LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 415, 1 April 1870, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The District Hoad Engineer, Mr Simpson, returned to ? Queenstown, from his overland journey to Martin’s Bay, on Saturday evening last. The party were all in good health, and had only been absent wight days. Mr. Simnson that the country is rather rough, but that a road can be made at a moderate cost. The valley of the Holleyford is describeed as presenting indications of being highly auriferous. Coal is supposed to be abundant near the coast. The party came across one seam equal to that found at the Grey. In the Provincial Government] Ga. zette it is notified that the provision s contained in Clause 21 of the general conditions of Provincial Government contracts have been rescinded, and the Government wilhnot be responsible for payment of wages due by contractors to workmen on contracts let after the Bth March 1870. The Mount Ida Chronicle says : “ 'he last standers out against the rate chargdd by the water companies have struck their colors and discontinued the strike. All hands are now again in full work, tire price charged for water being fifty shillings on Surface Hill, and forty shillings elsewhere per week for a Hogbuvu head of sixteen inches by one. By our correspondent’s letter from Dry bread, which is published in another column, we learn that some excellent washiags-np have taken place lately. Greenbank and party (four in all) for a five-months’ washing netting four hundred and thirty ounces, and<| Road and party two hundred ounces of the precious metal. The consecration of the Kilwilling Lodge of Cromwell took place in the Lodge-room, adjoining Smitham’s Hotel, last evening. The ceremony was performed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Vincent Pyke, in the presence of about members of the Mystic Tie, with the usual honors, In our next we hope to give a detailed account of the proceedings.

Miss Dolly Green, the very clever monologue actress,insisted by Monsieur Fleury, Mr. Milburn, and several gentlemen amateurs, gayo an entertainment at the Town Hall, Clyde, on Tuesday evening last. Our opportutnnitios of late of enjoying an intellectual and rational evening’s amusement have been few and far between. No wonder then that very shortly after the opening of the doors every seat was occupied, and additional seats had to be provided for the accommodation of the numerous visitors. A temporary stage, with side wings, &c., had been arranged by the Committee of the Dunstan District Hospital, for the benefit of the funds of which institution the entertainment was given. Messrs. Floury and Milburn commenced by playing the ever-welcome overture to Zampa, which appeared to be duly appreciated by the company. The comedy of “ Th> Morning Call,” the characters being sustained by Miss Green and Mr A. D. Harvey. This was followed by the overture to “ Fra Diavolo, a piece well known to all old play-goers. Then followed a song, “So gently breathe.” by Mr. Marshall ; duet by Miss Green and Mr Milburn, “ The Music Lesson,” most admirably rendered ; “The Exile, snug by Mr. Bate; and a duet, “ The little farm we keep,” by Mr. Bate and Miss Green. An overture preceded the principal pi-ce of the evening “ Delicate Ground ” the performers being Miss Dolly Green, Mr. Vincent Pyke, and Mr. Christophers. Of the performance of Miss Dollv Green wo need scarcely comment. The ability and careful study displayed in the personification of every character she undertakes is patent to evervonc who lias witnessed her representations, and we con only say that her performance the other evening will certainly not lessen her reputation as a true artist. M. Fleury is well known throughout the coloires, not only as a violinist, but as a, composer, and the exquisite manner in which, most ably assisted by Air. Milburn, lie performed the allotted music is worthv of the highest, praise. Of amateur performers it is, as a general rule, difficult to speak. Thet 7 usually make their appearance before the public for the purpose of assisting in the accomplishment of some benevolent object, and any short-comings are, however prominent, leniently overlooked. On this oeasiou, howeve.i, no excuses need be offered on their behalf, for assisted by the experience in stage tactics of Miss Dol y Green, and a liberal supply of “Piompter,” bey acquitted themselves in a manner far in excess of the expectations of their most sanguine friends. Mr. Harvey made a capital Sir Edward Ardent, while Air. Price’s personification of Citizen Sang Froid, in 1 Delicate Ground,” proved him to be possessed of considerable histrionic ability. On the conclusion of the en tertainment Air. AV. Fraser, AI.P.C., on behalf of the Hospital Committee, Warmly thakned those w' o had contributed to the entertainment and also those who came to witness it. and was happy to be enabled to state that a considerable sum would accrue to the Hospital funds. By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that the charges for telegraphic messages has been considerably reduced, the uniform rate of 2s. fid. for ten words to or from any office in the Colony being reduced to Is. The new tariff will bo in operation from to-day (April 1). The newly-discovered quartz-reef at Strath-Taieri is attracting a good deal of attention. About a dozen claims have been marked out and registered in the AVaiden’s office, and in nearly the whole of them the full complement of hands are engaged Some sample bottles of gin and whiskey from the distillery of Alessrs Howden of Dunedin, we have had the pleasure of tasting. Our own opinion, not being connisseitrs would not be worth much, but from the opinion of several merchants and hotel keepers who have tasted the sam pies, we conclude thev are first class. It is rumored that Air. J. L. Gillies will come forward for Caversham in the House of .Representatives, and Mr. J. C. Brown for Bruce ; as there are no other candidates spol-en of, in all likelihood those gentlemen will be elected. Air. George Fache requests ns to draw attention to the sale by auction this day of quiet dairy cows, horses, farm produce, etc., at Mr. Alitchell’s farm, Alanulierikia. We are requested to intimate that the sales ot cattle, advertised by Air. George Fache to take place at Cromwell and Alexandra on the 7th and 9th April, will not now take place, as the whole held have been disposed of privately by Air. D. Robertson. Those celebrated pedestrians Harris and Hewitt will run three hundred yards on the 2nd instant, to decide the championship. Amongst the passengers who arrived by the Mail Steamer at Alcll ourne, were Air. and Airs. Charles Matthews. The horses Southern Chief, Atlas, Bobby Burns, Banjo, and Young Camden, put up by auction in the Commercial Sale Yards on Saturday, were withdrawn, none of the bids being considered satisfactory. Daily Time*.

CLYDE TOWN COUNCIL. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Clyde Town Council was held in Council Chambers, on Wednesday evening last, the 30th March. Present: James Hazlott, Esq., J.P., Mayor, and Councillors llaatie, Naylor, Johnson, and Hueston. The Town Clerk read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed. Correspondence, outward : To Mr. SubInspector Dalgliesh requesting him to cause Sergeant Neiltojbe appointed Inspector of Nuisances in the room of Sergeant Thomson, resigned. Inward : from AlexanderWibis, Esq., Under - Secretary, informing the Council that;his Honor the Superintendent had been pleased to grant the formation of road at rear of blocks xxiii and xxvi, township of Clyde; survey to be made at once. Resolved, That the outward correspondence ho adopted and the inward received. The Finance Committee recommended the payment of the following accounts, which were accordingly passed :—M. Marshall Town Clerk, LS Gs. Bd.; Cambridge and Grindley, assessors, L 4 45.; Auckland, LG ss. Cd.; D. M'Ewan, LI. ; J. IT. Cambridge, 11 Is. 6d. That steps be taken at once to have the goat nuisance abated within the Municipality of Clyde. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.