Untitled

Southland Times, Issue 1609, 23 July 1872, Page 2

The other day we had occasion to refer to the fact that only one of the sheds promised to be erected on the platforms at the Winton railway stations had been completed. It will be remembered that we intimated that tlie Government had authorised the construction of these inexpensive and much-needed buildings. It appears, however, that up to the present time the Railway Manager has only received the necessary authority to make the one at the Makarewa. As there must evidently have been some oversight on the part of the Government, we take this opportunity of calling their attention to the fact that they have failed to carry out the promise conveyed in the reply sent to the memorialists who addressed them on the subject. Our attention has been called to the position of the intended new bridge over the Waihopai on the North Road, which, it appears, is to be placed below the existing structure, and so causing an awkward turn in the road, the reason being to avoid the interruption of traffic which would arise from removing the old bridge to make room for a new one in the same place. Surely some means could be devised for pi'ovidiug tempora y accommodation, and bo avoiding the absurdity which it is proposed to perpetrate in placing a handsome and permanent structure in such an awkward position. The srnallness of some of the oysters brought from Stewart's Island having attracted theattention of the authorities, it was discovered that some of the natural beds at Port Adventure were being unduly tampered with, and a notice has been issued closing them for a period of two years, during which a line of £20 may be inflicted upon any person discovered dredging upDn them. The half of the fine goes to the informer, so that it is probable the prohibition will prove an effectual protection. We have seen a sample of freestone, brought to our office by Mr iTtJallum, of Seaward Downs, where it is said a practically unlimited quantity of the same material exists. Tne stone appears to be highly adaptable for building purposes. The question has been mooted that it is not at all unlikely that a good deposit of coal may be found underlying this stratum, and the matter should receive some investigation. We understand that the line of railway to the Mataura passes within an easy distance of the locality where the stone has been found, so that the discovery may prove ere long to be of considerable practical value to the inhabitants of lnvercargill. A serious accident of a somewhat unusual kind occurred at the Southland Meat Preserving Works at Winton on Friday, to one of the men employed in what is known as the bathroom, who was severely scalded on the head, face, and arm, by the explosion ot a tin of meat, which burst at a very high temperature in one of the baths. The explosion of tins at a certain stage of the preserving process is not a very uncommon occurrence under the system adopted by the Southland Meat Preserving Company, but it is not generally attended with any danger, as the tius are usually placed in an upright position in the heating bath. The tin which caused the mischief in this case appears to have been accidentally • tilted a little on one side, aad oa bursting discharged its superheated contents with great force upon the unfortunate man's face and arms. Dr Grigor brought the patient down to the hospital by the train on Saturday afternoon. A telegram received in Dunedin from a member of the Assembly states that it is not the intention of the Government to introduce the Education Bill this session. A telegram was received from Queenstown on Saturday last conveying intelligence that the steamer Wakatip had been 3uccessfuljy floated. Thesomewhat unusual operation of tracheotomy was successfully performed by Dr Grigor, assisted by Dr M'Clure, at the hospital on Thursday, on a patient named Bell, who was suffering from laryngitis, or inflammation of the windpipe. The upper portion of the windpipe being nearly closed by swelling, the patient was in danger of suffocation. The operation consists

in the insertion of a silver tube into the throat by an opening iv the neck, so as to afford an artificial meiiU3 of breathing when the natural orifice is closed. Although the operation a? such was succea^fully performed, the patient was in a very low st.-ito of health , and we regret to learn that he died yesterday morning. From an announcement in our advertising columns, it; will be observed that the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company's works at Long Bush are to be closed about the end of this month. The state of the roads and the consequent dilliculty of getting the produce to town, lias rendered it necessary for the Company to suspend operations two months earlier than was contemplated. Largo additions to the storage accommodation at the works have lately been erected, on account of the accumulation of manufactured goods, and large orders, which the Company would otherwise have been glad to execute, have been declined, solely on account of the impossibility of getting the goods away. We I understand that the Company is prepared to resume operations as soon as the roads are dry enough to bear the traffic. The number of cattle slaughtered by the Company since Ist August last is a little over 6000, and upwards of 1200 have been refused lately, on account of the difficulty of carriage. It is evident that a serious loss has thus been sustained by the public, and that a crying necessity exists for providing railway accommodation with as little delay as may be. The quality of the stock slaughtered this year is said to have been superior to that of any past season. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday John Simmons, of the Southland Meat Preserving Company's Works at Winton, was fined 10s or 48 hours' imprisonment for being drunk and disorderly. Andrew Featherstone, from Mr Fraser's saw-mill, brought up by the police as a lunatic, was remanded for medical examination. John Patrick pleaded guilty to having obtained goods to the amount of 9s, from Ebenezer M'Gibbon, a shop-boy in the employment ot" Mr Yule, by false representations. Sentence, one month's imprisonment with hard labor. At the meeting of the District Land Board on Friday there were present Messrs Pearson, Dundas, and M' Arthur. The application of James Smith for 99 acres, Jacob's River Hundred, was granted. A memorandum was read from the Provincial Secretary to the effect that the Government desired to pay in cash for the 100 acres in the Mataura Ferry Reserve to be given to Mr Hugh Cameron in exchange for his buildings, and requesting to be informed of the amount requii-ed. The Commissioner ol Crown Lands informed the Board that he had ascertained that the horse-power of the sawmill engice9 on the Bluff Road was as follows : — Thomas Brown, 14 horse-power ; Wm. Fraser, 18 horse-power ; and Lockhart Bros, 12 horsepower. Resolved that the license fees due by the mill-owners be charged at £5 for each horsepower in terms of the timber regulations. Mr William Wearing's application for a lease of 10 acres to dig for lignite at the junction of the Waimumu and Mataura rivei'3 was granted, the maximum charge to be made for the lignite to the purchasers not to exceed 6s per ton at the pit. It was resolved that the Otatara Bush be advertised open for application for steam sawmill licenses, on let Augugt next. A meeting of the directors of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday, 20th inst., at the Prince of Wales Hotel ; the President, Wm. Wood, Esq., in the chair. Correspondence was read from Tokomairiro and Blueskin, one letter with reference to petitioniiag the Assembly regarding a Drainage Act, and the other requesting the appointment of delegates to proceed to Dunedin for the purpose of attending a general meeting for the establishment of a central provincial show. It was resolved in both instances that the local society could not judiciously take up the questions. The preparation of a lease of the show ground for 14 years was resolved upon, and arrangements made for ordering the medals for last show for those exhibitors who elected that description of prize in preference to the cash value. The formation of a sub-committee, consisting of the President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Mr W. M'Leod, to confer with a similar committee of the Caledonian Gathering fSoeiety as to the future use of the ground by the latter, concluded the business before the meeting. A Woodlands correspondent writes as follows : — The fifth of the series of Long Bush readings came off in the Woodlands Schoolroom on Friday evening, 20th inst., Mr Alexander in the chair. The chairman opened the proceedings with a short and interesting address, after which the following programme was very successfully carried out : — Duet, " A. B. C," Messrs Edwards and Blue; Reading, "The Wonderful One Hoss Shay," Mr Geo. Dawson, junr. ; Song, " The Anchor's Weighed," Mr Blue ; Reading, " Tammas Bodkin," Mr Geo. Dawson, senr. ; Song, " Donald Blue," Mr F. M'Gowan ; Recitation, " Billy Dip, the Dyer," Mr Day ; Song, " Morag's Fairy Glen," Mr David Neil ; Reading, " Lines upon the receipt of my Mother's Picture," by Cowper, Mr MacLymoat. The same gentleman also read another piece, " Here she goes and there she goes." Song, " Father, come home," Miss Jane Dawson ; Reading, " Horatius keeps the bridge," Mrs MacLymont ; Duet, " Down the Burn, Davie lad," Messrs Edwards and Blue. The attendance was the most numerous of the season, and cv ery thing passed off very well. At the conclusion, the chairman announced that the next reading would take place that night fortnight, at Woodlands, under the auspices of the school committee, after which the meeting separated. A settler sends us the following from One Tree Point : — The first of a series of Winter Evening Entertainments came off in the Schoolroom here on the evening of Friday last, Mr John Brown in the chair. The following pieces were real in the course of the evening : " Fianigan's Wedding," by Mr Warden ; " The Gingham Umbrella," by Mr Brown, teacher ; and " The Combat," from the Lady of the Lake, by Mrs Birss. A party from the Long Bush was present, and contributed verf materially to the evening's enjoyment. Mr John G. Smith read " Look at the Clock," by Barhani; 'Ben Briggs," by Hood, and selections from Dean Ramsay ; and Mr James M'Kercher read " A Scottish Kirn in the Olden Time," by J. G. Smith, and " The Gridiron," by Lover. Alternating with the rea ling several excellent songs were given, among which may be mentioned "Last May a braw wooer," by Mr Andrew Christie, " And sac will we yet," by Mr Craig, and " Half past ten," by Mr Robert Meldrum'

Long Bush. Mr Andrew Christie recited " Alonzo the Bravo and the Fair Imogerte." The audience, which was large considering the sparseness ofthe population and the bad stateof the roads, was very appreciative, and seemed to enjoy the excellent and varied performances, which were brought to a close about ten o'clock, by all joining in singing " Auld Lang Syne." The next entertainment was announced to take place on Aug. 16th. The members of the Dunedin City Council having called the attention of the General Government to the evils arising from " larrikinism," a reply has been received to the effect that the subject will receive the careful consideration of thfl Government. A reward of 5s is offered by the Provincial Government of Hawke's Bay for every dozen of hawks' heads brought to the Treasury. A Life Assurance Bill, to extend to all policies the advantages now enjoyed by the Government office only, and to provide a system of auditing insurance companies' accounts, has been introduced into the Assembly. At the late criminal sittings of the Supreme Court at Auckland, the Grand Jury made a presentment to His Honor the Chief Justice, in which they expressed regret at the great expense to which the Colony was put by reason of so many cases for trivial amounts being brought before them and before the Supreme Court to be dealt with. They were of opinion that great reform was needed in this respect, either by a new classification of the cases to be dealt with by the Supreme Court or otherwise. His Honor promised to forward the presentment to the proper quarter. From a telegram in the Otago Daily Times we learn that the Drawbacks Bill, introduced into the House of Representatives, proposes that the following articles should be entitled to drawback only when exported in the original packages : Ale, porter, and cider in bottles ; bottled fruit, trimmed bonnets and hats, candied peel, cbina, confectionery, earthenware, fish (potted or preI served), furniture, cabinetware, glass, glassware, haberdashery, harness, jams, jellies, marmalade, millinery, pickles, preserved meats, raspberry vinegar, saddlery, and sauces. On the following goods, when repacked, it is proposed that drawback be allowed at the rates mentioned : Apparel, boots, shoe 3, linen, cotton, woollen and silk manufactures, drapery, drugs and apothecary's ware, Forfar sheeting, hosiery, scrim cloth, shirts — three-fourtha of duty. On carpet bags, cotton counterpanes, blankets, rugs, men's hats and caps (untrimmed) , women's hats and bonnets, furs — two-thirds of duty. On apparel made up in the colony from imported materials — one-half of the duty. In the Lower House of Assembly, on the 18th inst., Mr O'Conor presented a potitioa signed by 600 residents in the Buller district, praying for an enquiry into the alleged improper conduct of Mr O'Canor, as member of the Nelson Provincial Council in respect of a recent land sale at Westport. In accordance with the Standing Orders the matter was taken into consideration at once and a committee appointed. A change in the Episcopal curacy of All Saints', Dunedin, is about to take place, caused by the resignation of the Rev. B. H. Granger, who is going home. The Eev. R. L. Stanford, of Tokomairiro, has been offered and has accepted the vacant charge. Depositors in the Post Office Savings' Bank are cautioned that in sending deposits by young children they are doing ao at their own risk. Several cases of severe sickness have occurred in Auckland through the use of improper lymph in vaccinating. An indignation meeting was held the other day at Tuapeka, regarding the sales of large blocks of land which have been recently made by the Provincial Government. The following is one of the motions passed : — "That the aid of the Executive Government of the colony be asked to take the necessary steps to prevent any further sales of land in large blocks within goldflelds, and to prosecute the individuals who have been guilty of entering into the late contracts for the sale of such blocks." In making some remarks, the chairman (Mr H. Bastings) said that " Donald Reid and Bradshaw were thorough traitors to the country ; they obtained their position by false pretences, and were more politically dishonest than any men he had ever heard of. It was time now to try to get from under their rule. Any change whatever must be for the better, so far as the goldfields were concerned." The case of Regina v. Fereday was decided at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, on the 16th inst. The defendant, who is a solicitor, was charged with having, on the 30th day of April last past, written and signed a receipt for the payment of money, to wit £59 10s lOd, upon paper without the same being first duly stamped, and contrary to the Stamp Act Amendment Act, 1869. The Magistrate dismissed the case, saying that the acknowledgment of receipt of a cheque cannot be regarded as a discharge, nor is it a note, memorandum, or writing for the payment of money, as provided for in Section 15 of the Stamp Act, 1869. A destructive fire occurred at Shortland (Thames) on the morning of the 16th inst., by which more than half the north side of Pollen street was consumed. Many lost their all, escaping in their night-dresses. The buildings burned are — The Melbourne boarding house ; shop and house of Mr Marks, bootmaker ; Mr Hales's shop ; Mr Hurley's shop, house, and bowling alley ; the shops of Mr Blundell, watchmaker, and Mr Grant, painter ; Garrett's saloon, and nine dwelling houses, making 17 buildings in all. The damage done is estimated at £4080, none of which ia covered by insurance. It is stated that the Hon. John Hall will join the Ministry, and take a seat in the Legislative Council, to conduct the Government business there. The citizens of Honolulu have advanced the Government the sum of 42,000 dollars for five years, without interest, for the purpose of building an hotel, which is said to be absolutely required for the accommodation of passengers coming and going to and from New Zealand and Australia. From the Provincial Government Gazette we learn that Mr W. H. Cutten is acting Provincial Secretary and Treasurer ; Mr James Shand, acting Secretary tor Land and Works, and a ro ember of the Executive ; and Mr James Allan, M.P.C., a Waste Land Commissioner, vice Mr Bathgate, resigned. Two hundred of the Pakowhai (Hawke'e Bay) natives have been vaccinated.

It appears that the disease among the Arawas^ in the Province of Auckland, has arisen from starvation and exposure, and is not infectious. That section of the natives is miserably off. No importance ie attached to the reported disease by the Auckland natives, who state that a similar disease manifested itself years ago. The Lyttelton Times suggests that the Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony should take the earliest opportunity of bringing before the General Government the urgent necessity of laying down a submarine cable between Australia and New Zealand as soon as possible. In a recent public deliverance, Mr T. B. Gillies, Superintendent of Auckland s characterised the statement that ho was about to be raised to the Bench as " the work of an enemy."