LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 259, 16 January 1873, Page 7

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The inward English mail via Suez is due at Melbourne on the I4fch inst. The New Zealand portion will probably be brought by the s.s. Omeo, which is advertised in the Melbourne papers to leave Hobson's Bay. for the Bluff on Thursday next. The post date from London by this mail will be to the 29th November. The increase of traffic on the main interior road via Tuapeka and Molyneux continues to be more marked as time progresses. We are given to understand that at the Beaumont punt more than double the number of waggons passed this season than there did last year. Pbiob to taking their departure from Law* rence, His Excellency and Lady Bowen signified to Mrs. Armstrong, landlady of the Commercial Hotel, their gratification at the complete arrangements made for their comfort and the excellence of the attendance. Rumor hath it that a gentleman formerly resident on the goldfields, whose name is tolerably familiar over the greater portion of Otago, will shortly, .at the urgent request of certain high authorities, re-visit the province for the purpose of explaining, before one of its tribunals, what became of a large sum of money belonging to parties resident in Engiand. A meeting of subscribers to the Lawrence j Athenseum, to elect, in accordance with the Ordinance, a Committee for the ensuing twelve months, will be held on Monday, the 20th inst., at 8 o'clock. The adjourned sittings of the Supreme Courti will be held at Lawrence, on the 11th prox. The District Court sits on the same day. An adjourned special meeting of the Committee of the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital, was held on Friday, the 10th inst. Present— Messrs M'Kirmnie, Walker, Uren, Harrop, Humphrey, Barnett, and Hayes (Secretary). Letters were received from T. Arthur and James Harris. It was resolved that the proceedings of the meetings held on Dec. 31st, 1872, and Jan, 3rd 1573, should be rescinded, and that the original tenders be considered. The tenders were then considered, and those accepted at the meeting of the 31st December, were again accepted. Letters were received from Mrs. Cook of Waitahuna, enclosing £18 17s, part proceeds of an enteitaininent given, and subscriptions received on behalf of the Hospital, and from J. R. Mitchell Clydevale, enclosing subscription list for 1873, with £9 3s. The Secretary was directed to acknowledge the receipt of the letters, and to convey the thanks of the Committee, to the writers thereof. ■ The tenders for drugs were remitted to Drs. Halley and Stewart. The meeting then adjourned. His Honor Judge Fellows, of Victoria, arrived in Lawrence on Thursday afternoon, He remained all day Friday, and took his departure for Dunedin by Cobb & Go's coach, on Saturday morning. The irregularity in the arrival of Cobb & Co's coach at Lawrence, which we alluded to in a previous issue, still continues. On Wednesday evening, the coach from Tokomairiro did not arrive till seven o'clock. Cobb & Co. seem courting opposition, which they will assuredly have if they do not pay more attention to public convenience. Mr. MnssEN desires Jus to announce that pressing business has necessitated his departure from Lawrence. He will return, however, on the 10th Februaiy. and will then remain for a short time to give those who have not yet availed themselves of his services an opportunity of securing portraits taken in true artistic style. Never outside a knacker's yard did we see such wi etched old screws as the horses the police rode when escorting His Excellency Sir George Bowen from Havelook to Lawrence. There is not a horse belonging to the police in the Tuapeka district woith more than the value of his hide. A horse had to be hired for the trooper who escoi ted the Governor to the Teviot, as the Inspector could not trust one of those belonging to the force to go the journey— a distance of four and thirty niilas. When will the Commissioner learn sense— that cheese paring parsimony is not true economy. Should it be ne cessary to ride after a criminal, we do not believe a horse belonging to the police department could be found in the whole province able to do half a day's journey in ordinary time. A heavy responsibility rests on the police authorities should justice be defeated through this cause, We understand that arrangements are in progress to enable His Honor Judge Gray to hear criminal cases. The criminal sittings of the District Courts will alternate with those of the Supreme Court, so that there will be quarterly criminal sessions at Lawrence. Mb. Ckaig, driver of Cobb and Co. 'a Dunstan coach, informs us that on the evening of Wednesday, the Bth in&t., he saw a hen pheasant with 3 young ones on Bellamy run, 'about two miles from the Beaumont. On Friday,- after the Foresters had taken part in the procession formed to meet His Excellency the Governor, they marched in full regalia to the Hospital to visit Bro. Titchener, who was there lying ill. The act was at once thoughful and kind, and must have been exceedingly gratifying to Bio. Titchener. ON Thursday last a dray loaded with grain passed over the leg of a little boy, the son of Mr. Leslie, of Havelock, inficting an ugly gash. Dr. Halley was immediately sent for, and under his care the little sufferer is progressing as favorably as can be expected. At the last meeting of the Town Council, the Mayor announced that the Government had at last agreed to give the Corporation the use of the labor of the prisoners confined in Lawrence gaol. Advantage should at once be taken of this privilege, as there are many streets on which labor might be usefully employed. An incident which occurred upon the Governor's arrival at Havelock deserves recording. When three cheers for His Excellency were called for, one individual on horseback, who was smoking, in his enthusiastic loyalty became oblivious of the fact that he had a handsome meeischaum pipe between his teeth, and, opening bis mouth to join the chorus of hurrahs, let bis pipe fall to the ground. Falling from such a height it smashed to pieces, aud its owner retired from the scene anathematising loyal demonstrations. : The annual soiree of the Lawrence Presbyterian Church is announced for the evening of Tuesday, the 28th instant. Tea will be on the table at- half. past six o'clock. The Rev. James Cameron, the pastor, will occupy the chair. Judging from experience, we are confident that the forthcoming soiree will be pleasant and profitable for those who may be present, and that the attendance will be numerous. On New Year's Day, a pic-uic was given to the children attending the Blue Spur Wesleyan Sunday School, in Air. Carey's paddock. About 60 school children attended, and about as many more from other schools put in an appearance. All were regaled with juvenile delicacies to their heart's content. All sorts of amusements were indulged in, and all when the time came to wend homewards, felt satisfied with their day's fun. A large number of ladies and gentlemen .were present, who helped the little ones to en*joy themselves, and entered into their games with zest. Owing to the required number of shares in the Beaumont and Tuapeka Water Race Company not having been taken u>, the brokers, Messrs. Hayes and Arbuckle, notify in our advertising columns that the share list will not be closed till Saturday, March 1. r Operations in the Walsh's Gully tunnel are being vigorously prosecuted. The contractors are performing the work to the great satisfaction of the company that has undertaken the spec. A few more examples of such prospecting would be creditable to the district. In the claims north of the Gabriels Gully Co.'s there is not much doing. All work in Clayton and Co.'s and Varcoe and Co.'s ground has been suspended for some time: The North Amalgamated Co. (two leases) have one man at work, and - the parties holding Trayes' lease (east of the G. G. / Co.) have long been idle. j

The usual annual meeting of subscriqers to the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital, will be held at the Commercial Assembly Room, on Tuesday next, the 21st inst. Monster gooseberries are the rule -not the exccption'in Tuapeka at present. Some of the finest we have seen, for size nnd flavor, were giown by Mr. C. W. Ad.ms. Wbitehaven-street. At the usual half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F.. held on the 31st December, 1872, Bro. M. Hay was elected N.G, Bro. Reid, V.G; Bro. J. Hill, E.S. By our advertising columns it will be seen that Mr. James Sly has commenced business in Peel-street Lawrence, as practical bootmaker. We have no doubt that Mr. Sly will receive a fair share of public patronage. THE usual meeting of the Committee of the Tuapeka Athenaeum, was held in the Library on Monday evening. Present— The President (in the chair) andj Messrs Squires. Abel, Morrison, and Ferguson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Mrs. Hanson offering her services towards a benefit for the Athenaeum, was received. The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the letter with thanks. On the motion of Mr. Squires, it was resolved that all surplus moneys be set apart for the purchase of books, and contributions to the museum be allowed to accumulate. The Secretary was instructed to send £5 to the London agent for magazines. It was decided to ho(d the annual statutory meeting of subscribers, on "Monday evening.next, the 20th insfciMessrs Abel, Squires and Ferguson, were appointed to draw up a supplementary report. This concluded the business of the meeting. It will be observed by advertisement, that Mr. Alfred Brunton will preach in the Athen«eum, on Sunday evening next, at 7 o'clock. The change of chairs of the Loyal Blue Spur Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., took place at the halfyearly meeting. Bro. E. Mills was elected N.G. ; Bro. V.G. ; Bro. J Cousins E.S. RfttLLT, who in company with Hartley discovered the Dunstan goldfield is at present in Dunedin. During the past few years, he has travelled over a great portion of America, and visited nearly all the goldmining districts of Australia, He expresses his opinion that New Zealand in afar better country for an enterprising colonist than any part of the world he has visited, and that rich goldfields yet to tie worked exist in it. Mr. Keiily contemplates giving practical proof of his faith in his belief of the existence of undiscovered auriferous deposits, by starting on a prospecting tour. What part of the country he intends to devote his attention to, we do not at present know. The Gabriels Quartz Company stopped their machine on Monday at noon, to raise the turbine, which had slipped downwards ou the key about ian inch. Owing to the whole of the shafting and gearing above the turbiue having to be shifted before the wheel could be raised, a delay of 30 hours was occasioned by what might otherwise have bseu remedied in a few minutes. The Nelson correspondent of the " Southland News " says Invercargill is destined to meet the fate of Sodom and Gomonah. A RELIABLE authority informs us that Dune* din has not for years past been so full of country visitors as it was during the past Christmas and New Year's time. This is evidence that the country is not in that wretched state croakers assert it is. Nasebt has been proclaimed a municipality, after a fierce struggle between a party who waxitecL -tha.t step iaken, *iracl a-nothex- puity who did not seem to appreciate the inestimable and inalienable right of every Britisher to tax himself and his neighbors. The contest for the fiist Mayoralty, is creating a good deal of excitement, and the canditates for that honor seem likely to be well "roasted," after the approved manner of meetings of ratepayers. Tuapekaites can now enjoy the hitherto almost unknown luxuiy of a swim. A reservoir has been constructed iv Gabriels Gully, which combines the advantages of seclusion, extensive swimming area, deep and clear water, plenty of that liquid, anil easy distance from the town. The lessees of the Phoenix Company, have kindly given water to fill the reservoir, so nothing now stands in the way of those who have the inclination so to do to refresh themselves by having a plunge. For the safety of boys, we may state that it is intended to stretch a rope across a shallow part of the baths. Tenders for the construction of the Naseby Sludge Channel are called for in the local paper. This work is to cost £42,000, which amount is to come from the £300,000, voted for Water Supply Subsidy, by the General Assembly. The channel will be eighteen miles in length, aud will be constructed under the supervision of the Provincial Engineer, A supply of water for flushing, is to be brought from the Little Kyeburn, and will be conveyed from that stream to the channel by means of a race, thirteen miles in length. Forty heads of water are to be brought into Mt. Ida from the Manuherikia, at what cost we are not in a position to say. The value of persistent agitation is exemplified by the above brief statement of what Mt. Ida has obtained through the exertions of her representatives, backed up by the unanimous action of its residents. Other districts might with profit follow the example of fortunate Mt. Ida. On the evening of Saturday, the 14th instant, Constable Youngson, while a*-, the Manse Bush, Tapanui, inquiring into the origin of the fire that had previously destroyed a great portion of the bush, came across a deserted sawpit, in which was a still, complete in every respect -with the exception of the worm. The still was capable of containing about 60 gallons, but although in working condition, seemed as if it had not been recently used. The constable removed it to the station. We would draw the attention of the Town Council to several man-traps in Peel-street. They may be seen in the footpath in front of the Bank of New South Wales, and also close to the Court House fence. If immediate steps are not taken to repair the footpath in the places referred to, we anticipate serious accidents will be the result. Messrs Hayes and Arbuckle's sale of Mr. Bastings' household furniture, takes place tormorrow, comm >ncing at one o'clock. This will be an excellent opportunity for people desirous of complteing their furnishing. Thomas Ryan was brought up on remand at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, on a charge of felonious shooting with intent to kill James Farrell, on Tuesday, aud further remanded for eight days. A preparatory school will be opened .on Monday next, by Miss Sly, on the premises recently occupied by Mr. Hayes, Peel-street, Lawrence. This will supply a long-felt want, and will no doubt be appreciated by the parents of Lawronce. His Excellency and suite, spent Sunday at Cargill and Anderson's station, Teviot, and the Governor arrived at Alexandra at 5 o'clock on Monday evening. He dined with the Corporation, and then proceeded to Clyde, where the Mayor presented him with an address of welcome. He left at 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning, for Queenstov/n. The General G-avernment intend to construct a large reservoir and water-race at Waimea, Westland, at a cost of £45,000. Instructions have been given to commence the work immediately. A fire occurred in George-street, Dirndl h » on Tuesday morning, destroying about £5000 worth of property. The origin is at present unknown* ■ One of our public-spirited citizens who was busying .himself with preparations for the Governor's reception, feels highly indignant at being addressed as " boots," by the lady of a celebrated Vicrorian lawyer. We trust the lady will apologise for such an indignaty.

If variety is always charming, the weather for the last week or two has been really delightful. Excessive heat and bitter cold have alternated, and drought and deluges of rain have been experieuced. While we write the weather — although this is generally the hottest month of the year — ia of wintry chilliness. s The downfall of rain was too late to benefit the farmers, but is of immense value to the miners, by whom it was gladly welcomed. If our information is correct, a disgraceful practical joke was played upon Mr. John O'Brien, of Gorge Creek, Alexandra Boad, a few days since. Some wag riding post haste informed Mr. O'Brien that the Governor would lunch at his house on his journey to the Lakes* Immediately on receiving this announcement, Mr. O'Brien, who was desirous of doing his duty as a loyal subject, started for Manuherikia to obtain some nicnacks, thus being put to needless expense, trouble, and anxiety. Pranks such such as these should receive their just deserts. Scholastic duties will be resumed at the Lawrence Grammar School, on Monday, the 27th instant, and at the Roxburgh Main District School, on Monday, the 20th inst.