LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 452, 16 December 1870, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Through pressure of advertisements we are compelled to hold over much interesting local and general intelligence. Later telegraphic news from the North Island confirms the impression that New Zealand is on the eve of another native war. Te Konti an 1 Kereopa are moving about in a threatening manner, and the natives about Tokaugamutu, encouraged by the murderers of Mr, Tode, are un-ler arms. It was reporte ! that the chief of the tribe who murdered Mr. Todd applied to the Maori King for assistance, but that dignitary refuse 1 to have anything to do with them. The Armed Constabulary are on the alert in the threatened districts. Te Warn an 1 the remainder of his people surrendered to Captain Preeco, at the Bay of Plenty. The Clyde Town Council are moving in the matter, of the new water scheme. Tenders are invited for the construction of the race, and arrangements are being made for the pipes and ocher materials. The quartz reef at Conroy’s Gully still presents every appearance of being equally as rich at a greater depth as on the surface. Iverson and party continue sinking, carrying with them plenty of stone thickly studded with gold. We understand that Dr. Niven intends offering himself as a candidate for the Dunstan District in the Provincial Council. We direct the attention of intending competitors to the alteration in the programme of the Alexandra sports, of the Cornish wrestling on the first day to “ collar and elbow.” The Enghsh mail via San Francisco, will close at Clyde on Tuesday evening next, the 20th inst. From the Shotover we learn that the Nil Despcrandum Company are removing their dredge from Hibernia Beach to the junction of Moke Creek. They have managed to make the wheel answer the purpose of a propeller, an!, by this means, will save an immense amount of labor and expense. As may be imagined, the work of taking the dredge up a river like the Shotover is attended by considerable dangerand difficulty, an.l requires a considerable amount of enterprise to undertake it. We hope the plucky Company will meet with the success they deserve.

By advertisement, which appears in another column, it will be seen that Mr. James liivers intends to resume business at Alexandra. We have no doubt he will receive bis full share of public support.

j Iho public sale of the right to erect a i refreshment booth on the Clyde Recreation Ground during the Caledonian Spurts, on Monday and Tuesday, the 20th and 27th inst. took place on Tuesday last, and realised The handsome sum of .£2O. Mr. George Facho, who officiated as auctioneer, declared Mr. Thomas Hawthorne, of the Clyde Hotel, the purchaser. From the liberal manner in which Mr. Hawthorne conducts his business, we have no doubt but that, on fhis occasion, he will provide every creature comfort the inner man can desire, and ‘we trust to see him well supported. An exodus is expected to take place in the beginning of next year to the Fijis from the Tokomairiro and Glutha districts. Mr Moorhouse, in acknowledging the testimonial presented to him by the inhabitants of Canterbury, is reported to have spoken regarding the “ colonising powers ” of the colony as follows: all the provinces were referred to as great colonising powers, but when we look ar mid we find that Canterbury and Otago are really and tru'y the only great colonising powers in the Cololiy. And I am very much shocked to find other provinces which should also be great colonising powers, doing nothing except devouring the resources of the colony. We do not liud much colonising power in the North Island. Auckland is not a colonising power ; Taranaki is no colonising power ; Hawke’s Bay is no colonising power ; and Wellington is absolutely no power whatever. But all these provinces, the usefulness of which I cannot understand, attempt an existence, and are now expending a great deal of money which is Provincially charged, and which Canterbury and Otago, in my humble opinion, will have to pay mainly.” Speaking of Dr. Featherston.s return “to the wretched province of Wellington,” the Press says: - “The same watchful care that has attended it (the province) throughout life, wdl accompany it to its grave. Its guide, philosopher, and friend will also be its chief mourner. Dr. Featherston sat at the cradle of Wellington; it will also be his melancholy duty to follow its hoarse.” We quote the following bom the “ Wan■ ganui -Herald.- A special meeting of the Wanganui Lodge of the Ancient Independent Order of Odd Fellows was held on Tuesday at the Freemasons’ Hall, for the purpose of marking the appreciation by the brethren of their late Secretary, Mr. V. A. Pyke, who is leaving Wanganui. A large number of the brethren was present to do honor to a gentleman who has not only earned their good opinion but whoisuuiversally respected among all classes in Wanganui. The Deputy District Grand Master, Bro. Robinson, made Mr. Pyke a present of a very handsome gold pin, the design being an open hand with a heart in the centre, one of the emblems of Oddtellowship. The N.G , Bro. Ward, then read the following address which was beautifully engrossed in old English letter on parchment by Bro. M’Caul:— “ A. I. O. 0. P. Wanganui November 22nd, 1870To Brother Vincent A olphus Pyke. Sir, —Wo, the brethren of the above order, on the eve of your departure from Wanganui wish to present yon with an assurance of tile (loop regard which you have.deservedly earned at our hands during your connection with the above or er in this place. In the important office of Secretary which you have hold in the order for several terms, you have given unbounded satisfaction to the brethren, andyour promptitude, asiduity and ability in that office have contributed much to the prosperity of the order, and have gained for you the golden opinions of all. Accept the humble gift with which this ail ress is accompanied as a sligh appreciation of your services. Take with you iu your departure from this place our best wishes and sincere regard, a id let us mutually hope that, although separated from each other by instance, the true and genuine principles of Odd Fellowship will never cease to be reciprocated between us. —We are, dear sir and < rot her, yours fraternally. Then fellow the signatures. P. G. Bro. Bailauce then presen.ed Bro Pyke with a gold watch, the gift of the Lodge. Bro. Pyke, who was overpowered with emotion, replied iu a few appropriate terms, acknowledging the kindness he had received at the hands of the brethren, and expressing his zeal for the interests of the order. We cannot conclude this report without adding our testimony to the excellent finalities which have made Mr. Pyke so great a favourite in thi g community. We wish him a prosperous career, Mr. Pyke has l-een appointed to the Christchurch branch of the Bank of New Booth Wales.

The Deep Lead Company, at Black’s No. 3, have at length got fairly into working order. At a depth of one hundred feet water was struck, which rendered it necessary to bring the whim into operation. For two days, although bailing with two buckets, containing together one hundred gallons, the quantity of water was not perceptibly decreased, though the old workings contiguous were drained, but on the fourth day a man was aide to go down the shaft. The appearance of the stuff is the same as that in the old workings, and shows every indication of the presence of the precious metal in payable quantities. The manager is sanguine that, when bottom is reached, the shareholders will be well satisfied with the returns. Great eiificulty is experienced in obtaining men capable of performing the work required, and a good opening exists for miners accustomed to deep sinking. The wages offered arc high, and the shills are eight hours. While in Queenstown wc had the pleasuro of inspecting some photographs of Lake Wakatip scenery, taken by Mr. Richardson. As photographs they are equal to any we have seen, and do great credit to the artistic taste of the photographer. Wo were also shown some portraits, which are taken in a very superior style, as are also some smallsized views of Queenstown and its neighborhood.

Mr. W. J. Barry delivered a lecture, entitled “ Forty-two Years’Experiences and Vicissitudes in the Colonies," at Cromwell, on the evening of the 7th instant. Unfortunately for the audience, which was a large one, there was not sufficient time for the lecturer to relate reminiscences of more than ten of the earlier years of his career. Mr. Barry’s style is very or'ginal, and bis recital of several incidents which •occurred in his boyhood deeply .affected his hearers.- We understand that such a powerful impression was created by Air. Barry, and so intensely interesting is his person J history, that he will he requested to finish his reminiscences up to date in a course of six lectures. The Hon. Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer, and member for the goldfields, met with a rather warm reception at a pub'ic meeting which he had’ealltd at the Princess Theatre Dunedin, on the evening of the Bth inst. The following account of the proceedings we take from the “ Otago Daily Times”;— “The time fixed for the commencement of the proceedings was half-past five o’clock, ami by that hour the building was crowded to suffocation. The scene which ensur'd upon the honourable gentleman making his appearance on the statre was probably uneqmillad by any see m which had before occurred ata public meeting in New Zealand. For threequ offers of an hour Mr. Vogo ! vain'y endeavoured to make himself hoard —the meeting would neither hear him nor anyone else who tried to address them—would do nothing, in fact, but' insult the Colonial Treasurer. Hisses, groans, abusive epithets, every moans used at public meetings to express disapprobation was resorted to, and during the period mentioned the building was lille 1 with a wild uproar. It was not, indeed, until the audience were physically exhausted, that they consented to listen to Mr. Vogel and even during the short time that he was speaking, he was continually interrupted. It must, however, be stated that, throughout, a section of the audience, evidently supporters of MrVogel, made vigorous exertions on his bo' half ; but the large body of the meeting took part iu the demonstrations already deccribed.” A full meeting of the Sports Committee was held on Monday evening last, at Hawthorne’s Clyde Hotel, Mr. Hastie occupring the chair. Tte minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Messrs. Hazl tt and Christophers, the sub-com-mittee appointed to obtain a silver cup for the tournament, reported they were unable to obtain one of the value in Dunedin, and suggested that the winner should either claim the money or demand a cup which Could be obtained from Melbourne The report was adopted. The Collectors reporte ! cash alreily in hau l 223 12:., independent of £2O realised by sac of the booth. The Course Committee was instructed to engage a musician, to relieve Mr. King, who had volunteered Ins services, There being no other business on kind, the meeting adjourned until Satur'ay evening, the 24th inst. News from the Bendigo Reefs continue dull, the only party getting gold being the Cromwell Company (Goodger, Logan, and Company. The Alta Company are enorgeti" oally pushing forward the erection of their machinery’, Mr. Reid the u anager is untiring in his efforts to hj ive everything in readiness by the New Year, by which time fully four hundred tons of golden quart 2 will be at grass, in rea iasss for manipulation. The Colclough Company arc also getting-on with their mine an i battery, and a start to extract the precious metal'will be made at or about the New Year. The Aurora is at a standstill, awaiting tenders from miners to work the mine. Ten ers close on the 19th, when a move may be expected to be made in one direction or other. A few-other claims on the different lines of reef are being prospected, but little energy is brought to bear. The committee appointed to prepare the ground for the Caledonian Sports, are actively bestirring thenise.ves, and from the progress already made, we look for everything being completed to the satisfaction ■of the competitors and the on-lodkcrs. The right to erect a booth on the Public Reserve at Alexandra curing the Christmas Sports was purchassd by Mr. L. G. Ryan, of the Bendigo Hotel for £l2 10s. We have received a copy of the revised and extended regulations issued by the Government Assurance and Annuities Commifsiouer. A new industry—malting—is being introduced atQue nstowu by Messrs. Surmaii and Davis, brewers, of that town. They are erecting a substantial malt house of stone and brick, sixty-seven feet by twenty feet, and expect, from barley grown in the Lake district, to produce malt fully equal to the best imported.