LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 149, 15 December 1870, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We beg to draw attention to the programme of the Tuapeka Jockey Club Races as it appeais in this day's issue, as some alterations have been made in its details.

On the Tapanui side of the Blue Mountains the weather these few days back has been very boisterous, some severe showers of hail and snow having fallen.

Persons feeling inclined to contribute special prizes in the shape of books, or otherwise, for presentation at the next annual examination of the Lawrence Grammar School, are invited to do so not later than this evening.

Mr. Yogel, at the invitation of upwards of 800 requisitionists, addressed a large open air assembly of 1500 or 2000 people in front of the Provincial Buildings, Dunedin, on Tuesday evening. The complete report of the meeting has not yet reached our hands. We shall give an epitome of it in our next issue.

We have received a copy of a Provincial Almanac and Directory for 1871, published by Messrs. Reith and Wilkie, of Dunedin. It is well printed, contains an excellent lithograph map of the united provinces of Otago and Southland, by Mills, Dick, Lister and Co., and contains a fund of valuable information.

At tho Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court held on Saturday, Thomas Hewson was indicted for having, ou the 14th of August last, stolen a coat, a waistcoat, and a red sash, the pi'opeity of Michael Downes. Prisoner was defended by Mr Barton, and pleaded Not Guilty. The jury, after nearly three hours consultation, found a verdict of Not Guilty.

Mr. Colin Allan, of the Dunedin Labour Mart., forwards the following niemoiandum : — Dunedin. -Wednesday, Dec. 14, 4,25 p.m. — Available for hire— one blacksmith, ten carpenters, one dairymaid, six farm servants, two female servants, one labourer, one ploughman, one shepherd, one boilermaker, two coppersmiths, one fellmonger, two painters, three turners, and one warehouseman.

On Monday evening, the Lawrence Quadrille Assembly brought to a close their weekly gatherings for the summer months. This has been one of the most successful parties which has ever been held in Tuapeka, nothing having occurred to mar the harmony of the gatherings which have assembled weekly for two or three months in the Athenaeum Hall. Mr Clark, of the Masonic Hotel, was engaged to supply the members during this extended and closing night of this party, with refreshments, and his supplies and attention gave marked satisfaction. At a general meeting of the members a hearty vote of thanks was recorded to the committee, Mr. Twigge, secretary ; and to Mr. John Grant, M.C. ; for the able manner in which they had conducted the business of the Club.

As the general elections approach, it will be found there will be no scarcity of candidates for political honours. For the Waikaia electoral district two candidates are now in the field. Mr. Frederick Deau has in timated bis intention of coming forward, and a large requisition has been presented to Mr. Bradshaw, inviting him to contest the election for that district. The requisition to that gentleman and his reply will be found elsewhere, Mr. George Bailey and Captain Baldwin have also been spoken of as likely candidates for that district. If all the other constituencies have a similar choice of representatives, we may expect a keen election time of it, and it will be the_electo.rs own fault if, from the crowd, they do not select one good man,

Croydon won the Ballarat Cup and Handicap, and Monk the Steeplechase.

We would again remind our readers that Wednesday next, the 27th inst., is the last day of Mr. Burton's stay in Lawrence.

We understand that a requisition is in course of signature, inviting Mr Donald Reid to stand for the Superinteniency, The Liberal members of the Council intend giving him every support.

We learn that the district medical officer has obtained a good supply of vaccine matter, and is, therefore, prepared to vaccinate all those c hildren who have not yet undergone the operation.

A newspaper is now published at Rorotonga once a month. The v plant " cannot be a very extensive one, and the " staff" will not require to be very numerous, as the proprietor has to print one page at a time, not having sufficient material for doing more.

The Court Star of Tuapeka A.O.F. celebrate their second anniversary this evening in the Athenaeum Hall by a soiree, concert, and ball. From the great preparations which have been made, and the large number of tickets disposed of, a most successful celebration is fully expected.

The Rev. J. Menzies will deliver a lecture in the schoolroom, Blue Spur, on the evening of Monday next, the 19th inst., at 8 o'clock, for the benefit of the Lawrence Congregational Church. The lecture will be illustrated by magic lantern representations.

The new paddle steamer, built for river traffic on the banks of the Molyneux near Douglas and Alderson's station, Tuapeka Mouth, has been successfully launched. We hope in a future issue to give a detailed description of this nymph of the wave.

The Lawrence Dramatic Club gave a performance' in the Oddfellows' Hall, Waipori, on Thursday last, for the benefit of the Tuapeka Hospital The hall was well filled, and the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the entertainment performed their parts to the complete satisfaction of the audience.

At the Wesleyan District Sessions held at Christchurch, it was determined to separate the Teviot District from Lawrence, making it a new station. Manuscript sermons by Mr. W. B, Mai ten, Teviot Home iW issionary. was read to the meeting ; also a sermon by Mr. Gilbert, of Balclutha, and both gentleman were recomended to the Conference to be received on probation for the Wesleyan Ministry.

The Retrenchment Commission, whose report has given such general dissatisfaction, consisted of Messrs W. Carr Young, Reynolds and Webb. The first mentioned gentleman must be a person of vast experience as he is selected to report upon a great variety of subjects.

We notice in the Provincial Government Gazette, which very few people have the opportunity of reading, that a bay mare, branded W C near shoulder and figure 3 on near hip, impounded by Mr. John M'Kay, Waitahuna, will be sold at the public pound, Lawrence, on Friday the 16th inst., at 12 o'clock noon. Expenses on said mare are set down at the trifling urn of L 2 7s 6d.

It is stated that Mr. Yogel, before holding his meeting in the Princess Theatre, made en" quiry of one of the directors of the "Daily Times" and "Witness" Company, if they would accept his secretary's report of the meeting. Mr Barton, the editor, was then asked, and in reply, thanked him for his kindness, and informed him that the staff of the " Times " was equal to any emergency. The excellent report of Mr. Vogel's meeting proves the truth of Mr. Barton's statement. Mr. Vogel's itinerant secretary's report found its way into the "Evening Star."

Since our last intimation of the bazaar, to be held in aid of the funds of the Church of England, Lawrence, considerable preparations have been made by the committee. The ladies are also working with a will to make it a great success. From advertisement it will be observed that it is intended to hold the bazaar about the latter end of January— probably in the race week ; and the committee earnestly request all those who feel inclined to contribute their mite towards its success in the form of clothing, fancy goods, &c, to forward their respective donations to the pai-sonage, where they will be thankfully received.

A Palmerston Correspondent forwai-ds us the following : — The two proverbs, ' ' Troubles never come singly " and " Nothing so bad but might be woise," have lately been verified in the Shag Valley, to the farmers sorrow and cost. The long continuance of dry weather has considerably retarded the growth of the crops, and no sooner does the welcome rain come to gladden the grain growers hearts than the much-dreaded blight is seen thickly scatterred among the crops. The weather has been most favourable, however, for sheep shearing, which is now almost finished ; but further up-country, where the snow has fallen heavily, a great number of newly-shorn sheep have died.

THE first annual examination of the Lawrence Grammar School will take place next week. A series of questions has been prepared by the committee, selected from the subjects studied throughout the year. The examination is expected to be of a thorough and efficient character. As many of the parents of the scholars as can make it convenient should be present on Friday, the 23rd inst., when the final examination and distribution of prizes will take place. We are glad to learn that the Town Council, at the suggestion of the Mayor, have allocated the sum of £5 for the purchase of a medal, to be presented' to the best male, scholar in the school. On the motion of Cr. Mears, a prize of £3 for the best female scholar, has also been set apart for the same examination. We are very pleased to think the council have recognised the s^eat benefit of competitive examinations in the grammar school, and understand that similar prizes will be offered each year.

We would draw attention to the advertisement of races and sports to be held at Moa Flat on Boxing-day.

We havp received a report of a school meeting held at Moa Flat on Tuesday evening last, but must hold it over till next week.

The case of libel, J. M'Kellar v. J. C. Brown, was heard before his Honour Mr. Justice Chapman, in Dunedin, on Tuesday last, and a verdict given in favour of Mr. Brown.

It is reported upon very good authority, that there is every probability of a split in the Colonial Ministry. Mr. Dillon Bell and Dr, Featherston, it is said, will not endorse the policy of the Colonial Treasurer.

Mr. J. F. Kitching, of Moa Flat Station, requests us to apologise for him for the delay which has occurred, owing to stoppage in transit of his advertisement notice of application for 640 acres, under the Otago Hundreds Regulation Act, 1869, Amendment Act, 1870. /It is surprising to find our Colonial Government, which has given in its adherence to protective principles, sending to England for all the furniture and furnishings required for the new Government House, instead of encouraging the many cabinet makers and upholsterers in the colony.

We notice by the Auckland press that Mr. Yogel is taking every opportunity of stumping at political meetings held outside his district, and beseeching the various constituencies only to return men who will pledge themselves to support his schemes.

It may not be generally known that the large number of 4000 adult official servants are in the employ of the Government of New Zealand, many of whom are fattening on the revenues of the country and adding to the taxation, which has now reached the awful burden of upwards of L 6 a -head for every man, woman and child, (native population excepted) in the colony.

A presentation, consisting of a beautiful gold seal, was recently made to Mr. Batemam compositor, by the " Bruce Herald " staff, on his leaving to join the companionship of the Tuapeka Timfs. The office mustered in full force to witness the mark of respect to be paid to Mr. Bateman. Mr. Gregory made a short speech, after which Mr. G. Dickson, in a few suitable remarks, presented the seal. Mr. Bateman, who was almost moved to tears by his fellow workers, replied in a most appropriate speech, in which lie expressed a hope that the gift then presented to him would be the means of sealing the ties of friendship between them.

The committee of the Church of England, Lawrence, have purchased two sections in TVhitehaven-street, and fixed upon them as a site for the new church about to be built. We think the committee have acted wisely in selecting such a pleasant spot for the building. It will Jbe less exposed to the severe weather, and in every way more convenient than placed on the hill side.

His Royal Highness will arrive at Auckland next week. In January he sails for England via the Falkland Islands. It is not out of place to state th.it he no longer commands the Galatea. That ship is now flying the flag of Commodore Stirling, the Duko being condemned (for after the Guktea any change is for the worse) to the Clio.— " Evening Star."

The "Southern League" is the name of a body formed in Dunedin under the auspices of the Liberal party— the object in view being to secure united action at the ensuing eection. We wish it every success. Some united action is becoming daily more and moie necessary in the up-country districts to counteract the undue influence a few Dunedin merchants are exercising over the destiny of the province.

The Tapanui inhabitants are petitioning the Chief Postmaster to have the mail day from Tuapeka altered to Thursday morning, the same as the Teviot and Dunstan mails. "We trust the Postmaster will see the reasonableness of their request. At piesent letters from Dunedin lie in the Lawrence Post Office from Wednesday to Saturday morning. By the present awkward arrangement a letter sent from Tapanui to Dunedin cannot be answered by the return mail.

Br permission of his Honour the Superintendent, we are enabled to state that after the departure of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who is expected to leave Auckland probably in January next, it is the intention of his Excellency Sir George Bo wen to visit Otago. He hopes to reach Dunedin about the end of January or the beginning of February. Lady Bowen had intended to accompany his Excellency ; but owing to circumstances she cannot control, her visit is unavoidably deferred to the succeeding summer, 1871-2, when she purposes spending some time in Dunedin accompanied by some of her children. Sir George Bowen intends visiting the goldfields and making himself acquainted with the agricultural and pastoral settlements in the interior. He also anticipates great enjoyment in viewing the beautiful scenery of Lake "Wakatipu and other lake and mountain districts. In all probability his Excellency will be accompanied by Commodore Stirling, K..N. — " Evening Star."

By the explanation Mr Yogel gave with regard to the telegram question, he hns fully criminated himself. Far better had he said nothing about it. Th'j following comments on Mr Vogel's explanation are made by the " Daily Times":— "On another matter dealt with by Mr Yogel, the proffered explanation is conclusive enough, in one way. We allude to the telegram question. We have no hesitation in saying that the statement made by Mr Yogel, in reply to the charge we have brought against him as the political head of the Telegraph Department, carries on the face of it absolute proof of that charge. In the first place, it is simply impossible that the telegrams could have been supplied to the " Independent " in the manner described by Mr Yogel. All that the purser received from the " Argus " office was the first portion of the news, which appeared in the second editio.n of that paper. The second portion —which forms the subject of the charge -could not have been put on board the Gothenburg at all uuless it had been telegraphed to Queenscliff, as the steamer had left Hobson's Bay before the telegrams were received in Melbourne. In the second place, the statements of the manager of the " Argus," of the agent at Qupenscliff, ot the captain and purser of tho Gothenburg, are sufgeient to prove the untruthfulness of the Ministerial explanation. To remove any doubt on this point, we publish in another column two letters written in reply to our enquiries. Mr Yogel may consider the charge ' preposterous,' hut if he has no better defence to offer, it will piobably cost him his i office as well as hia putlje reputation.