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Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 212, 21 March 1873, Page 5

Monday the 24th. is the day fixed for the election of Councillors. We were led astray in a late issue by a clause of en Act unrepealed, but which it appears is overridden by an obscure amendment in the Act of 1870, which states definitely that all newly created Municipalities must re-elect their officers at the jhrst ensuing August. These elections, therefore, will only be valid till August next. This, •however, should not render the citizens careless as to who they put in, for four months gives ample time for mireh folly, and waste of money. In the South Ward especially, where tbere are five candidates to split the votes, a little carelessness may make it a toss up who is elected. In all the Wards the desideratum is nol necessarily to elect the man witli most brains, but to endeavor to get a Council which «s a whole, will work, and one safeguard in securing that, is to return men who have properly at stake, and therefore would have a direct interest in giving way in some tilings, to secure a general good. A man who is not personally interested, is very apt to take a determined stand upon some point or points, very much to the injury of other matters that are kci: t back with the point in dispute, and take credit to himself for his higli principles ; he—as he is always ready to point out —having nothing in the world to lose or gain by it. We understand that the Rev. Messrs. Todd, Oamaru, and Ryley, Otepopo, a deputation from the Synod> will visi: JS T aseby, and preach in the Masonic Hall, on the 13th April next. It is their intention also to visit St. Bathans, Blacks, and other up-cuunti y districts; returning from Queenstown, by the Yalley of the Waitaki.

On Tuesday*last, we had an opportunity for obtaining accurate information as to the progress of the the Head Race. The contractor most kindh showed us the works, going with us from one end to the other, so that we got a thorough idea of the nature of ;the work done and to be done on contract No. 1. As we have before indicated, the work was only fairly started last week, owing to the want of tools, &c.j and even now, the supply is (consequent on some unexpected delay) not so satisfactory as the contractors would wish. The work is not being completed in a continuous line, but is dotled along the contract. This is in a measure owing to the way in which it is being done—by piece-work. A gang of men on arriving at the works, are offered a section of about five chains—one party has, however, a half mile- contractors preferring to let the sections in as small bits as possible. These sections are let at pi ices varying from 25/ to 35/, some being at 27/6, some at 32/6, &c. The highest price being for ground of a peculiarly tough nature —a sort of cemented clay-gravel formation—which will not break, but only chips before the pick. In all cases the rock is left untouched. If a sub-contractor comes upon rock or heavy boulders, he merely laysitorthem bai-e, and dips again as soon as he can. The contractors say that the class of men employed, would not know how to deal with rock, and that it will be necessary to get skilled quarrymen . o knock it out. All the sections completed (which if put together might make a little better than a mile) are of either a mixed cloy or alluvial nature, and are certainly finished in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. A feature very commonly observed in the small winding gullies is that one side is of a broken nature, and the ■other of a more solid, rocky appearance ; the latter being generally the shady side. In all cases where work is commenced, the rocky side is so far let alone. The contractors expect to te able to complete their contracts as soon as the rest of the race is ready, which is all that they consider is practically necessary. As rumors are pretty plentiful regarding the price of provisions, we may state that everything appears to be supplied at a very reasonable rate, considering the distance over rough ground that provisions have to be brought. We counted in all thirty men at work on the ground at the time of our visit, but the number is always fluctuating. \ St. Patrick's Day was allowed to pass without honor in Naseby—the children alone getting a bit of fun in the shape of walking .and racing matches, thanks to the energy of | Messrs. Oogan and Provan. It is well understood that even in the event of Mr Fox retaining office, would be very weak in session, wlienTengaged in warfare with Mr. Stafford, and the able men who having for many years fought under his banner, are most dangerous opponents. It is therefore understood that an attempt will be made to strengthen the Ministerial ranks by securing the services of Mr. Moorhouse, and it is said that the member for Mr. Peacock, will resign his seat;'in order to allow Mr. Moorhouse to be ejected iu his stead. The former Superintendent, of Canterbury, and ex-member for Westland iu the Assembly, is unquestionably a very able man, and would be of most material assistance in the party struggles in which it ia the fashion nowaday? for Parliaments to amuse themselves. It canuot be denied that either Mr. Fox ,or Mr. Vogel will have a hard battle to fig tit to maintain their supremacy, encumbered as they are with men of the Reynolds and Bath-! gate stamp, even supposing that Mr. Moorhouse should secure a seat in the House and in the Cabinet. —' Hokitika Star.' The time for the registration of names on ,the Electoral Roll of the Mount Ida district on the 31st of the present month, and

we -wish those of our readers who have nob done so, to register at once. As there is a probability of an eai ly dissolution of the Colonial Parliament, every man who is.entitled to a rote should make sure that lie is in a position to exercise that privilege, when the time comes to do so.

The well-known race horses Burgundy, Wildboy, and Miss Ennis, with their engagen.'ents at the forthcoming Dunedin and Oamaru races, were advertised to be sold on Saturday lastin the Provincial Sale Yards, Dunedin. At the meeting of the Education Board, held at Dunedin on Friday last, the application of the Committee of the Welshinans Gully School, for a grant of £ls, to assist them in building a residence for the schoolmaster, was granted. St. Bathans seems to understand how to make the best of a holiday. Our valued correspondent telb us that the picnic and ball on St. Patrick's D.iy were a great success—visitors coming from all directions to help in the day's fun. Accounts from private hands tell the same tale, and make us wish, when St. Patrick's Day next comes round, that we may be there to see. A Judgment, by his Honor Judge Wilson Gray, which we give in full in another place, is one of very great importance—affecting all questions of forfeiture of rights on G-oldfields and forms the first case, we believe, in the New Zealand Courts, of the kind. Henceforth, in cases of a similar nature, this judgment will always be quoted as a precedent to be abided by. A statement has been going the round of the papers that the Judge of the DistrictCourt, his Honor Wilson Gray had applied, and obtained leave for twelve months, and that Judge Ward would take his place in the imterim. This statement in the papers was the first intimation his Honor had of the matter —though no doubt he would be glad of a holiday. We would like to know where our contemporaries got their information from. The only business in the Resident Magistrate's Court, since our last issue, was the application of Joseph Henry G-ason for permission to keep his licensed house open onthenight of the 17th (St. Patrick's Day), which was granted.

In consequence of Mr. Warden Robinson being absent on his fortn : ghtlv visit. toHamiltons, Hyde, and Macraes, no business has been transacted in either the Resident Magistrate's or Warden's Courts this week. Mr. Daniel intends to run a coach down to Dunedin for the special convenience of visitors to the Dunedin races.

Mb. H. S. Fish, Jun., and Mb. Reeyes are candidates for the seat in the Provincial Council vacai t bv the resignation of Mr. E. B.Cargill. On Saturday last a good deal of excitement was manifested as to the result of th? Sludge Channel lenders, to be considered in"Dunediu at noon of that day. Of course, all were welt pleased that; local men should have proved successful, and shortly after private intimation had arrived that it was so, the news was further confirmed b\ a telegram posted outside the Yictoria Hotel, addressed to his Worship the Mayor. The sum the ten miles is taken for is £IB,OOO. It appears that stone will be obtained easier than was at first supposed, which will in a measure account for the reduced tender. Mr. Pearce's price was, we hear, £20,000. The amounts of the other tenders have not transpired. The Engineer's estimate, on the main and branch channels, was £22,215; since which report it appear* that stone can be obtained at a less expense, and with less difficulty than was feared. Iu the estimate, the sum for pitching alone was put down at £13,515, so it will be readily seen that the reduction is easily accounted for. The successful tenderers, Messrs. Farmer, Creighton Bros., and Green, have called for tenders for the carting and placing of stone along the line of race, and they themselves yesterday went down to open up the quarry, form the necessary roads for it, and arrange about getting gates through the,fences. On Saturday last rain set in steadily, and continued the most of the night. Now, however, water is again getting scarce, and soon, unless more wet weather is experienced, men will have to be content to work half time, and and in some cases not at all.

Messes. Peaece and Fbaseb lately made an application before E. H. Carew, Esq., R.M. for an hotel license at the workings ou the Head Race. They were told that this was a matter that would have to be considered by a quarterly licensing bench. The ' Echo' has died away.

A petitiok lias been going round during the past week for a Commonage. No doubt, now that .the fences are becoming so general, it will become necessary that some definite provision should be made for horses and cattle, essential for the maintenance of the inhabitants of this large G-oldfield. This petition will do good in drawing attention to a question that will be one very difficult to adjust satisfactorily. The fall of wool at home in February was unexpected. A fall was anticipated in May, but not sooner, so speculators made sure, if they landed their clips in February, to make a good thing. They were, however, thrown out, and consequently will lose heavily. Speculation in station property appears now to be gambling on a large scale. The 'Daily Times', in an able article, has exposed Mr. James Smith, who attracted such great attention in spiritualistic and other circles lately in Dunedin. It is proved that his lectures, " mis-quotations and all,"' were taken bodiJy from some obscure works in the Mejbonrne library.

Messrs. Inder and Thomson were, at the Trade Association's meeting last night, appointed to wait on the Provincial Government, to uige the necessity of immediate repairs on the main road.