LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 186, 31 August 1871, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Librarian of the Blue Spur Public Library begs to acknowledge the receipt of Parliamentary papers with thanks.

J. B. Boston, Esq., K.M., has been appointed Returning Officer for Roxburgh.

The congregation of Knox Church, Dunedin, have resolved to purchase a section at the corner of Pitt and George streets, adjoining the present manse property, and erect a plain substantial church, of stone, thereon.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of a batch of Parliamentary papers.

On the 21st inst., three stacks of grain were destroyed by fire at Bon Accord, Tokomairiro, the property of Mr. James Adam, being, it ix feared, the work of an incendiary. A former farm servant of Mr. Adam's is suspected.

In the Assembly on the 25th inst., the Speaker read a letter from Sir Charles Clifford, suggesting the formation of a gallery for the portraits of all the Speakers of the House of Representatives, and offering his own to commence with. Mr. Fox moved that the offer be accepted with thanks, and that the portrait be hung in the House. Mr. Hall supported the proposal, expressing his great pleasure at such an offer. The motion was carried.

The Adelaide Assembly has declared by the casting vote of the Speaker to sell the country land on credit at £1 per acre.

A rich discovery of copper has been made near Wilcannia on the Darling.

A prisoner in tho Par.vmatta Gaol says that he fouud a desposit of Leichardt's papers in the centre of Australia, and offers to find them if taken to Northern Adelaide.

The ship Punjauh, from England to Mcl" bourne, reports having seen several fires on Amsterdam Island. It is thought probable that they -were kindled by castaways.

A " Times " telegram dated Napier, August 26th, says : The repotted surprise of Te Kooti'a camp is confirmed. Five Hauhaus were killed, and five women, 18 guns, a quantity of clothing and ammunition, and 1000 percussion,caps were taken. Te Kooti was recognised and fired upon twice, but escaped, minus his clothes. Hi* blanket has a bullet hole in it. Captain Porter and Major Ropata are expected to enconnter him.

Mr. Voqel is buffering severely from an attack of gout.

A bell for .the Wellington Fire Brigade* weighing half-a-ton, has been successfully cast at the foundry of Mr. Miles, Wellington.

The " Alta California," speaking of the beer maiu.facfcuieil by Mesbi-s. Wilton sinil Biv«l>, Dunedin, which has been intiortuueil into San Francisco, says : —Although a di aught ale, it is light, sparkling, aud brisk, like the best English bottle beer. It is evidently much less alcoholic aud heavy than most of the English draught ale, and we have no doubt would beoonie a great favourite both for household and general usa."

Captain Hutton, F.R.G.S., who visited Otago a month ago for the purpose of reporting on the means of defending the harbour of Port Chalmers against the attack of small cruisers or privateers, is of opinion that Dunedin is the most expensive town in the Colony to dofend from the attack of an enemy, for it could be attacked either by way of Port Chalmers, or it could be shelled from the open sea, at a distance of only three or four miles.

The usual weekly meeting of the Waste Lands. Board was held on the 23rd inst., when Messns. Di'tiry and Simpson applied for the sole use of a tiuck they were cutting to the bush in block VII., Tnapeka East, so as to obtain timber under their license. The application waa declined. The application of the Trustees of the Episcopalian Church, Waitahuna, to purchase seotions 8 and 9, block XVIII., Havolock, was agreed to, provided the ground had not been sold at the sale on the 22ad, advices of which had not then arrived. The valuations of section* 1 and 2 block XVII., Roxburgh, and improvements thereon, were approved of, and it was resolved that they be sold, the purchaser paying valuation in the usual way. Mr. G. F. Rfeid applied, on behalf of Mr. Paterson, to ieduee the license fees for his sawmill at Glenkenich. It was resolved that Mr. Paterson be charged in the amount of fees payable for two-thirds of the year. The " Daily Thnea" says ; — English Churchmen in Otago will be rejoiced to learn that the Jenner controversy has at last terminated, Dr. Jenner having relinquished all claim to the rights and privileges peitaining to the Bishopric of Dunedin.

The '' Spectator " makes the following announcement :—ln: — In Chelsea it seems certain ifhat there are 16,000 children for whom there is no school accommodation at present ; in Southwavk, 17,000 ; and in Finsbury, 39,000. This state of things exists in the wealthiest city in the world.

Mr. Yogel has left his family in San Francisco on account of the ill-health of Mrs. Vogel's sister.

It is said that specimen stealing is freely indulged in at the Thames.

Mr. Wood, late Superintendent ot Southland, was elected Mayor of luveicargill on the 26th inst.

The " Cologne Oazette"-a leading German paper— says the reports about the German demand for Heligoland are a British fantasy. The idea is not entertained by the German Government.

Dysentery ie very prevalent in Auckland just now. The drinking of impure water is the alleged cause.

We are informed that Mr. C. W. Adams, District Surveyor, is busily engaged surveying the proposed line of Railway from Tokoaiairiro to Lawrence,- under the direction of G. M. Barr, Esq., Engineer of Roads and Works.

Somh very fair atone is being taken out of V the O.P.Q. B«ef, Waipori, and the tributers are sanguine of good results. The new reef at the. Lammerlaw is also looking well, and ifc is anticipated that even with the makeshift battery—the "dolly"— just erected, good returns ■will be the result.

Th* usual monthly meeting of the Hospital Committee took place at the Commercial Hotel, on Tuesday evening, Mr. Bastings, President, occupying the chair. After the minutes of previous meeting had been read and confirmed, a letter from the Warder of the Hospital, in which he tendered his resignation, was read and received. A letter from the Town Clerk, containing a notice from the Town Council to remove a fence which obstructed a line of road between theJHospital and the property of Mr. Jeffries was read. It transpired during the discussion that followed that there was a probability of some arrangement being made with the Government for an exchange of land with Mr. Jeffries ; in the meantime the letter was ordered to stand over until next meeting. The recommendation of the public meeting, to give the servants of the Hospital notice to hold themselves in readiness to be dismissed, having baen fully discussed, -Mr. J. F. Herbert moved. "That, as there it a likelihood of some of the members of Committee being in town next week, they be requested to call on the Government, and explain the present position of the Hospital;" seconded by Mr. M'Beath, and carried* Mr. Simpson moved, " That as, owing to the action of the Provincial Government in withdrawing their aid from the Hospital, the Committee are no longer able to carry on the institution as heretofore, the Besident Surgeon and servants receive notice as follows :— the Surgeon three months, and the servants, including rasitron, one month from date ;"' seconded by Mr. Herbert, and carried. The President was requested to communicate with the other up-country Hospital Committees, inviting them *o join in the deputation to the Government from Tuapeka. It was then agreed to adjourn twtii the Bth September.

An accident accurred at the Spur last week to a man^named Dalziel, who was working in Morrison's claim -the scene of many similar occurrences. It appears thnlMie was struck by a falling piece of cement, and severely cut and brui&ed üboat the face ; but under Dr. Halley's care, he is progressing favourably.

Some little time ago the people of Hokitika loudly bemoaned the loss of their bailiff, who had been translated elsewhere. Wearcglal to be in a position to congratulate them upon the probability of the blank being speedily filled. "We are informed that Mr. William Hall, late bailiff at Lawrence, ha« received the Hokitika appointment, and from the well-known courteous, gentlemanly, and inimitable manner in which he was wont to invite his friends and the public to the B. M.'s levees, we should say he cannot fail to give eveiy consolation and satisfaction to the forsaken people of Hokitika.

TUB Athenaeum Readings take place to-mor-row evening.

The Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., intend to celebrate their sixth anniversary by a grand ball and supper on Monday evening next, 4th prox., at the Commercial Assembly Boom, ■when, it is anticipated, there will be a large attendance of brethren and fiiends. We understand tliat Host ¥■ Bastings has spared neither trouble nor expense in his endeavours *• ensure a perfect success. Mrs. Hanson will -preside at the piano.

Doeing the last two or three days we have been favoured with an almost continuous fall of heavy rain, which has had the effect of swelling tho creeks and culverts to a state of flood, without, however, causing any material damage to property. It is feared that some of our neighbours have been lees fortunate.

An Auckland paper states that Thatcher, the ''Inimitable," is likely to return to New Zealand in the course of a few months, Mr. Thatcher, it appears, had settled down in London in business; had reached Paris during the war, and had got into one or other of those numerous difficulties which -befel so many of our country- !»©» at tho tame. Ik in aaid Ihak Thatcher will shortly visit us with a magnificent panorama representing life in New Zealand and Victoria, which he lias been exhibiting in London and the provinces. His intention for the future is to forsake his former occupation of composing and singing local songs, which too frequently gave serious offence.

Oue Blue B;»>ur mining correspondmt reports as follows : — On the Blue Spur mining matters are progressing satisfactorily. All tlie claims are in full work with plenty of water. Messrs. Hinds and Hales fired n small blast last week with good effect, nnd hare startel a^ain to wash. The Great Amalgamated Co., are driving away a great <)uaatity of -atuff, Mid are evidently determvnecl to make up for Xost time. Livingßton and Co , on tlie Mumo side, art washing down and preparing for another blast. A seventh shaie in White aad Co,'s claim was sold the other day to Mr, Thomas Hind. for something like L7OO. A« this Company have now got their claim in good working order, no doubt it will prove a paying speculation. The British American Co,, are steadily washing, and apparently working good ground.