Untitled

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 411, 10 February 1877, Page 2

English mails via Suez close afc the district offices on Monday next. The nomination day for the election of Mayor of Naseby is fixed for the 16th. The Dunedin ' Star' reports that the- assessments for the Tuapeka County are all in, 1 and are under £60,000. Mk. James Gbeejt has been appointed a member of the Land Board, vice the Hon D Reid. A PROCLAMATION in. the Government 'Gazette' announces that the Forest Trees Planting Actß are to be brought into operation throughout the Colony. The Regulations of Forest Tree Planting Acts are also published. The ' Taranaki Herald ' says that by the. reduction in the numbers of the Armed Constabulary Force in the Korth Island, the Government had effected a saving to the Colony of something like £30,000 per annum. In reply to the Secretary- of the Tuapeka Hospital Committee, asking the Government's intentions with regard to subsidies for the Hospital, the Under-Secretary wrote, stating that provision would be made to the 30th June, 1577. Owing to the Postal Department having so much work in hand just now, it is not yet in a position to furnish the necessary books and papers for carrying on the school savings banks, the promoters of which are daily receiving encouraging replies from all parts of the Colony.—' Star.' All English letters posted on Monday last by San Francisco missed the steamer. Those posted the. week previously, being guided by our accidental notice, saved the mail. The majority, we fear, were too late. These letters will be detained for a mouth, although the Suez mail leaves Port Chalmers on the 14th. We have received a letter from a correspondent at Hamilton which we cannot insert. If»the allegations it contains are true a warrant for the apprehension of the party should be obtained. If they are not true they should not be published. Our correspondent reports that an individual formerly in the district has been, in plain terms, ■ sponging and loafing in the neighborhood, and has left for pastures new. An edge is put upon this. plain statement too sharp for our columns; We sympathise, and reeommend the police. Rather a good idea has been put intopractice by the Vincent County Chairman, and one which, in future, will probablv be; extensively copied. The post-card is utilised in giving notice of valuation to ratepavers. The necessary form is printed on the blank, side, only requiring to be filled up, addressed,, and slipped into the post office, and the thing is done. The ' Argus' commends this simple notion to the notice of the administrative officers of Counties, as it saves a world of trouble, and is in compliance with law.

A deadlock occurred between the Mayor and the Borough Council of Tiinaru at a special meeting held to consider the k eonduct of the Mayor in giving orders to the Engineer, contrary to a resolution of the Council. A scandalous scene ensued, and no business could be done, as the Mayor left the chair, but would not leave the room. As he was not absent the Council could not elect one of their number to fill the chair. The Council sat till half-past twelve o'clock disputing, quarreling, and chaffing between themselves, until at last all the councillors left the room, leaving the Mayor alone with the Town Clerk. The ' Tuapeka Times' reports.— "The de ferred payment system of acquiring land appeal's to have been working satisfactorily in the Tapanui district, as we are informed by Mr. P. Power, inspector of deferred payments, that the holders of land under this system are all complying with the regulations, as regards improvements, while many have far exceeded the requirements of the Act in this respect. This is a matter of congratulation to see bona fide settlement prospering in the district. Of course it is patent to the most unobservant that the Act has been taken advantage of by others than hoi: a fide settlers, but still, as a whole, it. has worked well."

At the last meeting of the Vincent CountyCouncil the ' Times' informs us :—" The Chairman said the next matter was the appointment of officers, and the fixing of salaries, aud the Chairman's salary.—Cr. Davidson thought that before the question of salaries was dealt with the Council should be acquainted with the estimated revenue.—The Chairman said the income of the County, independent of rates, the land fund, and Government subsidy, would be over £7OOO per annum ; with rates, the land fund, and other sources, it would be at least £IO,OOO. With reference to the appointments and the question of salaries, he considered that purely executive work, and he thought it could be far better done in Committee. Time would be saved by adopting that course.—After discussion the suggestion was acted upon, and the Council, at 5.30 p.m., adjourned till noon the next day." We since learn that the salary voted is £4OO, and Clyde is fixed as the County town.

TitU report 13311011 by the Committee of Management of the Royal Association for the Imia Arts in Scotland for the year 1575-6 is mow before via. The Society circulates valuable! engravings and works of art to its subscribers throughout tho world In this object, Eiinco its formation, £14:2,001) Las been expended. The special prizes to bu awarded in 1877 amount in value to j.MBS7- In addition, each nibscriber receives a valuable book of engravings, illustrating one of Sir W. Scott'i nivda. Mr. W. M'Hntcheson, of Naoeby, is one ci' the tioyioty'n Hon. and will givo all iiuor/ruUion to enquirers. Sample books of engravings will, wc are informed, bo shewn ao tiw Athenaum. Tub inquest on view of the body of Owen Lavcrty, who wos drowned crossing theTnieri River at Mardling's ferry, Hvde, on the 18th November Inst, was held before the District Coroner, 11. W. Robinson, Esq., assisted by f . If. Main, Esq., at tho Commercial Hotel, vdo, on the Ist inst. The evidence showed iat a body had been found jammed between two rotilcs, four feet out of water, at a place about six miles below tho Hyde crossing of the Taiori. The body, although much decomposed, was identified as thnt of Owen Lavorty, and a verdict of accidental drowning wub returned, The jury added a rider to the effect that Government should ba petitioned to erect a bridge at tho Hyde crossing to prevent Bi.ich lamentable loss of life as has from time to time occurred at this crossing.