Untitled

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 18 April 1868, Page 2

We regret that we are compelled again to complain of pressure upon our space through the superabundance of local news. We are unfortunately obliged to hold over till our next issue a letter from Mr. Higgins, of Waitahuna, on a subject of importance to the inhabitants of that district, We are also under the necessity of leaving out a letter from our valued correspondent, " Old Peter Piper," and of curtailing our reports of tho Wetherstones Entertainment and the Loyal Waipori M.U.L0.0.F. anniversary. The celebration of the first anniversary of the Loyal Waipori Lodge M.U.1.0.0.F. was celebrated by a supper and bill on the evening of Easter Monday, the 13th inst., in the Qommercial Hotel, Waipori, when one of those successful re-unions took place which are peculiarly characteristic of Oddfellows and other kindred Societies. Nearly one huddred ladies and gentlemen sat down to a supper which would have done credit to the best hotel in Cunedin, nob only for the variety of the good tUitlgs which were laid on the table, but also far the manner in which they were served up, for which " Mine Host," Mr. Johnston, of the Commercial, deserves great praise. The hall was neatly decorated for the occasion, and added greatly to tho effect of the scene, which presented itself shortly after ten o'clock when the guests had all arrived. Happy smiling faces on every side told how the company were enjoying themselves, each vicing with each in making the evening pass away as pleasantly as possible. Brother Dunn, N.G., occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by Brother Coverlid, P.G-., of the Pioneer Lodge, Lawrence, and on his left by Brother Smith, P.Q- , of the Oamaru Lodge j Brother Cos, GKM., was Vice-Ohairman ; Elective Secretary, Brother Farrant was Toastmaster on the occasion. Supper being finished, and the glasses charged, the Chairman proposed the first toast, "The Queen and the Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows," which was responded to by the company singing the National Anthem. Toast — " The District Officers, associated with the name of Brother Coverlid," was next proposed. Sorig — Brother J. Cox. Brother Coverlid responded. Toast — "The Loyal Waipori Lodge, coupled with the name of the Chairman," who responded to the toast. Song — Brother Stevens. Toast — " Sick and Distressed of the Order." Song— Mr. Farrant. Toast— "Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, coupled with the name of Mr. Coverlid," who responded. Song — Mr. Bichson. Toast — " Loyal Waitahuna Lodge, coupled with tbe na,me of Brother Wells, E.S., Waitahuna Lodge," who responded. Song — Br. Buste. Toast—" Kindred Societies, coupled with the name of' Mr. Lees," who responded. Song — Brother Wright. Toast — " Mining Interests, coupled with the name of Mr. Wilson," who responded. Song — Brother Smith. Toast - " The Commercial Interests, coupled with the name of Mr. Cable," who responded. Song — Brother Buchanan. Toast — " The Pre9B, coupled with the name of Mr. Burns," who responded on behalf of the " Tuapeka Times." Toast — " The Ladies, coupled with the name of Mr. Buchanan," who responded. Song — Mr. Farrant. This long programme having been exhausted, the company then retired f § a short time that the hall might be cleared for the dancing, which was kept up with great spirit till six o'clock on Tuesday morning, when one of the most succesafnl friendly gatherings which has taken place at Waipori, was brought to a close. On Monday last, an entertainment on bohalf of the Wetherstones School was held in the Sportsman's Arms Hotel. Considering the short notice the public had of the entertainment, and the equally short time the performers on the occasion had for preparation and rehearsal, we may say the event proved a decided success, The balloon as- i cent might be considered the first part of tho performance ; and the gentleman who made it deserves credit for his ingenuity. The concert was well attended, Mr. Johnson's Hall being completely crowded. Mrs. Fulton's prologue, which, we regret we cannot insert iov want of space, was read by Mrs. Mooney with good effect. The Glee Club tfiien commenced the musical performance and executed Iheir part creditably. Song 8 and recitations followed each other in rapid succession, without, we may say, one single hitch. The audience were in a happy mood, and yrev c prolific of encores, by which the performance was prolonged to an un usually late hour. An unexpected but very pleasant scene occurred when the curtain rose, at the close of the performance, and the School Committee in a body appeared on the stage. Mr. M'Swiney, as Chairman of the Committee, expressed, in very appropriate language, the thanks of the Committee, and further said the audience could congratulate themselves in having most effectively supported a cause in the very highest degree deserving ef support, the noble cause of education. We are informed the total receipts of the entertainment amounted to the handsome Bum of £88jls.-6d,

A Meeting of miners and others took placa at Switzer's, in consequence of a rumor having reached that place to the effect that the Government intended removing Mr. Warden Stratford from the district, which resulted in the following petition being adopted, with 260 signatures attached :—" To His Honor J. Mac* andrew, Esq., Superintendent of Otago— The petition of the undersigned, miners, storekeepers, and other residents of the Switzer's Goldfield, humbly sheweth— That your petitioners have heard, with unmingled surprise and the deepest regret, that your Honor's Government have in contemplation the removal of the respected Warden of this Goldfield, H. Stratford, Esq. Your petitioners would, therefore, most respectfully submit to your Honor, that should your Government persist in parrying out the above objept, it will thereby prove a great act of injustice, both to. the Warden and the inhabitants of this Goldfield generally. The following reasons we do sincerely hope will prove the same to your Honor, and your Honor's Government :— lst, That during the short period the. Wajden has been stationed here, he has fully identified himself with this place and its inhabitants, both officially and socially ; and that his decisions as Magistrate and Warden have given almost universal satisfaction. 2nd, That the Warden has worked hard, and has succeeded in fully posting himself as to the requirements of this particular Goldfield and its inhabitants. 3rd, Your petitioners would most earnestly desire to impress upon your Honor's notice, that your petitioners feel perfectly justified in making the assertiqu that, should any other gentleman be stationed here for the same number of years as our respected Warden has been months, he would not be capable of giving more satisfaction, in proof of which we beg to call your Honor's attention to the number of signatures attached, via., nearly every resident of this Goldfield. — 4th, and lastly. In the event of your Honor's Government carrying out the contemplated removal, the care and trouble our respected Warden has taken in all matters connected with this Goldfield vyiU be entirely thrown away, and a.new Warden would have the work to begin afresh, thereby causing a great amount of trouble and inconvenience to your petitioners. Your petitioners do, therefore, most sincerely hope that your Honor will be pleased to grant our prayer ; and that your Honor will at once take steps to have our Warden retained' here. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray." We clip the following from the "Daily Times " of 14th instant :— "Mr. Warden Stratford furnishes the following report of the mining district of Nokomai for tho month ending 31st Ma.rch : — At Switzer's, there has been a great exodus of miners this month, some prospecting, and others returning to the districts they came from. Stores are being built yet here, and of substantial material. The water supply has begun to be more regular, and employment, consequently, more general. Estimated population — Miners, 450 ; Chinese, 30 j Others nqt following mining pursuits, 150; total, 630. Prices current and wages— Beef. $d, per lb. ; mutton, 5Jd. ; potatoes, LlB per ton ; flour, L 35 per ton; loaf, 41b, 6d. ; wages, L 3 12s. per week." The "Daily Times " of the 14th instant contains the following : — " From the Dunskyi district, Mr. Warden Kobinson reports, on the 31st ultimo: — "The approach of winter is causing many miners, especially Chinese to leave the high-lying gullies and seek the river banks and beaches. Numbers of Chinese are beginning to come into this district from distant places, and it is expected that there will be a great many leave this winter. A Chinese store is about to be opened at Clyde. Woik is commenced at the Frenchman's Point, and a good season is anticipated. The numerous sluicing parties along the rivers Clutha and Kawarau continue to do welL With the added experience of each year, the men are enabled constantly to improve their method of working. The first great improvement in sluicing, was the intro* duction of the iron ripples ; these were, in the first instance, made by screwing flat iron bars into wooden flames to fit it into the bottom of the sluice boxes— soon, iron castings were introduced, but other experiments have been tried. At the Pioneer Company's claim steel bars have been used with marked success. At Hartley's Beach, Barkin and Party have procured castings in. imitation of the old-fashioned false bottom, which consisted of planks with auger holes bored through them. These castings are made only half as wide as. the bottom of the box, the object being to shift them from time to time, so that they may wear evenly, instead of being cut through in the middle, as invariably happens with the woolen planks. The crops this season have, as a rule, turned out well, notwithstanding the broken weather, which had caused som.e gloomy anticipations. ProducCof most kinds will probably be at reduced prices, with the exception of potatoes, which are expeoted to be dear. Provisions rule at Clyde, at the following rates : — Adelaide flour, per ton, L 37;3 7; sugar, per lb., 6Jd. ; tea, 3s. ; candles. Is. 6d. ; oats, per bushel, 6s. 6d. ; chaff, per cwt., 10. ; potatoes, per cwt., 12s. Estimated population— Miners, Europeans, 800 ; Chinese, 300 ; others, 900. Total, 2000." We have been favored with a copy of the following letter in reply to the memorial forwarded some few weeks past to the Commissioner of Police : — Police Department, Commissioner's Office, Dunedin, 19th March, 1868. Gentlemen, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 16th in3t. , wherein you draw my attention to the fact that the crime of cattle stealing has been rife for some time time past in your district. In reply, I have to express my regret that you have not long since brought the subject under my notice. I purpose now, however, to take such prompt and active measures as will I trust put down the grievanoe you so properly complain of. While, however, you may rely upon having this duty effectually carried out, I would remind you that you also have your duty to perform, as it is a wtU-established maxim that the efficiency of a police' force depends to a great extent upon the extent and resources of its information. I trust therefore that you will render me your co-operation and assistance for the good of the general community.— l have tho honor to be, gentlemen, Your moßt' obedient servant, St. Jogsr BbamgUlst, Oommiflewaer.

A meeting of Sabbath school children was held at the Teviot on Good Friday Eve. The meeting was a most pleasant one. On the »yen. j ing of Monday, the 13th inst., the Presbytery of the Clutha met, at the Teviot, Mr. Waters, Moderator, After the sermon of the Moderator, from Hebrews, X 19v., a form of call was read, And the name of Mr. Telford inserted. The Presbytery then presented the call, which Mr. Telford accepted. On "Wednesday, the 15th inst., Morris and party fired their second blast in the cement at Wetherstones, and it proved to be a success. We may state, that our reason for so often referring to this cement is to be found in the fact that cement mining in Wetherstones i» only jn its infancy, whereas that of the Blue Spur has been long established; and our only wish is to encourage the development of the Wetherstones cqment, so that it may in some measure approximate to that of the Blue Spur, A FEW words may not be out of plaoe with reference to the remarks made by the Kural Dean (the Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Dunedin), as quoted in our report of the Lawrence Church of England congregational meeting. The Dean asserts that the Goldnelds were represented at . the Eural Deanery Board meeting referred to ; and then by way of proving his statement, he afiirms that there were twq representatives present. Supposing it to be granted that there were two representatives of the Goldnelds in the Board, and that we bear in mind the fact that the Goldfields comprise one-half of the whole of the members of the Church of England in Otago and Southland, we might ask the Rural Dean if two representatives in twentytwo, including clergymen and laymen, who constitute the Board, can be & fair representation of the Goldnelds ? It must be apparent to any body giving it a moment's reflection, that tbe Goldfields were very badly represented in the Bqard, in fact, hardly represented at all ; and thus we consider the Lawrence Church of England Cpminittee were quite justified in forwarding the letter to Mr. Young, which was the cause of the Dean's remarks. The Lawrence Athenseum Brass Band held its general practice on the evening of the 14th inst. The Secretary read the minutes of previous meeting. He acknowledged having reoeived from Edgar Bastings, Esq., of Dunedin, one guinea subscription towards the funds of the Band. Proposed by Mr. Francis, and seconded by Mr. Garret, "That Mr. Martin's account of £2 ss. be paid."— Carried. Proposed by Mr. Tatter&all, and seconded by Mr. Francis, "That the Secretary be instructed to write to the "Tuapeka Times" and "Tuapeka Press" offices, asking them to give an estimate for the printing of 300 cards, 50 bills, and 100 programmes, for an amateur performance." Proposed by Mr. Koach, and seconded by Mr. Garrett, "That Mr. Mackay be written to, asking htm the lowest price for the use of practice room for three months." Proposed by Mr. Tattersall, and seconded bjrMr. Francis, "That the Secretary instruct Mr. Martin to select drums, symbols, and triangles : also asking him to get remainder of debts." A congregational meeting of the Lawrence Church of England was held in the Schoolroom, on Wednesday evening, the 15th inst. The Bey. Mr. Martin occupied the chair. There was a good attendance. The principal topic of discussion during the evening was the offensive remarks made by the Rural Dean, at the Deanery Board, as reported in the "Daily Times" of the 31st of January last. As some of our readers might not have seen the report referred to, we extract the following paragraph from it, which will explain the matter which caused considerable warm discussion at the congregational meeting :—" The Rural Dean said that there was, some time ago, forwarded from Lawrence to Mr. W. C, Young an address, thanking him for the part he had taken with regard to Dr. Jenner, and particularly caning attention to the fact, that at the last meeting of the Rural Deanery Board the Goldnelds were wholly unrepresented. He (the Rural Dean) had a letter from Mr. Young, stating that this was so important a matter, that he intended to lay it before the Archbishop. He (the Rural Dean) wished, therefore to say publicly that this statement, that the Goldfields were not represented at the last meeting, was n«t true ; that it was the reverse of truth ; for that there were two representatives of the Goldfleldi present." The Rev. Mr. Martin stated that he received a private letter from the Rural Dean, in which he expressed his regret at offending the Lawrence Church Committee. The following resolution was carried by a majority of a f ew :: — »* That this meeting fully approve of the action taken by the Lawrepce Church of England Committee, with reference to the letter sent by them to Mr. W. Carr Young ; and consider the remarks of the Rural Dean offensive, if truthfully reported ; and this meeting request the Secretary to write to the Rural Dean, to -withdraw the offensive remarks as published in the ' Daily Times.' " Proposed by Mr. Herbert, and seconded by Mr. Harrop, "That the -number constituting a Committee be sevgh." Nine gentlemen were proposed ; and the following seven were duly elected, viz. : — Messrs. Herbert, Percy, Ochiltree, Borton, Wootten, Myers, and Mears. Mr. Mears, on the plea of want of time, wished to resign the office of Secretary. He thought he would be in a more independent position than at present, as, being the contractor for the parsonage, he was open to the insinuations of the public. His resignation, however, was strongly objecled to, and he was prevailed upon to continue to act. The business of electing a lay reader was next proceeded with. Mr. Borton was first proposed ; but it was uncertain as to whether he wpuld undertake the duties. Mr. Thomas Johnston was also named ; but he expressed a wish that Mr. Borton would accept the office. It was finally left to Mr. Martin to use his own prerogative in this matter. Mr. Martin said he would now know how to act, as he had become acquainted with the minds of the congregation. The meeting then dispersed. j A Tea in connection with the opening of the Wesleyan Chapel at Switzer's, was held in the chapel on Tuesday evening. Mr. Q-eorgo Bailey occupied the chair. The Rev. Mr. M'Nicoll and others addressed the meeting, which was well attended. A good collection was made at the close of the meeting, and the mulfcs were highly latiifactory.

It is satisfactory to notice that the whim has been erected at the deep shaft; so there is at last a hope of testing the flat, which is so interesting to the people of this district. After so large an outlay of money as has been expended on this shaft from its commencement, both from private and Government sources, it will be matter of regret, if this method of testing the lower bottom should not prove successful. If, however, it should prove a success, it will encourage the testing of deep ground in other parts of the Province, and thus lead to a process of mining which may, as yet, be said to be in the womb of the future of Otago. A BEFiiT has been received to the petition to the Superintendent protesting against the sale of the land in Murray's Flat. The Government decline to aocede to the prayer of the petition, on the ground that the land is of special value. " That the land is of special value is evident " His Honor states " from the competition it has elicited," and on that ground it is to be put up to public competition. A public meeting is tc be held in Waitahqqa on the evening of Monday first to decide on what further steps should be taken to have the land withdrawn from sale.