EXPLOSION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 252, 28 November 1872, Page 6

EXPLOSION.

On the 19th, about one, p.m., an accident occurred to the digester in use at the Soap Works of Messrs M'Leod, Robins, and M'Leod, Cumberland street. The digester, a large pan used for nrelting fat and tallow, capable of containing 900 gallons, was heated by steam supplied from a boiler connected with it by a tube which entered through the bottom, and was bent at right angles nearly at a level with the top. The steam passed through the tube at a pressure regulated by safety valves attached both to the boiler and digester, and the vessel was further strengthened inside by xipright iron Stay?. The safety valves could hava been weighted to 351 b, but only showed a pressure of 251 bat the time of the accident. Next to the soap works is Mr Lockie'a boarding-house, the inmates of which, while at lnnch, were startled by a loud and sudden explosion, and by the sound of fragments falling upon the roof of the house. As nothing fell through however, they waited | until all was quiet before attempting to ascertain the cause; but, on looking or.t, I they saw_ a portion of the huge digester, feet 6 inches long by about 5 feet in diameter, lying across the fence furthest from the soapery, whi«b it had emfwhed in

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, IT Ucbeerkuj to think th*t in this selfish proc T^thtputo»ltwwnt«.of *be Crown, in the Mount Benger district, offer such facilities and terms 4o the «otk»iria« id their vicinity f^or running (their cattle, that t)w Koant Benger ] 'commonage ia *lnu»t wholly nnuaed , pnly 11 .pcatflfl at present grating upon it The trifling cirenmstanfigt that this said commonage is sitaTOted upon the top of Mount Benger, and that in •many placet mow to the depth of seven feet it living on tks> ground, v said by tome to be the *#»üm of thit st&tt of things ; bat those who f 'mf to are ill-nataced, prejudiced people, whose 'statements cannot be relied upon. This commonJ »ge affords another pleasing illusitration of the

'juudout solicitude of the runhoidsn for the * welfare of other class—. Of course it is obvious . td'knyoM that a commonage U rendered addiHoublljt valtuihla tgr being fenced in. Inspired . patriotic feelings, which oar humble pen ctn in Wa attempt to do justice to. a firm of iquittm who undertook and, completed the work in a highly, satisfactory manner. In order .to more fully "carry out their designs, the gates jrereinade so narrow that packers cannot pass through without first unloading. A moment's reflection will show how wise and humane this making of the gates no narrow is. It affords the packers and their horses a good rest, and pro- ' vides for the former while enjoying cessation from his usual toil, light and healthful recreation in the way of unpacking and repacking their loads. ANN Thomp3ON resides, or resided, at Waitahuna, and represented the demi monde in that ■taid township Ann objects to the trammels the artificial civilization of the 19th century imposes jon womanhood, and to show her contempt of 4hem gets drunk occasionally. Most people when they get "tight" retire from the public .gate, but Ann Thompson is differently constituted to most people. When she has taken in a sufficient quantity of fermented or spirituous liquors, «• the case m*y be, sbe sallies forth /into the main-street, and there expresses in terse and vigorous language her opinion of the public generally, and of individuals, whom she Way meet particularly. Some residents of Wsutahuna have no respect for independence of thought or action, and consequently disapprove of Ann 9*9 * conduct in this respect, which results in her bejng periodically brought before the Eesident Magistrate. The- last of these in-

fretting interviews occurred on Monday last, ;at Lawcenpe. Two charges of using obscene language wees proved against her, and on being Aslced.what she had to say for herself, the lady asked for another chance, offering, if she was Jet off on that occasion, to leave Waitahun* and *o,to Canterbury, remarking that in the former •place everybody had > down upon her. The Resident Magistrate seemed to aympathise with Aon, and kindly gave her a 5 months' "chance," prescribing that it should lie occupied in healthful exercise, which we hope willbe appreciated by her. The Resident Magistrate disagreed with the lady in one important particular, viz., the locality where the time occupied in the " chance" .should be spent, and strongly recommended Dunedin— so strongly indeed that we are of ' opinion thai his recommendation willbe followed. . We are sorry for Canterbury though, as it has \ Jost an interesting and valuable addition to its - population. Ann, pn leavingjthe box, seemed , touched with the consideration displayed for her by the Resident Magistrate, and departed for the scene of the "chance" waving adieu with ]^er handkerchief to those of her friends who " wefa^n the Court. THE .quarterly licensing meeting for the Tuapeka district, will take place on Tuesday next, $he 3rd prox,' AS earthquake which lasted for 5 or 6 seconds was felt at Waitahuna. at 17 minutes past 12 o'clock on Wednesday. No damage was done further than the shaking of the nerves of afew; The .weather at the time- wag clear and fine. We have not heard that this earthquake visited any other part of this district. It •hook up the people of Dunedin, however, as is shown by the following paragraph from the "Daily Times" of the 21st inst :— " An earthquake wave was felt in Dunedin yesterday, ttt 25 minutes to 1 p.m. In the upper floor of the Prorinci*! Building*, it set windows rattling -Had tables and chain staking, and was generally felt over the town. A correspondent informs us that at the Chain HilU ' the vibration lasted Jot the thr#e seconds. The whole ground -seemed to jar, [and the office in which I was writing at -times shook visibly. A dull, heavy jound, like a muffled, explosion, was distinctly .heard before the shock took place.' " I There must' be many in this district who knew George Brodie, and they must have felt a pang of regret when the intimation reached them that he had died. When we add that the force of circumstances prevented the deceased leaving anything for the support of his wife and cliil- | i&ren, (some of whom are mere infants} we feel ' Whatnot another word v required to enlist the j practical sympathies of the public in their beJialf. It would be wasted verbiage to advert to jGeoqge Brpdie's services to the public, as re~ preeentajtire pf the goidfields in the Provincial .Council, *n4 in the General Assembly, or as a jtiember of the Tjuapeka Mining Board. " We cannot but remember »uph things were. And were most dear to us," •W» ire gltdio learn thai » subscription list is b»|nf pr»p«red ond«r favorable auspices, and we will not insult the public by ins jpuating a float* of the response {hereto. Subscriptions will, b* ieoeived by Mr. J»yke, 8.M., Dr. gfciwrf, Sift Ferrer, and Mr. Abel. - y***f iqlofeßMd t^U % inaa n*m<*l Moaee J&V'w WW W th* Chitlia railway wwks r, Jffcf Jtj meyaag by a fall 0 ( j»rth;.

-. «M«nf int«ee** rf QUgo will t» re- • ftggljMtfc* Omh**»p,*m Wx.ve.br ' J ArmftoTn t Clyde, Alexandra, i. Tfegsps I *]?. Vkmthyi T&fdc*, Upper fihqtover, *• SEif^'^^^^iiWhw^'-Wamoji

OK Thursday and Friday hut the C.C.C.C Company jgare performances at the Commercial Assembly Rooms, Lawrence. The attendance on each occasion was smaller than weanticipated, hilt the connter-attraotioni in other places and the short notice given by the Company account in a great measure for this. On Thursday night the curtain rose to the drama "A Love Test," in which Miss Flora Anstead sustained the character of Laura Leeton in her own admirable manner which hat secured her tuch a high repu. tetion. Mr. Thorpe, at Matthew Bates, and the remainder of the company very ably impersonated the parts entrusted to them.- A local stump speech by Mr. J. South followed, which created great merriment. The afterpiece was a "Kiss in the Dark," in which the old colonial favorite, Mr. J. P. Hydes, appeared m Mr; Fcttioone, and performed nil part exDurably. Mists. Floi* Anttead impersonated Mrs. Pettibone, Mr. Austin Power, Fathom, and Mist Alice Bray, Mary. Ou Friday sight " The Liar" was presented, Mr. J. P. Hydes taking the part of Young Wilding, which he did in a capital manner. Miss. Flora Anstead elicted repeated marks of approbation by the way in which the rendered the part of Mitt Grantham. The remainder of the characters were ably | sustained by Messrs. Thorpe, Power, and South. The performance concluded with the farce " Who Speaks First," which teemed to be enjoyed immensely. Great praise it due to the company for the complete and excellent manner the various pieces were' produced. The great difficulties invariably attendant upon the appearance of a company comprising so many numbers at the C.C.C.C. C. at a country hall were successfully overcome, and all the members aoted with spirit and effect. We hope to hear that they are highly successful up-country, because they really deserve to be. We must not omit before we conclude to men- . tion the very excellent piano forte playing of Abater TV. G. Hydes, which, contributed much, in its place, towards the success of the performances. At the Devils Backbone Reef, Messrs Campbell and Wakelin, the prospectors, have got in a tunnel 30 feet in length and well-timbered, , from which they have taken stone to be forwarded for testing to the Government Ciushing Battery, Dunedin. The reef is about 3 feet wide, and over 100 feet of quartz is visible. A new shaft is to be sunk at the boundary line, or about 600 feet from the tunnel, in which it is expected to strike the reef at a depth of 40 feet. Another patty has started prospecting in the vicinity, and we hear that a lease has been applied for. We understand that Hit Honor Justice Chapman has signified his willingness while in Lawrence, to deliver a lecture. We »re sure if he does so, the people of Tuapeka will "be grateful, for it is exceedingly seldom their fortune to be permitted to listen to the utterances of a gentleman possessing the attainments and eloquence of His Honor. Last Sunday the Rev. Mr. Smith, one of the clergymen who accompanied the Bishop of Dunedin from England to this colony, conduoted the services in the Church of England. Lawrence, both morning and evening. The rev. gentleman delivered eloquent and impressive sermons to large and attentive congregations. We understand that the Rev. Mr. Smith proceeds to Queenstown, to take the place of MrCoffey, who removes to Tokomairiro. Thb paragraph referring to the Lawrence cricketers in our last issue had the effect of rousing up some of those exceedingly lethargic gentlemen , and a number signified their intention of at once commencing morning and evening practice. But the effort of forming the intention seems to have been too much for their strength, for they have not yet made the faintest endeavor to put it into execution. After the enthusiasm with which the season was opened, the present state of affairs says very little for the energy of the members of the Lawrence Cricket Club. . A meeting of the Lawrence Athenaeum Committee wat held on the night of the 20th. Present— Messr* J. 0. Brown (In the chair), Abel, Forbes and Humphrey. The business transacted was the election of H. L. Squires, Ferguson and Morison to fill vacancies. Another meeting was held on Monday, the 25th, Present— Messrs J. C. Brown (in the chair) Arbuckle, Squires, Ferguson, and Morison. The following accounts were passed for payment. Mrs. Hansen £1 ; 6. Jeffrey £4 17s ; Herbert & Co. £5 4s 6d ; S. Wootton £2 ; G. Thomson £5 7s ; A. Ferguson £3 13s ; T. IBarnet £4 8s ; G. Morison £1 14s ;F. Meyer £3 13s ; Geeves £4 10s. The Secretary was directed to obtain if.fbrmation as to the cost of stuffing birds. Mr. Love was appointed Librarian, at a salary of £60 per annum, and 15 per ceot^onlaU^kineys' collected ; appointment to date from lstDocem-" ber. It was resolved to request His Honor Judge Chapman, when he came to Lawrence, to deliver a, lecture on behalf of the Athenaeum. A letter from Dr. Hector in reference to tome specimens was neceivatt, and the Secretary jrat . directed to convey the thanks of the' Committee to Dr. Hector. A letter from the Town Council asking the Committee to remit payment for the use?of the hall during the last election was read. It was resolved to insist upon payment. The meeting. jbhen adjourned. - It would bf well if promoters of amateur concerts would P»y attention to a provision of tup Licensed Theatres Ordinance, 1870. It is tui» ; tljat the person in whose hall any perform: ante, to which .there it an admission charge takes place,' or i fay person taking part in such per*' formaneereodtn himself liable, uDlesta. license is paid for, to • fin* not .exceeding £50. The eharge,on 4; "ingle performance it Si, bui th» 9«l>erin*»drnt h«* power to^isttt^a permission fpr free of; charge* for a parforiQ* JS^J&MPJ***!!! .f»y "wWJe institution," qr any j'i#Hi tab l«."<ff "b«n>!to!eni" purpose. Wo jbeljeffpersoiii tppiying for. tuch i«nnit|ij)n ' wpl have to do So through the police.

A HJCETINO of the Taftpeki^Hotpitol Com* inittee v»i held on Tbnrscky evening. Present —Messrs Mmrt (in the chair), Ferguson, Arthnr, M'Kimmte, Hnmphrey, tTren, Han-op, Haye*, (Secretary} Walker and Dr. Holler. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Surgeon's report laid on the table showed that there were 10 patients in the Hospital at the end of lost month. Since then there has been admitted 6. G had been discharged, and 2 had died, leaving the number in the institution at date 9. Four out door patient* had . bean treated ' daring the month Mr. Thompson wrote, stating if his account for coal and firewood was not paid forthwith, he would take other proceedings. The Secretary was instructed to inform Mr. Thompson that his account would be paid next month. Mr. Ferguson, on behalf of the Visiting Committee, said that it was not advisable to disturb existing arrangements in regjsird to the nnmber of servants, till the new committee took office. In the meantime, it hftdbeen arranged that the servants should be usefully employed in the garden. The sorrel, had been removed and it was advisable to sow the ground in grass. Mr. Hay, the collector, reported that his canvass had been successful, that he had circulated lists extensively, and had arranged with the Chinese for {the collection of subscriptions. Mr. Hay was instructed in cases where he could not get cash, to accept donations of produce &o. on behalf of the institution. The meeting then adjourned.

Mb. Bayliss in opposing the application of Mr. James Smith for an agricultural lease in the Warden's Court last Wednesday, appeared on behalf of the joint committee of the Waitahuna and Havelock Athenieum, not the Miners* Protection Society.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs. R. Stout, D. Hutcheson, and G. Duncan, M.PC 's, waited upon the Superintendent on Tuesday, and presented a memorial signed by 27 members of the Provincial Council, requesting His Honor to call a meeting of the Council at an early date. His Honor could not see any reason why a meeting of the Council should be held, and declined to accede to the request.

Tub manager of tie Gabriels GuUy Quartz Co., reports that the machinery worked most satisfactorily last week, crushing at the rate of 20 tons in the 24 hours. A slight accident occurred by a truck getting out of command of the brake. The rope broke when the truck reached the tip, and the truck fell into the hopper. The damage done was slight and was soon repaired, and did not necessitate any stoppage of the battery. On Saturday night, at 8.30 p.m., three of the cogs of the small pinion of the turbine shaft gave way, and the machine had to be stopped. A new wheel made of brass was cast on Monday, by Messrs. Kincaid, M 'Queen, & Co., and was delivered at the claim on Tuesday afternoon, thus enabling the company to start work again yesterday afternoon.

The weather for the last month has been excessively hot, and rain is badly required. Complaints of want of water are rife among farmers and gardeners,.and very- shortly, if the clouds do not supply the necessary fluid, work in many sluicing claims will have to be B uspended. It may not be generally known that the Maoris predict that this summer will be extremely hot and dry.

The first number of a new morning paper, to be published in Dunedin, called the 11 Morning Star" will appear on Monday, the 2nd proximo.

The programme of the concert to be given on the evening of Thursday next, the sth December, at the Lawrence Athenaeum, in aid of the building fund of the Church of England appears in our advertising columns. It is a really excellent one, and contains sufficient variety to suit the tastes of all. We may again mention that the ladies and gentlemen who are to appear are practising assiduously, and are determined that no effort on their part shall be wanting to secure the success of the eatertainment.

There are some good claims yet in Otago. The Break-em-All claim, Winding Creek, Switaers, turned out' £1000 worth of gold during the last eight weeks. The last week's -work yielded 67 ounces of the glittering metal.

Mr. Treloar forwarded to our office yesterday morning some splendid ripe strawberries from his garden, Tuapeka Flat. These are the first we have had the pleasure of enjoying his season.

The meeting of the Mining Conference takes place on Monday, the 2nd proximo, at the Commercial Hotel, Lawrence.