THE COUNTRY

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2677, 15 September 1871, Page 3

THE COUNTRY

Tl MI.M.MKIUO. A groat demand exists for half bred sheep to stock gi ass paddoeV s, but they appear to be very icorcc. A mond line of coaches between J'.alclnlha mil Tokomairiro is to be started shortly. Mr H. Ycend is the 2Jroprietor. — With abundance of water the various mining claims in the district are in full working, and atlording highly satisfactory jo ospccts. After the departure of Dr Copeland for Dunedin, the Presby'erians of Waitahuua and the M ami I a creek think of getting these districts erected into a separate charge, and the members of the church committee are taking steps to ascertain what support a resident clergyman would obtain. —A man named Tommy Kitchingbam, in quarrelling, the other night, with a miner at Havelock, bit one of the eyebrows of his antagonist clean off ! —The Princess’ burlesque company Appeared at Balclutha two nights last week, ind, consi|dering the weather, the attendance gopd on both occasions.— Bruce Herald,

TCJAPKKA. A petition is going round for signatures against the continuance of the Provincial Council. As yet it has attracted no special notice, but no doubt it will occasion some little stir, as the promoters are known to lie very much opposed to the ■ rovincial Council as at pres nt constituted.—During the week we have had the heaviest fall of snow this season, hut no trace was to he seen after 24 hours. It has had the effect of giving an abundant supply of water to the miners, who arc busily engaged in washing the auriferous dirt which they had gathered during the dry season. The water-race now being brought to Tnapcka Flat from the Beaumont, is to be extended to Tuaneka Month, a further distance of 20 miles. When completed, the race will be about 60 miles long; certainly the longest race in New Zealand.— To shew you that nothing escapes the vigiland eye of John, one may be seen day by day, cradling the ashes and sweepings of the Bank of New Zealand, and contiguous houses, and making fair wages. Possibly a few specks may he lost in blowing and weighing the gold, and thus find their way to the dust heap ; but a proper.ion is to he found • in the lignite, which, as a matter of course, will bo found in the ashes. It would he a long time ere the European mind would thus utilise what was considered refuse. The Chinese Camp is being enlarged, many new buildings being in the course of erection. This is in anticipation of a continuous stream of new arrivals. WAIKOUAITI. C'omplainls are made of the practice of setting fire to grass in the country. A few days before the late rains set in some one in district of Mocraes set lire to Stonehnrn sheep run ; the fire raged for three days, destroying thousands of acres of grass and seriously singing the fleeces of a considerable number of hoggetts. One of the largest pigs we ever remember to have seen this side of the line was killed lust week; it weighed over 700 lbs. The monster was bred, we believe, by Mr Jones, of Matanaka. The inhabitants of this district are petitioning the Assembly not to sanction the construction of any branch line of railway until the main'north line connected with Dunedin is constructed. The grounds on which the application is made are, that the Northern part of the Province is a large grain growing district, and that valuable building stone, lime, and coal exist in quantities which w nld prove one of the main sources of profit, as well as other minerals, if a cheap mode . f transit was made available.- ■]]'aikoiuiitl Herald,