The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 4. 1880.

Dunstan Times, Issue 946, 4 June 1880, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 4. 1880.

Beneai-hlherule of men entjrelyjust<7( PEN 15 MIGHTIER than theSVfOWD

Parliament was opened on Friday last by the Governor in person. The attendance of members was very small indeed.

It will bo observed that the Carandini Opera Company will give entertainments in the Town Hall, Clyde on Wednesday and Thursday evenings next. This highly popular Company should command good houses. They have, iu the various places where they appeared met with remarkable success.

At the sitting of the Education Board held in Dunedin on Thursday the 27th ultimo, William lleustmi was appointed pupil teacher at Clyde. Wo have received and acknowledge with thanks the receipt from G. K. West and Co., Music-sellers, Dunedin, of Frederick Ellard’s song and music, “ Swing on Old Pendulum ” as sung by H. G. Gooch, Esq , Associate of the Royal Academy of Music The song"is elegantly got up, and redounds to the credit of Messrs West and Co ; also, of the Otago litho department, and as 'the'price is but"three shillings we think should find favor in the eyes of all lovers of music.

Mr Fache requests us to notice the advertisement of his sale by auction, on Friday next the 11th instant, in connection with Mr Charles Colclmigh, in Goodger’s yards, Cromwell, of cattle, and to specially remark that the sale is bona Jule and without reserve. Dealers will accordingly do well to put iu an appearance.

We notice that Captain William Jackson Barry has returned to tho district, as full of life and energy as ever, and that he purposes addressing the public of Cromwell this Friday evening, on bis .experiences at homo.

Messrs Willmot, Preshaw and Bennett have been gazetted Licensing commissioners for tho town of Cromwell and district.

Messrs J. IT. Cambridge and R. Stewart have been appointed members of the Licensing Court for Clyde, and Messrs Beresford and Rees for Alexandra.

Intimation is given in the Gazette that Letters of Naturalisation has been granted to Wilhelm Braun, dairyman, a resident of the Dunstan Flat.

At the sitting nf.the Waste Lands Boaad held on Wednesday the 2(itli ultimo, the Chairman of the Vincent County Council, requested that the Southern 35 acres of sections 20 and 23, block 111, Banner district be reserved for gravel purposes.—The Board suggested that;the .Council select a smaller area, about t: n or twelve acres in each section, and furnish plans of survey, when the reserve will be recommended.

An exchange says it has been computed that it would take all the proceeds of wheat (at 4s), all the oats (at Is 3d), and a large proportion of the barley, grown iu Canterbury this year, to pay tho interest on the public loans.

AYe are glad to be able to state that considerable interest is being taken throughout Dunedin in the efforts now being made on behalf of the funds of the Benevolent Institution. In a recent issue of the Dunedin papers it was stated that the Secretary to the Institution had received the sum of LSO from Mr Walter, the Mayor, in commemoration of the opening of tho new municipal buildings.

Speaking of Sir George Grey, Mr Henry Driver, in addressing his constituents at Roslyn last week, said that ho admired Sir George Grey as a speaker so much that he would go some distance to hear him, but he would not undertake to believe a single word that be said.. Sir George Grey had such a beautiful manner of speaking, and told people so pleasantly bow miserable they were that he made them quite happy. At Dunedin telegrams have been received stating that Priutz’ claim had lodged iu the bank GOOozs of amalgam, after sixty hours’ crushing. By the Cromwell Argus we hear that tho Volunteer ball on Friday evening last at Cromwell was, in every sense, a most perfect success. The attendance was a large one, there being fully 150 people present, Arrow, Queenstown, Alexandra and Clyde being well represented, and the people around and iu tho town turning out in wry strong force. The refreshment department was iu the hands of Mr James Scott, who fairly excelled himself. The music, by Messrs AVard and Adams, was excellent, and contributed in no little degree to the pleasures of the evening. Mr Dagg did the ceremonies very satisfactorily. The Argus concludes with—“ The Volunteer Ball of 1880 lias left many pleasant memories behind, as well as hopes for the pleasure of being present at simikr gatherings in the future at tho invitation of our * citizen soldiers.’ ”

The Insurance an 1 . Banking Record says : —We understand that advantage will he taken of the presence in Melbourne, during the continuance of the approaching international cxh’bition, of many managers and representatives of marine insurance companies from the neighboring colonies to hold a conference, at which topics of interest to marine underwriters will be discussed, and information of various kinds exchanged. No defiinito scheme has been drawn up, but we believe that, among others, the two following points will be brought under the notice of those who nuy be present at the conference Deposits in connection with general average statements (a ina f ter taken up by the Merchant Shipping and Underwriters’ Association, Melbourne, as far back as October, IS7S), and a uniform hull policy. Mr J. W. Raymond writes to tho Southland Times :—“ As many seem doubtful as to the poisoned grain being a success except in the winter season, I will give my experience to the contrary. In November last 1 commenced using the phosphorised oats in lieu of wheat, dispensing with rhodium, which was simply useless, one day’s hot sun, wind, or rain completely evaporating the scent. I laid the poisoned oats round the border of English grass and oat paddocks, also about all the warrens and rabbit-tracks included in an area of 800 acres river plain, badly honeycombed by rabbits, and defying all attempts to oust them. Well, tho

results exceeded my most sanguine expectations In one week the rabbits were completely exterminated. Another block of 500 acres was thoroughly cleared in about three days. Throughout the summer season it was occasionally used/ with the same result. In fact, if it had'been the dead of winter the oats could not have been eaten more greedily or have caused more wholesale destruction of the vermin.”

Goldsbrough’s Monthly Circular says that auction sales of wool are how hold very -irregularly, owing to the limited quantity coming forward.—We learn by cablegram that the second series of Colonial Wool Sales commenced in London on 20th ult, the number of bales which arrived iu time amounting to 403,000 of which quantity 184,000 bales have already passed the hammer, in addition to 45,000 bales which were scut direct to Yorkshire and the Continent. The attendance of both home and foreign buyers was large, and, as had been anticipated, the biddings commenced with great spirit, the eagerness displayed by t lie Continental representatives to operate forming a special feature of the opening sales. Merino descriptions realised an advance of about 10 per cent, upon the closing rates of the first series, the vise being most conspicuous in Scoured Wools ; but superior fleece and Crossbreds only showed a slight advance. As tire sales progressed, however, prices gradually dropped ; and our latest advices are that Merino Wools are selling at about tiro average rates of tiro February sales, and Crossbreds at a decline of 21. to .Id. per lb. It is a healthy s : gn to see the large catalogues that arc submitted cleared daily, the quantity brought in up to date being comparatively trifling, and there appears to be very prospect of the present high level of prices for our staple being maintained throughout the sales. Wo are glad to learn that the efforts which have been made for some time past on t*’e part of the woollen manufacturers of the United States of America to have the present heavy duties on our wools reduced, are likely to be attended with success. The subject, after considerable agitation, has been brought before Congress, and it is now confidently believed that a material reduction of the duties at present levied on foreign wools will be agreed to - This will have a most beneficial effect on our local market, as the competition on account of American consumption, which has hitherto been confined principally to light conditioned greasy, will now be extended to other descriptions ; and «c may, therefore, look for a large increase in the number of American buyers, and a lively competition atom- next sales. —Prices current, greasy inferior to good fi 1. to S I. per lb., scoured inferior to superior Is. to 2s. per lb. The redoubtable Captain Barry arrived in Cromwell on Saturday, looking as “fresh as paint,” and as full of energy and “go” as ever. His trip to England seems to have imparted fresh life to the veteran, ami for a man over GO years his activity is simply a wonder. Of course the Captain is full of ids doings iu the old country, where lie appears to have been well received, and to have been the means of directing the attention of a large number of desirable people to New Zealand as-their future home. An inspection of his critiquebook shows this unmistakeably. His book, too—which few people ever expected to sec the light— is, he tells us, a great success, and proving a good speculation. The Captain purposes giving an address in the Athenamm Hall here on Friday evening, when he wi 1 give some interesting details of what lie saw and what he did in England, and the results to the Colony flowing from his exertions. Of course, the letter from the Queen to tho Captain will lie forthcoming, as also other documents of which be is proud to lie the possessor. We hope to see a goodly audience meet the Captain on Friday evening, as lie deserves a good turn for ids efforts to advantage tho country where some of his most remarkable “ Ups and Downs” have occurred. —Cromwell Argus, Tiie luvereargil correspondent of the Western Star iu a recent communication to that journal writes as follows :—“ The antics of a certain gentleman in this town—who is celebrated for having very much the appearance of a prize-fighter, although he’s a‘ bi bug’—at the Theatre Royal a few nigh's ago attract e- T a great deal of attention. ile first made bis appearance in the upstairs part of the house, when lie came down into the pit. While upstairs be stared through iris opera-glasses at the Carandinis. and when lie got downstairs be swept the semicircle with his glasses, pausing as they focussed upon each lady, and then moved them along. Ho dissiq peared from the lower part, ami again appeared in the circle. Here be again made himself notice tide by his “spying,” until the “gods’ - got out of temper, and soon let him know it. At last they succeeded in inducing tho gentleman (?) to desist, after “ joeing ” him and laughing heartily at his audacity. We have hoard on good authority (says the Grey River Argus) that a resident in this town, who was afflicted to snob an extent that be could not move without the use of two sticks, lately received a lottci from Ireland containing a piece of wall plaster from the Homan Catholic Chapel of Knock, upon which tho apparition appeared. He got it mixel according to the instructions contained in the letter, and drank it olf. Tha effect, so we are informed, was instantaneous. He got up from his chair and walked across the room without tho aid of his sticks, and now bo is stronger than ever. It is a pity, for the sake of suffering humanity, that there is not more of the miraculous wall in Greymouth, as we should be able to dispense with hospitals, and Dra Morico and Smith would have to seek some other occupation.

A somewhat remarkable coincidence, and one which speaks volumes for tho financial

ability of the Treasurer of tho County of Tu npoka (says the local papier) will be in

his estimate of lust year’s county revenue —an estimate which, it will bo remembered, was considered at the time to be excessive. It was L 22.300. The revenue actually received for that period amounted in round numbers to L 22.000, or within L3OO of the estimate. It is also a noteworth)’ and pleasing circumstance that for the lirst time since the initiation of the county system the balance-sheet of the county exhibits a credit balance.

Rather a novel piece of machinery for gold-mining purposes is being erected on Mr H. N. Simson’s claim, Winding Creek, Switzers, the following description of which is taken from the Mataura Ensign :—“ The machine consists of a dredge driven by a Turbine water-wheel, and is intended to raise the wash dirt from a low level to a sufficient height to obtain a fall for the tailings. By this means ground may he worked to a i..uch lower level by sluicing than could otherwise be done, merely requiring a low level tunnel to carry oil the surplus water*”

The latest swindle in America is st)led “census-taking.” A gentlemanly fellow drives up with blanks fur statistics on the farm—bushels of wheat, number of cattle raised, acres under cultivation, &c. Between the tables and the foot of the page, where the farmer signs his name attesting the statement, is a blank space, whoso existence is accounted for as affording room for miscellaneous information. In a mouth more the farmer receives notice from a neighboring hank that his note for ISO dollars is due. He knows nothing ot the note but investigation shows that the “ census taker ” has filled in the bl ink with a promise to pay, which, being now in the hands of an innocent holder, must Ire paid by the unlucky- dupe-

The invention of Mr Ficuss bids fair to be of astounding interest. He is now exhibiting it at the. Royal Polytechnic institution, London. Mr Ficuss puts on a helmet covering the entire head, and shuts oft’all communication with the outer air. He then descends into the water, in which lie remains immersed for an hour or more. During this time he is seen to move, pick up coins, and assume a partially recumbent posture. No bubbles of air arc given off from the apparatus, and no communication

is made with the surface. On emerging from his submersion, Mr Ficuss is slightly pale, but otherwise not seriously disturbed. Mr Ficuss is an Englishman, formerly an officer in the B. and O. Steamship Company, and lie lias been a year m completing bis remarkable experiments His invention is at present a profound m>stery, but he says nothing is more curious than its simplicity. The daily evaporation by the sun’s rays in the Bay of Bengal is two iinmos— n amount of heat equivalent to the continuous working of 800,000 steam engines of 10(10 horse power each. Hence the terrible power of the cyclones in that region.

The “Now York Herald " remarks that “ th" spring opening in the murder line is decidedly lively,” and nobody would (s-ivs “ Truth ”) he disposed to cavil at the state-

ment after reading a single day’s tragedies. In Southern town several rowdies entered a bar and assulted a policeman, who shot one dead and wounded another. At St, Nicholas a waiter shot dead a commercial traveller who found fault with thquality of the eggs supoliel for his breakfast. At Slaughtorville, Kentucky, the Marshall having been threatened with death by a citizen, vbo considered hims If wronged by that official, went to the house of his enemy and shot him dead ; and the same fate betel a man engaged in a strike ; while a colo-e’ hoy of 14 cat the throat of colored girl because she refused to get up to find, him a pen. Fictly well this for one day.

“ Ten days, or forty shillings,” said tlio magistrate ; an 1 the prisoner, a sullen looking fellow, elioso the latter alternative, paid the fine, an I was discharged. Ho walked moodily out of the court, hut, when he reached the rloor, turned and showered a wholesale, tirade of profane abuse upon the magistrate. Then he ran into the corridor but before he could roach the street, the officers gave chase. He was soon captured, and stood again at the bar. *" Forty shillings more,” said the Court The money was paid. “If you had used more chaste and refine 1 language” the magistrate continued, waving the fellow away, “ you would nor. have been chased and re-lined.”