THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3149, 24 March 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Mount Ida. —The break in the weather last week does not seem to have cleared the atmosphere of the sickness and epidemic so prevalent of late, especially among children. Two little ones, twins, in one house, died at the Kyeburn last week. Last week, a child was taken in our midst, and a good many others sorely distressed with bronchitis, whoopingcough, and dysentery.—Some stir has been made since the results of the sludge channel contracts have been made public, and naturally all are pleased that well-known local men have got the contract. The contractors are individually men of practical ability, and if they pull together should make a good return for their labor and spirit. Already they are calling for tenders for the drawing of stone on to the line of channel, and also for the erection of a store and supply of provisions, kc. —There is no very satisfactory news with regard to the works on the head race. The contractors on the sections 1, 2, 3, 4, arc reported to have only so far tackled No. 1 contract, and that in patches. No doubt the labor available is not all that could be wished, but it is impossible to get 100 skilled men on a job of the kind, and contractors must make up their minds to work with the tools within their reach.—The Council arc to be contested on Monday next, and a little stir may be expected, there being five candidates for one ward. It is feared that, unless something is done to the new road at the back of the Houndburn Hill before the weather breaks, cartage will be very high in the winter, and the mails very much impeded.—Cromwell and Clyde interest is all now being thrown on to the Tuapeka road, and unless Mount Ida pushes the matter no one else will do it for her. The Superintendent himself pointed out the necessity of the work on his late visit.—St Patrick’s Day fell dead here, but at St. Bathans, fun, in the shape of a picnic and ball, was the order of the day. It is a happy art that of knowing how and when to be jolly.

Southland.— Writing on March 20th our correspondent says : -The telegraph will have informed you of Mr Gaidar's resignation. The representation of Invercargill in the Assembly will thus become vacant. Despite the fact that the ensuing session is supposed to be the prelude to a dissolution, considerable activity has been manifested in the way of finding a successor. The ilik with which Mr Calder demitted his charge had scarcely time to dry on the paper before that energetic organisation, locally known as the Macandrcw Committee, was on the move, and in less than no time had a land) brought to the slaughter, the individual in question being Mr Cuthbertson, lately a nmholder in Southland, but now residing in Invercargill. Mr Cuthbertson comes forward in the interest of the present form of administration,, m. sonally, he is a man of fair ability, good educational attainments, and for a considerable time occupied a responsible position in the politics of the Province. Ho has a slight tinge of egotism about him, but that, it is believed, would get rubbed off on coming into contact with a central legislation. He is understood to be but a recent convert to the Public Works Policy, but his friends imagine his conversion sincere, The committee by whom he is token

in hand was, during the general elections, most successful in getting in the men of its choice. Latterly, however, its influence appeared to fall away. The present is to be a rallying point in its career, and although its success is far from being undoubted, combined with the personal influence of the candidate its prospects are said to be fair. On the other side, it is believed a determined stand will be made to return a man imbued with the Opposition sentiments of the retiring member. As probable candidates on that card, Mr Geo. Lumsden, M.P.C., and Mr William Wood, Mayor of Invercargill," are talked of. One or both of these gentlemen are sure to be put forward. In the event of the two standing, the election will be played into the hands of Cuthbertson. It is believed, however, that they will see to avoid a split of that kind. Let that be as it may, a short, sharp tussel is imminent.—The past week has been painfully prolific in accidents. Yesterday a man named Young was brought into town in a dying state from injuries received by the fall of a tree. He died shortly after his admission into the hospital. It seems that he was employed as a bushman at one of the district saw-mills. A branch of the tree caught him in falling, and mangled his head in a frightful maimer. A day or two ago another man was received into the hospital from the Woodlands fkfeat Preserving Company’s Works. While engaged at one of the vats, he lost his balance and fell in head foremost amongst the boiling liquid. After lingering a few hours in agony, death put an end to his sufferings. From one of the up-country districts intelligence has been received of the finding of the dead body of a man. Particulars of how he came by his death have not transpired.—Last Sunday we had a case of revivalism in Invercargill. The representative of an Assurance Society on a visit to Southland, after transacting business in connection with the life that now is, took up the interests of that which is to come. He got a goodly company together under the auspices of the Reformed Methodists, and delivered a discourse characterised by loud thumps and violent gesticulations. A kind of a panic ensued, in the midst of which the preacher invited “all those who had received the Holy Ghost ” to stand up. The call was obeyed by about a dozen, chiefly ■women and young girls. At this juncture the preacher, who occupied a platform, stretched himself out on the most approved principle of the spread-eagle, and with an awful vehemence exclaimed, “ Thank God for this manifestation of his power!” The scene pro duced is said to have been an exciting one. The remainder of the evening, to within an hour or so of midnight, was occupied in chanting “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” —For the information of your commercial readers, I have to report the following as a general characteristic of trade :—A fair amount of business is beng transacted, Adelaide flour is quitted at 17s, and Provincial gristed at 13s. Cornsacks arc almost out of the market, and bales in first hands would command 19s per dozen. Sugars are firm at current rates, viz., 49s for crystals ; 50s to 54s for whites. Rations arc languid, as most of the stations have laid in supplies for the season. Teas of good character arc mostly sought after, this season, whilst inferior grades share a corresponding neglect. English beer, dull of sale at 11s. The season’s growth of oats and barley not yet offered. Wheat, 4s 9d.