NASEBY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 679, 23 April 1875, Page 3

NASEBY.

—o—(from cur own correspondent. April 19. The weather, which is generally considered a subject for a superfluous padding paragraph, is at present on Naseby the most important one. Since Xmas there has been next to nothing done in minin'*. Generally about March rain comes in sufficient quantities to keep the claims going till tho frost comes on, and the dry portion of the year is generally from November to March. This season, however, the programme has been changed—rain having fallen in sufficient quantities to keep mining alive till Xmas, and then (dropping off from that time to the present. To the unmarried, unsettled miner this is not however a great hardship, for the dry weather happens to he (the; harvesting season. The farming districts of Oamaru and Waitaki are not more than two days’ walk from this place, and thither in the dry season they repair, and make quite as good wages as when mining, for there is an immense demand, which is seldom overstocked. Early last week a good deal of rain fell, and from indications by tho glass, sky, &0., wet weather is prognosticated till the frost comes, yet there are some captious ones omong us, who say that the rain has just corns in time to become ice, which is nol£ altogether incorrect, for we have’a pretty strong foretaste of winter(here in May generally. Last Friday a public meeting was held to consider, which was the best locality for the 5,000 acre block on Messrs Saunders’ run. There was a large attendance, about one hundred; seeing that the notice of the meeting was so short, and shows the favor with which farming is looked upon in this district. A resolution of the Progress Committee was put to the meeting, to the effect that it was necessary the land should he taken on the lower part of the run near the Taieri, which was carried unanimously. Farming is all the rage here at present. It will receive a check presently, which is to he regretted, seeing that Naseby’s promi. nence as a mining township is gone, and that if it ever rises to prominence again, it mest be through some other industry than mining. Every one that can’t make as good a livihg as lie thinks he ought takes up his section and calls himself a farmer. Of course, through this, there will be a great many who know nothing about farming, and will most probably fail, for fanning requires knowledge as well as other industries. Those that fail will thou come back, and say that the land is no good, because they did not know how to utilise and work it. One is talked of who is building his ence with little chippiugshf tussocks,(piled one upon another. The temperance movement is creating a change here already in regard to refreshment rooms. Before the Good Templars came, one coffee house alone could he supported with twelve hotels, now we have three, the proprietoi of the Ancient Briton Hotel has added coffee and tea to the list of refreshments provided, and also, to entice and keep up his trade, lias reduced the price of billiards to six-pence per game. On Saturday night last a coffee room on a much larger scale than has hitherto been attempted, was started, MrMorrisonhaviug opened one in a part of his premises lately used as a carpenter’s shop. The establishment is solely for refreshing and reading purposes. The rooms are comfortable, large, well warmed, and attendance prompt. Various games are played to amuse visitors, such as draughts, chess, backgammon, &o , and a variety of newspapers are kept upon the tables. If it is to he attended as it was on the opening night, it will he a great success.

The first case before the new District Court Judge, (Judge Harvey) was heard last Saturday. John Griffiths, a man from Cambrian applied through the Bankruptcy Act for his Certificate as a bankrupt; a hearing of about five hours ensued, during which some extraordinary statements wore made as to the manner in which he had be come a bankrupt. The man uttered so many and flagrant untruths, and behaved himself in such an extraordinary manner that his Counsel deserted him. He said he had lost his ledger, did not know where it was, had no suspicion of anyone, in fact, its disappearance seemed to him a mystery. His wife also supported his evidence. Ho stated that it had cost LGO to come to Naseby ten times, the distance being forty miles. He also stated that ho had had money at the bank, that ho came and drew it out, and on his road home lost more than LIOO of it, ho having over 1,200 at the time he started. On being questioned ns to

how bo lost only the half, how in losing the half ho did not lose the whole ; ho said ho had the money in two parcels, over 1/200 being too much to carry in one pocket. Tho opposite Counsel remarked, ho thought it would bo very convenient. His evidence was so apparent a string of untruths, that tho Judge in summing up said he did not believe a word of his losing tho money on tho road, and he believed tho applicant and his wife knew perfectly well where tho ledger was. He would suspend the certificate for three years. If it had not been for his wife and little children he would not have allowed him to leave tho Court, but would have committed him for trial; as it was tho papers would bo sent to tho Crown Prosecutor, who could follow up the case if he chose. The applicant was allowed to leave the Court, although he is nob safely out of the ease yet. Tho Judge is evidently not to bo trifled with.