The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1880.

Dunstan Times, Issue 958, 27 August 1880, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1880.

Beneath the rule of men entiiiklyjust</< pen isMIOHTIEK than (/uswur.D

The Alexandra Jockey Club issue the programme of tho'r Spring Meeting, and all things favorable there should be a good day’s snort—Lss and a silver cup is good

money and should bring a large number of competitors into the field. The Clyde Club also intimate that their customary Spring Meeting will be held the week following Alexandra. The programme is not yet issued, hut from the fact of L.lO being obtained in the first day’s canvass the stakes will be worth running for.

Divine service in connection with the Church of England will he conducted at Alexandra on Sunday next, at 11 a.m., by' the Rev. (r. Fynes-Ciinton. The severe "ate that swept the coast lino from Dunedin to Timaru on Friday last, and which committed such havoc in its course, most fortunately did not reach into the interior ; we had, however, a heavy rainfall lasting from‘early in the miming till the following, that cause I all the creeks to run bank high, and produced a small flood in the Molyneux and Jlannheriki.a. On account of the flooded state of Lauder Creek the coach was unable to cross on Saturday', an 1 was detained till the following day. B >th Maniototo and Vincent Counties are thoroughly alivo to the necessity of a bridge over this creek, and have even gone so far as to prepare plans, and had mutually arranged for the building of it, but at the last moment in a fit of misguided economy they resolve to defer the work. We cannot but thuik at all events we hope this last evidence of the want of the structure, will stir the Councils into action. If it were a work of thousands of pounds, there might he some excuse in the straightened circumstances of the Counties, hut as it will only' involve the expenditure of a few hundreds there can be possibly' none. It is our painful duty to record the death of Mr John Leslie, of the late firm of White, M‘Donough, and Leslie, dairymen and farmers, Bald Hill Flat. Deceased and his partners were, if we remember rightly, the first settlers on Bald Dill Flat, and had succeeded by unremitting industry’ and perseverance in amassing a fair competency ; but ere he had well settled down to the enjoyment of it he was taken away'. The remains were interredin the Alexandra Comctcy on Sunday' last, and the large concourse of friends who followed was evidence of the respect evinced for him.

A consultation on the Cromwell Cup of 500 candidates at one guinea each is announced. The name of the gentleman who has consented to act as treasurer is guarantee of its bona'fries.

The ploughing match to he held to-day at jShlhvaris White Horse Hotel from the stir amongst the farmers in and around Blacks promises to he a successful affair. We understand that over L 25 besides the usual gifts on these occasions will ho distributed. According to latest accounts over a dozen ploughs are entered.

We acknowledge with thanks receipt of batches of Parliamentary papers. Bills and late Nos. of Hansard. The papers include report of the Local Industries Commission a voluminous document covering 142 pages of closely printed matter. Return for the year ending 31st December 1579 of land sold for cash and held under agricultural and o'i er leases, 77,309 wore

sold realizing LHC,747. and GS, 130 acres were sold on deferred payments, during the period however, 32,099 acres sold previously

under deferred payment were forfeited. Leased lands 12,025,013 acres are held for depasturing purposes, for which L 102.215 was paid for rent or assessment ; 123,813 acres are held under agricultural leases, for which L 10.772 was received, and 111,287 acres are held for mineral and other purposes, and for which L 5,517 was received, and the Public Works Statement covering 129 pages—this document is accompanied by some wonderful tables and a number of maps showing the lines of railway made, surveyed, explored and otherwise referred to in the Statement.

The Gill Combination Troupe performed to a very good house in the Town Hail last evening, and if the frequent applause he any criterion, the audience must have thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment.

We draw attention to what must be a case of no little interest at the present time, published in another column under the heading R. M. Court, Alexandra, and as ten shillings—the registration fee—is far more easily paid than forty shillings and costa, which is the lowest penalty that can he inflicted under “The Dog Registration Act,” we would strongly advise all whether rabhiters or no—who have in their possession unregistered dogs to at once interview the proper authorities. Ever since the Rabbit Trustees decided to issue exemption certificates the County authorities have questioned their legality, and the case referred to was brought as a teat case, ami to see which of the two bodies was in the right. By an announcement in another column it will he seen that, sections in the towns of Alexandra and Clyde will he offered for sale by public auction in the Court House, Clyde, on Wednesday, Bth September, and sections in tiie townships of Bannockburn and Cromwell in the Court House, Cromwell, on Friday, the 18th hist, commencing at noon each day. Mr A. D. Harvey, Receiver of Revenue, at each sale we undei stand will officiate as salesman. In the course of a discussion in the House the other evening Mr Pyke said there were three classes of members in the Hou.-e. First of all there were the speechless members, who were never heard of except by their votes. Then there were the silly members, who talked nonsense by the yard. And, thirdly,) there were the sensible members, who said very little, and said that little to the purpose.

At the sitting of the Waste Lauds Board held on the 18th instant, in reference to the application by P. Murray that his section at Alexandra when offered should be burdened with valuation for improvements to the extent of LIUO, the District Land Officer estimated the value at LBO. The application was deferred.—The following mining applications were approved John Holt, sections 130, 131, and 132, block 11, Leaning Rock ; John Short, section 1), block I, Bannockburn ; H. M'Nulty, jnn., and William Mutter, section 21, Cromwel l .

The Government are offering LIOO re ward in connection with the Kyeburn mar-

The Hon. Captain Fraser ail vises the Government to sweep away all the Wardens, and appoint Mr W. L. Simpson as travelling Warden. In some quarters it is thought that the senior clerks wi 1 lie appointed Magistrates and have to do double duties. And such is the talk, and no little wonder when it is understood that the total cost of Wardens and'clerks on the Gold fields exceeds L10,00l) a year, and reckoning live Wardens, seven clerks, and four cadets, means the mco little average of L 625 per annum.

The sum of 1.51,570 was subscribed to the Irish Relief Fund by Australia and Now Zealand.

It is said that thirty persons died of sunstroke at New York on the 23th June, and on the Ist July there were 79 fatal cases.

MrW. Miller, who claims the title of Champion athlete of the world, informs ns (Australasian) by letter that he is open to match himself for L 250 or LSOO against any three athletes of the world, as follows: A match in the Gneoo-Roman style of wrestling, one fall ; mixed wrestling, catch as can above the waist, tripping allowed, one fall ; sparring, f nil fencing, singlestick, heavy dumb-bell lifting, and walking 26 hours. The throo to divide the above exercises between them. A reply to this challenge is invited through the co’umns of this journal. The following extract from a letter received from Paringa hy a gentleman in Christchurch, and published in the Press, tikes a very hopeful view of the prospect of the new diggings:—“T— F— came in with over 50oz of coarse gold. The largest piece weighed 1 oz 2 Iwt, and several pieces half an ounce ami down to line. It is a splendid sample of gold. They have not officially reported it yet, as they do not want to cause a rush They both say that there will bo room for a large population when the road now being constructed is finished. They got gold over fourteen miles of country, and to the top of the highest hills. They say it will be a splendid ground-sluicing country.” A curious incident showing the veneration of the Chinese for their dead occurred in Sydney the other Tiny. A Chinaman passenger from Melbourne hy the steamer Rodondo, was passing out of the gates with a carpet bag in his hand. The active Customs official on duty naturally expected contraband, but to his astonishment, the bag contained the bones of the Chinaman’s father, together with a certilicate of “ resurrection ” showing that the bones had been exhumed from the Castlemaiue graveyard. John was en route to the laud of his nativity. Canton. I telegraphed some days ago (says the Beoohworth correspondent of the Melbourne Telegraph) that there was a likelihood of another gang turning out. There is no doubt in the world now hut that such a gang will be out before many weeks, and I have ascertained that at least two of

those who will bo in it have already been out taking practical lessons in the art of bushranging.

When Ned Kelly was temporarily removed to Beechworth recently he was attended to in the gaol by Dr O’Brien, who states that the prisoner is suffering from 23 gunshot wounds. Kelly says Byrne did not shoot Sherritt.

The following information respecting Hanlan’s defeat at the Providence regatta has reached us (Australasian) from San Francisco : —“ Hanlan, the lowing champion has met his Waterloo at last. He was badly beaten in the race at Providence, 11. L, with Boyd, Riley, Ross, Champion, Gaudier, and others. Ross finished with 3Gs. in the lead, Riley second, Tenech third. The winning boat made the time in 29m. 245. 50,000 people witnessed the race. Hanlan’s trouble was said to be a stitch in his side, but no definite information can bo gained in regard to it. Riley says that after making the turn, he seemed to indicate that he could not pull, and gave up the contest as though suffering from cramps. Others say he was simply out rowed and beaten. Hanlan returned home much disheartened. He will train for the race with Trickctt in England.”

The Lyttelton Times states that Henderson, who committed suicide in Wellington the other day, had his life insured for LIOOO in the Australian Mutual, but unfortunately for his widow, policies in that Company which have not been in forco thirteen months are vitiated by suicide. Henderson’s, we believe, bad not run that length.

A Loudon despatch says that several French firms having large orders from the Chinese Government for rifles have been instructed to complete them as quickly as possible.