Local And General.

Dunstan Times, 6 May 1881, Page 2

Local And General.

We understand that County works are likely to bo brought to a standstill, even on contracts, tho Bank of New Zealand having declined to allow any increase of the County overdraft. The “ Clutha Leader ” of the 29th ultimo has a leading article on the all important topic, tbs Land question, from which we glean the following “ One result of the Land Act of 1866 was the Hundreds Regulation Act of 1869, which gave large compensation to the runholders for land taken foi settlement. Many runholders have received more money for blocks taken out of their runs than they have paid as rents. In other words, they have not only sat rent free, but have been paid large sums of public money besides” It may not be generally known, but it is a fact nevertheless, that one of the runs that has been held rent free for the past few years is not one hundred miles from the town of Cromwell. Taranaki had the enormous extent of 63,000 acres under crop this year, of which 1036 acres '-•ere ia wheat, and 718 acres in oats. But Taranaki has only two members of Parliament, a Land Board, and the other appendn of a populous and rich country. Who after this will say that the North Island does not pay its own piper? Ah, who indeed 1 Mr W. Spratt, who, will be remembered, had his leg broken some eighteen mouths since whilst working in the Mountain Race Company’s claim, Tinkers, and who again had the same leg broken some few months afterwards by stepping into a rabbit hole ; we regret to learn, during the last week, he had the same leg again broken by the kick of a horse. It appeai-s he and his brother John were in the neighborhood of Wyndham, Southland, looking for a property, and when in taking Iheir horses across a swamp, the horse leading struck out with the hind leg inflicting the injury referred to. Mr Spratt was removed to Invercargill Hospital as s >on as possible, where, under our old friend Dr Button, he is progressing as well as passible. We arc requested to draw special attention to the auction sale of the property of Mr John Spratt, Tinker’s Gully, advertised f a the 16th inst. The house is a most comfortable one in every particular, and combines .every convenience ; the horses are as good as anj in the district ; household furniture are of the best quality and nearly new. As Mr Spratt is positively leaving the district, the sale will be unreserved ; and accordingly worth attending. 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 such a large variety. The low prices will astonish you. [Advt.] It is a curious fact that women are employed at the Pennant Hills stone quarries near Paramatta, New South Wales. They do precisely the same kind of work as the quarrymen, and are able to earn L2 IDs a week easily. The Oamaru Mail thinks it not improbable that Mr Watt will prefer the leisure of a luxurious retirement to the turmoil of a judicial career in Oamaru. We have been informed that the successful tenderer for the platelaying on the Nightcaps railway is Mr Whitaker, the price being about L2OOO. This is considered very- moderate. It has been calculated, says the Christ-, church Telegraph, that there exists in New Zealand some sixty professional bookmakers. On the estimate that each one spends at the rate of L4OO, the public suppa v them with tho modest little sum of L 24.000 1 Next year some of the members of the Alpine Club intend to explore the Alps in Canterbury. The Lusitania, which left Sydney lately for London, took, for consumption on the passage, 40,0001bs of beef, mutton, pork, lamb, etc. Stoning Chinamen in tho streets is becoming a favorite amusement with the larrikin fraternity of the suburbs of the city of Melbourne. Wk learn that Ingersoll is about to visit New Zealand. The Earl of Perth has been proclaimed a bankrupt. The Melbourne Exhibition is to be closed on May 30. The Tararua gold robbery reward has been increased by tho Government to LIOOO. The Christchurch i volunteers have succeeded in liquidating the little bill incurred in connection with the review there a year ago. The Rev Mr Spurgeon, of London, is about t# visit Australia for tho good of his health. An exchange says:—A dwarf measuring only 2ft Sin iu height has arrived in Gisborne, and intends to exhibit himself in aid of the funds of the Catholic Church. He is a Bengalese, and reputed to be very wealthy. Texas papers are speaking of tho late George Elliott as “a very gifted but very immoral man.” Yes, poor old fellow, he had his weaknesses ; but as a pugilist he stood unrivalled. England will not soon forget his justly-celebrated “Mill on the Floss.” A decided “bull” was perpetrated in the House of Commons by ono of the members for Wicklow, who, when speaking on the Irish question, said:—" As long as Ireland was silent under her wrongs England was deaf to her cries.” Mr Ormond is opposed to additional New Zealand loans. Thirtt-two Chinese gamblers wore captured at Maytown, and fined L6O in all.