ST. BATHANS.—Jan. 9.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 101, 20 January 1871, Page 3

ST. BATHANS.—Jan. 9.

I perceive you have Lad, up to the time of printing your last issue, no account of the amount of gold sent from here by the last month's escort. I gather from the 'Witness' that it was over 1200 ozs., and if you add the population of Welshmans Gully and other sources to that of St. Bathans, you will find that (for the number of miners engaged) the above amount compares favorably with that contributed by any other population in the Province. They enjoyed the holidays here to the fullest extent, and I think I am safe in saying

that play in now left aside, and work fully resumed. On Christmas night the Roman Catholic children of the place were examined by the Rev. Father Royer after vespers, when several of them received handsome prizes for their great progress in religious instructions during the past six months. An examination of the children belonging to other de~ nominations, also in religious instruction, erminated with great satisfaction on New Year's night. All denomina-

tions together underwent a general examination in the school on 23rd Dec. in presence of the Committee, assisted by the Rev. Father Royer, who had the kindness and liberality to contribute a handsome watch and gold brooch as prizes, for the best boy and best girl in the school. In spelling, reading, writing, and in geography, the children answered in a manner which reflects credit on their tutor, Mr. Yorkson. After examination it was decided that the children should be treated to a pic-nic on the 6th inst., and that the prizes should be presented on the evening of that day. Thursday the 5th inst. being wet prevented the pic-nic, but the children, to the number of 35, supplied with handsome banneretts and with Mr. Yorkson at their head, had a grand march through the town, each carrying a bunch of flowers. It would be difficult to find a cleaner, healthier, or better dressed lot of youngsters. Father Royer and several members of the Committee accompanied the procession, and Mr. Melville played some choice airs on the violin. Tea was afterwards served to the children in the schoolroom. The loss of the pic-nic was compensated for by a grand entertainment given by Mr. Pyle, consisting of views and figures entirely new. The prizes were then distributed as noted, below:

First Class.—1st prize, a handsome watch, Simeon O'Hara; 2nd do, Joseph Prescott; 3rd do, Agnes Murray. Second Class.—1st prize, a gold brooch, Emily Wheeler; 2nd do, Ewd. Wheeler; 3rd do, George Potter. Third Class.—1st prize, Teresa Gerkins; 2nd do, Annie Hanger. Fourth Book.—1st prize, Margaret Cormick; 2nd do, John Thurlow. Third Book.—1st prize, Ada Gerkins. Second Book.—1st prize, S. Hanger. Two special prizes were given, one for regular attendance, John H. Williams ; and one for more than ordinary progress in lessons, Elizabeth Prescott.

Tho writing prize, a handsome pocket book, was carried off by Wm. Smith. January 15th. Late communications from your correspondent seemed doomed to miscarry. A report of our race meeting, forwarded per favor of M'Kay on 29th December, not unreasonably late, was not delivered. The coming contest for the office of Superintendent is beginning to create some excitment here, and, people have the awful audacity to speak in no very mild terms of the shortcomings of the candidates. They (the people) have faith in the good intentions of Mr. Macandrew, but accuse him of being rather visionary in his plans for advancing the welfare of his country. He has been for four years, they say, promising any amount of "turtle " and "kangaroo," but failed to give them a singlo plateful of common oxtail. If they re-elect him, it must be on the understanding that he will "gas " much less about railways, and perform much more to put in ordinary repair the common dray tracks of the country. It is a shame to have to state that, so bad is the road within two miles of this township, a waggoner must make two parts of his load before he can get through, The question, naturally arises - If it is so bad in midsummer what will it be in midwinter if not repaired? But more of this another time.

With Mr. Reid people are not so well acquainted. Mis friends, while playfully calling him after a creature which is said to take umbrage at the sight of anything red, pat him on the back and say he is a right honest follow, who would make a good Super; but the majority of persons whom I have heard speak of him say that he its wed to the squatters and closely allied to a narrowminded party in Dunedin, who take delight in tormenting or depriving of office every man over whom they may chance to have a "little brief authority," if the length and color of bis nose and the cut of his beard be not after a patern of their choosing. For this reason, and because "old Mac" has at least the name of entertaining broader and more liberal views, I will give him unvote.— A. B. C.