LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 153, 12 January 1871, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Blue Spur Public Library has had a considerable addition made to it of uew works by most of the best modern authors.

This evening Mr, Menzies delivers a lecture for the benefit of the Band of Hope, in the Tuapeka Athenseum. Subject, "Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress," with magic lantern illustrations.

"We beg to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of Mackay's Otago Goldfields Ahnanad, which continues to retain its deserved popularity as the best of the manyjalmanacs now published in Otago.

Wb understand that Mr. Haughton has been appointed by the Provincial Government to visit the principal goldfields in the province, and obtain information and report to the Government with regard to a comprehensive water supply and the construction of reservoirs.

If the editor of the " Evening Star" is in want of a few more "communicated" choice leaders on the up-country journals, and the Toapeka. TIME'S in particular, we are in a position to supply him gratis, from our waste-paper basket, with as many as will last him during the election season, from the same writer as the "communicated " model which appeared in his issue of the 3rd jpst,

The following communications are held over till our next issue : — Dunedin letter, Havelock letter, Report of meeting at Horse Shoe Bend, School meeting, Moa, Flat, and our repot t of the Lawrence Town Council meeting.

It will be observed from advertisement, that Mr. Hay, Bible agent, who has been in Lawrence during the last week, intends remaining to the end of this week. Mr. Hay has a beautiful assortment of Bibles in every variety of type and binding, and the prices are amazingly cheap.

We would remind our Lawrence readers of the sale of town sections, to be held at the survey office to-morrow, at noon. Sections in the township of Wetherstones will also he offered for sale at the same time. For sales in other townships in the Tuapeka district, we refer our readers to the advertisement.

A list of Mr. Donald Keid's meetings will be found in our advertising columns. From the numerous places to be visited, and the short time allowed him, it will be observed that he has been obliged to fix upon mid-day for addressing the electors in some districts. He will thus be enabled to address the electors at many places which it would otherwise have been impossible for him to have addressed.

A meeting for the nomination of two lay members to represent Tuapeka and Waitahuna districts at the Diocesan Synod of the Church of England, shortly to be held in Danedin, took place in the schoolroom, Lawrence, on Thursday last. There was a fair muster of members of the congregation. Mr. C. W. Adams and Mr. E. Herbert were the only nominations, and these gentlemen were declared duly elected.

On Saturday last, Mr. Hay sold by public auction the right to erect booths on the Tuapeka race course. The bidding was very spirited. The Grand Stand Booth was purchased by Mr. Donovau for 31 guineas ; booth No. 1, by Mr. Tanton, for 33 guineas ; aud No. 2, by Mr. Chalmers, for 20 guineas. TlreH;eft_a_nd coffee booths were sold as follows : No. 1, L 2 10s, uy Mrs. Tyler ; No. 2, L 2 5, by Mr. lleid ; and No. 3, L 3 10s, by Mr. Granger Clark.

Chang, the Chinese Giant, has been ex" hibiting himself for the last two days lo crowds of the curious. From two to four o'clock this afternoon he will appear at Mr. Coghill's Hotel, Havelock ; and in the evening, from seven to nine, at Bastings' Assembly Boom. Admission at both places, one shilling. One-third of the proceeds of the gross amount Mr. Langley has generously promised to present to the Tuapeka Hospital.

On Tuesday last, a caipenter named Taylor, late of Tapanui, while returning from Tuapeka Mouth received a severe kick from the hoise ot a friend, who was riding by his side. It appears the animal raised its hind leg 3 and gave Taylor a kick in the stomach, which pitched him from the saddle. He remained insensible for twenty minutes. Under the care of Dr. Halley, we understand Taylor is improving as well as can be expected.

Wk understand that it is the intention of Messrs. Cargill and Anderson to dispute the right of the Government to exchange the Shingle Block, Koxburgh East, for a block of laud suitable for agricultural purposes, at the foot of the ranges, and recently declared open for agricultural leasing purposes. We are informed that legal advice has been obtained, and that the action of the Government is considered to be morally wrong.

On Saturday last, a very exciting race took place on the Tuapeka Mouth race course, between. Mr. Mailler's Maori, and Mr. Jtees's Nolly Bligh, for L 5 a-side. The race was run in mile heats, and won easily by Maori, A race has been arranged for the 28th inst., between Mr. Beckett's Fiddler, Mr. Rees's Nelly Bligh anil Mr. Mailler's Maori, for HO a-side. A deposit of two pounds has been paid on each horse, so an exciting race is expected.

The annual treat to the children of the Wetherstones School took place on the afternoon of Monday last, when a large number of the scholars were present. Several valuable prizes were awarded to those who had shown more than ordinary efficiency in their lessons. In the evening, a few pleasant hours were spent in the schoolroom by young and old alike. The Lawrence Brass Band kindly lent their assistance to the enjoyment, and discoursed some of their favourite music. Dauciug was kept up with spirit for a couple of hours.

We are exceedingly surprised to learn that our old friend Mr. Chailes Nicholson, at oni» time the friend of the miner and the advocate of settlement, and who, but a short time since, " held the destinies of Otago in the palm of his hand," or between his finger and thumb— we forget which - -is on a political mission to Queenstown, canvassing by the road for his Honour James Macandrew. Strange to say, Mr. Nicholson had commenced canvassing for Mr. Reid, but on receiving some mysterious communication from Dunedin, at once started or. the other tack. We regret to have another practical demonstration that even the purest of our political agitators may be bought.

Mr. George Walked, secretary of the committee formed by the settlers in the neighbourhood of Clarks Flat, for the purpose of taking steps for the establishment of a school, has received a letter from the secretary of the Education Board, in which that gentleman expiesses a hope that he will be able by-and-by to report that the site opposite Mr. Deterts can be granted. He fears it will be difficult to get any grant this year for the erection of a school building. The Government at present cannot see its way to make any grants for school buildings.. If, however, the people themselves make some effort, lie will try and get a moderate sum in aid of such effort. He will be glad to learn how much it would cost to put up a building that would serve in the meantime. Such is the substance of Mr. Hislop's letter, and we trust the inhabitants, if they really desire to have a school in their neighbourhood, will unite and contribute something, however small, towards the erection of a schoolroom. A sum of £60 or £70 would be ample to meet the present requiiements, and suiely one-third of the amount could be raised in the district. All that is required is unity and energy.