The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 744, 21 July 1876, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1876.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

A meeting of the Clyde League -was called for Wednesday afternoon last, to discuss the question of the County boundaries. There being no quorum, only four attending, viz., Messrs Naylor, Samson, M'Gimris and Iversen, no business was done. It was decided to hold a meeting at Alexandra on Wednesday next, at 3 p.m. A Soiree in connection with the Presbyterian Church, Alexandra, is notified in another column to take place on Thursday, August 3rd. From the successful manner previous soirees in connection with the Alexandra Presbyterian Church have always been conducted, the really enjoyable affairs they have been, and from the knowledge that no pains will be spared to make the coming one equally as enjoyable as all preceding ones, we shall expect to hear that a numerous party is in attendance on the 3rd prox. A fire occurred on Monday afternoon last, the 17th inst., on the Manuherikia Eiver, close to Theyera and Beck’s Brewery, resulting in the total destruction of the hut of a miner named Allen Russell, togethec with the contents. The loss to Russell is a most serious one, as in the hut was a sum of money consisting of four LlO notes, one L 5 note, and four LI notes. The value of the hut and contents was between L3O and L4O. The total loss is therefore over LBO. The Secretary of the Otago Freehold Land and Building Society intimates that a meeting of subscribers will bo held on Monday evening next, the 24th instant, to receive annual report and elect directors and auditors for the ensuing year. From what we can leam the Society is in a most flourishing condition, and all who have an interest in it should attend Monday night’s meeting to hear tho good news contained in the report. The divisible profits in tho past year’s transactions, we understand, will fall little, if any, short of 25 per cent, on the amount paid up. The election of Mayors to fill the civic chair in all Municipalities takes place to-day, saving where the question was decided on ;the day of nomination. The Mayors already elected are : B. Naylor, Clyde; 1). A. Jolly, Cromwell, J. Samson, Alexandra ;W. L. Busch, Mount Ida; J. Beighton, Roxburgh. At Lawrence, Queenstown, Arrow, Tokomairiro, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Balclutha the seat is contested.

We understand that H. A. Stratford, Esq., E.M. and Warden, will, in the place of W. Ti. Simpson, Esq., on leave of absence, preside in both jurisdictions to-morrow, (Saturday) the 22nd instant, at Clyde, at Alexandra on Monday, the 24th instant, and at Roxburgh on Tuesday, the 25th. We make this notice in the fear of any person having business at either court imagining that as Mr Simpson is absent no business would be transacted. We are informed that the endeavor io form a company to further test the Conroy’s Gully, quartz-reef has so far been unsuccessful. We regret this, inasmuch that we fully believe that by the expenditure of a few, say three or four hundred pounds, a lode would be discovered that would not only benefit the promoters, but the district at large, as by it an impetus wmdd be given to trade ; also an incentive to seek further up the range for similar lodes. The Conroy’s Reef—upon which a large sum of money was spent, or in other words frittered away in useless works by the former proprietors —is merely surface-scratched. Nothing has been done to prove it either one way or the other ; and we cannot help but say that the want of enterprise exhibited in allowing so fair a prospect to lay idle speaks but little for the district. Were it a task involving thousands of pounds in machinery which, if it turned out a blank would be afterwards useless ; or one that presented any great engineering difficulties to contend against, great caution should bo observed ; but, as to test it requires but the sinking of a shaft, the inanition must be imputed to want of enterprise. Wo hope yet to hear that a sufficient number has come forward to raise the desired capital. The Wellington correspondent of the Star says,—“So far as I can loam, the principles of the Counties Bill give satisfaction, hut the Government must consent to material alterations in the details to get it through. The boundaries are certain to undergo groat amendment,

By request of the Treasurer of the Dun* stun District Hospital wo acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt of cheque for LlO, being one-half the not proceeds of a concert given by the Robert Bruce Lodge, 1.0 G.T., Bannockburn, given in aid of the Dunstan and Cromwell Hospitals. Mr John Beatty, the Secretary of the Lodge, in his letter accompanying the amount, expresses his regret that the amount is not larger, and concludes with tUo hope to, Ve more successful on some future occasion. We feel sure that wo but speak the sentiments of the Committee of Management of the Dunstan Hospital when, while endorsing the hope of Mr Beatty, we say that the donation is a very handsome one, and that the very best thanks are duo to our Bannockburn friends for same. We also, by desire, acknowledge receipt of the sum of L 5 13s, being the amount collected at Alexandra after a charity sermon by the Rev. Mr Dewe. The Dunstan Hospital Committee notify that a concert in aid of the funds of the Institution will take place on Wednesday evening, the 2nd proximo. As the whole of the local talent have signified their intention to give their services on the occasion, as also several old and well-known friends whose singing and musical powers always give pleasure we may safely conclude a treat is in store, and wo shall be much disappointed if there is not a bumper house on the occasion. ■ The Nettlefold Presentation Committee purpose talcing advantage of the occasion, judging that a few of the subscribers will bo gathered together to present Mr Nettlefold with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns, In recognition of his many sterling qualities. Without a breach of faith we may say that the purse will contain nearly 300 sovereigns, the presentation therefore may well be called a sterling one. A public meeting is convened for tomorrow evening, to hear from Mr J. Hastie the result of his late mission to Dunedin, in the matter of the sale of auriferous land in the Wai Keri Keri Valley. To the miners, as also to the agriculturists, Mr Hastie’s report must prove of the greatest interest, as it will open their eyes, in a measure, to the system the various departments have of transacting the business of the province, and further, to the hostile spirit shown in a certain quarter to Clyde and its surroundings. Mr Hastie says he was shown the greatest possible kindness, and every assistance was given him by Mr W. Fraser, of Eamsoleugh Station, and by Mr James Hazlett, to both of whom the thanks of the miners are due. We hope to see a good attendance. A Chinese contractor named Kum Yean was the successful tenderer for some Government work in the Mount Ida district. The amount of his tender was L 285 15s.

The libel case of Bishop Moran v. Mr G. Bell has resulted in the committal of the defendant to take his trial at the ensuing criminal session of the Supreme Court. Bail has been allowed. By a London telegram, of date June 21, wo learn that the wool sales are marked by considerable langour, and prices, as compared with the last series, show a fall of 15 to 20 per cent. The New Zealand Times says?—“ Sir George Grey, in vulgar language, literally got it “hot” from Mr Stafford on the 13th. He had, with much verbosity, enlarged on what he alleged was the frightful practice of the Government in getting blank documents signed by the Governor. Mr Stafford plainly said that when he was Premier and Sir George Grey was Governor the latter was accustomed to sign the most important documents in perfect heaps, though they were not filled up, and then to retire to his country residence and permit his ministers to put in names, dates, and all matters requisite. On this damaging statement being made by Mr Stafford, amidst immense cheering, Sir George’s jaw dropped, and he sat as if perfectly dazed. The Baron de Lesseps, though seventy years old, is still young, and contemplates grand designs. With black eyebrows and moustache, but white beard, he is a most noticeable man, and those who who do not know him take him to be a sergeant in the Gardes. He brings his children up in the most Spartan—or rather Egyptian?—way. they go about barefooted, and, although madame only halt likes this, he is able to boast that their young ones, ot whom they have a small regiment, are never ill. His house is full of gifts from great persons. There Is a gold cup given by the Empress worth LB,OOO. All the sovereigns present or represented at the opening of the canal sent him ribbons, making him one of the most deewated men in Europe. He now desires to make a railway through the Euphrates Valley. He says : “I do not care for riches, and I have no wants ; all I wish is that my children may grow up and prosper. I satisfy myself with the hope that they will get on in life, proud of their father, and happy to continue his work, which is that of humanity and civilization.”

Billiard players (says a writer in an English journal) have often wondered how it is that when once the balls are got into position for the spot-stroke it should not be possible to continue it indefinitely, Various explanations, hone of them wholly satisfactory, have been given, but I have met with one, from a medical source, that seems to me to unravel the mystery. It is not a case of mere muscular weariness of tho arms, but it is the muscles of the eye that tire. In keeping up the spot stroke, a series ot very fine adjustments of “ accomodation” have to bo made in quick succession, and sooner or later tho eye becomes weary, and failure is the consequence. Possibly the braincentres in connection with the eyes, by ■which tho calculation is made how much muscular force is to be co-ordinated, are chiefly affected in tho exhaustion ; but tho muscular apparatus of tho eye itself is implicated. As might bo expected, from the experience of tho rifle range, grey or blue eyes have an advantage over coloured eyes ; and, it will bo found, a largo proportion of those who do the spot-stroke well have light-colored eyes.

The Emperor of Austria has just done a 1 very pleasant thing. A Bohemian village boy, of eleven years old, being dissatisfied • with the mechanical trade to which he was I apprenticed, addressed the following letter (unknown to his friends) to his Imperial Majesty; “Mr Emperor at Vienna, I should like to bo a priest or a teacher. My father is a poor weaver, and has no money. Have the kindness, Mr Emperor, to send me some money, that I may leam to bo a priest or a teacher, just as you wish, I salute you, tho Mrs Emperor, and the children.” This communication was forwarded by the Emperor's private secretary to his master in Hungary, and, touched by its simplicity, tho Kaiser sent at once an official telegram to tho burgomaster of the village to inquire into tho boy’s circumstances and finding them as described, has provided for his education.