LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 8 January 1870, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the recent elections for the Auckland Provincial Council, Mr. Daniel Grove was returned for the Thames Goldfields district. A correspondent, writing from "Waitahuna, says : — Our holidays passed over very quietly, owing, probably, to the fact of two or three of the standing nuisances of the place having received, at the very commencement of the holidays, invitations, too pressing to be declined, to enjoy the hospitalities of the season at Her Majesty's establishment at the Camp, Lawrence, where it is to be hoped they enjoyed their Christmas pudding and the congenial society usually there assembled. A man of the name of M'Kinnon, while welcoming in the New Year, blew off part of his .thumb by the discharge of a pistol. On being taken to the Hospital, it was found necessary to amputate it at the second joint. An amusing deputation meeting is reported in the " Thames Advertiser," under the heading, " The Legitimate Drama v. The Dogs and Monkeys." It appears that Messrs. Barlow and Taylor have rented a piece of ground in the market-place at a sum of £7 per week, where they exhibit a dog and monkey show, which seems to be more attractive to the miners than the theatres, the lessees of which waited upon Mr. Gillies, the Superintendent, to get the monkey show remove! to the suburbs of the town. They advocated their cause as well as any bad oause could be advocated. Hi& Honour replied by saying that he did not believe in the protective system, but believed most thoroughly and completely in free trade, and held that every profession and business should stand or fall upon its own merits and abilities,

The nomination of two Councillors for Middle Ward will take place at the Council Chambers, Lawrence, on Friday, the 14th instant, at 11 o'clock. The Switzers Jockey Club' have issued a very creditable race programme for the 3rd and 4th of March. Upwards of £200, in stakes varying from £10 to £50, are offered as an inducement for good racers to make their appearance. The Rev. R. L. Stanford wiU preach in the Court House to-morrow evening, the schoolhouse not being available, owing to the repairs which are now going on. Every possible effort will be made for the accommodation of the congregation in the Couit House. The children of the Blue Spur Wesleyan Sabbath School spent a few pleasant hours on New Year's Day in Mr. Carey's paddock, where they engaged in various kinds of sports. Several of the teachers and parents were present. Mr. Carey feasted the children with many dainties. A COMPANY has been formed in Dunodin under the name of the Forbury Park Company. They have purchased over 100 acres of land at Forbury, near Caversham, which they are having drained, cleared, and fitted for a lacecourse and general recreation ground. "We believe the Dunedin races this year will take place on this new course, At a meeting of the Waste Lands Board held on Wednesday, Mr B. H. Hanson applied to purchase section 2, block XIII., Tuapeka East, held under lease. Agreed to. To be paid for in one month. Mr J. Chappie and Mr Win. Theyers applied to be allowed to complete thfir purchase of sections 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, Alexandra. The agreement with the auctioneer to be carried out. On Hogmanay Night the quid Scots of Lawrence held high jubilee, without respect of position or person. They firsfc-footed all and sundry in the township, and with the exception of one, who would have none of them (in retaliation they bioke his doors and windows), they were kindly and hospitably treated. We have heard some complaints of their noisy demonstrations, but must remind our readers that at this season the golden rule is, "Peace witu all men." We can now congratulate the inhabitants of Lawrence on having obtained the services of a a professional musician in the person of Mr Harry Milburn, whose well-known talent as a pianist ought to insure his success in the Tuapeka district. Since the untimely death of Mf Marriott the place has severely felt the want of a qualified musician, and we trust the public will show their appreciation of a good man l>y giving him sufficient encouragement to make his stay permanent. We hear that the R.C. Church have engaged his services for their requirements. On Thursday last the TFetherstones School fete took place. There were 114 children present, who were presented with suitable prizes, according to merit. Mr M'Swiney, the President of the School, officiated on the occasion. After the prizes were awarded the children were treated to a substantial tea, and they all appeared to be full of enjoyment. In the evening a large muster of the adult population, male and female, met in the schoolroom, and spent a few hours in tripping the light fantastic. Mr Milburn presided at the harmonium, and gave great satisfaction. The prize list will appear in our next issue. It is pleasing to find that the absurdities of our provincial magnates are watched and criticised by other provinces. The " Timaru Herald," referring to the Otago " Hansard," says : —"Among the latest provincial absurdities recorded, is that of the Otago Provincial Council resolving to have a 'Hansard 'of its own, at a cost of between £400 and £500 for the session, to report the debates on the Otago Hundreds Regulations Act, passed by the Assembly last session and the debates as to railways. When will i^rovincial folly and extravagance stop ? " Doeino the month of December, 127 persons wete apprehended by the police in the province. Of these, 10-1 were convicted and variously dealt with ; 2 were committed for trial ; 8 were discharged, 3 being cautioned at the same time ; 1 man was bound over to keep the peace for six months : 8 persons were sent to the Lunatic Asylum ; 2 children, being neglected children within the meaning of the Act, were sent to the Industrial School for three and seven years respectively ; 1 man and 1 v/oman (husband and wife) are on remand. Of the 104 convictions, 74 were for drunkenness (not including habitual drunkenness) and other minor offences. On Monday a mile race, for £10 a-side, between Mr. Donovan's gr g Old Peter, of worldwide reputation, and Mr. M'Bride's b m Biddy from Sligo, came off on the Tuapeka Racecourse. The wet weather had made the course very heavy, which was not so favourable for the old horse ; but nevertheless, so high was Old Peter's reputation for speed and pluck, that betting was two to one in his favour. Some difficulty was experienced in making a start, but when at last made, the first half mile decided the race in favour of the mare. Peter was not able for it. He started well, and kept up as long as he could, but young blood was too much for him. Harvest in Otago will commence in the Oamaru district shortly after the new year. The acreage under crop 'in Otago in 1868-9, as per Government return, was 152, 568 acres. The acreage for 1869-70 will be greater ; the official return, however, will not be published until February. Ample employment will thus be afforded to hundreds of hands for the next two or three months. Crop 1868-9 (exclusive of crop of the aboriginal natives) :— Otago. New Zealand. Wheat - - - 20,142 - - 64,517 Barley and oats - 43,425 - - 100 483 Potatoes - - 3,033 - - 11,557 Sown grasses- - 83,782 - - 501,580 Other crops - - 2,186 - - 8,878 Total acres - 152,568 - - 687,015 Ouk Blue Spur mining correspondent reports as follows : — Since my last, mining has been earned on vigorously, and the yield of gold is rather on the increase. Morrison and Co. are washing up, and the result, so far, is very satisfactory to the shareholders. The Otago Co. have washed up, and the shareholders are very well satisfied with the result ; they have since fired a blast, the charge of |powder being 18cwt., which answered their expectations. The Great Extended Co. fired a small blast of a few hundredweight of powder, in|order to take out a corner block, to give them'a greater advantage for an extensive blast. The tributers of the Blue Spur Sluicing Co. have nearly completed a junction on the northern boundary of the Great Extended, and intend to ,mak.^ hay while the sun shines. The Waipori Water Co. met with an unfortunate mishap last week. The breastwork of their old dam, which was constructed over four years ago, gave way, carrying everything before it ; rocks half a ton weight were swept a considerable distance. No serious damage was done further the loss of water and the use of the dam for some time to come.