CLYDE, FRIDAY, FEB- 13, 1885.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1198, 13 February 1885, Page 2

CLYDE, FRIDAY, FEB- 13, 1885.

When Professor Black returns to Dunedin and makes known the great success that has attended the series of lectures given hy him during during his tour through Central Otago and tha earnest deep attention that was paid to him wherever he went, those detractors of the miners, who to deter the Professor from making the tour, and whoso argument was “that they would take neither interest in him or hie lectures,” we think, should hang their heads in very shame and for ever hoi 1 their tongues on matters and men they know nothing of. We are well aware that with many, a raining town is looked upon as a thing to ha shunned, and the miners as being little better than wild boasts, whose time is spent between burrowing in the ground, drinking bad whiskey, and playing pitch and toss, their only redeeming feature being that they release the gold that causes the universal mare lo go. This is no exaggeration ; Indeed, it is not long since we heard a lady (?) visitor to a town not 100 miles from Cromwell, on having a miner pointed out to her say—- “ Why, is that a miner. He appears lo be quite a superior being ; 1 thought they •aere different ”; as if, in her mind’s eye she had pictured tha being as a something between a gorilla and a shark—all hair, claws, and teeth. From what wo have seen of Professor Black we judge him to be a keen observer of all things and men, rnd if .he but will, he can do much tow rds dispelling the erroneous impressions forme I of b -th goldfields centres and their denizens. Before leaving Alexandra, where ho last lectured in this district, the Professor spoke in no measured terms of praise of all he had seen in Central Otago, of the industry and skill of the minors as illustrated by the many large works carried out by them, and add nothing would afford him greater p'easure than to repeat bis trip next year, when ho would give testing classes, so as that the miners could tell the nature aud value by test of the various lodes they met with. Giving the Professor credit for sincerity, we can but say the feeling on the part of the miners is reciprocated, and in their names we can guarantee him a hearty welcome on his return. In not one whit would we detract from Prof ssor Black and his teachings on what we think may bo termed “The Chemistry of .Mining,” but we incline to the belief that the teaching of “ Tim Geology of Mining” would be of more real value ; indeed. Professor Black houestly admitted that Pivfessor Ulrich or some other of similar attainments should either come before orafter him on his next trip. We now say, therefore, that every cifort must|bo made to induce a geological professor to make a similar tour to that of Professor Black.

Wo are requested to state for tbe information of all concerned that “ Ada Melmore’s ” consultation on the Dunedin Cup is rapidly filling ; and that in her consultation on the l»st Christchurch Handicap 3500 shares were disposed of out of 4'loo. Professor Proud advertises a Physiognomy entertainment in the Town Hall, Clyde, and as the admission is free there should be a large attendance. The Professor’s entertainment is spoken well of wherever he has been.

Mr J. McEachen, photographer, announces that Lis studio will positively be clored oa Wednesday next. All those you wish to obtain a true and faithful likeness, should visit his studio at once.

A correspondent from Cambrians writes —Mr Andrew Purves, late' teacher, Strath Taieri, delivered • popular lecture on the “ Songs of Scotland,” in the school-house, Cambrians, last week. The lecturer was quite at home with the subject, and handled it in an able %nd interesting manner. Mr Purves also sang a variety of songs illustrative of the lecture, embracing the humourous, pathetic, sentimental, and patriotic. The recitations were very amusing and elicited roars of laughter. The entertainment, which was heartily appreciated by the audience, was brought to a. close by the singing of 11 Auld Lang Syne.” Mr Purves being at present out of employment is using bis talents in this way till he obtains another school, and it is hoped that daring his lecturing tour he will meet with hearty support from the people, eipecially the “ Spirits of Scotia” .among us, 1 can assure those who may patronize him that they will enjoy an intellectual and musical treat.—lt will be seen on reference to our advertising columns that Mr Purves lectures at Alexandra on Wednesday, the 18tb, and at Clyde on Friday, the 20th February,

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the publisher, Mr John Stone,’ of Dunedin, a copy of his directory of Dunedin and suburbs, and Otago Gazetteer fur the current year 1885 Last year we had to congratulate Mr Stone on his production, characterising the'work as being a clever compilation. The book now before us is a long way.ah ad of its predecessor, as besides being what its title implies, it is a compendium of useful information containing excerpts from a number of acts of parliament that require frequent reference to by many persons, directions for making wills, and a whole lot of other information that is riot to be found in any other work. As a whole it is an useful volume, and one we think that should secure a large circulation. Mr G. B, Federli, a gentleman accredited by the Government, is just now making a tour of this part of Otrgo wrih the view (we understand) of ascertaining if it is adapted for the growth of mulberry trees and sericulture. During Satnrlay and Monday he visited most of the- large fruit gardens in ! onroy’s Gully, and from what be saw he is firmly impressed with the belief that mulberries would grow splendidly, and strongly recommends everyone to make a trial. , i

The Hon. Mr Richardson, Minister of Public Works, acoupanied by Mr V. Pyke, M.H R., were at Roxburgh last night inspy cling the bridge works there. They return again to Lawrence.

We are given to understand that the roads from the Vincent County boundary on to Roxburgh and thence on to Lawrence

are in simply a wretched state, consider ing this is midsummer wo wonder what they will be in midwinter. The down oo rch o n Monday, we learn, had a capsize through getting into a deep rut, and one ol'thrs. passengers, a Mr Collins, sustained a fracture of one of his arms. The other passengers fortunately escaped unhurt.,

There being only a bare quorum present at tlio meeting of hospital committee of management on Monday evening last, and it being thought by tho-e present that it would he. better the business’' of the year with a fuller meeting, it was agreed to adjourn till Monday the 16th inst at 8 p.m. The Secretary pro tem asks us to request that this be sufficient notice of the adjournment.

The sculling match fur LSOO a side took place at Sydney on Fcbrnav 7, over the champion course on the Parramatta River, between Edward Hanlan and Thomas Cafford. Heavy,rain fell before the race, and the water war consequently smooth. The race resulted in an easy victory for Hanlan by eight lengths. He led from start to finish, and was never asked to pull. Clifford rowed gamely throughout, but without effect Time 22min. ssec.

The unfortunate man Victor Bedingfield, whose recent escapade caused so much scandal in the ranks of the Salvation Army, has come to an untimely end. Some months avo he went to the United States, and his fate is told in the following paragraph amongst the American intelligence by the San Francisco mail : —“ Redinefiuld, a captain in the Salvation Army, while praying in the front ot an hotel, near San Jo <5, had his brains knocked out hy a pickle-keg, thrown by the proprietor.” San Josd is a ton’ll in Ca ifornia.

The fo' lowing paragraph is from the Mataum Enntjn;—" The heathen Chine e has broken out in a fresh place and further displayed his wonderful power of adapting to circumstances. The details furnished to the Waikaia police are amusing. Yam Yet is an English speaking Chinaman, who does much business for his countrymen. Ah Yum is a celestial of the ordinary type, whose correspondence Yam Yet conducted. Ah Yum lias a brother resident in Victoria, whose circumstances are above tho average. Of this fact the astute Yam Yet availed himself by writing a letter stating that. Ah Yum was arrested on a serious charge, but that for L 33 remitted be (Yam Yet), who was interpreter and detective, could bribe the Magistrates and save him from hanging. The brother, with that family affection so characteristic of the race, immediately forwarded a post office order for LI 0, and promised to remit the rest as quickly as ho could raise it. Yam Yet quietly pocketed this windfall, hut unfortunately for him the second remittance was forwarded direct to Ah Yura. Then the fat was in the lire, and the matter was handed over to the police. Forgery and embezzlement have hitherto been so exclusively the priviledge of the upper ten. such as lawyers, bankets, and commission agents, that this hold intrusion of a Chinaman on their domain is certain to excite just and vehement indignation.”

To produce real genuine sleep and childlike leposo all night, take a little Hop Bittersjon retiring. 'Leekfor?- tl - ‘

Coroner Danford Thomas (London) said at an inquest on October 23rd that he held abont 120 inquests every year on the bodies of infants who were overlain or suffocated in their parents’ beds. The use of a cot would prevent this sacrifice of life. In Germany that fatal mode of sleeping was an offence at law.

A sad cue of drowning has occurred at Rosherville (Victoria). Mrs Hancock, the postmistress at Metung, was drowned while bathing, together with her daughter, aged nineteen. The body of Mrs Hancock has been recovered, but up to the nresent the body of the daughter has not brat found. An interesting discovery has Mbo made at Mossman Bay (N.S.W.), an old cannon (an eighteen-pounder) having been raised from the bed of the stream by’ a diver. The relic is supposed to be one of the guns of the Sirus man-of-war, which came out to the Colony with convicts in 1788..

The Chinese logger Fow-fow, which hf s arrived at Oooktown from New Guinea, reports that upon her arrival at New Guinea in August last, the crew of four while asleep were murderously attacked by the Native*. Hula, the man in charge, was seriously speared. Ah Hing was carried away alive and subsequently killed, his .body, frightfully mutilate *, being discovered soon after.

Tn the Supreme Court at Wellington, the o'her day, Mr Justice Richmond made some very strong remarks with reference to the Printers and Newspapers Registration Act, and alluded to. the number of mistakes continually being made in affidavit B under that Act-by persons who afterwards songht to relieve themselves from conse quences on the ground of their own blunder. He said that the sooner this Act was swept off the Statute-book, and something efficient put in its place, the better. •