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Dunstan Times, Issue 512, 9 February 1872, Page 2

The largest undertaking yet taken in hand by any one individual in the Dunstan District, is shortly to be commenced by Mr. John M'C'ormick, of Carriokton, late of Cromwell, it is the building of a bridge across the Kawarau river at a point between the two punts, leading direct from Cromwell to the Garrick reefs, it is of the suspension class, and of sufficient strength to bear the largest team and heavest load, Mr. M'C'ormick informs us the whole of the material is ordered, and will be on the ground within one month, when work will bo commenced. We have seen a document issued from the Government, giving permission for the erection of the structure, the right of levying tolls, and dealing with other privileges that is beyond our province in this issue to touch upon. The cost of the work will bo something considerable, and wo express a hope in which w r e feel as sured we shall be joined by all well wishers to the district, that Mr. M'C'ormick will meet with that reward for his pluck and enterprise ho so richly merits. On Wednesday night last, nr rather on Thursday morning, a most welcome storm of rain burst over the district. We fear it was not of sufficient duration to do a lasting good to the mining community', but to cattle owners it must be of groat value, as the grass was becoming scorched up for the want of moisture.

By our telegram from Dunedin it wili be seen that Isaac Samuels (formerly a resident in Clyde) was knocked overboard from the steamer Geelong, and drowned. It will be in the recollection of many of our readers that a brother of deceased, a fine intelligent lad, was killed some few years since, between Clyde and Cromwell, through the upsetting of a dray on which ho was riding. A moat destructive fire has been raging for some weeks past in the bush at Lake Hawea. We are informed by a resident in that district that the damage done is irreparable ; in fact, that the whole of the large area of timber is virtually destroyed, in addition to some twenty thousand posts and rails and a largo quantity of other timber ready for the market. For thewantofrainat Bencigo, eveything is very dull ; none of the mills are at work, and but few hands are in employment. The Cromwell Company’s Claim, and Colclough’s are the only two at work, employing in all only some dozen men. Messrs. Campbell ami Low notify, by advertisement in another column, they have six hundred bales of wool waiting transport to Dunedin The Government Life Assurance scheme appears to have been very popular throughout Westland, where, we understand, upwards of two hundred insurances were obtained during the fiveweeks Captain Baldwin stayed there. At Greymouth, we sll the Government obtained three times more business than did the Australian Mutual Provident. At Hokitika a novel expedient in the history of Life Assurance was resorted to in the shape of Religious Revivals, whether successfully or not wo have not heard.. Some very clever skits, entitled the “ Apostle of Life Assurance,” and “A Short Story,” appeared in the local papers, ridiculing the transition of our Insurance agent from the platform to the pulpit.— Westport Time ?. An assault by Signor Cagli of the Opera Company, now performing in Dunedin, on the e itor of Graham's Review at the corner of Prince’s and High Streets on Thursday the Ist instant, caused no slight stir ; the cause of the assault was a paragraph in that journal refenng to one of the ladies of the troupe. A contemporary in concluding its not ce o£ the affray, says:—“ When the affair was over, the police came up and cleared the corner, the spectators generally agreeing as they separated that the punishment was not half as heavy as its recipient deserved it should have been.”

The lea’o of sixteen and a half acres, on the Garrick Range, applied for by tho Golden Gate Company, wan granted yesterday by the Warden. It is idtended, so we hear, to float l it under the “ Limited Liability Act." Among onr telegraphic intelligence, pub'ished in previous issues, items have appeared referring to tho shooting into the windows of a Mr. Russell's house, and burning two stacks, the property of Mr. Russel. By >vay of clearing away the vagueness of these items wo publish tho following:—“Cryrus Haley, of the late Exchange Restaurant, has been arrested on a charge of attempting to murder Mr. Russell, and of setting fire to the Exchange Building, the Choral Society’s Hall, &o. The following are tho prrticulars of tho circumstances attending his arrest:— A little after midnight on Saturday, three stacks ofhay at Pah Farm were simultaneously burned. The watchman, who had been kept there for a few nights previous, saw a roan running away bnt failed to over take him. Mr,, Russell sent immediately for the police, and Inspector Broham took one road, sending men by the others. Mr Broham met a man on the road who attempted to run away, but after a long chase he overtook him and the man then presented a pistol. Mr. Broham closed with him, and succeeded in disarming and securing him. The man proved to be Haley, and he infercntially admitted having set fire to tho stacks. On his premises beingsearched there were found in them 500 cartridges, the balls in which were the same as those found in Mr. Russell’s house, and fitted the pistol. There were also found several pieces of cloth, and some tumblers of a curious shape presisely similar to those found with kerosene under the music hall. Luckily Haley while running must have let the spindle drop out of the revolver, as the chamber was missing. It was afterwards found and brought to the police-office, loaded. Great credit for the capture is duo to Inspector Broham and his success has given much general satisfaction. Haley, who was not in the least suspected, had been a considerable speculator in shares and is known to have bought Caledonians at I GO/, and sold them again at 301. His head has apparently been turned by this. He is known to have expressed himself strongly against Mr. Russell for refusing to re-let tho Insurance Company's building to him for a restaurant after tho fire and also to have hail a strong animus against tho* Choral Society for an alledged affront to his wife, who was reques ted by tho other members, some eighteen months ago, to resign. A late Marlborough 'Express states that tho crops cut and standing belonging to Mr Adams, ha>o been sold at auction by Messrs. Dodson and Fell, for 65 1, having been valued previous to the late high winds at 800f, to 1000 J. Tlrcpotatoo crop generally is looked upon this season as likely to turn out an almost complete failure in many districts of the Province of Canterbury. Twenty-six-thcnsnnd two hundred and eighty pounds of butter were shipped to London from Auckland recently. Sir William Stawell and D. Webster, Esq., M.H.R., have lately been making a tout of the Lakes. , For tho honor of representing tho Lakes District in the House of Representatives vice Mr. C. E. Haughton, resigned there is likely to bo a keen contest. Mr. Macassey of Dunedin, is spoken of as likely to contest the election with the local aspirants to Legislative honors, Messrs. Ilallerstein, of Queenstown, and J. Miller, of tho Arrow. Tho amount of damage caused by tho fires in the Province of Marlborough, there is at present no chance of computing. Sheep anil cattle in great quantities have been roasted alive by tho intense heat, and the feed has been entirely burnt off one vast area, tho question of most vital importance, nexto that of extinguishing the fire which is still raging, is what is to bo done with tho cattle and sheep whilst there is no grass. Atri weekly coach is nowrunning between Naseby and Dunedin, and tho wire pulling has commenced to secure to the Nasebyites a tri weekly mail. An extensive rush has set in to the Inangahua district, Westland, in consequence of theextreme richness of the quarts reefs lately discovered. Throughout thiVdistriot great inconvenience is experinced by farmers and other employers of labor, at the scarcity of hands ; harvest hands are demanding exorbitant wages, in some instances 20s. par week and found is paid. The JVellinfjlon Post says—Bets of a 1000 to I wore freely offered that a vote would appearon thenext estimatesforthe “Patriot Haughton;” and it is now announced “that the importance of tho duties which Mr. Haughton offered to undertake was such that tho Government did not see their way to make any appointments of a temporary and honorary character.’’ Bless their hearts, He does not “go in for honors.” He throw the idea to the wind long ago and looked after self and cash ; and has “ consented” to accept tho post of Under-Secretary of Public Works on thq Gold-fields and (tor a consideration) has resigned his seat in tho House of Representatives in order to enable him to do so.” Some people congratulate tho Government on theacqusition of Mr.Haughton’s services but we offer ours to the Colony and the Houseof Representatives on the removal from political life of one of those suckers who have materially lowered tho tone of our Legislature and brought discredit on a pursuit which should he the highest aim of those who have the welfare of the Colony at heart. By advertisement which appears in another colum, shareholder’s in the Elba Estate Company are informed that a meeting will take place to morrow evening, Saturday, at tho fort Phillip Hqtel, for tho disposal of tho property.