Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1862; 1872; 1882; 1885 - 1897; 1899 - 1904), Saturday 18 March 1882, page 2


ADVANCEMENT. — Messrs. Mugridge Brothers, timber-merchants, of this city, are apparently determined to keep pace with the times. They have made arrangements for working a telephone between their two yards here — about half-a-mile distant from each other — having had the necessary posts erected alone the line of streets between them. The connection will be made very shortly. We believe that the Messrs. Mugridge purchase the instruments for use and pay the Government a few pounds per annum for the use of the wire line, which is erected by the Government. This enter- prising firm can claim the honor of being the first to introduce the new method of commu-nication over the mountains. PASSING AWAY — Two more of the few re- maining links which connect the present with the past of Bathurst have been broken during the past week by the relentless stroke of death. Mr. Wm. West sen., one of the oldest residents of Macquarie Plains, passed away to his rest on Tuesday last, with locks that were white with the snows of departing years. In less than a decade, we believe, had he lived, he would have counted the century. The other case was that of Mr. Thos. Balcombe, of this city, who died at his residence, Morrissett-street, yesterday morning. He was also full of years, having passed four-score. Truly — A few more years shall roll A few more seasons come, And we shall be with those who rest Asleep within the tomb. THE WEATHER is still excessively dry, no rain having fallen since our last. On Tuesday night there was a heavy dust storm, which was followed by a few " droppings " barely sufficient to moisten the surface of the ground. The weather is unseasonably hot in the day time, and remarkably cool in the mornings and at night. As a result colds are prevalent. It has been mentioned to us a strange fact and one worth recording, that the ploughing is comparatively easy work just now, the entire absence of rain having prevented the earth from " caking" on top. Had the rainfall been even moderate such work could not be prose-cuted with any ease or comfort, as the ground would now have been as " hard as a rock," from the action of the sun upon the partially-moistened soil. Fruit is very scarce in town as a result of the drought. APPOINTMENTS. — The following gentlemen have been gazetted sheep and pasture directors for the district of Bathurst :— Pasture Directors — Messrs. J. B. Suttor, Wyagdon ; Archibald Stevenson, Esssngton Park ; and William Brownlow, junr., Rockley. Pastures and Sheep Directors — Messrs. J. N. Gilmour, Bathhampton ; Charles McPhillamy, Orton Park; John McKinnon, Limekilns ; Fredrick Treweeks Clifton Grove ; Wilson McAuley, Blenhiem. THE FORTHCOMING SHOW — As will be seen from an advertisement in the present issue, and from the report of the meeting of members of the Agricultural Society, it has been decided that all exhibits in section H at the forthcoming Show must be of this season's growth, in order to qualify them for prizes ; and proof of the fact (if called in question) is to be cast upon the exhibitor. Those persons who have not recieved a schedule of the prizes offered, may obtain the same on application to Mr. W. G. Thompson, hon. Secretary, who will also supply them with forms of entry. DEMISE. — It is with extreme regret that we have to announce the death of a very pro-mising young man — William Godfrey, son of a Mr. John Godfrey, of Raglan. He was a quiet respectable, hard working youth, and had distinguished himself as a prize ploughman at the matches held in connection with the Bathurst A. H. and P. Association. He was at work last week, but a fever seized him which terminated fatally yesterday. The funeral is advertised to take place to-morrow afternoon.

PURE WATER — The following paragraph from the Mount Alexander Mail may be useful information to some :— " Now that water is scarce, and many have to use it discoloured, it may be well to know that it can be cleaned and made sweet and pure by the use of the cactus, or aloe. A piece of the thick leaf as big as a hand, split lengthwise to obtain as much of the inner surface as possible, put into a bucket or tub, will in a short time precipitate all earthly matters, and make it as clear as crystal." Another reformed — The Victorian Railway authorities have abolished the charge on news paper correspondence, all parcels so marked being carried free.