FRIDAY, JULY 12,1878.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 209, 12 July 1878, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1878.

f iwould be too much to expect that / Sil will agrpe with tho policy enun- ] Ifed by the Hon. Mr Stout at his J jtfetingin Dunedin on Tuesday even- J fgry Even those, however, who niostf Iffer with him on matters political must Injit this, - tbat. he has in a frank, Bwnjy," and straightforward manner Sariy and fnllv explained tho policy of ie present Government, and what they Itend to do during* next session of tbe risemhly. Tn this, as in other mat«rs, he has adopted a course peculiarly lis own. With preceding" Governments |?bad been the practise to keep their llicy, when they had one, a profound gjret until after the Assembly met. [heir legislation was a series of sudden Irprises, and a hasty passing- of pet measures before either the people or jEeir representatives had time to peruse fr less to digest them. They introjlijed measures required by the GoIrnment for their own ends, behind le people's backs, and in spite of pubic remonstrance. The present Government have adopted another and a wiser lurse. They have taken rhe people liitirely into their confidence, and have, folly and in the plainest lang-uag-e explained to them their views and intenJions. Last year. Sir George Grey depared the Government would have no florets ; everything would be fully expined to the people. No one can read Jfr Stout's speech without feeling- that Ibis pledsre has been thoroughly redeemed. This openness and honesty on Ihe part ot Ministers must greatly strengthen their hands, and we bave no |oubt the important measures they ihave foreshadowed and explained and [intend to introduce in the Assembly prill pass into law without anything in |tbe shape of formidable opposition. g_ c flw another column will be found copy $f a' petition now being- signed throughfirat South Molynoux, Cntlins, See., graying that an endowment of GO.OOO {acres be set apart, for the "Bpb-hitha to rParlins railway. The petition itself so i\f_lly sets forth the reasons why such |nn endowment should be madp thnt sjittle more nped be Thp truth is sthat o*vii'g to its comparatively isolated Ipns-i'ion and the wretched condition in iMiich the road thither has hiiherto |Wn left, the resources of the Catlins district have not been known nor ■ its importance fully recognispd. So ilong as the small patches of bush throughout the country could supply thp demand for timber, the virtually unlimited supply to be found at Catlins was disregarded. Now, however, that Ffrthesfi small patches are everywhere jghemg wrought up, facilities for traffic pnhetween the extensively timbered districts and the centres of population and h settled districts must of necessity be | provided. The petition referred to z shows, we think, good reasons why in I this particular case an endowment of yland should be given to construct the y railway. The land asked for is lying ; idle, and will continue so for many a years unless a railway be made. If a I railway were once made to the dis~i trict, its resources would speedily be I developed. The land referred to would ; be settled upon by a thriving popular tion, all contributing to the general ,: Tevenue. The adjoining Government * lands would also be eagerly sought "after and would command a high price, : thus presenting a strong contrast to : that sold here the other day, when comynetition only took place in the case of a single section of 60 acres. Timber _. is riot tbe only commodity which will have to be sent from Catlins. Already a considerable quantity of land is under cultivation in the Upper and Lower Owake, and other valleys in the district are admirably adapted for settlement. Thus there will be grain, wool, &c, to send to market, and a railway would prove at the same time the cheapest and most effective means of transit*. The coastal trade in the Catlins will of course be kept up so as to supply Dunedin and the various towns along the coast with timber, and in order to do this it will be necessary that the harbour has due attention. Beyond furnishing a harbour-master, literally nothing has been done to improve tbe port or even remove the dangerous obstructions at the mouth of the river. Tt is just possible that the responsibilities in connection Ivith. such ports may shortly be cast upon the local bodies. It would therefore seem; reason able that an endowment of a few thousands of _;. acresof waste lands in th^mmediate 7 "vicinity should be set apart as an; en-

dowment for the harbour. Other harbours have got liberal endowments, and we see no reason why Catlins should not participate in such benefits. We make the suggestion so that those interested may consider the matter.

The next Home mail via San Francisco will close at the office here at 10 p.m. on Wednesday first.

The concert proposed to take place in Kaihiku school on Tuesday next is postponed on account of the weather and roads being so unfavourable and having hindered the preparatory practice from being made.

Mr David Wratten, Catlins River, writes to contradict the report that Mr Bryan had lost a bap; of cabbages. Our readers in that district will no doubt be glad to know that the vegetables are still safe.

The scarcity of potatoes has never been so much felt in the Popotunoa district as this year. Owing to the very unfavourable season, very few crops have been lifted yet, and those left in the ground are rotting.

We have to call attention to the Matau ploughing match to be held at the Crescent today. The prize list is a very liberal one, and as the weather has now broken up we expect to see a large number both of competitors and visitors.

"VVe learn by a private telegram when eoing to press that Mr Cutten was yesterday elected for the Taieri by a majority of 25. As to the missing steamer Wanaka, the Ringarooma fell, in with her yesterday, with her propeller broken . Th c Ringarooma towed the unfortunate steamer into Lyttelton, and at once left for Port Chalmers, where she was expected last night with the mails.

The river steamer lona was yesterday laid up at the old jetty at the bridge here. We understand some alterations and rearrangement of the machinery are to be effected, so as to render the steamer still more suitable for the traffic.

In the meantime, Captain M'Kinnon and his crew will resume the removing of snags in the beginning of the wepk, as the river is now in a favourable condition for the work.

There were not many bidders for the Crown Lands exposed for sale here on Wednesday. This is scarcely to be wondered at when we consider the present aspect of the ground and the stormy weather during which intending purchasers must have examined it. We aro credibly informed that in some of the gullies in that direction the snow has been blown into wreaths fifty feet deep.

The election of members for the Catlins sub-division of the South Molyneux Road Board having been declared illegal, a fresh nomination took place in the Owake schoolroom on Saturday, the Gth inst. Mr Smith, Ahuriri, acted as Returning Officer. The following gentlemen were nominated : — Messrs \ ndrew Lees, Alfred Bradfield, and George Johnston. As no other candidate was proposed, the above-named gentlemen were duly elected.

Four or five drays and waggons were stuck hard and fast a few days ago amongst the clay on the top of the hill beyond the railway crossing on the main roid to Port Molyneux. Both men and horses naturally exerted their utmost --tiength to get through but without effect. There was no alternative but resignation to clay. We suppose they are still there and we mention the matter lest the owners may feel anxious as to the fate of their men and teams. Were they fo prob the road at the spot with long poles they might manage to feel the drays and more fully satisfy themselves as to their whereabouts.

The late heavy snowfalls have caused considerable losses among' sheep in this district. We lr-arn that large numbers were snowed in on the Kuriwao Ranges, the snow having drifted into some of the gullies to the depth of seventeen and eighteen feet, and the sheep seeking shelter there were of course buried. Lots of th em were rescued by digging them out from under the snow, but a gicat number perished. The country through the Gorge towards Otaria, otherwise very rough and hilly, presented a cotnpai atively level appearance after the snowfall, sh-iwing what immense quantities of snow must have fallen.

The ladies and gentlemen who have for some time beon so pleasantly associated as members of the Baiclutha Glee Club had a select dancing party in Barr's Hall on Monday evening, the object chiefly being in this way to spend a last evening with Mr Heath, their conductor. There were only a few invitations outside the membership, and the party numbered twenty couples. Dancing was comm enced a little before 10 o'clock, and terminated afc 3 o'clock on Tuesday morning. Mr __ 'Dougall supplied light refreshments during the night. We need scarcely say that everything was conducted in the most orderly manner, and all present being on terms of intimate friendship, the..paity was one of those little delightful affairs we are sometimes privileged to read of but seldom to experience.

A correspondent writes from Inch Clutha as follows : — A very smart trick his just been related to me, and it is so good that 1 hope you will publish it. The multifarious duties of a gallant young " lovyer " necessitated his attending a meeting here and also one in a neighbouring township on the same evening. It was evident he could not attend both without an exertion for which he does not get credit. What was he to do ? Many other people would have been nonplussed. Not so the hero of my tale. His fertile genius was equal to the occasion. He i wrote to each expressing his extreme regret that he could not be present, being obliged to attend the other. He attended neither. He spent the evening with his girl, popped the question, and it is said was " cotched." Served him right. Mr Gorman, agent for the Dynamite Company, arrived here on Monday, and proceeded up the river to commence the work of blasting the rocks at Ecclefechan and a few small bars or shallows that hitherto have prevented a steamer plying during low water. Mr Gorman has no doubt at all of being able to accomplish the work. Every obstruction of the kind caa be blown out. It is merely a matter of expense of material. Fortunately the Board has been husbanding its fluids so as to be able to undertake such works, and should the supplies fail we daresay the Government would willingly assist. The increase of traffic that this work will ultimately secure for the railway between Baiclutha and Dunedin will provq something greater than most people imagine in the meantime. There is, indeed, every prospect that this great natural highway of communication — the Ciutha River — will shortly be fully opened up.

Lengthy correspondence upon the Waiwera school case and other matters is unavoidably held over.

We understand the sum of LlO has been forwarded to the Secretary of the Benevolent Institution as the proceeds of the concert in Inch Clutha on Friday evening.

The time within which the Tapanui railway contract is to be completed, viz., .22 months for 15.$ miles, is considered unduly long. Still, the public are disposed to be thankful for mercies received, and will not grumble very much if the job be completed within contract time.

A "banquet is to he given to Mr J. C. Brown, M. FI.R., by his Waitahuna constituents this evening. As it is known a number of Ministers and leading politicians will be present, there will no doubt be a large attendance, and the Ministerial policy will be still further elucidated.

A copy of the petition to the Assembly asking an endowment of Jand towards the construction ofthe railway, Balclutlia to Catlins, has been left in charge of Mr Hogg, watchmaker, here, for signature. Baiclutha is of course deeply interested in the matter, and it is to be hoped every male in the township and neighbourhood will call and sign the petition.

Before 'going to press last evening we had the following telegram from Clinton :— " A public meeting will bo held afc Waipahi on Satur-

day evening to consider the action of the County Council in the matter of the alteration of the

boundaries of Ridings, &c. A meeting will also be held at Clinton on Wednesday evening with the same object. The greatest dissatisfaction prevads, and petitions are being got up all over the districts affected.

Our Tapanui correspondent writes : — I dare say you have had enough of weather reports lately. This is how matters have been with us. Towards the end of last week a change for the better set in : the snow was fast disappearing from off the ground, and a dry wind was beginning to make a tnaiked difference in the condition of the roads. But on Sunday tbe snow came back with alternations of sleet and frost at nights, and so it continues since, without any decided promise of improvement.

Through the delay that has taken place in carrying out the contract for the Baiclutha to Clinton railway and the work being done in the worst season of the year, Messrs Proudfoot and M'Kay have succeeded in completely stopping all traffic on the main block road in the Kaihiku district. In consequence of this settlers and others are obliged to make a detour of several mi'.es in some cases to reach the main road. The settlei"? will therefore be heartily glad when ihe works are completed. Ploughing has now been resumed in the district. Live stock have suffered much from the recent severe weather.

The annual ploughing match is announced to come off ab Tapanui on the 19th inst. The usual prizes are offered for double-furrow and swing ploughs and juniors, &c. No other lea land being available for the occasion, tho Committee decided at a meeting held at the Commercial Hotel on the (.th instant to turn a portion of the Tapanui Commonage to account for the purpose. An area will be fenced in and ploughed tv»o years in succession, and then laid out for a cricket ground. Of course the Committee recognise the doubtful nature from a legal point of view of taking this step, but considering that the object in view is a public one they do not anticipate any opposition to the course about to be taken.

There was a fair attendance at the Government land sale in Barr's Hall here on Wednesday, but, as was anticipated from the extraordinary manner in which the land had been surveyed, there was very little competition. Had the land been laid out in blocks of from 2000 to 5000 acres aud sold upon deferred payment, there would bave been very keen competition, and a large revenue would have been secured. As it was, there were only three purchasers. William Dalglicsh secured the following sections at the upset price : — Block IX., sections 2, 3, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 ; Block XI. sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 13— in all, 3700 acres, at 20s an acre. Mrs Hay, Hilly Park, purchased — Block X., sections 2, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 32 -in all, 1600 acres, also at 20s an acre. Mr David Whytock purchased section 16, Block X., 62 acres, at 35s an acre, and section 18, same block, 1(16 acres, at 20s an aero. A very pretty example of the proper way to make presentations has been given by tho ' members of the Baiclutha Glee Club. . On Saturday morning a small box was delivered at the house of the manager of the National Bank here addressed to Mr Heath. Upon opening the box that gentleman found it to contain a massive and elegant solid silver inkstand and a gold pen and pencil-case. The inkstand bore the following inscription :— " Presented to W. B. Heath, Esq., by the members of the Baiclutha Glee Club, as a token of their respect and esteem. July 6, 1878." A bi*ief note was also found inside, expressing the gratitude of the members for the trouble he had taken as conductor, and their best wishes for his future happiness and prosperity. We need not say that both the gift and the mamier in which it was given, was much appreciated by the recipient. Mr Heath left here on Wednesday last for Christchurch. He has left many friends, but not a single enemy in this quarter.

The fine weather we have had for the past few days has enabled builders to make some progress with the various buildings in course of erection in the township. The new Colonial Bank is now roofed in, and the carpenters will shortly proceed with the internal fittings. The spire of the new Presbyterian Church is nearly finished, and the work inside is well advanced, A portion of the building is already seated, and it is expected the Church may be opened in about six weeks hence. By the way, is it not time the filling up of the ground was proceeded with? Messrs Cross and Porter have now got up the frame of the two-storey shop and dwelling house for fill* Nicol, at the corner of Clyde and Gordon streets. We hear some other buildings are likely shoitly to be erected in that quarter of the township; Mr Watts is proceeding with Mr Townsend's new hotel at the Railway Station. The frame is now up, and with favourable weather the building will soon be completed, as the materials are well advanced. We hear Messrs M'Kiniay and Muir are the successful tenderers for a new dwelling house for Mr Henderson, solicitor, which will far eclipse anything in the shape of dwelling houses in the township. The site is the corner of Charlotte and Georges treets

We are informed that a party of surveyors went to Catlin's River yesterday to commence a survey of the proposed railway to Baiclutha.

Great preparations are being made for the Masonic ball to take place in Barr's Hall this evening. There has been no Masonic ball in Balclntha for a number of years, and it is expected that of to-night will be largely attended, and will prove in every respect successful.

An impression prevails amongst lessees of land on Inch Clutba that the rates to be levied by the Board of Conservators will fall heavily on them, We would point out that although the occupiers of land ai c the persons liable for rates, yet, when their term has less than five years of unexpired time, they are entitled to deduct the amount from the rent.

A meeting of the Provisional Directors of the Tokomairiro Entire Horse Compaay was held on Wednesday. There were present Messrs J. Dufchie (iv the chair), Inglis, Hislop, and Gordon. The Secretary reported that only 25 shares had been applied for. Mr Hislop moved that the Company be wound up. Seconded by Mr Inglis, and carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

In a recent issue we drew attention to the great facdity offered for the erection of a flour mill at Clinton, owing to tho favourable condition of the Kuriwao River for motive power, just in close proximity to the Railway Station. We now learn that a few influential capitalists have taken the matter in hand, and will in all probability soon float a Company for this purpose.

We call attention to the announcement in another column of the meetings to be held by Mr Thomson at various places within the Clutha district. We have no doubt the settlers will manifest their interest in matters political by securing large meetings. There are many matters affecting the district that should be brought under Mr Thomson's notice, and as the opening of the session is now so near, the time is most opportune for having these matters attended to.

A Waitepeka settler received a newspaper from Home, by last Suez Mail. Upon cutting the cord with' which it was tied up, and unfolding the paper he found inside three letters addressed to parties in Scotland, England, and Ireland, lt seemed impossible for the letters to

have got inside the paper by mistake, and it is difficult to conceive of a motive for their having been so placed intentionally. The fact, however, remains that there they were.

This snowstorm has been the longest and most severe ever known at Waipahi. Ifc commenced on 2flfch June, and with the exception of the 28th, snow fell on every day to,the end of the month — nine days ! On the 2nd July heavy rain flooded the Waipahi so high that commuui-, cation with the post office was quite cut off. -The river has only been higher three times during the last ten years. On the sfch July more snow fell, and again on the 7th and Bth. Stock of every description have suffered severely, aud farm operations have been very much delayed.

Messrs M'Kiniay and Muir, builders, having recently purchased the magnificent white pine and other timber in Mr Dutton's bush, below Kaitangata, have just procured a sawmill, which jjis being fitted up, and is expected to be at work in the bush in tbe beginning of the week. We understand it is Messrs M'Kiniay and Muir's intention to establish a wood yard near to the Railway Station, Baiclutha, and to

bring round the tiniber by steamer from the mill. We expect in a week or two to have permission to announce the completion of arrangements now in progress for a very extensive establishment here in connection with the timber trade. Our Waipahi correspondent writes : — The mail coach from Tapanui to Waipahi completely stuck in the mud on Friday, the sth instant, near Mr Dickenson's. The four coach horses were also bogged, and were quite unable to move the coach. Mr Dickenson kindly sent his team of draught horses, and even they had considerable difficulty in ' extricating the coach. The roads are simply trenches filled with mud, and how travellers and horses manage to wade through them is a mystery. The excessively severe 'weather has quite put a stop to Anderson's contract for metalling at the Waipahi, and ti*a- . vollers call down anything but blessings on the heads of our County Councillors for delaying the accepting of the tender, as it will be rememberd they did, for a month. Had that month of fine weather not been lost, the road would have been metalled before winter set in. Tenders for road making should always be called for early in the spring, as then contractors, having the summer before them, would naturally tender lower, nor would they then destroy the metalled portion by carting the new metal over it, as they do when the wet weather sets in.

At the request of a number of parties in the Otaria district we recently called the attention of the Commissioner of Railways to the mistakes that occur and consequent inconvenience through the railway station nearest to the Otaria settlement being named Pukerua, the Otaria station being at some distance, and without a road leading to it from the settlement. The following is the reply received, and the settlers in the district can take further action in the matter if they still deem it desirable : — " Invercargill, 9th July, 1878. — Sir, adverting to your communication to Commissioner of Railways having reference to blunder in names of Otaria and Pukerua stations forwarded for my report, I have the honour to inform you that the intermediate platforms Pukerua and Ctaria asjs&amed : . . " *" tr -"' l '&H * ' after their respective districts, as Pukerua platform (according to Engineer's report) is in the the village reserve of that name, and the present Otaria station is on the main road to the Otaria district from Tapanui and Waipahi, although it is probably not the nearest station to the Otaria. deferred payment settlements ; therefore until information can be gathered from residents of j both districts, and mutual arrangements as to the advisability of a new name for Otaria come j to, nothing further can be done. — I have the honour, &c, Thos. Akthub, General Manager."