Local and General.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1004, 15 July 1881, Page 2

Local and General.

Sir. F. D. Bell, Agent-General, has been knighted, having been created a K.C.M.G. A lunar rainbow was visible in the sky on Tuesday evening. We draw the attention of onr readers, and the public generally, to Mr George Murray’s temperance hotel notice that appears elsewhere.

Prayers for the restoration to health of President Garfield were offered up in the First Church, Dunedin, on Sunday last. Du Wallis stated recently in the House that during the last ten years the colonists have been living at the rate of f inr millions a-year.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the Government Printer of late numbers of “ Hansard.” several Parliamentary papers and a batch of Bills. It is rumored in Oamaru (according to the “ Mail ”) that Mr Watt, H.M., is shortly to be removed, and that Mr Robinson, of Naseby, is to be his successor The champion sculling race at Wellington on Saturday was won by Hearn, the local man, who came in 10 lengi hs ahead of White. Mr Proudfoot’s new American-built tramway cars are fitted up like a miniature moving drawing-room. At night, the name of each car’s destination appears on illuminated glass. These cars will easily accomodate 30 or 40 passengers. Mr Driver informs the “Times” that he lias solo his three oi Its—Sir Modred, Somnits ami Malium—for 1.3.000, with all their engagements. Mr Driver has no further interest in them They will run in future in the name of Mr H. Prince.

The Otago members are taking active steps to move the Government in the matter of the Otago Central Railway. Mr Pyke is to write to the Government on the subject on behalf of his colleagues in the Pi evince, and an interview with the authorities is to be solicited.

In a late Government “Gazette” is a list of teat hers io the colony, of 1005 hold certificates, 71 hold licenses and 10 hold dis trier licenses. Of the number, Otago has 84 female and 137 male teachers. Mr J. E. Stevens, master of the Clyde school, we notice, holds a certificate of 4th rank ; and Mrs Stevens is in the 6th rank.

The “ Daily Times’ ” Parliamentary correspondent says that all statements tdo graphed to several newspapers relative to the Representation Hill, and the names and boundaries of the new electoral districts,are umeliable. inacenrate, and misleading,inasinneh as no decifion as yet has been arrived at. the matter not having come definitely before the Ministry.

A fktition expressing sympathy with and confidence in Warden Robinson, in which the petitioners remark that they have no wish to interfere with the movements within the Department of Justice, but hope that, the Government will not sanction the removal of officers at the instigation of interested pc sons, was despatched from Naseby by Tuesday’s mail. It is signed by over iiOO persons. A miner fmm Hendigo informed ns (“ Cromwell Argus ') that notices had been srr' ed by he manager of the Cromwell Co. on the men now out on strike, requiring them to forthwith clear off the Company’s ground—that is, pull down or vacate their dwelling-places now creeled within limits of the Company’s leases. In default of doing so forthwith, a charge at the rate of 10s per week will he made for the first two weeks trespass after notice, and Ins per week afterwards. We gdve the story as it c me to ns, without vouching for its accuracy. Should it prove correct, we think few will he found to sympathise with the Company in such arbitrary action. ft is just possible some legal aspects may crop up in connection with Ihe matter that will add to the present complexity of affairs at Bendigo.

Messrs W. Fraser and W G Rees, of ' Vincent County, have given evidence before the Parliamentary Committee on the Rabbit Nuisance. Both gentlemen wore of opinion that the nui-nnee could only be kept i" check by the Government undertaking control of i speotion in the same way as scab in sheep was managed. There is, it is said, a prospect of an effective measure being passed during the present session.

The Treasurer to the Southland Ffosoital desires through us specially to acknowledge the receipt of Ll2 from a late patient named James Spratt, who was received into the hospital from Tinker’s Gully with a broken leg. M r Spratt was an inmate of the house for five weeks, and on leaving asked for his bill, which was tendered to him, amounting to L 7 IDs. which he at once paid, and—after expressing his gratitude for the care and attention bestowed on him whilst in the institution—left a donation of 1,4 10s in addition thereto

Mr J. D. Feraud. of Monte Christo, Clyde, writes the Secretary of the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition complaining that some evil-disposed persons have feloniously removed and carried away from his stand in the Exhibition samples of ginger wine, Malaga wine, and Constantia wine. Mr Feraud suggests that chemical tests should he applied to goods in the department in which be exhibits before arriving at a decision as to their merits, as he has reason to •* believe that exhibitors have obtained prizes in other Colonies for liqueurs such as Curaooa and Maraschino, while competing famous products of Paris ami Amsterdam ; it being well known that such liqueurs cannot possibly be manufactured in New Zealand.”

We cannot do better than draw attention to Mr J. River’s advertisement in another column, and in doing so respectfully lender the following advice to business men— •* Go thou and do likewise ” ; to the general public—“ Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest.” To one special hne in the advertisement we draw particular attention of farmers and gardeners. We refer to the •■Whiteflint corn,'’ and strongly recommend that they should obtain a small quantity and make a trial sowing That the lime has arrived for farmers to turn their attention to something else than wheat, oat, barley and potatoe growing, no sum man will doubt, and we think that, ns Mr James Rivers attempts to supply this other seed, the farmers should take advantage and give it a trial. Whiteflint coni is a species of maize,and we should think highly suitable for the valley of the Clntha.

A shilling a-head testimonial to Mr Berry has been started in Victoria. The Chinese stallholders in Paddy’s Market, Sydney, had to clear out on a recent Saturday night, in consequence of the attitude of a number of persons. At Auckland, on the sth instant, the reception Committee resolved, if possible, to get the Royal Princes to visit the Hot Lakes.

The Earl of Shrewsbury, who some time since eloped with a married lady, was overtaken at Straslmrg by the friends of the lady, who gave the Earl a sound beating and took the fair one back to England.

According to a return recently published it appeals that 1223 failures amongst farmers in Great Britain occurred during the year 1880 ;in the previous year it is sail! that no less than 1431 were ruined.

About 160 members of the Sydney police have been recently vaccinated, and it is intended to continue the work until the operation has been performed on the whole of the force.

The question of allowing the punts to he used for Sunday traffic was discussed at the last meeting of the Tuapeka County Council, wdien it was resolved to admit a clause in the regulations submitted by the chairman, to the effect that Sunday traffic he discontinued.

Mr Bryce {the Ex-Native Minister), like has been employing his time since leaving office in following agricultural pursuits. He was seen lately hawking “ Murphies ” through the streets of Wanganui for sale—an employment more adapted to his powers than controlling the Native affairs of New Zealand.

The following telegram from the manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company has been handed to the Akaroa Mail: -“Our London telegr«m, dated Ist inst., says : * So far as we can ascertain, the cheese per Orari is a failure.’ ” Military ardour seems to have vanished altogether *rom Napier. All the officers in the volunteer corps, commissioned ami noncommissioned, have resigned in consequence of the utter lack of interest evinced by the privates. It was quite a common occurrence lor all the officers to be present at parade, whilst not more than half-a-dozen privates put in an appearance.

With regard to Dr Wallis’ motion for the adoption of Hare’s system, the correspondent of the “ Fimani Herald ” says ; “ The House was evidently in favor of the resolution by a large majority, and there were loud cries of ‘Question,’ when Mr Reader Wood roan and deliberately talked against time till half-past 5, when the motion virtually lapsed ”

Wp. hear on good authority, says the “ Star ’’ that Sir Georee Grey has offered his property at Kawau at the Government valuation uniter the property tax—l 6 Gotland his off t is likely to he accepted, as Sir George is understood to he nesirons of taking a more active part in puhlie affairs, and purposes residing in Auckland City. Tltn Hon. Captain Fraser was a warm supporter of the Chinese Bill, and in the discussion on its second reading he said of the Mongolians that they were most treacherous, ns witness the Naseby murder. However, a Chinese had been hung for that, although it was the wrong man—(laughter)—the other man having the neneHt of a clever lawyer. His countrymen though, to their credit, Boycotted him, and he (Captain Fraser) hoped he had since cut his throat.

Mr Horsley, a prison surgeon, writing in the “fortnightly Review” “On Suicide, ’ gives some re.ma’kablo statistics as to the percentage traceable to drunkenness. Of 300 cases which name under his notice, 170 were traceable to drink, and 41 of the remaining 130 were unknown or doubtful. Of 28 cases of attempted suicide brought in one month to the prison he was connected with, only three cases were not apparently due directly or indirectlv to intemperance. A CABre special to the “New York Herald, from Dublin, of May 29th, says: —A bailiff went to servo writs on property of Mr Hutchins, near Mallow, County Cork, on Saturday. Some women gathered round and seized him, destroyed the writs, and then stripped him naked and threw him into the river. They caught him as ho came out, and thrasheil him with furze. The unfortunate man, more dead than alive was then tarred and feathered, and hunted through the country. A party of police went out from Mallow to rescue him, but after scouring the country they were unable to find him.

Two shocks of earthquake were felt at Wellington on the 7th Instant. During the search by the Sydney police recently for small-pox oases, the most disreputable habitation they entered was that of a European. The promises were unfit for pigs, even.

During the discussions on the sparrow question which have taken place in Oamaru a gentleman instanced a case in which the sparrows had declined an attack on a colony of caterpillars, and in place had given their undivided attention to the fields of wheat and barley in the neighborhood. The “North Otago Times” lias now been informed that the colony of caterpillars in question were devoured by a flick of starlings. which spent several days over this gastronomic feat. It is possible that the ground lark will feel as uncomfortable as the sparrows when the poisoned grain era comes round.

According to a correspondent of the “Geelong Advertiser,” who professes to have heard the secret of the now patent gas, Mr Dixon a discovery is the carrying out of an old idea—the separation of the hydrogen from the oxygen in water by a process of the simplest character, it has been the dream of scientists for years to accomplish this. Water will be the fuel and light of the future. The possibilities of the future are enormous, as the discovery will not only he applied to supply gas, hut also heat anil motive power. Mr Stanford,brother of the Leland Stanford, the Railway King of California, is understood to have invested L 25.000 in the discovery.

At Sydney Anglican Synod on June 20 the statement was made that the rntfianism which had Ltelj been deve oped in that city was not confined to the larrikins, hut had extended to other clas-es, and was degrading to the community generally. It occurred daily in the streets that Chinese were met and sainted with oaths and curses; they wrre turned nut of the steamboats and omnibuses ; they were pushed into the gutters ; and. they were ejected with indignity from the traracars. Daring the month of May the Chinese catechist in Sydney had 65 of his countrymen at his Sunday services, but this month the attendance had fallen to 20. The opinion was expressed that it would take ten years to regain the influence that the Church has lost with the Chinese. That charmingly original actress and would he lecturer. Lotti Wilmot, has “ let in ” some of the Auckland papers for advertising, As she did some of the Christchurch journa’s a short time since. This is the way areporterof an Auckland weekly goes for the beautiful and seductive Lotti ;—“Mdine Lotti Wilmot, who has not been appreciated in Auckland in the manner her transcendant attractions and many beauties of character deserve"’, cleared out for Taranaki on Tuesday, quite forgetting to settle her little advertising account with us. Don’t forget to send us a P. 0.0., dear Lotti.”

The Wellington correspondent of a contemporary makes the following remarks anent onr member : —Vincent Pyke occasionally says a thing in familiar conversation deserving of wide publicity. I was walking down w olesworth-street with the junior member for Oamaru, when, just passing the gate of Coveriimeut House, we me# the Chairman of Vincent County. After the usual Halations had taken place when men well acquainted with each other meet after a longer or shorter absence, Jones said, “ Where is G M. Reed to be found ? —he came up in the boat with you.” Pyko —“1 left hiin on the wharf, seated on a stump, explain the principles of pure democracy to George McLean.” “ Did -McLean,” 1 asked, “understand them?” Pvke —“ McLean understands no principles which bear no imerest ”

An exchange’s Wellington correspondent remarks:— “The most boorish man in the House of Representatives is the member for Motueka, Hurstliouse. Helms ihe mtoler able and costermonger habit of seeking to embarras speakers when they make a point against his partv ; sprawling at full length on a couch, and frequently indulging in a hoarse guffaw, or an ironical ‘ Hear, hear I ’ This was especially noticeable when the member for Mount Ida was speaking on the Charitable Aid Bill on its second tea ring. I do not think Hursthouse knows any better. Bred in the colony, learning the usages of society in a tap-room or bar-parlor, no visible refinement of manner or action could be expected from him. Were a horse wanted to be broken in, a fence mended, a barmaid to be chaffed or spooned, or a pair of pants to be made out of a guano-bag, why, Mr Hursthouse would understand all about the matter.”

An amusing occurrence is said by the “ Post ’’ to have taken place on one of the Wellington tram-cars lately. An elderly gentleman, accompanied by a little boy in knickerbockers—the former slightly ele-vated-entered a crowded tram ear, and, from the little circumstance just mentioned, were the source of a great deal of interest. On the following morning the youngster made it his business to travel by thu same tram, and during the journey called the conductor on one side, and into his ears whispered with a confidential air—“ If the old man, you know, comes into the tram a little hit squiffey, and forgets to bring his fare with him, don’t make a row about it before the other passengers, but just let me know, and I’ll pay for him. The gnv’nor has plenty of money, so there’s no need to kick up a fuss about it.” The guard smiled a knowing assent, and the lad, heaving a little sigh of relief, seemed satisfied.

Writing of tea compounds the Melbourne " Herald ’ of a recent date has the followmarket technically entitled a ' new make,’ was sold by auction lately, when 1,125 boxes were disposed of at from 3}d to I. According to the finding of Mr Dunn this delectable compound contains hardly one genuine tea leaf consisting for the most part of decayed, exhausted tea leaves, other leaves, stems, piece of hark, husk, and nutshells, the whole being faced with plumbago to make it look black. Acomding to Kruse, three of the samples supplied to him were not adulterated, but the fourth contained 16 5 percent, of spurious substances, such as clay, turmeric, and Prussian blue.” We have an Adulteration Act on our statute honk ; but ns it is practically a dead letter its hopeless to expect that the author, ities are on the i/ui vive to prevent such spurious compounds as the above finding their way into the markets of this Colony.

ODR RESOURCES. In our Inst issue there appeared an advertisement under “ The Mines Act,” and being an application for a mineral lease of 411 acres situated on the west bank of the Molyneux, a short distance above the Alexandra bridge. Since then, on enquiring of one of the applicants, Mr John Bennett, as to the nature of the lode to be worked, We ascertained that it is antimony ; and, further that Mr Skey, of the New Zealand Geological Survey Laboratory, reports most favorably of the sample forwarded to him for analysis. The following is a topy of the report *• Result of analysis of specimen No. 3002, forwarded by Mr John Bennett, of Alexandra—Stibuito (antimony sulphide) —The sample as a whole contained 73 per cent, of antimony sulphide, which is equal to 52 A I percent of pure antimony. It contains tiaces of gold. There will benodiffl cult.y in smelting the ore. (Signed) W. Skry.”

The above renort must he considered a highly satisfactory ore, and if Mr Bennett and his co-partners decide on placing the lode before the public in the shape of a company, it should luspuc them with sufh cient confidence to go into it wan a will. We have not the remotest idea as to what Mr Bennett and his partners purpose doing, iherefore we have ho grounds for hinting at the formation of a company; but should that course be decided on, we opine there will be but little aithculty in rinding shareholders. The lode is a very strong one.aud carries a fair average thickness the whole distance it has been traced on the surface—some Gl) yards. From the fact of Mr Bennett being a practical miner, anil having worked on antimony lodes in the Old Country, we aie the more inclined to expect good results from the discovery. The question- with some sceptics an open one, but with ourselves a certainty—as to whether the bed and beaches of our modern Pactolus, the Molyneux, will pay fordre.lg ing on a large and systematic plan, will soon now be put to the ted, For the past year nr so a bucket and ladder dredge, the current of the river being the motive power, has he. n and is still profitably working ; but dun ig the next week a similarly constructed o edge as the one above mentioned but of a far more powerful character, the motive power being a lb-horse steam engine will be at work ; and in the course of a few weeks a still more powerful one will he in full swing. The two former have but a single ladder in the centre of the boat -or, more rightly speaking, between the two long boats, 6ft x Bft beam respectively, which are held together with strong slays—while the latter, ami to which we refer as being under construction, will have a ladder on either side, and the hull of the ship will be of s rong boiler plate, with a clear 6ft. way between decks, where will be the engine and boiler. We incline to the latter as being the one that will prove the, must profitable in the long run, as with the side ladders she will be able to work right in along shore, and where it is generally allowed the most gold is to be found, i Whether, however, the centre or the sides of the 1 iver have separately or together to I bo worked, we look on it that dredging the ; Molyneux must pay, and that it will be an ! industry of many years’ dura'ion. i Dredging by steam will bring into greater prominence another of the resources in which these districts (Alexandra, Clyde.and Tevjot) are pariiculaily rich—via, coal. At the present time there are two pi.s in full work and one lying idle at Alexandra, one at Blackman’s Gully, two at Clyde, and two at the Tevint, the whole turning out a firstclass si earning coal Amongst our resources is gold in adurial and 111 quartz, fnafutuie issue we sh ill take the opportunity of dealing with them.