LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 171, 18 May 1871, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Some little time ago a numerously signed memorial was forwarded to the Government by the miners of the Blue Spur, asking for a special representative in the Mining Conference, owing to the peculiar nature of the workings. Mr. M'Lelland has received a reply from the Government to the effect that as Mr. Mouat has been appointed to sit at the Conference, the Spur would be " amply represented." Oub Blue Spur iniuing correspondent says : — There is no mining news of any importance from the Spur this week. The Otago Company fired a 40 cwt. blast in their No. 4 claim last week, with splendid effect. The Nelson Company are busy sinking a shaft from their present level to test the main bottom. The most of our Spur litigants have returned from their tiip to Dunedin very little better off than when they left here, though perhaps lighter in pocket. It iB to be hoped they will come to some settlement between themselves without trying it again. The first of the winter series of readings, in oonnection with the Lawrence Athenseum, took place on Friday evening last, the 12th inst., Mr. -J. Stenhouse occupying the chair, when a first-class programme was submitted, and successfully gone through, to the apparent satisfaction of a numerous and appreciative audience. Messrs. Grant, Brown, Armstrong, Downes, Holmes, Copland, and Marx contributed towards the musical portion of the entertainment, j while Messrs. Menzies, Jamison, Adams, Bobertahaw, and Burns dispensed choice selections of literature, one and all being equally successful in the reading of their parts. Mrs. Hanson's execution on the piano, assisted by Mr. J. Grant on the cornet, was all that could be desired, and coming as it did after the miserable makeshifts which it has hitherto been our lot to experience in connection with these readings, was most enjoyable, conducing in no slight degree to the general harmony of the evening's entertainment. We were very pleased to find the programme not too long a one, and think this is a most commendable feature in connection with this class of performances. We hope to see it adhered to throughout the season, as a very lengthy programme tends but to weary an j audience, while at tbe same time it is scarcely possible to make it so attractive as a more limited one can. be^ made. We believe the Athenaeum Committee have taken such measures in connection with this season's readings as will ensure a really good " bill of fare " being provided at each of their meetings, and we sincerely hope that the public of Lawrence will accord them that suppoit and pationage which their efforts deserve. The " Weekly News," of the 6th inst., says : — The dividends declared by the Caledonian Company since the 6th of February last amount ' to £208,780. A very large rese:ve fund is still held in hand, and tbe directors have not found it necessary to use the money realised by the sale of the tailings (£5,000) to declare the dividend of £14 payable this diy. On enquiry being made yesterday from the manager of the mine, as to its appearance, his reply was to the effect that it looked "just as well as ever."The Golden Crown Compamy declared another £10 dividend on Saturday last. Chicekn-pox has made its appearance at InvercargilL Thb " Grey River Argus " has tho following : — A good story comes to us from the Waiinea. The Warden's Court at that place boasts, of course, a Warden's Clerk, and the gentleman holding that position has an excellent opinion of himself —bo much so that he got up a petition from the miners of that locality in favour of his being made a live Warden in the place of Mr. Warden Schaw. Thi3 little arrangement didn't coniß off, and the Wardeu's Clerk remained Warden's Clerk still. But he had been in the habit of sitting " on the Bench "—that is to say, in a place alongside the magisterial seat, and on the appearance of that most excellent Magistrate, Mr. Warden Prioe, the following colloquy is said to have occurred :•- Warden, observing the Clerk sitting by his side : " Dear me, b.' — in. Have you been made a J.P. ?" " — N — o, Sir." Warden : " Then please take your seat below there " (pointing to the body of the Court below the Bench). Clerk: "But there is no table !" Warden : " Then get a carpenter to make one immediately, or get a box — got a box, sir!" And the ambitious Clerk, of course subsided. The sequel, however, is better than the story. The following day, a brother of the offended Clerk, who appears to have been in the Indian army in the capacity of a surgeon, called upon Mr. Warden Price, and the scene that occurred is related to be as follows:— Brother (presenting card): " Sir 2 1 am Mr. So-and-So, an officer in the Indian army ! You have insulted my brother, Sir!" Warden: "Dear me— h'— m. I have also been an officer in the army- Bailff ! turn this man out." Mr. Price's motto is '-' nemo me impune lacesttt." Up to the hour of our going to press, we had no intelligence of the Suez mail, which was expected at Hokitika qn Tuesday by the ftangi. toto. . ■ At a meeting of Justices held in the Courthouse, Lawrence, on. Tuesday, Wi L., Simpson, Esq., was 'elected chairman' for the ensuing twelve month*. Ox Thursday last the second of a -series' of readings for the season took place at Wetherstones, when an excellent programme was pre- - sented to a good audience. FBOH advertisement it will be observed that aervioea will be held iv the Church of England, Lawrence, on Bpoday next* both morning and rvenia^

At the usual weekly meeting of the Waste Lands Board, held on the 10th inst., the application of Mr. Richard Felton, to purchase 14 acres of land at Prospect Flat, on the Clyde and Cromwell Rohd, was declined. Mr. W. H. S. Roberts applied for a pre-emptive right of 640 acres on Run 212 a —granted. The Mining Delegates held the'r first meeting at the Provincial Council Chamber on Monday, but tbe proceedings were private. A report embodying the results of their deliberations will be drawn up and submitted to the Executive, after which it will be published. The Fiji "Times" gives utterance to the following warning : — " Now that the hurricane season has about passed, and that vessels will be frequently arriving from the colonies, and bringing down a stream of immigration, we must raise a warning voice against any influx of men without means seeking to better themselves. Carpenters, shipwrights, and blacksmiths do pretty well, but already we have as many as can find remunerative" employment ; whilst for men to come here seeking situations as overseers is folly. The only class of persons who may expect to better themselves are those who are possessed of energy and cash, and who. can not only rough it, but likewise bear a good deal of disappointment, for that is the lot of every settler in Fiji." The Mayor and Mayoress of Lawrence gave a grand ball on Thursday evening last, in honour of the wedding of their eldest daughter. It certainly was the most brilliant affair ot the kind that has taken place in Tuapeka. One hundred and sixty guests were present, of whom sixty were ladies. Dancing was kept up with great spirit all night. Mrs. Stanly Martin, of Dunedin, presided at the piano, and we need not say it is not often the people of Lawrence have the treat of dancing to such music. We have often wondered that in Lawrence we have not had more of these social gatherings, and it only shows when a man like our worthy Mayor takes the matter in hand how the people of the district can be brought together to interchange friendly feeling, to banish local petty jealousies, and spend a convival night, as the people of a small scattered district ought often to do. At 12 o'clock the bell summoned the guests tothe dining room, where a magnificent spread awaited them. The large crowd necessitated two sittings.* The toast of the " Bride and Bridegroom" was proposed and lesponded to, also " The parents " and several other appropriate toasts. In reply to the toast of his health, Mr. Bastings announced that it was his intention to retire from the Commercial, he having let the hotel to his brother, Mr. Frederick Bastiugs. We are sure every one in Lawrence will regret this, for as a host, as a friend, and as a public man, few possessed the ability and tact, and combined so many good qualities as our worthy Mayor. But although retiring from the Commercial, Mr. Bastings will still be amongst us. and we wish him and his good lady every prosperity this world can afford them.