ST. BATHANS.—September 27.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 35, 1 October 1869, Page 2

ST. BATHANS.—September 27.

(From our own Correspondent.) j Little of note has occurred since last effusion —matters are in static quo 1 Dullness is ilio prevailing feature—wherefore I hardly know, but so it is. The population has not decreased, on the contrary, during the past fortnight numerous additions have been made to the rising generation, in each ease, I am happy to state, with favorable re*| suits, proving that the district is at

any rate good for the production and development of the human family. I am inclined to think that the apparent stagnation may be due, in some measure, to the reaction caused by the working of my "hobby" (vide Drybread), Temperance, the principles of which are getting-so well rooted, that the calm succeeding the change from bibulous excitement to general sobriety one might imagine a falling off, when in reality such is not the case. Doubtless the licensed victuallers experience a change for the worse, but the provision merchants, guaging the. general appetite bv my own personal voracity, ought to. be reaping a harvest. The less we' drink the more we eat, and vice versa. . " Man live - not by bread alone." A r--'* little water is a necessary adjunct on St. jßathaus, and if not paid for before y everything else, a man must seek his bread elsewhere. A notable illustration of the existing evils of high water rates has occurred lately : Two parties, having washed up with poor results, after deducting current expenses found that John Company, like Dickens' donkey, would get nothing in the -pound; so, deciding that to live was indispensable, sacrificed his interest to taat of the butcher, the baker, the can-dlestick-maker, &c. Such instances as these ought to open the companies' eyes to their present suicidal course, and remembering that half a loaf is better than no bread, cause .them to set about reducing the charges for the harmless element. I wish I could induce a few speculator a (capital indispensable) to visit this place. I should be happy to point out to them some bona-fide investments. Knowledge certainly is power, but without the necessary accompaniment of filthy lucre, is of no avail here; and it is a pity to see really good specs lying dormant for the want of a little >- grease for the bicycle. The Californian . .principles', in mining are wanted now, jind sooner or later must be adopted, it we ever hope to achieve permanency for any of our goldfields. -' I see that the heretofore unlucky Ida Valley Company is about to start under a fresh name. If I might presume to offer advice to the new proprietary, I would say—reduce the charge for crushing and flourish. In fact, if the suggestion were adopted, the writer could guarantee success; and with becoming; modesty I beg to assure them that this is. not, colonially speaking, blowing. W"ith permission, I return to my " hobby.'' At the last meeting of the Temperance Society, J. B. (rough's lecture to young men was read, and°the -audience appeared greatly edified thereby. This course will be continued at future meetings, and-1 hope will have the effect of strengthening the resolutions ot the abstaiuers ; ail their firmness will be needed 'in the comingChristmas time, when holiday temp" tat ions will be set glowingly before them, and the common enemy appear in his most seductive guise. Unhappy the man who falls before him.

Beoldejn't Magistrate's G'ouitx.—SiiPT. 28. (iiefoi'e It. vV". iiobinsoa, Esq., JJ.ivl.) Keen an and Morgan v. J. Scott. £25 10s., debt. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. Pearoe anu. v. XX. VV". Siinson. —Debt, £BO. Judgment lor amount claimed and costs. HiU v. Dodds.-—Debt, £1 4s. Settled out of Court. laylor v. Simoottom. and IvoDinson. out of Court. "Warden's Court.—Sept. 28. (Before H. VV. Kobinson, Esq., Warden.) Scandinavian Water Eace Company (Registered) v.. Martin Hanlahan and Debt, £131135. M. for rent of water, Both defendants appeared, and admitted the debt, but said they were unable to pay. Mr. Purton, tlie manager of the Water Company, said he was aware that the defendants had had a washing-up, and had got more than £l3O worth of gold. They had not offered the company any , portion. Defendants admitted this but said they had laid out all their money in paying off their debts to storekeepers. They were willing to go to work for the Company, and allow a portion of their wages to be deducted towards paying oft' the debt. jjnent for amount claimed, £l3l 13s. 4d. The Court refused to allow time for payment. St. Bathan's Channel Cpmmittee v.

IVeder>k Morgan.—For £26 10s., channel rates. In this case the claim was for two separate rates—an old one of £7 10s. per claim, and the latest of £9 10b. per claim. The Committee had in the last assessment decided that claims of more than three acres in extent should count as two. The defendants claim being* of six acres was therefore assessed at £l9. As it appeared that the defendant' had not purchased the claim at the time of the first assessment, the Court gave judgment for the latter one costs. Same v. John Murphy.—£3 17s. Bd. Settled out of Court. Same v. Williams, Dickie, and Co.— £l9. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. Same v. Tennant and M £ Arthur.— £l4 19s. 4d. Settled out of Court. Same v. Cormack, Gillies, and Lear-" mond.—£lo 16s. Bd. Judgment for £2 16s. Bd. ; costs divided. ' Same v. Hanrahan and Tyndall.— Settled out of Court.