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Dunstan Times, Issue 888, 25 April 1879, Page 2

Prom time to time 'efforts have been made to obtain a school in Wai Keri Keri Valley, and the Education Board, which has been frequently memorialized on the subject has at last intimated its willingness to give a sum equal to four pounds five shillings per scholar attending ; also, to pay half the cost of rent of school buildings The Board, wo cannot but think have gone as far as could have been expected towards providing the means of educating the yorthgsters in that locality, and it now remains with the parents to find the balance. In sparsely populated districts like the Wai Keri Keri Valley a great share of the costof educating the young must of a necessity fall on the parents, and people who settle themselves fortunately or unfortunately, as the case may be, in out-districts, should he prepared for the extra burden, but we question whether it is cither charitable or sensible to charge them with living in such out of the way places, yet, during the last visit of the Inspector of Schools to the neighborhood be asked why the people lived in such an out of the way place.

A special meeting of the Vincent TCounty Council was held in the office, Cromwell on the 23rd instant. Councillors Masters and Fraser were the only Councillors absent. A deputation in favor of the completion of the. Rocky Point Bridge as against the proposed new road and bridge at Deadmau’s Point having been received, and a petition read from the Matakanui Riding, praying that the contract system .may be again reverted to, the Treasurin' read the Estimate of Receipts and Expenditure for the year 1879-80—See advertisement. The’ Council then agreed to a rate of of'oiJfe shilling in the £. An amendment that it be eight pence was lost. TheCotmcil resolved itself into Committee to consider tenders, and on resuming, the following recommendations in the report were agreed to —That tender of James Taylor for fencing in Council buildings be accepted.—That tender of Grant and M,Kellar for'old timber at Kirtleburn bridge be accepted.—That the Engineer be instructed to modify plans of Alexandra bridge, so as to bring the ’cost within Lls, 000, and that fresh tenders be called for the next meeeting of the Council. Applications for depasturing 593 head of great cattle on Cromwell Commonage, and 191 on Clyde were agreed to. The Engineer’s report, asking for L 550 for new road works was agreed to. One or two’other’matters of trifling import were dealt with, and the Council broke up. Parliament has been further prorogued to the 13th June, and it will probably bo again prorogued to the 24th July. During 1877 648 declarations of insolvency were filed in the Supreme Court, and 346 in the District Courts, making a total of 294, and an increase on the previous year of 452. The aggregate amount of assets amounted to L 351,027,? and the liabilities were in excess of the assets by L 245.759.

The Governor on his Southern tour will not visit Cromwell and Clyde, it is understood that Queenstown and the Arrow are the only two gold-fields’.Howns which are are to be honored by his presence. At the last meeting of the Waste Lands Board in Dunedin, the application of Mr Andrew Murphy,'-to purchase under deferred payment license, section 36, block 111.., Lauder district, was approved

The tender of Mr John Rollick, of Milton, in the sum of L4G6 13s, for the erection of a stationmaster’s house at Wingatui, North Taieri, has been accepted. The Cromwell Quartz Company at Bendigo obtained a cake of gold weighing 735 ounces last month, from 407 tons of stone. This is the best yield the Company have had for some time. During the year the crushings have been—January, 733 ounces ; February, 524 ounces ; March, 484 ounces ; April, 735 ounces. Total, 2476 ounces. We take from the Wakatip Mail the following obituary notice of a gentleman wellknown to many of the residents of Clyde, he, in the early days, having been a resident amongst them, his place of business having been opposite the office of this paper “ Our obituary'column contains a notice of the death of one of our oldest and

moat respected residents. Mr Robert Black, to whom we refer was a member of the firm of Black and Gordon, blacksmith and ironmonger, in the earliest and most palmy days of the Wakatip gold field, hut he has during the past twelve years been carrying on the latter business alone. Deceased although well known as a careful Scotchman and was, nevertheless, somewhat enterprising and has invested at various times considerable sums in aiding the development of the mining interest. He had only lately gone to much expense to repairing and raising his business premises and other shops in Rees-street, damaged by the late floods, and lias greatly improved the buildings. But he was spared only a short time to enjoy the fruits of his last labors. A kick in a vital part on Tuesday from a rather vicious horse led to inflammation, and although Dr Douglas was unremitting in attention, his skill was unavailing, and one of our few familiar faces passed away for ever.” The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon last, the Rev. D. Ross, of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, officiating.

It transpired at the last sitting of the Lawrence Borough Council that the Council’s overdraft at the Bank of New Zealand was L 332.

The following figures show the amount of postal revenue collected for the three quarters ending 31st March, 1579 : —For .September quarter : Sale of postage stamps, L23.77C ; money order commission, L 1535 ; fet-s fo'- private boxes and bags, Li 19 ; Imperial postage receipts, L3OOO ; miscellaneous receipts, US. December quarter : Sale of postage stamps, L 24,115; money order commission, H716 ; fees for private boxes ami bags, LSO ; Imperial postage receipts, L3OOO ; miscellaneous receipts, L 79. March quarter : Sale of postage stamps, L 15.34 ; fees for private boxes and bags, L 2026 ; Imperial postage receipts, L3OOO In an article against the existing law of patents, the Post considers it detrimental to the general interests of - the Colony, and says : “ We are pleased to know this subject lias not escaped the attention of the present Ministry, and if they be properly supported by the Legislature, there is no reason why before twelve months we should not have in New Zealand a Patent Act aualagmts to that of America, and the antipodes of that stupid and cumbrous specimen of legislative folly which at present disgraces our statute hook, throttling trade and industry, and injuring the community collectivcly and individually.” At the last meeting of the Tnapeka County Council the Council agreed to the estimate of revenue and expenditure for the year 1879-80, and afterwards agreed to a rate of one shilling in the pound.' The estimated expenditure is L 32.050, which includes LIS,OIO for road formation and maintenance, LIO,OOO for bridges, L9OO for salaries, and the balance iu advertising and contingencies The estimated revenue is land revenue LIO.OOO, Government contributions to roads and works L»(K,O, gold-

fields L 5500, licenses LIOOO, dogs L3OO, leaving a sum of L 8250 to be derived from rates, &o. The total rateable value on the valuation roll is L 60.000. The Western Star says Matters at the Longwood, with respect to which enquiries are constantly reaching us, may be said to have undergone very little change during the past few weeks. The contract for driving the 400 ft. tunnel in Printz’ claim, (late Hayes) is nearing completion, and it is reported that a battery will shortly be erected. It was rumored that a serious difficulty hail arisen in piercing this tunnel owing to a spring of water which had been met with, but this has been overcome without any special effort. It has been proved, however, that when any depth has been reached, whether in driving or sinking, water in greater or less body has been met with in various parts of the Longwood. There is nothing fresh to report from the Invercargill Co’s line of reef. The work of prospecting'is still, however, being vigorously pushed on by several companies. The Wallace Company have a shaft down over 40ft, and are now commencing to cross drive. They have met with some difficulty in keeping the water down.” The Western Star has the following : “ Reference to our advertising columns will show a concert in aid of the Choir Fund of St. Mary’s Church, takes place on the 30th inst. Dr Feltham, whom we understand is rather good in the concert line, will take part.” An exchange states that an exciting scene occurred in Cambridge’avenue, Wellington, a few evenings ago. Two little children were observed to be standing in the middle of the railway line, when a short distance off a train was approaching at a speed of 10 miles an hour. | .The alarm was given, the brakes were put’ down, and the train was brought to a halt] about a yard from the children. The little ones never moved from their position, but stood gazingl with stupid amazement at the advancing engine, which in another instant would have crushed them to death. The passengers were wild with excitement,fas they] feared the little ones would be killed.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a batch of Parliamentary papers from the Government Printer, amongst the number being the census of the Maori population for 1878. The number of Maories in 1878 is set down at 42,819, of whom 23,583 are males, and 12,280 are females. The population in 1874 was 46,016, There is accordingly a decrease in the population duthe past four years of 3319. The causes given for this decrease are very various. Visitations of typhoid fever, measles and whooping-cough are among the number. Consumption and bronchial affections in general,are'also deadly enemies. The indulgence in strong drink a powerful factor in the heavy; mortality ; and this intemperance is prevalent among the women as well as the men. “1 feel sure, ” says the Resident Magistrate at J Hokianga, “ it must be plain to all observers that the Native populatiou is slowly, but surely, passing away

The Westport Times in speaking of the last meeting of .the “ Buller County Coun-, cil ” says ::—“ The sitting of the County Council which began on Thursday at eleven o’clock, concluded on Friday at 3 pin. The business done although of much importance, and requiring due consideration might easily have been got through in a day, but the perpetual roaring of the “ Buller Lion” on its hind logs, and roaring with more than usual vehemence for a day and halt, with scarcely an interval detained the County members until they determined to quit the building, and such an atmosphere, leaving the noble animal silting at the long table absolutely without a squeak, absorbed in vexed contemplation at the obtusencss of fellow Councillors, and evidently suffering from bieast pang. The gentle creature opened the proceedings, and gave vent to the pent up agony of six weeks,- and doubtless expected some relief from his troubles and unpleasant dreams, familiar phantoms floated throughout his characteristic vapourings, Viz, swindles, rings, Chairman, Councillors, and a numerous host of unpleasant persona. Lyoll llcvenues Boards, Dirty Mary Brown, Karamea Surveyors, Schoolmasters, Postmasters, and thieves generally. He desired to impress upon the public that he alone was ordained from a very high part of the County to look after the public purse, as no one else was capable of doing so, and he had sacriliced himself on the alter of his country by consenting to take the responsibility. For what must appear to him most inscrutable reasons 11 he was not a success." To-day he is limp, unpleasant, and decidedly unsaleable. The next ordinary meeting is fixed for the 15th May. During the interregnum he will have time to cleanse and clear staich his linen, to keep his hand bill going, and he in full fig with another bucket of dirt with which to defile the now Council Chambers.

Referring to the Kelly gang, the Hamilton Spectator says;-“It would appear that amongst other places it is still expected they will pay I’enola a visit, as, we are informed, the cash, &c. , belonging to the local Bank of South Australia is nightly conveyed to the National Bank for greater security, the latter being a substantial twostory building, and the former a wooden structure. A gentleman who was in Natimuck last week slates that he had a long conversation with the man Quinlan, who shot Morgan. Quinlan, if words go for anything, is extremely anxious to try his ‘ 'prentice hand ’ on the Kellys, he believe* he could soon ‘pot the whole lot.' If so, the LSt'OO reward should be a sufficient inducement for him to have a cut in. It is really surprising what a number of men there are, living at a distance fr m the Strathbogie Ranges, who think they can do more than the two or three hundred police stationed in that locality. A London paper sais:“ Horsemongcr Lane Gaol is now being sold and carted away. The sak of the first portion of the

materials of this gloomy building took place recently, and was attended by a large number of persons, who, it is stated, were “ principally attracted by curiosity.’lf this was the motive of their attendance, they must have experienced some disappointment, for the sale appears to have been a commonplace affair, and to have passed off without any startling incident. The gaol, however, has its ‘ interesting associations’ in the eyes of the multitude, for, apart from the fact that Lord Byron and Moore dined within its walls with Leigh Hunt when that gentleman was imprisoned there for a libel in the Examiner, the famous murderers Mr and Mrs Manning spent their last days in the prison, and were hanged in front of it. Their bodies, with those of other malefactors executed at Horsemonger Lane and buried in one of the prison-yards, have lately been exhumed, as the site is about to be used for building purposes, and re-buried in another corner of the site. Seventeen bodies in all have, it is said, been thus re-

moved. Madame asked her husband for a ni. y outfit. “My darling,” he replied, “that would make the third in two months, and times are so hard that exclaimed the lady, bursting into tears; “ and my funeral expences will cost you more than a new dress. ” “ Ah, but 1 should have to buy you only once, ” was the comforting rejoinder.

He was a bachelor, had travelled extensively, and could speak any language, dead or alive. Hieroglyphics were nothing to him. But when he returned home the other day and to his sister’s baby, and when it cried and was pacified by its mothersaying, “ Did his naughty wauty uncle wuncle come homey womey and scarcy my little putsev, “ he just leaned over the back of the chair and wept.