The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1879.

Dunstan Times, Issue 886, 11 April 1879, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1879.

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

Mr Pyke announces, through onr advertising columns, that lie w ill address his constituents on the “ Political Problems of the Day,” at Tinkers Gully, on Wednesday, the IGth ; at Clyde, on Saturday, the 19th ; and at Cromwell, on Tuesday, the 220 d. In a late issue we stated that this notification was to be expected, and that as during last year Mr Pyke addressed meetings at Blacks, Alexandra, and Bannockburn, this year he would in all likelihood select some other centres of population.

We are informed on undoubted authority that the contract *'or the Wingatui section of the Central Ota.o Railway has been accepted. The tenderers’ names, or the amount of the contract, did not, however, transpire It is understood that the tenders for the work ranee from LOO,OOO to L 70,000. The section is about nine miles in length, extends from the 't'aieri Plain to Mullocky Gully, and contains the only two tunnels in the whole course of the line, so far as it is yet surveyed. The survey camp, under Mr Flay, is broken up, the whole party leaving Clyde by Wednesday's coach for Dunedin.

Mr Conyers, Commissioner of Railways, has, we are pleased to learn, so far recovered from the injuries he received by the late accident on the Invercargill line, that he will be able to resume his duties in the course of a few days. From several exchanges we notice that in many large towns the local Committees are at last becoming alive to the fact that the splendid fund now being so liberally subscribed is very far in excess of the actual demands of the case—as a correspondent first points I out in our columns some weeks since. In Christ church, for example, it was resolved not to forward any more money to Dunedin until some further information had been given as to the use to which it would he applied, and the persons in whom it would be invested. The Central Committee m Dunedin draw attention to the necessity of forwarding subscriptions at an early date, as it is wished to square accounts and determine what shall be done with the money as soon as possible. Dr Feltham, who for the past two years has been located at Alexandra, left on Saturday last for Riverton, he having received the appointment of Resident Surgeon to the Wallace and Fiord Hospital Di Feltham’s loss to Alexandra will be a serious one, as, independently of his piofessional services, lie was assiduous in giving assistance towards the successful issue of all entertainments for whatever purpose. He was a leading member of tbo Amateur Dramatic club, for which be painted some first-class scenery. It is understood that a substantial memento will be obtained and sent to him in his new home.

In the District Court. Clyde, on Monday before Judge Harvey, the only case heard "as one of indecent assault The evidence (which is not tit for publication) having been heard, the jury brought in a verdict of common assault, and prisoner, P. M'Devitt, was sentenced to six months’ hard labour in Lawrence Gaol.

Mr M'Lean, Commissioner of Audit under the General Government, has been in the district during the week, examining the accounts of the various departments. On Tuesday next, the loth inst., the Rev. Mr Ash, B. A., will deliver n lecture in the Town Hall, Clyde, the subject selected being “ Incidents of Travel in South America." From the well known ability of tho rev. lecturer a treat may he expected.

We are reliably informed that solid rock has been struck at a dip’ll of 16 feet on tho cast bank of tbe site for the proposed new suspension bridge at Alexandra Mon have been working for the County Council for the past three weeks for this object, tho new boring rods lately purchased by the Council being used for the purpose. This result, if it prove correct, will eavc tho Council a lot of money, as tenderers for the work now know exactly how deep they will have to sink, instead of having to take the contract haphazard. Payable gold was

brought up with the boriug rods on reaching the lied rock. To make euro they were not

simply on a boulder, the rods were sunk some distance into the rock.

The banks, we understand, will be closed from to-day (Cool Friday) till Tuesday next.

We are pleased to notice that the shelves of our Public Library have received a valuable addition recently, no less than ICO complete vorks having been added thereto. We should be glad to have to record a proportionate increase in the number of subscribers. Those desiring to join, as also those who may have forgotten to pay their subscriptions for the curr«nt year, are reminded that the Government subsidy of LI for LI will only be paid on moneys actually paid by the last day of this month.

Communion services were held in the' Presbyterian Church, Alexandra, and at Clyde, last Sabbath ; and next Sabbath the same will be held in the other parts of the district.

Our cricketing friends are reminded that the last match of the season will he played on Monday next, the 14th inst., the contest being between Clyde and Cromwell, and it will be played at Cromwell. As both teams are in good playing fettle, a close and interesting game, it is expected, will be played. To-morrow (Saturday) a scratch match will be played on the Clyde ground, for which a general muster is called.

In the District Court, Cromwell, yesterday, before Judge Harvey (in bankruptcy), the application by Messrs Seally and Starkey for their discharge there being no opposition, was granted. Sunday next, being Easter Day, the offertories at St. Michael’s Church, Clyde, will be given, as in all English Churches in New Zealand, to the curate as an Easter offering.

A large and influential local Committee has been formed in Dunedin in furtherance of the objects of the Sydney International Exhibition. Sub-Committees have been formed, and are actively engaged 'in order that Otago may be worthily represented thereat. The Committees are now prepared to afford every assistance to intending exhibitors, whose contributions will lie carefully shipped to and returned from Sydney free of charge. They also desire to invite the co-operation of all who possess articles suitable for exhibition. Mr Vincent I’yke has been elected a member of the General Committee in Duiwdin, and will assist in forming a sub-Comniittee for Clyde. Mr George Grant is the Secretary to the Dunedin Committee, and from him intending exhibitors may obtain every information. Among tho Government notifications in the Daily Times, we notice that sections in the Lauder and Tiger Hill Districts, Spottis Hundred, will be sold by public auction at Clyde on May 7th, the upset price being 20s per acre. Also, at the same place and place, sections in the townships of Clyde, Alexandra, and Manuhcrikia, at tho upset price of L 7 10 per quarter-acre On the Bth will he sol 1 at Arrowtown, sections in the Shotover and Kawarau Districts, upset pi ice L2 per acre, and sect ions in the townships of Pembroke, Gladstone, Cardrona, Newcastle, Kingston, Franktnn, Kinloch, and Glennrchy. On the Dili will he sold at Roxburgh, sections in the township ; also, the license for 15 years of three sections in block XIV , Bouger, containing 1711 acres, 1203 acres, ami 1031 acres respectively, at the upset price of 22s 6d per acre.

The case Stanford v. Gilli-s and others (Liquidators of the late Daily Times C.) was brought to a close on Friday last m Dunedin. Judgment was reserved. The Morning Herald states that an information lias been laid against Mr Ferguson, of Tapanni, with reference to the burning of his store there recently. The case will, we believe, come oa for hearing on the 25th inst.

The Tnangahua Times stiles that the Welcome Company have obtained 15530z. 15dwts of amalgam from the blanketings, being the product of 110 tons of stone reduced during the week ending March 1-Dh. The Dunedin Age has apologised to Mr J. E. Denniston, solicitor of th it town, for an article published some time ago. In a Northern contemporary wo find the following telegram “Mr Vincent I’yke, in addressing his constituents, will pro nonnee in favour of Mr Curtis’s education scheme.”

A Mongolian encampment (according to the Ashburton Mail) has been established at South Rakaia, no less than between 40 and 50 Celestials having been imported by the contractors for the. South Rakaia and t. slilmrton Forks Railway to be employed upon the works. We should have imagined that there would have been ample Europcan labour in the district without resorting to the introduction of a class which will not in any way expedite the desired completion of the work in hand over that of more skilled and experienced navvies. The question of payment of coroners’ juries (says the Morning Herald) was raised by Mr G. 11. Marsdcn at an inquest on a recent fire held in Dunedin. Mr Marsdcn protested “ against being brought from his business to attend an enquiry at the instigation of any insurance company,” and he thought that jurors attending such inquesm ought to he paid. The City Coroner explained that the inquest was being held on public grounds on the suggestion of the police. He said there was no provision made for the payment of juries in such cases.

The “ funny ” writer in the Dunciiin Star has the followin'; ; —“ The hosa county chairman has been about town again, not on this occasion going about hk“ the scripiural roaring lion, but rather as the Shakesperian sncking-dovo. Moral —Wh it does Vincent (County of course) want this journey?

A large number of School Committees in Otago have intimated to the Bible in Schools Association their desire for f ho re-i .troduction of Bible- reading into their schools, and also their determination to do all they can to further the objects of the Association.

A telegram from Wellington in a Dunedin daily is as follows “Letters by the last mail, it is said, convey instructions to managers of Colonial banks whose headquarters are in London, that Colonial securities are now considered much solider than some few months ago. The London directors consider they have been too hasty in so suddenly withdrawing accommodation and putting on too ranch pressure.

The Marlborough Times, a new bi-weekly newspaper published at Blenheim, gives the following as its opinion ot the present Government Bom in seni'e puerility, the Grey party has made no attempt at a policy which has not resulted in failure, and looking even at their administration alone, the verdict of the people must be—the most impotent Government ever known in this country.”

An encounter of a dangerous character took place recently between a shark and one of the boatmen in the mailraaster’s boat, atSandridge The shark, a “bluebottle,” was seen by- Thomas Furpig moving about near the jetty where Mr Joyce and his men arc in the habit of landing. Furlong, upon getting a good view of the monster’s head, struck him with the boathook, and for the moment stunned him, and without losing any time jumped up to his middle in the water and laid hold of the shark by the tail, A desperate struggle ensued, the shrak making violent efforts to escape, but to no purpose, as Furlong, who is a powerful fellow, held on until he was assisted by Mr lliebard Shepperd, the boat - owner, who ultimately landed the shark alive. It was of the blue species, and measured over Sft. long’

“ Attieus,” in the Melbourne Leader, writes—The Hebraic money-lender is popularly supposed to stand upon the" forfeit as implacably as Shylnck did. Hardup of the Sealing wax office, who has conducted financially with both Jew and Christain, denies the correcncss of the theory. Someone was running down the rapacity and hardness of Jewish discounters in his presence the other day. “ Don’t bclive a word of it,’’ replied he; Tm just now in tho hands of a presbyterian minister, and I find him a harder nut to crack than any Jew money-le der I eve r deal with.”

A storekeeper in one of the Waiiarapa townships (says the Standard) sold a box of collars for cash a day or two ago. All the other storekeepers in tin- town were savage with him for taking all the readymoney in the place.

A somewhat singular case was recently heard at Bnninyong, when an agent, for an American firm of hookseders sued a resioent of the town named for 1,3 Ills, being the price of a family bible supplied to the defendant’s wife. The defence set up wa c ', that the article not being a necessary, either for household use or consumption, the husband was not liable for the debt, ho being in no way connected with 'he purchase af the article sued for. The Bench took this view of the ease, which was therefore dismissed.

The New Zealander appeared on the Ist instant as the property of Messrs R. X. Reid and Co , and its price is increased from Id to 2d. In an article to its readers it says :—“ The expressed and avowed intent. of the Xew Zealander was to give utterances to Ministerial opinions, to support their views, and to comliat adverse criticism levelled at Ministerial action U'hde it did this well it was at a monetary cost altogether in excess of ordinary prudential calculations, and the conviction has been forced upon the promoters that in support of political principles they have expended quite enough. The Xew Zealander professes to start on its new career absolutely unfottered by any promise to blindly support the Grey Ministry or its members, collectively or individually.’’

The following extracts from a letter re. ceivod fiom the well-known “Captain” W J. Barry, who styles himself “ Kinmigration Agent and Lecturer,” while on his way Homo on board the Orient steamer Aconcagua, have been placed at our disposal January 13th. On road to England ; 500 miles from Sewcs ; 450 passengers on Lord.,’ Cai tain Barry thus describes the ship and her living freight “ The boat is three thousand and 9l> tons, the 1-ngtli is four hundred and SG feet, with a verry big beem. The passingers his a jolly set of fellows, the gratest part of them his going home jest for a trip. There is a queer lot of wemmen on board. Our orning? is spread, and the boat steems very fast, makes good brescs. I stumble across some fine sites ;it puts me in mind of the early stages of my boyhood. I have seen something in my lifetime. On board these stemers it liks one. Her nanv- is the Aconco.'ua.” Captain Barry, speaking of himself, says : “ I am in first class elth, and as appy as a May bird. I have ganed flesh since 1 left Now Zealand. 1 avai l at the butcher’s place, and was 2 stoon heavier. I am still sticking to the herbs, who occnpys the next cabin. It is a 2 sloon, and cost 1.35 passage money.” The Captain, in a previous letter from Adelaide, writes that he “ had taken up with a heriss at Sydney, on her way Home ; that she was doing the amiable, the Captain himself being on his bottom doller.” He concludes b^ 1 sending his respects “to Tom Sears and ned device Address Oaptn Vv. J. Barry', Willmott’s Occidental Hotel, Strand, Loudan, England ” —Daily Times.