THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3144, 18 March 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Mount Ida. —The best news from Naselrv is that at last the dry Aveather lias broken—Wednesday and Thursday being really Avot. While a great fall of rain Avill lie necessary for permanent Avork, yet sufficient Avill have fallen to fill the dams and freshen up the sinnmerdried springs.—-Last Aveek a little impetus appears to have been given to the contracts, as head race-men are being emph wu piece work if they choose p' take it, "'A great difference of o’ hfiuu t.f- wih’rko exists as to whether ,’uv pi teesVubtainable Avill pay. The truth seems to be that skilled navvies could make good wages, I nit raw young Hodges could not make enough to provide healing lotion for broken blisters. The contractor says lie cannot employ the bulk of the men who have, sp fy. gone lip on wages, as it w'ouM 1v impossible’ td'get value out of thvjup TH* R pliVusUue enough ; still, the con tractor's advertisement calling fur men at 8s aijil upwards, is misleading, and loads to disappointment, Tho results of the sludge channel tenders are anxiously looked for. It is most desirable that, in the face of the competition for labor there is at present in the Province, this Avork should lie let to a man or company in Avbom the Government anil tho district could alike have implicit confidence.—-The Mayoral election is on to-day, the result of Avhich will lie in your hands by telegraph to-night. At present opinion is divided, and party feeling D rnurjug high. Mr George and Mr Bus; 1 /., v»io candidates, deserve at any Uib Fospect of the

Moi'X'f Beng'kh.—Yon will be glad to learn 1 that the deadly upas-tree -the banefid destroyer— the insidious serpent and miring lion—(I (|Uote from a selection of teetotal tracts) ip short, the poisonous and detestable habit of imbibing is to be sternly repressed in the Mount Bender district. We are a land) like people, with the most intense reverence for those in authority, and do not murmer even at the loss of onr beloved “ sheuak ” and “chain lightning.” On the contrary, as my little story shows, we bend onr necks to the yoke with most edifying submission. Last week one more unfortunate was accused of being drunk. He pleaded not guilty, and called four respectable witnesses to prove his sobriety, but fur some reason or other the Magistrate refused to accept their testimony, and the usual penalty was inflicted 'l'hb> 'sit'd occurrence was report'd the jovial crew, wh.- ins -gi flic hu\ enjoyment of a “ b,ur-jV i i v " l ’Uent.nrse se|ml upon him, There was evidently 110 get out, so, actuated with a Brutus like spirit of abnegation, lie took himself into custody and marched up to the Courthouse. There the stern guardian of the public peace confronted him and demanded his business. “ I’ve come to lie locked up and fined, 1 (lease, sir,” was the reply. “ But, Sandy, you have done nothing keep yourself tpdet.” Thus the constable. But Sandy was not to be baulked, so pulling out the two notes, lie raised Ids piteous plaint. “ It's no d d use, sergeant; I’m drunk, and I know I’m drunk, and have got to lie fined, so yon may as well take the money now as wait till it’s all knocked down.” At last the unfortunate victim of mistaken patriotism was removed by ids friends, still begging p, moving terms to be locked up and lim d aegurduig ’ , the ordijvm v. Ills Ho.nor the Superintendent has v i>U gpUlun opinions in the Mount Benger district, l ie. took the trouble to mvestigate"all the grievances brought before him, and sent none away unsatisfied, When there is a real necessity fur faml, land will bo thrown open, and something is to be attempted in the way of making the main road passable in the winter time, Mr Macandrew’s patience is particularly worthy of remark. He actually endured several hours’ infliction of Mr Mervyn’s oratory without either losing temper or falling asleep! - Tim long wished for rain has come at last, and all the races are well Idled. There has been a slight rise in the river, but not suflieient to knock off the claims. An addition to thchcaeh claims is about to be opened on [Patrick’s Beach, by Pringle and party. Bart of the ground was dredged two years ago with excellent results.—l suppose the Waipahi railway may be looked upon as conclusively sat upon, Tuapeka people, thanks fcu their superior

powers of lobbying, have procured the destruction of up-country interests to answer their own selfish ends. A conversation in the Tuapeka coach between a Tuapekaite and a person presumed to bo a supporter of the Tuapeka line ;--Tbe Tuapeka gentleman summed up as follows “We all know the Waipahi line would be far the best for the country, but then, sir, look to the advantage the other line will be to us. Look at the value of our sections and improvements, and the increase of business we may expect, and be sure no stone will be left unturned to secure our object.” Such are the patriotic principles of the supporters of the Tuapeka line.