LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 91, 6 November 1869, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A QOABTZ reef* yielding one ouaoe to the ton, Las been discovered at Lougwood. Thb sale of sections in Roxburgh takes placo on Saturday, the 20th inst., and not tbeikd, as was formerly stated. Mb. Taylob inspected the Blue Spur School latelj. He expressed "himself g atined with the progress of the children. .'.' The mining property at Glenore formerly belonging to Messrs. Oooiiihe and Co. was sold on Thursday for £2& L The purchaser was Mr. |& Coombe,

THE Waitabuna entertainment for the Benevolent Asylum realised about £33.

: We are glad to learn that the efforts of the Blue Spur Wcsleyans to raise a fund for the erection of a commodious chapel are proving entirely successful.

It will be observed from an advertisement in another column that Mr Hugh Mackenzie, lately in business in Manuherikia, has purchased the Junction Hotel, on the Teviot-road, formerly occupied by Mr Thomas Higgs.

We learn that several new claims have been pegged off on the spurs adjacent to Maclean's house. The men appear well satisfied with their prospects; indeed, experienced miners have long foretold valuable discoveries on Driver and Maclean's run.

At a recent meeting of the Blue Spur Library Committee, it was resolved to purchase £lO worth of new books from ilfr. Hopkins. Books to a similar amount were also selected from the Education Board's catalogue

The rushes at the West Coast announced in our last are turning out quite equal to the most sanguine anticipations. These discoveries are chiefly owing to the exertions of the Hokitika Prospecting Association—a fact which should prove a lesson and an example to the people of this district.

Yesterday, being the sth, was celebrated by the youngsters in the usual manner. Guy Fawkes should be regarded as a benefactor by the rising generation, as his celebrated treason has long served them as an excuse for levying contributions on the surplus smallychange of the community.

The Lawrence Amateur Christy Minstrels give their first entertainment ou the 9th inst., in the Commercial Assembly Rooms, for the benefit of the Tuapeka Hospital They have issued a most attractive programme, ami will, we have no doubt, justify the high expectations of the public by an excellent performance.

At last the Government appear to have thought proper to commence operations in Ross Place. We trust the work will be done tho-

roughly an d completely this time, and not left in the unfinished state which appears so great a favourite with the Secretary of Laud and Works.

Mr. Tatlor, Assistant School Inspector, visited the Moa Flat School (Mr Smith, teacher) on Saturday, and the Roxburgh School (Mr Shepherd, teacher) on Monday, and, we are informed, expressed himself highly pleased with the progress made by the scholars under the care of the respective teachers.

On TTednesday evening the usual Wetherstones Readings came off. The cab from Lawrence did not make its usual journey, owing to one of the horses kicking over the pole, in Ross Place, and thereby so damaging the vehicle as to prevent its plying with passengers. Probably this accident accounts for the attendance being very much smaller than usual. However, those who were present appeared to enjoy themselves greatly. The weather during the past week has entirely falsified the predictions of Mr. Saxby. Indeed, the fate of his forebodings reminds reminds us of the humorous description of Partridge in the "Tattler." The great almanack maker, it appears, was most safely followed by the rule of contraries, and the fineness of the last few days almost inclines us to foretell a similar treatment of the term " Saxby weather."

A QUESTION of great importance to miners has been raised on the Maerewhenua Goldfields. Several applications for water rights to Warden Robinson weie opposed by the runholders, on the ground that the water would, owing to mining operations, be rendered unfit for sheepwashing and similar operations. - The cases were adjourned ; the warden expressing his opinion that the injury caused by tailings to the purity of the water, was hardly a sufficient objection. He suggested some private arrangement between the parties.

Two salmon have been caught in the Derwent, Tasmania ; thus finally setting at rest, the doubt expressed as to the acclimatization of the lordly fish. We hope the time is.not far distant when lovers of the gentle art, will he able to engage in their favourite sport on eveiy river in the Australian Colonies. The mere thought of such a glorious consummation is enough to send a dirl through the frame of every old angler.

Wjs have been favoured with the following extract from a letter received by one of our townsmen from his son, who resides at Cromwell:—"l am away to the reefs to-morrow. There is nothing but reefs spoken of here ; in fact, there was a new reef struck two days ago that surpasses anything yet found in Otago, and I am going up to-morrow, as I am told that I have a half-share in the second claim from the prospectors."

Wk have great pleasure in annoanoing that the opposite reef has been struck in the Wetherstones Deep Shaft. It will be remembered that a drive of 8 feet from the bottom of the main shaft was begun some time ago. This has been finished, and on sinking a small shaft at the uad the reef was struok. The money on haud is barely sufficient to keep the shaft dry, the water making mora strongly than it has yet dona. Prom the dip of the reef it is supposad that a shaft sunk about twenty-four feet from the end of the drive will nearly hit the gutter - the estimated depth being only some 70 or 80 feet. We need hardly nay that it is of the highest importance that the enterprise should not be allowed to stop just at the moment when success appears so close at hand. We trust the Government will give an additional grant, and that the public will largely supplement it. Oua Waitahuna Correspondent whose letter arrived too late for insertion, complains of the sale of towu seofckms in Havelock boing held at Tuapeka iustead of on the ground. It appears as though the Provincial Governuient were anxious to get rid of the public estate as cheaply as possible. He also states that many auriferous spurs, where miners are earning good ! wages, are included in the surveyed township.

At the weekly meeting of the TTaste Lands Board, Mr. Connell applied for Richard Laneastet to purchase 10 acres at his homestead, in the Crookston dibtrict.--deferred to the Government for enquiry by the Warden. Bnssfc and Co. requested that sections 20, 22, 30, and 38, block XXVII, Havelock, should be withdrawn from sale. - Referred to Government for Warden's report. Boland and Williams's application for a lease of fifty acres of bush on the east side Molyneux was granted, subject to the usual conditions; the saw-mili to be erected within six months. John Tyson's application for a lease of 50 or 60 acres on the west side of the il/blyneux, adjoining Bucban's lease, was refused ; Mr. Morrison to he communicated with in reference to arrears of rent. Hugh Oaldcr's application for the purchase of sections 12, 34, 5, and 28, block 1., Waikawa, was also refused. The upset price of sections in Dalhousie was fixed at £5.

Our reporter, on a visit to Manuherikia this week, inspected the Alexandra Brewery, now in course of erection by Messrs. Theyers and Beck. The building is constructed of stone, some 80 x 24 feet, and is very substantial, and likely to be extremely suitable for brewing purposes. The mason work was executed by Mr. Bees, who is well known for his excellent workmauship. Mr. Biittcliffe has vhe contract for the carpenter work, which he is rapidly proceeding with. The boiler first to be used is capable of turning out 71i!ids. at one brew, but a boiler suiiicient'y large to brew 20hhds. has been ordered by this enterprising company. The cellar, which is very extensive, is all underground. Mr Thiyers informed our reporter that they expected to turn out their fiist biew about Christmas, and we feel confident if they can supply a passable article, they will receive a very large support from the JLfanulierikia and surrounding districts.

A meeting- of the Tuapeka Jockey Club was held on Tuesday evening, when Messrs. Buchan, Walsh, Lancaster, Nicolson, Hay, and Brown were added to the Committee. The following office-bearers were elected:—Mr. Bastings, President; Dr. Stewart, Vice-President; Mr.

Fivn-er. Treasurer ; and Mr. Hayes, Secretary, at a salary of £3O per annum. It was agreed to communicate with the Dunedin Jockey Club, in order to prevent the meetings clashing. Mr. Simpson was appointed Judge for the next paces; Mr. Sheath, Starter; Mr. Nicolson, Clerk of the Course; and Messrs. Herbert, J. M. Clark, Michael S. Henry, Buchan, and Dr. Stewart, Stewards. The qualification for the purchase of booths was fixed at £7 75., the number erected to be limited to three, exclusive of two stands for the sale of confectionery and refreshments.

The road from Tuapeka to the Teviot is now in very good order, the roadmen having filled up most of the eleep ruts which a wet winter and considerable traffic had made almost impassable ; and the road from the Teviot to the Duustan, by the west bank of the Molyneux, is one of the finest up-country roads to be found in the province. We have heard it rumoured that Mr Cliiiplin purposes putting on a weeklycoach, on that line. In the event of his doing so, we believe it would be well patrouised, as the road is the shortest and easiest to Dunedin. and, besides, opens up communication with several wide-spread districts of country whose interests are identical.

It is at last our pleasant task to hare to announce the formation of a Cricket Club in Lawreuce. Ibis result has, we believe, bean chiefly owing to the exertions of Mr. Downes, whose name is well known to all Otagan cricketers as one of the best players in the province. About forty gentlemen have enrolled themselves as members ; an 1 as some of them are no mean performers with bat and ball, we may soon expect to see an eleven formed which will make not only the up-country, but also the Dunedin clubs tremble for their laurels. It is said the Waitahuna Club already contemplate challenging the Lawrencians.

We have received the first number of tha " Cromwell Argus," a paper started by Messrs. Matthews and Fenwick, late of the " Tuapeka Press.'' We need hardly say that any publication under the management of these gentlemen will prove worthy of public support, as the able and public spirit in which our late contemporary was conducted is well known throughout this district. They have selected the most prosperous mining district iu the province as the scene of their new venture, and will, we have no doubt, in. spite of preliminary difficulties, succeed in beneficing the community at large and themselves. It is with the grentest pleasure we wish them God-speed, for seldom has it been our fortune to meet with a more manly and courteous rivalry than we found in the late proprietors of the " Tuapeka Press."

A telegram recoived by us on Wednesday announced the discovery of a quartz reef in Bendigo Gully. Cromwell, yielding one hundred ouace3 to the ton. The lucky proprietors of the claim where this reef lias been struck are Messrs Butler anij party ; and from further advices received by us, we learn that the holders of the adjacent groaud-.Messrs. Caldcleugh and party —have beau equally successful. The excitement occasioned by so brilliant a discovery may be easily imagined. Shaten in claims long supposed to be mere duffeis rose Bteadily in value, and are likely to go on increasing. Many speculators have already been attracted to the spot; and if—as fcheie seems every likelihood—the present are but the beginning of a series of discjveries, Cromwell may yet prove a formidable rival to the Thames. Such an event, occurring almost at our doors, lead 3 us again to urge the necessity for the formation of a prospecting society. It is very uufurtunate that the few gentlemen here who are looked up to as the leaders in every movement appear indifferent to tns encouragement of mining. Since none of these will move in the uwtlev, we strongly urge on all interested the necessity of getting up a requisition, requesting the Warden to cnll a public meeting; wheu the questioa inay* receive an exhaustive discussion,

At a meeting of the School Committee, held on the 29th ult., the following tenders for the enlargement of the building were leoeived :—G. Monson, £i'6S os'6d ; J. Mackney, £404 14s Id ; A. Humphrey, £369 5s Gi; W. Meavs, £360 16s 6J. Air. Meat's' tender being lowest, was accepted. Mr. J. C. Brown was appointed a member of Committee in place of Mr. Meyer, who declined to act. The Secretary was instructed to apply to Government for an acre of ground in Irvine-street, to be used as a playground. Messrs Brown and Jamison were appointed to arrange abon t the prizes to be given at the next annual examination.