North Otago Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1878.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1882, 8 May 1878, Page 2

North Otago Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1878.

Foil some years past offorts have boon from time to tnno put forth to seouro tlio ereotinn of a road mid railway bridgo orer tho Maormvhonua, at Duntroon. Petition* havo boon prosonted to tho HoiiSo, and urgont ropi'o3ontationB ma«lo lesaion aftor session, tho sum of L5OOO boing plasod, in J875, on tho Supplementary Estimates for tho purposo, but

being struck out owing to tho jealous opposition of some of the Otago members. In tho spring of last year, however, an opportune acoidont which happily did not resulfc'in loss of life, but wont sufficiently near to it to carry out tho Sydney Smith "kill a bishop" argument— tho upsetting of a mail coach in tho river — supplied a powerful inducement, and thanks to the onorgy of our mombers the necessary vote was last sossion passed. Sinco thon tho matter has been brought undor tho notice of those members of tho Ministry who have paid Oamaru a visit during the rocoss, and deputations wore informed that surveys wore proceeding, and that on tho plans having boon prepared tondors would be called for the work. As the promises referred to wore made months ago, ana as it happens to our knowlodgo that plans for this bridge were in existence bo far back as 187&, we think it high timo that a commencement wero mado with tho work, and in order to this it would bo well that our County Government should again give tho Public Works Department a gentle romindor, and seeing that aprivato company is about to construofc an extension of tho Maorowhomia railway from Duntroon to Kurow and tho Hakatoramea thero is tho moro reason why tho bridge should be forthwith pushed on, and with it the oxtonsion of tho Government line into Duntroon so as to join on to tho company's lino. This is a matter in which tho railway company is equally interested with the County Counoil, and wo hope, therefore, that they will take concurrent action in order to an immediate commoncomont of this necessary work, The urgency of the question is apparent whon it is considered that the financial year expires on the 30th June, that on that date the present vote lapses, and that there is always a certain amount of risk in depending upon th« re-voting of sums from year to year. Since tho abovo was written wo loam that a Government surveyor has been recontly ongagod in surveyin X .. .;♦« f nr tho bridge, and may hope, therefoie, to hear of the w*"* being actually commenced shortly. As, howovor, this is not tho first timo a survey has boon made it is best not to bo too sanguine.

CmzßN Cadets. — As tho Volunteer Hall is required for Messrs Hislop and Shrimski'a meeting, thoro will be no parade of the Citi/on Cadets this evening.

Oddpei.uwship. — Tho attention of members of tho Loyivl Alfred Lodge is directed to im announcement in our advertising columns.

Coursing Accident.— An error occurs in tho paragraph in yesterday's issue under this heading, tho dog killed on Satuulay being tho property of Mr M'Corkindnle, and not of Mr Coggins as stated.

r The Electoral Roll. — A list of persons whose names are objected to as not bcinp entitled to be placed or retained^ on the Electoral Roll for tho Waitaki District is published in tho supplement to this issue.

Railway Roi,mso Stock.— Tenders avo invited by advertisement in another column for the manufacture of railway rolling stock. Plans and specifications may bo seen fit the station muster's office, Oamaru.

Left in Church. — A considerable number of articles which have been from time to time left in the church are lying in tho vestry of St. Luke's, and nmy bo obtained by tho owners on application to the verger.

Post-Sessional Addresses. — We remind our renders that Messrs Hislon and Shrimski meet their constituents at the Volunteer Hall this evening. Tho chair will be tnkcn by His Worship the Mayor at 8 o'clock.

Illustrated N.Z. Herald. — Tho number for May of this publication contains views of Groymouth and Kaiapoi, Holl's Onto, Davey River (Tasmania), Mount Sturgeon (Victoria), and a number of other excellent illustrations.

ENTERTAINMENT AT KAKANUI.— Wo dosiro specially to call tho attention of our readers to tho entertainment to be given for a charitable purpose in tho Athenreum, Kakanui, on Friday evening. Entertainments at Kakanui are always enjoyable, and the object in view deserves a crowded house.

Stack Fire. — On the night of the Ist or the morning of the 2nd inst., the greater part of a stack of wheat (somo 220 bags) standing on tho land of Mr George Hutcheson, at tho Tables, was destroyed by fire. It is thought that the stack was ignited by ashes dropped from some swagger's pipo.

Russivjf Manoeuvres. — Tho London "Standard's " Belgrado correspondent, telegraphing on Fobruary 20, says :—": — " It is stated on good authority that one point in the Ilusso-Twvkish secret treaty to help tho Sultan is, that tho latter declares himself Einjjoror of the Mahommedans in India."

Tiie 'Frisco Maii,.— Tho Taranaki with the inward 'Frisco mail loft Onohunga for Nolson at 2 p.m. yesterday. She should reach Wellington to-morrow and Lyttelton on Friday, so that tho mails will probably bo delivered in Oamaru on Saturday morn

ing. N. A. and P. Association. — Tho adjourned meeting of members for tho consideration of tho suggestions contained in tho annual report with referonce to the establishment of n Middle Island Association, and the obtainment of a now .Show Ground, takes placo to-morrow, at 1 p.m., at the Mechanics' Institute.

Resident Magistrates Court*— At thin Court yesterday Michael Collins, for allowing a cow to wander at largo, was fined 4s. James Demdster, for using profane language in Thames street, on Monday night, was fined 30s, or in default 7 days imprisonment. Henry Lyon, charged with being of unsound mind, was ordored to be sent to the Dunedin Lunatio Asylum.

Passing Valueless Cheques. — Ono of tho passongers by the Waitaki yesterday from Dunedhi was the individual calling himself Pogsfon, but whoso real namo is Header, who stands charged with having passed valueless cheques in Oamaru a shoit time ago. Ho will bo brought up at the Il.M.'a Court to-morrow, when a remand will bo asked for.

Waimatr Steeplechases.— It is notified in another column that in conscquenco of no water being procurable for the watcr-junip thoso ovonts aro postponed until tlio Ist Juno. Entries aim nominations, addressed to the Secretary, at RadclifPs Hotel, Christofmrch, or Waiinato Hotel, Waimate, will l)o iccoived up to 8 p.m. of the 24th inst. Weights to bo declared at tho Waimate Hotel, at 8 p.m. on tho 27th inst., and acceptances to be in the Secretary s hands by Thursday, 30th inst., at tho Wannato Hotel, at 8 p.m.

]\yi:ochial Nominators. — Wo learn from tho " New Zealand Churchman" that at a recent nicotine of tho Diocesan Standing Committee a letter w.is read from tho Roy. A. Clifford, stating that at the first vestry mootiiitf, hold February 13th last, four L(ontloiucn had been appointed Nominators fW tho parish, and expressing a <loubt whothor tho election woro valid. Tho statute of tho dfoccso (No. 5) requires that the Nominators bo elected on January 1, or within Bixtcon days thereafter t and in tho event of thoir not being elected in that period, tho appointment lapses to the Standiii!, f Committee. Tho names of the politicmtn arc aa follows :— Mcssis W. (I. Fdleul,

Geo. Sumptor, W. J. .Steward, and Robort Thompson. The Standing Committee approved of tho nppointmont of the abovo gentlemen. False Report. — Tho " Waitangi Tribune "of Saturday says :— ln our last issue, through information received from a party we had tho greatest confidence in, a report appeared to tne offect that an impostor, disguised as a priest, had visited Waimate, and obtained money from aovcral poraom under false protencoa. Now, it appears that our informant was also misinformed, and we have the unquestionable authority of tho Rev. Father Gutonoire for stating that the gentleman is no impostor, ho being connected with tho priesthood, and on his way to Wellington ho visited this placo to sco some old parishionors of Traleo, County Kerry, one of whom is his second cousin. Very naturally, his friends were delighted to see him, and— as is tho custom amongst Catholics, and warm-hoarted Irishmen in particular — they presented tho travollor with a cheque for a few pounds. Wo apologise to tho gentleman for tho incorrect statement, and also to his generous friends for having wounded i their feelings.