LAWRENCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 245, 21 July 1874, Page 5

LAWRENCE.

[from our own correspondent.] July 15, 1874. The ploughing match as mentioned in my previous communication will take place at Mr J. R. Gascoigne's farm, near Lawrence, a spot eminently suitable for such a purpose, on Friday next, the 17th inst. Great preparations are being made for the event, and if it is at all fine weather, there will be a large attendance, as Friday afternoon is observed hero as a holiday by the business people, who close at one o'clock. The prizes range from a pair of spurs to £5, in addition to the first prize, presented by Messrs Taggart Brothers—a double-furrow plough, which has to be won two years in succession before becoming personal property. In the evening a dinner will be held at the Shamrock Hotel, under the patronage of the Ploughing Committee. Taking all things into consideration, there appears but little doubt that the affair will be a thorough success. A very good example has been set in this district, which might well be carried out in the same liberal spirit by other runholders wherever there is a district hospital. I think I mentioned in one of mv letters to you that Mr J. Clarke, of Moa Flat, had made the handsome donation of £SO towards our hospital funds ; and it is now my pleasing duty to chronicle that Messrs Neilland Co., of the

Beaumont station, have come forward in the same good spirit, and" given to the Tuapeka institution £25.

The nomination for the Mayoralty took place to-day, in the Council Chambers. It was thought wo should have had three or four candidates, as the names of several citizens, amongst the number your ex-Mayor, Mr Fraer, were mentioned as likely to contest tho election for tho civic chair; but when the Town Clerk opened tho nomination papers lodged with him, it wa3 found that only two citizens were in the field, viz., Mr Councillor Hay, auctioneer, and Mr Councillor Ferguson, of the Tuapeka Times. Mr Hay made a long speech, detailing the various matters affecting the welfare of the town that he had enunciated in the Council, and also what he would do in the future, but intimated that ho would further address the ratepayers on Saturday night in East Ward, and on Monday night in the West and Middle Wards, when he would go more fully into municipal affairs. Mr Ferguson said ho had notified his intention in that day's Times to address the ratepayers in the evening, and he would reserve his remarks for that occasion. A vote of thanks to tho Mayor, E. Herbert, Esq., was then passed, and the proceedings terminated. Both candidates have sanguine friends, who think their man is sure to bo returned, but the ballot is a peculiar affair, as no doubt some will iind when the result is declared next Tuesday afternoon. For Councillors, there are as yet no candidates, but probably now that the Mayoral nomination is over we shall soon have some aspiring citizens declaring themselves, of which yon shall be duly informed ; for ah though I never personally dabble in local politics, I like to chronicle what is done in that respect. By way of a variation, Mr H. Bastings, exGoldfields Secretary, and one of the members in the Provincial Council for Tuapeka, has announced his intention of addressing his constituents to-morrow evening in the Commercial Hall, We shall therefore have a mixture of provincial and local politics thii week.

A Municipality is to be formed at the Teviot, due notice of which appears in the Provincial Gazette, and no doubt our Roxburgh friends will duly appreciate the advantages of self-government. It is currently reported that Mr R. Lancaster has sold his property at the Beaumont to Mr S. Clarke for £7500. This, with some other purchases made, gives Mr Clarke, I believe, an uninterrupted estate from the Beaumont to Moa Flat.

Mr Chapman and Miss Bonnifon gave three entertainments here, but were poorly patronised. Thoaa, however, who visited the performances seemed satisfied with what was done. -" ' ' '•?

The Loyal True Blue Orange Lodge held a very successful soiree and bail at the Blue Spur on Monday evening last to celebrate their first anniversary. The gathering was very large, visitors attending from Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Teviot, and surrounding dis. trict3. A wry enjoyable evening was spent, and dancing was kept up till daylight. -The Lodge has twenty-eight members. At a financial meeting of the Tuapeka Picrneer Lodge of Oddfellows, held on Thursday, the 9th inst., it was stated that the total value of the Lodge was over £SOO, and that they numbered eighty-seven financial members.

The weather for the last week or two has been splendid, but this morning the country sill about was covered with a white mantle. A great deal of fun took place in the town, snow-balling being the order of the morning.

Messrs Betts and Warren have been nominated for the Mayoralty of Quccnstown. Mr Busch has been re-elected for Naseby without any opposition.

Tho Wellington Tribune describes the mode of lighting the lamps in that city thus : " The lamp lighter mounts his horse and gallops to a lamp, stops and stands upon his saddle, liko a veritable Ducrow, lights the lamp, slides down his seat and gallops to another post, where the same process is repeated, and so on from Te Aro to Thorndon. No walking and no ladder. The town is lit up in an incredibly short space of time. Much depends upon the expeitness of the man and more upon the training of the horse, but both manage to do their work excellently well."

Tho energetic members of the Westport Cemetery Board officially notify that they have " duly authorised" two of their number to call on persons holding or occupying burial plots to pay the purchase money. How, asks the Times, will they bring remiss occupiers to book ? Will they blow vigorous Gabriellian blasts on trumpets, or will they just burrow holes in the ground, and bellow down each shaft, "Come up and pay your rent ?" Two Irishmen engaged in peddling packages of linen bought an old mule to aid in carrying the bundles. Each would ride a while, or "ride and tie," as the saying is. One clay the Irishman who was on foot got close to the heels of his mnlcship, when bo received a kick on one of his shins. To be revenged, he picked up a stone and hurled it at the mule, but by accident struck his companion on the back of the head. Seeing what he had done, ho.stopped, and began to groan and rub his shin. Tho man on the mule turned and aaked, " What's the matter?" " The cratur's kicked me," was the reply. " Be jabers," said the other, " bo's did that same to me on the back of the head."

When you see a bare beaded man following a cow through the front gate;, and filling the air with garden implements and profanity, you may know that his cabbage plants \v ive been set out,