LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 424, 3 June 1870, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The following letter on the subject of subsidies to Municipalities and Hospitals has been received by Mr. Ha'ighton, from the Provincial Secretary :—“ Provincial Secretary’s < Dunedin-, 18th May, 1870. Gentlemen—Referring to the interview which you did me the honor to have with me yesterday, on the subject of subsidies to country Municipalities and Hospitals, I beg to inform you, for the information of your constituents, that the “Otago Municipal Corporations Ordinance, 18G5, Amendment Ordinance, 1866,” provides for the continuance of the payment of the subsidy on the rates levied by the Municipalities at the rate of 17. to 11, only up to the expiration of five years from the date of their creation. The Government is therefore precluded, without a resolution of Council, or the passing ot an Ordinance t,o repeal the one above referred to in one particular, to entertain the application of the memo rialists of Clvde, which you presented, tihut ihe subiidy of 17. for 17. may bo continued for a further period of 'hree years. With regard to your application that the subsidy for Hospitals on the Goldfields should he increased from 27. to 37., 1 have to express my regret that the funds at the disposal of the Government will not admit of it —I am Ac., I*. Reid, Proviucid Secretary W. Frazer, 0. E. Haughton, J.G. Brown, and J. Him lies M. P.O.’s.” For some reason, Unknown to the consumers, the juice of the “ staff of life” has been raised both here and at Cromwell. The bakers appear to have agreed among themselves to mulct the jmblic at the rate of twenty-five jier cer cent, for their manufactured article though we haVe been unable to learn that a corresponding rise in the price in the raw material has occurred. The remedy, however, is in the hands of the public— -Make your own bread ! The Ancient Order of Foresters (Alexandra Lodge) held their anniversary banquet at the Royal Mail Hotel, on Thursday evening, the 26th ult. Some sixty or seventy gentlemen were present and after partaking of the good cheer provided for them by Mr. Mason, the worthy host, and the usual loyal toasts, as also those more particularly suited to the occasion, had been proposed, drank, and duly responded to, the company adjourned to the hall room, where dancing was carried on with spirit till morning. Altogether the whole affair was well managed, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The whole of the gold workings on the beaches and hanks of the Molyneiix, as also the dredges have been at a standstill for the past six weeks, on account of the high state of the river. We are happy to say the fall in the water is perceptible, and if the present fine weather continues, all hands may be expected to be in full work in the course of another week. Through so many men lying idle, a general depression has been experienced by every section of the community. A most delightful change in the weather has taken place within the hist few days—instead of cold piercing winds, accompanied by rain and snow, we have sunshine. The roads, which have for some time been in a most deplorable state, are now much improved, and should the present genial weather continue we may anticipate that communication will be .resumed with its usual regularity. The principal delay has been between Dam edin and the Figroot. The mail due here on Tuesday only left the Pigroot on Wednesday morning, but arrived at Clyde shortly after midnight. The down coach, with mails and pa ssengers, left here this morning at the usual hour. (Since the above was in type rain has again commenced, and there appear* i very indication of its continuance.)

In the District Court, Clyde, before A. D. Harvey, Esq., Clerk to the Court, Andrew Southberg, gold miner* of Skipper’s Creek, by his attorney, Anthony Brough, Rsq.. filed declaration of Insolvency; also, affidavit in verification of insolvent’s statement of assets and liabilities. One hundred tons of Australian preserved meat has been sold in London, by public auction, by Mr. Tallerman, the agent of the Meat Preserving Company. The prices realised were lower than anticipated; but, nevertheless, the vender expressed himself well satisfied with the result, and int’mated that other sales would soon follow. The Galatea, which has been ordered on to the Australian Station, is expected to arrive at Sydney about the end of the present month. The following is from the Daily "Times :—“On the 17th ultimo, Mr. G. F. Supple, barrister and journali-t, met Mr. George Paton Smith. M.L.A., in Latrobe-street, on which he drew a revolver from his pocket, and fired four shots at Mr. Smith. Only ouo shot took effect, striking Mr. Smith on the elbow. Mr. Smith ran oway, crying out “ Save me!” A man named Walshe, formerly a detective, but who had turned publican, seized Mr. Supple, held him and knocked him down, on whiih the latter fired at him, the bullet entering his abdomen. Walshe was conveyed to the Hospital, where he gradually sank, and died on the following day. Mr. Smith is still confined to his bed. Mr. Supple is in custody. He states that he regrets shooting Walshe, but that he wished to kill Mr. Smith.” Mr. Charles Matthews is drawing large houses at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, notwithstanding the very high prices charged for admission. The leading journals speak very highly of Mr. Matthews’s performances. We have been requested to drawattention to the auction sale, on Tuesday next, at Ahxadra,, of two hundred head of mixed cattle, the particulars of which may be learned on reference to advertisement. The material used in the construction of the Shotover Bridge amounted to 86,905 superficial feet of piles, 13,267 feet ot sawn timber, 13,788 pounds of malleable ir0n,13,788 ditto cast iron, half a ton of nails, and 200?. worth of tar and paint. Mr. Fache reports having sold at Clyde, on Tuesday last, one hundred head of mixed cattle, at reduced but wit,hall satisfactory prices, cows fetching from 6? to 8? each, yearlings 21 15s steers and heifeis 4? to 6?, and a mixed mob of fifty at 4?5s each. We are requested to draw attention to the advertisement of the sale by auction, on Wednesday next, the Bth inst., of the Wai Keri Keri Farm and Buildings, draught and saddle horses, cattle, fruit trees, vines &c. As the whole of the property has to be sold to the highest bidder, the attendance of one and all is invited In contradiction of a statement in our la t issue concerning the reduction in the price of bread at Drybreud and Black’s, we are requested to state that Air. S. M ‘Comb, of Black’s, was the first to reduce the price of both meat and bread, and that the Drybread people followed the example instead of Initiating it. The Daily Times says : “ His Honour Mr. Justice Ward is about to leave Dunedin having been appointed to the District Judgeship of Hokitika in the room of Mr. Clarke who has recently been allowed to resign. We are sure that Mr. Ward’s departure will be much regretted by the public, the administration of justice during his term of office having been admittedly able and impartial. As some misapprehension appearstohaVe arisen with respect to a memorial praying for the appointment of a second Judge of the Supreme Court, we take this opportunity of stating the facts. The memorial alluded to, which was presented to Mr. Fox during his recent visit to Dunedin, was to the following effect;— That the two sittings of the Appeal Court, the Southland Circuits, and the proposed sessions of the Supreme Court at Oamaru, would probably cause the Judge for this Judicial District to he absent in future from Dunedin for about four months in the year; that such absence would cause serious inconvenience to the public ; that the work of the Supreme Court here largely exceeded that of any other district, while that of the District Court was comparatively small ; and that it would consequently be a great convenience to suitors, at a very slight additional expense to the colony, it the District Judge were Created assistant Judge to the Supreme Court, of course performing his present duties also No names were mentioned. Mr. Ward gave it as his opinion that Mr. Wilson Gray was entitled to the first offer ; but Mr. Gray declined to have anything to do with the Supreme Court. Several other offices were offered to him by Mr, Fox, but he declined them. However, he expressed his willingness to Mr. Ward to resign hia office in order that the proposed scheme might be carried out; but Mr. Ward declined to accept the proposal as lmtki r to Mr. Gray, This put an end to the negotiations ; aud as the District Judgship shortly afterwards became Vacant, the appointment was offered to Mr. Ward, as we have i already stated.

| The usual quarterly meeting of j Justices will be held in the vavious Licensing Courts within the province on Tuesday next, the 7th iust. The new residence for the schoolmaster is now nearly completed, and is a comfortable and substantial house, and in every way suited to the purpose for which it was designed. We are given to understand that it is in contemplation to give an amateur entertainment shortly tor the benefit of the funds, and, from the quality of the talent usually brought into requisition on these occasions, we anticipate a thoroughly enjoyable evenings amusement. The programme has not been settled, but the matter rests in the hands of competent gentlemen, and we feel confident it will be carried out to the satisfaction of all who attend and of those who kindly devote their ability and time to so worthy an object as the education of the rising generation arid the rational amusement of the adults. '1 he Provincial Council have voted a sum of 1,000/. for the road between this and Cromwell, and also 1,400/. for the road between the latter place and Queenstown. 50/. has also been voted for the road between Clyde and the Nevis. We trust these sums will be speedily and judiciously expended, so tliatwe may shortly have to announce that the roads are in a fair state for travelling. We learn from Queenstown that Fox and party have returned from their prospecting trip through the valleys of the Dart and the Hollyford, having met with but very limited success. The party were prevented by the inclemency of the weather from prosecuting their researches, but, as some of the ground prospected showed favorable indications, the party intend giving the country another trial in th” spring. The best prospects were obtained in the valley of the Dart. The Wakatip Mail has been increased to a six page paper. The ini provement reflects much credit on the proprietor, who well deserves the support of the district his journal more especially represents. -A packer named MTlwain lost his life while travelling from Campbells Gully to the Teviot, at which latter place he resided. MTlwain lett Campbell’s with six horseso n the 22ud ult., on his return, and not having been heard of a search was instituted when his dead body was reeo.ered- Ihe horses were still with their pack saddles on. Thehemaius were taken to the Teviot, and an inquest held resulting in a verdict of death from exposure, The deceased had been frequently warned of the danger of travelling on tlie|ranges during snow storms, but appeared to have too m uu h confidence in himself to take heed. The Oinaru Times says : —” Mr. Thatcher called atom- office on Friday evening, having arrived per Maori from Timaru, and tendered the editor j a full apology for the threatening letter written by him (Mr. Thatcinry. The apology was cheerfully accepted. It being known, however, that Mr. Thatcher was within, quite a trowd gathered outside the office, and refused to di-per.se unless the apology wae publicly made. To this Mr. Thatcher acceded, and in a very gentlemanly manner expressed his regret at having acted unadvisedly, and under a mistaken impression. Having made las avowal, he was greeted with loud cheers. He left for Dunedin, per coach, on the following morning. The news from the reefs is unimportant, and we cannot well expect it to be otherwise until the winter has passed away. With tho return of mild weather we'may expect to see increased activity, and there is but very little doubt many of the claims now virtually lying idle will be then energetically prospected, to tire benefit of the owners and the province at large. We understand that the services of SeVgeaht Cassells are about to be transferred to the metropolitan district Mr. Cussells has long been known in this part of the province as an active and energetic public servant, who has performed the onerous duties pertaining to his pnsitinn in a manner which has secured for him the esteem of all except the evil-doer; The Mount Ida Chronicle of the 20th inst. says : —“ We are sony to be called upon to record the loss of the in mail from Kyeburn. All that we have been able to gather upon the subject is, that the man in the employment of Mr. W. J Millar had charge of tha mail on Saturday last, and in some incomprehensible manner lost his Way and the mail at the same, time arriving at home in a state of bewilderment. Every effort has been made by Mr. Millar and others to discover the lost mail; so far, however, without success. There was, in addition to the mail from Kyeburn to this place a mail also for Dunedin. The police are still making every effort to recover the lost mail hags. The issue of the 27th ult. informs its readers that nothing as yet has been heard of the missing mail Mr. M‘Eaten, of Tokomairird, is now on his way to Frank ton, with a mob of first-class dairy cattle. Our friends in the Lake district are fostunate in having such fine stock at their command, and we hope to hear that Mr. M'Laren will have no cause to regret his venture. The mob will be sold by auction, by Mr, D. Powell, on Wednesday next.

| The appointment of Mr. John Maokay to the office of Chairman of the Board of Wardens of the Wakatip Depasturing District is notified in the Provincial Government Gazette. In Committee of Supply the Provincial Council voted the sunl of 300/ per annum as the salary attached to the appointmeuti BiiVl, the English pedestrian, lately ran a match in Sydney for 100/. asida, against a man named Walsh, the latter, who received five yards start, proving victorious. Topley, the English pedestrian, has been matched at Sydney to walk fourteen miles in two hours. The following story is told by our Dunedin contemporary ; ‘’A case which excited unusual interest was to have been tried in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday last, but, to the disappointment of a large number of people, it was withdrawn at the last moment. The case was one of assault, the assault complained of being a horse-whipping administered by one gentleman to another,in Princes street, on Thursday morning. A summons was taken out by the aggrieved party; lU% by the intervention of a mutual friend, tile matter was ‘settled out ot Couit.’ Apologies were exchanged, and the two gentlemen arC now, we understand, ‘as good friends as ever.’ ”