LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 166, 13 April 1871, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The English mail via Suez closes at Lawrence this evening.

A chess match by telegraph, between Dunedin and Chri3tchurcb, has resnltedin the defeat of the Christchurch players.

We nbserve from the Provincial " Gazette " that a new rum. of ihe re-united Province of

Otago, which includes Stewart's Island, is now ready for sale at the Land Office, and the vaiious agencies --price, 10s 6d.

The Oamaru Harbour works have been commenced, a number of men being daily engaged in the manfucture of the concrete blocks for the walls.

We are compelled tv hold over our report of the Resident Magistrate's Court, several letters, and other matter.

We observe from an advertisement in another column that the Eev. Dr. Copland will deliver the first of a course of lectures, for the benefit of the Lawrence Total Abstinence Society, in the Athenseum, on Friday, the 14th instant, the subject being " The Physiology of Temperance."

In the Provincial "Gazette," of the sth inst., the Government invite tenders for the erection of a Courthouse at Cromwell.

The Waste Lands Board held its usual weekly meeting on the sth instant, when objections to granting the Otago Pioneer Quartz Alining Company a lease of eighty acres at Waipori for coal mining were deferred until the application itself arrived. A letter on Sir. Smithain's case respecting sale of sections 1, 2, and 5, block X., Cromwell, was referred to the Government. Mr. D. Eoughan's application to purchase sections 4 and 3, block IV., Tuapeka East, and held by him under agricultural lease, was granted. His application to purchase section 9 was refused.

Good Friday in Lawrence was observed as a close holiday.

Six volunteer companies have been lately formed, 1-tt not yef- gazetted. They aie ti.e W:ikati]» Kifics, with from GO to 70 membeis , the Lawrence Hifles, 46 members ; the Blueskin Rifles, 45 meuibeis ; the Peninsula Rifles, 21 members ; the Oainaru Grammar School Cadet Rifles, 32 members ; and the Tokomsiiriro Grammar Pcliool Cadet Rifles, 32 members.

The number of births registeied as having taken place in Dunedin during the month of March is 137 ; of deaths, 24 ; and of marriages, 20.

A fatal mining accident is leported by the " Grey River Argus " to have occurred on the South Beach. A party of seven men were working in some new ground at the end of the tunnel at the bottom of the shaft of the Pioneer claim, when suddenly the end of the tunnel caved in, and one of the party, Thomas Di.\on, was immediately buried, and others barely escaped. The length of the tunnel is 180 ft., and is at the bettom of a 50ft. shaft. A large party of men commenced at once to dig the unfortunate man out, working on in relays during the night, arfcl about two p.m. next day succeeded in taking Dixon out, still alive though dreadfully crushed. Everything was done to relieve the sufferer, but he rapidly sank, and died about eight o'clock.

A *' Turns " telegram states that a fire broke out. on th"e2nd inst. on Hallett's run, Puhititiri, and destroyed, the homestead. A man named Daniel WelclTwas burned to death, and the other inmates of the house narrowly escaped.

"Work on section 1 of the Clutha railway goes on apace. Some 60 men are now employed, and the place wlierp they are at work presents a busy scene, such as any spot in the neighbourhood of the city has not exhibited for some time past. The site of opeiations is tLe furthest side of the rise between Dunedin and Caveisham.

A Northern telegram says :—lt: — It is rumoured that a hitch has occurred about Dr. Featherston going home, It is said that he is very indignant at the news received by the last mail of Mi. Vogel'» going on to England, and refuses in any way to be under Mr. Yogel.

The Port Chalmers Graving Dock is now completed, so far as the contractors are con. cerned, and is expected to be opened this week» when the ship Agnes Muir will probably be taken in as the fiist \essel.

An Auckland paper says that Mr. St. John Branigan. will -visit his native country, a long sea voyage being recommended as the best remedy available for his malady and general physical powers.

Intelligence has been received from Melbourne of the death of Mr. James Louis Bui'ke, of the well-known firm of J. L. and C. Burke. According to the " Age," the deceased gentleman Lad been visiting a sick friend at Scott's Hotel on the 29th ult-, snd left for home alone in his buggy without lights shortly before one o'clock next morning. About half-past one he was found near the military barracks, standing in the road, and holding the reins of his horse, which was out of the buggy, while the latter lay capsized on the road. The harness was broken, and the buggy wheels bore marks as if

there had been a collision, and the bplinter bar was also broken. At first there did not seem anything the matter with Mr Burke, but after the buggy had been raised, he sat down, and though he said he had not been hurt, but felt sick, he lay on his back, and was then taken to Dr. Van Hemert, in St. Kilda, where he died shortly afterwards. The cause of death was found to have been rupture of the liver from external violence. The deceased, who leaves a wife and four children, was only 39 years of age. Enquiry by the police brought to light the fact +hfit the deceased gentleman's buggy had come into collision with a cab.

Six hundred signatures have been appended to the petition praying for a commutation of the sentence of M'Leod, convicted of the murder of his wife at Christcburch,

An infliu atial committee has been formed for the purpose of arranging for a public dinner to celebrate t!n return of liberal members to the Provincial Council. Members from various parts of tht! province will be invited tfc attend. The Manner of the Bank of Otago, Switzers. purposes visiting Waikaka once a month, for the purpose of purchasing gold, and it is thought he will be able to obtain about 100 ozs. at least, each visit.

The number of miners on "Waikaka including M'Nab's and M'lntyre's runs, is estimated at about 143, of whom 130 are Europeans, the remainder being Chinese.

A woollen manufactory is about to be established by Mr. Arthur J. Burns, at Mosgiel, East Taieri.

The Eight Rev. Dr. Moran, Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, atten led by a numerous train of horsemen and others, arrived in Lawrence last evening. Owing to the late hour at which his Lordship arrived, we are compelled to hold over a more lengthy report of the proceedings.

In the "Gazette" of the sth inst. it is notified that the Provincial Government is prepared to receive applications from parties desirous of taking up land for the purpose of planting forest trees. Each applicant will be allowed to take up an area of land not exceeding 250 acres, to be selected in any part of the Province : Piovided that, if within Goldfields, the Warden of the district will be requred to report, and should the application be granted, it will be subject to the provisions of the Agricultural Lease Regulations, as to entry to mine,or prospect for gold. Any person whose application is accepted will be required, during the first year, to fence in the whole of the area grante'l to him, and to plant with approved forest treea one-fifth of the area during each of the second, third, and fifth years. The remaining fifth may be used tor cultivation, at the option of the occupants. As soon as thsse conditions are fulfilled, the occupier will be entitled to receive a Crown giant free of cost. Any further information can be obtained on application at the land office.

TflE "Sonthlind Xevfs" says :— Mr. James M'Kinlay, of Tiiiipeka, must be an original genius. In proposing Mr. Matthew Hay as a "fit and proper person," &c, he is leported in the local paper to have said of his candidate :—: — "He is of that open disposition that he has no enemies— he may have, however, the most despicable of all enemies, namely, political enemies, but this is all." Such benighted individuals as Gladstone, Bright, and a few otbprs hold a diiectly opposite opinion, but what are they to the sage of Tuapeka ?

At an adjourned meeting of the Lawrence Town Council, held on Thursday, the 6th inst., the Town Clerk was instructed to sue all rate defaulters. The Public Works Committee's report was brought up, by which it appeared that Mr. li. NichoPs tender (£62 ss) for gravelling Culonsiiy-sfcreet and raising culvert, was accepted. The Phcenix "Water Company's agreement with the Council was produced, and referred to the Legislative Committee. Cr. Coverlid moved '" That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable to receive rent for the Town Hall reserve in Boss Place, as certain parties are occupying same." Beferred to the Beserves Committee. Mr. Bastings requested permission to construct a culvert in connection with the Commercial Kotel stables. Granted, subject to approval of the Public Works Committee. Cr. Mears called the attention of the Council to the fact that the road substituted by the Chinese for the one they are now mining on in Gabriels Gul'y was not adequate to the traffic. The Mayor explained that the Warden had stopped the working on the old road, pending enquiry into the matter. Cr. CoverlM drew attention to the dangerous crossing opposite the Bank of New .South Wales. The matter was refeired to the Public Works Committee. Or. Mears observed that repairs and alterations weie requited to the footpath near Mi. Woottou's. The Council then adjourned till Monday week.

It is announced by advertisement elsewhere that Mr. Horace Bent will exhibit his celebrated mirror of the Franco-Prussian war in Lawrence to-morrow and Saturday, 14th and 15th inst., in Bastings' Assembly Kooni.