The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1869. "Measures, not Men." LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 89, 23 October 1869, Page 3

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1869. "Measures, not Men." LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The perils of the Saxt>y conjunction of sun afi&4£oon have not altogether passed over. Mr. Saxby, in an able and moderate letter in the London " Standard," warns us of probable high tides and heavy rains in the first few days of November. As this, like all his predictions, is based on scientific research, we hope some one Will be on the alert to note atmospheric changes during that period. ° At a meeting of the Executive held this week, it v?as agreed to proceed with the sale of the Island Block, Horseshoe Beud. This decision was not arrived at without considerable discusBion, the chief argument used by its supporters being the irapecuniosity of the Government. A month's time is to be allowed to elapse before the block is put up for sale, thus affording an opportunity for ohjaetions to be lodged. THE great alarm caused by Mr. Saxby's prodiction, and the gross ignorance displayed by the bulk of our population under the influence of that terror, causes us again to urge the necessity for Government encouragement to meteorological observers. Great good has resulted ] from the storm signals used in England ; and we believe a similar system would prove highly beneficial on our extended and dangerous coastline. Still, we fear it is useless to urge the importance of scientific 'observation on a Government whose members ate barely qualified to speak their own language intelligibly. In the " Athenaeum " of August 7th, some curious particrlars are given of a process invented by Professor Abbate, Naples, by which a corpse is preserved from decay. In the Convent of Santa Maria dello Nova, the body of a young man who died of phthisis iv January last is exhibited. For five months it has resisted the effects of a very trying cliraatp. The features and integrity of form are preserved as at the moment of death. The nails have a roseate hue, and the flesh has the hardness almost of marble. Dr. Abbate asserts that his process is applicable to the preservation of fresh meat, and offers to visit any part of th» world to exhibit the results of his invention. The statement deserves to be investigated by our meat-preserving companies. From a private letter just received from Shortland (Thames), it appears that matters are culminating towards a crisis. The -writer says that now that calls are being made in scrip, the holders find themselves in an unenviable position—plenty of paper, hut nothing else; and that ho has purchased the one-pound scrip in what is considered a probably passable claim for Is. 6d., and that thousands of pounds worth of the above is utterly valueless. Thb " Jewish. Record " states that at a synod of Eabbis lately held in Germany, the principle of individual authority in religious belief and the importance of unfettered scientific investigation were recognised. They renounced the expectation of the return of Israel, and recomv mfended choral services, the use of the organ in and musical performances on Sab. totip and % estiva]*. ' j '

As entertainment, in aid of the Tuapeka Athenasum, was given by th« San Francisco Minstrels on Monday evening. Considering the great difficulties under which our Wetherstones friends laboured, we must say they acquitted themselves very creditably. The attendance was excellent. It is with peculiar pleasure "we observe a letter from Miss Sophia Jex -Blake in a recent number of the 'Athenaeum," announcing that the senatus of the Edinburgh University had determined to admit female medical students. This is a step in tbe right direction, and worthy of the great centre of educated liberalism. I The Commissioners for the London Exhibition of ISSI announce the -first of a series of Annual International Exhibitions o£ Fine and Industrial Aits, to be held in lbTl. Thb Uev. Mr. Stanford is evidently a devoted admirer of Carlyle. His lecture on "Cant," delivered in the Schoolroom on "Wednesday evening, was clearly derived, in motive, from the Sage of Chelsea, although the manner was rendered more popularly attractive by the infusion of a number of humorous anecdotes. Sir. Stanford, in common with many of his school, is apt at times to mistake strong for forcible expression ; but his lecture, as a whole, was a healthy and earnest protest against the humbug of the time. Parsons, journalists, doctors, lawyers, storekeepers, &c, got their share of the knout ; in fact, the lecture might be called an expose of the hypocrisies of common life. At the close, a cordial vote of thanks was, on the motion of Mr. Jamison, accorded to Mr. Stanford. A similar vote to the chairman, Mr. Simpson, wound up the proceedings. The usual "Wetherstones readings came off on Wednesday evening, when an attractive programme was presented to a fairly numerous audience. Two new rushes have broke out at Hokitika. The newly-discovered ground is about five miles from the township. Miles have already been pegged off. An attempt is being made in Dunedin to float a Public Park Company. The locality chosen is Forbury, near tbe Ocean Beach ; and the piopiietors iiroimse, among other attractions, tne formation of a good race-course. Undee the belief that the English mail closed at Lawrence last Wednesday evening, many people hurried to the post with their home letters. The real date is as announced in our last issue— the 27th inst. at 5 p.m. for regis tered letters and newspapers, and 8 p.m. for letters. At a meeting of tbe "Waste Lands Board held ou TFednesday, tne Board granted a lease for coal mining purposes to William. Auld, sections 10, 11, and 12, block XIII, and section 12, block XII., Havelock. P. Ormond's application for a Crown grant of section 2, block VI., Roxburgh, was referred to Government. The upset price of sections in Havelock, was fixed at £2 for small town sections, and £2 per acre for suburban sections. On Mr. Alexander Kilgour's application for section 2, block 111., Tapanui, it was decided that the land should be sold — upset price £5, purchaser to pay valuation at the fill of the hammer. THE letter of "Veritas" is too long for insertion in this issue. We are glad to learn that tbe "Echo" revives to-day as a penny weekly. Mr. Henningham certainly deserves every encouragement and support tbe up-country districts can give him for the gallant fight lie has waged against the dowinanb class. j Ma. Jonas Harrop, chairman of the committee appointed by the Town Council to draw up a memorial, complaining of the present management of the Lawrence Cemetery, has received the following reply to the petition forwarded by him. Provincial Secretary's Office, Dunedin, 16th October, 1869. Sir, — I have been directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tbe date quoted in the margin enclosing a petition addressed to His Honour the Superintendent and the Executive, praying for the dismissal of the present managers of the Lawrence Cemetery, and to acquaint you that the petition has been, forwarded to the managers for any remarks they may have to offer on the allegations therein contained. I have, &c, Alex. Willis, Clerk to the Executive Council. Blr. Jonas Harrop, Lawrence. Me. Mobrison has completed his contract for the formation of culverts in Ross-place and Whitehaven-street. In spite of the numerous difficulties he had to encounter, he has done his work in a thoroughly efficient manner. Chinese. — Senator Wade, in a recent interview in California, expressed tbe opinion that other States in the Union, as soon as they understand the character of this intelligent, patient, and industrious race, would expend millions of dollars in obtaiuing them. He expiessed the hope that before ten years pass, the people of California would be framing laws to prevent the deportation of tho Chinese with far more zeal than they now nought to prevent them coming there.— American Paper.