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Southland Times, Issue 1617, 9 August 1872, Page 2

The Railway Manager announces that a special train will be run next Friday, the 16th inst., on , the occasion of the annual ploughing match of , the Winton Farmers' Club. As the match takes j place in a paddock belonging to the Meat Preserving Company, visitors will have an opportunity of inspecting the works. The price of the return ticket is fixed at 2s. The condition of the Bluff 4 whaff is daily becoming worse, and may be now 1 fairly described as dangerous. The superstructure is thoroughly rotten, and there are several large holes in the planking. The only approach available to the public, being also used by the railway, is neither safe nor convenient. Last session the Provincial Council voted 5000 acres of land for extension and repairs of the wharf. We understand that plans and specifications have been prepared and forwarded to Dunedin for a new railway approach and repairs to the present wharf, and that plans are in course of preparation for a proposed extension in a westerly direction, which will more than double the existing accommodation. As the present structure, besides being out of repair, is utterly inadequate to accommodate the rapidly increasing trade of the port, it is very important that the work should be put in hand without delay. There is not too much time now to finish it, even with the utmost exertion, before the wool-season. At the meeting of the Town Council last night, there was a full attendance. A letter was read from the solicitor, intimating that the removal of the engine-houae and the bell-tower could not be legally charged upon the Tay-street Reserve Fund. It was resolved that, until the next assessment bo collected, the wages men now employed be subject to a week's notice, and that tenders be invited for straightening the Puni Creek. A meeting of the Railway Committee was held last night in the Prince of Wales HoteJ, Mr Wood in the cnair. Various questions connected with railway and immigration matters were discussed, and it was resolved that the Mayor should be requested to forward a telegram to His Honor the Superintendent, directing his attention to the rumors current respecting the railway works being commenced at Edendale, instead of Invercargill, and reminding him of the pledge that he would use his endeavors to have the Invercargill and Woodlands section of the line constructed at the earliest possible date. The question of a public demonstration at the turning of the first sod of the Mataura railway was alsj taken into consideration, and steps were taken to arrange for a suitable celebration of the auspicious event. At the meeting of the District Waste Land Board on Tuesday, there were present the Inspector of Surveys and Mr M' Arthur. A letter was read from Mr Brydon of the Australian and New Zealand Land Company, applying for the exclusive right to cut flax on block 4, Mataura hundred, reserved from sale, also asking for a preemptive right of 20 acres for site of fl*x mill, drying paddocks, &c. It was resolved that the Board cannot grant an exclusive right to cut flax, there being no clause in the Land Act empowering them to do so, but that they will afford Mr Brydon every reasonable protection that is in their power, and in event of the land on which the plant may be erected being sold, it will bo be put up subject to valuation for improvements in the usual manner. At the Resident Magistrate's Court at Riverton, on Wednesday, the only case of importance was an information by Edward Simpson against Stephen Watson, for plying for hire as a waterman, in an unlicensed boat, contrary to the 71st and 78th clauses of the Harbor Regulations issued under the Marino Act, 1837. Mr Matthews appeared for complainant, and Mr Wade for defendant. The case was dismissed, on the ground that section 3, of part 10, of the 13th schedule to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867, having been adopted by the Corporation of Riverton, the Harbor Regulations were thereby superseded within the limits oF the municipality. Costs Were allowed, £1 19 a. Mr Matthews, for the complainant, applied next morning for a re-hearing, on the ground that although the bargain had been made within the municipality, the performance extended beyond its limits, and that this point had not been raised and considered at the hearing. His Worship said that he would take till Saturday to consider the application. Ab an exhibition of petty jealousy the following piece of deliberate falsification, from the Tuapeka Times of 22nd ult., can hardly be surpassed: — " One incident of Mr Brogieu'a visit to Southland has been carefully suppressed by the press of that defunct province. During the presence of this Public Works Magnate, the Southlanders were exceedingly anxious to show how well their railways worked, and to practically confute the report that their trains are unable to beat a smart cow in a fair race, which has obtained such extensive currency in New Zealand and Australia. Accordingly when Mr Brogden, in company with Mr Henderson, C.E., and Mr Brunton, C.E., and a host of local notabilities, were proceeding to Winton by rail, Me Conyers, the railway superintendent, determined to put the powers of the locomotive to the utmost strain. Having managed by superhuman exertions to clear the track of the animals who usually " take their walks abroad " thereupon, the order " full speed " was given. The results were immediately disastrous. The engine plunged, kicked, jumped clear of the line, and endeavored to make a short cut to Winton. Mr Brogden and his companions were stricken with deadly fear, and scrambled out of the carriages with celerity unbecoming the dignity of such exalted personages. The Southlandera, however, probably being used to such mishaps, | stuck to their seats, much disgusted that the

locomotive should play such pranks on such an occasion, but otherwise not troubled in their minds. It was with considerable difficulty that Mr Brogden and the engineers were induced to re-enter the carriages, and they only consented to do so on the understanding that the engtae was to be allowed to travel at its own pace. Verily fearful and wonderful in cost, construction, and manner of working, are the railways made under the auspices of the late provincial authorities of Southland." It is only necessary to add that an accurate account of the circumstance to which we presume the writer of the above refers, appeared in our columns the day following the accident, which arose from a pair of points having been tampered with. In stead of the engine being at " full speed," the steam had been shut off, and the brakes applied, as the train was running into the station at the Meat Preserving Works at the time. The other details are equally false. This is the only accident that has occurred since the line was opened. Mr R. S. Cantrell, M.H.R. and M.P.C. for Caversham, has resigned on account of ill-health. Messrs Tolmie, Cutton, and G. E, Barton are said to be candidates for the seat in the Assembly , ■ and Messrs EL S. Fish, jun., and R. Stout for the seat in the Provincial Council. The Auckland Evening Star violently attacks the Provincial party, and declares that it would rather see the Fox Government supported than that the Provincial conspirators should again plunge their arms in the Colonial treasury chest. It is expected that trains will be running between Dunedin and Green Island in less than six months. The Public Health Bill proposes a central Board of Health in each province, consisting of the Superintendent, Executive, and three members, appointed by the Governor, and local district- boards, consisting of the municipal authorities and highway boards. Extensive powers are given. Vaccination is rendered compulsory. A South Australian correspondent of a contemporary says : — A German citizen is Mayor of Adelaide, German M.P.'s are listened to with respect in our House of Assembly, German merchants are to be seen on 'Change, German j bakers, jewellers, and publicans are to be dis- j tinguished by their quaint-looking names in every busy street of the city ; German farmers predominate in many of the country districts to such an extent that they support little German townships in ten or a dozen different localities. The census returns for 187 L give over 8000 German settlers in South Australia, and the sooner, you can say the same the better for New Zealand. I don't think those who rail at your Government for trying to introduce them know muck about them, or how industrious in their business, contented with their gains, homely in their lives, jovial in their pleasures, they are. They have the good-will of their fellow-settlers here, as they thoroughly deserve to have, and I am fully persuaded that there are no other 8000 people in this colony who give as little trouble to the police or to their creditors as do these yellow-haired broad-shouldered German people. The Wellington correspondent of the Nelson Colonist, writing on Parliamentary matters, says : — Members are talking a little about the position of Mr Ormond, who, while still holding hia oS.ce of Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, also holds the office of Miniscer of Public Works for the North Island, & duplexity or plurality of offices which ia not deemed either customary or congruous ; and, with Mr Keeves as Minister of Work 3 for the Middle Island, and Mr Hall in the " Lords," people are beginning to think that, even with a good Ministry, there may be too much of a good thing when the numbers swell so as, to put it mildly, to crowd the Ministerial benches inconveniently. A Wellington correspondent of a contemporary, who professes to be well informed, states that a Larrikin's Bill will yet be introduced this session, awarding the punishment of whipping for mischievous offencea by youths under 21 years of age. A meeting was held at Lawrence on Monday, 22nd ult., to advocate the claims of the Tuapeka railway to be placed in the first schedule. A petition was prepared for the General Assembly, and it was resolved as usual to send round the hat for the expenses of two delegates, who are to go to Wellington with it, and see what can be done in the lobbies.

We have been requested to direct attention to the sale by Messrs G. F. Martin & Co., at the Commercial Yards, to-morrow, of a few pens of very choice Brahma Pootra fowls, a consignment from Christchurch.