LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 430, 15 July 1870, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In our last issue we published very imperfect escort returns, which we now amend as follows : Queenstown (5 weeks) 21190z 1 Sdwt. Arrow, do. ... 8330z. sdwt. Cromwell (3 weeks) 870oz. Odwt. Clyde,'do. ... 4040z. Odwt, Alexandra, do. ... 218oz. Odwt. Black's, do. ... 4540z. Odwt, St. Biithan's, do— 5040z. Odwt. Mount Ida, do. ... 12G40z. Odwt G6G7oz. 3dwts.

The nomination for the Mayoralty took place at the Town Hall, Clyde, on Tuesday last, Mr. George Clark being the Returning Officer. After the usual preliminaries, Mr. Beck proposed Mr. James Hazlett, as a fit and proper person to fill the office of Mayor of the Municipality of Clyde. Seconded by Mr, William Grindley. There being no opposition Mr. Hazlett was (for the third time in succession) d'-clared duly elected, Mr. Hazlett briefly returned thanks for the honor conferred upon hirn‘and after passing a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, those present at the proceedings dispersed. The weather for the last week has improved much to the satisfaction of those interested in the dredging of the Molyneux. Asa consequence of the fine weather, the river is going down, and the spirits of shareholders rising, and should it continue to do so foi another week, the dredges will be at work, likewise a number of claims on the banks and beaches of the riveiywhioh, through the unusual flooded state of the river, have been unable to get to work. It has been rumored that Mr. T. George, Government Mirveyor, long resident at Clyde, has received instructions to hold himself in readiness to ( change the scene of his labors on the conclusion of the current quarterly land sales. The gentleman in quest tion has deservedly Won the esteei|i of his fellow townsmen, and the departure of himself and family will be much regretted. We understand that Mr. George’s destination is Dunedin-

The race between the two pedestrians Hewitt and Harris for the championship and 200/, duly came off in the Friendly Societies’ grounds, Melbourne, which was won easily by Hewitt—time 30£ seconds. The time is disputed. A wager has been made since that Hewitt will Hot run a distance of three hundred yards in 31 seconds. The following weights for the Melbourne Cup have been declared— Manuka, 9st 91b; Knottingley, 9st 41b.

At the usual weekly meeting ef the Waste Lands Board held on Wednesday, the 6th inst, the following among other business was transacted ; —Mr. William Webster complained that no valuation Inal been allowed him for his house on Bale Hayes reserve, and therefore requested that he be compensated. The application was. declined.—Messrs. Smith and Anderson, for Mr. Anthony Brough, applied for leave to mine for coal under Croquet-street, Clyde, a shaft to he sunk on sections 2a and 2b, block 1., Clyde, and the property of Mr. Brough. Declined—tVV.h regard to the upset price of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, block X, Cromwell, and v ablation for improvements on sections I and 2, the valuation of the buildings was approved of, and it was agreed that the ground should, previous to sale, be valued bv a Government officer.—Mr. John Marsh applied to purchase a piece ol land in Cromwell, upon which he had erected commodious premises It Wa's agreed that the land should be surveyed, valued, and sold by auction.— Mr. M. J. Hunt and Mr. Alexander limes applied to purchase part of buildings reserve, Airowtowu, Land to be surveyed, valued, and sold by auction.—Mr. 6. F. livid, for Messrs. J. W. Robertson and Co., applied to purchase the whole or part of the area colored red on the plan of Kingston, and situate near Kerr’s jetty. Declined. The fatal mining accidents which have occurred in Victoria during the past year have, says the Bendiyo Independent, been so numerous that the risks of mining have assumed something of the diameter of a pestilence. Scarcely a clay passes without the usual account of *• Another fatal mining accident,” and it not unlrequently occurs that more than one haa to be chronicled simultaneously. It would almost appear that one chief end of mining men was to provide jurymen with employment, and coroners with livings, and one of the most remarkable things connected with the deaths of unfortunate miners is (lie little notice taken of their vio lent and sudden exits from the scene of their labors The question forces itself forward, “ Is there impossibility of altering such a state of things'!” It comes with all the more power, bo- , cause the great majority of doatl s which take place in the mines of the colony are essentially and deplorably “ accidents,” probably nine-tenths of them are preventable, and numbers of them are the result of sheer carelessness or recklessness.

A meeting of the “ Winter Evening Entertainments” Committee was held on Friday evening'last. j. lie Secretary reported that the gross proceeds arising from the sale of tickets and admission money for the first entertainment amounted to 177. 2s. Cd. the greater portion of this amount having been already paid in. It was decided that 157 should be placed to the credit of the Clyde School Committee, and also that a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had given their services should be recorded. A communication from Mr. Barlow, Secretary to the Hospital, was then considered. Mr. Barlow intimated that Mr. Pyle of St. Bathans had expressed his willingness to exhibit at Clyde, for the benefit of the District Hospital, a series of dissolving views, recently shewn in the Provincial Buildings Dunedin, on condition that his actual travelling expenses should bo repaid him, and all preliminary arrangements made for the exhibition. The Molyneux Christy Minstrele having also placed their services at the disposal of the Committee, and stated their readiness to at once commence rehearse!* 01 perf nuances similar to those given at the Town Hall last winter. It was decided that both offers should be accepted, and Mr Barlow should be requested to at once communicate with Mr. Pyle asking him to name an early date for his attendance at Clyde, arrangements to be made meanwhile for the second entertainment of the season. To comprise the exhibition of views and the Minstrel performance, on behalf of the funds of the Dunstan Hospital. It was further proposed and decided that ladies and gentlemen willing to give their services for any future entertainment should be requested to commuicate with the Committee.- The names of Messrs Hazlett and Hueston were added to the Committee list and the meeting then adjournedUnsold allotments in the undermentioned townships will he sold by public auction, a + - the places, and on the dates undermentioned.—Bendigo, this day on the ground, at noon. New castle, the 19th instant, at noon, on the ground. Pembroke, on the 18th instant, at noon on the ground. Gladstone, on the ground at noon, on the 19 th instant. The usual sitting of the District Court will be held in the Court House, Clyde, on Monday next.

Fencing in and planting seems to be the O’-der of the day, in and about Clyde. We notice several of our fellow townsmen have been busy the last few days, planting fruit trees, and shrubs. Mr. Faclie sold by auction on Tuesday last a consignment of native evergreen shrubs. These will form a great addition to the beauty of our gardens. We have been requested by Mr. Thomas George that the sale of Crown Lands in the township ot Cromwell, is unavoidably postponed until Thursday the 21st iust., owing to the non arrival of the Dunedin Mail.

The content for tire Mayoralty ot Dunedin appears to cause no little excitement in the metropolis. The Daily Times, of the 9th inst., gives a long report of a meeting held in the Polytechnic-hall, at which Air. John Griffon expounded his views on Municipal matters at some lo igth. At the termination of his address, Mr. Griffon was pretty freely, and, in some instances, facetiously interogatod ;but was fully equal to the occasion, and the result was a vote to the effect that he was a fit and proper person, &c. The coach from Dunedin, due on Tuesday evening, did not arrive here till about 2 o’clock yesterday. We are informed by Air. Netilefoid that the delay was occasioned partly by the bad state of the road and partly by the breaking of an axle. Now that the roads have pretty well dried up, we trust that wo shall not have to report such delays in f tore For some weeks past, the mails have been so irregular that it lias set all our calculations at nought causing, in many instances, not only inconvenience but actual loss. Though during such unprecedented weather, passenger traffic by coach was necessarily impeeed, still we do think there has been a most unnecessary delay in the delivery of the mails. By inference to our advertising columns it will be seen that application has been made to register the “ Alta Quartz Alining Company (Re gistered),” Bendigo Gully, by Air. (J. F Johnson, the Alanager of the Company. A slight error occurred in the advertisement of the application to register the “ Oolclough Quartz Reef Company (Registered),” in outlast issue, necessitating its re-inser-tion, By news received by electric telegraph we find that, the financial debate has not yet terminated, nor is it likelv to do so for some days to come. The adjourned debate was resumed on Friday last, and continued the whole sitting of the House, when it was further adjourned. It was stated that the Government wished it to be continued, to the exclusion of all other business. The Cromwell Jockev Club have decided to hold their Spring Aleeting on the 27ml of September, and their Annual Aleeting on Thursday and Friday, the 29 th and 30 ih of December. As the time for the election of ATayor of Cromwell diaws nigh party spirit appears to run higher and higher, the opposing factions condemning their opponents in terms more emphatic than compliinentarv. Were we to listen to and put faith in the eulogies so lavishly bestowed on one candidate by bis partisans, we should say that a ''etter man could not possibly be selected by the ratepayers as their Mayor. But there is a reverse to the medal Friends of the rival candi date surround us and expatiate upon his virtues, his public spirit, energy, unselfishness, ability, and peculiar fitness for office at this juncture, that our previous convictions are completely staggered, and we feel quitat a loss to decide as to which would be the best man. Happily it is not for us to decide; but we trust tincandidate wbo miv be elected will apply himself heartily to the duties pertaining to his position, Use his best endeavors to banish party feeling from the Council, and promote thereby the true interests of the rate-payers of Cromwell.

A trout, estimated to weigh about two pounds, was seen lately in t.ho river Maitas, Nelson. The fish is believed to have been raised from the spawn imported from Tasmania about two years since. A Revision Court was hdd in the Town Hall, Clyde, yesterday, the 14th inst. His Worship the Mayor presided, and Councillors Johnson, Patterson, and Houston were also present. The following claims were allowed, and ■were added to the Citizens’ Roll: West Ward—William Eames, Alexander Joss; South Ward—George Faclie, Martin Marshall, John Alloo ; East Ward—Richard Newell. There were two names struck off, on account of removal. We are not in receipt of our usual correspondence from Bendigo Gully, but we learn that principal claims on the various lines of reet are actively progressing. The Cromwell Company have nearly completed their second battery, and, as they have a large quantity of stone on hand, will probably soon commence crushing. The Alta trial crushing has given great satisfaction to the shareholders, who have detarmined upon erecting machinery forthwith. The Aurora Company are driving in a tunnel, and expect to meet the reef at a low level very soon. The late heavy rains ha ve done more 1 or less damage to the sluicing claims.

The Claude Hamilton, with the English mails on board, afrlVed at the Bluff on Wednesday morning. Owing, however, to interruption of telegraphic communication, we are unable to give any items of news. On Saturday last an inquest was hold at the Victoria Hotel, Queenstown, before Richmond Beetham,B«q. v CoroViCr, touching the death of Mr. Charles Lorimer, a chemist, who w;is found dead in his bed on the previous Thursday morning. The evidence went to show that deceased was much addicted to Inbits of intiAnperanccV, and had complained of being ill all day on Wednesday. In the evening, however, he was drinking at different houses, until more liquor was refused him. He then stated that he should go home to bed, at the tame time expressing a wish that “ Dick” was there to see him home, and saying they would never see him again alive. I)i'. Douglas was of opinion that death resulted from the effects of exhaustion, accelerated by the state of congestion J in which the vital organs were. The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of “ Death from natural causes.

Intelligence received at Napier on the 7th instant, states that lieaa te Topo, a principal Hriwera thief, and the remainder of the Whakateas at Opotiki, to the number of about forty, have surrendered. Te Kooti has only two or three of the old Chatham island escapees with him. News received via Taupo confirms the foregoing-. The Govern mtmt have lately held a series of land sales. On Monday last, at Roxburgh, Air. Thomas Geoige, Grvernment Surveyor, sold nine sections of laird ; on Tuesday, at A lexandra. two sections ; and on Wednesday, at the Court House, Clyde, sever! sections. Fair prices were obtained. The “ Winter Evening Entertainment” Committee announce a second performance at an early date. This will be for the benefit of the funds of the Dunstan District Hospital, and will consist of an exhibition of dissolving views, together with a concert by the Mblyneux Muistrels. The nomination of candidates for the office of Mayor of Alexandra is appointed to take place at the Council Chambers to-morrow. There are two candidates in the field, Messrs. William Theyers and John Cole Chappie. The poll (if any) will take p'lacC on Thursday next. Tire new iron Telegraph poles are now Greeted for some distance beyond r dyde, are a preat improvement upon the old wooden ones, as the men at woak proceed the old poles are cut down, thus destroying-some four to six feet, for what reason this is dttnfe is not apparent. The Melbourne correspondent of a contemporary savs:—“ The Me! bourne Town Hall, about which newspapers have for sometime past been speaking with a kind of hushed awe, as if (he subject wee too grand to be airlessly touC ed,is almost completed and great preparations are afoot for the inaugural ceremony. I read that the Mavor of Mel'-ourne proposes to spend 3:0007 out of his own pocket in feting the public on that great occasion. What a noldo munificent ! and what a Ve-y great, occasion! Real 1 y a Town Hall seems to he the most important of institutions—the one building nee Tnl to make a city perfect —the crowning glory so to speak of a long series of architectural triumphs. Having myself a strong prejudice against mayors and aldermen, I fail to see the usefulness of Town Halls They mav be ornamental, and expensive and imposing; but I doubt whether they are worth the money paid f r them; and I am sure that to spend 3,0007.’ upon the inauguration of one is a sad waste of money. Consider how much good might he done with that handsome sum of money—how many paupe s it would feed and clothe; bowmany of the sick it would help ■'o heal. But 1 torget, Society dons not take much note of people who feed the poor and heal the sick, win Teas sneietyhas a great affection for people who spend thousands of pounds upon public balls and concerts. So perhaps this expen.iiture’of 30007 may be a good investment. His wealthy worship maypme fop good society, may long for the sweets of gentility, mav hanker after admission to the halls of aristocracy,—and may consider these olqects of desire cheap at 30007. I have only one other remark to make. I hope the new Town Hall will be finished before it is inaugurated. Melbourne may be justly proud, then will it be a thing hitherto unknown in that great city - a completed public buildings”

An English, ’paper says:—lt may not be generally known that there is at tins moment lying at the Bank of England the sum of 20,000/,, lodged there by some zealous botanist, as a reward to the man or woman (who shall produce a blue dahlia. We know not whether this is a myth or a fact; wo have obtained the information from a periodical of a year or two back, and give it on our contemporary authority, hoping that it may leacl some of our botanical readers to set their wits to work to produce the required marvel. It does appear strange that dahlias of almost everv hue of the rainbow have been pro* duced with the exception of green and blue; and why should these exceptions exist,

Mr. John Alloo, Chineselnterpreter has informed us, that six hundred of his countrymen are on their way for this colony and may be expected daily. The majority of these are new chums just arrived in Melbourne, and they re-chartered the vessel to carry them to Otago. Wo are likely, at no Very distant date, to be in telegraphic communication with the mother country. From a Wellington paper we learn: —“Mr. John W. Blackett, who represents the Telegraph Construction and Main*enance Company of London, has been in communication with one of our leading merchants, who is furnishing him with letters of introduction to our leading men. The object is to lay a submarine cable from Tasmania to Southland, to Connect with the wires, and thus pl'epare the way by the end of next year to unite the colonies with England by means of tlie Indian -lines.”