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Dunstan Times, Issue 466, 24 March 1871, Page 2

The inconvenient situation of the Clyde school house and its smallness has b’een severely felt for a long time past. We are glad to report however that it is in -QQjjfct tcmplation to bring in a hill duriiigJKne next session of the ProvincLlk Council to dispose of the school building and land. Should this bill be passed, a purchaser could be easily found for the land and building, and the proceeds would nearly suffice to erect a first rate and commodious school building on the glebe adjoining the teacher’s residence. This would be a most desirable change, and the sooner it is effected the better.

The poll for the election of a representative ot the Dunstan District in the Provincial Council was taken on Wednesday last. With the exception of Drybread, where there appears to have been some excitement, very little interest—and in Clyde none at all—was taken in the election. The return of Mr. Shepherd was considered such a certainty that scarcely any of his supporters in Clyde took the trouble to record their votes, and they were rather surprised to find that Dr. Niven had polled so closely to their candidate. The position Dr. Niven occupies on the poll is to be attributed to the Incessant and active canvas he has kept up for some months past, while Mr. Worth has only himself to blame for being last on./the list. There is not the slightest doubt that had he exerted himself, he would either have beaten Mr. Shepherd or would have given him a close run for it. The following are the numbers polled at the various polling-places : Shepherd. Niven. Worth.

The Manuherikia Race Company commenced sluicing on Wednesday last. The prosp cts obtained we e highly satisfactory. The official declaration of the result of the poll for the election of a member ot the Provincial Council for the Dinstau District will be made to-morrow (Saturday). We are informed that a protest Will bo entered against the validity of the election, on the ground that a polling-place at the Nevis was gazetted, but no poll was taken there. At the instance of the Municipal authorities the police are stringently' carrying into effect sanitary measures in Clyde, which will be of great benefit to residents. For a long time past the state of some of ..the back premises has not been very far short of disgraceful, and would have proved a most effective aid to scarlet fever or”any other epidemic, that might be iutr educed. Now that the police have commenced we hope they will not relax their efforts until the town is thoroughly cleansed. As yet the dreaded scarlet fever has approached no nearer to its than the west bank of the Molyneux, near Alexandra. In the Clyde School House, however, sanitary precautions have been,taken, -which will, it is to be hoped, help to prevent the introduction of the malady. At an extraordinary-general meeting of the shareholders of the Aurora Quartz Mining Company, Registered, held at Kidd’s Cromwell Hotels Cromwell, on Saturday last, it was decided to let the claim, plant, &c , on tribute.' An advertisement inviting offers from quartz miners appears in another column.

Somebody has been prying into the secrets of the census at Queenstown, and has imparted to the Evening Star the information that Air. Shepherd described himself in the column devoted to rank, occupation, &c., as Member of the House of .Representatives. Air. Shepherd informs ns, that ho intends to demand an inquiry into the matter.

The intelligence brought by the San Francisco mail seems to indicate that the Franco-Prussiari war is virtually at an end, the siege of Paris having terminated in its surrender, and resistance in other parts of France stamped out. Bourbaki’s army having been driven into Switzerland and the others entirely dispersed. France lies prostrate at the feet of Germany, and will have to give any terms that may be demanded. The greatest tragedy of modern times has been played, and with the spectacle of King William entering Paris at the head of his conquering legions the curtain will probably fall, A full telegraphic summary of the news (published by us as an ‘ Extra” on Monday last) will be found in,another column.

Now that the evenings are beginning to lengthen, the possessors of the histrionic talent of the district should bestir themselves. There should bo but very little difficulty in getting up a good Amateur Dramatic Club, if the matter is only properly started, There are many charitahlet objects to which the proceeds of enter, tainments given by such a club could, be devoted, and the success in this direction attined last year ought to encourage similar efforts. Besides au occasional entertainment will somewhat relievetobothperfonnersand auditors the not over exciting life in Clyde during the winter months. it was stated in the Warden’s Court, Clyde, on Tuesday last, that the proper marking of claims, as directed by the Mining Regulations, had been generally neglected on the Otago Goldfields. Should such bo the case, wo recommend those interested to comply with the Regulations at once, and, for their information, we publish the section refering to the pegging off of claims :—“Every claim shall be marked ft each corner by a peg or cairn of stones, not leas than two feet high, and by right-angle trenches, not less than six inches in depth and five feet in length, extending on either side of such peg or cairn in the direction of the boundaries of the claim, and such pegs, trenches, or marks shall bo maintained during the occupancy of the ground ; provided that when any corner cannot be marked, on account of the nature of the ground, the peg, tren.h, or mark may be nearest practicable point, and frfim and after the time of such claim being xromarked: it shall be the property of the person so marking the same, unless it shall subsequently become forfeited or shall be, within the meaning of these regulations, abandoned.

The “Charles Dickens” panorama, advertised for exhibition here last Friday night, did not put in an appearance, then, nor has it yet arrived. We have hoard that its owners, after coming as far as Black’s, from some inscrutable cause, turned to the right-about, and retraced their steps.

Through a typographical error in our last issue the amount realised at a concert at St. Bathan’s, on behalf of the Dunstan District Hospital, was mis-stated. The amount should have been £ll Bs. Gel.

On account of the spread of scarlet fever at Switzer’s the Resident Magistrate there has prohibited the holding of public meetings at hotels. The Sydney Government have determined to release Lorando Jones, who, our readers will recollect, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment recently for blasphemy, on his own personal bond for his good behavior for twelve months.

The poll for the election of a member of the Provincial Council for the Kawarau District will be taken on Tuesday next. The three candidates, Messrs. Hickey, Marsh, and Hughes, have been expounding their views in various parts of the district during the week. We have seen no reason to alter our opinion of the result expressed in our last week’s issue.

The anniversary ball of the Court Star of Cromwell (Ancient Order of Foresters) took place at Kidd’s Cromwell Hotel on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till supper.was announced, and after it nad been disposed of, and the proper toasts and speeches given, Terpsichore’s votaries footed it merrily till the diurnal fracture warned them it was time to retire. At the supper table Mr. Marsh presided, Mr. Talboys officiated as M.C., and the musical department was uud°r the charge of Mr. Whether. Mr. George Fache will sell by public auction, at his rooms, Clyde, to-morrow afternoon, at two o’clock, one-fourth share in the dredge Garibaldi and in the claim worked by it. There are ten dredges on the Molyneux River between Clyde and Alexandra, e ght of which are actively at work. All are y ielding'good, and some, extraordinarily good returns. Mr. Robert Bedborough, agent for the Bank of New Zealand at the Arrcw, died suddenly on Tuesday last. Mr. Bedborough had many friends on the goldfields, who will deeply regret his untiipely decease. The Right Rev. Dr. Moran, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, arrived in Clyde at eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning. He took his departure at three o’clock p.m,, accompanied by a number of horsemen, the majority of whom came from Cromwell for that purpose, the remainder being residents of Clyde. On nearing Cromwell the Bishop was met by a large cavalcade of equestrians, which amalgamated with those from Clyde, and formed a most imposing escort as they entered Cromwell.

The Wai Keri Keri water cases were again brought before the Warden’s Court on Tuesday last, and again adjourned. The reason for the adjournment was that Mr. Feraud had telegraphed to Mr. Brough, informing that gentleman he (Mr. Feraud) was confined to his bed through sickness. Some amusement was created in the Conrt by the reading of the telegram, fs on tho day previous) to its being ..despatched Dir. Feraud hadjligured largely tit the Governor’s levee. The Warden apparently thought that the honor of an interview with Sir George Bowen had proved too much for Mr. Feraud, and was suflicientto cause liiA. illness.

A contemporary informs us that if tjj' necessary arrangements can he made, itfls intended to consecrate the Bishop of Dunedin, on Ascension day, May 21. The ceremony of turning the first sod of the Clutha Railway was performed hy the Governor, on the 18th instant. The work is now being vigorously proceeded with, Nimblefoot won the principal races at Geelong, also the Australian cup at Melbourne.

By an advortu ement coin mu, it will be. sfeen that Mr; Gilbert of the Seaman’s mission, will give a lecture on “ Tin and Copper mining and Deep Sinking” to night, proceeds are to be devoted to the Seaman’s Mission. We are informed that Mr. Gilbert is an able lecturer, and that his discourses are both instructive and attractive. Irrespective however of the excellence of the lecture, the object for which it is given ought to gather a large attendance.

The Invercargill races took place on the 17th and 18th instant. In spite of a drizzling rain, there was a good attendance of visitors.fMaiden Plate of 20 sovs.— Mr. Machrce, 1 ; Mr. Hawkshaw’s Ymfng Leamington, 2. Banker and Maori Pride had no chance. The pace was fast. Seven started. Town Plate of 40 sovs.—Mr. Sabnond’s Croydon, 1 ; Mr Rae s Duchess, 2. Four ran. This was a good race. For the Handicap Trotting Race there were seven entries. A local horse proved the winner. Ladies’ Purse of 20 sovs—Young Leamington, 1 ; Mr. Pollock’s Banjo, 2. Invercargill Handicap, of 60 sovs, a sweepstake of 3 sovs. each added —Mr. Rac’s Duchess, 1 ; Mr. Pollock’s Banjo, 2. No other horses ran. Handicap Hurdle Race, of 35 sovs.—Mr. Hardman’s Lily Dale, 1 ; Mr. Rae’s Stackpolo, 2. District Handicap of 20 sovs.—Mr. Patterson’s Prairie Flower, 1. Consolation Handicap, of 15 sovs.—Mr. Rae’s Stackpole, 1 ; Banjo,2. The weather was fine during the day. Harvestingoperations arobeing vigorously prosecuted in the Tiger Hill district. The crops are in fair condition, although the straw is light. Potatoes are also scarce. In consequence of the Ida Valley Deep Lead Company having declined to pay more than L 3 a week wages, the men employ ed_on their claim struck -work at the commencement of this week. There is an opening there now for twelve good men, at L 3 per week. The ground, is dry and for good men there wiH be permanent employment. Since writing the .above, the men who struck have resumed work at the rate offered by the Company. ' The ground on" the flat between Clyde and Alexandra has been declared open for the taking up of extended claims.

We have endeavored for some time past to understand the “attitude” of the Maoris, but have, through the imaginative nature of the telegrams, been compelled “to give it np.” We venture to predict that, should the residents of Otago and Southland bo compelled to read “native difficulty” telegrams for twelve months longer, a largo portion of Mr. Vogel's loan will have to be devoted to the erection of new lunatic asylums. It will be seen by our telegraphic despatches that the Governor intends to start from Dunedin for Christchurch, to-morrow morning, consequently on his present tour he will not visit the Goldfields. We again remind those not on the Roll that the time for registration expires on Friday next, the 31st instant. We are indebted to the “Pall Mall Gazette” for the following.—A large island is missing. Captain Plock of the barque Adolphe, bound from Iquique to London, states that while passing the New Hebrides Islands he discovered that Aurora Island had disappeared, and no trace of it was to be seen on the face of the ocean where it was before situated. What makes this occurrence more deplorable is, that Aurora . was one of the most fertile of the group of Islands of which it formed a member. It£B> was last seenin 1J.25., londitude 11)5. it is described as having been about six miles in length, and upwards of miles in breadth. Any information respect Ing it will be thankfully received, and it becomes a question whether a reward should not be offered for its recovery. If large islands take to disappearing in that fashion we shall soon cease to congratulate ourselves on our “ insular position.” There is, however, this consolation, that if England were to disappear like Aurora Island, there would, no doubt, be a rigid investigation made into the circumstances by the rest of the world. France would miss a useful depot for her refugees ; Ireland would suffer from ennui, with no one to abuse : and we may be sure that unless we had previously settled the “Alabama claims, America would .never rest until she had fished us up again.

The United Seates has attained som celebrity for its wonderful stories, but it is a long time since it produced so startling a one as this:—“A man named Southworth, living in Warren, Pennsylvania, has just ejected from his stomach a frog which had been living there for fifteen years. Mr - Southwork lias hail a great deal of trouble with that frog. It used to begin to croak at the most unreasonable hours. "When Southwork would go to church for instance, the frog would remain quiet until the congregation engaged in silent prayer, and then it set up such aterrible yowl that the sexton would run in and collar Southworth and drag him out to quiet down in the graveyard. Sometimes the frog would give a nocturnal serenade after Southworth was asleep in bed; then Southworth would rise, as mad as anything, and seize a stomach-pump and try to draw the frog up. But the subtle reptile had had that trick tried on him too often during those fifteen years, and it always shinned up the tube a piece, out of the draft, and waited until Southworth exhausted himself. Southworth never fooled •that frog a great deal. And when frogs -were in season, Southworth used to fish for ' this one with a fly ; but it always refuse I to rise, and the fly buzzed around so in Southworth’s alimentary canal, that it nearly tickled him to death. So Southworth had to wait till the other day, when tho frog thought it would come up and go and see a friend ; and when it did come up Southworth killed it with a fork. He says tho frog used to eat twice as much as ho did ; but we have been thinking it over, and it seems to us the statement must be exaggerated somehow,”

Clyde 14 12 8 Alexandra .. 29 10 6 Black’s 3 13 21 Urybiead 37 30 5 Totals .. 83 C3 40