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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6235, 4 April 1881, Page 2

According to the Otago Times, the Southern trunk line in Otago is being ballasted with gold tailings from Manukau Creek. No less than twenty-four trucks filled with this refine are so used. Encouraged by the success attending previous amateur operatic efforts, Mr. Cary is now about to put in active rehearsal the “ Cloches de Oorneville,” with a view to its early performance. With the wealth of musical and dramatic talent at command among the amateurs of this city anticipations of a rare treat may be well indulged in. The rinking season will shortly commence, and it will interest all who delight in this amusement to learn that Mr. E. W. Cary has leased the St. George’s Hall for twelve months, and will soon open the lower floor for rinking on a similar system to that adopted last winter. He also intends to have the assembly hall upstairs rg-decora{ad,

Messrs. Beetham and Buuny, the members for the Wairaarma, will address their constituents in the different townships next week, beginning at Fealherston on Monday.

At a well-attended meeting of the Wellington Teachers’ Association held on Saturday, it was resolved that the reading of monthly papers prepared by members of the association should be continued. The president, Mr. Young, will give the first lecture of the new series at the next monthly meeting.

The reported Waimate quartz reefs seem to be mythical. A Tiinaru contemporary, speaking of the aliened discoveries, says that a telegram was received in town vesterday from a gentleman residing in M aimate, whose veracitv few* would be inclined to doubt, to the effect that he had reason to believe the samples in Cameron’s store, at any rate, came from Otago.

A correspondent in another column effectually disposes of the absurd objec'ious laised by a correspondent ” Householder, ’ in regard to the census schedule having to be filled up on Sunday. As must be apparent to any one, householders are not expected to fill up schedules till this morning, and then are called on to give details as to the persons sleeping within their dwellings during last night.

Some of the Wellington tradesmen complain of the sharpness of the civic officials in compelling obedience to the by-laws, but it is well for their peace of mind that they do not reside in Dunedin. By late exchanges we lea-n that the drivers' of bakers’ carts and other peripatetic purveyors have been convicted under by-law for going more than two yards from their carts without locking wheels. In some cases they actually held the reins in their hands whilst serving the goods, and in no case were the defendants six yards away from their dreaded run-away animals.

The drought that now seems happily broken up appears to have been tolerably universal, for from all parts of the colony, and even from Australia, complaints are to hand. In Lyttelton, as we learn by telegram, water was getting scarce, and this is one of the best supplied smaller towns in the colony. Rain, however, has fallen in the South, and the welcome downpour has extended to this city, greatly to the relief of householders, stockholders, and all sorts and conditions of men.

The city volunteer corps attended divine service at St. Paul’s Church on Sunday morning. The several companies were under the command of Lieut,-Col. Pearce, and with him Staff Sergeant-major Bell, and were represented as follows D Battery N.Z, Regiment Artillery—Lieuts MeOredie and Brandon, 27 men ; Engineers—Captain Simpson, Lieut. Tate, 30 men; City Rifles—Lieut. Balfinger, Sub.-Lieut. Walden, 20 men ; Wellington Guards—Lieut. Blundell, 45 meu, including 18 of band; Naval Brigade—Captain C. Johnston, Lieut. Bennett, Dr. Diver, 61 men and 12 cadets. The parade was attended by the Guards band only, which discoursed some choice selections of appropriate music to and from the church.

The difficulties attending the first production of a newspaper, especially in a country town, are proverbial, but those encountered by the proprietors of -*the Western Grazier (N.S.W.I were extraordinary—almost enough to dishearten them. The printing plant took three weeks to accomplish the journey by water ; then it was entrusted to a bullock dray, which was bogged and lost sight of for a month. It was brought on board another team, in which the bullocks died one by one, and a team of horses had to be sent out to supply the place of the defunct bovine. Afterwards it was upset into the river, and a black diver had to rescue the packages piecemeal. Finally, it reached its destination at Wilcannia.

There are many changes contemplated in the Post-office at Oamaru. The North Otago Times says in its issue of the 31st ult. “ Changes are being effected in the Oamaru Post and Telegraph Offices, with a view to their amalgamation and management under one chief officer. The gentleman who is to be placed in this position has, we believe, been an assistant to one of the chief postal officers at Wellington.” This is quite true, for Mr. John Hutton, who has been for some time chief clerk in the postal department in Wellington under Mr. Gray, and has done good service in that capacity, proceeds to Oamaru in three weeks from the present date to take charge of the amalgamated office*. Mr. Hutton is a most able and intelligent officer, has served many years in the service, and his promotion will be alike a benefit to himself and the locality in which he is to be stationed.

By his various successes on the turf it is computed mat Mr. William L Anson, whose death near Milton is just announced, won upwards of £100,000. He purchased an estate which alone cost over £10,000, and he had “irons ”in the fire in every direction. He commenced life low down in a racing stable, but his native shrewdness quickly brought him under notice of the late Lord Glasgow, from which moment he never looked back. The animal which made his fortune was the brood mare Queen Mary. He only gave £IOO for her, and she bred him the Derby and Oaks winner, Blink Bonny. Later on the mare slipped that “ horse of a century,” Blair Athol, whose achievements will for ever live in equine memory. Two other descendants of “ The Queen,” respectively, Breadalbane and Broomielaw, were sold for £11,000. The Karori-Makara Highway Board has discharge 1 a considerable number of meu lately, owing to the greater portion of the new road being now formed. There are still a few men on making side drains and metalling the road. In another week or two the gully leading up to Mr. Bell’s will be filled in, and then only the big embankment over the Kaiwarra stream will be required to complete it. Already an influential committee is appointed to carry out that portion of the work in connection with the Board by means of subscriptions raised in the district. The Hon. J. Johnston has subscribed £2OO, while other settlers have come out handsomely. The money subscribed will be lodged in a separate account from that of the Local Board, Messrs. Graham and Prendeville being appointed trustees for this fund. When this piece of road is completed the drive to Karuri will be much pleasanter than it used to be, as the gradient between the point of intersection with the present road and Mr, Dryden’s will not, at the steepest part, be more than one in forty.

Some regulations to keep “ ground gams ” within moderate limits are needed in New Zealand as well as in England, and the Game Preservation Act will need amendment next session in many respects, especially as far as hares are concerned. In Otago and Southland the settlers complain greatly of the ravages of these pests, which promise to be as great nuisances as their rabit congeners. They eat np the young springing crops, they are particularly destructive to young trees, especially fruit trees of all kinds, and in a somewhat literal sense “ the game is not worth the candle ” that it costs. In the Waikato these animals breed at least three times a year, and have become such a curse there that protection throughout the year is withdrawn from them, so they are coursed and shot from January till December. The same [course will be necessary to adopt in other parts of the colony, unless the colonists are prepared to be overrun with the furry enemy. There is ample cover to prevent the possibility of extermination, though even were that to eventuate it is quite possible that New Zealand will have thus got rid of a somewhat doubtful blessing. The Timaru Herald of the 30th ult. is responsible for the following : —“ A certain gentleman living in this neighbourhood was summoned to appear in a civil case as a witness. Before giving his evidence he asked for his expenses, aod was assured by the solicitor appearing in the case that he wouM see that he got them. After giving his evidence he left the Court. Some days subsequently this gentleman being in the town and meeting the lawyer, said, ‘ Oh, by the way, how did you get on with that case in which I appeared as a witness ? Did you get the money V The legal gentleman said he bad gained his case, and they parted, without any offer on his part to pay the witness’s expenses. Some days after this gentleman being in town again accidentally met the lawyer, who accosted him by saying he had a little account against him. ‘ An account against me ? ’ said the person accosted, ‘ Why, I have had no dealings with you whatever ] you never did anything for me ; what do I owe an account for V ‘ Do you remember meeting me in the street a little while back and askiug°me if I had gained a certain case in Court?' ‘Yes, but you surely are not (mine to charge me for that simple question, are you ‘ Certainly, I am- You asked me a question, and I live by people asking me qu-stions.’ ‘What, then, is your charge ? ‘Ten and sixpence.’ ‘ Well, if that is so, j have an account against yon, namely, my expenses in Court, guaranteed by you at the time of the hearing of the case, which is likewise 10s. fid., which I never intended to have asked for,’ and so the matter was eventually squared, the gentleman from the country vowing that the less one had to do with lawyers of such a class the bettep. /

In referring to the Ta-manian loan recently placed in the London market, Renter’? agent inform? us that the auv unt should have been £300,000, and not £3.000,000.

To-clay being the u«ual day for the opening of the qnartridy criminal sittings of the Supreme LVmrt, we may repeat that they have been adjourned to Monday next, the 11th instant.

A most important sale of properties of various kinds, situated both in the country and city, will be Iv Id by J. H. Bethnne and Co. to-day at their room*. They comprise a most desirable section near the tramway terminus, Newtown ; section at Opaki ; a section in the Rangituraau block ; a fl ■»ck of 3350 sheep and lambs ; building allotments in Alice Town, Lower Hutt, and other properties. The sale is one of the largest held in the city for s une time, and will, no doubt, attract a large number of purchasers.

One of the light-fingered gentry was cleverly caught in the act by Detective Benjamin about midnight on Saturday, The man, wh *?e u me is Oeirge Miller, obtained access to Messrs. Johnston and Cods store through a side window which, by the way, had been purposely left unfastened by the obliging detective, who had got of the game. While in the act of carrying out a box of tobacco valued at £ls, the thief was acre-de l and c inducted to private quarters at the Police Court from whence he will make his appearance before Mr. Shaw, at the R.M, Court to-day.

We have reason to believe thit the Government has decided upon making some important changes with regard to the steamers Hinemoa and Stella. It is understood that Captain Gray of the Stella will proceed to Auckland and take charge of the revenue schooner Hawk, which has recently been built. Captain Fairchild takes command of the Stella, Captain Johnson, of the Marine Department, taking charge of the Hinemoa, which will not be used except upon special occasions. The change has been pending for some time past, but it has not hitherto been found convenient to carry it out, A somewhat sudden death of a child named Mary Petersen, eleven months old, occurred at the residence of its parents, Polbill Gully, about 3 o’clock yesterday morning. It had been suffering from an attack of dysentery for some little time back, but no serious results were anticipated. On Saturday night the mother retired to bed as usual with the child in her arms, and on awakening at the time mentioned above, found it lying by her side quite dead. Dr. Harding was immediately sent for, but of course could do nothing. It is not desirable to hold an inquest.

An interesting cricket match was played on Saturday afternoon last in Mr. Oakes’s paddock, Lower Hutt, between teams chosen from the saddlers and the shoemakers of Wellington. The match was a very close one, and resulted in favor of the former by some five runs. By a mistake in the scoring, it was at first supposed that the sons of St. Crispin had won, but investigation turned the scale. The highest scores were made by W. Claridge on behalf of the shoemakers, with 14 and 7 respectively, and Chuck for the saddlers, with 10 and 15 to his credit. The cricket ball for the highest scorer was won by the latter-named player.. After the match the teams dined together, and thus brought a most enjoyable day’s amusement to a conclusion. A ruddy glare which spread over the sky from north to west throughout the night from Friday to Saturday, gave what appeared to be good reason for a feeling of alarm, especially as one of the fires was raging in full view of the city, ou a hill behind Tinakori road, and right in the course of a strong north-west gale which was blowing at the time. All anxiety was, however, removed during Saturday forenoon, when the fire gradually died away. Another lire had taken firm hold on a hill which was covered with dead timber, to the westward of the large water reservoir. From thence it spread to the southern side of the stream, and, as some of the grass in the neighborhood was long and dry, it seemed probable that a considerable amount of damage would be done. But as the wind fell towards morning the fire gradually went out, and by Saturday afternoon no signs of it were visible from town. Only a small trail of grass land was touched by it, but some chains of fencing were burnt on Mr. W. Finnimore’s farm, while a shepherd’s cottage was for some time in danger of getting alight. Taking into consideration the amount of useless timber that was destroyed, the fire has done more good than harm.

A telegram having been received in town from Blenheim on Thursday, the 31st nit., stating that Mr. Hendle, the lighthouse keeper at Cape Campbell, was seriously ill, Dr. Johnston left the same evening by the steamer Stella in order to render medical assistance. On arriving at the Caps it was found that a high sea was running; but the case being urgent, a boat was lowered and the crew and Dr. Johnston succeeded in getting safely ashore. The return trip of the boat being impossible, the Stella proceeded to Cloudy Bay where she remained until the sea had subsided. Dr. Johnston found that his services were really of no avail, Mr. Hendle having expired of heart disease on the Wednesday evening, while in the act ©flighting the lamps. The body was placed in a coffin which was specially constructed, and on the return of the Stella ou Saturday it was pat aboard. Dr. Johnston, the four children of the deceased, who was a widowei, with the housekeeper, also proceeded aboard, and the steamer then returned to Wellington. Ou arrival here the body was conveyed to the Morgue, where it remained until preparations for interment had been completed. The funeral took place yesterday, Dr. Johnston, in his capacity as City Coroner, having previously decided that no inquest was necessary.

It cannot be said that the first step which was taken on Saturday towards preventing waste ot water from the Corporation waterworks led to practical and serviceable results. Shortly after one o’clock the water was shut off the old mains, and it was not long before every tap in the city was dry. To provide as far as possible against loss by fire, the Engineer gave instructions to have the water led into all the large mains which have recently been laid in a number of streets in Te Aro and Cook Wards in connection with the new Wainuiomata works. Shortly after this had been done these mains hurst with loud reports in no less than four places, sending up a large quantity of the newly deposited soil and a large quantity of water. One of these bursts occured in Cuba-street, another in Ghuzneestreet, and a third in Courtenay-piace. The fourth took place in a street further to the southward. In all cases the water rushed out with tremendous force. In the case of Ghuz-nee-street, the street was flooded from side to side. When we say that it was more than half-an-hour before the pressure was shut off in Upper Willis-street, it will readily be understood that the waste was very serious, and that it must have exceeded the quantity which it was expected would have been saved during several days. Bat this was not the worst mishap, for shortly after the new mains had been closed the curved main pipe leading from Wordsworth-street into Upper Willis street, which had stood all the pressure since the works were laid, gave way, and as the water rushed into a box drain which had been put down beside it, there was considerable difficulty in finding the right place. The water in this place must have run to waste for nearly an hour before it was found out that there was anything wrong. The water was then shut off at the basin above Polhill’a Gully, and a gang of men was set to work at 8 pm. to find the broken pipe. It was not till 3 a.m. yesterday that they were successful. There being no available curves of the proper size, it was found necessary to put in three pieces. By continuous working these were got in situ shortly after 3 p.m. The last mentioned accident will explain why the water was not turned on between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. yesterday. When it is considered that a certain percentage of our water pipes falways give way when they are first subjected to a high pressure of water, it mav fairly be questioned whether it was judicious to fill the new mains for the first time at such a critical period. It is probable that the loss which occured in consequence will not be felt, as yesterday’s rainfall may make up a good deal more than the difference, but if such should prove to be the case, the fact must be set down to good lack rather than to forethought. We are unable to ascertain the quantity of water that was lost, but shall, no donbt, learn further particulars to-day. W ith regard to the old main, which gave wav, we may say that it is really matter for surprise that it stood so long, for it was nothing but a shell, the whole of the long side being completely honeycomb 0-1 . The rain which fell yesterday did not mil - .ppre-inhle difference in the height of " 'i i the main but it is confidently expected that there will he a considerable difference this morning, as the ground has received a fair soaking, and a considerable quantity of waterjwill therefore find its way to tho lower level.

There was a large attendance at the Athenaeum last night, when Mrs. Hampson, the lady Evangelist, delivered an address. The lecturer chose no text from Scripture, but simply delivered a general appeal to all, urging upon them the necessity of at once embracing Christ. She was listened to very attentively throughout. A little sensation was caused at the close by a young lady fainting. She was carried out, and shortly after recovered.

W-learn from the Melbourne that Connor, whose feat-* ns a pedestrian made all local walkfcta look very insignificant some month? ago, disposed of C mu, the Australian champ'on, in a seven mile walking ma f ch, which took place at Melbourne on tie 12’h March. Cann had won the Gatehouse belt twice in succession, anil had he won it ft third time he would have been entitled to retain it. Shortly after the match began, Cann was disqualified by the judges and referee? for unfair walking, hut the two men kept at it, the New Zealander winning after a most desperate content by less than a yard in between t>3 and 54 minutes. Edwards, Woodhou?e, and others who were present, are said to have expressed theraselvers to the effect that they never saw a better contested match.

A knight of the cleaver, in business not a hundred miles fr*uu the picturesque village of K-uwiVTa, ha? suddenly disappeared fr m public gaze like a beautiful dream, owing to contemplated trouble arising from too much indulgence in matrimonial bliss. Gossip says the gay Lothario, who was “switche I ” by the local registrar a few months ago to a smart and prepossessing young dressmaker, found it advisable to seek fre-h scenes, probably Salt Lake City, without the knowledge of hi? fair* partner, who proves to be No. 2 in his affections. This hurried non est was found necessary owing to the arrival by the last trip of the Norfolk, of his better half, No. 1, to whom he was wedded before leaving England. Under the circumstances he might well exclaim * ( How happy could I be with either,” &c.

The police received information on Sunday of the mysterious disappearance of a person named John G. Dudgeon, described as about fifty years of age, six feet in height, and when last seen was wearing a darkish grey tweed coat, light tweed trousers and vest, black billycock hat. He was formerly a draper in Tory-street, but has been out of business for some time past, and was last staying at the Cosmopolitan Club, Tory-street, which place he left on the morning of the 30ch ult,, saying at the time he might not be back again. Subsequently, he was in company' with Constable Christie coming from Kaiwarra on Thursday afternoon, sicce when no trace of him can be found. It is feared that, as he has been drinking heavily of late, something has happened to him. He had expressed au intention of going to Westport to follow his old pursuit of digging, having been at one time engaged in that occupation on the Coast.