Tumut - From Our Correspondent

19 February 1870The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser 

Stack of Hay Burned

In my last communication it was my unpleasant duty to record the burning of a stack of wheat; on the present occasion I have to notice the accidental burning of a stack of hay containing about 15 tons, the property of Mr Samuel Piper, of Bombolee.

On Friday last, Thomas Percival who occupies the adjoining farm, commenced to burn the stubble off his land, and fearing that some accident might take place through the burning stubble, Piper and Percival extinguished the flames and retired for luncheon.

During their absence the stubble again burned up and reached the stack of hay before it was observed, burning it completely to the ground. During the past few months there have been   several new buildings in the course of erection and many more are spoken of.

New Buildings

This tells well for the prosperity of the district, and the removal of several existing unsightly erections, relics of past times, will add greatly to the appearance of our little town.

Amongst these improvements I note that Mr William Bridle has built a neat little brick cottage in Fitzroy atreet, which at present is in the occupation of Mr Bonynge, that Mr E. A. Fitzgerald has in the course of erection a new brick hotel, adjoining the House and Jockey Inn, in Fitzroy street, and that Mr G. Hoad is about having some brick cottages built on his property,  opposite Mr William Bridle's, and also in Fitzroy street.

I have also been favoured with the inspection of a plan, of a magnificent brick   building, two stories high, which Mr L. Mandelson intends to place on his property opposite the Commercial Score, and which   when completed, will give an imposing appearance, to that portion of the town.

Messrs. Edwards, Bros, are going to erect a brick cottage adjoining their property at the Tumut Steam Mill, and Mr George Ellis has built a brick cottage, at present in the occupation of Mr Weeden, in Capper street.

I consider this list of improvements shows that the monetary depression that prevailed in Tumut some years ago has passed away, and that a healthier and   more prosperous state, of affairs has succeeded. 

One cause of this is that the population has become less fluctuating, and is steadily increasing.

It is an undoubted fact that as population, increases in a district the population becomes more wealthy, and better satisfied with their various stations, and realise the fact that success in life is best attained by close attention to one definite calling, not by wandering from one avocation to another.        

Gold

The miners at Broken-cart reef will be glad to learn that Messrs Edwards, Bros, intend immediately to erect a quartz-crushing machine in that locality, which they hope will, be at work in about two months. This will be a step towards developing tho auriferous country east, of Tumut.

I have been informed that Messrs. Murphy and Macnamara have discovered a very rich quartz leader at Sandy Creek, about two inches wide; and now that a crushing machine is about to be erected in this portion of the district I have no doubt that prospecting for- reefs will become a matter of greater interest.     

Railway

On Wednesday evening a meeting of the Tumut Railway Extension Committee was held at the Wool-pack Hotel, to consider the answer returned by Government to the petition from the inhabitants of Tumut, praying for the extension of the Southern railway to the banks of the Murrumbidgee, also to pay for necessary expenses incurred. Mr. R. B. Lynch  presided, and explained that some delay had occurred in the transmission of the official reply; the other matter was satisfactorily arranged.

The Government response acknowledged the receipt or the Tumut memorial, and stated that the writer was directed by the Colonial Secretary to state that, without the Government committing itself further to the views of the memorialist, sufficient provision has been made on the Estimates for 1870 to carry the railway to Yass.

Government Salaries

I perceive that in the division that took place in the Legislative Assembly on Friday last, upon the bill introduced by Mr. Buchanan for the purpose of reducing future Governors salaries, our member voted for this measure. 

This is one of the pledges that Mr. Brown made to his constituents previous to his election for this district. 

Electoral Rolls

Many persons are not aware that from the 14th to the 28th of this month the Electoral Roll for the years   1870-1 is hung up at the Tumut Court House for public, inspection, where all electors who take an interest in the government of their native or adopted country should examine it, and should their names have been inadvertently omitted from its pages they have now an opportunity of having them inserted by making an application to the Clerk of the Court; also should any person's name appear on the list who the observer knows is not qualified to vote for the district, he may have it erased on the day of revision by giving notice to that person and to the clerk to that effect.

At the last election many residents were very indignant at discovering that their names had been omitted from the roll.

All have now an opportunity of assuring themselves that such a mistake has not again been made, and if they fail to do so they will, should they find they are disfranchised, have themselves chiefly to blame.

St. Valentine's day

Monday last being St. Valentine's day our postmaster had a bard time of it. Many of our residents of both sexes received ornate and loving epistles, and not a few offerings of a comic and less complimentary nature.

I hope no one has been foolish enough to take offence at the receipt of the latter description of missives. 

Road Work

The tender of Mr. E. A. Fitzgerald has been accepted for the road work between Tumut and Tumut Plains, which will be proceeded with without delay. 

 

Cricket

Our cricketers are looking forward with interest to the return match that is to take place between members of the Tumut and Adelong Clubs, on the Tumut cricket ground, on the 26th instant. The Adelong men are said to be sanguine that they will recover their laurels on that occasion; but they may find that they have again overrated their strength.