Untitled

Dunstan Times, Issue 712, 10 December 1875, Page 2

We are requested to draw attention to ivlr Vincent Pyke's announcement to address the Electors at Alexandra to morrow evening, Saturday the 11th instant, at 8 p.m. Mr Fache requests us to draw attention to the Sale by Auction on Friday next the 17th instant, at Moa Flat of two brood and foals, and other property, in the estate of of Hugh M'Millan, deceased.

The river has not been so high for many years as it now is, and from the state of the weather we may fairly expect it to reach a still higher level. Great difficulty, and n 0 littiC danger is experienced in working the punts, and we are informed that unless the water subsides, all heavy traffic will be stopped. I Our Local Sports Committee announce that- the usual Caledonian Gaines will take place on the Clyde lie,creation Ground on Boxing Day 'Monday, tho 27th inst.) Programme to appear in future issues A social Quadrille Party was hold in the 1 Town Hall, Clyde, on Wednesday evening laJt, *'hß Brass Band providing music for the occasion. 7 n consequence of the evening being very wet, a heavy rain falling till nearly 10 o’clock, the number of ladles present was hut small.

Mr W. L. Simpson, the returning officer,informs us that he lias not yet received the writ for the Dunstan District, hut sothat tho elections and the Christmas and Now Year’s holidays shall not clash, he purposes, if possible, to arrange that the Poll will take place before either commences. We sound this note so that the electors may prepare for the coming event—the election of member of the new Parliament.

Through the courage and self-possession of Wm. Fraser, Esq., of Earuscleugh Station, a child was saved from a watery grave. It appears that on Monday morning last one of Mr Maokay's children fell into the Fraser Kiver, whilst it was in a flooded condition, on seeing which Mi Fraser throw off his outer garments and jumped in at the risk of losing his own life, and manfully struggled with the torrent till the child was landed safe on shore.

It is (reports a contemporary) understood we have it for a fact—that tho directors of tho Bank of New Zealand have given a bonus of Id per cent, upon the salaries of all officers who have been in their employ for twelve months and upwards, in recognition of their zealous services, and the success which Ins attended tiieir efforts. It is only about fifteen months since a similar compliment was paid. The Wakatip Mail says:—Mr Donald Reid’s expected visit to tho district lias been postponed, from some cause we have not learnt.

“ A collection of tho licensing laws in operation in Otago embracing the Ordinances of the Provincial Council and the Acts of the Assembly on the subject, with notes and memoranda,” is the title of a handy and useful pamphlet issued hy direction of the Provincial Government. The compilation is by Mr Sessions, clerk to Die Provincial Council.

Our friends at Queenstown have again started an Amateur Dramatic Club, which bMa fair to eclipse their old one having enrolled several new comers as members. It was our pleasure to witness one of their performances, which was given in the Library Hall, Arrowtown, on Saturday evening last. The performance consisted of three farces, the first of which was entitled “ Two Heads are Better than One,” which was well received. The character of Mr Strange (a short-sighted old gentleman) was remarkably well sustained by Mr Walker ; as was also Mr Maxwelton, a character sustained by Mr Garland ; while Mr Myers as Sammy Maxwelton, kept the house in roars of laughter. The other characters received their duo share of applause. The second ami third pieces were ably gone through, viz., “ A Thumping Legacy,” and “ Box and Cox,” but as space will not permit of a detailed account wo can only just remark that if the Lady Amateur who personated the character of Rosetta in “A Thumping Legacy ” was taken in hand, she would make a first-class actress. The Wakatip Mail says “ A gentleman informs us that the other morning he desired to try whether the trout really existed in the Town Creek, and after very little trouble, ho found them thriving in that tmrt of the creek that ni s through Mr Malaghan’s paddock. They are largo enough to grace a breakfast table, and our informant nays he caught two of this description and returned them to their proper element with regret.

We have to hold over ~ Competitors " letter til) next week for want of apace* The Tuapoka Times says Mr J, p. Hitching, of Moa Plat Station, kindly presented the sum of LSO aa a donation' to the Tuapoka Goldfield Hospital. The writer of “Loudon Town Talk” t the Melbourne Argus says “ With respect, by-tho-bye, to the Prince’s visit to India, I forgot whether I told you in my last that a notification had been sent from Marlborough House to all the penny dailies that His Royal Highness wished to dispense with ‘ special correspondents 1 Dr Russell of the Times, might bo accented by the whole of the Press in lieu of each paper having its own man. The dailies are veiy indignant, and one of them at least has sent to say that though Dr Russell has its highest confidence and admiration, it ventures to think that that gentleman has written himself out, and is no longer of much good. It also adds, that as to the ‘ facilities’ spoken of in the communication from the Prince, it can afford to dispense with them, having sufficient means at its own command to procure such. Finally, it has already fixed upon its special correspondent.” By latest accounts from Australia, scarlet fever is increasing in Victoria, two deaths occurring in the Lying-in Hospital. P. orn our exchanges we learn that it is spreading wide afield in this province, cases being reported from Dunedin, Milton, and Lovel.’s Flat. As cleanliness is one of the surest safeguards against that— orin fact any other disease--we would urge upon the Council to see that no stone is left unturned to remove everything that is in the least likely, to engender disease. Prevention is better than cure, and we consider no measure inexpedient, however arbitrary, the object of which is the protection of health. We have received from the Provincial Secretary’s office a table of the Ordinances passed during the last session of the Provincial Council, showing how they have been dealt wish by his Excellency the Governor and by ins Honor the Superintendent. Amongst the number to which his Excellency the Governor withheld his consent we notice “The Otago Gold Bonus Ordinance.”

Goldsborongh’s Monthly Wool Circular (Melbourne) reports that the season’s sale opened with a reduction of about Id on ordinary greasy, and to 2d on superior greasy and washed fleece and scoured. The highest rates obtained have been Is Id for a superior light-conditioned clip of 238 hales from the Benduck Station, and 2s 4d for a very choice lot of ISO hales beautifully got up washed fleece from the estate of Mount Emu. The reduction in the value of superior greasy way bo chiefly attributed to the absence of the demand for America, which caused such full rates to rule for the best descriptions last year. With reference to the conditioil of the clip, we find the bulk of the lots in the grease which have come into the warehouses are in lighter order than Inst year, and frequently rather tender in the staple. This is attributable to the scarcity of feed and water on many stations during the last autumn, and early in the winter ; and also to the cold wet spring, which has caused the fleeces to be less yolky than nsual. Purchases are being made for direct shipment ; and should there be any symptoms of a revival of the manufacturing interest in the United States, no doubt the orders now to hand will be largely supplemented by telecram as the season advances. A ship has also been laid on for Antwerp, to "ail about the end of this month ; and this being the first vessel sailing direct for that port with a cargo of wool, considerable interest is manifested in the result.

Mr Vincent T?yke, besides announcing: his intention to canvass the suffrages of the Dunatan District for a seat in the General Assembly, is in .person in the field. Wo may therefore expect, before the day of nominafion arrives, to hear his views and opinions on the all-important questions that are agitatng the mind of every elector from one end of the Colony to the other. Mr Pyke may be confident of success ; he must not, however, commit himself to the follyVif reckoning; without his host, as the possibilities are equally strong; that he may find himself in the minority instead of the majority on the day of election, and we very much question if “Titnon”has steered his bark to the right port when ho turned his sails in the direction of the Dnnstan. What have his Wakatip constituents done that he has deserted them ? Surely they are worthy of some consideration, but he has not so much as deigned to ask their opinions, nor even once to lay before them an account of bis stewardship. The Wakatip Mail says that “MrPykehas done badly”; but this dreadfully mismanaged journal is no reflex of public opinion.in the Lakes District. It is only that of Mr Henry Mandors—the embodiment of Queenstown wisdom —and from whoso foggy brains all local knowledge in the Lakes’district is said to emanate, Mr Manders and the Wakatip Mail occupying the position of the sieve, through which all good must pass ; and we may include the Arrow Observer, which journal also is devoted to Mr Manders’ interests, and whose columns bristle with his wisdom. From personal enquiry we find that public opinion at the Lakes is not entirely opposed to Mr Vincent Pyke. People there are greatly surprised that he does not again come foravard as their representative, and they feel themselves much disapnointed thereby. We are not aware of Mr Pyke’s political principles, although probably they will bo those likelyto secure the greatest number of votes. Still, wo opine that ho should first make a clean breast of it before his Lakes’ constituents, and explain why be deserts them before seeking election for this district.