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Dunstan Times, Issue 659, 4 December 1874, Page 2

We are requested to draw special attention to the sale by auction advertised in another column. Buyers of horses will do well to attend the sale on the 18th instant at Cromwell, as a first-class lot will bo offered.

The store of F. Meyer and Co., Lawrence, was partially destroyed by firo on Sunday afternoon last The estimated damage is not yet ascertained, and tbc cause of the fire is unknown. The stock and buildings were insured for upwards ot L 2.000.

The day’s racing provided by the Alexandra folk for New Year’s Day (see programme) should draw a good field of local horses. In the evening a Concert and Ball will take place in aid of the funds of the Dunstan Hospital, at which wo hope to see a great crowd.

The report of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden’s Courts we have to bold over through pressure on our space. From the same cause we have had to condense into the smallest possible space the reports of Presentations, Ball, &0., of Tuesday last. We (Mount Ida Chronicle are requested to intimate that there is no truth in the minor that Mr A. Holland, of Blackstone Hill, will contest the vacant seat for the district in the Provincial Council.

At the sitting of the Waste Lands Board held on Wednesday, the 25th nit,, Mr A. R. Mackay applied to purchase an acre of ground at the corner of Stockton and Whithy streets, Clyde. The application was refused.

We learn that early in the week two men in a hut on the Sludge Channel, who weio Bald to be “ on thespree,” burnt themselves out in the middle of the night. Both got badly burnt—the one more in trying to pull out his comrade than from self-preservation. About LlO apiece in cash, and all their bedding and clothes, were destroyed.—Mount Ida Chronicle.

The concrete ceiling of the new Court House at Lawrence, on the supports being removed fell down bodily. Tho clever veutriloguist Val Vose, assisted by Miss Jennie Payne and Professor Saunders, will give entertainments in the Town Hall, Clyde, on Friday and Saturday evenings, the 11th and 12th instants. From the accounts of this gentleman’s performance for a genuine evening’s amusement, we Would recommend one and all to pay him a visit. {See advertisement in another column.)

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Clyde Town Council to have been hold on Wednesday evening last, lapsed for the want of a quorum. The absence of some of the Conncillois we understand was unavoidable, pressing business preventing their attendance; that, however, was not the case with others, who could have been present, and we think it a very great pity that a.meeting was not held, as business of the utmost importance is awaiting attention, the most pressing perhaps, receiving tho plans and specifications for the bridge. The Arrow Observer says “ Potatoes are a very scarce article in this market at presant, and tho price has risen to about Ll4 per ton, tho supply being limited even at that figure. Only a few months ago, they could scarcely be disposed of at L 3 per ton, holders being anxious to sell. We hear of one farmer who had over forty tons on hand which have been devoted to feoding pigs. This quantity would now represent a sum over L4OO. Oats are also rising in price, being now up to - 4s 6d per bushel. There are very few holders willing to part at the price quoted. These facts show the necessity for farming being conducted more systematically. The present mode simply enriches a few shrewd speculators, while ti c original producer in many cases sells at a loss, through misconception or ignorance of the market.”

Tlio newly formal road from Butcher’s Cully to Clyde, via Earnsclongh Station is finished, or to speak more correctly, the sum of money (L 100) voted for it is expended. We travelled over the road the other day, and we can safely say that, for the money expended, a great amount of very heavy work has been done, reflecting great credit on the Manager. We think it a pity that the work should have been stopped when only halt finished, and we hope our district Member will exert himself in obtaining a further aura, so that the i oad can be completed. The parts of the road more particularly requiring attention, are, the crossing of the Fraser river, and the extreme end abutting on the Alexandra road.

There is reason to believe that base coin is being circulated in Dunedin at present. Wo were last night shown a counterfeit shilling which was taken at an hotel in town yesterday, or the day previous. It certainly was a most excellent imitation, and was evidently the work of some one who undei stood his business. It was quite new in appearance, and boro the date 1573. So far as appearance is concerned it would be quite impossible to detect any difference between it and a genuine shilling. Base coin of this kind may, however, be readily detected by throwing it on a tableor counter when it will emit a heavy dull sound instead of the usual ring of silver. If there bo much coin of this description in Dunedin at present it is probable that an attempt will he made to pass some of it at the races to-day so it is as well that tradesmen should bo on their guard. The New Zealand Herald is responsible for the following ;—“ A wealthy quartzminer lately fell ill, and for some weeks his life was despaired of. However, a naturally strong constitution enabled him to pull through, and he is now little or nothing the worse for the attack. One of the first things which he had to do after his recovery was to pay a rather heavy milliner’s hill for his dear wife. The principal items were for a complete mourning outfit—black silk crape, in fact, everything complete for the rdle of the disconsolatorolict. The husband cut up a little rough at first, hut the wife reminded him that he always liked to see her well-dressed, and dressmakers in this country were so dilatory that, if she had not given the order beforehand, there is no knowing when her weeds would have been ready. Under any circumstances, there were the clothes, and as life was, at the best, uncertain, it was always handy to hare them in the house.”

The following is from the Poll Moll gazette:—“ I always feared I should neverrear that child,” said an old lady of 00 on hearing of the death of her son of 70. A venerable old Scotchman, of the name'of John Holiday, hj s lately, according to a Canadian journal, been in search of three septuagenarian sons who had settled in Canada. On reaching Kingston, where ho supposed them tc he living, he found they had moved away to Manitoba, and, not being prepared to go farther in search of the truants, he sent home to the “ babbies ” (probably grandchildren of 50 for money to take him back again. The veteran, regardless of Mr Thomas and other sceptics regarding longevity, fixed his own age at 102, and that of his youngest darling—at 76. Even this is flying authority, but the reporter of the Kingston Daily News so far forgot himself as to add that the old man bids fair to live another score of years. We trust, this may be so, as the “babbies” will then begetting nicely out of hand ; but should men of science prove right, and so long a tether be out of the question, it may be hoped that the aged emigrant will, at all event?, get baak to theyoungstors and to his Scottish hoiiie in safety.

The'i'uapuka Annual Eaco Meeting is fixed for .Thursday add Friday the 21st and 22nd of January, ,1875. It is a long time since Clyde has been favored with the presence of so many Celestials, who, apparently take deep interest in the proceedings of the Law Courts especially, as will be seen by our Police report that two attacked one Ah Tack at Black’s, but the injuries inflicted were of a very trivial character, it being that the whole disturbance originated over the prior right to a tail-race, but poor Ah Tack was more frightened than hurt, and heat a hasty retreat, leaving his jacket with all his worldly goods and chattels on the ground, and as might he expected upon bis return the coat was found, but the money had vanished. This was bad enough, but it was nothing to the fright sustained by the proseuctor, who went to tho Hospital, and after spending a very restless night, gradually recovered his equanimity, and under the protecting wing of the police, mustered sufficient courage to charge [them with assault, with attempt to rob. Messrs Yup Man and Ah Poy do not resemble very amiable persons, but on the contrary, person*! appearances were strongly against them. They are powerfully built, whereas the prosecutor is a slim overgrown man, and not very well fitted to do battle or engage in the “deadly fray.” During thehoaring some of the Chinamen in Court were not at all particular in making remarks to the witnesses, and by so doing disturbed the business of the Court, but we were pleased to find that the Eesident Magistrate ordered tbo Court to be c’caved of the distinguished visitors, which evidently was not relished by the disciples of Confucius. It is satisfactory to find that the Magistrate acted so decisively, as wo have had on more than one occasion cause to refer most pointedly to the absence of that respect so noticeable w’th Chinamen when giving evidence in cases, or appearing as litigants. Through the courtesy of Mr Inspector Moore we have been informed of a lire that took plrce at 3 p.m. on th© first instant at Blacks, whereby the dwelling-house of Mr John Leitchfield was in a few minutes burnt to the ground. Constable M ‘Gann was aP most immediately on tbo spot after the fire showed itself, hut could do nothing to prevent its spreading, owing to the want of water. Mr Leitchfield states that he had only left his house about ten minutes when the fire broke out—that he had lit a tiro in tho stove to cook his dinner, which was burning when he loft, and that a spark must have caused the ignition. Mr Leitchfield had L 5 in Bank-notes in the house at the time of the conflagration, which, together with his clothes, bedding, &c., were consumed. Mr Leitchfield estimates his loss at L4O, and is uninsured. Considerable sympathy is expressed, as tho loss presses somewhat heavily just now upon him