The Dunstan Times. CLYDE, FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1881.

Dunstan Times, Issue 991, 15 April 1881, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

CLYDE, FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1881.

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

Two or throe local “shootists” have been out baying a shot- at the ducks and swamp hens, but we have uot heard of any successful bagging of birds. In fact, the ducks are reported to be very scarce and shy this year. There was on view last Saturday night, at Messrs Atttield and Welsford’s, a trout which, when cleaned, turned the scales at 1441b5. The fish was caught in Lake Wakatipu, and is reported to be the largest one caught in the county. A local fisherman avers, however, that he lately saw in the Fiaser River fish measuring fully three feet long. Time will prove the truth of the assertion. J. H. Paget was charged at the Dunedin Police Court, on April 8, with having opened a registered letter, in transit from Christchurch to Dunedin, and stolen therefrom three L 5 bank-notes and six LI notes, the property of the Bank of New Zealand. Accused was a post-office officer and had gone to the mail van, in his official capacity, had stolen the notes, and then left quickly. The offence was Clearly sheeted homo to Paget and he was committed for trial. At the Criminal Court Paget was sentence:: :o three years’ imprisonment. Mr Pyke addressed a large and influential audience of electors in the Town Hall, Clyde, un Friday evening last. A patient hearing was accorded Mm while he delivered an earnest and interesting address on “The Land Question.” Action was taken in the matter by the meeting appointing a Committee of well-known local gentlemen to attend to the affair. We sincerely hope that Mr Pyke, the electors, and the Committee will folio"” up the matter they have taken in hand, and not rest “on their oars " until they are victorious in their cause. A lengthy report of the meeting appears in another column. One often comes across some very curious notifications in English and Australian papers, but it is very seldom we come across a regular nice little “titbit” in a provincial journal. In a Dunedin newspaper lately, the following disclaimer, inserted under the “ Wanteds Known,” appeared:—“ Wanted known—The aMut, dark man who has often been taken for Mr Loft in the Arcade, is not Mr Loft, nor has be any connection with Mr Loft’s establishment at Nos. 9, 10, Royal Arcade.” “ Lawks, ’nw funny,” that renowned old vixen Mrs Sairey Gamp would have exclaimed, if she had come across a similar notice in the London Times “while a-takin’ o’ her nightcap with ’er friend, Mrs Harris.” Perhaps the “stout, dark man” will be so kind as to notify in the same paper that he is sorry he was taken for Mr “ Arcade ” Loft, that he will dye his whiskers, change the color of his eyes, take daily six bottles of anti-fat, and otherwise change his personal appearance so as not to be again taken for that charming stupid, Mr L. We have received a pamphlet from the Secretary of the Bay of Islands Coal Company containing numerous testimonials in its favor, together with a description of the colliery, and instructions to customers. At the Sydney Exhibition this company was awarded the first degree of merit. The following communication has been placed at our disposal for publication— Wellington, April 4, 1881.—Sir, —In further reply to your letter of the 10th December last, re the extra charge of sixpence each on telegrams to and from the Manuherikia station, 1 beg now to inform you that it has been decided to restore Manuherikia to the list of untaxed stations.—l am, etc., W. Gray, Secretary to the Post Office and Telegraph Department. To V. Pyke, Esq., Clyde. “H.M.S. Pinafore ’’has been in the Dunedin Police Court. The father of some youth engaged as an A.B. summoned the manager for 12s for services rendered in connection with the navigating of the “ship.” The manager denied the soft impeachment contained in the summons; said that all the A.B’s (boys) were not paid for “ singing,” and were only too glad to give their services in return for being allowed to go on the deck of H.M.S. Pinafore. The plaintiff was nonsuited with costs. The conducting lawyers managed to have some sport out of the case. An Ashburton paper has the following ; A census-paper enumerates the three members of a certain household, and supplies information on all points required by the Government. The “ head of the family ” filled up the form, and after giving his own occupation—past and present—proceeded to give that of his wife. He designates his good lady’s past profession as “ bossing yours truly,” and her present as “still bossing.” The “head of tho family” has been, like Eugene Aram, “a melancholy man ” ever since the “boss” became acquainted with what the document contained.—This tale reminds ns of an incident that occurred in the Dunstan district lately. The “census-man” accosted a well-known lawyer and asked him it he had yet filled up tho census form furnished him. The “ knight of the wig and long robe ” replied that he had not. Thereupon the census enumerator offered to fill in the necessary information. “Your name is Blank ?” "I cannot say,” replied tho lawyer. “It is only oral evidence, and no court of justice would accept evidence of that nature.” The enumerator writes down the name, and asks—“ What is your profession?” “General perverter ot the truth !” was the reply. “ And yonr age ?” “My knowledge, sir. on that point is only hearsay, therefore 1 cannot tell. Ido not want to tell a falsehood ; and, not; being sure of my age, 1 decline to say."' The upshot ot the affair was that tho lawyer told the census man he was “just as old as his tongue and a little older than his teeth,” and then left him to ruminate over the information given him. Mr Pyke has written to the Dunedin Morning Herald in answer to a “ little item ” that appeared in that paper, copied from the Wakatip Mail. The letter concludes as follows :—Well, sir, this is what Mr Pyke says to it: The “ item ”is an ignorant and impudent invention, or rather a series of inventions, baseless as the "fabric of a vision," and emanating solely from the veal-stuffed head of the Wakatipu scribe, whose nonsensical bleatings about public affairs are so painfully notorious that no one up country takes notice of them. — 1 am, etc., V. Pyke. On Monday last The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court commenced before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies, at Dunedin. In all bnt one ca«e true bills were returnee, and five of the eleven prisoners were dealt with. Two cases were tried by juries— Paget, charged with embezzlement, was convicted, and Mnlcahy, for larceny from the person, acquitted. We have received the first number of tho Federal Australian, a weekly summary of pastoral, agricultural, political, and sporting affairs of Australia, and printed in Melbourne,

In our snpp'orncnts will shortly be com. menced anew serial story, entitled “The Ferryman’s Secret,” by S. Cobh, who is an American writer of some note. Wn have received from Mr Mel ven’s gar den, St. Dathan’s, an onion weighing about lib. Everything considered, it is a good specimen, and, alihough the members of the vegetable kingdom cultivated in Clyde are twice the size of those grown in St Bathans, it is easily seen that the productiveness of the latter place is beyond the average of other mining centres. On Sunday and Wednesday last Clyde and surrounding district was Visited by a refreshing, welcome downpour of rain. We learn from the Gazette that the gaol at Lawrence has been abolished. Murdock, the cricketer, has the “great majority” of white-washed individuals. Alas, how are the mighty fallen ! At the first meeting of creditors of the notorious firm of Hancox and Co., held in Dunedin, it was elicited that the principal of the firm (Ahn) had gone the rounds of the colonies, carrying on the same game there as he had in Dunedin, and invariably winding up business by filing his schedule. The meeting could do nothing in the matter, although it was evidently a case calling for a strict investigation by the trustees. The Easter review of volunteers is to take place at Damani next week. It is expected to be a great success. A large fire occurred at Auckland during the week, causing damage to the amount of £20,000. A rather heavy shock of earthquake visited Clyde last Sunday night at eleven o’clock. It is not probable that Parliament will meet for the despatch of business before June. The Kaitangata Coal Company have now found a market in Christchurch for their coal, to which city it is being sent by rail, A shipment of nine tons of cheese is being sent Home by the farmers on Banks’ Peninsula by the Orari. Some of the shipment took first prize at the Melbourne Exhibition. The result of the trial will be anxiously looked forward to. The Education Department is going to keep a black list. The Minister has sent a circular to the several Education Boards, asking them to furnish him with a list of teachers who have been dismissed for disgraceful conduct. At a recent meeting of the South Canterbury Board, the Chairman mentioned that an individual had imposed on them by producing certificates that were subsequently proved to be forgeries. The destruction of rabbits is the leading topic in Victoria and parts of South Aus • tralia at present. At a recent meeting of the Wellington Education Board Mr Donald Coutt« stated that the Colonial Treasurer had informed him that the Government intended to place on the Estimates next session a sum of LIOO.OOO for school buildings. The Municipal Council of Toronto has offered Hanlan, the champion Canadian sculler, the freedom of the city, and the remission of the rent and taxes of his island hotel for life. An atrocious trick was played upon a boy in Sydney a few days ago. Seeing a tin match-box in the back yard, he stooped to pick it up. In doing so he stepped on a brick, when something exploded with a great noise, and knocked the boy back insensible. He was considerably burned about the head and face. The origin of the outrage is unknown. At a meeting of Orangemen held at Dunedin, L7B was subscribed for the assistance of persons “ Boycotted ” in Ireland. The police throughout the Colony have recently received instructions to lock up all cases of children in the Industrial School whose parents or relatives are not contributing towards their support, with a view of relieving the state of the maintenance of the same. The instructions are being rigidly enforced in Otago. An exchange says “ A remarkable clever and novel piece of swindling has been perpetrated in the Wellington district. A lea-ling legal firip, in conjunction' with a local auctioneer, sold to a person a run carrying some 2,000 sheep, taking a small sum in cash, and apparently good paper for the balance. The purchaser took p sses sion, sheared the sheep, sold the woo], and subsequently the sheep for cash, and has levanted with the proceeds, the paper being worthless. Rather complicated legal proceedings are likely to arise.” An informer of shanty keepers at Ipswich recently got a surprise. He had two persons before the Court, and the cases falling through, the Bench ordered that defendant’s costs, amounting to Lll, should be paid by the prosecutor. This the informer was unable to do, so he was sent to gaol for a month. A stone woolshed with iron roof, belonging to Mr W. J. Harrison, of Arrow, was totally gutted by fire on Sunday, between 5 and 6 o’clock. The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. The sbed was insured in the National office for £4OO. A murder has been committed at Waikawa, near Picton. Rawiri Kepa quarrelled with Ropoawa Peni. They hid two successive fights on Saturday, and in the last fight Peni became insensible, and died on Sunday. Rawiri, when arrested, was found hid in a hay-loft, and was very downcast. Jealousy is said to have been the cause of the fight. The claim at Blue Spur, Tnapcka, known as Morrison and Company’s, recently washed up lOOOozs of gold as the result of only about three months’ work. Miss Louise Pomeroy, the celebrated actress, is now playing at the Academy of Music, Balls rat. After her present engagement she will visit New Zealand, supported by a powerful dramatic company. The Timaru Herald reports an attempted robbery aboard tho Te Anau steamer of five boxes of silver coin, valued at L 1,700. The door of tho safe had been tampered with. At tho last meeting of Lake County Council it was resolved that only members residing 25 miles from Queenstown be paid for attendance. Joubkrt, who has been apnointed commandant by the revolted Boers in the Transvaal, was formerly a clerk in Melbourne. He arrived there from the Cape, and, finding Australia too slow for his ambition, soon returned to the place fiom whence he came. A good snake yarn comes from New South Wales. A lady killed one of these unwelcome visitors, and, according to repert, in its interior was found a clutch of uot less than fifteen chickens, which tho monster had absorbed. Our Mount Ida contemporary slates that the bead of a red deer (stag) was taken through Naseby last week by H. Craig and Co.’s coach, its destination being the Dnnedin Museum. It was shot by Mr Handiride, the ranger for tho interior on the Morven Hills Station, and was ono of tho large herd that is now running on the boundary of Otago and Canterbury.

Work is being pushed ahead with the | building of the dredge at Mutton Town | Gulley. The men have comfortable quarters, and everything looks ship-shape. Mining intelligence from Tinkers’ Gully is highly satisfactory. Considering the season of the year, water is plentiful, and most of the claims are on good gold. The Undaunted Company, who are engaged in the pleasing operation of washing up, from one lift'bagged (JOSozs of the precious metal. Another claim netted iSOozs ; other claims are doing equally as well The miners, as a rule, are very reticent as to their prospects. We are, therefore, unable to give detailed particulars of this prosperous goldfield. The authorities have at last decided to knock off the obnoxious extra sixpence on all telegrams of ten words and under, sent from the Alexandra (Manuberikia) office. A copy of the letter from the Under-Secre-tary appears in another place A VERY fair area of land in the Spottis Hundred, we notice, is under turnips, and in many places they look remarkably well, promising good returns. This should be good news to the butchers, as plenty of turnips means fat beef and mutton. What we cannot but characterise as a most unbecoming - nay, even a disgraceful —scene was enacted not 100 miles from Tinker’s Gully on Tuesday evening, after Mr Pyke’s address on tke releasing of the runs, the chief actor being a gentleman who decidedly ought to have known better. We may have again to refer to the matter. The main sludge channel that draws off all slum, tailings, and dirty water from the Tinkers’ gold mines is getting very much out of repair, and demands early attention, or it will lead those who use it into contact with the farmers through whose lands it runs. As the channel is public property, it having been constructed at the joint expense of the Government and the miners, we think it would not be unreasonable to ask the County Council for a share of the expense of repairing it. We give the hint, and would suggest that the matter be placed in the hands of the member for Matakanui, to be dealt with at the next meeting of the Council. The A merican Commission on Bible Revision say the revised Bible will not be ready for several months. The ware sent to tbe Melbourne Exhibition by the Milton Pottery received a fourth order of merit. The Immigration Department have intimated that under no circumstances will any further nomination papers for free immigration be entertained, until the decis sion of Parliament has been given on the subject of future immigration. Mr M’Culloch, R.M., Invercargill, has decided that a market gardener hawking vegetables in the streets is not a hawker within the meaning of the by-laws, and even if he were, the Corporation could not sue until they have established a public market in the town. Mr Finn, who appeared for the gardener, contended also that a hawker is one who sells goods by crying them in a public place. The information was dismissed. Messrs Meston and M'Connochie, the contractors for building the shore spans of the Clyde bridge, have got the work in all the very many different departments in full swing, and understand that all the material used in the erection is of the very best quality. The balance of the timber is expected daily ; and, by tho time the mason work is completed, the framing will bo finished and everything ready to place in position. On both east and west sides of the river the Oregon beams are in position, and a gangway erected for the convenience of foot-passengers. A good story is told of the Bev. Hoadley Proctor, who once preached in Vermont. One bitter cold day, when the church was but half warmed, Proctor had for his text a very warm verse. Just before the Benediction he leaned forward and said to one of tbe deacons, in tones loud enough to be heard by all—“ Brother Griggs, do see that this house is better warmed this afternoon ; its no kind of use for me to warn sinners of the danger of hell when the very idea of hell is a comfort to them. Have you heard of the Milton Pottery Works ? Have you seen any of the ware ? If not, go to Begg’s store. Clyde, where there is a large variety. The low prices will astonish you.—[Advt.J