Untitled

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 160, 9 November 1864, Page 2

We beg to state that Mr Edward Ings, at his own request, is no longer our correspondent and agent for the Arrow. Wo are sorry for any inconvenience our Arrow subscribers and friends may suffer, but trust to make some fresh arrangement in a day or two. The accounts from the Head of the Lake Arrow, Nokomai and other surrounding districts are encouraging. The late rains have caused a temporary check, but as fine weather seems to have again set in we may expect soon to see our usual returns per escort. Jt will be seen by advertisement in another column that the Arrow crieketers are bestirring themselves. The Club play their opening match to day ; stumps to he pitched at 2 p.m. A general meeting of the members is to be held in the evening for the election of a committee of management for the coming season. It will be seen by our advertising columns that Mr Christenson is making arrangments for a distribution of prizes (value £100) on the Art Uuion principle, which is to take place on Saturday evening next, at the Commercial Hall. The prizes consist chiefly of jewellery, and it is requested that those who wish to get a valuable present cheap should avail themselves of this opportunity at once, as the number of tickets to be issued is limited. It will also be seen that a similar affair on the same system is being got up by Mr Procter, but on a grander scale, the prizes amounting to £3<so. Our townsmen seem determined not to be altogether out of fashion with the rest of British suqjects in loyal manifestations. To-day being the Prince of Wales' birthday the stores, &c, will be closed at noon. We believe a cricket match is to be played in the afternoon. A man, whose name we have not ascertained, had his leg broken by attempting to quiet a restive mule on Monday last. We notice this as it was currently stated that a child had been viciously trampled upon. The accident—a most serious one—was caused by the erratic proceedings of a publican in this town. The mule is known as an especially quiet one, and not the "brute" represented by rumor. The Educational Committee held a lengthened meeting la»t evening, and, amongst other business transacted, resolved upon having a better school-room than the present one, pending the erection of the new building, 'ihe Committee decided upon holding an amateur concert on the 17th inst., and appointed a ladies' committee. The usual reports were read, which, excepting the nature of th j rooms occupied for the school, proved of a satisfactory tenor, and passed the committee. The meeting closed after passing several accounts. The Auction Bazaar in aid of the funds of the Wakatip District Hospital takes place to-night at 7 o'clock, at Mr Harris' Commercial Sale Room. Messrs Harris and Elliot will act as auctioneers, and a numerous attendance of ladies is expected. In the absence of Mr Rees, the president of the institute, Mr Beetham, R.M , has consented to preside. We are informed by Mr Mand-rs, the collector, that the sale will be a bona Jide one, and comprise articles of great utility and daily value to all classes, besides some elegant and fancy contributions. The claims upon the public for their support in this praiseworthy affair need no comment f.ora us. It is well arranged and a large and fashionable attendance is expected. The object is a good one, and the opportunity of spending a pleasant evening, combined with a pleasing duty, are calls not likely to be forgotten in these dull times. The accounts from the Nokomai are moderately satisfactory; but it will be a month yet before the resources of that outlying portion of the district are developed. A casa was recently tried before the court there, in which a man named Robert Hill, was charged firstly with a gold robbery, and secondly being without lawful means of support. The evidence against the accused was very strong on both punts, but failed in the links; and Mr Wood, R.M., while complimenting Detective Lambert on his vigilance, discharged the prisoner with a strong caution. Mr Bracken, as will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, proposes to give a select ball at the Commercial Hall, on Monday next. This intimation will no doubt command the attention it deserves from the ladies and gentlemen of the district generally. We have received the first number of the • Waikouaiti Herald,' a new weekly journal; and allowing for the difficulties which seem to have been encountered in bringing out the first number* is *cry ciodiublfc

Our correspondent at Maori Point, in a letter dated Monday, 7th inst, reports a melancholy occurence which happened last Friday. He says, " I had scarcely closed and despatched my last week's correspondence, when information reached me of a deplorable accident and loss of life at the Point. It appears that the late ferryman, Robert Leaman, who owned the two boats here, left last week after selling his interest to two men named William M'Reckney and George Hut ton. These new owners had but just commenced their duties when Friday's flood carried away the fastenings at one end of their cable. Both men got into the boat with the rope ceiled up, and were making across the river for the purpose of re-fasten-ing it, when, in telling out, the rope caught in the gratings and straightening suddenly caught both men across the breast and precipitated them into the surging current. M'Reckney held on for a fevv seconds to the stern of the boat, but the flood carried him off; and, by the merest chance, sent him up against the crates of the Defence party's claim, where he was instantly rescued, half-drowned. Poor Hutton seems to have been struck by the boat, for he was seen to go down once only ; and up to 11 a.m. to-day (Monday) no tidings have reached here of his body having been found. It is stated that the rope was rotten, and the boat is an old waterlogged affair, dangerous at any time. I trust that this sad accident will be a warning to the owners of similar pioperty throughout the colony, and will cause them to look well to their tackle, so that no such accident befall to desolate the home of any family. The amount by escort is small this week owing to the floods —260 ounces." It is notified by the Provincial Secretary that applications for Auctioneers' Licenses for 1865 must be lodged at the office of the Superintendent on or before the first Tuesday in December. The following clause has been inserted into the general conditions of all contracts entered into with the Provincial Government since 25th August last:—'• Provided that on a complaint in writing being made to the Superintendent by any person or persons employed by the contrac tor, that his or their wages are mo»-e than a fortnight in arrears and unpaid, it shall be lawful for the said Superintendent to refuse to pay the said contractor such monies as may be due to him, until he shall have produced a receipt from the person or persons so making a complaint, that all sums due to them have been fully paid." The ' Otago Mail' of the 2nd inst., says:— "Yesterday, on being called to attend parade at 1 o'clock, the whole of the police force stationed in Dunedin refused to do duty, as they understood that their wages were reduced. They complained that the cost of their clothing was very great, that the prices of the necessaries of life so far from being reduced as to justify less wages being offered were greatly enhanced, and under these circumstances they refused to do duty. They further stated that they were perfectly willing to take 7s 6d per day if their clothing was found. The Commissioner of Police, who was present, stated that their pay would remain the same till they heard further from him, and on this understanding the whole of the force turned to work again. Mr Branigan must surely have had some further understanding with the Government on this subject, and the latter must have altered their minds, otherwise he would hardly have felt himself justified in making such a concession we should imagine. Apropos of strikes in the official departments, we are informed that all the warders of the gaol have intimated their intention of resigning, as we hear, this day, and will refuse further duty. Whether this is correct or not we cannot say, but if go, Mr Stoddart will have some trouble in managing his rather unruly guests. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, on Thursday, John Gibson Skinner was brought up charged whh hiving embezzled certain moneys, the property of the Bank of New Zealand, while in charge of the Dunstan Branch. The prisoner was remanded until this day, when he will be again brought up on a charge of forgery. A very good rush has lately opened about eight miles above the Nevis township, and two from the upper end of the Gorge. It is on a flat hitherto untouched. The sinking is shallow, and from the prospects obtained there is every likelihood of the rush becoming of considerable importance.—' Dunstan Times,' Nov 4. The * Australasian' makes the following remarks respecting pleuro-pneumoriia in Australia: —«• One of the worst diseases to which cattle are exposed—pleuro-pneumoriia—is fast losing its virulent character here. Whether to resume it again or not, as it has done in other countries, after longer or shorter periods, we have yet to learn. However, there is still mtr-s than enough of contagion remaining, and low-conditioned working bullocks, and half-starved dairy cows, supply "ready victims to perpetuate this, even though the more robust health and greater vigor of the majority of station cattle have enabled them to throw off the malady to a great extent, and the number of diseased cattle now slaughtered is, therefore, comparatively small. So far there is'cause for satisfaction ; but this disease is still racing in those portions of Australia to which it has been lately introduced, and the tendency in cattle bred according to our modern notions of improvement is so plainly an increasing liability to ailments of every kind, that we may expect periodical outbreaks of this or other similarly destructive or troublesome maladies. It is then advisable to become acquainted with the opinions of the best veterinarians of the day on 6uch matters, especially as cattle are being so far replaced by sheep in Victoria that, if those remaining do not continue healthy, a joint of prime roast beef will, before long, become a high-priced i luxury, however cheap mutton may W