The Ovens and Murray Advertiser 15/3/1879

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EASTER SPORTS

Now that Beechworth far behind its wonted self in the matter of organizing outdoor amusement for holiday time, we are pleased to notice that Everton is to the fore; Mr H Vandenberg, the enterprising host of the Victoria Hotel at that place, announcing a capital programme of athletic sports, &c., for Easter Monday, to be competed for on the Everton Cricket ground, which is situated within 300 yards of the railway station. The chief event is the Handicap (100, 200 and 300 yards) for £5, the nominations for which must be made on or before the 4 th proime; handicaps to be declared on the 6 th; acceptance before nine am on the morning of the race. There will be other races for prizes of less value – among them a Champion Race for a silver hunting watch valued at £3 10s – a one innings cricket match, and shooting matches. No charge will be made for admission to the ground, on which there will be a merry-go-round and other amusements. In the evening a ball will be held in the new hall, which is now in course of construction, and which will accommodate over 200 persons, to celebrate its opening. As Everton is within easy distance by rail of Beechworth, intending visitors therefrom will be put to very little expense in doing so, and no doubt many will avail themselves of the opportunity, Everton being a well-known haunt of pleasure-seekers and picnic parties.

THE PIONEER BRIDGE APPROACHES

We are glad to be able to announce that this vexed question is at length settled. Every one in the district knows how the road from MacKay’s to the Pioneer bridge which is the main and only thoroughfare from Oxley to Everton and Beechworth, has been allowed to fall into disrepair, until it has actually become unsafe to travel over. There are gaping holes in several of the bridges, dangerous alike to life and limb, whilst the roadway between them is unfit to drive along. All this arose through a paltry dispute between the Beechworth and Oxley shire councils as to which of them was responsible for its maintenance. Both parties were obstinate. Neither would give way, and consequently both time and money have been lost, as had the road been properly tended to, it would not have cost much to keep them in repair, save in flood time when oftentimes a large portion of it is submerged. A great deal of correspondence has taken place between the two shires about the subject and at length the matter has been amicably settled. On Thursday a deputation consisting of Hons JA Wallace and W Wilson, MLCs; Messrs GB Kerferd, G Billson and JH Graves, MLAs; T Tanswell (president) and J Lang from the Beechworth Shire Council and A Byrne (president) R Wood and GH Brown (secretary) from the Oxley Shire Council, waited upon Hon JR Patterson, Minister of Public Works, about the question, when after some discussion it was decided that the Beechworth Shire Council should take the road under their management. It was estimated that it would cost £1000 to put it in a state of proper repair and Mr Patterson promised that the Government would grant £500 provided the two councils interested would vote £2500 each. This was agreed upon. The road is to be kept in repair by the two councils for five years, when it will become part and parcel of the Beechworth Shire. We are glad that this matter is set at rest, and quite agree with the arrangement, believing that the road always ought to have been under the Beechworth Council.

WANGARATTA WATER SUPPLY

The cost of the town supply throughout the year must be very considerable, judging from the quantity returned by the Inspector as having been used in the borough during the month of February, namely 596,00 gallons. This at a shilling per thousand gallons amounts to nearly £300 for four weeks, and although the consumption for February is much above the average of months in the year, we should not be surprised to learn that the annual cost was £250 which, reckoning at 5 per cent., would represent a capital of £5000. We should like to see a full return of what the supply has cost the town first to last, the amount of water rate for each year, and the whole present position. At present there is a debit balance against the borough on this account of £710 14s. From this it would appear that the scheme itself was a mistake; and yet a supply of good water for domestic purposes – not to speak of the extinguishing of fires – is such a boon that one is loath to mention it with anything short of sincere thanksgiving – Dispatch

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