Local and General.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1001, 24 June 1881, Page 2

Local and General.

Tnn material for a second dredge to bo put on the Molyneux at Alexandra is said to bo on the way, and is expected to arrive in a tow days. On and after the date of the opening of the Clyde bridge the proprietors of the Earnscleugh Colliery intend to lower the price of their coal. We draw the special attention of our readers to a notice which appears amongst the advertisements, announcing that a school for young ladies will be opened on an early date at Sunderland-stroet, Clyde. There is very little doing at Blacks in gold-mining. Only a few claims on the flat are working. At German Hill things are jogging on as usual, with plenty of water up to the present time. An important meeting of the Blacks District Farmers’ Club will be hold at the Shamrock Hotel, Blacks, on July 7: to arrange for a ploughing-match, and to transact other business.

Last Sunday was one of the most seasonable days that we have experienced for some time past. Not a cloud was visible in the sky during the day, and Old Sol shone forth with such force that the heat was almost unbearable towards noon. Mr Fanner announces that ho will make his periodical visit to Clyde and surrounding districts in his capacity of pianoforte tuner, at the end of July. Further particulars can be obtained on reference to his advertisement in another column. Me Fache intimates in another column that he purposes attending the sale at Roxburgh of sections in the town of Ophir ; and that he will bo prepared to execute commissions for intending purchasers.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the Government printer of the Hist batch of Parliamentary papers laid on the table of the House of Representatives this session ; also a copy of the Licensing Bill. Elsewhere we refer to two of the papers received. On reference to the advertisements it will ho seen that Messrs Walters and Co announce another of their popular consultations —this time on tho Sydney Metropolitan Stakes. For the convenience of country subscribers, tickets can be obtained on application at the office of this paper.

Messrs SoKTimnna akd Co., Skippers, have cleaned up their boxes with more satisfactory results than previous crushings, about 180 tons quartz having yielded a cake of gold slightly over 14fiozs. Crushing operations are suspended for the winter, but stone will continue to be broken out.

The friends of Mr Arthur D. Harvey who, for so many years, held the position of Clerk to the It. M. and Warden’s Courts, and Receiver of Gold Revenue at Clyde, will, we are sure, be pleased to leam that he has received the appointment of Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court, Dunedin.

Learmoxd and party’s claim at Vinegar Hill, St. Bathans, is still maintaining its rich character. The last washing np yielded a return equal to the others, kinco this claim started, some 20 months ago, it has paid the fortunate owners about LIOO per month per man. We have noticed in previous issues the fencing in of the Alexandra recreationground. Wo now have to notice the planting of the first tree, which took place on Friday last. The ceremony was witnessed by the principal residents of the town, and was performed by the Mayor (Mr Jas. Simmonds). An amateur dramatic performance towards defraying the expenses of fencing in the ground will be held during July, when we hope to meet a largo assemblage. Clause 33 of the Licensing Bill reads ns follows:—“A billiard table license shall authorise tho licensee to keep and maintain billiard or bagatelle tables on tho premises therein specilied, and to allow such tables to bo used between the hours of 10 in the morning and ten at night: provided that any person holding a publican’s license, or a family hotel license, or a club license, shall be entitled to keep and maintain billiard or bagatelle tables on his licensed premises without obtaining a billiard table license.” The net profit for the month of April last on the cost of the whole 1,280 miles of railway in New Zealand was L 50,166, equal to nearly 7 per cent. This, added to the increased value of the land in the neighborhood of the various lines, the increased Customs duties, and tho numerous other benefits derived from their construction, should prove the value of railways, and be an extra impetus to the Government to push on other lines—the Central Otago especially. It will bo seen by an advertisement in another column that the Clyde bridge will be opened for traffic on and after Wednesday next, Juno 29. The occasion will be celebrated in tho customary manner—the orthodox bottle of champagne smashed against one of the piers, and refreshments supplied to visitors to the ceremony. A social dance in tho Town Hall in the evening will bring the day to a close. Wo hope to see the district to a man turn out on tho occasion.

An ambulance, intended for emergency cases of accidents and sickness, has been provided by the Committee of the Arrow Hospital ; and, after being altered so as to suit the peculiarities of mountain tracks has been deposited at Macetwon. The ambulance combines all the requirements of comfort to the unfortunates who may require it, with lightness and strength. A similar conveyance is about to bn procured by the Wakatipu Hospital Committee, and kept in readiness at Skippers, Upper Shotover, for emergency cases.

Wk have before ns the printed roll laid before the House of Representatives of all persons (other than police) in the Government employ, the offices held by each ; amount of salary paid in respect to each office, and the total salary paid to each official ; the return also shows tlio changes (through retirement or dismissal) since the last session of Parliament. It comprises in all 114 pages, and hy it wo glean that since the last session 450 officers have cither retired, or their services dispensed with, and their places not filled up.

It will be remembered that Mr Hanlon, after ho gave up hia farm in Waikerikeri Valley, purchased a 320 acre (deferred payment) section in the Bndle district at the absurdly high price of Ll3 or Ll4 per acre. During the past year he and many of the others who purchased at the same time, and at somewhat the same high figure, surrendered their leases, the Government agreeing to again submit them to auction, with valuations for improvements. Last Tuesday the second sale took place, when Mr Hanlon was again the purchaser of hia holding at LI 7s fid per acre. The valuation for improvement was 1.8G7 15s. We hope our old friend and neighbor will now bo able to go on swimmingly.

The site of Ihe old Victoria Theatre, Sydney, was sold recently, and realised £24,000.

An allotment of land, with a frontage of 27 foot, situate in Collius-street west (Melbourne) was recently sold, and realised L 405 per foot. At the late meeting of the Adelaide Racing Club, L 21,410 passed through the Totalisator, and the Club netted L 1,200 thereby, much to the disgust of tho betting fraternity.

The Tuapeka County Council has agreed to offer Mr Capstick LI 14 without prejudice, as compensation for loss sustained by him while crossing in tho punt at Miller’s Flat

At the Waimato Licensing Session, a publican was rebuked by tho Chairman for being sometimes absent from his hotel and leaving it in charge of his wife, and warned him of tho possibility of a renewal being refused in consequence. The “ Rangitikei Advocate ” states that the Turakina Maoris prophesy a two years’ famine, and are quire as specific as was Joseph to the King of Egypt in telling their pakohafriends howto make provision for the great dearth that is at hand.

At Darlinghnrst, N.S.W., Judge Dowling said to a prisoner who frequented bars, “You had better alter yom occupation when you come out of prison ” ; to which the prisoner (possibly thinking the legal higher than the publican’s bar) replied, “1 will turn barrister.”

Mr Fisher, M.H.R. for the Buller, at a recent meeting said of the M inistry : * ‘They initiate nothing, steal everything, stick to nothing, and are prepared to abandon everything and everybody. They would appropriate Nihilism if they thought it would keep them in office.”

Mr Atkinson, of Oamaru, has resigned his position in the Railway Department, and purposes making a tour of tho Colony, lecturing on New Zealand railways and their management. The enormous stream of emigration to the United States from European countries is attracting much attention. During the month of May tho number of immigrants who landed at New York was 77,000. Sir Francis Dillion Bell, speaking at a meeting in London, considered that it would not pay squatters in New Zealand to send their beef and mutton to England at so low a price as 4£d or 5d per lb. A writer in a Melbourne contemporary says:—Up at tho Muddleditch the police sergeant acts as Clerk of Potty Sessions. The other day he asked in Court for an almanac, in order to find out what day of the week and month “ this day week ” would be. On being asked whether a remand for eight days would be a remand to that day week, he thus oracularly delivered himself— “Eight days is eight days with civilians, but in tho eye of the law seven days is eight days ; so a remand for eight days is always filled up with nine days 1” This settled the question. Thieves do not, it seems, fear to break through and steal even from tho hallowed precincts of the Supreme Court. A short time since (remarks tho Dunedin “ Morning Herald”) a snort distance from the bench, and just over the jury-box, stood the venerable time-piece which has recorded the time in Court for years past. Recently it was missed, and an investigation showed that the thief coolly placed tho Court steps against the '--all, then removed the clock, and probably walked out the public entrance with it. It is supposed that tho robbery was committed in daylight. “ .'Egles ” writes in the “ Australasian ’’ as follows : —“ Please note this, says Speargrass, who dates from Dcniliquin. MrW. Grasslands, who owns the A and B runs (having lately purchased tho latter for £50,000 cash), employs a governess for his younger children. Tho young lady was lately confined to her room for some days through an attack of rhon matism. Mrfi , who is a strictly honorable man and exact in his dealings, not only deducted three days from the temporary invalid’s salary, but charged her with board tor tho period of her indisposition. Anil my correspondent sends real name and address as evidence of the authenticity of bis story.” The chief of one our principal telegraph offices (says the “ Wanganui Herald ’’) possesses a fair voice and some knowledge of music, and ho is accordingly in request at concerts for benevolent objects. He is also popular with his subordinates, who can venture on a little joke with him. Their latest idea is to attend the concerts in full force. When the chief comes on a tapping is heard at various points of the hall. The public cannot understand the tapping, but the singer can. He knows that tho telegraphists are signalling to each other, and that such messages as “What a mouth he’s got,” “Do you see bis tooth in the upper starboard tier ?” are flying about in the air, and he finds it difficult to keep his countenance.

An exciting scone occurred on hoard the steamer Governor Blackall on May 28, just as the steamer was entering the Heads from Brisbane. Among the steerage passengers were three escapees from Now Caledonia, in custody of two gens d’armes, en route to New Caledonia. One of the prisoners being brought on deck, the sight of land was too much for the escapee. The hope of liberty inspired him, and ho suddenly sprang overboard anil swam towards North Head. The constable fired several shots but all missed him, although one went very near his head. The captain immediately stopped the steamer, lowered a boat, and picked the man up in a very exhusted condition.

Temperance and education (soliloquises in the “ Australasian ’) do not invariably travel hand iu hand. Nor, indeed, is modern! ion in language the handmaiden of temperance in drink, which Messrs Vale, Longmore, and other shining lights of the cause, will perhaps explain at the next soda water soiree. Could the tipsy tavernkeeper improve much upon this written placard, which a country friend detached from a paling fence near a temperance hotel “ Thear will be A Tea-party on Easter Monday Evening At 5 Oclock A Banco to comments at 7 At Claiks Temperance Hotel Tickets Is Cd. Children under 12 years old | 9 ponces in return thanks to his surports for the passt ho still hope for the future wear every comforts that he can do for the Long Evenings will be found.’ - The State school is just round tho corner. As good a seamen as over trod the quarter dock sent me ('' /Eglcs ”) this a short time ago, which shows that oven missionary captains may nnko mistakes “Tho missionary auxiliary s.s. Southern Cross went on a pleasure trip from Auckland to Norfolk Island with a largo number of young church people on board. On her return, in thick weather, the captain mistook Cape Brett for the Ureat Barrier Island, and ran on eighty miles nut of his course with a fair wind,and picked himself up off Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty. There were many young people on board, and the girls (bless them !) slept on dock near tho binnacle, and their steelheeled boots wore supposed to have caused deviation of tho compasses. We have heard of tho attractions of young ladies iu our time, and the wise men ot old said there was nothing now under tho sun ; * but John P. Robinson he says they didn’t know every thing down in Judee ’ ; or, ns ‘Hudibras’ has it, with a slight variation—--1 Ah, me! what dangers do environ The maids who heel themselves with iron,'”

An Adelaide grain merchant states that Victorian wheat is superior to\ South Australian wheat this year. Have you heard of the Milton Pottery Works ? Have you seen any of - the ware ? If not, go to Bogg’s store, Cl’*,do, whore there is such a large varies, The low prices will astonish you. [Advt. ]

At the instance of the New Zealand Government, it has been decided by the promoters of the wool exhibition to ho held at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, to establish auctions in connection therewith, in order that the actual selling price of the exhibits can bo ascertained.

A hotel-keeper residing in the thirsty town of Hay, Now South Wales, had a cockatoo, whoso perch was usually in the bar. At this hotel there was a brisk bar trade, aud occasionally a dozen of thirsty souls would pop in and call .for drinks simultaneously. On such occafions the barman was in the habit of at a time, gentlemen ; don’t rush a fellow.” One day the cockatoo was missing from his psrch, and the owner upon going in search of him, found him in an adjacent paddock, surrounded by a flock of crows, who scorned bent on his destruction. Tho owner arrived only in time to caress poor cocky just before he died, and to hoar him exclaim “ one at a time gentlemen ; don’t rush a fellow.”

What can this be’ An extraordinary epidemic is reported to have broken out in Aberdeen, affecting over fifty families, num benng over fifty families, numbering close upon two hundred persons. It was believed at first that the disease, which affects the throat and chest, arose from tho milk with which the families were supplied A scientific investigation failed to detect the slightest impurity in the milk, nor has anything of an objectionable nature been discovered at the farm from which the milk came. Some deaths have been attributed to the disease. The medical faculty of Scotland cannot fathom tho causes or tho nature of the outbreak, and tho question as to this latest addition to the ills that “ flesh is heir to ” is likely to remain a puzzler.

In an article of the political outlook in this colony tho Adelaide Register says: “Sir George Grey’s days are gone by. Ho is a leader (without followers, an advocate without a brief. His rose-tinted Democratic views have lost their freshness, and it is scarcely possible that he can conjure up any topic that will be alike novel and exciting. If fight ho must, he will be like big Harry of the Wynd—for his own hand. The colony is apparently satisfied that Sir George has been already trusted too far and too often, and may be content to repose at least for a while its absolute confidence in

the present Ministry, who have really done so much to promote the country’s interest and to deserve the gratitude of the constituencies.” The House of Commons at Ottawa

(Canada) recently sat till eight o’clock in

the morning, when the last of the 25 amendments to the Canada-Pacific Railway resolutions moved by tho Opposition was rejected by the Government party, and the Bill confirming the contract made with tho original syndicate of capitalists passed through its fiist reading. The scenes in the House during tho “all-night sitting” just before taking the votes are described as having been of the moat thrilling kind. Chorus songs were sung to the accompaniment of the trumpets, tin whistles, and “ dinner horns,” while some sleepy members were used as targets, and pelted with wads of paper and blue-books. The Government party let the members of the Opposition do all tho speaking on tho amendments, 20 of which were disposed of in the 10 hours’ sitting, but interruptions wore so frequent that no speeches in the ordinary acception of the term were in reality attempted. Tho night it is stated, was “a memorable one in the annals of Parliamentary history.”