is erecting a new store at Lovells Flat.. By a fire that occurred at Welliiigf-on on Tuesday morning-, six livo.s were lost, a Mrs Johnston (a widow) and her fiv*. children. Tolcomairiro had its. full share of the snow storm on Monday afternoon. The ground . was quite covered, and everything wa3 sufficiently miserable. There was a heavy fall of Snow at Waipahi on "Sunday and, Monday last, with a bitterly cold wind, a most unusual occurrence so late in the season. The crops are looking well. The Tuapeka Times understands that a, a deferred payment section near Tapanui, containing 200 acres, which was bought three years ago at the upset price of 253 per acre, is about being sold for £1200. Divine service is now regularly conducted in the schoolhouse, Herriot Hundred, by Mr R. M. Murray. There is always a good attendance, and Mr Murray's services are much appreciated by all in the district. Now that Mr Roberts , the only J. P. in the district, is leaving Waipahi, the necessity for a J.P. at Clinton is more than ever apparent. The settlers are anxious to hear if the Governor will appoint any of those persons suggested as fitted for the honour. ' The Ist of November has been fixed as the day for the public opening of the railway from Waipahi to Clinton, which will be a great boon to the travelling community, as they will thus escape the worst of the bad roads, and the faro will be reduced one-half between Balclutha aud Waipahi. From a return laid on the table of the House, on the request of Mr J. 0. Brown, it appeals one of the Ministers last year received LSOO as travelling expenses. In addition to their handsome salaries and handsome residences, Ministers appropriated L 2,500 of the public funds. Little wonder they should again seek control of the treasury benches. Messrs Macfarlane, sawmillers, Tapanui, have procured a pug-mill, and are to commence anew industry — brick and tile making. The clay is abundant and of good quality. The motive power will be water. The work will be carried on under the superintendence of a thoroughly experienced man, and there is every reason to believe the bricks and tiles turned out will be of the very best quality. Owing to the increasing importance of Gore and the surrounding districts, thb Bank of New Zealand has decided to install a resident agent in its premises there, and to open for business daily, instead of bi-weekly, as for the last eighteen months has been the rule. This will be a great boon, particularly to the business men in the township, who have heretofore experienced considerable inconvenience through the absence of a bank so largo a proportion of the week. In the Herriot Hundred, the young j crops are looking well, the autumn wheat being particularly so. To shew the rapid progress making in the district, we may mention that from thirty to foi*ty double-furrow and two three-furrow ploughs are now at work on the flat, where twelve months ago not a plough was to be seen! Such progress speaks well for the success of the deferred payment system, and the transformation it is destined to effect upon the waste lands of Otago. Mr Larnach, in reply to Mi* Thomson, stated in the House on Wednesday last that the Balclutha section of the railway would be completed by December 1. .The contractors have j certainly shewn a little, more energy since the | matter was referred to at the meeting of Town Council a fortnight ago, but we are bound to say that those experienced in such matters here assert most confidently that it is an utter impossibility the contract can be completed in anything like the time named. We offer no opinion. We shall see who is 'right a month hence. We understand that on and after Tluu-s- j day next, November lit, passengers by the early train from Dunedin will reach Invercargill on I the same evening: We are also informed that intending travellers will be able to book at any station along the line through to any other station, the journey by coach included. This will be a great improvement on the previous system of triple booking, whicli was oftentimes tho cause of considerable inconvenience and loss of time ; and the wonder is that so beneficial an arrangement was not sooner entered into. Better late than never. The inhabitants of Waipahi and neighbourhood will much regret to learn that Mr W. H. S. Roberts is about to leave the district, where he has been resident five and a half years. In the same neighbourhood he has lived for 18 years, and everyone of the settlers, both old and new, are aware of the interest he has taken in everything pertaining to the good of the district and happiness of the people. Neither advice nor assistance has ever been sought from him in vain, and we are sure all will feel that in his departure they are losing a most obliging neighbour and sincere friend. The "Undaunted Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held their last regular session for the present quarter in the new hall, Owake Flat, on Friday last, Tho following officers were elected for the ensuing quarter :— W.C. T., Bro. Johns; W.V.T., Sister Reay; W.S., Bro. Macandrew ; W.F.T., Bro. Wilson; W.T., Bro. Bryan; W.C, Bro. Wracten; W.M., Bro. T. Latta ; W.1.G., Bro. Burrows; W.0.G., Bro. Flowers; W.R.H.S., Bro. Reay; W.L.H.S., Bro. Logan; W.A.S., Bro. Stevenson ; D.M,, Sister Millar. Bro. Falconer having resigned his commission as L.D., Bro. James Millar has been appointed to that office. Our Mataura correspondent writes : — The weather has been very severe in this district for some time— snow and sleet, accompanied with high. winds. Frost was very keen on Monday night. The ice was a quarter of an inch thick next morning. The Mataura river is much swollen from snow melting on the hills, and heavyrains below. — The new. Post-office is in course of ere3tion and will be finished soon. It is close to the railway station, which will be a great -convenience for the telegraph bush. ess. — Whooping cough among the adults has been very severe for some time past. Two children have died from the effects of this malady at Tuturau lately.— We have a church choir at the Mataura. They meet in the Presbyterian Church once a week for practice. The attondance is. very good, and the progress is very decided. Mrs Thomas M'Gibbon, presides at the harmonium, and from lier knowledge of music, it secures correctness in time and note, which is everything to be deslrod.

Miss Parry, teacher, Grammar School, Lawrence, has died of scarlet fever. Now that Kaihiku has got a band of skilled musicians, we hope that an entertainment of-sorne kind will shortly be held for the purpose of raising funds to plant a few trees around their handsome schoolhouse, whoso bleak and bare surroundings cannot at present boast of even a solitary frost-bitton blue gum. We would impress on suitors in the" R.M. Coilrt here the necessity of being punctual in their attendance at the Courthouse. On Wednesday last one. plaintiff, who hurried down to the Courthouse on the arrival of the cabs, found to his dismay that his -.ase had been'ealled and struck out for no appearance. We may mention that it is the custom of the R. M. to get out of the cab at the end of the Railway bridge, walk down to tbe Courthouse, and open the Court. The hour of opening the Court is 11 a.m., and there is no want of punctuality on the part of Mi Carew. We are happy to state for the information of the inhabitants of Tapanui and surrounding districts that Mr Robert Galloway has completed arrangements for running n coach daily between Waipahi and Tapanui, commencing on tbe Ist November. This ought certainly to be a red-letter day in the annals of Tapanui, as it is the inauguration of what we hope will be the continuance of daily communication between this important district and the outside world. Tn reference to the above change, we may mention that Mr Galloway has signified his willingness to carry tbe mail daily * so it only remains for the Taj-anui-ifces to avail themselves of this offer by forwarding a requisition to Mr Barr, the Hiief Postmaster, and they will at once be in receipt of a daily mail. i Our Clinton correspondent writes : — The section of railway from Clinton to Gore is to be opened for traffic on Thursday next. As this is a great public benefit to the district, the clay is to be kept as a holiday. A dance is to come off in the evening at Allan's ball. Clinton is at present on the sunny side of fortune— but not the weather, as anyone can testify who goes .out of doors to face a bitter, biting wind, and heavy snow showers, and at the same time see the the business places thronged with customers He would imagine he was in one of the crowded marts of Glasgow or Edinburgh. GardeD and Young are very nearly pulling down their barns and building greater. They are certainly making extensive and valuable improvements on their premises, which will add greatly to tlie appear* ance, as well as the comfort of • tbeir store. —The subscriptions to the Indian Famine Relief Fund amounts f ; om Clinton alone, to the sum of £8 19s, which no doubt will be greatly increased, as the collector informs us the people are' as willing to give as he is to receive, several parties bringing their subscriptions without being waited upon. A Service of Sacred Song, illustrative Bunyan's Holy War, was giveo iv the Presbyterian Church here last evening. There was a very good attendance, considering the stormy weather. Rev. Mr M'Ara having made a few opening remarks, began the service with prayer. The connective readings were given by the Rev. J. M. Sutherland, of Worth Taieri. The choir numbered between twenty and thirty, and performed their part very well. The voices were well balanced, if we except the tenor, which was if anything, weak. There wad a break in the service, when several sacred solos and quartettes were admirably rendered by members of the choir. Mr Charles Dallas was the conductor, and Mrs Ritchie gave the accompaniment on the harmonium. The whole service occupied about an hour and a half in the rendering. At tbo cloi.e, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded, on the motion ot the Rev. Mr Sutherland, to Mrs Ritchie, Mr Dallas, Messrs Mackenzie and Boston, and the members of the choir. We understand the proceeds of the Service of Song will go to augment the. fuuds of the Sabbath school librnry, 143 new volumes having been lately addbd to the collectiou. A special meeting of the Tapanui School Committee was hold in the Town Hall on the evening of the 16th inst., for the purpose of considering what action should be taken with regard to the teacher, Mr South. Mr R. C. Ferguson presided, and Messrs W. May, W. Kolty, Goo. Rogers, A. Mason, D. M'Coll, W. Brebuer, and B. Fargher, members of committee, and about a hundred of the general public w ere present. The Chairman fully explained the action previously taken by the Committee, that in consequence of numerous complaints on the part of parents, the Committee had asked Mr South to resign. That gentleman had positively declined to do so, denied there were any such complaints, and said he had asked the Education Board to send an Inspector to make the fullest investigation into the whole matter. The Chairman then asked any of the parents openly to express tlieir views as to the action of the Committee. Upon this a number expressed their dissatisfaction with tho progress made by the children, while only one expressed satisfaction. The Chairman then stated that it was the intention of tho Committee to recommend to the Education Board the removal of Mr South ; and he asked those who approved of that intention to signify the samo in the usual manner. This was done by a forest of hands being held up * there was only one dissentient. From an advertisement that appears in another column, we notice that the Clutha Cricket Club will open the season on Saturday next with a scratch match, and that a meeting ot tho members will take place in the evening. On every side practice is the older of the day with the various town and country clubs, and wo hope that our local cricketers will not be behindhand in following their good example. We understand that challenges havo already been received by the C. C. C. from three of the principal Dunedin Clubs, as well as from Invercargill, Lawrence, and Tapanui, but the Committee, although anxious to accept them, hesitate to do so until they asceitain if a sufficient number of players are willing to go in for practice. In this we think they are wise, as without regular practice attempting to play such clubs as Danedin, Invercargill, aud Lawrence, etc., simply means courting ignominious defeat. We would suggest that certain days in the week (suitable to the majority) be set apart for practice, iftid as the club has just received a full supply of bats, and other materials, it only requires playing members. We cannot but .think there are a sufficient number of cricketers'iu our midst who will turn out, and from whom eleven may be' chosen to uphold the honour of Balclutha, and that the club will not have to decline accepting any challenges for want of players, which in a town of this size would certainly be a disgrace. We see that at VKaifcatigata two clubs have been formed.

There were no cases of importance at the irtt-sideu't Magistrates'*. Court here this week. Mr Wm. A. Murray has succeeded ingetting a grant of £200 to wards' the Milton gaol — another evidence of his attention to fcho wants of the district. We hear that Mr Byars* of Akatore,. has disposed of his farm to Mr liiithveii, of Outram, for L - r )0 ; also, that Mr Jliy, of Tokomai- . riro, has sold his farm of 150 acres to Mr W. «?. C. D. lleid, of Tokomairiro, at Lit pur acre. The collection at the Presbyterian Church, Milton, on Sunday last, towards the relief of the sufferers in India, realised £'3li 12s. We understand another collection for tbe same object will be made in all the churches in Milton on Sunday first. After a vacancy of a few months, tho Hillend School was again opened on Monday last. Mr Wm. Christie j juu. Warepa, was the successful candidate for the office of teacher. Hois a most industrious, painstaking lad, and we have no doubt he will carry on the school with great efficiency. The Committee were fortunate iv securing his services, and we hope they will be able long to retain him amongst them. As to the mode of teaching geography practised in the Tapanui school, the Rev. Mr JBott is reported to have said at the meeting of School Committee the othor day :— " He would refer to one more of the subjects not taught in the school- -geography. He had tho best authority for statiog this branch had not been taught for a length of time. His own boys had only received two lessons since February. He would meution one thiDg in connection with Mr Souths teachim? of geography. It would perhaps make them laugh, but it had a serious as well as a ludicrous side. Three boys were made to represent Turkey, Italy, and the Adriatic The boy representing Turkey (a turkey cock) gabbled, Italy dauced about, and the Adriatic moved up and down — (loud laughter). If that was the way geography was taught in school, he did not want his boys to learn geography.