LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 257, 2 January 1873, Page 7

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual statutory meetings of owners and occupiers of land and householders in the various educational districts of the province, will ho held in the schoolhouses on Monday, the 13th instant at 7 o'clock p.m. At Roxburgh alone over 900 shares have been taken up in the Fourteen-mile Beach Quartz Mining Co. We remind those who intend to invest in this enterprise that the list will close on the 31st inst. The names of the directors is a sufficient guarantee of the bonafide nature of the speculation. The insufficient accommodation for the members of the bar in the Lawrence Court-house has for a long time past been made the subject of repeated complaint. Lately the inconvenience having become intolerable, owing to the increase of business in the various courts, it was brought prominently under the notice of the Resident Magistrate. His Worship iutimated that he would represent the matter to the General Government, who, he had no doubt, would give it the consideration it deserved. The frequency Cobb's coach has been detained of late has caused considerable annoyance, and formed the subject of complaint by the people of Lawrence. The delay, we understand, chiefly arises on the Tokomairiro and Dunedin line. We hope it will not again occur. In the report |of the examination of the Lawrence Grammar School which appeared in our last issue, the name of the boy to whom the special prize for greatest progress during the year, presented by Mr. Harrop, was inadventally omitted. The name of the fortunate youth was Hugh Titchener. Tenders will be received at the office of the Provincial Secretary for Works, up to the 14th instant., for gravelliug about thirty chains of the road between Roxburgh nnd Coal Creek. Operations in driving the 1000 feet tunnel at the north end of the Gabriels Gully Company's lease are being vigorously prosecuted. The working in some places is rather difficult. Nearly 200 feet of the required distance lias now been driven. The local Glee Club gave an entertainment last night in the schoolhouse, Roxburgh, in aid of the school fund. The various selections had been rehearsed for a considerable time past, were renderedin a manner which showed musical interest of a high order, and were w'ellappreciated by those present, as repeated bursts of applause testified. The attendance was fair, not a single hitch occurred to tnarthe harmony of the proceedings, and the entertainment was admitted to be the most successful that has yet taken place in Teviot, It is needless to say that the school funds were considerably augmented by the proc eeds of the tickets. FftOM the Fourteenmile Beach we learn that a second claim has been marked out on the reef in that locality, and has been christened, in the absence of a more euphonious name, "No. 2." It is intended to commence operations immediately by baring the reef by means of sluioing. The heat duiing the week has been intense. Two days last week the thermometor registered 92 in the shade. As a natural consequence of the dry, hot weather everything is parched up' the crops are ripening prematurely, and sluicing operations are being suspended through lack of the necessary fluid. Rain is anxiously looked for, but at present no signs of an early downpour are perceptible— in fact, there is every indication of the present tropical, dry weather continuing for some time. If a supply of rain does not rapidly come on, agriculturists and miners will suffer severe losses. On the 23rd December a bullockdriver named John Hooper, in the employ of Mr. Mounteney, of Tapanui, met with a severe accident near Roxburgh. When putting on the front brake of the waggon he was driving, he by some means fell ; the waggon passed over him, and he sustained a compound comminuted fracture of the leg below the knee. Dr. Miller was speedily in attendance on the sufferer, and set the fractured limb. Hooper is n»w progressing favorably. IN the "Provincial Government Gazette" of the 25th ult.. it is notified that auction sales of sections in the undermentioned townships will take place at the places and on the dates specified. Alexander, on January 21st, at Mr. Chappie's auction rooms, Alexandra ; Clyde, January 22nd, at th,e local survey office ; Cromwell, January 23rd, at the local Court-house; Bendigo, Newcastle, Penbroke, and Gladstone, on January 24th, at Bendigo ; Ettriclc, on January 20th, at Roxburgh ; Kingston, Frankton» Glenorchy, .Queenstown, and Kinlock, on Januury 20th, at the survey office, Queenstown ; Arrowtown, on the 22nd January, at the local public library ; Waikaia, Tapanui, Havelock, Wetherstone, and Dunkeld, on 20th January, at the survey office, Lawrence ; Beauly, Kapite, Waihola, and Fairfax, on 20th Jannary. The want of a swimming bath has been long felt in Lawrence, and we have much pleasure in announciug that in a few days it will he supplied. As we previously stated, the locale of the proposed bath is in the polic» paddock, Gabriels Gully. It is highly suitable, being completely seoluded, but a short distance from the town, and the cost of construction will be comparatively small. The work is now in progress, and rapidly approaching completion.

Officials can sometimes disgorge red tape ' and condescend to be jocular! A veracious correspondent informs us that not long since, a high dignitary telegraphed to a ditto, thusly : — "Business of court so small, I cannot attend." To which the ditto replied : " Sorry business to small for you , am glad it is enough for a Judge.'* The fore-taste of paradise regained, produced by eating Mr. Moss's strawberries, had hardly left out palate when a similar present made its appearance from Mr. Turner, of Waitahuna Road. Accompanying Mr. Turner's presentation, was a slip of paper with the following on it : --** Are you loyal enough to love the British Queen ? " We readily reply that we shall always prove loyal to Her Majesty when she visits us in such an inviting garb. If the berries are not bo large as those grown by Mr. Moss, they, if anything, rival them in sweetness. Mr. Archibald Hunter, of the Lakes, who some time since kindly sent us a communication containing details of an infamous conspiracy entered into by certain diabolical ruffians, who for the occasion assumed the shape of " free and independent " miners, and the corrupt Government officials of the district, to deprive him of an extended claim at the Ctown Terrace, also of the sympathy extended to him in his distress by certain angels in feminine attire, has again favored us with an epistle. When we received Mr. Hunter's first letter, we strongly recommended him to marry one of the beauteous angels he had named— or both if he could do so legally, but unfortunately for himself, he neglected our advice. The consequences have been most disastrous. Mr. Hunter has been imprisoned under the Vagrant Act, by the fiendish magistrate who refused to give the extended claim his heart yearned for. The occurrence of such an outrage on a free born Britisher, makes us doubt whether we live in the enlightened ninteenth century. The best advice we can give to Mr. Hunter on this occasion is to appoint himself a deputation to wait upon the Government, to re' quest the immediate dismissal of Mr. Beetham from his office. We feel convinced that any magistrate who committed such an estimable gentleman as Mr, Hunter to gaol, must be unfit to sit on the Bench, and in addition must be so steeped, in depravity as to be a disgrace to our common humanity. The Government would probably take this view, aud ignominiously discharge Mr. Beetham. They might also by a visit from Mr. Hunter, elevate him to the Bench. Words fail to express our iudignation and disgust at the conduct of Mr. Beetham. In order that the publio may share our feelings, we pubMr. Hunter's letter as we received it. Any alteration we could make would deprive it of its simple, earnest eloquence, which must force con" viction of its truth on every unbiassed mind, and which forms its chief charm ; and would prevent a correct estimate being formed of Mr. Hunter's clear aud vigorous intellect, which is exhibited in every line. Here it is :— To the Editor of thu Tuapeka Times— Sir,— From a party of Miners in the Queenstown district said it was a shame to put A Hunter in to Jail under the. Vagrant Act when he had plenty of money in his Pocket and the Holder of 3 miners right. Sergeant Smith and Beethem warden had a great down on the said Miner Hunter he is anxous to know how he j could hold so many miner right and he might as well kick agins the pricks as to get Justice in Queenstown. Signed. A. Hdnteh, Miner, Dec. 13th 1872. Travellers from Dunedin to the Dunstan, Cromwell, Lakes and the up-country districts seem to prefer the road via Lawrence as is amply evidenced by the large increase in the number of passengers in Cobb's coaches. This route is much shorter, more pleasant, and the hotel accommodation is far superior to that on the northern road. If Cobb &Co were to place a decent four horse coach between Lawrence and Clyde, we feel convinced that the already increasing number of passengers would be largely augmented. Traffic, in the course of time, is bound to find its natural channel, and to the interoir of the province the natural channel indubitably is via Tokomairiro, Tuapeka and the Valley of the Molyneux. Mr Johnston, Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department, has all but completed the working survey of the Tokomairiro and Tuapeka Railway. The line is now pegged out from its junction with the Clutha line as, as far as Lawrence. The route has been in many places altered from the first survey, which will render it less expensive. The cuttings will be much lighter than anticipated, and the tunnel at Manuka Creek will only be twenty instead of thirty chains as was previously estimated. There is some back work to be done, but the survey is expected to be completed in a day or two. The working plaus will be ready to place in contractors hands in about a month. The Australian diaries will be formidable competitors to the similar publications issued by Letts, Son & Co., which have hitherto had the field to themselves. The colonial production is fully equal to the English one, and. as the price is the same, the desire to en courage colonial industry will probably help to make the former exceedingly popular. Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Harrop, have on sale various descriptions of these diaries. The President of the Lawrence Cricket Club, Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M., intends presenting a handsome cricketing belt to the highest scorer during the season. The two '* dons," Messrs Downes and Buck, have voluntarily excepted themselves, so that the competition for the trophy will rest entirely among the colts. This ought to awaken our cricketers from the state of i catelepay they have so unaccountably fallen iuto, and stimulate them to improve themselves in the noble game. On Christmas Day the usual service conducted by the Rev. Mr. Smith, was held in Trinity Church. There was a good attendance. At the Roman Catholic Church, mass was celebrated in the morniog, and there were vespers in the evening. The Rev. Father Larkin officiated. There was a very numerous assemblage of worshippers. * '■

At r'ampbc-H's Diggings about oue huiuutu and twenty miners are employed. The average weekly return of gold is over 150ozs. This is an average of over an ounce per man per week, which is higher than that on any other New Zealand goldfield. The track from the Teviot, over the Old Man Range, is in a semi-uufinished state, rendering packing both difficult and expensive. The miners are so anxious to have the track made passable before winter, that they are prepared to lend every assistance both in labor and cash for that purpose. An opportunity is therefore presented to the Government to carry out its promise of liberally subdising local efforts for the construction of public works. The shelter sheds are in a most dilapitated condition, and, unless something is done to them before winter, they will inevitably tumble to pieces. No time should therefore be lost in commencing the necessary repairs, as if the sheds are not placed in a serviceable state before the winter sets in, there is every likelihood that valuable life will bo sacrificed. Our Switzers correspondent writes: -Water on Switzers was never so scarce, not even the dryest time last summer. All the lower races are, I may say, quite dry, and the Argyle Co.'s, whose usual complement in broken weather is 800 to 1000 iuches, is now running less than 200. We had a heavy thunderstorm lately from which roost of us anticipated beneficial results; but, alas, we were doomed to disappointment, for scarcely a drop of rain fell. Considering the unpropitious nature of the season, the crops generally look remarkably well. Mr. Paul, a new photographist, has arrived," and pitched his camp for the Christmas holidays. He exhibits some good specimens of his art at Ferguson's Camp Hotel. M'Nab has succeeded to his heart's content. He has now got his 60,000 acres to himself, his shepherds, and sheep. The miners, who some time ago he warned to quit the run, have, to the r.umber of between fifty or sixty, taken up their swags and walked. I have not heard of even a good rookawn over the affair. Luckily for him his run is not situate west of the Shannon; ho would not have arrived at such a peaceful solution of his difficulties. Perhaps the warden who gave him the power is much more to blame than himself, in any .case, if it is the law, which I and the majority very much doubt, it is defective, and should be remedied. There is nothing for the Provincial Government but to proclaim a portion of this, with parts of M'lntyre's and Logan's a goldfield. Your grey goose quill Mr. Editor is always at the disposal of the miners. Let us hope you will urge on the government the necessity of at once proclaiming this goldfield. The agitation for the erection of a bridge across the Molyneux has recently been reawakened. It is felt to be a hardship and injustice that iv the centre of an extensive and wealthy agricultural and pastoral district inhabitants and travellers have to depend on the primitive and expensive punt for crossing the river. The punt is one of the most commodious and best conducted on the river, but it is time it gave place to a bridge. No difficulty, as has been previously pointed out, exists in the way of constructing a bridge, and it would be essentially a reproductive work. We commend the subject ol the erection of this bridge to the consideration of our progressive Government. We understand that Mr. J. C. Chappie, of Alexandra, has taken in hand the formation of a company to place a steam dredge on the Molyneux, Two of the oldest dredgers — M r. Walker and Mr. Gordon— have between them taken LSOO worth of shares in the venture, and other practical men have taken each from LSO to LIOO worth of shares ; and there is scarcely an individual in the Alexandradistrict thathasnot promised assistance not only with name and influence, but with hard cash towards forwarding the success of this enterprise. The fact of Messrs. Walker and Gordon coming down so handsomely is a sufficient guarantee of the practicability of the enterpiise, andshould be sufficient to float it Money is always forthcoming in Alexandra for legitimate enterprise, and we have no doubt, under the energetic management of Mr. Chappie, this company and the dredge will soon be floated. Mb. and Mrs. Glover (Jessie Raymond) assisted by Mr. Geo. Harding, gnve an entertainment on Monday evening, at the Commercial Assembly Rooms. The audience though not numerous was very fair, considering the short notice given. Mis Raymond sustained her reputation of being an accomplished vocalist and danseuse. Mr. Glover was excellent in his impersonation of Irish character, and possesses a good voice ; and Mr. Harding is a clever banjo player and negro delineator. We did not see the first portion of the entertainment, but, judging by the pleased expression of those present, the performance seemed to have given general satisfaction. Mr. Glover gives another entertainment on Saturday evening next, at the same place, and, from the excellent programme in our advertising columns, we augur a full house. A reguiiATlon has been issued by the Provincial Government enacting that for the future applications to purchase land held under agricultural lease require to be advertised for three weeks previous to being heard. The first advertisement under this regulation appears in another column. "A Sufferer " wishes to know whether the present lethargy of our Municipal Council is chronic, or enervation — the result of 92 deg. in the shade. He has been informed that the manager for the lessees of the Phoenix Water Race Co. offered to plentifully supply the Corporation gratuitously with water, to enable them to combat the clouds of dust which daily till our streets and houses. But ;no ; our local legislators do not delight in indulging in such acts of civilisation, and prefer that shopkeepers and their assistants should swelter in their exudations while endeavoring to prevent their gooda -from being rendered altogether unsaleable He believes that 12s. are weekly set aside for the purpose of watering the streets, and aaks, if that operation does take place, whether it is at early dawn, before the dust has been "stirred," or late at night, after it has subsided? We learn that the new Waste Lands Board will consist of the following gentlemeu : — Messrs. Heury Clark, A. W. Morris, J. L. Butterworth, A. Chetham Strode, and a member of the Executive. Thk Beaumont races took place on New Year 1 * Day. There was a fair attendance.. The Maiden If late fell _to Beaton's Jackamany ; Dwyer's Sultana cleverly won the Beaumont Handicap ; and the Hurdle Race was pulled .off by Clarke's Falcon. .

three o'clock on 'i'ueoday aitwii>iu:.. , ~:'- % Mr. Alexander Grant, of Havelock, was riding along the "Waitahnna road, in company with Mr. Fraser, he exhibited si&ns of faintneßs, and was about to fall off his horse when his companion caught him ana lifted hirh'down. "various restoratives wereapplied, but proved ineffectual; Dr. Halley w^aa sent for, and on examining Grant pronounced him dead. The cause of the death is supposed to be sunstroke. An inquest will be held on the remains of deceased to-day, at#Mr. CoghilTs Bridge Hotel. Thb Committee of the Wetherstonea readings closed their season on Tuesday with a long night. After the recitations and songs had been disposed of, the time honored "Auld Lang Syne" was sung by the glee club in so hearty, yet emotional a manner, that reminisences of old acquaintances still remembered, though perhaps far distant, compelled for the moment feelings of pain to mingle with the pleasurable present. The call of "take your partners," however, soon dispelled sadness, and about 2 o'clock a general "Marching through Georgia" was indulged in ; when the votaries to Terpsichore returned to iheir mazy whirl, and the dawn had tar advanced, and " a happy New Year to you " been iterated and re-echoed, before the majority had retired, somewhat tired, yet well pleased, to their homes. An extensive and devastating fire broke out in Watsons bush, Tuapeka Mouth, on Monday, the 30th ult- A correspondent informs •us that it was caused by some person carelessly making a fire in close proximity to the bush. In addition to destroying a large portion of the bush, we regret to learn that a considerable quantity of cut timber, belonging to Mr, Drury and Mr Taylor, was consumed. The fire is still raging. Our Naseby readers will be glad to learn that the General Government have instructed the Provincial Government to proceed with work in connection with the sludge channel. The secretary for the Goldfields has taken action in the matter. A full report of the Beaumont races and Blue Spur sports will appear in out next issue. The numerous friends of Mr. Thomas Muirhead will be sorry to learn that he is about to leave for Victoria. Mr. Muirhead's departure will be a great loss to the district, He has been a powerfnl acquisition at all entertainmen's for the benefit of our local benevolent institutions, and others, and it will be difficult to supply his place <*.t the Wetherstones readings the other week, & % cordial vote of thanks was passed to Air. Muirhead for his many valuable services on behalf of the Wetherstones school fund. Mr. Muirhead will carry with him the good wishes for his welfare and success of all the people of Tuapeka.