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Dunstan Times, Issue 534, 12 July 1872, Page 2

The stir throughout the Province created by the Coming Municipal Elections is plain evidence that the Municipal Institution is highly prized, and .the honor of holding office is not meanly thought of. For the Mayoralty of Clyde two candidates are already in the field, and rumor saith that one or two others will put in an appearance on the day of nomination, For the two gentlemen who have announced themselves as candidates for the Mayoralty - Mr. D. MThersnu and Mr. J. U. Cambridge—the voices are pretty even, and, if none others should present themselves, .vkcen contest is anticipated. Both candidates are well up in the routine of office; having in former years occupied seats at , the Council table ; and therefore each is quite eligible for the office. For Alexandra there are several gentlemen named as likely to contest the seat ; but we are not in a position to give names. At Cromwell, the field is in the hands of two. namely Mr. James Taylor, the present Mayor, ami Mr. Councillor M. Fraer. For the honor of occupying the civic chair great exertions .'will he ma ’e, and the strength on either side will be very fairly tested. At Queenstown, three Councillors will seek the honor. Intelligence is to baud of the death on Monday evening last of Mr. Hutton from 'off Richards’s Punt by drowning in the Kawarau River under somewhat similar circumstances to the one that oconred some few short months ago, to what we allude was the death of Mr. George Goss, Engineer to the Royal Standard, Garrick range 'who in, the darkness of the night cither stumbled and fell from the Punt or walked over it into the river; particulars of the sad event now before us we extract from the Cromwell Argun. “Mr Hutton ledtheway down to the punt the ferryman following at the distance of a few paces, and having a lantern in one hand. The men were engaged in conversation until they reached the punt. The night was rather dark, and the ferryman proposed placing his lantern at the end of the gangway next the opposite "side of the river. When the ferryman was about midway between the landing stage and the farther extremity of the deck, he saw Mr. Hutton stumble, his foot having most likely caught on an iron screw nut, or struck against one of the iron bauds which serve to strengthen the “ tail board.” A moment later the ferryman" heard a heavy splash : his companion had disappeared for ever in the cold, dark, relentless current. Half a dozen fathoms astern, and in all probability within a few inches of the bight of the tail-rope or stern line, was presently heard a sound as of a man regaining his breath after immersion. Nothing could be seen, ar>d there was no cry for assistance. An unavailable search has since been made forthedody.” The frequent recurrence of accidents on one or other of the many punts that ply across the New Zealand rivers, points to the necessity of their being placed under Government supervision, and Road Engineers could, without aoy extra trouble, undertake this duty, and they should he empowered to stop the plying of any punt that required repairing, or until its construction was so comnlete as to ensure the safety of life and property ; a pair of light swinging gates would be no great expence, and would have saved the two valuable lives whose untimely loss it has been our sad duty to record. The following has been handed to ns for publication : Office, Dunedin, 28th of June, 1872.—T0 Mr. W. A. Low, Galloway Station.—Sir, — I have been desired to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22ml inst., enclosing copy of the proceedings of a meeting of sheep-owners, held at Clyde, on the 14th inst., and to acquaint yon that the Chief Inspector of Sheep has advised the Government that, at present, there is no cause for alarm as to the spread of scab in the district. Should, however, it be considered desirable, the Government will he prepared to appoint paid Inspectors, in terms of the 3rd Section of “The Sheep Inspection Assessment Ordinance' 1871.” —I am, &c., Alex. Willis, Undersecretary.” On Wednesday evening next, the 17th inst,, the usual monthly entertainment will be given in aid of the funds of the Clyde Church. •

On Friday night last one of the most violentlof storms burst over Alexandra and the district,and committed a vast deal of intury, blowing down several lengths of flaming and doing other damage that will cost a deal of money and time to replace. The hopes of the miners of beiilb able to resume mining operations are again knocked in the head, by a repetition of hard frosts, which have again rendered iron-bound their water races. This compulsory idleness on the part of the miners is materially affec - ing every branch of business, and nothing . but complaints are heard from every quarter. Mr. Henry, the coach' proprietor, who lately met with the severe accident of a capsize into the Molyneux, recovered a portion of the vehicle, consisting of the body and hind wheels, on Monday last some distance below where the catastrophe occurred. In consequence of the wretched state of the roads, wo have agaihjto state that our Tuesday night’s Mail did not arrive until one o’clock on Wednesday. We congratulate ourselves that Mr. H. Nettlefold accomplished the journey so quickly, as from all accounts received from travellers and others, the roads are in some parts almost impassable. The severe frosts that’ have again set in, render the roads hard, but we are afraid when the thaw sets in, they will he in a worse state than ever. Mr, Faoho wishes us to notify that, after the sale of the Bendigo Hotel. Clyde, on Friday, the 19th insfc., he will submit to public competition a thorough-bred racing mare, also, a few first class draught horses and saddle hacks. Owing to the stoppage of the Clyde Coal Pit, the Cromwell Coal merchants are competing with those of Alexandra In supplying the demand. The Cromwell coal is being obtained from a newly discovered seam on the hanks of the Kawarau, between the two punts. The coal is spoken of as being the best in the district, ami its discovery just now to Crcmwcll especially is most opportune, as the old j it has lately fallen in. A correspondent writing to the Arrow Observer says: —The road from Arrowtown is dreadfully soft and the waggons are got over it with difficulty. Your Correspondent met on Sunday last two heavily loaded waggons going down and thought it amatter of regret that waggoners couldnot ho brought to ohservs the Sabbath. Although it has been asserted that you cannot make men virtuous by Act of Parliamenta finestrictly enforced for such offences as this might have a salutary'effect. From the Cardrona wo learn that a shaft has struck goodgold on the flat atadepth of 90 feat. A great deal of bottom water has to be overcome. As lignite is procurable, an engine on the flat would assist the miners materially. At Branch Greek the claims are turning out well. The gold is very fine, and the introduction of copper plates coated with quicksilver, as used at the West Coast would be advantageous. John Chinaman is not to have it all his own way on the Cardrona. Most of the Claims are owned by Europeans who also possesses most of the available water supply. We are requested to draw attention to ‘the advertisement in another column of the sale of the Bendigo Hotel. This well known house being in the market should draw a large attendance. There is not the slightest doubt but that it is capable of doing the best business in the district, and in the hands of a steady persevering couple would realize a competency in the course of a very few years. Writing about Schaefer, the German traveller the Bendigo Advertiser says: —Adversity misfortune, and circumstances the occurrence of which he had never anticipated utterly exploded Schaefer’s brilliant prospects of travelling all over the face of the civilized world at least for the time being. The little man has been pulled up in his pilgrimage and has been compelled by sheer necessity to adopt the ordinary vocations of life to win the bread that perisheth. From associating with the illustrious personages of the world and being extolled as one of the wonders of the age poor Schaefer has been reduced to the necessity of getting his living by selling second hand jewellery in the city and suburbs of Sandhurst. Something like a scene occured at the Court on Monday, between Mr Beetham, R. M., and Mr Barton solicitor. It occured in this wise. Thedate of hearingofa summons had been filled in by Mr. Barton without consulting the officers of the Court. This the Magistrate characterised as a piece of impertinence on the part of any counsel. Upon this something like the following occurred:—Counsel—What right have you to addres me so you should consult the Act of which you show no knowledge. You should consult the Act before using such language. , The Magistrate—l know the Act as well as you and if you address me in Court in that manner I shall ask you to leave it or take means to make you leave. Counsel You can act as you think fit. I have stood a good deal of this and am determined to put a stop to it. Hereupon the Magistrate again warned Mr Barton, and the squabble ended. From the Daily Times telegrams we take the following : —“ The Ministerial elections are all in favor of the Ministry by a majority of three to two. The Catholic Bishop (Dr. Coold) issued a pastoral, dictating opposition, “ even to shedding blood.” It is believed that it had an effect upon the elections favourable to the Ministry. Father Horbctt delivered a political sermon at St. Hilda, hut he snbesquently retracted all he had said, ami sent a letter to that effect.—Telegraphic communication, except an interval iff two hundred miles bridged by horse express, has been opened between England and Australia. It is expected that messages sent will be eight days in transit.—The Speaker of the Sydney Assembly ordered a man named O’Connor. ; out of the Sp; akeris Gallery, on the grounds that he was a cm. si a to the youth who lately attacked the Queen.—The bodies of Lester and Nichols, the Paramatta mnr- , derers, were exhibited after execution. The I undertaker is to be prosecuted.