ST. BATHANS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 738, 9 June 1876, Page 3

ST. BATHANS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) A case possessing some points of interest to miners living in outlying portions of tl • goldfields, and who are fond of filling their styes with a few of the numerous members of the porcine genus which invest our ranges, was tried recently at St. Bathaos. The whole case hinged on whether the plaintiff -could prove ownership to them. The evi--dence went to show that he had driven the pigs a certain distance towards his residence, nnd had there left them, leaving no one in ■charge of them, but taking one he had shot, with him home ; intending, as he stated, to return with help to get the rest. In the meantime the defendant came on the scene, and by the help of his dog, drove them to his own sty. The magistrate held, that the plaintiff in leaving the pigs had abandoned ownership, and that they therefore were •open to be taken possession of by the first ■comer. Had the plaintiff, however, left | anybody in charge his ownership would of course stood good, The case wasdismissed without costs. The rush to Naseby is attracting a good ■deal of attention amongst the mining community, and if the ground is at all equal to the reports of it, it ought to bo good. Most of it, however, has been pegged off. It is to be hoped it turns out well, for the , Government deserve to reap a harvest in J the shape of extia gold duty, &c., after all the expenditure in that direction. Tha roads in this part seem to receive no attention on the part of the Provincial Government. What few votes were put on the Estimates last year remain unexpended, and our member for the district seems perfectly contented they should do so, and-the Progress Committees in the district are taking a quiet nap, as I do not hear of any steps being taken by them to put the roads in order before the bad weather sets in. Mr Warden Robinson kindly gave a lecture here, on Tuesday evening last, in aid ■of the local Public Library. Notwithstanding the object for which the lecture was given, and the well-known talent of the lecturer, the attendance was very small, alike discouraging to the Committee of the Library, and perhaps more so to the gentleman who delivers the lecture. If each mem • her of the Committee had worked to make it a success, I am sura the returns would have been different, as it was many persons did not know of it until it was too late. On Wednesday night a ball in honor of the Queen’s Birthday, took place, and was a complete success. TheM.C. did his duty well. The music was everything that could be w Ished for, while dancing was kept up to the wee hours, evidently to the satisfaction of all At Cambrian a quadrille assembly take place weekly, and ought to be well patronised by those who wish to break the monotony of their existence in that quiet little place. Mr Thomas Wanklyn is, I understand, the M.C. Mr Scott, of Cambrian, has been appointed ngent for the St. Bathans district, for the Government Lite Insurance Office.

[This letter by some manner of mistake found its way to Dunedin, therefore did not reach ue. in time for last week’s issue. -Ed. D.T.].