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Dunstan Times, Issue 1029, 6 January 1882, Page 2

A cablegram reports that the Pope iu receiving a deputation o£ cardinals on the 23rd instant stated, in the course ot Jus address, that his position in Home was daily growing unbearable, and that ho feared the Ohureh would have to submit to further severe persecutions. The Dunedin Tablet speaking of reports as to the Pope’s intended departure from Rome says : We neither attribute any special importance to them nor wholly regard them as untrue. It seems not impossible the Holy Father may before long decide that the Vatican can no longer afford him a safe shelter, and seek a refuge elsewhere. But if ho leaves Rome we shall most undoubtedly soon behold the spectacle of King Humbert tumbled head-foremost and without ceremony over the walls, to range the world among the oxkings.

The weather of late has been very propitious for the farmers, ami we may expect to see their Jabors rewarded with a plentiful aud bounteous harvest.

Tub Hallway Department have undertaken to defray the cost of burying the stoker Woodcock, the victim of the railway' accident at Clinton.

A novel theft is reported by the Advocate to have occurod in Mosgiol on Christmas day—namely, that of a plum pudding incautiously put by its maker outside the house to cool.

Maps showing the boundaries of the proposed sub-divisions of the runs, and a map of Otago showing the various elevations above the soa-lovel, of the 3,000,000 acres have arrived in Dunedin.

We notice that at the breaking-up of the Dominican High School, Dunedin, last week, prizes were given for Domestic Duties and Politeness. Our State schools might follow suit with advantage.

We have received a copy of the Dunedin “ Evening Star’s ” almanac,lßß2. The new building stands out very prominently in the centre, and gives a very good idea of what that journal’s premises are like.

The fire which broke out in Messrs Holden and Buckley’s coal-pit at Blackman’s Gully has been extinguished. A water-race was, we learn, cut from the ranges, and when all was ready the mine was flooded.

A Southland paper records the death of Mr Thomas Wmton, a pioneer of settlement, who gave the name to the township of Winton. He was known in the early days as one of the boldest and most skilful of stockriders.

Mr J. A. Preshaw, who has been tor many years manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Cromwell, has been transferred to Invercargill to take a similar position in the bank’s branch there. Mr Preshaw, who is a J.P. and a member of the local Licensing Bench, has been very highly respected during his prolonged stay in the town, and his loss will be deeply regretted throughout the district. We are pleased to be able to announce that the concert held at Alexandra on Jan 2 in aid of the school aud prize fund was a grand success A largo number of people were present, and the programme was gone through in a creditable manner, greatly to the gratification of the audience A dance followed the concert, about 30 couples taking part thereat, the proceedings being brought to a close at about 3 p. in. A cricket match was played at Alexandra last Friday between II Clyde youths and a like number of Alexandrans. The match resulted in a victory to tho local team, who had 49 runs to spare at the conclusion of the game. The Olydcite? did not make a respectable show even. They should go in for plenty of practice if they desire to hold their own against visiting teams.

Mr Vincent Pvke, alluding to some remarks made by the “ Tuapeka Times,” thus writes to our contemporary : - I am much amused at your comments on ray letter to the “ Star ” concerning my supposed hostility to the 1 squatters.’ Pray read it agaiu, and then try this arithmetical problem : —lf one run is cut up into twenty, how many squatters will there be iu excess of the present number ?” About 3,500 acres of that unrivalled property, the Edendale Home Station, will be offered for saU by public auction in Invercargill on January 11. The land has been cut up into farms, and to those with a little capital a good chance is offered for making for themselves a comfortable home,and securing to themselves a competency far life. The sale is worthy of tin; attention of those looking out for suitable investments for their money.

At Cromwell, on January 2, the residence of.Tas. Scott, caugnt fire. The proprietor was employed in his bakery between 1 and 2 a m., when he he heard his wife scream.

Going into the house he found that she had accidently knocked over a kerosene lamp. Tile bedroom was ablaze. The fire-engine arrived on the scene, and quickly quenched the flames. The stock-in-trade was considerably damaged by fire and water. The furniture ami stock were insured for £6OO.

We learn that a fire broke out in the residence (formerly a hotel) of Mr Kenny, of St Bathans, at 1 o’clock on Monday morning. The lire started in the billiard room, and was discovered by a man who was passing at the time. Kenny was in bed, and the local insurance agent broke in the door and extinguished the flames. Tho lamp at tho bar end of the billiard table was found to be broken, and tho table impregnated with kerosene oil. This circumstance Kenny' explained by saying that the lamp got foul and afterwards exploded (bus causing the conflagration. Tho place was insured for L2IK), but the policy expired on the 2ist inst. About L2(l will cover tbe damage done. The origin of the fire is clouded in mystery

It is with unfeigned regret that we have to announce tbe dentil of Mr Patrick Cotter, postmaster and telegraphist, Alexandra. Deceased was a most promising and pushing young man, and his absence will bo deeply felt by those who respected and liked him for his many sterling qualities Deceased was only 25 years of age aud unmarried. The direct cause of death wo understand to have been typhoid fever Deceased had but just resumed his official duties after a temporary leave of absence, when he was stricken down A very curious circumstance in connection with deceased an 1 his leaves of absence is that just after resuming his duties last year he was attacked with scarlet fever. His remains were removed yesterday to the Arrow by hia parents for interment in tho local cemetery.

It will be remembered by our readers that a short time ago Mr Pyke forwarded to the Minister of Lands a copy of the resolutions passed at the meeting of M. H. R’s in Dunedin, convened by our member for the purpose of taking into consideration the proposed action of the Government with regard to the re-leasing of the Otago runs. Mr Dick, in the absence of Mr Rolleston, has replied as follows In reply, I have to express my regret that the proposals of the Government in detail should not have been ready at an earlier date, so that the members present should have had full information before them. The proposals have now been forwarded to the Land Board, whose functions iu respect of these runs are. clearly defined in “The Land Act, 1877. ” And I have full confidence that when they are considered they will remove much of the misconception which—partly from the impossibility of giving fuller details iu an advertisement—has arisen upon the subject. The Government prior to Mr Rolleston’s departure for Nelson and the West Coast, gave the request contained in the resolutions forwarded by you very careful consideration, with every desire to afford the fullest opportunity for the discussion of this important question. But ns it is at present advised, it does not appear to be competent to it to take a course which would set aside the existing law, and involve arrangements with the pastoral lessees for which there would be no legal authority

This usu.il monthly moo tiny of tho Commit teo of Management of tho Dimstm District Hospital will bo belli dekt Monday evening As business of importance will come before tho meeting a full attendance of members is looked for.

liik first tunnel on tbo Otago Central Railway is now nearly completed, there being only 14ft of ground to bo driven through. The lining has been carried close up all along, so that the contractor will shortly be in a position to proceed with the driving of the second tunnel.

Mr Jam Cosgrove, for some years past a resident of Switzers, and previously a resident of Alexandra South, where be will bo remembered, we are informed, fell down dead at Miller’s Flat last Friday. Apoplexy is the supposed cause of death.

The “Tuapeka Times” says that Mr Farran, a gentleman well known throughout the Otago Goldfields from his connection with the Bank of Now South Wales, succeeds Mr Preehaw at Cromwell, who has been promoted to the managership of the hank’s branch at Invercargill. Wo congratulate Mr Preshaw on the change, and hope to hear of his still further advancement. An enquiry touching the death of Ah Hung, a miner, who was found dead in his hut at Alexandra last Friday, was held at tho Dunstau District Hospital last Saturday before MrFeraud. Coroner, and a jury of 13, of which Mr Dickie was appointed foreman. The evidence tended to show that deceased had been in a very dejected condition lately, because he was unable to obtain some money that was owing to him. Whilst in that condition he swallowed a large dose of opium, thus causing his death. The medical testimony proved that the organs of deceased were in a healthy condition, and that the stomach contained a blackish fluid which proved to bo opium. A verdict to the effect that Ah Hung came to his death by poisoning by opium, taken whilst in a fit of temporary insanity, was returned by the jury.

1m the B.M Court, Clyde, on Thursday, the application of Mr D McDonald for the temporary transfer of the bush license attached to the Chatto Creek Hotel, to John Heyward, was adjourned for a fortnight for the production of a declaration that the said license was destroyed in the fire that burnt down the house. In the Warden’s Court, the application of Mill. G. Campbell, Wanaka, for an area of agricultural land in that locality was supported by Mr Wilson, and objected to byMr Turton on behalf of a number of memorialists, who averred that the applicant had already exercised his right, and that the land was wanted for selection by tbe public Major Redded said he would forward to the Waste Lands Board the whole of the facts of the case The application of Mr C T Marie tor a homestead area in Cooper’s Gully was dealt with The Warden said he would recommend a portion only of the area applied for to be granted Several other mining applications by some Chinese were also dealt with

A kksidekt of Kew, Victoria, says the Melbourne “Daily Telegraph,” named Matson, has committed suicide in a most determined manner. He was a very old colonist, having arrived in the colony in 1835. He came formerly from India to Tasmania; from there he brought sheep to Victoria in tho barque Henry, and named Point Henry, at Corio Bay, Geelong, after the vessel. He was subsequently in partnership, in squatting pursuits, with his brother, Captain Matson, in the Western district, of which part of the colony they were pioneers. The deceased has nephews m the colony, and also a brother, who is at present managing a bank in New Zealand. Deceased was hoarding with a lady named Chalmers, in Denmark-street, near Bar-ker’s-road, Row, and was found dead, with a large gash across his throat. His relations are wealthy. Whils he was staying at th? Port Phillip Club Hotel, in tbe early days, a gang of bushranges broke out, and : he and a number of other squatters, who were staying at the hotel, organised a j party- of gentlemen, who went in pursuit of i them, and captured the gang up by- the I River Plenty. This Hon. Geo. M‘Lean, M. L.C., was, on Tuesday afternoon, tho recipient of a handsome solid-silver salver, presented to him by Mr Duncan, on behalf the electors of the district of WaikouaPi, as a mark of their esteem, and in recognition of valuable services rendered to the district as its representative in Parliament during a period of ten years. About 20 persons witnessed the presentation. Mrs M'Lean was also presented with a silver bracelet, necklace, brooch, and carings, inlaid and elaboratelyworked in flowers.

The Directors of the Westport Coal Company have been obliged, on account of the numerous applications for shares, to close their share-list eleven days sooner than was originally intended. An application from England for several thousand shares was refused, and a reserve which had been set apart at the request of the Australian shareholders, has been reduced. This reserve will only be sold at a premium of 20s per share. The Company is virtually a New Zealand one, two-thirds (about £50,000) of the capital being held in New Zealand and one-third (about £26,000) being held in Australia.