LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 167, 20 April 1871, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An entertainment for the benefit of the Dalhousie school, given by a portion of the Lawrence Christy Minstrels, assisted by several of the Mouth residents, came off in the schoolroom at that place on the 6th instant, and was a sue. cess.

We exceedingly regret that by a mere accident a communication was inserted in onr columns last week which was calculated to give pain and annoyance to some of our readers. "We conceive it to be the duty of a journalist to refuse publicity to all matters of a purely private nature, and may state, without going further into this unfortunate matter, that the article referred to had been condemned by us and laid aside, but by some means, during our absence, got into the printer's hands.

Mr. Shepherd, teacher of the Government School, Teviot, while on his way to meet Bishop Moran, on Monday last, on dismounting from his horse near M'Carthy's Dumbarton Rock Hotel, Moa Flat, was seized with apoplexy, fell down, and expired immediately.

Mr. J. S. Martin announces by advertisement that he has resumed the lesseeship of the Commercial Billiard Saloon, where he is prepared to attend upon those gentlemen who may favour him with their patronage.

Owing to an unexpected alteration in the upcountry mail service last week, we have to ask the indulgence of our Tapanui and Switzprs subscribers for not having supplied them with their papers at the usual time.

THE"\Ve3fc Coast Times" of the Cth inst. says :— The facility with, which news is coaimunicated by telegraph has sometimes its disadvantages. Yesterday we received a telegram containing information of the death of Mr. John Hughes, whose name, face, figure, and actions as a golrlfields member of the Otago Provincial Council must be familiar to many of our local readers whose lives have been spent on diggings or in digging depots. It was our first impulse to write a short obituary notice of that respected gentlemiiv, which he might have had the satisfaction of reading, for at a later hour in the evening we had a second telegram intimating that the news, which might be painful to many of his old frjeada, was contradicted and untrue.

We observe that preparations are bei ag made at Wetherstones for commencing a series oSr readings tor the season, under the auspices (X the school committee, who we have no douiSP will maintain their reputation for providiijg'tbe public with amusing and instructive entertainments. We trust that the Lawrence Athenajum Committee will wake from their lethargy and go and do likewise,

A slight shock of earthquake was felt at Lawrence and Waitahuna at four minutes to four yesterday afternoon. A telegram in another column states that a shock was felt in Dunedin at five minutes to four.

MESSRS. Bryant and Lancaster the other day completed the erection of a new punt at the Beaumont Ferry, which is in perfect working order, and affords increased facilities for meeting the large amount of traffic over the river.

A special Piovincial Government Gazette issued on the 13th inst. announces that His Honour the Superintendent has received and accepted the resignations of Messrs D. Reid, G. Duncan, E. C. Haggitt, J. L. Gillies, and J. Mowat, as members of th? Executive CouncilIt is aUo notified that Hi* Honour h.is beea l>leased to appoint a new Executive, consisting of Mr. E. B. CiUgill, Provincial Secretary; Mr. G. Turnbull, Provincial Treasurer ; Mr C. E. Haughton, Secretary of Land and Works . and Mr. Duncan M'Arthur, who represents Makarewa— a Southland district— non-otflcial member. Negotiations are in progress, we believe, with the object of obtaining a fifth member, who will be identified with the agricultural interest. The Provincial Solicitorship, it is understood, will noc be taken by either of the legal gentlemen who have seats in the Council, but will be offered again to Mr. Haggitt. Mr. Haughton will hold the Secretaiyship of Land and Works temporarily, until the Council meet 3, when the Gov eminent will propose an alteration in the Executive Ordinance, so ;u 10 enable iir. Haughton to be appointed uimiu^uio ijtJi.ict.l*/ -a uew oilL-e. Should olii-5 alii i.Uiun ue tiivCCcd, '.ir. Cdi^iil will hoW the Secretarysnip of land and Wo.ks together with the Provincial Seuretaiyship. The Superintendent will call the Council together upon .iv cariy d.ite. - '" Daily I'iuids. '

A meriting of tho Blue Spur School Committee was aeld in ihe schoorooin on the 6th iust.uit, when tiie Secretary w^s instructed to write to the committees of the Presbyterian, Congregational, and English Cuurches, informing them chat rout at the late of £0 per annum each, would be in f u ture charged for the use of the school, the school committee providing lights, &c, It was resolved that the sum of £1 Bs. being the balance due to Mr. Clark for prize books, be paid. The Secietaiy was instructed to piovide fuel for the school. A letter from Mr. Hislop.sta.ting that his visit of investigation was un.ivoid.ibly delayed, w.is read. The meet-ii-g then closed.

Mr. Chalmers, Waifeahuua Road, held his harvest home on Monday the lOoh inst., wheu a large company of his friends assembled to do justice to the eiitert.iinmeub he had provided for them. Singing, dancing, reciting, &c, kept the guests engaged until a late hour nuxt morning, m.ivy no doubt devoutly wishing that the reunion occuried of ceuer than once a year.

The funeral of our late unfortunate fellowcitizen iUr. Arthur Henderson, whose remains arrived from Duaedin the previous evening, took place on Monday last, the cortege being one of the largest that ever mustered on a siuiiliar occasion in the district. Without dilating upon the painful circumstances under which the deceased came to his untimely end, we would say a word 1.1 regard to his surviving parent, a poor, feeble old lady, who has now lost her only means of support. Undoubtedly the benevolence of the yecvple of this district has been severely tested by the frequent demands upon their purses in consequence of accidents, and other causes ; yet we will venture to hope, now that another appeal is made to their charity, that an effoifc will be made by means of which the few days that remain on earth to this poor lonely old woman may be soothed, and so that absolute want may not be added to her great grief.

Asioxgst the Chinese passengers who arrived in the Whirlwind, from Hong Kong at Duuedin, there was oue passenger who deserves a passing notice, whose name is Leang Chun Wah. This gentleman has arrived here to administer to the bodily ailments of his countrymen and others who may require his services, as ho has diplomas from the proper authorities at Hong Kong, having passed a hrilliaut examination and attained the degree of M.D. We understand that he is a countryman of the giant who waa lately amongst us. Theie is a peculiarity attending this man's professional custom which is well worthy the attention of all who require medical treatment viz., no cure, nopay ; we recommend thia to the medical faculty in Otago, as we think it is a step in tho right direction, and the suggestion, coming from the Flowery Land, is perhaps deserving of attention.