Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 25 May 1869, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser

(Abridged from the Armidale Papers, May 22)

About an inch of rain has fallen at Armidale, since our last issue. It has benefitted the wheat sown, and the grass, but much more is needed for breaking up new ground. Of late there have been several heavy frosts -Express.

We are glad to learn that the health of Mr. Weaver, P.M., continues to improve since he went down the country -Express.

On Saturday last intelligence reached Armidale that a little boy named Peter Daly, the son of a shepherd on Mr. Marks’ Gara run, who was in charge of a flock of sheep, had got separated from them on the previous day, and been lost in the bush. It was stated that nearly all the hands had been out on Gara, as also Mr. Hargrave’s station adjoining (Hillgrove), in search of him, but that up to Saturday night all were unsuccessful. On Sunday a number of persons started from Armidale on the same errand, but their attempts likewise proved unavailing. On Monday a messenger brought in the news that the child had been discovered on Sunday night, at the hut of a shepherd on Mrs. McIntyre’s run, in not much worse condition than when he started. The little fellow must have crossed the Gyra river twice during his wanderings -Telegraph.

Much dissatisfaction is expressed at Armidale in consequence of Jeremiah Meehan having escaped the infliction of capital punishment for the murder of James McCormack -Express

On Thursday Mr. Tourle, of Ballala, was thrown from his horse, and had his shoulder dislocated -Express.

The question of whether there shall be a ploughing match at Armidale is still undecided. -Express

A meeting of the Armidale and New England Railway League was held on Monday evening, when it was resolved to send a congratulatory message to the hon. Colonial Secretary upon the occasion of opening the railway to Muswellbrook on Wednesday. The message was accordingly sent, and the following answer was received: – “The Colonial Secretary to the Armidale and New England Railway League. The Ministry heartily thank the League for their congratulations, and sincerely reciprocate the hope expressed in their telegram that ere long the opening of a railway to Armidale may gratify the inhabitants of the great and important district of New England. The demonstration to-day was indeed worthy of the Upper Hunter and of its truly public-spirited inhabitants. It was not only highly gratifying to the Ministry, but to his Excellency Lord Belmore and the Countess. The Colonial Secretary thinks this an appropriate opportunity to say that in the course of a few weeks he will visit New England.”

At a meeting of the Armidale Borough Council, on Tuesday evening, after some discussion, the Town Clerk, Mr. Lamb, was re-instated in his office.

A public meeting has been held at Tenterfield for the purpose of taking steps to establish a local journal in that town. It was resolved to open a subscription list, with a view of giving a bonus to the person who would start a paper in the town, and about £40 was subscribed towards that object.