Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 193, 22 March 1878, Page 5

The home mail, via San Francisco, will close at the office here at 10 p.m. on Wednesday first, the 27th instant. *~ To-morrow (Saturday) being the anniversary of the Province, will be held a close holiday throughout the Provincial district. The members of the Athenseum Committee will please keep in mind the ordinary monthly meeting on Monday evening at 8 o'clock. It being the harvest season there will be no meeting of the Matau Road Board tomorrow afternoon. The next meeting will be on the last Saturday of April. The Hon. Robert Stout was sworn in as Attorney-General at Wellington on. Monday. He at once returned to Dunedin, and was engaged in a case before the Supreme Court there on Wednesday. Rev. Francis Knowle s -tfill bid farewell to his congregation at Inch Clutha in the forenoon, and in St. Marks, Balclutha, in the evening of Sabbath first. We have no doubt there will be lare-e audiences to listen to the parting words of one who is so much esteemed by all classes of the community throughout the Clutha district. In a recent issue we mentioned the fact ' of the B,ev. W. Morris, now of Catlins River, having been presented with a purse of sovereigns upon his leaving Naseby." The amount then re. ceived has now been augmented by £11, collected in the outlying districts, making the presentation £48 in all, which sum has been thankfully received by Mr Morris. The residents at the big mill, Catlins River, having challenged those of the Owake mill to a friendly cricket match the same was accepted and the match was held on SaturdayThe former scored an easy victory. The bowling of Mr James Dickson, Owake, was considered superior, but he was not well backed up in the field. Ihe playing of Messrs Campbell, Cook, and Moncur, of the Big Mill, was very good. During several days last week Dr Hocken, coroner, and a jury were upon an inquiry regarding the death of the child whose body was found in a soap-box at Blueskin on March 2. The inquiry was concluded on Monday, when a verdict equivalent to one of •wilful murder was returned against a Mrs De Costa of Timaru. who had admitted being the mother of the child. She was accordingly committed for trial afc the present sitting of the Supreme Court. Mr Denniston applied thafc she might be admitted to bail, but the application was refused. On Saturday evening last, a number of the contractors and workmen employed on Clydevale Station, waited upon Mr M 'Pherson, blacksmith, when in the name of the subscribers he was presented with one of Messrs Reid and Gray's double-furrow ploughs, also a |handsome couch and chest of drawers for Mrs M'Pherson, as a token of the respect and esteem in which they have been held by the employes during the last eight years they have been on the Station. Mr M'Pherson leaves to enter into the farming line ; having secured two hundred acres of land at Gore. It will be observed that Mr Robert Clark threatens legal proceedings against all trespassers on his ground. Last year he took no such precaution, and the consequence was that i his sheep were so constantly hunted and disi turbed by trespassers with dogs that he susI tamed considerable damage. Ho is, therefore, determined to protect himself this year. For - this he cannot be blamed, and unless parties in . pursuit of game exercise a little • more considera- [ tion thau they have done in the past for the interests of those over whose ground they travel, j the result will be that the whole country will be closed against them, and legitimate sport will he confined to very narrow limits. It will be remembered that a meeting of . the Early Closing Association was held in Dun- , edin some three or four weeks since, with a view • of obtaining the closing of drapers and clothiers at 6 p.m. on Saturdays. . We were sure thafc such a social reform could be effected if tho proe motors persevered in their efforts, of course bearing . in mind the respective interests l " of buyer and seller. We now notice from our - Dunedin files that the movement is already - started by that old established firm Messrs - Brown, E wing, and Co., whom we congratulate q on tho bold step they have taken. We feel ir assured that whilst they as the pioneers will re- _ ceive increased support from the general public, *■ they will secure nofc only the good wishes but .. the increased exertions of their employes, .and r for themselves they well know the value of two x- or three, hours quietude after a weeks' anxiety, necessarily attendant on a business conducted ■0 upon so large a scale. .It is to be hoped some of P the business men *in Balclutha will follow the c laudible example thus set, and that the un- " necessarily long hours at present maintained in n all business establishment* will speedily be *t abolished.

■B0MBa«n l ->MHeMWDaiHHaMiiaManB«Mrla*iMBnrannflrM The contractor for the new jetty here is proceeding actively with the work, which, should the weather prove favourable, will ba finished next week. Saturday, March 23rd being post-office holiday all mails for despatch on that day will close on "Friday 22nd at 10 p.m., Sunday hours will be observed by the telegraph department. The meeting of delegates from the several school committees within the Clutha district takes place to-morrow at noon, to consider as to the Education Board election. We hope there will be a full attendance. All applications for having names placed upon the election roll must be lodged with the Registration Officer for the district on or before Saturday next week. We have provided a few forms for any who mayj&nd it more convenient to apply at this office than to the Registration Officer. A meeting of the Te Houka School Committee was held on Monday everting, when ifc was agreed to forward the names of the following gentlemen to be members 'of the Education Board — viz.— Messrs Bannerman, M. Frier, A. C. Begg. James Green, James "Fulton, R.M., "Neil Eleming, Professor Shand, H. Clark, C. A. De Lautour. The shaft at Shore's coal-pit, Kaitangata, is now down about 210 feet and has passed through.no fewer than fourteen coal seams, varying in thickness from about six feet to as many inches. The last seam passed through was ono and a half feet thick, and the best quality that has yet been come across. This and one or two others will be worked in conjunction with the main seam, which it is expected will be reached seventy or eighty feet lower. A very novel but serious accident occurred to William's Clinton Coach which left here yesterday forenoon. ■ When about two miles ' on this side of Clinton, a fire suddenly broke out amongst the mail bags and parcels in the boot, and there being a strong head wind blowing the coach wasalraost immediately enveloped in flames. In about five minutes only the iron portions remained. The passengers— seven in number — got out safely, also the luggage, but it is surmised that some of the mails and a parcel were burned. The passengers were forwarded by the accompanying coach. The origin of of the fire is unknown. ' A bachelor's ball was held in the schoolroom, Owake Flat, on Friday 15th inst., when, in spite ot the very unfavourable night, there were fifty couples present. Dancing commenced at 9 p.m., and was kept up with spirit till the dawn of day, "Excellent music was discoursed by Messrs Peace and Marshall, and the proceedings were enlivened by songs -in the intervals, sung by Mrs Wm. Neil, "Mr Clnrkson, Miss Kirkles and others. An abundant supply of provisions was handed round, and Mr Meder, who was the caterer, came in for no small meed 'of praise for the excellent quality of the same. The whole affair was conducted most orderly, and the bachelors may be congratulated on the success which attended their first ball in the district. Before the breaking up Mr M'Lean proposed a vote of thanks to the bachelors on behalf of the married people for the invitations given them, and the treat they had received at the expense of the bachelors. Mr Tobin responded in suitable terms. The ball was wound up by a Highland schottische, which was danced by about thirty bachelors. It will be observed from our adverfci**?ing columns that in order to allow of the children in this district paying a visit to Cooper and Bailey's circus at Mdton to-morrow, a free train for them and their teachers will leava Balclutha at 11 a.m., and return at 5.45 p.m. The juveniles in this district have not hitherto had an opportunity of seeing such a " wild beasb show" ov of witnessing such feats of horsemanship as are performed at the accompanying circus. It is right the children should know to whom they are indebted for the trip, and we have, therefore, to explain that his Worship the Mayor, Mr | M'Neil, seeing that a trip was to be given to the Lawrence children, telegraphed to Sir George Grey, suggesting a similar compliment for the Clutha children. Sir George at once replied expressing the pleasure it would afford him to arrange a treat for " his Clutha pets." The result is the free train above referred to, and for which the children are indebted to the Mayor of Balclutha and Sir George Grey. We may mention that as many of the general public as can find room may travel by the special train, return tickets being issued at single fares. Should there not be room for all, those left behind can proceed by the ordinary train at 11.30. We have also to say that the menagerie and circus are drawing immense crowds in Duuedin, and, notwithstanding reports to tho contrary, we believe the show will be brought to Milton complete as ifc is afc present in Duuedin. Under these circumstances and as Saturday is a general holiday we trust the whole children of the Clutha will be allowed the trip "to see the show," although they should be put upon their good behaviour for six months after;