FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 717, 14 January 1876, Page 2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1876.

What with die Christmas holidays and the elections, the public mind of Otago has been kept pretty well alive of late ; happily, however, one excitement is over, while there is well nigh an et.d to the other, and we shall be able to settle ourselves down to the ordinary routine of the duties of our daily life again. Although, upon ordinary occasions an election for the General Assembly leaves intervals of five years between, it is mo-o than possible that ere the end of the present Session an appeal will be made to the country on the question of our future constitution. It is a very serious matter to introduce any new form of government into a country without first consulting the wishes of the people and although many may approve of the Abolition of Provincialism, few can do so in respect to the manner in it was brought about, and there is little to doubt that, had the Government only confined themselves to Sir Julius Vogel’s resolutions in respect to the South Island Provinces, and let the experiment of their Abolition work itself out, some satisfactory issue would have been arrived at, and the unconstitutional proceeding of including the South Island provinces would not have been held to be an attempt to evade the liberties of a free people. Could the North Island provinces have got along in any way approaching to a satisfactory manner ; the abolition of those in the South Island would have quickly followed, not because of its being forced upon them, but from the spontaneous demand of the people. As matters are at present, even when

the House of Assembly does meet, everything will be in a state of chaos: there is no defined system laid down for the future government of the country —there are numerous scheme but nothing is said how they are ti be worked out j all that can bo sail , upon the matter is that, the variou. factionists have jumped at conclusions without consulting the opinions and wishes of others. Such, being the state of affairs, when once the form oi a Constitution has been arrived at, an appeal to the country is indispensable, and it will be only upon that, that the real wishes of the country can be ascertained. It is to be hoped, however, that whatever form of Government is decided upon, that it will remain unaltered for a long time to come—nothing is so injurious to the interests of a country as continual changes in its form of government—it shakes the confidence of all persons adding commercial relations with it, while it also deteriorates the value of its landed estate. In the present position of New Zealand it is most desirable that its canstiturion should remain upon fixed principles, and not liable to be disturbed by conflicting political factions, and when taking into consideration the heavy indebtedness of the Colony, and the large amount of taxation necessary to pay the interest upon loans thorough confidence in the future is indispensably necessary. At the present moment our ability to meet ou" engagements cannot be disputed, but this calculation will scarcely hold good when the loans are expended. To be prosperous, while we are spending borrowed money, is an easy achievement, but this must come to an end some day, and when that time arrives we question very much whether the Colonists of Zealand will be in a position to bear a load of taxation, enormously greater in proportion than any other people in the known world. To import people, and scatter them like sheep upon the hills, will not help us; it can only make things worse, it may seemingly divide our indebtedness, and make it appear so much less per head, but the reality will be that everyone will be ever so much poorer, and less able to bear their burthens. There never was a time when it was so absolutely necessary that we should be living under fixed laws, and fixed forms of government; the prosperity and credit of the Colony is staked upon it. The days of experimental legislation are over, and the coming Pession of Parliament must see prepared a Constitution for the j future government of New Zealand, ! which shall not be up et again, or at 1 least for very many years to come

We are given to understand that Dr A. T. Thomson and lady are now on their way to this Colony, being passengers in the ship Wild Deer, which sailed from Glas.ew on November 6. Many friends will doubtless be pleased at this. We direct the attention of road contractors to the two contracts for formation and construction of roads, (See advertisements.) The want of the road from Clyde to Wai K„ri Keri Valley was demonstrated one day this week by a horse and dray load of chaff capsizing off the present track. The Inter-provincial Pigeon Shooting Match lately shot for and won by the Southern men, it appears, has to he shot over again, the Northern men only firing at 10 birds instead of 13. Out of fifty-three members now returned for the new Parliament, twenty-one are new members. The Tirm~u Herald in referring to the politics of the new members, savs We shall not attempt to indicate the political views of the new members because we no not know them, hut we do not believe many of the members themselves know them. The Bruce Herald says It is the intention of (Cobb and Go.) Messrs Chaplin and Co. to run a coach through from Milton to Queenstown in a day By the election returns we see that Sir George Grey has been returned for Auckland West, and the Thames therefore holds two seats. On Sunday morning next, the 16th inst., Bishop Neville is announced to preach at St Michael’s Church, Clyde. Besides the ordinary service the Rev. J. Dewe will be inducted into the curacy of the parish ; and Confirmation Service will also he performed, some seven or eight persona having prepared. In the evening the Bishop will preach at Cromwell. We have heard it rumored that the man Cunningham, who is supposed to have lately murdered a man at Lake Ohau, and for whose arrest a reward of LIOO is offered by the Government, has been captured at Naseby, Wo notice that harvesting operations have commenced at Bald-hill Flat, the reaping machine having been put into a,paddock of oats on the farm of White and Co. The crops ad through Bald-hill and Speargrass flats look remarkably well. The only complaint we have heard among the farmers is the fear of too plentiful a harvest, which, it is thought, will reduce the high prices that have ruled of late years.

We believe it ia contemplated to raise a team of Cricketers from the up-country Clubs and challenge Dunedin, the game to bo played at some central spot.. The idea, we think, is an excellent one and well worthy the consideration of all up-country Clubs. the charge against Jenkins for arson is mstponed till the legal flaws in the exunination at the inquest are removed. On argument used was that theiCoroner is lip '.crested in the National Insurance Company, the association that held a policy over tin building and stock destroyed. In dealing with a case in which the Lucknow Quartz Mining Company wore the plaintiffs, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court Dunedin, Mr Bathgate dwelt strongly on the practice of managers of companii s leaving blanks in their minute-books. His Worship said the habit in vogue appeare to be that of beginning new minutes on the top of a page and thus leaving blank sheet Now he was certainly of opinion that, in keeping a minute-book, there should be no blanks, as room was thus left for interpolations.

We leam from the Guardian that in the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on the 4th ins . when the Grand Jury had disposed of the bills submitted for their consideration, the Foreman said that they wished to brim un.ler the notice of the Court the great evils which resulted from storekeepers s readily cashing the cheques of people ahou ; whom they knew nothing. It afforded great inducement to commit the crime of forgery. His Honor said he quite agreed with the opinion expressed by the jury The crime of forgery was unfortunately a very common one. Publicans and storekeepers cashed these cheques without the slightest inquiry concerning the persons who brought them. The custom required to be put down with a strong hand. We understand that a subscription was set on foot on behalf of the shearer, Thomas Leal, who met with the severe ac cident in the Ida Valley Woolshed lately, which necessitated his removal to the Dunedin Hospital. The appeal was most liberallyjresponded to by his fellow>hearers and others, and the handsome sum of L 44 3s has been sent to his wife in Dunedin, of which sum L2117s G was collected in the Ida Valley shed ; Ll9 os 6d in the Little Valley Shed, and L 3 from residents at German Hill. The driver of a coach at Clutha was dealt with by some enraged passengers who had been placed in grievous bodily fear by the way in which Jehu drove furiously, in a very summary manner the other day. When the coach, contrary to the expectation of the occupants, arrived at its destination in safety, one of the party showed his thankfulness for having escaped from the imminent danger of being drawn over a precipice into the river, at the rate of 15 miles an hour, by knocking coaohee down, while some of his companions poured forth a torrent of abuse which must have been as great a punishment as the blow. Coachee, although belonging to a class who, as a rule, can protect themselves with what they are wont to call “ their bunch of fives,” bowed his head before an ind : gnant majority, and no doubt regretted that he had not put them all in the river. Perhaps he might if they had gone the return journey.

In a paragraph in our last week’s issue we noticed the prolific growth of strawberries in the garden of Mr Iversen, of Conroy’s Gullv. Since then we hare visited the garden, and are now fully prepared to believe that Mr Iversen was within the mark, in fact, we think he might, have said a ton weight, as that will be nigher the weight before the close of the season Besides the strawberries the garden is well stocked with nearly every description of fruit tree sui'ed to the district, inolu 'mg apple, pear, peach, anricot, filbert and hazel-nuts, grane, and the steal'er bernes, the whole bearing most excellent crops We further v'sited Mr Dawson’s ga-don, which is also in Conroy’s Gully, and there saw some of the finest trees in full bearing we have ever seen in the country, manv covering an area of fn'ly thirtv feet in diameter. Mr Dawson is cultivating bis garden on a different principle to that of Mr Iversen, keeping the ground under and around the trees free from all undergrowth, whereas Mr Iversen has the entire surface of the ground with strawberries. If from f h'"s fact is to be ascribed the growth of Mr Dawson’s treess as against those of Mrlversen’s, we should decidedly recommend the system to all owne- g of gardens. We were most kindlv and hospitably treated by both parties, who took no end of trouble in showing ns over their grounds, and we doubt not but the same treatment will he extended to other visitors. We have been informed considerable consternation has been caused in the commercial world by our paternal Government making a new Stamo Act, which, inter alia, states all affixed stamps attached to promissory notes must be cancelled by the maker only,

and all affixed stamps attached to bills of exchange must be cancelled by the acceptors only, and in such case each maker or acceptor, as the ease may be, must cancel the stamp by writing his name partly on each note and through the stamp. This Act came into operation on the first day of the present month. Some days ago the Guardian called attention to the tact that the Provincial Government had rewarded the late secretary to the Anti-Centralist League for his political services by giving him a snug billet. The statement—from its truth—of course offended Mr Donald Reid, who met the editor of the Guardian in the street the other day. Our contemporary says “ The Provincial Secretary resorted to throats of personal violence, and was kind enough to express a desire that ho had us at the Taieri for the purpose of striving to ‘ punch’ the editorial head. We are no prize-fighter, and much prefer fair argument to the punching of heads ; but of one thing Mr Reid anil the public may rest assured—we shall not suffer ourselves to bo frightened from the course we have chalked out for ourselves, oven though our continuances therein entails the necessity of having 13 rounds at the Taieri,

To show what may happen to a magistrate in Victoria, Mr Lane, P.M, ; at the meeting of tho Belfast Licensing Bench on tho 30th inat, road a document, of “which r.ho following is a copy, verbatim at li eratim ft was addressed, Mr Lane, P.M., Belfast “Notice.—lf you or Chambers or Grai oposo Fitzgerald’s lisenso death, will, ho your doom, have sense in time. You will io shot like dogs.’ Mr Lane remarked hat personally ho had no fear, nor would t influence the Bench in anyway. Th etter was then handed to the police. TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE. Queenstown, Jan. 8. The following is the result of the Election for the Lalie : - Manders 251 Bradshaw ... log Cope ... 35 One return is to come in which will increase Manders’ majority. Dunedin, Jan, 11. SJFor the Port Chalmers election Reynolds was returned by a majority of 56. For Waitaki, Shrimski and Hislop weie returned. January 13 The Arawata has arrived off Hokitika. The Warsaw training ship was burnt of! Vbiolich. All the boys were saved. The Fugitive Slave new regulations have been issued. The Press disapproves of them. America wants En land to come to an understanding to stop bloodshed in Cuba. The Orleans Princes have withdrawn from parliamentary life. Mr Wilkie, the Nelson Good Templar representative, died of typhoid fever. He was interred yesterday. An accident occurred to a buggy on Saddle Hill. The occupants are badly injured. The broken Cook’s Strait cable has not yet been recovered. The champion race in Victoria was won by Richmond, GoWsborough second, and Maid of all work third. Tue Supreme Cou-t has issued a rule against the elected Mayor of St Kilda, on the grounds of illegal nomination, etc. CHURCH OF ENGLAND, CLYDE. —o— The annual meeting of Parishioners was held in the Church, on Tuesday evening, the 11th instant. The Rev. J. Dewe occupied the Chair, and after opening the proceedings with a benediction, explained that the customary annual report of the Vestrymen had not been prepared ; he would, however, call on the retiring Churchwardens for their report, which was read and adopted. The election of Churchwardens and Vestrymen for the cunent year was now proceeded with, the following gentlemen being elected Churchwardens—Messrs J. F. Wilson and J. E. Stevens ; Vestrymen— Messrs Hazlett, Naylor, Cambridge, G. Clark, and G. Fache. The meeting then terminated in tho usual manner. t CHURCH OP ENGLAND PICNIC. —o— This treat, which was notified in our last issue, took place on AVednesdaj evening last, in the grounds attached to the Clyde Parsonage. At the appointed hour the whole of the children of the town, and many others who had come from surrounding places, were marched in procession to the grounds, headed by the Clyde Brass Band, where, on arrival, they sought the various amusements provided for them, the Band in the meantime continuing to play a succession of tunes in their customary efficient manner. The adults now kept arriving, and in a short while the grounds presented a most strikin'? and pleasing appearance, and at about 5 o’clock, when all, old and young, were engaged in some one pastime or other, there could not have been fewer than 200 persons in the grounds. The swings erected in the upper part of the grounds pioved the centre of attraction for the youngsters, skipping, the games of two’s and three’s and kiss in the ring for the youths and lasses, the circular swing attracted the more robust, while the mamas’ and pipas’ seated on the grass under the shale of the trees were quite content as lookerson of the hanpy and joyful scene. Tho arrangement for tea was carried out by a Committee of ladies consisting of Mesbames Dewe, Hazlett, S. Moore, Cambridge, Clark, and Wilson ; Mr T. Webb, caterer, and was of a most satisfactory character, and all that could be desired, no be'ter evidence being wanting than the hearty manner one and all partook of tho good things provided. The tea was laid out and served in the garden attached to the parsonage, and in the shade under tho trees. Tho tea being over a move was made again for the outside grounds, where the various sports and games were again entered into with spirit, when, at intervals, large quantities of fruit were carried round. A most agreeable ad-

dition of the pastimes was the dancing of several sots, to the strains of the Baud. At 8 o’clock a general thinning of the company took place, and by 9 all had left, having evidently, by their utterances, spent a happy and pleasant time. To conclude this brief notice of the first Church of England Picnic yet hold in Clyde, ■without mentioning the name of the promoter and the very spirit of the whole affair, the Rev. J. Dewe, it is not our intention, and when we say he worked hard, and was most indefatigable in his efforts to render everything pleasant, and make everybody happy we feel quite sure we but express the sentiment of each one who was fortunate enough to bo present ; nor must wo forgot Mrs Dowc, who likewise entered heartily into her self-imposed task. The Band likewise, which was a special feature, deserves mention, and in recording a vote of thanks to the leaders of the Band—Messrs Smith and Nottlefold—for their services wo do hut our duty. The day was wound up with a dance in the Town TTall, where about thirty couples were present.

CLYDE SCHOOL. f M,f -oThe Annual Statutory Meeting for the election of a School Committee for the cnsuing year was heM in the School-house, on Monday, the 10th instant. About a dozen persons were present. Mr B. Naylor occupied the chair, and called upon the Secretary to read the report of retiring Committee. Report. Your Committee’s term of office having now expired, in accordance with the usual custom they beg to present their annual report and abstract of account : The number of scholars on the roll at the disc of the year Roys, 37; Cirla, 26; total, 63. The average daily attendance during the year was 53, as against an average attendance of 58 during a similar period last year. This falling oil may fairly be atributel to the circumstance that several families, wh'se members attended tho School have, during the past tw-lve months left the district, and their places have not yet been filled up. At the same time tho Committee regret to notice a marked irreguliritv in the attendance of many children, and desire to take this opportunity to urge upon parents the necessity for making an an effort, even at some personal inconvenience, to permit their children to attend school with greater regularity, as otherwise the labor bestowed upon their education is to a great extent thrown away. I luring the past year the Committee made application to the Government for an increase of LSO to the salary of the Schoolm'atress, but tb : s application the Board were compelled to refuse, as the Ordinance requires that before granting such an allow • ance tho School must show an average attendance of at least seventy (70). In this circumstance the Committee trust that parents will see an additional reason for strengthening their hands by complying with their desire that the children may not miss an opportunity of putting in an appearance at school. During the year the school has been visited by the Governin'nt Inspector, and, although no official report was made the Committee are in a position to state that tho result of his examination was highly satisfactory to the Inspector. The school is still so fortunate as to retain the services, as Master aud Mistress, of Mr and Mrs Stevens, who continue to possess the entire confidence and esteem both of the Committee and of the parents of children under their charge. To the very excellent manner in which their onerous duties have been discharged the Committee have no hesitation in ascribing the state of efficiency in which, they are happy to say, the Clyde school now stands. Financially the Committee have pleasure in reporting the school is in a satisfactory position. The accompanying balance sheet shows outstanding liabilities amounting to L 32 Os lOd ; while against this the school possesses recoverable assets to the extent of L 35 9s 3d ; or a balance in its favor of L 3 8s sd. The public have not been called upon to contribute directly in any way to the school funds during the past year, at the same time the school premises are in want of sundry repairs and improvements ; and should it be found necessary to call upon th“ residents for assistance towards such an object the Committee confidently look for a liberal response. A. J. Denniston, Clerk. Abstract of accounts for the year ending 31st December, 1875 Receipts. To balance from last report .. L 3 11 6 School Fees .. ... 123 19 3 Government Salary Allowance 125 0 0 Do. Allowance for Destitute Children ... ... 5 2 0 Local Sources ... ... 25 6 0 Books 501 d... ... ... IS It 9 L3Ol 13 6 I Balance due Bank N. S. Wales 3 5 5 L 304 18 10 Expenditure. By Salaries ... ... L 275 0 0 ~ Repairs ... ... 6 19 ~ Fuel and Cleaning ... 10 8 0 „ Books ... ... ... 5 11 5 ~ Bank Interest ... ... 16 7 ~ Postage, &c. ... ... 13 8 ~ Advertising ... ... 4 15 0 „ Clock ... ... ... 1 12 6 L 304 18 4 Liabilities. Balance duo Bank N.S. Wales L 3 5 5 Unpaid Accounts ... ... 28 15 5 L 32 0 10 Assets. School Fees Unpaid ... Ll4 6 3 Accounts Recoverable from Government ... ... 21 3 0 L 35 9 3 Resolved - That the report as read be received and adopted. Resolved—That Messrs Hazlett, Navlor, M'Pherson, Cambridge, M'Connochie, Denniston, and Attfield bo the Committee for the ensuing year. Votes of thanks, cordial and unanimous, having been passed to tho Retiring Committee, and to the Schoolmaster and Mistress for the very efficient manner their respective duties had been performed, the meeting was brought to a close with the customary vote to the Chair. A Highlander who sold brooms went into a barber’s shop in Glasgow to get shaved. The barber bought one of the brooms, and having shaved him, asked the price of it. ‘Tippenco,’ said the Highlander. ‘ No, no,’ says the shaver; ‘ I'll give you a penny, and if that does not satisfy you take your broom again.’ ‘ The Highlander took it, and asked what he had to pay. 1 A penny,' says Trap. ‘ I’ll gic yo a bauheo.’ says Dimcan, ‘and if that diuna satisfy ye, pit on my beard again,