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Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 43, 28 November 1913, Page 5

The Public Works .Statement, with a full list of local votes, is published in this issue's inset. A party of ten from the Clvdevalc district left on Tuesday to act as'special constables in Dunedin. * Thomas, the '' boot boomer'' from Dunedin, has opened out temporarily in Gawn's buildings. An advertisement appears in this issue to the effect that unlicensed cows will not be allowed on the reserve after tomorrow. Mr Payne, M.P., was "named" in the House on Wednesday for disorderly conduct, and the Prime .Minister moved that he be suspended for the remainder of the session. .Mr Witty pleaded for leniency, and Mr Massey'withdrew the motion. Mr Payne apologised. A canvass is being made in Kaitangata for £.lO wherewith to buy a chemical lire engine. The borough council has promised to make up any deficiency in the amount subscribed to enable the tire brigade to obtain this necessary appliance. The strike trouble will affect many of the pleasures of the working class 'during the now nearing festive season, but fortunately the sting of frugal dishes and empty pockets will not be felt in Balelutha. ..With the days drawing nearer to Christinas, all those who intend getting new suits for their holidaytrips should hasten in placing their orders,.so that they will not be dissapobted. Given a fair time, Mr C. G. Kirby, gents and ladies tailor, Clyde street, Balelutha, guarantees to fulfil all orders to entire satisfaction. Do not wait till next week, but get in. before the crush, and select your pick of the splendid suitings which he has now in stock range of suitings which he has now in stock.***

Advance-sheets of the 'New Zealand Official Year Book,' relative to mining, manufactories, and works, have been issued by Mr Malcolm Fra'ser, Government Statistician. The decrease in sold production during the year—nearly half a million sterling—was largely due to the prolonged strike at WaihiJ Reofton and Blackwater, by which most of the principle quartz mines were. rendered idle from May 13 to October 2, 1912. Dredges also showed a decline in gold production to-the extent of £40,567. There are still 87 sold dredges at work in the Dominion, of which 72 are operating in Otago and Southland and 15 on the "West Coast. Five dredges were dismantled during the past year. Dividends amounting to £38,840 were paid by 28 dredges, the property of registered companies. The profits of privateowned dredges are unobtainable, though it is stated at Dunedin that many of them pay handsomely. Mr Maldon Robb told a remarkable story to a public meeting at Ballarat, speaking on behalf of the People's Liberal Party. He expressed gratification tftiat defence was not a party question. The people would not shirk their responsibilities if they recognised the danger that huna orer the country. A friend of his, who had returned from Japan, said that in every school there the largest map was tihiat of Australia, and the people were taught that Australia wa* the' future heme ef the Jwaese jieeple,—'Sydaey Sw. s ■

Tho date of next Owaka sale has been altered to Thursday next owing to ClutJia Show being held on the Friday.

No trace has been found so far of tha body of David Wing, who committed suicide at Balclutha bridge last Monday.

The Public Works Statement gives the total sum paid to March last by the Public Works Department on two Otago railways as follows:—Catlins, £400,(570 0s 8d; Otago Central, £1,280,391 18s 9d. Mr Trott, of Trott and Elliot, the contractors for the Balclutha Carnegie Library building, was in Balclutha on Tuesday making arrangements for an early start on the work. Clutha County Council meets to-day; Bruce County Council on Tuesday. The adjourned annual meetings of both councils will also be held on the respective dates, 'when the chairmen for the ensuing year will be elected.

The Balclutha Borough Council paused the following .resolution at its monthly meeting on Tuesday night:— "This council strongly supports the petition to the general manager of New Zealand Railways asking for a 'weekend' service from Romahapa and Owaka to Balclutha during the summer months." A copy of this resolution is to be sent to the general manager.

Freaks of nature m connection with the birth of calves are not uncommon, but a Poverty Bay pastoralist relates an experience which is surely a record 1 . A cow orr bis station, at Ngatapa. about a couple of months ago gave birth to a heifer calf, and exactly on© month afterwards a twin sister mad© its appearance. The calves are both fully developed heifers, and are getting along ■splendidly.

In nearly every station hr Otago the Railway Department has posted up notices on the lines that "Trespassers will be prosecuted." This decree comes hard on some residents of Balclutha in Renfrew street, for they have found it a convenient custom to walk aloiitr the line to the station from the signal box at the end of Renfrew street. The Balclutha Borough Council received the following petition from 10 residents on Tuesilav night:—"The Railway Department having stopped traffic along the railway line from the. end of Renfrew street to the station, a right that has been enjoyed for years, we beg to apply for a gravelling along the street beside the line leading from Renfrew street to the station. There is a good deal of traffic on the street, and it is in a very muddy condition in places. A very small expenditure would do it, and we trust your council w'll sec its vav to grant our request."—The application was referred to the Works Committee.