LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 84, 18 September 1869, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The English Mail, via Su?z, will close at Lawrence on Wednesday, the 29th inst.

At the meeting of Town Council on Wednesday evening, some routine business was gone through. The only matter of any public interest was a discussion on the cemetery question. Cr. Keen moved the adoption of a memorial to the Governor, praying for the removal of the present trustees, and supported his motion in a speech of length. The Mayor, without waiting for the motion to be seconded, replied with considerable bitterness and heat, and finally ruled the motion out of order, a- decision rather surprising to all present.

For some time past, the Chinamen in the neighbourhood of Lawrence have shown considerable desire to mine within the municipality, and those of them who have sunk shafts within the boundary have been pretty successful. As the corporation is in want of funds, why do not our energetic Councillors avail themselves of every legitimate means of filling the treasury ? For instance, why not issue miners' rights to those Chinamen who desire to mine in the township at a charge of say £1, and thus increase the revenue without in any way interfering with the value of the town property ? This course has been adopted in "Westland, and we see no reason why it should not be followed here. We have received a letter from Mr George Evans, Alexandra, denying the accuracy of the statements contained in Mr Henderson's letter. Mr Evans affirms the second report published in these columns to have been the only accurate account of the squabble, and accuses the Town Clerk of displaying partisan feeling on the day of nomination. Our space does not permit us to insert Mr Evans' letter, and we think it is high time for the local politicians of Alexandra to let bygones be bygones.

On several runs in' Otago there are a large number of wild cattle, whose destruction is a matter of considerable importance to the runholders. Mr Smith's run is tlius infested, and his manager is continually employed in destroying them Against such a proceeding none would object, but, unfortunately, a dog-in-the-manger spirit leads to the waste of a large quantity of wholesome food. Not only are the miners prevented from helping themselves to "nobody's beasts," but even after the skilled and liceused marksmen have— after firing enough shots to make a Spanish, revolution — brought some unfortunate bullocls to grass, the carcase is left to rot, although it would be eagerly bought by a large number of hard-working men. Such shameful waste cannot be too strongly condemned, and will not, we trust, b« allowed to continue. A capital opportunity for a competent musician is afforded in. this district at present. "VYe understand the Roman Catholic eonspregation are willing to' pay £1 per week to an efficient organist, and as scarcely a week passes without one or two entertainments, an excellent income might be earned, not reckoning' what might be made by tuition. A dramatic and Negro entertainment will be held at the Sportsman's Arms, Wetherdtones, on Tuesday evening first, in aid of the school , funds. The programme, for variety and talent, is quite equal to any former performance, and the proceeds will be devoted to an object which has received very great support from the Wether, stones community. Perhaps the School Committee are more deserving ■ of ( much ■■ more encouragement on this occasion than hitherto, as "they have all but remodelled the sohool building, at a cost' of some . i£l3o-^» sum of money which in these- timea is not very easily raised. "We believe the .Brass. Band will be in attendance. . - . ■ : - . - „ . , , The often-slain Te Kooti has -again made his, appearance; He is said to Save "been tepnlied, with a loss of three killed, .by a friendly, chief, bat the " victory " does not' appear' to haW restored confidence in the- wisdom and. strategy of th« Fox-VogelrGovernm«ot.

Mb. Weston, the billiard champion of New Zealand, has been dofeated by Mr Stritch at < Sydney, by several points in a thousand up game. . ,■ Chabo» won the Sydney Derby. . r We are pleased to learn that, some of our | Tuapeka. and-Beaumoat fanners 1ulv» sown a. quantity of wheat "this spring, in anticipation of the flour mill to be erected at Evans*. Flat. One settler alone, we are informed, has sown 130 acres in wheat, the result of which will doubtless be very profitable both to the farmer and the miller.

Thomas Mulrooket, a miner on Tuapeka Flat, wna brought before the resident Magistrate on Thursday, on the charge of being of unsound mind. He was committed to the Dunedin Lunatic "Asylum. On the morning of the same day Mulrooney was discovered attempting to drown himself in a hole in the Tuapeka creek, a short distance below Fitzgerald's house. We are informed there was every likelihood that he would have died had Dr Halley'a assistance not been procured, when hot water bottles were applied to his feet and brandy-administered in* ternally. "We received the following telegram yesterday from a correspondent :—'* Alexandra, 17th September. Mr. Louis Cameron has been elected for Manuherikia Ward without opposition, in place of Mr Alex. Jack, resigned." . Mr. Feupe, an old Tuapeka resident, leaves the district with good grace, having contributed a donation of £5 to the Hospital funds, as ft parting recognition of the valuable services rendered the district by such an institution &s the Tuapeka Hospital. In the Supreme Court Mr William Draper, settler, Waitahuna, has recovered £100 damages from Mr Murray, ilfount Stuart, for false imprisonment. It will be remembered that Mr Draper was arrested some time ago on a charge of cattle stealing, and was honourably discharged by the Tokomairiro R.M. The fortnightly readings at Waitahuna take place on Monday, in the Assembly Eoom. Success begets success. The Athenseum Readings a few weeks ago had reached about the lowest possible ebb, when the President took them in hand and turned the scale in their favour. Since then a Bteady improvement has been perceptible. The readings on Thursday last were the most successful of the season. The attendance was the largest that has been, and the various readings and songs were well received. The instrumental part of the performance forms a great attraction in the entertainment. A memorial has been presented to the Lawrence Presbyterian Church Committee, signed br over eighty members and adherents, requesting them to reinstate Mrs Brunton as leader of the psalmody. So influential a memorial can hardly be neglected, and we feel glad that the congregation have come forward in so Brm and unmistakeable a manner. Mrs Brunton hag acted as precentor for a long time, and hag always given the greatest satisfaction. It is unfortunate that an absurd misunderstanding should ever have occurred, but, thanks to the firmness of the congregation, justice appear* likely to triumph. The improvement of the breed of horses ii a question nearly affecting the whole community, and it is a matter for general congratulation when a really first-class sire is available for the district. Such an animal has been secured in Chorister, who will stand at Moa Flat Station during the season. As will be seen from th© advertisement in another column, he will visit Lawrence weekly. Last "Wednesday's " Gazette " contains pro* clamafcions cancelling pastoral leases over 7,50 ft acres of land on the Waikaia.