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Dunstan Times, Issue 1261, 30 April 1886, Page 2

We have received from the publishers a copy of a pamphlet by the Rev. J. Lothian, of Alexandra, entitled “A Vindication and Defence of the Synod of Otago and Southland,” and being an examination and refutation of charges made and published by the * Otago Daily Times” against the Synod during the month of January, 1886. The advertisement, in another column, intimates where copies are to_ bo obtained and the price.

Mr Chalmers, of the firm of Chalmers and Ironsides, butchers, of Pembroke, committed snicide ou Wednesday evening last, he having taken a dose of strychnine. The deceased had been drinking heavily of late An inquest was held yesterday, when a verdict oiftlo de se was returned. It transpired in evidence that deceased had had in bis possession a bottle of strychnine for over two years, it having been given to him by one of the witnesses for the purpose of poisoning rats.

Wo are informed by Mr Inspector Hickson that the young man McDonald, who has been missing from Hills Creek since the 17th inst., has turned up all right, he having been heard of as being at Suthcr and’a Station, Oamaranih Pass, on Sunday last. McDonald is supposed to bs insane,

According to a statement in the Gazette it appears, that during the quarter ending March 3lst last, 14.260 postal notes were issued throughout the Colony, amounting to L 6062 14s 6d, the commission paid on same being Ll2B 19s lOd.

The usual monthly meeting of 'the Trus. tees of the Danstan District Hospital will be held on Monday evening next. " The usual monthly Court day, at Ophir, will be held on Wednesday, May 5, before Mr N. Wood, R. M. and Warden. It is well that the newly elected school committees should be reminded that their first meeting takes place at their respective scboolhouses this, Friday evening, at 8 p.m. On the 3rd inst. the institute erected by Mr Sullen near the site of the Phoenix mine, Upper Shotover, at a cost of over LISO, was handed over to the miners of the district by MrP. Evans on fiehalf of the donor. The building, which is lighted by six incandescent electric lamps, and comfortably furnished, will hold about 150 persons. Mr Sullen has also intimated bis intention of giving a substantial annual donation to the library fund. Many old miners will remember, the firm of P. and 1 G. P, Sullen, clothiers, on the Victorian and New Zealand goldfields, by whom this very handsome gift is made to the miners of Upper Shotover.

Remember American Co.’s Hop Bitters never does barm but good, to the smallest child, always and continually. See and read

A contemporary says Napier has again come to the front in the matter of Hospital scandals. A man was admitted to the Hospital some time ago. when the usual medical consultation took place. The man was suffering from something—that was evidenfe ; but as tho cause of the ailment was not likewise evidmt, it was decided that something would have to be done to sustain ■ the reputation of the Hospital. So, by way of experiment, they took off the patient’s leg ;■ hut as the trouble was subsequently discovered to be heart disease, the amputation of the unoffending member was not attended, with remedial consequences. Mr Larnaoh, Minister of Mines, whila speaking at Greymouth, gave some few particulars of his overland trip from the head of Lake Wanaka to Ross. We collate the following, which wa think will be read with interest : —The country was very accessable for a road, and afforded an easy gradient for a railway from Lake Wanaka to Boss. So far as he could make out by bis barometer, tho elevation of tho Haast pass was only some 1600 ft, and ha felt certain that a much easier road could be found. The whole country was splendidly tembered, and in parts of [it he observed very Irich alluvial flats well adapted for settlement and capable of carrying a large population. As they went from WamkajS iMhe mouth of the Haast in two days, it could be seen that the difficulties of travel were not very great I'it her a good road or a good railroad could be canied ri hj . up to the mouth of the Haast past, an! without very much trouble from the rivers. Around Jackson’s | Bay he found the land very suitable for i settlement, and there was a good harbour, I not equalled by any on the coast. From ! thence he returned to the Haast and • journeye 1 to Eruco Bay, Gillespie's beach, | and so on to Big Wanganui. About there is to be found a very large tract of country fit for settlement. From G llespie’s beach up to Ross he considered the country fit for settlement eonld not be teas than 50 000 acres of land, quite eq id to the Taieri plains. There is about 10,000 acre known as swamp, but a road could be run through it, as it was only covered by low scrub and cabbage tree. All this land consisted of rich alluvial soil, entailing no trouble to clear. Some of the country he saw at Jackson’s Bay and up the Valley of the Haast no doubt contains mineral wealth that one dav, when developed, will astonish New Zealand. The appearance of tha ranges, the character of’the rocks, the riiu of the rivers, and the indications afforaed generally of minerals showed that wealth of that kind aboun is in the country. Having seen the country, or a very large extent of it at any rate, he could not help smiling when he rumembcrpil thc remark) made by some of his friends in the south decrying • the West Co ist as a drear and sterile land. Had they only been afforded an opportunity of seeing it for themsolve) they would havs arrived at a different conclusion. His own opinion was that it is one of the best parts of inow Zealand.

Tho Borough of Lawrence shows for the past year total receipts of L 1933 including water rate, while iiml»r the heading of liabilities appears loans bearing interest at 7 per cent—Lßlloo. No matter what your feeling or ailment is Ameriean Oo's Hop Bitters will do you good. Prove it and see

The two following items, which will be of interest to our commercial friends appears in the “Taieri Advocate a ” Dun.’ ediu correspondent’s letter uuder date 24th inst.:—A gentleman in Dunedin, who was hitherto believed to be a member of one of the oldest and largest mercantile firms m the city, has never been anything more than an agent, and he his now lost his billet. Thec.mse of this has not been made public but the result is painfully evident to the gentlemm's friends and well-wishers. Another report concerns the approaching bankruptcy of a large warehiAiseman, whose shipments remain in bond because he is not able to clear them. This failure is generally unexpected, ami will cause some sensation in commercial circles, if wo are not already inured to suprises of this kind. It is pleasing in these dull times to hear of some people being busy. The following para from the ‘Mautama Ensign’ shews ■ that the people in that enlightened district could not afford time to observe Good Friday, The Easter holidays have been remai table for two things—line weather audit he entire absence of any amusements. Indeed nich his been tie necessity for economizing time that Road Boards have met and deliberated, and that Doi„n H h Councils and other public bodies have sy.trvo ijneilhor to the right nor to the left but have transacted buslines at holidays times with their wonted judgement and peispicaeity. In Bale ulha on Good Friday an auction sale was in full awimn The only gatherings iu Gore of any consequence have been mjthe churches.