LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 185, 24 August 1871, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We beg to draw attention to the advertisement in another column relating to the Church of England Bazaar. It will be seen that the sale commences at three o'clock and continues until five, being resumed at seven. No doubt there will be a large attendance, and brisk competition for the various articles, more especially for those which are the production of the skill and handiwork of our fair dames' and demoiselles.

We have received a piece of original rhyme entitled "A kitchen row," but must decline to publish it owing to its personality and unsuitableness.

An entertainment entitled " A night with the poets " was given by Mr. George Bailey in the Athensum on the 17th inst., for the benefit oj the. Church of England building fund, and was, we believe, a success. We should have had much pleasure in attending the readings had the Committee sloven us that courtesy which is usually accorded to the pres3 on such occasions.

The adjourned public meeting of subscribes, to the Tuapeka Hospital takes pLicee to-morrow evening.

The "Daily Times" publishes a copy of a protest made by Dr. Jenner against the appointment of Bishop Nevill to the See of Dunedin. The protest, which has been forwarded by Dr. Jenner to the Primate of New Zealand, ends as. follows j- "And I give notice to all -whom it may concern, that I intend to employ all lawful means in my power to obtain possession of the lights, and privileges to which my concecration to be Bishop of Dunedin entitled me, but which have hitherto been unjustly and violently withheld from me."

Ir is propoied to erect an hospital at- Oamam.

Mr Henuy Smithies is about for the second time to petition the Assembly for redress. H© complain* that L gislature has made an ex pad facto law and arbitrarily deprived him of his rights, without instituting a fair enquiry — petitioner being able to- piove his innocence of a crime imputed to him. The petitioner demands exemption from the Act referred to and a3ks to be heard at the bar of the House. Mr Symthies and his son will shortly proceed to Wellington to support the petition before the Assembly.

The "Arrow Advocate" states that Mr. Vincent Pyke, R.M. and Warden, has sent in his resignation to the Government, being induced to take the step because of the recent re duction in his salary.

The English mail via San Francisco closes at the Lawrence Post-office on Weduesday. the 30 th inst.

an accident occurred to Mr. Matthew Hay on Tuesdny, by which that gentleman narrowly escaped being severely injured. Mr. Hay was riding along the Waitahuna road, when one of the horse's hoofs came in contact with a sharp stone, causing it to stumble, and Mr. Hay pulled hasd at the bridle to keep the beast up, when, the erirth broke, and the saddle slipped completely round. The unfortunate rider fell, and the horse rolled on the top of him, and remained there for some time, when it made a successful effort to get on to its feet. Although Mr. Hay has sustained no serious injury, one of his legs is severely bruised, which, no doubt, will keep him in a semi-crippled state for some time. People who keep horses for hire cannot be too careful in turning out proper harness, &c, as even so small a thing -as a rotten girth sometimes costs a valuable life.

We call attention to the advertisement else* where of the sale of property belonging to the Rev. Dr. Coi)land. The reverend gentleman, who has ministered to the spiritual wants of the people of this, district so faithfully and so long, is shortly to remove toDunedin-an event which will be looked upon by very many with deep regret.

The performance of the Waitahuna Dramatic Club takes place to-morrow evening in tno Athenaeum of that township.

-\Ye had the pleasure the other day of inspecting the workings of Messrs. Uren & Co.'s coal pit, and were astonished at the extensive operations which are being carried on. The main drive is close on 200 feet in length, being suffi. ciently wide to allow the working of a horse and truck, by which the coal is brought to grass. Judging from the thickness of the seam, which in some places is twelve feet, and the systematic manner in which it is being worked, we imagine the proprietors should command a large trade for some time to come. The Lawrence Readings came off with un» _ usual eclat on Friday last. The Wetherstoneaentertainment takes place this evening. The ship William Davie, from Glasgow, arrived at Port Chalmers on Monday, after a passage, from port to port, of eighty days. Daring the voyage two deaths occmred'-one of a child named James Carsou, aged sevfen. months, from bronchitis ; the other of a steerage passenger, named Thomas Berrill, by drowning, the un» fortunate man having come in contact with the maintopinast staysail sheet, which jerokedhim overboard. The passengers numbered 164,

We learn fromthe "Daily Times" that the new Dunedin Cattle Market at the head of Maclaggan-^Btreet is all but completed. These yards are constructed of blue gum brought ■pecially from Tasmania, and were executed at a cost 0ff1£523.

ThAsnsa forest trees on a large scale is about to be commenced by a gentleman residing near Timaru, who calls for tenders for planting 150 acres with blue gums. He also proposes planting another 100 acres with the same trees in the course of a year.

It is said that Mr. Anthony Trollope wrote a complete story during his voyage to Australia by the Great Britain.

We learn from a contemporary that a gentleman who has just returned from England states that the publication of the battle of Dorking in " Blackwood's Magazine" has created a profound sensation amongst all classes. The author is not, as was at first supposed, Colonel Hamley, but his brother, a young engineer officer. The general in command at the battle is meant for Lord Strathnaim, and Sir Harry Tombs is the artillery officer killed by a cannon-balL The gentleman, who is himself well up in military affairs, says that the English and Scotch volunteers are, as a body, as much inferior in drill and knowledge of th«» rifle to our men as they are to the best regiments of regulars. If such be the case, we do not wonder at the panic.

A SHOKT time aaro a portion of the picture gallery of the Crystal Palace was exclusively devoted to the exhibition of the sketches of New Zealand scenery, painted by M. Nicholas Chevalier. Art criti« at home have pronounced very highly of them, and fully endoised the good opinion long since formed by Australians of M. Nicholas Chevalier as a landscape painter.

A LECTUBE upon "John Bunyan," illustrated by magio lantern views, was lately delivered by the Bey J. Menziesjin the Oddfellow's Hall, Waipori, on behalf of tha Wesleyan Church Building Fund. Mr. Booth presided at the harmonium, and, assisted by the church choir, rendered efficient service. The hall was lent for the occasion free of charge by Mr. Reynolds. The financial lesults of the entertainment were about £7. The proceedings were closed by a cordial vote of thanks to the reverend lecturer.

We hope, for the best interests of the town, our mewly-appornted assessor will not levy too high a rate on suburban sections which are being fenced and cultivated, and in some cases j>lanted with trees, but which at present yield no return whatever for the outlay. Let the Town Council give some encouragement to those residents wao feel disposed to beautify the town, and not put any hindrance in their way.

At the quarterly sale of town sections held in Lawrence on Friday last, there was very keen and exciting competition, and the sections brought a much higher price than hitherto. There bow only remains for sale in the township of Lawrence two quarter acre sections. At Switzers and Tapanui Mr. Hay failed in selling a single section. At Dunkeld he disposed of 10 or 12 at very good prices. At Havelock, 3 or 4, and at Wetherstones none.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday, the 21sfc August" Present — The Mayor, .and OrA. Meyer, Uren. Walker, M-ears, and -Coverlid. Ad application from Mr. Barnett, to form a crossing at his premises in Peel-street, was received. Cr, Walker moved, and Cr. Means seconded, "That the consideration of Mr. Barnett's .application be referred to the Public Works Committee, which Committee will prepare specifications of mode of forming same ; and also, that all other crossings in the town shall Imj constructed as per the .same specification."— Carried. The following accounts were rendered : — Joyce, 3 loa-is stone, 7s 6d ; Tuapeka Times, £5 2s 9d ; l\ Bastings, rent, £20. The Finance Beport and Public Works Report were received and adopted. Cr. Coverlid moved, "That the tender of Alex. Humphrey for timber, &c, be accepted." Carried. The tenders for the office of Assessor were then opened. There were three applications, viz., L. G. Holmes, J. B. King, and M. Hay. Cr. Walker moved, and Cr. Mears seconded, "That the. appointment of Assessor be by ballot." Mr. Holmes was duly elected. Moved by Cr. Coverlid, and seconded by Cr. HJren, "That the salary of Town jOlerk and Bate Collecter for the ensuing Municipal year {be £*>5." Moved as an amendment by Cr. Meats, seconded by Cr. Meyer, "That it be £65."" The amendment was lost, and the motion carried. It was moved by Cr. Coverlid, : and seconded by Cr. Walker, "That the salary jyf Inspector iof Nuisances be £15." -Carried. «Cr. Mears moved, and Cr. Walker seconded, '"That the Town Clerk write to the proprietor ■of the Council Chambers asking for a reduction of the rent."— .Carried. Tbja Council then adjourned.

A MONSTER petition is 'being drafted by- the Arrow Miner's Association, to be peculated (throughout the province, against the farther in* Production of the Chinese as a race that tends most materially to injure the mining interest .and retard the progress of colonisation.

At a large meeting held at Ckristcburch on Abe 15th inst., it was resolved to petition the General Assembly te pass a Permjssive Bill.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Waste Xands Board, held on the 16th., application was onade en behalf of Mr. D. Cameron for extension -of time to survey swtion 31, block VII., \Taikaka. It was resolved that the time be extended to two months, and that in the eyent of 4he section not being surveyed by that time the .deposit paid on it be forfeited. A reply was rend from Mr. John. Marsh respecting condition's imposed on his application to purchase section ■&, block XXVIL, Cromwell. It was resolved jthat the application be referred -to the Warden in order that a business lioense might be issued -for the land applied for, and in ierms of the

The business people of this town have just cause for complaint aganist the present system of conveying goods from Dunedin. Instances are common where a fortnight has elapsed after an order has been attended to in Dunedin before the goods have been delivered in Lawrence. The delay is accounted for in this way : A teamster goes to the carrying company's office, gets possession of whatever loading there may be for this route, takes it away and deposits it in a convenient spot, where it lies until his load is made up. This is a rotten system, and one against which our business people should protest" If these waggoners were bound to a certain time —say to four or five days for the trip, the grievance would be remedied.

A Writer in the " Daily Times " on the Chinese question says :— How shall we meet the ghost of our future troubles ? There are two ways that I can suggest : Ist, Shut up our schools, and banish our schoolmasters —reduce the people to compliant ignorance, rye bread and potatoes— then the Celestial would have his match. A Scotchman even would then get fat where John would starve, and so would not come here in shiploads ; or, 2nd, Bend to circumstances and make the most of it. Let the highly educated working Englishman accept his ignorant Mongolian brother and make use of hi en, at the rates, and under the system going. If the merchants and junkmasters of China can make money out of the ignorance and muscle of their countrymen, why should not also the Englishman? The money made out of them might as well go into English pockets as into Chinese caddies. Chinese labour is largely made use of now in various parts of the world— the West and East Indies, North and South America — and I do not see why his usefulness should not be extended here, to the European also, in many branches of labour and enterprise ; for of this we may speak with certainty, that when manual labour of -whatever kind can be brought to bear as an adjunct to machinery, skill, and science, there the Enropean will grasp his fair share of the spoils, and of which he is entirely denuded by keeping aloof from the Chinese producing eleinnt now pouring in upon these shores.

Mr. J. O. White, photographic Artist, late of Melbourne, has commenced business on the premises lately occupied by Mr. Coverlid, Peel Street.

The weather in the Skippers district this season is very severe. The " Arrow Advocate "is informed that there are at present eight feet of ice in the dam of the Ophir reef. The sluicing of the landslip which has covered u*j» the reef, had to be postponed, owing to the raco-water freezing whilst falling down the mountain. Though ilie fall is nearly perpendicular, fche water froze so rapidly that the ice would soon have formed quite a large glacier, had not the operations been suspended.

On Friday last a considerable number of old Tokomairiro residents met in the Volunteer Hall in°that town to present a parting address and a purse of sovereigns to J. Dewe, Esq 8.M., who is about to leave the district. Mr. Dewe is known and respected as one of the oldest res:dents of Tokomdiriro, and his departure will be deeply and sincerely regietted.

We learn that the Teviot people intend erecting two churches shortly, the one Episcopalian, the other Wesleyan.

A "Star" telesram dated Oamaru, August 19th, says :— At a quarter past eight this morning Robert Miller shot himself with a rifle in the press room of the " Oamaru Times.'* The bullet entered under his chin and passing right through his head, went through the ceiling of the room and out at the roof. Death was instantaneous. It is expected a verdict of temporaray insanity will be returned.

Larrikinism, which has proved so great a curse in Victoria and othes places, is becoming rife in Dunedin.

According to a telegram in the " Daily Times," matters in connection with the Chinese question are coming a crisis in the Wakatip district, where it is to believed that a "scrim-

mage" between the ''heathen" and the miners is not unlikely.

The highest flood witnessed in the Upper Buller, Nelson, for the last eleven years, was experienced there the. other day, causing an immense amount of damage. The warm lain brought down the snow in such masses that the Buller rose in places, in a few hours, forty-fiVe feet.

The Permissive Bill agitation has extended to Invercargill, where a petition in favour ot the passing of such a measure is being signed.

A woman named Emma Jane Harrington was lately found dead in bed at the Arrow, having died from exhaustion and exposure.