LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 4 August 1870, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. and ilirs. Darrel (Heir) Lave taken the Dunedin Theatre for a week, commencing from to-morrow evening. Tflo hotly contested election of Councillors for Duncilia resulted in the return of ilfercer,, Bagloy, and Barnes. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland we observe that the proposal to inciease the capital of the Bank is likely to be carried out. To-mokrow evening the first soiree in connection with the Congregational Church will be held in the Schoolroom, "Wethorstones. We expect to witness a large gathering. The following Councillors were elected for j the Municipality of Jfilton : —West Ward, Mr. Thomas Bradley ; East TTard, Mr. W. Houston ; South Ward, Mr. W. Marshall. A UNIFORM rate of postage for letters has been adopted all over the colony. From the present date 2d will carry a letter not exceeding half-an-ounce to any post office in New Zealand, and newspapers and magazines for Athemeums and Mechanics Institutes go free. From Melbourne telegrams we learn that a verdict of wilful murder has been returned against Supple for the murder of Walsh. The jury added to their verdict that it was their opinion the pistol went off accidentally. The prisoner was remanded for sentence. The election of a Councillor to represent West Ward took place at Mr. Williams 1 store, Tuapeka Flat, on Monday last. It was the dullest and most miserable election we ever witnessed, and points to the immediate neces- | sity for a redivision ot the Waids. There wero four candidates nominated, and at four o'clock the polling stood thus - Uren, 4 ; Halley, 3 ; j Bryant, 1 ; Morrison, 0, From the following telegram it would appear that the embers of the native war are still smouldering, and may break out into a flame at any moment : — The Government have received intelligence of an attack having been made by a party of Hauhaus upon the friendly natives at Tologa Bay, when two of the friendlies were wounded. Eeinforceinents were immediately sent from Poverty Bay to their support. Feom the icport of the Government t Annuities Commissioners we observe that from Ist of March to 30th June the Life Assurance granted amount to the large sum of £27,800. Dunedin stands first, at £6,600 ; Chiistchurch at £5,800; Blenheim at £2,700; Auckland at £2,500; Greymouth at £2,300. Considering the very short time the Government system of Life Assurance has been initiated, we look upon these figures as highly satisfactory. FROM " Daily Times " telegrams we learn that an accident occurred to the mail coach near Timaru. As the coach was crossing the Waiho river, on it 3 way north, it was capsized and washed down the stream, and the three hoises drawing it were drowned. Knight, the driver, stuck to the coach as long aa he could, and was washed against a steep shingle biink, where he was rescued by the only passenger, who happened to be on the box at the time of the accident. The coach was washed nearly a mile dovm the stream, and is much damaged. All the mails were recovered, except two private bags. It appears the accident happened ■through the ford having shifted. Tun proprietor of the " Hawke's Bay Times, 1 ' in a speech at a puhlic meeting held in Napier to consider the financial scheme, characterised the scheme as another South Sea Bubble, and said :—": — " I now entreat this Assembly to pause^ and to prevent the historian of New Zealand writing, some fifty years hence, in reference to the scheme which is now before us, something of this sort— 'The Yogel Bubble— the most ruinous speculation of modern times. It was projected by Julius Yogel, who had raised himself to the dignity of Finance Minister ; it was miserably conceived, and afterwards, dishonestly managed. It commenced in 1870, and exploded in 1880, ruining thousands of families, and Mr. Smith, the cashier, absconded with £100,000. " [Overwhelming applause.]

The Athenaeum Readings takes place this evening. The price of admission will be Cd. as^^ usual.

A Bloff telegram of yesterday's date in the " Daily Times," says : — The schooner Daphne arrived here from the Auckland Islands at 12.30 p.m. to-day. She met the Blanche at Port Ross, and thoroughly examined the const, but found no traces of missing men.

Mr. Hunter, of the Crookston Hotel, Beaumont Ferry, has sold his right, title, and interest in the hotel and store to Mr. Duncan Beaton, late of the Roxburgh Hotel, Teviot* From the excellent manner in which Mr. Beaton conducted the Roxburgh Hotel, we feel confident he will receive a large share of public patronage. We understand Mr. Hunter intends devoting his attention to his farm, which, for situation and soil, cannot be surpassed at the Beaumont.

We note, as a hopeful sign of the times, that a Total Abstinence Society has been formed in Tokomairiro. The rules they have adopted are similar to the West Taieri Society's, which are as follows : —Ist, The society to consist of all parsons conforming to its rules ; only those above 16 years of age to be entitled to vote. 2nd. The members of the society agree to abstain from the ordinary and luxurious use of all intoxicating drinks, and shall by all lawful and prudent means discourage drinking usages. 3. They shall endeavour to lessen and remove the temptation to drinking by such means as may from time to time be found suitable. 4. The society shall endeavour to promote these ends, by inviting the co-operation of other districts, in the formation of similar societies, by circulating temperance literature, by meetings, addresses, &c, so as to diffuse information and influence the public mind, kc. The abova rules remind us forcibly of a society in Scotland which "abstained from, the ordinary and luxurious use of all intoxicating drinks," but gained for itself the unenviable name of the "Sair Waimo Society." In ether words, the members of that society, while abstaining from the inordinate use of intoxicating drinks, were allowed to carry out St. Paul's precept to Timothy, and "use a little wine for the stomachs sake."

The following paragraph, quoted from the Wellington " Advertiser " of July 23, has been freely circulated by the " Daily Times," "Brucet. Standard," and "Evening Star": — "Dreariness vast and oppressive often characterises the oratory of some honourable members. The efforts of the member for Bruce last night in this particular direction were more than dreary — they were simply ridiculous. He is a master in tautology, and an adept in murdering the Queen's English. His mistakes in granunair^ll elicited the mirth of the House, yet he pursued the rugged tenor of his way out to the end or the bridge of Parliamentary decorum, within whose cloud-hung extremity he found a home at last." The Wellington " Advertiser," referring to the same paragraph, writes on Tuesday, the 28th a\t, as follows : — "The remarks which appeared in our issue of Saturday were not intended for the member for Bruce, but for another voluable gentleman who spoke the same evening. We regret this mistake, which was. purely accidental." Let us hope that those of our contemporaries who have given circulation to the remarks referred to will have the honesty to correct the error.

In compliance with the fellowing requisition numerously signed by the inhabitants of the Tuapeka district, the i Mayor has convened a public meeting to be held in the Assembly Room on Monday evening, at eight o'clock. We trust the inhabitants will turn out en masse and give a distinct expression of opinion on the Financial Statement. It is only by such demonstrations.' of public opinion we need expect to get any part of the proposed loan spent in our district, far less our legitimate share. There is no district in Otago more de serving of consideration in the allocation of a loan for reproductive works than is the district of Tuapeka, which has in the past contributed more to the revenue than any other district, and received less in exchange for that revenue :— To Horace Bastings, Esq., Afayor of Lawrence. — Sir, — We, the undei--signed residents of the Tuapeka district, respectfully request you to call a public meeting for the purpose of considering the proposals of the Government with regard to public works, especially water supply and the proposed railway to the goldfields, and to detei* mine what steps should be taken to secure to . the district and the goldfields generally, the expenditure of a fair proportion of the proposed loan for public works. — We are, &c. (Reply) Gentlemen, — In accordance with your request, I hereby convene a public meeting of the residents of the district for Monday evening at 8 p.m. at the Council Chambers, Lawrence.—Signed Horace Bastings, Mayor, Council Chambers, Lawrence, August 3, 1870.

The Collins Variety Troupe made their third appearance at Bastiifgs Assembly Rooms on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and fully sustained their reputation. At half-past seven o'clock Young American took his promenade i across Peel-street, from Pott's Hotel to the Assembly Eooms, on a fine wire rope, and performed sevcraj feats on it, amidst the plaudits of a large assemblage. Hb, other performances of juggling and tumbling are exceedingly good, and there can be no doubt that in time he will be a second Blon&in. The singing of Miss Rowjand, and the dancing of Mr. Coli ' lins, were extremely good, so much so that nearly every_ song and dance were encored. Miss Rowland sang " Johnny, I hardly knew you," which fairly brought, down the house, and her "Girl from Tipperary" proved beyond doubt that if she was not a native of that county she is certainly one of the fair daughters of Erin. We can only say in conclusion that all those who have not seen this, talented troupe should certainly do so, as they will receive full value for their money. The. troupe perform at Waipor^ to-night.

We heg to draw attention to a comtmmicafcion. in another column on the very important subject of Blue Spur Tailings. Mb. Thomas Gkundt has been appointed District Colleotor for the Otago Acclimatisation Society, and will be glad to receive any subscriptions or donations for that valuable institution. Feom a private letter we learn that there is every likelihood of the present session of the General Assembly being a long one, and we do not doubt it if the Government purpose, as they seem attempting to carry through -the House the numerous Bills necessary to carry out the financial scheme they have voluntarily brought forward. Tub Headings at Wetherstones came off last Thursday, and although the weather was very bad, the Schoolroom was well filled. Mr. \Y. Cox occupied the chair. The programme was unusually good, and was carried through with great spirit. There was a good dance afterwards, when upwards of sixteen couples tripped it right merrily till twelve o'clock. It wil be observed by the telegrams from our Wellington Correspondent that the two peti" tions^rom the agricultural leaseholders and residents of Waitahuna and Tuapeka have been presented, and that the prayer of the former has been refused. The Tuapeka petition having been referred to the Goldfields Committee will, our correspondent remarks, receive a better consideration than the one referred to the Waste Lands Committee, and his reason for thinking so is very plausible. The Waste Lands Committee is almost wholly composed of squatters. We cannot help thinking that Sir. Macandrew must have used his best influence to get the petition which had been forwarded to Mm by the Waitahuna residents referred to that committee, well knowing what the result would be. We sincerely trust that the petition which is being got up at the Teviot will not be forwarded to Mr, Macandrew to meet with the same fate, but to Mr. Mervyn, Mr. Brown, or Mr. Bradshaw, in whose hands the interests of the goldfielda will be more forwarded than in tho hands of j Mr. Macandrew. | We feel almost inclined to withdraw our remarks made in in a leading article this week when we say that public spirit is not to be found in Tuapeka. There is some left yet, and the immense success which has attended the efforts to get up a ploughing match is a proof of it. That success ha,s not only far exceeded our expectations, but the expectations of the committee who took the matter in hand. From our advertising columns it will be seen that a ploughing match, where prizes are offered unsurpassed by any district of Otago will be held on Friday, the 19th inst. Out of four patches of ground visited by a sub-commifctee, consisting of Mr. Drysdale and Mr. Brown, both experienced ploughmen, a ten-acre paddock of Mr. Clark's, Waitahuna Road, has been selected. A better situated and more iK^ntral place for Tuapeka and Waitahuna could not have been fixed upon,* and from the large and numerous prizes offered, we anticipate a splendid turn out. The " Dunstan Times " while refering to the general stagnation in the district, caused by the openers of the winter, writes in a rather hopeful strain :— The present winter is. the dullest we have ever experienced, but this seems proverbial everywhere. From floods and bad roads trade is almost universally prostrate. Instead of the Molyneux being low and the dredging machines and beach claims yielding up a rich harvest of gold, they are all in a state of idleness, and scores of men who might have been earning good wages had the season been favourable, have been compelled to leave tho district and a eek work elsewhere. The causes, both local and otherwise, from wliich the present depression results are happily of a temporary character and are rapidly being removed. The fine frosty weather is causing the river to fall rapidly. The supplies of water running into Lakes Wakitip and Wanaka are now so ice bound that they scarcely run at all, and both lakes are gradually becoming lower, and with such favourable news from the chief sources of supply there is every probability that the Molyneux will go down low enough yet. The roads are improving fast, and locomotion is by no means so difficult as was the case a week since. It is certainly better to be late than never, and instead- of giving way to despondency we should find consolation in the fact that there is plenty of time for a prosperous season ere the summer is upon us. We have received a copy of the " Day Star," a new Dunedin weekly journal of politics, religion, and science, but chiefly devoted to the advancement of spiritualism. The following extract will give our readers some idea of its religious tone, which we doubt not will be regarded somewhat heretical : — The " Evangelist" of July current opens with an article entitled " The great want of the Ohurch." According *d the writer, that want is " Faith/ No argument is required to establish this fact. Moreover, the little faith left in the Church is duninishing daily, which says something for the intelligence of the people. Far-seeing men have long since predicted that talent would not long flow in the direction of the pulpit. And no prophecy has ever been more fully fulfilled. The blacks have been freed— let the clergy also be emancipated. The former felt keenly their bonds, the latter glory in them, albeit a few in their better moments feel them to be an encumbrance, and groan, being burdened. While from the Throne of the Highest to the depths of Hell everything is progressing, in the pulpit the same monotonous treadmill round of formality is going on. One cannot see a clergyman ascend to the pulpit without beholding a Spiritual slave, manacled and encumbered like the great Apostle, with a body of death in the shape of an infallible Book and an effete Confession and Creed. No wonder Rev Mr. Stobo laments over portions of bis flock, " Who are rarely to be seen in their pews but a time or fU?') on particular occasions, when the Sacrament nfcapproaching, or when they are likely to require baptism." What good is got from attending? No new idea can be enunciated^ from the pulpit. No doubt the creed-bound- teachings pf the Church did some good in past times when the people had no other means of receiving instruction, but now the Press is mightier than the pulpit, and will continue to do greater work, having a much broader platform. Let ' the Church therefore arise and shake herself from traditions and fables, of the past before she is entirely forsaken by God and man, and a great work may yet be done by her. When will she be wearied " thrashing rotten straw " and adapt herself to the age. One thing it> as certain as the eteroal law of progression, the faith of the people in a moribund Church will #yer be Increased.

A meeting of the Lawrence Cemetery Committee was held in the Secretary's office last evening. Present— Messrs. Bastings, Herbert, Donovan, Robertson, Walsh, aud Secretary. The minutes of previous meeting were confirmed after which two small accounts were passed for payment: It was decided that future meetings of committee be held on the first Thursdayof each month. Messrs. Donovan, TFalsh, and Robertson, were authorised to expend the sum of £10 in the planting of trees and quicks in the Cemetery ground. The Secretary was instructed to write to the various denominations, stating the particular blocks set apart in the cemetery for each.