LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 112, 31 March 1870, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We learn that a Byciole Club is being organised in Lawrence.

As a proof of the dull times in Tuapeka, we are informed that the gaol is tenantless.

AT Waikouaiti the other day a carrier named Lyons was fined- £5 for evading the tolL The meeting of the Assembly has been further postponed till the 30th of April, and it is surmised will be still further postponed. The "Oamaru Times" of the 25th inst. states that a pair of starlings are building their nests behind the signboaid of their office. A man named Wm. Parr was fined £5 and costs by the Resident Magistrate at Timaru a few days ago for starving his horse to try and break its spirit.

The "Timaru Herald" states that the total cost of the buildings erected by the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company at the Washdyke may be reckoned at fully £2000. That is exclusive of the cost of land.

The inquest on the late fire at Christchurch has resulted in the committal for trial at the next sesssion of the Supreme Court, of Mrs. Patterson, of the London Resturant and Emily Jane Wilson, barmaid in the adjoining house.

The '* Southland News" states that "owing to the differential duties, the whiskey from the Otago distillery is increasing rapidly in public favour— being of excellent manufacture —and bids fair shortly to considerably affect importations."

It will be been from advertisement that Thatcher, the celebrated caricaturist, will give one of his inimitable performances this evening in the Assembly Room. He is assisted on this occasion by Messrs Small and Daniels, and the eminent pianist, Mr. Sykes. We observe placards intimating that Miss Polly Green will appear in Lawrence this evening and to-morrow evening, in her monologue, "The Seven Ages of Woman." Her entertainment, we believe, will be held in the Athenaeum Hall. It is to be regretted that two enteitainments should occur on the same evening.

John Gbaham, the redoubtable, addresses the electors of Caversham in an advertisement in -the "Dajljr Times" as, follows: — "Gentlemen,—! intend to solicit your suffrages at the coming election . lam opposed to the Hundreds Act, will not get drunk, nor sell my constituents for a plage in the Yogel Ministry." Bravo, John!

TgE last atanderg-out against the piesent late charged by the water companies have struck their colours, and discontinued the strike. All hands are now again in full work, the price charged for water being 50s. pn Surface Hill, and 403. elsewhere, per week for a Hogburn head of sixteen inches by one. -"Mount Ida Chronicle."

In a case of sly-grog se.lljng, heard at Crom. well, on the 16tk inst., Mr. Brough, who appeared for the defendant, said it was imperative that payment of the drinks should be proved. The Magistrate, Mr. Pyke, however, expressed a different view, and considered that it was enough if the liquor was given on the understanding that it was to be paid.

At a summoned meeting of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., held in the Lodge Kooin, Lawrence, P. G.s Bros. Coverlid, Williams, and Hart were presented with pictorial merit certificates Beautifully framed. Surgeon Bro. Dr. Halley, in presenting the certificates paid a high compliment to the three brothers for the able and efficient manner in which they had conducted the affairs of the Lodge.

Two of our respected townsman, Mr. J, M. Clark and Mr. \V. Smith, were passengers on board the Lapwing for the Fijis ou Monday last. We believe it is their intention to commence cotton growing in the Fijis. We trust they will be as successful in their new field of labour as they anticipate. Mr. Clark was one of our oldest Tuapeka residents, and has the good wishes of all who knew him. We are informed that the bunk set apart for Mr. Clark had to be considerably lengthened to admit his unusual size.

The kind of treatment to which the Goldfields constituencies have been and aie beiug subjeoted by their representatives is manifested by the fact that four of them are now resident in the Auckland Province, having kicked away the ladder by which they rose to fame and, in most cases, to place, power, and emolument. The names of the gentlemen to which we refer are Julius Yogel, Charles O'Neil, C. X Haughton, and J. B. Bradshaw. Surely this tact should induce the constituencies henceforward to elect none other than men having local interests. — ''Mount Ida Chronicle."

It seems the fair sex are determined not to be outdone by us men. We have read of female docters, lawyers, soldiers, &c, but we don't remember ever having heard of female jockeys, but the following incident, reported by the " Cromwell Argus," will show such is the fact, even here in New Zealand : — At the Maori Point Races, held somewhere near Lake Wakatip, the race in aid of the Queenstown Hospital was won by Miss Kirk's bay filly Flora, ridden by Miss Kitty Kirk, beating a field of twelve ; and further, it is stated the race was won solely by the really skillful jockeyship displayed by the fair rider.

"VVricjht, Stephenson and Co.'s sale of Mr. Thomas Murray's property took place at Tokomairiro yesterday. Bidding very quiet. 731 acres freehold,- mortgage £2000, at 10 per cent., payable 31st December, purchased by Mr. W. A. Murray for £225. 240 acres freehold, situated at Table Hill, with mortgage of £100, brought 18s per aore. 3500 store wethers brought 4s a head. 2000 bushels oats were sold at Is lid to Mr. Geo. Coombe ; 40 acre 3 agricultural lease were sold to Mr. Ross for £145 ; and 20 acres, at 14 years' lease, were sold to Mr. Poison for £80, subject to an annual rental of £15,

The following paragraph, furnished us by a Roxburgh correspondent, ought to provide the Government with a satisfactory argument for the plan they have now adopted of advertising all Crown Land sales in the provincial newspapers :— A sale of sections in the township of Roxburgh was held on Friday, the 18th inst., and only one section was disposed of — there were only two persons present at the sale. The sale had originally been advertised to take place on the 2nd, but no auctioneer made an appearance. The last Government "Gazette" contains a notice of alteration of the date of sale to the 18th inst., the " Gazette " itself reaching Roxburgh four days after the date fixed for the sale.

A correspondent in the " Cromwell Argus " reports a disgraceful outrage on a few innocent Chinamen at Moonlight Creek, Lake Wakatip Eleven Chinamen had pitched their tents at a part of the creek whioh had been abandoned by Europeans, and were apparently satisfied with their prospects. On Friday night some malicious Europeans' rolled some large stones down upon the Chinamen's tents, injuring one man seriously and others more or less so. Not satisfied with this they set fire to the helpless and inoffensive men's huts, one of which was burnt to the ground. Sergeant Fox and Constable M'Gann, on receiving information of this disgraceful affair, immediately started in search of the depredators, and we trust will succeed in discovering them and bringing them to justice.

Fkom the "Vagabond Papers," contributed to the "Cromwell Guardian" by a Dunedin Arab, we cull the following well-timed remarks : — There is a general opinion that our immigration is ill managed. If our rulers would only strive to keep the industrious miners as settlers something would be gained. There is no encouragement given either to the landless who are here, or those who arrive. The agricultural lease system is undoubtedly good, but the whole land office business is conducted as if the Government were actually afraid the land would be taken and occupied. There is so much red tape and so many preliminaries to be gone through that it is no wonder people are disgusted and cry off. The new Land Law in Victoria is attracting settlers from the neighbouring colonies, and I hear of one or two from the Tuapeka district promising to leave. " Two removes are as bad as one fire," says Poor Richard, and I do not believe in perpetual motion. So I intend to remain, but urge upon all to get our land absurdities broken up, and facilities afforded for bond fide settlers taking possession on five years credit, as is done under the Homestead Law of America.

The following are the results of the Dunedin races, which were run on the Silverstreain Course, on, Wednesday and Thursday, th« 23rd and 24th ultimo. We epitomise them from our Dunedin files :— First day.— Maiden Plate - Southern Chief, 1 ; Waterwitch, 2 ; Tomboy, 3. Handicap Trotting Race -Straggler, 1; Ranger, 2 ; Magic, 3. Matoh for £20, distance 2 miles— Little Tim, 1; Sir Hercules, 2. Dunedin Handicap -Southern Chief, 1 ; Lady Ellen, 2 ; Atalanta, 3. Taieri Stakes- Atlas, 1 ; Wild Boy, 2 ; Bobby Burns, 3. Ladies* Purse— Tantrum, 1 ; Musician, 2. Hack Race —Jenny, 1. Second Day.— Handicap Hurdle Race, mile heats —Musician, 4, 1, 1 ; Don Pedro, 1, 3, 2 ; Star of the South, 2, %, 0 ; Banjo, 3, 0, 0. Town Plate -Atalanta, 1 ; Tantrum, 2; Southern Chief, 3; District Handicap— Atlas, 1 ; Wild Boy, 2 ; Novice, 3. Selling Race— Atalanta, 1 ; Bobby Burns, 2 ; Beeswing, 3. Consolation Handicap— Wild Boy, 1 ; Lady Ellen, 2. Hack Race— Dick, 1. That Tuapeka is not behind any part r>[ Otago for the production of vegetables and fruits, we have had many convincing proofs. The other day we were shown some apples grown by Mr. Hopkins, of Evans Flat, and Mr. Tioloar. of Tuapeka Flat, which, for size together with beauty of form and colour, we have rarely seen excelled. We may state that these ?ir> from trees grown in gardens naturally welt sheltered or protected by high hedges. In ca -cs where fruit trees in this district are unshelttieil they generally get stripped entirely of theiiblossom by the prevailing high winds. We have known of several cases this last season where the most promising trees did not produce any fruit, owing to no other reason than tha< given. We have also seen some splendid specimens of kidney potatoes grown by Mr. Donovan, in the garden behind his house, and vegetabl ■■ marrows grown by Mr. Hart, of TPetherstotu ■* — the latter averaging 171bs. weight. Froi.i the large number of gardens in the Tuapek * district, and the great interest evinced by man" of the residents in their attention to them, we believe a yearly horticultural exhibition won! 1 prove a great success, and be the means ci creating a healthy rivalry in the art of gardening.

The Wellington correspondent of the " Oamaru Times," writing with reference to the gazello which lately rushed Mr. Justice Johnson, says - — A piece of atrocious vandalism Las just bcei: perpetrated here. About two years ago a beautiful gazelle was brought over from Panama bone of the gentlemen then acting as mail agent., and presented to Dr. Featherson. Since the doctor's departure for England, no care has been taken of the pretty creature, but it has been allowed to roam at will about the hills overlooking the town. After having been driven wild by being hunted and pelted with stones by the boys of the place, it has latterly rushed at people whenever they came across its path. Among others it charged his Honour Mr. Justice Johnston, and threw him down and tore his clothes, as well as slightly injuring his arm. The majesty of the law having been insulted, no slighter punishment than death it was thought the culprit deserved, and accordingly it was shot by a " bobby " two days ago. Several people, thinking it a pity to kill tiic only animal of the kind in the colony, asked permission to take charge of it, promising to keep it enclosed in their grounds. Others suggested that the Acclimitisation Societies in other provinces would gladly accept .such a pretty ornament to their grounds. But to no purpose. Our pompous judge had been insulted, and so the gazelle had to be slain.

A "Poor Famished Cow" writes to fjfc'ic " Wakatip Mail " in the followiug pathetic strain — " The ruling powers are, I see, nob convinced about our hard lot or the scanty herbage we subsist upon ; or the driving up hill and down hill we have to endure because we have been happy mothers. Inexorable tyrants ! they will, further, introduce into our circles fresh friends, and as they call it, ncv blood. We dont want it —we have quite a large fa'nily circle enough. Immigration schemes aie popular, and so I suppose the Board has become infatuated with the prevailing epidemic, which in this case cannot be called pleuro. No, it i<; money ; for our new strangers have to pay 3*. 6d. per head for the luxury of being starved Seriously speaking, Sir, cannot the Board of Wardens, or whatever that body may be rolled, exercise some reasoning functions ? Consider, for instance, that the Wakatip has acoiumonago intended for the benefit of its residents, but that holders of miner's rights in Christchiircli, Dunedin, or Wellington are encouraged to send cattle here — according to their view — to e<it up our sustenance. Sir, I appeal to you whether charity should not commence at home, and having so little to spare is not the Board of Wardens acting cruelly and harshly by allowing so freely the introduction of foreign aliens ? The Tuapeka Board reject ALL claims except those of residents in their own district. — Alas J I an: but a 'Poor Famished Cow.' "