GE AL INTELLIGENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 397, 7 October 1874, Page 5

GE AL INTELLIGENCE.

We hear tnat an evening paper, with a tri : weekly i^sue, will be published, at Oaman " shortly. 3 The next sitting! of the Court sf Appea . are iixed for November 9. The JJivorct 3 Coui t meets on November 16. c Wanganui papers report the death of a . very old colouisfc, Major Durie, who arrived i in the Colony in 1840, and was for mauy i years Resident Magistrate for the district. ) Tho Timam-Teruuka section of the Great J Southern Railway, a3 far as Young's Creek, • has been opened experimentally, but without any demonstration. The advocates of women's rights will be gratified to learn that the cause is advancing at Westport. At the municipal election last week each proprietress of a well-known ' hostelry, recorded her votes " like a man." i The names of Messrs Armstrong, Pyke, and Leary are mentioned for the seat in the Provincial Council which will bs rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Oliver. The Star of the East Quartz Company crushed 180 tons, the result, beiag 2400z5. A dividend of six shillings per share has been declared. A similar dividend was announced about a fortnight ago. The Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt Bill came into operation on the Ist inst., and > the one debtor, who has been imprisoned in I the Dunedin Gaol for several months, was discharged. Mr Robinson, one of the Martin's Bay settlers, has made an offer to Government to carry a monthly mail between Jamestown and Queenstown for LGO a-year. He has also offered to construct a substantial footbridge over Pyke's Creek for LIOG. On the 27th July last several hundred emigrants, consisting of farmers, agricultural laborers, and domestic servants, left the pork of Belfast, Ireland, for this Colony. We learn that several thousands of the same class will leave the North of Ireland for New Zealand immediately. It may interest the members of building societies — which are bow increasing in number in New Zealand — to know that, some doubts having arisen of late in England, a Bill has recently been passed by the Imperial Parliament to consolidate the laws relating to all such institutions. Victoria is about to follow the example of the United Kingdom, and pass into a law a measure to meet, on the model of the Imperial Act, the w.ints and requirements of Victorian institutions. The various runholders in the interior districts of the Province have agreed to pay at tha late of 17a 6d per hundred for shearing this season, j ast year the rates were 20s in the northern portions of Otago, whereas they were from 15s to 17s 6dinthesouthern; but men are more plentiful this year than last, and as shearing in Australia is also earlier, larger numbers of shearers from that quarter will arrive in November than formerly, so that tha terms proposed by the runbolders in the Dunstan district will probably be tho highest offered in the Province. Mr F. S. Canning, -who has for s<v«e time past been business manager and publisher of the ' Guardian ' newspaper, having resigned his position, was presented by the runners with a very handsome greenstone pendaut surmounted with gold, and a meerschaum pipe, as a token of their appreciation of the manner ii which he had fulfilled his duties. The present was accompanied with an expression of regret at his leaving that branch of the employ. We believe Mr Oanniug is still connected with the paper, and is going to the northward. ? Two instances have come under the notice of the * Southland Times' of able-bodied young women leaving comtonable situations as domestic servants, and returaing to the immigr&ti on barracks. ' ' They did not see, " so they averred, "why they should be at the trouble to do hard work, so long as they had a good home to go to in the barracks !" The kiudnees of the authorities in maintaining these young women at the public expense, cannot be denied, but it would be interesting to know, as a mere matter of economy, how long it is intended to continue to do so. The farmers in the Western district are up in arms. They complain of the maDner in which three paddocks are being laid open by the suD-contractors for the Riverton-Otauta Railway, and exposed to the inroads of cattle, and of the absence of fencing, crossing accommodation, aud of proper water outlets on the plans in places where they are indispensable ia the interests of the landowners. At a meeting on September 2, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to :— " That unless Government arranges with the freeholders, leaseholders, or their agents, on the said line, as regards fencing, water-ont-lois, crossings, and compensation, on or before the 21st October, 1874, united action will be taken by the undersigned to stop all works within their respective properties." I Our Mount Ida contemporary is dreadfully indignant. The 'Witness'— or rather a would-be funny contributor to it — has been deciying X aseby aad ridiculing its inhabitants in so gross and uncalled for a manner, that the ' Chronicle ' is forced to take up the cudgels in their behalf, and thus makes ai-swer :— " To those that know Na3eby we need not say that ciime is unknown oh the records of the Court, and the only cases of drunkenness at all conspicuous are those unfortunates (for the most parts offshoots from Dunedin) drifted up to more charitable places, who should long ago have been cared for by voluntary supported institutions in the metropolitan town. If Mr Passing .Notes would look at home first ; if he would lift the veil from the drunken debauch and hell tables to be found closed from public observation in private sanctuaries ; if he would decry the prostitution crowding the streets of Dunedin (but no, Mr Passing Notes would, if we remember rightly, license it) ; we mighn then, doubtless, be glad to have pointed out t<> us the motes in our small town. Till then, it may be more decorous and prudent to localise the washing of dirty clothes." The following strange epitaph appears on one of the gravestones in the Hokitika Cemetery. It is certainly an anomaly as emanating from the friends of anyone deceased :—: — " Memoria in Sterna of Ellen, second daughter of Thomas and Christina iSewhou3e, of Preston, Lancashire, itngland, passed into everlasting rest, 10th. day of September, 1873, aged fifty-three years, caused by a cancer, and inflicted upoa her, 7th d?y of January, 1872, by a person the law denominated her husband. For this brutality she sought justice in vain attheß.M.C, H." Several verses of poetry then foliow in the stream, ending with "His demonial ruffian soul is indelibly branded with the terrors of the state. Justice yet for the sister dear our lives and souls we ever conseorate." The Hokitika 'Leader' of the 20tk ultimo says that this extraordinary epitaph was removed by the Borough Council as trustees of the cemetery. It is still in the possession of that body, and there is, we hear, a possibility of proceedings being taken against the person who pat it up. It is rather singular that the publication of the scandalous production in a newspaper should be the first intimation that the trustees re'sßN#sßsfc9i exigence. G*>We fere- told that;;! " tEoughTfbt exactly ' superiiftenctiSg Its^'erec- 1 '! tion, one of the B*>rough Councillors was ■: present at the time, and saw nothiag objec- | tionable to it. Whether this were so or nob i we cannot positively say, but should hops iraeb * stAttpea t is » wstake,

A Bluff correspondent of the • Southland News' writes :—"I: — "I hear that the Government has paid the first* part of the whaling bon:js — viz , L 250 — to Messrs Michel and Tucker. Tho balance will be paid on the return of the Chance with oil, this being the first whaling vessel sailing out of and owned in the Province of Utago." A meeting of the shearers in the Otepopo district was held in the school-room on Saturday last, at which it was unanimously resolved that the price of shearing for the ensuing season be LI per hundred for ordinary sheep, and L 2 per hundred for rams, with rations. In an article on the Waitaki bridge, the 'Norttt Otago Times' says :--" Since the death, however, of Mr Hunter, the men working in the punts and in places of danger from drowning have been supplied with lifebelts, which, so far as I can see, in no way impeded the free use of their limbs. Had this simple experiment been in existence but a few weeks sooaer what a valuable life would have been saved." One of the Southland papers, in describing a recent ball at Invercargill, introduces into its report the "time-honored custom" of denominating the belle of the room; and with a flourish of capitals, the reporter awards the honor to "graceful Miss S ." As a solatium, to the feelings of the other ladies, he tells them that "no town in the Colony can compete with Invereargiil ia the number of its handsome woman, and, I will add at the risk of being irrelevant, fine children."

The Invercargill Police Court must be a lively place, if one can accept as truthful the follow description of it ; — " The conveniences provided are better fitted to adorn an old curiosity shop than a Court ©f Justice. 'I hey consist of a wooden form, with two odoriferous kerosene lamps placed on one end by way of ornament, and a scnrvy little desk elegantly carved by art loving, reporters of apparently many diverse tastes for the beautiful. The desk also contains a shelf, which is a perfect little treasury of dusty, dirty lamp rags, and other interesting knickknacks. " In the course of the proceedings against Captain Grainger, of the Margregor, for refusing to deliver up the last Californian mail, Mr Brookfield, who prosecuted, is reported to have said " he could not help thinking it was a very shabby thing on the part of the Owners of the vessel, considering that the New Zealand Government had paid every penny of the subsidy due by them for the transmission of the mail, to the contractors, and had not in a single instance exacted the penalties they might have done for the repeated breaches of the agreement which had taken place, though he could not say that such a course would be adapted in the future." Among the many improvements constantly gniug on, not the least important is that of a gas burner patented in London by Mr Wm. Sugg, gas engineer. Mr Genever, of the Dunedin Gaa Works, has fitted one of these burners in the EVENING t>TAR Office, and We are fcbereiore in a position to verify most Of the claims set up by the inventor. Those claims are- that the light is superior ta the ordinary burners ; that the consumption of gas in proportion to the light is very much less ; that thorough combustion being perfect there is no unpleasant smell, and the heat thrown off in course of burning is reduced to a minimum. The " London burner' is peculiarly adApted to drawing-room use, as the burners can be rendered very handsome ornaments. A plan of one is given which by day is used as a flower vase, and by night resembles a very handsome moderator lamp. " Any kind of shade, globe, moon, &c, can be made, use of with it, and. with that fitted in the Evkkin-q Stab office, the light is clear, white, and thoroughly diffused, We cannot do better on this point thau quote the words of the patentee : — "The quality of the ligh Tefleeted from those surfaces is very white and exceedingly comfortable for the purpose of drawing, reading, or working, while a space between the screen and the shade allows a current of air to pass upwards, c?-rying off the lieat. It wi'l be found much c> Aer than the ordinary fish-tail burner, burning in a moon." For office work these lights will prove an immense boon, through the eye not experiencing fatigue from the glare. It is stated that the new Volunteer regulations will, shortly be issued in pamphlet form for the guidance of corps. The principal alterations, beyond those we mefltienecl last week, are that the number of inferior officers is made smaller in a minimum corps, and greater in a maximum one ; and both the minimum and maximum strength are increased. The regulations defining the precedence officers are entitled to are rather condensed than altered. Instead of the noncommissioned officers being elected as was formerly the case, they will he appointed by the commanding officers ; and the clause is struck out which made musketry instructors take rank as senior sergeants. Ihe arrangements for a certificate of efficiency are ■considerably simplified. Artillery, engineer, naval, and rifle volunteers are required to attend six inspection and sir company parades before' they are entitled to the capitation grant ; and if they attend half of these, they will receive half of it — provided, in both cases, that they have received certificates of efficiency. Corps containing less than twenty-five efficient members on the 31st of March, during any year, are liable to be disbanded, and may not claim capitation. Officers commanding cadet corps will receive substantive instead of honorary commissions, and other officers will receive letters of appointment. Instead of the returns being made to the Inspector, they are to be rendered to the Undersecretary for the Volunteer and Militia Branch of Defence. Mr R. Clarke, in forwarding to the Superintendent his resignation as member of the Provincial Council for the Lakes district, gave the following reasons for the step Va toak :—": — " The Lakes district has hitherto beea grossly neglected in the matter of public works, especially in roads and bridges, although the revenue raised in the district, under pretence of famishing theie requisites, hat been amply sufficient for all requirements. Tlse only hope of redress lies in the votes of the Provincial Council, and in their execution by Executives, chosen by the ma jority «f that Council. My exptrience during the sessions of the Provincial Coancil, as well as my researches in past 'Votes and Proceedings,' have thoroughly convinced me that parties and interests are so arranged in that Council, that it it useless for the Lakes district to hope that any adequate return in its favor will ever be vated by a body of men whose interests, in a majority of eases, diverge so widely from the direction of this district. I have therefore no alternative but the protest entered by my resignation." — The 'Mail,' referring to the matter, says :—: — " Mr Clark deserves every credit for honesty of intention, but we must not leave out of mind the fact that he recently met the Arrew portion of his constituents, and that his conduct, as one of the representatives of that part of the district, met approval. We believe also that the Queenstown part of the Lakes cenitituency^woujd no.t kayo refused *Pmov»l oftb.Vn^laJJ^'a.iCdttau'ct, in that WMfaqtiffik* Vest he ASfidf Under these Circumstance* v Mi r Clark's resignation - takea th« district by surprise;- and we think that,, in the face oi the difficulties mentioned, it would have shown truer courage to h*ve stood to the ;poat of duty,'!

The following gentlemen have been eleoted directors of the new Colonial Bank : — The Hon, M. Holmes, Mesgrg Lamaeh, A. W.« Morris, Donald fieid, John Reid (Elderslie), John Reid (Corner Bush), and W, A. Tolmie. Messrs W. D. Meares and E. Smith were elected auditors. The Bank opened for business on the Ist inst. We are not in the secret to the number of accounts transferred, but judging from the bustle during the hours of business, it would hardly be too venturesome to predict that the undertaking will prove successful. As there appears to be some doubt as to the terms of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act, which came into operation on the Ist proximo, we might mention that Mr Bathgate, during the hearing of a case of fraud at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Sept. 29, said thatto persons who deliberately committed fraud the new Bill as to imprisonment nude no change whatever. The law operated as formerly on all those who were guilty of incurring a debt fraudulently and without any intention of paying it. At a banco sitting of the Supreme Court, held Sept. 30, Mr Barton applied for a rule nisi calling upon his Excellency the Governor to show cause why a mandamus should not issue requiring him to give his consent to a petition of right under the Act, for the enforcing of claims against the Crown in New Zealand— the Crown Redress Act, 1871. The rule was made ia order to enable Dr O'Donohue, of Port Chalmers, to bring an action against the General Government for the recovery of L6OO or LBOO in connection with the appointments held by him formerly under the Vroviacial, but now under the General Government. His Honor refused tb.B Bill,, biing of opinion that the statute referred'to conferred a certain discretionary power upon the Governor. The matter will probably be brought before the Court of Appeal. Ths settlers in the Warepa, Waitipeka, Puerua, iSouoh Clutha, and Ahuriri districts are memorialising the Minister of Public Works againsc the proposed deviation of the Balclutha-Matama line of railway by way of Four-mile Creek. Some six months since the staff, under the orders of Mr JSruntoa, district eagineer for Southland, made a flying survey of the line by way of Waitipeka Valley, and recommended that that route should be adopted. The settlers understood that that would be the line ultimately chosen ; but on the return of Mr Thomson, M.H.JEt., from Wellington, he receired a letter from Air Brunton, stating that he could not recommend the construction of tho line of railway by way of Waitipeka Valley, because (amongst other reasons) ; 'it would be about three-quarters of a mile longer than the original route as set out." The memorial alleges that this is not a valid objection, considering the great advantages that would result to the settlers in tha district interested, and the large revenues in the shape of increased traffic that would accrue to the railway by the adoption of the Waitipeka route ; that from the general knowledge the memorialists have of the two routes, they would expect that the earthworks by way of Waitipeka would cost oon- ! eiderably less than the other, and the gradients be easier, wherefore they are unable to uniierstaud why the Waitipeka route should entail extra expense and earthwork to the extent of L 12,500, and much steeper gradients; that as tue traffic by way of VVaitipeka would be very much larger than by the Four-mile Creek mute, the Government would be amply justified in incurring the extra expenditure ; that by the route of the flying survey there would be numerous sharp curves, which would not occur oa the other route ; that the original route passes through a district in which there are very few settlers, the land being chiefly occupied for pastoral purposes, while if the line took the Waitepeka route, it would catch the traffic, not only of the Warepa, Waitipeka? and Puerua districts, but of the districts beyond in the direction of Port Molyneux and Catlin's Kiver districts, that would largely benefit by the railway being brought six miles nearer to them ; that unless the line went by way of Waitipeka the greater pai tof the traffic of the districts justj ust mentioned would go by sea as at present, and therefore, because of distance from it, be entirely lost to the railway ; that whilst many of the memorialists enjoy the advantages of water carriage, yet in view of the inconveniences connected with such means of conveyance they preferred railway communication ; that ' in regard to the branch line to Port Molyneux, which Mr Brunton suggested would " give mest of the settlors who would be accommodated by the diveraioa all the advantages they require," such branch would be of Jio use to the settlers in Warepa, Waitipeka, and Puerua, inasmuch as it would not pass through or near'*those districts ; and, in conclusion, the memorialists express their conviction that if the Government were acquainted with the two routes, and the way in which the Waitipeka, one opened up a means of communication by bringing the railway so much nearer to a very large population, to whom it would prove a very great boon, as they would then be enabled to go and come to the station with their produce in one day, the Government would cause the line to be constructed according to the Waitipeka survey. Tfllß morning r deputation, consisting of MeßSrs Tolmie, M.ti. R. and M.P.C. ; Donald Henderson, M.P.C. ; — M'Neil, M.P.C. ; David Whytock, John Somerville ; Robert BanVs, A. C. Begg, and H. F. Hardy, waited upon the Buporintendent and brought the matter under his Honor's notice. Mr J. W. Thomson, M.H.R., who introduced the deputation, went into the matter very fully, and in replying, hid Honor said that he perfectly understood it both from what had now been stated and his personal knowledge of the district. Of course, it was a nratter with which the Provincial Government had nothing to do, but so far as any influence he could bring to bear was concerned, he should follow up the representations «f the settlers by at once writing to the General Government, urging strongly that the line should go by way of Waitipeka. There could be no two opiuiona as to which line should be adopted. The deputation then thanked his Honor and retired. j Mr Hunter, M.H.R. for Wellington, in tho course of bis reseat address to his constituents, is reported to have said :—": — " Some people objest to one member of the Government — Mr Reynolds — but I think that gentleman is something like myself, a plain business ,man — a man of common sease, who understands business matters. It is a useful thing for a Govwcjoaent to hare a business man amongst its^'members. Besides, Mr Keyuolds is a representative of the Province of Otago, and ifr should be remembered that OtagO IS the most prosperous and influential Province of the Colony, and yields the largest revenue, and yehjpot a single member from that Province was in the Ministry until he joiaed it. There is one subject which I onaot help alluding to briefly, and it is worthy of great consideration. It is the posi* tion of the two Houses of the Legislature in New Zealand, which I look upon as perhaps the darkest picture we have before us. The Bouses have avoided coming into direct collision, but I do not think antagonism can be avoided much longer. lam afraid that the country^ will not bs satisfied with the position in which stand. £am bound ,te. apeak of the tapper Hou^e jrithjlt.proper,^ s respect, . ,as composed of Jjigbly anfl uentiaP : and respectable ■ gentlemen ; -bufc^l^am frOO to xAmii titey do chink toot-SUftjl of themv ' selves." The report tells us that the latter sentiment wsb received with " gr«»t cheer- , jog aad applanae,^ '