LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 125, 30 June 1870, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dr. Cabr, the celebrated Phrenologist and Mesmerist, will deliver one of his astonishing lectures on Monday evening next in the Commerciul Assembly Rooms. We are compelled to hold over our Tuapeka Mouth correspondent's letter, and other matter of local interest, giving preference, on this occasion to the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement. The Atbensßittn Readings were a complete success last Thursday evening, there being 170 sixpences taken at the door. The Readings at Wetherstones take place this evening, and we are informed the programme is a good one. O.N Monday, +he 20fch inst., the installation of officers of the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, M.U.I 0.0.1\, took place. The following brothers were duly elected office-bearers for tbp current, six months :--N.G\, Bio. A Burns; V.G., Bro. J. Donovan : E.S., Bro. J. Russell. On Sunday last the Malyneux was at a higher level than it has been for the last five years. The water was actually touching the punt wire at the Beaumont Ferry. Reports from the Lake district induced us to believe that the river would rise considerably, but we never anticipated such a great flood. The only business brought before the R. M.'s Court during the past week was the case of iWiller v. Ross, on Thursday last. Ross was charged with using violent and threatening language to plaintiff at Waitahuna. After evinence was led, it appeared that both- parties were excited at the time. Case dismissed. The resolutions adopted at the last meeting of the Wiiste Land Board, to have the unsurveyed portions of the township of Lawrence surveyed forthwith into suburban allotments according to the nature of the giourd, shows more wisdom than we gave the Board ciedit for. The inhabitants are now in possession of nearly all the available building sites, and this decision of the Board will enable those who are desirous of having a-garden or paddock to obtain either near their business sites. This evening a public meeting of settlers and other interested gentlemen will be held in the Assembly Room The subject to be brought under consideration is one of vital interest to all the agricultural leaseholders on the goldfields, viz, , the remodelling of the leasing regulations, and the desirability of the law being so altered that the rent will constitute part of the purohase money of the land. We trust every settler in the neighbourhood will make an effort, to be present at the meeting, as such a change in the regulations, cannot be effected without considerable agitation. That it can be effected there is little doubt, if those who- are more immediately interested will bestir themselves and unite in their efforts towards its accomplishment. It is high time the culvert which crosses the footpath near Mr. Wootton's house was repaired. In these dark nights it, is absolutely dangerous to walk on that side of the footpath. Last week one of our townsmen fell aver the embankment. As the Council are so tardy in this urgent matter, we think the police have sufficient cause for compelling the Council, to fence that part of the footpath which is at present bo dangerous to human life. How is it that our Nuisance Inspector allows timber and other materials to block up the footpath ? We have heard of a lady and gentleman who fell over come of these obstructions the other night. These things should not be tolerated a single

We have to acknowledge the receipt of Parliamentary Papers, and Hansard No. 1, Fifth Session of the Fourth Parliament of Legislative Council and House of Representatives. The case of Harrop v. Croker and another was again brought before the Supreme Court. Mr. Macassey appeared for the plaintiff in support of the motion, and Mr. Harris appeared for J. L, Croker. Mr. Macassey stated the case. The suit had been brought by the plaintiff on behalf of himself and others, to set aside certain transfers of land obtained by Edward Croker, in the name of his son John Louis Croker, the land referred to being sections 32 and 33, block 1., Tuapeka district. The plaintiff now asked that those sections should be sold for the benefit of the creditors of IJdward Croker, and that the defendants might be ordered to pay the costs of the suit. After some discussion, His Honour granted the plaintiff a decree as prayed for, but reserved the point as to the infant's costs. On the 3rd instant the officers and brothers of the Loyal Waipori Oddfellows Lodge presented P.G. W. H. Cox with a beautiful gold medal I for the valuable services he had rendered to the ! Lodge. The medal, which was designed by P.E.S. W. Farrant, hove the following inscription on the one side :— "M.U.1.0.0.F., presented to P.G. W. H. Cox by the Officers and Bi others of the Loyal Waipori Lodge, No. 5538, A.D. 1870," with the motto, "Faith, Hope, and Charity ;" and on the other side, the heart and hand surrounded by the motto, "Friendship, Love, and Tiuth." The presentation was made by N.G. J. Cox, after which, Brother W. H. Cox acknowledged, in a very feeling manner, the handsome, gift. JFe believe the medal is very similar to tlie one the Lodge lately presented to Bro, Dunne. A flour mill in the Tuapeka District is all but an accomplished fact. In the course of three weeks the mill will be in full operation. Mr. Lawson is pushing forward the work with all speed. The turbine wheel is one of tho most recent achievements of science. It is a small solid brass, wheel of some 27 inches diameter, and works in water in a ponderous iron casing. This -wheel, when in full swing, will perform 180 revolutions eveiy minute, and have the pow^r of 20 horses, so that its c.ipabilitita of supplying the necessities of the district cannot be disputed. The cost of this machine has far exceeded Mr Lawson's expectations. Landed at Dunedin it cost £284, and the carriage was something enormous. We hope a similar spirit of enterprise will now take possession of the farmers, so that they will sow the necessary wheat to keep the mill going, and make it profitable for the mill as well as for themselves. Both of our Dunedin contemporaries are of opinion that Mr. Reynolds' resolutions are by far too comprehensive to receive tho support of the two very important classes in the Legislature, namely, tlie Separationist and the Centrist. The "Daily Times. " says :—" These resolutions go too far to be taken as a compromise between the Separationists and that con siderable party which looks upon the unity of the colony with something like superstitious reverence. They do not go far enough to satisfy the people of this island. To the ultra-provin-calist they will look like Centralisation under the guise of Separation. To the honest centralist they will be equally unsatisfactory, as perpetuating that system of double government under which the colony is now groaning." The "Evening Star," in the same strain, although four days before the " Times " gave expression to it, says it is a pity Mr. Reynold's "should have involved two questions which bave no necessary connection the separation of the two islands and the abolition of Provincial Governments. The evil of connecting two such questions together is, that the supporters of one proposition might prove opponents to the other. Experience has shown that wherever reforms are required, they are the more readily achieved by narrowing the ground to one single issue." The following is from the "Wanganui Chronicle " of a recent date : — There must be somethiug in the atmosphere of Wanganui which quickens people's blood and stiis their hearts to enthusiasm. At all events, whether this be the ense or not, an illustration of en1 thusiasm, quite refreshing in its way, was evinced on the occasion of the departure of Madame Carandini and her two charming daughters. In truth the Carandini family have experienced quite a triumph in Wanganui. Not only have their performances been largely attended, but the attractions of the young ladies seem to have sjnitten a host of admirers, who, for the last week, have buzzel about the fair divinites like moths round a candle. "Time and tide," however, " wait for no man," and so the fatal hour came when the good steamship Wanganui was to bear off the syrens from the gaze of their admirers. As the steamer was about to leave, a considerable crowd had assembled on the wharf, amongst whom were of coiirse numbered the special devotees of the departing songstresses. By-and-by, the young ladies, accompanied by Madame Carandini, came on board, and preparations were made for the steamer to get off. Then indeed the scene became affecting to the last degree. The young ladies were besieged by their admirers, and submitted to a course of valedictory speeches and hand-shaking, which must ha\e been trying alike to their hearts and hands. One portly gentleman, who is a raging lion, in wig and gown, was affected almost to tenr.B ; another young scion of the bar, after bidding good-bye to Miss Fannie, buried his face in his handkerchief, "paddled his own canoe" ashore, and Sought consolation in a "big drink;" while a military swell of the "La-de-da" species gloomily expressed an intention of going out to catch Te Kooti forthwith single handed. There was a painful period of suspense before the steamer got fully into the stream, so some of the aforesaid " smitten swains " took boat boarded the steamer, and had another " last and fond farewell " with the objects of their adoration. As the Wunganui steamed away we saw those gentlemen land. They were lugubrious of countenance, and heaved up sighs like a furnace. We left them waving handkerchiefs, uttering mournful ejaculations, and, as we sped up on the quay, the refrain of a solemn chant, to the effect that " She is gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream," was wafted to our ears. Thb Chinamen at Waitahtina and Tuapeka seem determined to get their name up for robbing the sluice boxes of the Europeans. A case^ from Waitahuna, deserving of severe punishment, was lately brought before our Resident Magistrate, and we learn that a. similar case occurred last week on- the Tuapeka Flat. One of the miners there passing his claim at night with a light, was attracted by a tin dish and spoon lying beside the sluice box. Thinking it necessary to inform, his mates of this unusual circumstance, he went to let them know of it, and on returning found both dish and spoon gone. From the prospects which the claim gave, and the results of the washing from, time to time, he is now fully convinced that a system of robbery has been carried on in his claim for some considerable time, and he has grave suspicions that some Chinamen living near tho. claim are the guilty parties. We trust the police will be able to trace out the perpetrators of such dastardly conduct, and bring them to justice. At the usual meeting of the Waste Lands Board, held lasi week, the upset price of sections 13 to 22, block X., Tuapeka. East District, was fixed' at the rate of £5 per acre. A letter was read from Mr. John Irving, ranger, as to cattle depasturing on that part of Waitahuna Hundred within tho goldfieldg. It was resolved that the opinion of the Provincial Solicitor should be taken upon the letter. — A letter was read from Warden Simpson, suggesting the sale of the ground applied for by Mr. S. T. Bushell, and situated near Annan-street, Lawrence. Mr Bu shell's application was declined. - -It was resolved that the more valuable parts of the townships of Lawrence not yet surveyed be surveyed into J-acre sections, the less valuable parts to be surveyed into sections from one acre to three acres. — The sale of the municipal sections, Lawrence, was fixed to take place on Monday, 251h July, and the usual quarterly sale was postponed till the same date. — A letter from JFarden Simpson, recommending the opening up of temporarily reserved sections in Havelock, was approved of. It was resolved that these sections be sold on the 26th July, and that the sale of the spctions at present advertised be postponed to that date.

It is notified in tlie " New Zealand Government Gazette" "that sittings of the District' Court of the Otago .Goldfields, in addition to those already appointed, Avill be hold as follows : — At Lawrence, on August 9th ;at Naseby, on September 14th ; at Clyde, on September 19th ; and at Queenstown, qu September 26th. The psalmody class, in connection with the Presbyterian Church, is making rapid progress ill the tonic sol-fa system, under the leadership of Mr. Stenhouse, who is thoroughly acquainted with that excellent system of tuition. The class meets every Friday evening in the Session House, is well attended, and enters fully into the spirit of sacred song. Many of our readers will thoroughly enjoy the following story which appeared in Monday's "Daily Times." It evidently refers to our old friend Mr. Clark, who, it will be remembered, required to get his bunk in the cutter Lapwing lengthened by several inches to admit of his more thau onlinary height: — "A well-known gentleman, formerly of Tuapeka, but at present in Fiji, attracted the admiration of King Cako Bau by his great height and powerful proportions. This chief, seeing him in the public room of the hotel, fixed himself at his side to measure their respective heights, but found his own stately form overtopped by a couple of inches. He then commenced feeling the arms and muscles of our Tuapeka Heicules, and finally put his arm round bis waist in what appeared to shew a desire to te»t their respective strength. A least it was so understood by Mr. C , who responded to the challenge by lifting the old chief as easily and in the same way as a nurse would a child, and depositing him gently in a sitting posture on the floor. Oako Bau got up with a grunt and considerable signs of temper, but at last consented to take a glass of ale and make friends. Next day Heicules happened to go out yachting with a party of Indies. On their return they were landed in the ding 3"-, leaving our frieud and two other gentlemen to be sent for. It was flood tide and getting dark when Cako Bau, seeing his chance, ' tabued ' the boat. Of course, no native then dare to touch it. Mr. C and his friends, tired of waiting for the dingy's return, and unconscious of the cause of the delay, h.id no help for it, but were obliged to spoil new clothes and dare the slnuks by jumping overboard and swimming to the shore. The style of revenge showed humour, and as Fijhnen respect nothing so highly as physical torce, pluck, and good temper - qualities possessed by Mr. C in a high degree— we shall piobably he.ir that this little incident has led to a good understanding between them."