NOTES FROM ST. BATHANS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 262, 14 March 1874, Page 3

NOTES FROM ST. BATHANS.

March lOlh. We have been favored with a heavy fall of rain. It commenced early on Saturday morning, and continued without intermission for twenty-four hours. On Saturday afternoon the Manuherikia had risen to such a height that the mailboy considered it unsafe to cross, and the mails were consequently detained at Blackstone Hill till late on the following day. The rain could not have come more opportunely, as the water supply has for some weeks past been reduced to the •lowest ebb. At present we have an abundant supply—sufficient, probably, to tide us over the remainder of the dry season. A company was formed here some time ago for the purpose of introducing a supply of water into the township for domestic use. The shares were liberally subscribed for, and a race to connect the Scandinavian Water Eace with the proposed reservoir has been formed; in fact, arrangements have been made to procure the plant, and the delay in commencing operations is due solely to the evasive and vacillating proceedings of Mr. Bastings, in reference to the sale of the township. The directors are unwilling to expend the funds of the company until they can obtain some security that the property of the shareholders shall be stt'o from interference, and this can only be effected by the sale of the township. Mr. Bastings has promised repeatedly to visit the place, in order to enquire into the objections to the sale, but the pressure of public business—or other reasons equally potent —has prevented him from carrying out his intention ; indeed, no one now believes that Mr. Bastings will ever get this length, his promised visit has become a standing joke in the place. If any one wishes to postpone any matter indefinitely, it is invariably put off till Mr. Bastings comes. A large number of new books have this week been added to our public library, which now contains a large and varied collection of standard works, suitable to all classes of.readers. Mr. J. D. Yorston, who took an active part in the establishment of the institution, and who has officiated as Librarian since its commencement, has resigned his appointment; as also that of Secretary and Treasurer to. the Progress Committee. By the retirement of Mr. Yorston the community have lost the services of ah able and faithful public servant. The gold forwarded by last escort, 225 025., does not by any means represent the amount raised in' the district during the last month. A large quantity has been purchased during the last fortnight by Mr. W, Pyle, storekeeper, at £3 15s. 6d. per ounce —being an advance of 6d. per ounce on the price paid by tlie banks. The banks have now raised the price to £3 15s. 6d. A large majority of the miners here have promised to dispose of their gold, to Mr. Pyle, as a reward for his pluck in raising the price, and as a proof of their disgust at the banks, in combining to lower it. The site fixed upon for the erection of the post and telegraph offices has been chesen with but little regard to the convenience public. It is situated on the rise at the east end of the street, just beyond Murray's old bakery, and a more inconvenient site can hardly be imagined. It is quite outside the township, and in winter can only be approached through a sea of mud. The people of Welshman's Gully, and-the residents at the west end of the township have great cause to be dissatisfied at the arrangement, and an effort will probably be made to induce the authorities to select a more central and convenient site." The neighborhood of' the- police camp would be infinitely preferable to the other. . No time should be lost, as tenders.for the erection of the buildings have been called for.

fifteen chains running across the upper porticn of the special claim applied, for their tail race. Mr... Bailey could not see the necessity of a width' of sixty-six feet for any tail race, bub would consent to a width of thirty feet. The Warden suggested thirty-three feet, as including the race. Mr. Ewing explained that the tail race was used to convey occasionally all the flood water, turned off from the Scandinavian Company's works. Mr. Bailey remarked to the Court that Mr. Ewing would have his own right of action against trespassers, without asking for a chain reserve to provide for tresspass. The Warden postponed decision till the surveyor's plans were completed. He would recommend the Government to make the grant, with all the restrictions, written down on the paper he had read out to the'm, also with those now considered. The point as to width of reserve for Ewing's race should be settled prior to his recommendation being forwarded to the Government. A deputation of the townspeople waited upon Mr. Stratford, as District Land Officer, asking him to move the Government or the Waste Laud Board to decide as to whether the township was to be sold or not, urging ari immediate reply. They had been taking out quarterly business licenses in expectation of a sale, thus paying £8 a year instead of £5. Mr. Stratford promised to take immediate action in the matter, and would point out the expenses incurred in consequence of the delay. Protection. —Ninety days granted to James Williams, George Purton,, Michael Fahey, and Patrick O'Hara. Extended claims granted to Peter Tiernan, Giles Talty, and Patrick Talty.