Untitled

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 239, 3 October 1873, Page 4

The General Government have agreed to put £3OO on the Supplementary Estimates for a Naseby Court House. This, no doubt, is due to the action taken by Mr. Mervyn earlier in the session. A strong memorial should be got up and forwarded fo Mr. Oliver, M P. 0., for presentation to the Provincial Executive, to have this sum supplemented, so as to make a really creditable building. The £SOO vote for Dunedin Court House might very well be transferred, as with £IO,OOO granted for that building the Provincial £SOO will not be needed. '

The Committee appointed by the Municipal Council to confer with a Committee of the Miners' Association, with regard to the arrangements for working the Government.boring rods, held a conference on Monday evening last, at Mr. Busch's residence. After some discussion, the application of Mr. Thomas Meager (the only one, in answer to advertisement for a person to take charge of and work the apparatus) was accepted, at £5 per week. A long minute was drawn up and signed by both Committees, in which was clearly stated the terms and conditions of subsidy by the Council. The Cricket Ground was selected for the first trial, in order to test the efficacy of the machine, which is to be worked under the direction of the Committee of the Miners' Association.

Thtc Fire Brigade that so long have watched over us at Naseby are anxious to give'up their charge to the Municipal Council. Naturally, they shrink from the task of having to find both labor and money, as has too often been the case. There is no doubt that the ratepayers, as a body, should bear the expenses of guarding their own property; but, although the Council may take the responsibility, the success and efficiency of the Brigade will depend on the heartiness of the volunteers. The Brigade, we believe,; has consented to carry on its responsible duties until the Corporation can perfect their arrangements, so that we may not be burnt out without an effort, at any rate, to save ourselves—while the Brigade is in disorganisation.

WR notice that in 1872 one hundred and sixty-two depcsits, amounting to £I3BB lis. 6d , were, made in the Savinjg Bank, in connection with the JSaseby post office—showing an average of ;bout £8 lis. 61. £2 14-*. Ud. ■was paid in interest during tlie last yar for the money. Throughout the Col.-nv, £450,570 IDs. was lodged iu the Post Oifice Savings Banks.

Kkkpixo things sweet seems rather a diffi■cult matter for Superintendents as well as' other men. Some Government pipers show this in a strong light. Our readers are all aware of the Commission of Knqn'irv, conducted by Messrs. Maitlund and Sh.-pherd, into the fifty acre block s-ile at Switzers. This enquiry costs the country, it appears. £142 16s 6.1. —at least that is the sum ih' Superintendent claimed from the General Government. The Colonial Secretary, however, replied amounting to £L4:2 16s. 61. will, on my bein<; furnished with detailed accounts and vouchers, be paid ; but I would point out to your Honor that if any part of the amount consists of pay or honorarium to Mr T. L. Shepherd, there is great probability that his seat in the House of Representatives would be jeopardised." Whereupon his Honor replies " that the Provincial Government only claims to be re-couped in the sum of 576 ss. 6d.—being the amount payable to J. V. Maitland, Esq , on account ot' his personal an i travelling ex penses " Clearly, then, the £63 lis balance was to have been p-.iid by the General Government to Mr. Shepherd, and no doubt has been paid by the Province. A very bad principle underlies this keeping things sweet—a direct, inducement to a representative to make a hubbub, about nothing, to get a Commission of Enquiry nppci ited on which, perha; s, he or a friend may be put. We do not. accuse Mr. Shepherd of any such action, but it does not look well.

Mr. Merry has performed the almost unprecedented feat of carrying off the Derhy, St. Lpger. and Oaks' in one year. won the Derby for him, and Marie Stewart the Oiks. The French maiden, closely followed by her stable companion, the Derby winner, coming home first and second for the St. Leger. Mr. Merry's judgment must be only second to his luck, as the number of the great horses he lias brought outj including ■Thornlanhy and Dundee, abundantly testifies.

VVk are now in receipt of the two first num hers of llie 'Christian Record'-—a weekly 'journal published at the low price of 3d—that promises to fill a gap long conspicuous for it? vacant nppearance. The ' Record' hopes to publish a paper thoroughly Christ i:u., but unsectarian, reaching Mie homes and hearts of every Bible-loving family— epitome of religious thought, Church news generally, and at .the s;ime time afford ing a half reading mutter to the young in stories such as. Lost, flip," by the author of "'Jyssic't/S first prnver," " Alone in London," etc.;-and also, for the elder in more solid matter, gleaned from the ablest sermons preached in the load ins! pulpits. We heartily wish the 'Record* an intelligent and enligliteued support.

Wu leurn that , the booth for the ensuing Spring Meeting was purchased by Mr Finder, of the Empire rlotel, for tho sum of £2l—the cards and p.iddock by Mr. Alf. Oldridge, for £2 10s.

We are in receipt, of a large batch of Government papers— ■' Hansard' —from tlie Government printer. Tm? 4 New Zealand Herald' seems to b® improving very fast, the last number received being part icularly good, both in reading matter and engravings. .

The English mail arrived at the Nasebj office lust Tuesday. Tn consequence of a treak down of the mnil rack near Blueskin, the couch on Monday did not get pa9t Palmereton, leaving there on Tuesday morning, and reaching Naseby at 5 r.m., a very creditable performance, considering the very heavy snow that fell on Monday night, making.the roads once more a Slough of Despond. Telegraphic communication was again interrupted by the snow, which fell on Monday night last, breaking the wires. Communication has since been restored.

Opb country friends will not forget the Spring Meeting to be held on the tenth. It is to be hoped that the present rough weather will have given way to summer influences. If bo, a good day's sport may be anticipated.

"Wk are sorry to learn that erysipelas has shown itself among tlia Chinese—one case, fortunately a mild cne, being under treatment. The form it is taking in this district being apparently very contagious, it is to be hoped that it will not, from the herding-together habits of the Chinese, take a strong hold among them.

Ok Tuesday night a man of the name of Marley died in the Hospital. He had been for some time past receiving medical treatment; as an out-door patient, and latterly as an inmate, suffering from lung disease. He was buried yesterday.

Wk are in receipt of a valuable communication from Maerewhenua, too late, however, for insertion this week. Our correspondent says that " there is abundance of water nt present, every one being vve]l satisfied. M'Cann's party are busy fluming the north branch of the river, and expect shortly-to.'have, the water on the ground. The Fiery Cross claim looks very bold and majestic, and is sending away lots of stufF. The Mosquito race is sending home her full complement of water, to the satisfaction, of her proprietors. The Golden ITill. wit h her suspen&iou : fluining, is acting admirably."

As will be seen by an advertisement in another column, a soiree in connection with the Church of England is to take place in the Masonic Hall, Naseby, on the 15th imt.

Wb regret to announce the.sad and sudden death of a well-known resident near Hyde — who was head shepherd at Main's station. A. Clark and Black were crossing in the boit at what is known as Marking's ferry, below Hyde. As lar as we can le;irn, the heavy current in the viver bore down so rongly on the broadside of the boat as to fill in, putting such a strain on the wire rone as to snap it. Black jumped clear of the I' oafc, to be washed up on a shallow a little below, and Clark a little after left the boat, never more to be seen. Mardling had come down to assist-, but could not see any trace of Clark after lie left the boat. Constable Rooney and others tried all means in 1 heir reach to grapple for the body, but so far without success. It is probable, from the str am setting in at the spot towards some abandoned coal workings on the /Macraes side, that it found a lodgmeut in some hollow or pit. Ther« is »re.it want of a safer means of communication at this ford. If a bridge cannot be got present, a little wholesome agitation might procure a good and substantial punt, fib to take a coach or waggon.

Wh learn that Mr. Robert Johnstone's tender for a contract on the head race, in connection with his own race at Blacks tone Hill, has been accepted. Wn lefirn that Mr. O'Keefe, in conjunction with Mr. M'Gralh, has purchased the residence site occupied by Mr; Blair, for the sum of £35.

At a special meeting of the Mount Ida District Hospital ..Committee, held on the 27th ult., the following tenders for supplies to the Mount Ida District Hospital for six months were accepted Fronds, meat, 4d. per lb. ; M'Fadyen and Co , bread, 11d. per 41b loaf; Bremncr, groceries. The Hospital Committee beg to acknowledge with tharks receipt from Mr. Paice of two year's 'London Journals.'

Thts Dunedin races commence on the 24th March, and start with the Maiden Plate of eighty sovereigns; distance, one mile and a half; nfter which the programme is a follows:. The Dunedin Cup, a handicap of 800 sovereigns ; distance, two miles and a distance. St. Kilda Slakes of sixty sovereigns; one mile and a distance. .Publicam' Handicap of 75 .sovereigns ; one mil* and a quarter. 'Sailing Race, of fifty sovereigns ; distance, one mile and a half. Second d-y—Handicap Hurdle Race; of Sixty sovereigns ; two miles and a distance over ten/flights' of hurdles. Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap, of 200 sovereigns ; one mile and three-quarters. Stewards' Purse, of seventy-five sovereigns; one mile and a half, Ence, a handicap of 100 sovereigns ; one mile and a hal f. Mack Race, of twrentyjsovereigns; distance, one mile. Third day—Town Plate, of 100 sovereigns; distance, two miles and a quarter. Forbu-y Handicap, of 160 sovereigns; distance, two miles. Handicap Steeplechase, of ninety sovereigns ; about three miles over such (V'ucv,B as the Stewards' may appoint. Flying Handicap, of fifty sovereigns. v.?onsolatiou Handicap, seventy-five sovereigns; distance, one mile. As will be seen from the above, the amounts of the prizes are £1,500.