Tumut Local News

The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser

16 February 1877

There is very little news to record this week. The town is more than usually dull. Trade in general is languid, and the weather continues alarmingly dry.

Frequently the desired rain appears to be on the point of falling, but beyond an occasional shower, which barely moistens the dust upon the streets, the rain clouds pass away without discharging their contents. On Monday last the glass registered 99° in the shade.

Travelling stock and sheep continue to wend their way to the mountain pastures, and under the circumstances our surrounding cannot be expected to wear a very verdant, appearance, many of our residents forbode a gloomy prospect for the ensuing winter, while others of a more hopeful nature believe we shall shortly rejoice in a plentiful downpour.

Harvesting operations are nearly completed throughout the district. The yield of wheat, especially on the Gilmore, has been particularly good. Famers are inclined to hold from sale as long as possible, us the present price offering, viz., 4s. 6d. per bushel for wheat, is not a remunerative one.

Mr. E. G. Brown reports the sale of 900 maiden ewes to Mr. F. Mellon, of Gobaragandra.

Mr. B. Johns has erected his photographic   studio opposite the Royal Hotel. As there is but little business doing in town at present, we advise citizens to take advantage of the lull and visit Mr. Johns, whose fame like good wine needs no bush.

We have to record the death from infantile cholera, of a little daughter of Mr. T. Corcoran. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, a group of young girls habited in white carried the coffin, followed by a long procession of the children attending the denominational school, while friends in vehicles brought up the rear. We were forcibly reminded of similar scenes in the lands far away.

A respectable looking signboard attached to a Chinese residence in this town, informs the public that Dr. Lesong, Herbalist, may be consulted within.

Rural towns in Australia as a rule rejoice in a multiplicity of streets bearing more or less high sounding names, but order and improvement seldom extend further than the spot "where merchants most do congregate,"   the streets slightly removed from the business part of the town long remain in an abnormal condition. In Tumut a portion of "Richmond   Square" has long been used as a depository for town rubbish. The other day an enterprising citizen tumbled a dead horse down a steep declivity into a snug out-of-the-way corner, where a convenient log offered an opportunity for the ceremony of cremation; the owner of the animal was rather astonished when a summons to attend the Police-court awakened him to the fact, that the odoriferous carcase of his late steed had been deposited in the centre of the Queen's highway known as Russell-street South.

Mr David Wilson is about to commence a work of great utility at his property on the Gilmore, viz., that of cutting a deep channel in the bed of the Gilmore Creek where it runs through his lands. If other owners of property in the same locality would do likewise, paddocks on the Gilmore would be wonderfully improved.

We had the honor this week of inspecting at Mr. Rodgers' a truly magnificent wedding cake, which on St. Valentine's Day graced the festive board, on the occasion of the marriage of William Henry Hilton with Miss Armfield.

Mr. S. M. Swift informs us that he is greatly annoyed by petty pilferers not only robbing the peach trees in his orchard upon the bank of the river, but breaking down and destroying the trees in their nocturnal raids. Mr Swift intends taking means to surprise the thieves.

The following selections were taken up at the Land Office on Thursday, 8th inst. :- Farrell Claffey, 50a, Batlow Robert Stockwell, 90a, Batlow George Morgan, 40a, Wyangle.