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Southland Times, Issue 1771, 25 July 1873, Page 2

We were informed last evening by the agents of the Claud Hamilton, that owing to that vessel having been detained at Lyttelton by stress of weather, she will not leave the Bluff for Melbourne until Sunday. As however no train will run on that day, it will be necessary for intending passengers to proceed to the Bluff on Saturday afternoon. This mtimation was received too late to make the necessary alteration in the advertisement. The programme of the entertainment to be given at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening as a complimentary benefit to Mr G-. Fisher, who recently sustained severe injuries by a sawmill accident, is now published, and is a very attractive one, but the object of the entertainment - will no doubt be lufncienjb of itself to ensure a crowded house. : It is notified that the retail price of coal in Greymouth haa been raised to 25s per ton. \

I On making enquiry relative to Mr Luinaden's motion for the sale of land in connection with the extension of Tay -street, we find that on the 27th February last the Municipal Council passed a motion to the effect that the continuation of Tay-street, west of Dee-atreet, in the form of a crescent, was desirable, and requesting tho Provincial Government to carry out the resolution. To this resolution a reply was received that the Government considered it a matter for the Municipality to deal with, and this w^s followed by reference by the Council to a plan prepared by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Survey Department, carrying out Mr Thomson's original plai of the continuation orescentwise, and recommending the adoption of this plan by the Government. No resolution relative to sale of the land has passed the Council, and ventilation of the matter outside proves conclusively that the public ia very generally opposed to the sale. A plan for tho oontiniiatioxi of Tay-street waa submitted some time ago to the Provincial Government. It proposed to carry out that street at its present width due westward as far as Leven- i street, and to regard its termination at Levenstreet as tbe site at an early day of the railway station and works. This plan would] not (as Mr Lumsden's motion must do) interfere with the uniformity of the town, already laid out in squares, nor necessitate the mutilation of the fine block Bot apart for Government buildings — two •vila which it is particularly desirable to avoid. We are, however, still of opinion that the land will ere long be urgently required for publio purposes, and ought not therefore to be sold. A man named Shields was admitted to the Hospital on Wednesday, 23rd inst., having met with an accident at the Kew sawmill on the previous day, by slipping from a \o* in process of cutting, sustaining severe internal injuries by the fall. He was in great pain when admitted, necessitating an operation, but is now going on well. On Tuesday, 22nd inst., a gathering of the members of the Acclimatisati'm Society took place at the Southland Club Hotel, for the purpose of presenting to the late hon. Sscretary and Treasurer, Mr E. D. Butts, a testimonial on the eve of his departure for Wellington. Mr Butts has been, as is well known, the moving spirit of this Society since its formation, ovar ten years' since, and its efforts having been not merely mainly directed by him, but owin<j their results in great measure to his personal exertions, it was felt that some recognition should be made of his services rendered. The testimonial took the form of an address, beautifully executed on vellum, exprestive of the Society's appreciation of Mr Butts's labors in the cause of acclimatisation, and was accompanied by a souvenir in the Bhipe of a handsome timepiece, in blaok marble frame, surmounted with an ormolu ornament. The presentation, in the absence of the President of the Society, was made by Mr C. Basstian, the vice-president, who expressed the feeling of the members as one of regret in parting with Mr Butts, to some extent mingled with satisfaction in the prospect of hU promotion. M? Butts in acknowledging the presentation, and in returning thanks for the compliment, sail that whatever services he had been able to render to the cause of acclimatisation, might be regarded as having been made at least partly in carrying ont a liking of his own. He was fond of such pursuits as acclimatisation was intended to lead to, and trusted that although he was about to leave the district, he should be able in Wellington to render effectual service to the Society. At the meeting of tha Municipal Council last evening, Councillors Blackwood, Gaodwillie, Jaggers, Ross, Pratt, and Garthwaite (chairman) were present. The time for receiving tenders for breaking metal was orderel to be extended until Saturday, 26th inst. The following payments were authorised, namely, a grant of £40 to the Tay-street metalling contractor; quarrying, £293 5s Id j supply of 600 fascines, £15 ; drainage of Clyde— street, £14 5s ; progress payment, formation of Nith and Wo od- streets, £6 ) ; and for path in Clyde-street, £25. The report of the surveyor on the drainage question, with his estimate of cost, was read as follows : — Dee-street, both sides from Esk-street to Spey-Btreet, £243 7a 4d j whole length of Tay-street, on north side only, £707 Is j Esk-street, Jed-street, Devoronand Kelvin streets, £684 ss ; the whole to be constructed of dry brick, timber to be wholly discarded. Councillor Pratt moved, and Councillor Jaggers seconded, that tenders be called for for 150,000 bricks, the surveyor's report in the meantime to lie upon the table; the motion wjs carried. Some discussion took place as to the employment of the prisoners on the publio works, and the matter was referred to the Publio Works Committee. A telegram having been received from Councillor Limsden, that he would return on 31st, it was resolved that the nomination of candidates for the Mayoralty take place on Thursday, 31st inst., at noon. Councillor Pratt was appoint* d returning officer. It was resolved that from £20 to £30 be expended by the gardener in the purchase of forest trees, to be planted one chain wide on each side of the town belt, top of Tay-street, and one chain wide on the town belt opposite the Hospital, and the balance in the public gardens and western recreation ground. The Tuapeka Times 'publishes an explanation from its Invereargill correspondent respecting the charge made against Mr Duncan M' Arthur, which that gentleman considers libellous, and says that the explanation < ought to be satisfactory to Mr M* Arthur." We understand the name of the writer has been disclosed to Mr M'Arthur by the proprietor of the Tuapeka Times, and our readers will not be surprised to learn that he is no other than Mr Andrew Kinross. The Waste Lands Board held a meeting on Tuesday, 22nd instant, when tbe Chief Commissioner, with Messrs M'Arthur and Baker, were present. The application of Thomas Brown for a sawmill license in Winton Forest was withdrawn, and another application lodged by him for 440 acres, and this latter waa ordered to .stand over until sth August. George Smith having forfeited a license over 800 acras in Seaward Bush, James Angus applied for the same and this application was also deferred to sth August. Mr H. J. Gibbs's application, on behalf of Mr C. Cowan, to be allowed to pay for 900 acres applied for by Mr Cowan on the 2nd inst., was refused. Tne ground of this application was that the land had been applied for on the 2nd inst., and the application was heard on

I the Bth iuat., and that ut that date the land had i not been reserved by the Provincial Council. The Board, however, resolved that the cluiai amid not De allowed, tha Board bein^ of opinion that the land had been legally reserved. Leave was given to Mr W. H. Calder to lay down a tramway along the northern portion of section 16, blook 4, Winton Hundred, and to placa an engine and plant there in connection with tiie sawmill lioenso already granted to him in the bush on said section. Mr J. E. Blaok, of One Troo Point, expects shortly to receive, from the old country, a lot of pure-bred Leicester sheep, which are to be selected from some of the best strains on " the borders." In a copy of the Newcastle Daily Journal, of 6th May, which Mr Black has sent us, we find an account of an extensive sale of j farm stock, belonging to Mr Black's brother, and as the prices realised may possess some interest ! I for our readers, we subjoin an extract : — The sheop comprised 218 ewes and gitnmers with their lambs, 250 ewe and wether hoggs, and 4 t ips, the whole of which wore Border Leioeatera of a pure breed. They were large-framad animals, with plenty of wool, and in most excellent condit : on. The following is a summary of the prices : — Gimmers and double lambs averaged 106 a ; gimmers and single lambs averaged 92s Bd. Ewes and double lambs averaged 113 a3i j one lot of 10 ewes and 20 lambs realising 1265, being tho highest price that has been pail in Northumberland during the present season ; ewes and single lambs averaged 84s 2d. Seventeen yield ewes averaged 61s. Wether hoggs, clipped, made an average of 53a 2d. Bough hoggs made an average of 59s 9d. Ewe hoggs, 75 in number, and 6 half-breds, averaged 65s 6d. Three tups brought the sheep sale to a clo3e. The tup 3 sold for 9 Is, 853, and 82s respectively. The sheep, as a whole, realised * £1,647 Bs. The cattle comprised 33 head of prime fat steers and heifers, in first-class marketable condition, whilst the grazing cattle and cows were in a very forward state. The fat cattle sold at extremely good prices, ranging from £18 5s up to £30 ss. Mr Wellbank, Berwick, paid £60 10s for a bull and steer, and £53 fjr two steers. The fat cattle, as a whole, sold for £315. Grazing cattle, 2 years old, sold from '£13 5s to £13 15s ; year olds sold from £7 15s to £12. The cows sold for an average of over £16 each. A few calves, wliich realise! £33, brought the cattle sale to an end. The cattle realised £1,076 7s 6d. The 12 draught horses sold for £624, or an average of £52 each ; the highest priced animal, a six years old black mare, was sold for £87. The harness and riding horses, 5 in number, sold for £237, or an average of over £74 each. The total amount realised by the sale was £3,723 12s 6d. In reply to Mr Wood, the Provincial Secretary stated in the Provincial Council that it was not the intention of the Government to bring forward, this session, a measure for the purpose of amending the " Executive Council Ordinance, 1861." Our Tuapeka correspondent, writing on July 19, says : — Until last night, we have had a long succession of sunny, summer-like days, and still, starry, though somewhat frosty, nights. Owing to the want of water, miners and mining matters have been particularly dull ; but the gentle rain which has been falling almost continuously for the last eighteen hours will serve not only to refresh our hillsides and valleys, but also to reinspire those fine, jolly fellows who spend their time in digging gold — glorious gold — that idol of hearts and of household3 — from the bowels of the generous earth. Our farmers are pretty well advanced with the work of the season, and, judging by the appearance of the sheep and cattle which I have seen, pasturage is plentiful throughout the district. The first of a series of monthly readings came off the other night in the schoolhouse, Tuapeka Mouth. The readings were varied and select, and two or three of the readers displayed a fair knowledge of elocution, while all did their best to please the audience, which, if not large, was very appreciative. The following motion has been passed by the Provincial Council : — " That in the opinion of thiß Council it is advisable that the gold duy should be reduced sixpence per ounce." The steamer Expert has been again sunk in Lake Wakatip. Sections 4, 5, 6, and 7, block 14, Jacob's Eiver hundred; 15, 16, and 19, block 3, Mataura hundred ; and 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55, block 2, Lyndhurst hundred, are to be set apart for lignite reserves. It has come to our knowledge (says the Waikato Times) that some natives have left for Melbourne with a considerable a-nount of cash. It is, of course, difficult to surmise their abject, but we would suggest the advisability of putting the Australasian Governmsnts on their guard to prevent the exportation of arms and ammunition for the use of the natives in this Colony. Nothing would be easier than to charter a small vessel and run her into Kawhia harbor with contraband goods. The Provincial Council has resolved, on the motion of Mr Lumsden, that an Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to take such steps as may be necessary to reserve in the several districts throughout the Province quarry and gravel reserves for the purpose ot providing for present and future wants in the supply of material for road making and other public purposes. Two attempts to cultivate oysters (says the Geelong Advertiser) in Western Port Bay have already been made, and both failed. About ten years ago some ground was leased for this purpose by one or two persons on the north sidejof Phillip Island, at a place called Cowes ; but the oysters that were laid down got covered over with mud, and after a while the experiment was abandoned. A year or so later, Mr L. Rostron, of Esaendon, constructed a breeding pond at Sandy Point, and leased a large portion of the inner western passage, for the purposo of breeding and cultivating oysters on a large scale. Mr Rostron spent several thousand pounds in the undertaking, but the breeding part of the business failed, and this second attempt succeeded no better than the first; The Melbourne Age adds — " These failures however have not discouraged Mr William Lyall, who intends making another attempt, and has recently applied for the lease of a small estuary on the upper portion of the inner western passage." When a motion was before the Provincial Council proposing that the acoustic properties of the Council Chamber should be improved, Mr i Bastings suggested that the views of hon.

niiMuh'trn uu^ht be met if, as in Franco, tin- | < h>vci'mi!(iiit linusuil a rostrum to bo ereoted it> the i-ciitio nf the Chamber, which uuy ho i. mo n ber could mount wiieri lie wanted tv a<l li-eris t!u House. If they mounted the rostru;n. Hon. members, besides being "better hoard, wqu!<! have the additional advantage of being able to walk up and down the steps in a stalely and forcible manner, and thus by their gait, their dignified carriage, and deportmant generally, and also by " suiting the action to the word, the word to the action," when in oratorical attitude, they would be able to embellish their speeches with something like dramatic effect. The latest Fiji papers to hand give the following description of an exciting shark adventure :— " Here is an adventure with a shark. Our informant tells us that ho was coming over from Gora in an open boat, on the Bth June, and when nearing Wakaya the frail craft was attacked by an immense shark. The boat was first struck somewhat violently, which made him think that she had touched some coral patch, bat he was soon undeceived, for on looking down into the water he saw the monster of the deep about to renew the attack. The boat hook was at once callel into requisition for purposes of defence, and a combat ensued. The shark renewed its attacks, and each time was violently assaulted with the hook, until the last time the hook was driven with such force aa to cause the fish. to beat a retreat. There was a lady in the boat at the time, and the horror of her position may be better imagined than described." The time for the reception of tenders for breaking road metal for the Municipality has been extended until to— morrow at noon.