LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 258, 9 January 1873, Page 7

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On His Worship the Mayor receiving telegraphic announcement yesterday, tb»t Hit Ex T cellency the Governor intended to vivit Lawrence, he convened a meeting of the Towu Council, at 2 p.m. All the members with the exception of Ct. Meyer attended, and a Committee consisting of His Worship, and Crs. Hill, and Hay, were appointed to make all necessary airangements to receive Sir George Bowen. The English mail via San Francisco closes at Lawrence on I4th inst ; "ia Suez ou 15th itut. Is tbe Tuapeka Jockey Club programme, Wednesday, 24th January, has been by error advertised as the day upon which entries for the races take place. *the date should be February 19th.' Ik our advertising columns appears the programme of the Tapatmi Annual Races. Mr. WiLTEfc Taylor, Barrister and Solicioor, has commenced practice in Peel-street, Lawrence. . Mr. Taylor's reputation has preceded him, so it is unnecessary for us to say aitytbi: g in his favor. We are sure that he will secure bis fair share ofjthe legal business of the dktrio*.

(BTorir advertising columna it will be seen tjtat Captain Baldwin, Travelling Sub-Commis-■loner of thft Government Life Assurance and "Xnnuitiei Department, will leotnre on Life As•inrtnee at the Schooihouse, Tapanui, on Thursday next, the 16th hut. The advantages of the /Government scheme have so recommended themselves to the public, that it U needless for us to say anything in their favor, and we have little doubt that upon hearing Captain Baldwin's "explanation of them, the good folks of Tapanui will follow the example of the residents in other parts of the colony, and insure their live* largely and speedily. We are desired to draw attention to Messrs. Harraway and Robertson's " notice to wheatgrowers " in another column, as the matter referred to is very important. The Wethentones Sohool examination took place »n Friday, December 20. There was a larger attendance of the fair sex than usual. The examination was conducted by the teacher, secretary of the school, and some of the visitors. The children acquitted themselves well, and the visitors appeared to be well satisfied with their proficiency. The prize-takers were A. J. Hart, J. A. Carr, J. Scott, H. Mooney, A. Carr, J. Hart, R. Abrim, R Gear, Jane Abrim, C. Gear, C. Carr, J. Millard. A. Pearson, G. Riddle, E. Millard, J. Long. The prizes for sewing and fancy work were awarded to J. Abrim, C. Murray, B. Gear, M. Cranky, A. Pearson, B. Riddle, J. Hart, and E. Millard. All the other children attending school were awarded books according to merit. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three was ushered into existence very quietly, so far as Lawrence was concerned. The only ceremony performed was the ringing of a few rather weak-toned bells. Some jovial spirits made desperate endeavors to indulge in the barbarous corruption of the good old Scotch custom of "first-footing" in vogue^ in the colonies, viz., waking up people at untimely hoars and compelling them to drink, but public opinion was against them, and the attempts proved abortive. Some harmless idiots, wishing to be considered "rollicking rams," feebly struggled to perpetrate practical jokes. Their wit was confined to chalking the figures 1873 on some shop windows. Nobody was annoyed, and nobody laughed, so their attempts must be considered failures. Harvesting operations have commenced on some farms in the Tuapeka district. THE shearing season may be said to have terminated. An inquest was held at nine o'clock on the 2nd inst.T at Coghill's Bridge Hotel, before Vincent Pyke, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Alexander Grant, who died suddenly on Tuesday, the 31st inst. From the evidence of Messrs. Tyson and Fraser, it appeared that about .5 o'clock on.Tuesday morning, deceased went to tbe Jiouse of Fraser for the purpose of assisting him to shift a house. While at work there, he sweated profusely, and complained very much of a pain in his chest. After working about- five hours, deceased breakfasted in company with the others that were working, but took nothing but a cup of tea. After breakfasting, ho lay down on Fraser's bed for a short time, and then made an attempt to resume work, but finding himself unable to do so, laid down in the barn. Fraser offeied him some gin, but he refused to drink any. Shortly 'afterwards he mounted his home to return home ; Fraser following him. When opposite Tyson's he seemed about to fall. Fraser, however, caught him,' and let him gently down. Restoratives were applied, but unavailingly, as he never spoke afterwards. Dr. Halley was sent for, but deceased had expired before he arrived. Both witnesses said that Grant wns a man of very temperate habits. Dr Halley said the cause of death was disease of . the - heart, accelerated by the heat of the weather and undue exertion. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the 'medical testimony. Deceased was 44 years of age, and leaves a wife and one son.