The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1878.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 208, 5 July 1878, Page 4

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1878.

A. Board of Conservators has now been constituted for the Inch Oiutha Kiver District, Ever since the i-iland has been settled upon the settlers have periodically sustained very serious damage by floods. The question of an effectual remedy has often been discussed, and various measures have been suggested. All parties apparently at last arrived at the same conclusion, .namely, that a remedy could only he found by the adoption of the Marlborough Kivers Act, and establishing a Board to raise by taxation the neces?ary funds to embank the river. The parties interested --those who suffer damage from floods, and who will have to pay the taxes — have now elected the members of the ' Board. There were feleven candidates for election, and as the Board only consists of five members the electors had ample choice, and there is no reason to doubt they have made a good selection. Thß ratepayers will have full confidence that the action of the members of the the Board will be characterised by prudence, equity and energy. It is to be hoped, therefore, the Board will at once take action. The season is now at hand when the river usually falls to its lowest level, and when all works in connection with it can be most efficiently and economically undertaken. The river district is comparatively of small extent ; is one level compact flat, surrounded by the river, the land all being very much of the same' quality. In the case of a district comprising rising and hilly ground, disputes regarding the classification of the ground and the relative rate to be borne by each , class are apt to arise. We presume, however, in the case of Inch Oiutha, which is all substantially of the same character and subject to damage by floods, no classification will be con-, sidered necessary. This. will, very much lessen the duties of the Board, and do away with an element fertile of conten- . tion. The Board, therefore, seems al- . ready to be in a position to meet, ap-. point a Chairman, and call for applica- -,

' . tions for the appointment of Engineer. |— After consultation with the Board, the I Engineer will report upon the nature ' and expense of tbe works necessary. ' The Boa; d will then levy their rate, and proceed to carry out the works. Tbe Board's course of action is perfectly clear, and it , is to be hoped that course will be followed energetically and harmoniously. We would remind the settlers that the measures now to be taken for tbe protection of their properties are of their own devising*, and that, too, after many, discussions, both public and \ private. The Board is one of their own [ electing, and is therefore entitled to

p; their henrty symparhy and activo snpISport. We think, it right to indicatp |i this much, as we are quite well aware p the actions of such Boards are frequently | ; retarded and the lives of members era||bittered by the captious and selfi?h, I who, if they do not get everything done §7 for their own special advantage and in |a the way thf«y would have it done, use | every exertion to prevent good being I done to their neighbours. Inch Clutha |" has of late been demanding" the uncon- | trolled management of its own affairs. | It has succeeded in this, so far as the ! ftoard of Conservarors is concerned. | We trust the business of the Board will I be so managed that control in other f matters may be indicated as a desirable h course.

The somewhat protracted meeting 1 at Waitara between Sir George Grey and the Natives has at last terminated. Although the public will await with some anxiety the full development of the arrangements that have yet to be made in pursuance of the policy of peace now agreed upon, there cannot be a doubt that a most important point has been grained in the matter of the Native difficulty. It is not easy for those unacquainted with the peculiar phraseology and figures of speech in use amongst the Natives to comprehend the exact understanding" between the parties. Several points, however, seem perfectly clear. It is evident the Natives have long entertained a very strong 1 desire that the misunderstanding that has existed between them and the Europeans should end. Their confidence in Sir George Grey is nnbounded, and they have long wished to see him face to face, so as to lay their case before him. They regard him as their father and friend ; as such they freely and fully make known their minds to him, and are ready tj be guided by his advice. To Rewi, whom they seem to regard and act towards in a similar manner, they have committed their whole cause, bo that it may be amicably adjusted between him and Sir George. They only stipulate that the batchet be now buried, that the final arrangements to be madf must h£ so mane upon a friendly footing' and upon a basis so secure that war shall never again arise between the Native and European population of New j Zealand. So far as the Natives are concerned, therefore, the vhole matter of the Native difficulty has been freely and unreservedly placed in the. hands of these two individuals for final adjustment, th« only stipulation bm'ng that the result must be permanent peace and good will between rhe races That suoh "will be the result of tha Waitara meeting there is no reason to doubt. The Opposition journals, we observe, arp gna&bing their teeth. In their calmer intervals they tr} T to mitigate their | wrath by drawing absurd caricatures of tbe scenes at the meeting and the peculiarities .'of the Maori language. They have now discovered that the Pre- 1 mier has a policy for the Natives as well as for the Europeans. It is a policy of peace, progress, and good will. For the past eight years it has been the policy of the Government to prepare a war scare for the meeting of Parliament, so as to secure the passing of votes for salaries and bribes to those by whom they were kept in power. This year his Excellency will have the pleasure of intimating in his opening speech that the long pending and grossly mismanaged Native difficulty is at an end. The hitherto mysterious and ruinous Native Department will be reduced, if not entirely swept away, and one law for Native and European will sppedily result. Such is the nature of the fruits the friends of the present Government looked for as the result of their ability, honesty, and tact, and they have not looked in vain. We have no hesitation in saying the Waitara meetingwill be recorded in history as an im-

portant epoch in the Colonisation of iW Zealand, and that even had Sir George Grey been previously unknown in the Colony and the world his name

would be handed down to posterity connected with that meeting, as one "tfho had rendered incalculable service to both races.

We need scarcely remind our"; readers, of the concerts to be given in Balclutha and Inch Clutha this evening.

We observe that tenders have been called for the formatiou of the permanent way of the Waipahi to Tapanui railway.

We have been requested to direct Bpecial attention to Maclean Bros., advertisement of the sale of Mr Doull's Kaihiku property, •which will be found in another column.

At a meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery oa "Wednesday, the call from Opotiki to the Rev. Mr Gow, of St. Andrews church, was sustained by the Presbytery, and accepted by Mr Grow.

The match between Mr J. IP. Kitching's bitch Esmeralda, and Mr Daniel's dog Scaldsnep, for LSO a side, wis ron off at Milton on Tuesday, when Scaldings won the first two courses, and V was declared the victor.

Last Friday as the cutter " Jane " was leaving Catlins River, she struck upon the south reef, but got off the same tide, but not without some damage, she having lost a portion of her rudder, but she is making no water and has gone up the river again to repak damages.

Dr Agassiz, J.P., and W. H. S. Roberts, J.-P., held a Court at Clinton, on Friday, the 28th ult., to hear a «fiiple of assault cases, viz., Holmes v. Millar and King, and Millar v. Holmes. As each party .flatly contradicted the other, and no evidence was forthcoming to prove who really was telling the truth, the Justices had no altornarive but to dismiss botli cases, each party paying their own costs.

We notice Messrs Somerville Bros., Waitepeka, have again, owing to their rapidly extending business, found it necessary to make additions to their store, which of late has been undergoing periodical extensions. The block of buildings which go to make up Messrs Somerville's premises now suggest the idea of being the nucleus of a probable flourishing rural township in this fertile locality.

There are two bridges upon the Port Molyneux road which require attention, viz., those over the Oatnaru and Barratti streams. The former is only planked with smooth planks, and therefore is most dangerous in wet weather. A bridge of this sort was recently the cause o^ the death of Mr Allan M'Master, at Brighton. The Barratti bridge requires repairs as the planking is giving way, and may lead to accidents. Would the County Engineer kindly attend to to these matters. " A stitch in time saves nine."

Messrs J. and P. Robertson's Mill has just finished threshing in the South Clutha district, where it bas [done the whole work, and has given great satisfaction. The owners inform us they never were at work in any district where the whole inhabitants were so neighbourly, so willing to assist each other during threshing, or to assist with removing the mill and engine, whether the common practice in such rases applied or not. The turn out as a whole has been very fair. The mill has been at work this week at Finegand, and when finished there will go to Waitepeka.

Captain Hayward, Harbour - Master, Catlins River Station, reports under date, July 1, 1878 : — The number of vessels ariived durtug the past month were 4, equal to 102 tons register, and 11 sailed, equal to j435 tons register. Five were sent to Dunedin, 1 to Molyneux, 1 to Oamaru, 3to Timaru, and Ito Ly tth-ton. Seven loaded at the Big Mill, and four at the Owake Mill. The weather during the past month has been very bad, some of the vessels having been detained for uearJy tbree weeks ere they could set a chance to sail. We have also had the heaviest fall of snow that I can ever remember ia tbis district.

It will be seen from a r-eport of a meeting of the Matau Koad Board that the members fully realise their duties and responsibilities in the matter of the washing away of the river banks. Messrs Inglis, Robertson, Wiliocks, and Petrie met at 10 o'clock yesterday, and iuspected the encroachments made by the Matau branch. To provide an efficient remedy will no doubt prove a laborious and expensive task, but all will agroo that the sooner something is done in the matter tho better for every one will it be, and the loss expense in the long run. We trust the example set by the Matau Board will speedily be followed by obU r public bodies interested.

We understand. Mr Dunne, of the Crown Hotel, has taken over from the present contractor the Wiirepa, Port Molyneux, and intervening mail contract, and that he has placed on the road a comfortable buggy and pair for the accommodation of passengers, who may now travel over this route at very reasonable rates. We believe it is Mr Dunne's present intention to run a coach three times a week, commencing on Sept. 1. It would probably leave BalclutJia on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and return from Port Molyneux the following days. As this will be a great boon to all the districts of South Molyneux, we have no doubt it will receive hearty and well merited support.

The Molyneux, as if conscious of the preparations that have lately been made to re r sist its further attacks on the banks of the Island, has within the ]aat day or two thrown all its weight on the defenceless sandspit opposite Port Molyneux, and about two miles from its present outlet. It has made so rapid a progress since it attacked this spot that there is already a shallow communication with tho sea., and as there appears to be every probability of this phenomenon continuing the question naturally arises, and is already agitating the loyal burghers of tbut flourishing port as to what the effect will be on tho present township should this natural barrier to the ocean he lemoved. J?or our own part, possibly through our being located at a distance from the spot, and having no very vital interests connected therswit-li, we feel no uneasiness afc the probable removal of the sandspit, but on the contrary, think it will be a great advantage to tbe river to have a more direct outlet, whence ifc would emerge with such increased force as to scour a deep channel, thereby , rendering the navigation safer, and consequently offering inducements to shipping which are sure to be taken advantage of.

The Tapamii Courier thus refers to the storm in that dislricb :— Snow and snow-balling is the only topic of conversation at present. JFor a fortnight we have been favoured with such a downfall of snow as has seldom, if ever, been witnessed in these parts. Snow to the right of us, snow to the left of us, snow all around us aa far as the eye can reach. Think of it ye revellers in tropical climes ! Our roads hare been blocked up with snow-drifts, and although it is impossible yet to compute the losses amongst stock, yet they must have been very severe. During the still hours of night, avalanches have been heard falling down the steep gulches of the Blue Mountains, causing a found like distant thunder, sufficiently loud to awaken sleepers living at a censiderable distance from the mountains. It ia feared that a large number of sheep have been, boxed in the snow on the ranges, but as yet it is impossible to ascertain the losses owing to the drift. Snow-balling has been gone into with great gusto, and some of the coutests in the streets have been very keen. On Thursday last about fifty adults were engaged between the Courier office and Noble's Hotel, and the mimic snow-ball warfare created intense amusement for a while. Sides were formed, and when the warriors on either side gave way, the cry of "Rescue 1 rescue !" brought fresh troops to the losing Bide, and the warfare was carried on with increased ardour. One lad lost his watch in the melee, and despite an active search, it has not as yet been recovered.

At the poll in the election of members of the Board of Conservators for Inch Clutha, on Monday last, Messrs W. A. Mosely, George M'Donald, J. C. Anderson, James Smaill, and James Bell polled the most votes, and were therefore elected.

There have been a few complaints of sheep-worrying in Wairuna of late; On Sunday last Mr Bagrie losi ten out of a flock of 60 lambs. We would recommend the offendiug parties to destroy their dogs, for once found in the act they are never to be trusted.

We understand Mr Thomson had intended addressing meetings of his constituents in different localities, to commence on Thursday next. In consequence, however, of unforseen ch-cumstances, he has been obliged to postpone his meetings for a week. Intimation of these will be given in next issue.

A long felt want in the Wairuna district iB at last partially supplied. The sottlers now, by the aid of the railway, can send their wheat to the Gore fiourmfll, where it is ground and re. turned within a week, making a material difference on former years, when it was necessary to take it all the way to the Waiwera mill, and then perhaps to wait six or eight weeks before it was ground.

Last -week there was experienced in Wairuna one of the most severe snow-storms witnessed in the district for the last five years. On Wednesday, when it was at its height, the fall was from ten to twelve inches, and in some gullies it had drifted several feet, but it quickly disappeared, traces of it only being visible on the neighbouring hills. The weather is now im-

proving, and it is to be hoped it may continue to do ho, or there will be a very late spring, little or no ploughing bcing f ,done in the district.

The roads in the Wairuna district are next to impassable, especially for pedestrians. The Children going to school have to cross paddocks and gtc on to lo the railway line, which is anything but pleasant to their parents, not knowing the minute the ballast train may come down. We would advise the School Committee, who will have L3O annually nt their disposal from that benevolent Education Board, to lay down planks on tho worst part of the road, so that the children may get to school with dry feet.

The banquet to be given Mr J. 0. Blown, M.H.R., atWaiKhuna, is now definitely fixed for next Friday evening. Any parties from the Clutha will be in time by leaving here by the 4.25 p.m. tiain. They will then catch at Milton the evening train from Dupeclin, by which the visitors from the city will travel. A special train is to run fiom Lawrence to Waitahuna, returning after the banquet is over. Both Mr Sheeban and Mr Stoufc are to be present. We have no doubt the banquet which Mr Brown has so well earned, will be very largely attended.

Monday having terminated the quarter at Miss Baanerman's seminary, ami it having been determined to suspend instruction in dancing for the present, Air Kelly conducted the class iv the Athonteum Hail that afternoon. There were a good^mnny of the parents and a few friends present. The girls were put through the various steps and a number of dances and figures of riither a complicated nature, and acquitted themselves very creditably indeed. Mr Kelly as yet has only attended for six months, giving one lesson a week, but the progress made has been very satisfactory. As dancing is a" very favourite recreation amongst young folks, and if properly conducted is an equally inuocent and desirable recreation, it is a pity that more opportunities for training are nob afforded. Were the various School Committees to take up the subject, thpy niightgarrange for an efficient teacher attending the schools an afternoon or evening weekly. The class being under the control of the Committee would do away with many of the objections which apply to ordinary "dancine; schools." "We believe many parents and are sure all the pupils will opprove our suggestion.

Our Tapanui correspondent writes : — Tenders for tho Waipalri-Tapamii railway are now out, having been announced on! lie. 27th. ulfc. receivalJo up the 29fch of August. If the vaticinations of a certain prominent gentleman (Oapt. Mackenzie) in the district are verified— and it would not be the first time by many that he has proved himself io be possessed oE the spirit Of true ins-piration— certain well-known contractors who always manage to secure the big things are sure to be declared the lucky tenderers in this case, — Capt, Mackenzie was advertised to lecture in the schoolhouse fa.ere <m an unannounced subject on tho evening of Tuesday, the 25th xilt., but being weather-bound on the occasion his place was filled by Mr R. B. Heriot, who gave a short but interesting lecture on ' ' The Land we Left and the Land we Live in," of which I send a separate report. — Late threshing still goes on in a desultory way. For the past fortnight there has been a complete cessation of all other kinds of outdoor work. Camera have been snowed up on their routes, and all the sawmills havo been at a standstill. Some of these establishments will not resume work until spring weather permits regular work. At the meeting of the Waste Land Board on Wednesday, the following was all the business of interest in this quarter: — Kange r Hughan reported on deferred payment lands in Slopedown, Waipahi, and Waikaka districts unfit for settlement, and recommended that they be withdrawn fro/a the deferred payment system and offered for sale at 20s.— Referred to Chief Commissioner to have a list prepared of those and oilier sections in a similar position reported on by the Eanger, with a view to steps beiug taken to open the same for sale: — Mr J. EAttwood applied to purchase section 28, block } IX, Toitois. — The Eanger reporting that the conditions bad been complied with, the application was approved.— Messrs It. ||G. Creagh and Co., for Mr James Chiistie, applied to purchase 8, 9, 10, and 19, block, 11, Glenkenich, under his deferred payment: Approved. — Mr J. A. Mooney, for Mr D. Eallingall, asked to purchase section 3, block Vlll, Greenvale, instead of obtainiDg a lease therefor, as previously applied for. Agreed, on condition the fee for lease be paid if lease be engrossed.— -With reference to the Commission appointed to inspect certain blocks of land which it is proposed to throw open, Mr Bastings intimated that Mr Green and himself i decided that aa the country iv question waa now under Bnow they would nob inspect the blocks uutil they had been to "Wellington. They would not be able to give an intelligent description of the land if they visited it now, so they proposed to defer the inspection till the spring. Cn the suggestion of the Chief Commissioner, it was decided to. telegraph to the place in question and ascertain the state of the weather before finally deferring the visit.

The weather here still continues cold and stormy with occasional showers. The snow has all left the low lying grounds, and the surrounding hills are dismantling. We have not yet received reports as to the loss of sheep which must have been considerable.

The Committee appointed at the recent public meeting, at Kaitangala', lost no time in calling for tenders for removing the remains of the old lock at the mouth of the creek. The lowest tender was that of Mr W. T. Smith, for Ll2 10s, which was nccupted.

It will be seen from a report of the meeting of the Matau Road Board on Saturday afternoon, that the Board resolved to take steps to effect a separation of the two subdivisions. This has been decided upon in consequence of the resolution of the Clutha County Council to levy a rate of Is in the pound.

Procrastination is a malady which appears to afflict in a peculiarly virulent form all our public bodies, and the* present condition of the Port Molyneux road in two or three places, as mentioned in our Puerua correspondent's letter, is an exemplification of it. We may mention that previous to laying the metal down near the WaUepeka Statiou, a few pounds would be well spent in taking a few feet from the crest of the hill and thereby easing the gradient. This could at present be easily done with a mud ladle or even with a bucket.

A night with " Graham of Claverhouse," was enjoyed by (a good many, at the Crown Hotel here, on Wednesday evening. Mr Graham, accompanied by hia youthful and accomplished lady, arrived here by 'the afternoon train, and in the evening he lectured on the War, the Conference, etc. He also examined and explained the phrenological developments of a considerable number of the audience, much to the satisfaction and amusement of all concerned. He was heartily invited, and promised to renew his visit within a short time.*

We understand the river steamer lona is now to be laid up for a short time to permit of some alterations being effected, the better to suit her for the rivor traffic. We are glad to know that in these alterations provision will be made for the comfortable accommodation of passengers. From the amount of settlement now going on and anticipated up the river, the owners believe that a considerablo passenger traffic will shortly be developed. They should know best, and we dare say they would have good reason to believe in such a traffic as being certain before they would provide for it.

We understand the Board of Conservators for the Clutha .River have secured the services of Mr Gorman, agent for the lrynamite Company, to blast the rocks that hitherto have so much obstructed and proved so dangerous to the navigation of the river at Ecclefechan; The necessary staff of men have been engaged, and should the weather prove at all favourable, the wozk will be commenced on Monday first. Ifc is intended also to try the effects of dynamite upon a few of the shallows or baw that are met with in the channel, and which prevent -a steamer running when the river is afc its winter level, lv addition to this, the work of removing snags will bo resumed next week, and will be continued as long as the state of the river will permit. If we are to judge from the success that has hitherto attended tbo Board's efforrs to open up the navigation, we may expect that in a few mouths a channel for a steamer to ply in all states of the river will be opened up as far as Tuapeka Mouth, if not the Beaumont, This must prove an immense convenience to the settlers all up the Clutha Valley, and will induce a traffic with Balclutha that will keep several steamers constantly employed.