THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1871.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 108, 24 March 1871, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1871.

The election of two representatives for Mount Ida in the Provincial Council has' terminated, as we from the first anticipated it would do, in the return of Messrs. Armstrong and Mervyn : —the former gentleman heading the poll by a very large majority. Of the two recently elected members the electors of the district know but very little, neither has one or the other of them, so far as we have heard or know, been previously a member of the Provincial Council, either for this or for any other district. We sincerely trust that in the selection they have made the electors have exercised a wise dosci'etion, and that Messrs. Armstrong and Mervyn will prove true to their principles, and to the trust: reposed in them by the very large and important constituency which they have the honor of representing. Both gentlemen, in their addresses delivered before and after the election, 'stated that this district had" been "shamefully neglected, if not altogether 'ignored," nor did one of them hesitate to lay the fault at the door of our late member Mr. Main. Now that power is nlaeed in their; hands to get our grievances redressed, and our prospective wants attended to, we trust that our new members will be found equal to the occasion. Should they succeed in obtaining some" of those things of which the district'stands so much in need, most gladly shall we accord them the honor which they will in such case justly have merited. There is, however, one reason, and one reason only, which induces us to take a rather gloomy or perhaps a doubtful view of the prospects of'the district under the charge of its present representatives. It is not that we fear that either one or the other of them will willingly neglect his duty., Our fear is that neither being alocal mar,

or practically acquainted, tt'ith tlie district, will know his duty, or be in -a position to represent the district as itshould be represented, or to ask for the redress o£ grievances with the extent of which he is, except from hearsay, perfectly ignorant. There is a right and a wrong way, a proper method and improper method, of doing most things, and the redress of the wrongs of the district we look it pon in that light. For instance, before they can ask to have an injury repaired or a grievance redressed, our member must be prepared to prove in a manner which admits of no contravention that such injury or rtrievanee has real j existance. If, again, they desire to prove that the district has been "shame- ! " fully neglected " they must be in a position to prove wherein such neglect has consisted. Mr. Armstrong said the ! other evening 'that he was " already " armed with the votes of the electors, "but in order to be enabled to do his " duty he must be armed with their opinions also " on all matter* affecting the district. In these remarks we entirely agree, nor do we think that the electors will fail him on the occasion. Without going at the present time into the various questions which affect this part of the Mount Ida district, we would, in all sincerity and good feeling, express our opinion that before either or b'vfch of our members could be in a position to bring these subjects before the Council with any hope of success, returns something to the following effect should be moved for in the House : —lst. Returns showing the amount of revenue received in the various (xoldfiYlds of the Province of Otago between the year>« 1868-71, exhibiting separately the froldnelds from which derived, and specifying the particular heads under which raised ;. the return to include receipts from miners'rights, business licenses,• pulv licans' licenses of all kinds, duty on gold, mining leases, agricultural leases,' registration and other certificates, r -sidopce areas, fees and fines, &c., &c, 2nd. Return of the amount expended within each Goldfield, on whatever account, during the same period. These returns would, we firmly believe, disclose tacts of a nature fully sufficient t■» justify our members in coming bpldly to the front, and endeavoring to gain frr the district in future something like a fairer portion of the loaves and fishes than she has hitherto enjoyed. We will return to this subject at an early date. We regret to reco.-d another accident from earthfall, which be I el Frederick King, a miner of this place, on Monday last. King was working in Mr. John Creigh ton's tail-race, when a fall t'K)k place, striking him severely on the shoulder and breast. The injured man was at once conveyed to Collett's Aneienfc Briton, Hotel, and we are glad to hear that he is progressing favorably. As some doubt appears to exist as lb the time at which the shooting season will commence, wc have made enquiries at the Camp, and have been informed that the season will open on the Ist April prox. Wk are glad to be able to inform our readers that there is every reason to hope that the telegraph line will be completed to Naseby, and the office open for business within six weeks from this date. Mil. G-oodfellow, of Dunedin, the successful tenderer for the erection of the post and telegraph office, arrived in Naseby a few days since, and is busy preparing the ground for erection of the building. The official declaration of the poll for the Mount Ida District took place at the Court House, on Saturday last, at noon But few persons were present. The following is the state of the poll :■ — i „• « . S . 8 .8. , t>* I s * ■*- *=• K* -*a !-~ . £3 _! I W .1. %: £ | t£ *? m u+- a) o H CO rt ■ m 55 5-( J. P. Armstrong 126 35 17 25 23 226 ]). H. Mervyn 80 21- 26 25 1 156 C. F. Roberts 54. •< 8 9 3 23 '97 D. Maitland 36 0 22 1 41 W. N. Richards 11 0 0 0 0 14 Gr. B. Bai-ton 5 0 2 0 1 8 In the Resident Magistrate's Court, Naseby on Friday, March 17, before H. W. Robinson, Esq., R.M., Albert Mullen was charged with assaulting Thomas King, at his residence, Naseby, on the 16th inst. Thomas King, on oath, deposed : Am a restaurant keeper, and reside in Leven-street, Naseby. Accused came to my place between 10 and 11 p.m. on the 16th. Was slightly drunk. Took supper. G-ave my wife 25., who gave him back 6d. change. Snid that he had given Mrs. King a half sovereign, and must have back his proper change. Took two £1 notes from his pocket and placed theni on the table. Afterwards took them up and replaced them in his pocket. Accused Mrs. King of having taken the two notes. Assaulted and abused her by dragging her by the hair and striking her on the face. Wanted to go for police. Threatened to stab me with a knife which he held in his hand. G-ot out and went to fclio camp for police. When I returned assaulted me. Struck me feverely in the face several times. Gu?e him

in charge. —The same person was further charged with assaulting and ill-using Mrs. King, wife of the above-named Thomas King, upon the evening of the 16th instant. The evidence, which was much the same as that in the last case, was fully corroborated by Mr. ! Woodney, of Eden Creek. —Another charge of being drunk and disorderly was preferred against the same person. The accused offered no defence, nor did he deny any of the charges. For the assault on T .King he was fined £2, or three days' hard labor j for the assault on Mi'B, King, £l, or seven days with hard labor; 1 for being drunk and disorderly, 205., or twentyfour hours. 2<>s. also was allowed for the jacket of Mrs. King, which had been torn by accused when assaulting her. On Sunday morning last the Rev. Dr. Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, celebrated pontifical mass at the Catholic Chapel, and also held Divine service in the evening. The building was o >. both occasions crowded to excess, and the preaching of his lordship was listened to with very great attention. Wk understand that the Rev. Mr. Dasont will preach in the Union Church, Naseby, on Sunday evening next, at half-past six o'clock. We publish a list of the members returned for the city of Dunedin, by which it will be seen that Mr. Cargill, instead of being at the head of the poll, is second on the list, Mr. Reynolds being No. 1 ; while Mr. Birch, instead of being at the lower end of the poll, is put out altogether—Mr. Duncan taking his position. The vast dissimilarity between the semi-official and the official declaration of (lie poll has caused much dissatisfaction, and Mr. Birch has announced his intention of endeavoring to obtain a scrutiny. The following are the official returns : Reynolds 887 Cargill 878 Tu-nbull ... 713 j Bathgate (S3O i Barton 609 j Cutten 575 i Duncan ... ... sf»" i Birch... 541 i Wk regret to learn, from a late issue of the ; ' Duns tan Times,' that Mr. James Samson, at present of Alexandra but formerly of this town, met with a severe accident a few days since. In mounting a young restive horse, the animal ; swerved from him, and Mr. Samson, placing I his foot upon a ffc tie, received a fracture of the leg, The gentleman is, we are glad to hear, progressing favorably. We would recommend all persons who possess the necessary qualification, but whose names are not already on the roll, to lose no . time in sending in their application to be en- ! rolled, as the .'J Ist of this month will be the last day upon which such application can be : received for twelve months. The necessary form can be obtained at the Court 1 rouse, Naseby. Though yesterday was the anniversary of the settlement of the Province, no demoustra,.tiou of any kind took place, ami the hanks and public offices were opened as usunl. Axotheu accident which has, we are glnd to say. so far resulted in severe contusions only . to the sufferers, but which might have been attended with fatal results, occurred in the tunnel on the claim of Peter Talbot and ► Terence Ryan, Main dully. Il appears that the mouth of the tunnel had become choked from the falling in of the roof, when the two ; men referred to went to remove the obstruc- ; tion. When the obstacle was partly removed the water rushed into the tunnel with great rapidity, carrying Talbot and Ryan (o the exit end, a distance of 300 yards, with great force. While being carried through the tunnel Talbot came into collision with some prop that were supporting the roof, and had his arms severely lacerated, while his body was also much contused. Ryan, though greatly shaken, is not, we understand, so much injured as his mate. Both patients are, we rejoice to say, spoken of as progressing favorably. The English mail, via Sun 'Francisco, will close at the post-office, Naseby, on Monday next, the 27th instant, at 1.30 p.m. Thr Home mail, via San Francisco, arrived at Nelson on Sunday last, and may be looked for by to-morrow's coach. DivrNK service will be conducted, by tho Rev. Mr. Wood, at the Masonic Hall, Naseby on the evening of Sunday next, at 6.30. 'The Lord Bishop of Dunedin met with a most enthusiastic reception at St. Bathans on Monday evening last. Persons of other denominations vied wi h Roman Catholics in testifying their respect for so distinguished a visitor. Forty-two horsemen from here, with the respected Father Royer at t,heir head, having met his Lordship *a little way beyond Hills Creek escorted him in processional order. This of itself must have been pleasing to his lordship, but a still more pleasing sight met his view on coming within a mile of the village—na nely, all the school children drawn up in line on the roadside, each bearing a tiny banner in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other. In addition to these were scverul ladies and gentlemen also on foot, some playing music and jthcrs carrying flags. Of the latter, the One used on St. Patrick's Day was the most conspicuous. The young and tho old of the village thus united formed a respectable escort, in the midst of which his lordship proceeded straight to the residence of Father Royer. Here up, and gavo the worthy Bishop three hearty cheers. Cheers were also given for the Revs. E. Royer and J. A. Norris, Mr. Stratford mid Mr. M'Phail. It whs really beautiful to witness the affability displayed bv his lordship in shaking hands' with the children who turned out to bid him welcome At evening devotions the little church wns crowded bv persons of all denominations. • The Rev. Father Royer read and presented to his lordship an address on behalf of all the Catholics of the entire district under Ids charge. Mr. E. Purton read and presented another address on behalf of the Catholics of St. Bathans, which seemed sensibly to affect his lordship. Having replied in grateful terms to both addresses, he made an eloquent appeal to all present to aid him in retaining the services of I those pious, highly gifted, and educated nuns | who came with him from Ireland, to lay tho

. trMation of true piety and useful education .#! the influence of whose teaching I' mid, in a few years, extend and make itself iV v '" llrou S aou t the Province, not amongst pman Catholics only, but amojjg those of her denominations who might enjoy the 'ciety of persons having received such perfect fining and education as those good ladies are Apable of imparting. The appeal was there |nd then most liberally responded to. His Wdship left at three o'clock on Tuesday, in «ipany with Father Rover, en route iov well, via Blacks, where he intended stayr P&>r the night.—A.B.O. The list of the winners of prizes at the . orts on St. Patrick's day is unavoidably held' er until our next issue. -1 third accident this week, and one "which . hfortunately had a fatal termination, occurred ) the youngest daughter of air. John Cogtija, l tip town, yesterday afternoon. 'The child seen alive about five o'clock p.m. near rookes' store, and not returning home as sual great anxiety was naturally created, and a immediate search set on foot. About eight 'clock the body of the child was discovered tout a mile and a-half down the race of the »ead Level. The child, it is presumed, must jve fallen in somewhere in the neighborhood ."vir. Brookes' stove. No doubt further parculars will be elicited to-morrow. t ln the meantime the sad event has caused quite a throughout the town, where the unrtunate child was well known, and where te parents are universally respected.