BALCLUTHA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 23 June 1870, Page 5

BALCLUTHA.

(From our Own Correspondent.) Since my last little budget we have had much to gossip about, but it is difficult to begin so as to avoid publishing useless or dangerous matter. In our local court, the Magistrate is so busy that adjournments repeatedly occur, and the coroner has a case of fire which he closed on Saturday only to open again this forenoon (Tuesday). We have had lectures galore of late. On Sunday, Mr. Waters lectured on " Baptism," in the church. On Monday, Mr. Gilbert lectured on "Mining," in Barr's Hall. And on Tuesday, Dr. Copland lectured in the church on " A trip to the land of Luther." The rev. doctor gave a most graphic and interesting narrative of his experience and observations by land and water from Scotland to Germany, interspersing his remarks with many interesting and amusing incidents ; and although the weather was most unfortunate, 1 the attendance was better that ordinary These lectures are ostensibly in aid of the Presbyterian building fund, but I observe already that they are of vast service in cultivating a purer taste for intellectual entertainments, and for this alone the Rev. Mr. Arnot's .labour in promoting them is worthy of the highest praise.

In passing it is most astonishing the amount of bitterness and gall, the envy and ignorance which has recently been printed regarding Mr. Arnot ; and I never imagined we had an officebearer in our church who oould, for the purpose of slandering his minister, leave the portals of the sanctuary, and rehearse in doubtful language the services of the day. I may inform those who- still hanker after Mr. Battersby, that that gentlemen was not, while in New Zealand, in a position to accept a call from any congregation. His previous career in a neighbouring colony precluded him from doing so, and I believe he was merely employed by the church here ; not because of his claims as a minister, but chiefly through the large-hearted and liberal-mined views of one whose Christian charity commands the utmost respect. lam glad to understand he is now in a better position, and I am sure he would feel greatly hurt did •he know that his friends here were now creating such an unseemly conflict.

I am sorry to have to report that the steamer Taiaroa is again stopped in Dunedin on account of some paternal grievances which seem to attach to this unfortunate trade. We all long and pray for the iron horse.