LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume IV, Issue 220, 18 April 1872, Page 7

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We understand that nearly all the shares in the Nokomai Flat Gold Mining Company, have been taken up.

The Wetherstones Readings, which were so popular last year, are to be re-commenced on the 25th inst. We have little doubt that these pleasant entertainments will be as well patronised during the ensuing winter as they were previously.

Some months ago, the wretched quality of the gum on postage stamps— especially on penny ones — formed the subject of general public complaint, and the press in several instances took the matter up. The post-office authorities, it would only be natural to expect, on their attention being drawn to the complaint, would with the least possible delay have endeavoured to remove' the cause of it They have however, not done this. On the contrary, instead of the quality of the gum having been improved, it has been made worse. In the office of this journal there is a large number of penny stamps used. Through the non-adhesive properties of the stamps, there is a considerable waste of time every week, besides which then is a pecuniary loss through stamps falling off, which, though every care is taken in sticking them on, is a very frequent occurrence. The gum on the penny stamps supplied at present is the meanest we ever came across, and its taste is villanous. We think a portion of the loan could be profitably sjient in procuring a supply of serviceable gum for postage stamps. J

THE half-holiday movement was inaugurated in Lawrence, on Friday last. Punctually at o.ie o'clock, those who had expressed their willingness to take part in the movement closed their places of business. Dnring the afternoon the town wore quite a deserted appearance. The weather being unpropitious, advantage was not so laigely taken of the half-holiday as would otherwise have been the case, nevertheless, a good many of the temporarily released made excursions to the sunounding districts. A great deal of dissatisfaction has been expressed, and predictions of the utter failure of the movement freely and ostentatiously expiessed in some quarters, because the half-holiday is taken on Friday instead of Saturday. The dissatisfied would do well to bear in mind that ,the movement is yet in a tentative stage, and .that those who inaugurated it, adopted Friday as the day on which to take the half-holiday' ;m,ere!y because they are of opinion that that ,day will suit the convenience of the geneial public and the business people, better than any pther. It should, also, be borne in mind tha* the success of the attempt to establish a weekly half-holiday, rests upon the co-operation and sympathy of all classes, and that thosa who throw cold water on the movement by cavilling at the day chosen, are on 1 }- weakening the chances of its being ultimately changed to the day they wish— Saturday— which all admit is a more desiratle day for the purpose. " Half a loaf is better than no bread." If a- halfholiday on Saturday is at present impossible of attainment, a half-holiday on Friday is better than none at all.

Owing to the flooded state of the Pomahaka river, the Switzers coach was unable to cross ,on Saturday. It did not arrive in Lawrence till Sunday evening.

A meeting of the directors of the Phoenix Water Race Company, was held onSatuiday evening, to consider an offer iuad>j by the Gabriels Reef Company, to lease the Company's water for 3 years at the rate of £400 a-year The offer was favourably entertained, hut it was deemed advisable to obtain legal advice on the matter, and the meeting was adjourned for a week for that purpose.

• On Monday night, the Lawrence Christy Minstrels gave an entertainmeut for the. benefit of Mr. John Grant, (who is about to leave Lawrence), in the Commercial Assembly Room. A very attractive programme was issued, which combined with the object of the entertainment, succeeded in filling the house. The first part of the programme, consisted of the orthodox Christy Minstrel business. The various songs given elicited well merited applause, and the jokes of Tony and Boi c invariably produced roars of laughter. After the interval, Mr. H. Bastings on behalf of the beneficiare, thanked those present for their attendance. Mr. Bastings also id verted to the great assistance Mr. Grant had always rendered to entertainments for charitable and pther objects in the district, and said that he ■was sure his departure would be regretted by the residents of Tuapeka. The second part of the programme commenced with the legend, *' Ye Tailor and Ye Grow," which was capitally rendered by Messis. Leary, Grant, and Armstrong, and fairly brought the house down. Mr. Downes followed with " The Jolly Smiths," and being encored, gave " One good turn deserves another." Mr. Muirhead then sang the "Slave Ship " in his usual excellent style, and in response to an encore, gave tke -" Rattling Boys from the County Dow,n," spiritedly. Mr. Muirhead then performed a dance, providing his own music on the banjo. Mr. F. Bastings' stump speech caused much laughter ; as also did Mr. Grant's *' Chillingawullabadore." This was followed by '"Johnuy Schap'cer," given by Messrs. F. Bastings and Muirhead — a novelty in Tuapeka — which caused great amusement and applause. A farce entitled. "Troublesome Servants," which was a compound of ''Barnum's Fancy Ball, 2 ' and some other piece came next. It went off exceedingly well ; Mr. F. Baitings as ticket taker in the fancy ball, creating much merriment, A nigger walk-round bronght the performance to a conclusion. When the curtain fell, Mr. Grant being called for, appeared and thanked the audience for the compliment. This performance was announcpd as the last the Christy's intend to giye, but it is to, be hoped that they will reconsider the matter, and give many more of their pleasant cntersaininents. * t

008 Tapanui correspondent's letter will appear in onr next issue.

The Anniversary Soiree of the Congregational Church, Wetherstones, will tako place on Friday next, the 26th insfc., in the school house of that place. Tea will be on- the- table at six o'clock.

An exodus of Chinamen, who have made "piles," has recently taken place from the Tuapeka district, principally, however, from Waipoii. During last and the r previous week, a large number passed through Lawrence, en route to the Flowery Land.

Mk. R. W ; Capbtick will sell by auction, at two o'clock to-morrow, at Mr. Gardner's yards, Manuka Creek, 70 head of cattle. On Monday, 29th inst., immediately aftei the Government land sale, the same auctioneer will, sell a section in Spencer-street, Milton, wifcji dwellinghouse, &c, erected thereon.

Mb. M. Hay will sell by auction, to-morrow, at 1 o'clock, on the ground, Havelock, freehold and leasehold property. On Wednesday next, at 5 o'clock (Blue Spur time), Mr Hay will sell a four-roomed cottage, household furniture, &c. Particulars will be found in onr advertising columns.

The Teviot blacksmiths have ceased "cutting," and in consequence of a rise in the price of iron and heavy goods, have resolved to raise their prices for shoeing. It is far better for the public that fair rates should be charged, than that work should be done at prices uuremunerative to the workman.

A meeting of the provisional directors of the Devils Creek Quartz Mining Company was held at Waipoii last week. It was found that out of the 3000 shares in the company offered to jthe public, 2600 had been applied for. It was resolved to keep the share list open a short time longer, to allow the remaining 400 shares to be disposed of.

Mr. J. C. Bnoxvs, M.P.C., recently wrote to the Provincial Secretary, requesting him to cause the sums voted for roads iv the Waipoii district to be expended ; also urging upon him the necessity of completing the metalling of the new road between Manuka Creek and Havelock before winter. The following reply was received by Mr. Blown :—: —

Provincial Secietary's Office, Dunedin, 12th April, 1872-

Sir,— l have been directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the date quoted in themaigin, on the subject; of the roads from Waiyio'i to Lawrence and Tokornairiro to Tuapeka (Manuka Creek), and to acquaint you that the first-named has, during the past month, been repaired throughout, at a cost of some £61. The other is also being proceeded -with. I have the honour &c, Alex. Willis, Under Secretary. J. C. Brown, Esq., M.P.C., Lawrence.

Dukinu the sitting of the Warden's Court on Wednesday, the 17th inst. , Mr. Pyke intimated that unless parties who mado application for claims, water races, &c, appeared either personally or by agent at the time appointed for the heating, their applications would be struck out.

Mr. Matthew Hat sold by auction, on Thursday last, a number of freehold and lease-

hold sections in Ross Place, Colon.say-sfcreefc, and "Whitehaven -street, the property of Messrs. Bastings & Co. The leaseholds (99 years) realised en average of £3 per foot, and the freeholds £4 per foot. On Saturday Mr. Hay sold furniture*, drapery, &c, belonging to Mr. Cumming, which realised good prices.

The Waitahuna Dramatic Club will give a performance on their own behalf, at the Athenaeum, Waitahuna, on the evening of Monday next, the 22nd inst, and on behalf of the Tnapeka Hospital ab the Commercial Assembly Room, Lawrence, the following e^eniug.

THE usual quarterly meeting of the subscribers to the Tuapeka Hospital will be held tonight in the Commercial Assembly Room.

AT Svitzers last week a woman named Lyous and two children weie brought up before Mr. Wood, R.M., charged with vagrancy. The woman's husband had deserted her, and she appeared to be suffering from mental aberration. The children were sent for seven years to the Industrial School, and tho mother Bent to Lawience Gaol for a week. The husband is supposed to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of the Deep Sire un.

The winter evening Readings will be resumed in the Athenaeum, Lawience, on the 3rd prox.

Mr. "Warden Pykk notifies in our advertising columns that during the winter months, and until further notice, the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Waipoii and Waitahuna will be opened at noon.

The annual meeting of members of the Tuapeka Mutual Benefit and Building Society will take placo on Monday, 22nd.

the following acrostic has been banded to us for publication. The gentleman on whose name it is composed will doubtless feel flattered :—: —

B oundless promises he made, R ashly they were swallowed ; A irily he swore and vowed he'd D own with with the squatters and their crowd. S o help hiir), it -they him returned, H e'd show them how with ardour burned A soijl heroic, eager, brave, W akaia from her foes to gave. M qurnful it is now to contrast P resent results with promisp fine : C onstitnents sold with a^ nil •' * red lice.''

M uchly would the fond electors H five their member false resign : E eally they $r« too sanguine*.

, ,|Whaicft North," 4U Fools's Day, I«7£

FEEE AND EAST NOTES.

BY P. TENAX. Mr. TtfRNBULL, of the Mouteri Station, is evidently what our transpacific friends would call a " cheerful cuss." A meeting was held in Alexandra the other day for the purpose of requesting the Government to extend the local commonage. Shortly afterwards, this promising scion of the sqnattocracy, I am informed, visited Alexandra, and meeting the Mayor and a citizen in a place of business, addressed them s the "loafers that wanted to take his station." It is very shocking, of course, that the people of Alexandra should even dream of touching an acre of Mr. Turnb all's station, and that gentleman's indignation on the subject was quite justifiable. Nevertheless, there are people so perverse as to consider that they are justly entitled to have an area of land sufficient for their commonage requirements taken from the sacred run of this Turnbull, and set apart for their special behoof. But these are only ' ' loafers, " whose opinions are of no value against that of Mr Turnbull. I don't care about going further into this land matter at present ; but I cannot conclude without observing that I would rather be one of the " loafers " than merely the li older of a tenth share in a one-horse sheep run.

Ten thousand acres more land gone ! Hurrah ! So much less to quarrel about and legislate upon, The Reid Executive is carrying out its programme of settling the country to the very letter. Brave, liberal, settlement - pro noting Government ! Sell away while you have the chance. It is far better ihat every acre in the province should be sold than that the General Government should have it under its control. It is better for us to be ruined under the rule of Reid and Co. that to be prosperous under the General Government. Let the inhabitants of Otago buck the Provincial Government up and fight the battle of freedom and progress while there is a 50,000 acre block jeft to sell. As for those who happen to suffer in the conflict, why, if they can't abide by the fortune of war, let them leave the country. They can go to Victoria, where they will be gladly welcomed. Such selfish people are not wanted in this enlightened province.

Some fonr years ago a number of men put in applications, under the Agricultural Leasing .Regulations, for land on the Coal Creek Flat, Mount Jienger district. These applications were granted by the Warden, aud the usual uertiricates issued. Up to the present time, however, the leases have not been issued.. The nonissue of these leases has prevented the occupiers of the land from making improvements, and also from cultivating their holdings fully. They have no security of tenure. They have suffered great loss by being kept in suspense. Indeed, had the leases been issued at the proper time, many, if not all, of those men would now be in a position to purchase their holdings. ' Who is responsible for this gross iujustice '( Is it intended to issue the leases at all ? or are the settlers to be bundled off to make way for some land shark?

While the Warden of the Dunstan district is enjoyiug a holiday, his duties arc being performed by Mr. Oarew, of Blacks. To enable Mr. Carew to do this, he has been relieved of the charge of a portion of his own district by Warden Robinson, of Mt. Ida. Now, Wardens Robinson and Carew perform their. extended duties either efficiently or inefficiently. If inefficiently, one-third of the residents of the Goldfields are being inconvenienced in order that one man may enjoy himself — a thing not to be tolerated fov a moment. . If these gentlemen perform their duties efficiently, then the absent Warden is evidently not required. There is therefore a chancs of saving some LSOO a-year. A proviuce that is compelled to sacrifice its landed estate in order to maintain its existence cannot afford the luxury of superfluous officers. Here is an opportunity for our professedly economical Executive to distinguish itself.