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Evening Star, Issue 3849, 25 June 1875, Page 2

It is stated that the telegraph is shortly to be extended to Kaitangata. Last night “The Marble Heart” was repeated at the Princess’s, and to night, on the occasion of Mrs Bates’s benefit, “The Honeymoon ” and “Bamboozling” will be produced. The rail-way bridge at Waihola will probably be finished within a fortnight. The work has been pushed on with great energy, and when the bridge is completed the Chain Hills tunnel will be the only thing in the way of unbroken railway communication between Dunedin and the Clutha. According to the ‘Leader,’ the starlings 0:1 Hillend Station have increased to the number of fifty or sixty. On the same station there is also an abundant supply of pheasants, partridges, hares, and rabbits, so that there is a pleasant prospect for the sportsmen of the Clutha a year or two hence.

For several weeks past the operations at the railiray bridge across the Molymux have been suspended. The masons who w.re employed at the work have left for other works, while a number of workmen are writing idle about the township in the hops that operations wbl again speedily bo resumed. Various rumors have been afloat as to the cause of this suspension of work, and it is generally understood that Mr J.-hu Watson, the contractor, has, for reasons beat known to himself, “ thrown up the job.” We agree with the * Leader ’ that the least possible delay should be permitted in carrying on the work, as it is more than probable the formation between Balclutha and Vlataura will be completed before it.

A meeting of ratepayers took place in the Hrhl-shcd, ij * ccn Inland, on 'luesday evening last (Mr James Gray in the chair), when the following resolutions were proposed and ca ried On the motion of Mr James Imrio, seconded by Mr John C. Scott—“lt was resolved that Mr Stout bo instructed to draw up a petition and the ratepayers be requested to sign it” ; on Mr J. J. Eagerty’s motion—“ That the plans of the township be obtained and forwarded with the petition, and all parlies signing said petition subscribe towards its expenses;” and on Mr Imrie’s motion, which was seconded by Mr Charles Samson—“ That the present deputation with Messrs Eagerty, Pollock, and Miller, to see that the petition drawn up by Mr Stout meets the approbation of the ratepayers.” The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting, A report of this meeting was kindly forwarded to us on Wednesday, but by some mischance it did not reach us. This will explain our seeming delay in taking notice of the meeting, A man named Alexander Gumming committed suicide on the 19th instant, by jumping into the Matanra river, near the Menzied Perry Hotel. It appears that at about halfpast two o’clock on the day mentioned the man called at the hotel and procurrd a bottle of gin. On his going away immediately, the landlady asked why he hurried so much, and he replied to the effect that she would soon know, and that the police ■ were after him. Ho then left the house, crossed the road] entered a paddock, ran along the banks of the river for a distance of 3,000 yards, and jumped iuto the river. Since that time nothing has been seen of him. Mr Shields, landlord of the hotel, when he saw the man running, at once went in pursuit, but a fence which had to bo crossed intercepted the view while the man was jumping iuto the stream, and the only thing visible was his hat floating, on the surface of the river. Constable liarry, on receiving information, organised a search, but without, up to the latest intelligence, t!io desired result, l he * Southland Times ’ adds that Gumming was well-known in the Matanra dist-ict, was supposed to be a bichelor, and reputed as a man who spent all he earned in drink—was, in fact, a heavy drinker. *

We would remind our Port Chalmers readers that Mr H. llainford - gives a concert there to-night; and the favorite basso vtili himself sing some of his best pieces, At last our Volunteers are to be supplied with something like a serviceable weapon, for we notice in our advertising columns an or (into commanding officers to return into store all lilies at present in use in their companies, when they will be replaced by the Snider rifle, a weapon which, we have no doubt, will meet with universal approbation. A football match will be played to-morrow afternoon on the Oaledonian Groundsj between eleven of the Union FootbaU Club and fifteen or the High School. r J he Association rules will be adhered to, and play will commence at halfpast two. The Dunedin Football Club will play a scratch match on the Oval to-morrow. Sides to be chosen on the ground. Play to commence at 2 30.