Tuapeka Times AND GOLOFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1873. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 267, 13 March 1873, Page 4

Tuapeka Times AND GOLOFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1873. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A meeting of the Lawrence Athenajum Committee was held on the Bth inst. Present the President (J.C. Brown Esq.. M.H.R.,) Messrs Abel, Thompson, Squires, and Dr. Halley. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, on the motion of Dr. Halley, a deputation, consisting of the President, Messrs Abel, Squires, and the Mayor, and the Secretary, was appointed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent and the Secretary for Land and Works, on Monday, the 10th inst.. to ascertain the possibility of obtaining a, supply of books on the same terms as formerly. The Switzers Races take place to-day and tomorrow. A large number of horses have been entered for the various events, and numerous visitors froi«_ajl parts of the province are likely to be present, so that it does not require the gift of prophecy to foretell that the Switzers meet of 1873 will be an unprecedented success. Haevesting operations in the Tuapeka district are completed, and the crops saved, with the exception of a few isolated cases. The wheat crop is very fair, but, as we have stated before, the out crop is indifferent. Thrashing is fairly under way. ■ Between the Ist November and the 30th April, on an average £9,500 are given annually away in prizes for horseracing in the province of Ota£;o. During the Christmas and New Year holidays the amount expended in prizes for various sports exceeds £2,500. On the various racecoursesof the province thereis annually spent £21,500 in liqnor. This makes a, total of £33,500 devoted every year to sporting, not so bad- for a province of 70,000- inhabitants of essentially not sporting tastes. Nearly one half of the population never visits a racecoui^e. and a considerable proportion consider sporting of every description disreputable. There is scaocely a legitimate sporting man in the whole province, scarcely a decent racehorse owned in. it, andbetting is not indulged in to any extent. The • principal part of the money given, aa prizes goes to horse breeders and livery, stable keepers resident in Canterbury, who annually send their horses to the Otasro meets, thereby annualy draining Otago of a considerable sum. We again draw the attention of our readers to the preparations made by our Celtic friends for the celebration, in a proper manner of St. Patrick's Day. Although that saint confined his labors chiefly toJreland, still the example of missionary usefulness be set in destroying the i " varmin "' which made the lives of the then residents, of- the "Gem of the Sea" uncom- : fortable, renders him entitled to universal respect and admiration, which we hope will be i shown by a large attendance .at the festivities of Monday next. Oh the racecourse there are. to be ♦athletic sports, and horse racing the latter under the anspices of our local jockey club. There is also to.be a grand fancy fair, whereat an immense assortment of miscellaneous goods, useful and ornamental) will be offered for sale by charming dames and fascinating demoiselles. There is also to be an art union, the prizes in which will be exceedingly numerous and valuable, comprising a number of beautiful painiings and other works of art. In the evening there- is to be a grand banquet in the splendid, school room in Oolon'say-street, at which it is expeciednnany hundreds ofl&die&.and gentlemen will- be present. Tbe proceedings of the day will-be enlivened- by. music,, discoursed- by the members- of. the Donedin Brass Ban6V-22 in .number— whose services have been engaged^for the occasion, A large nujnter^ of ladies andgentlemen from Dunedin and various other parts of the province- are expected*. An extensive cloak room has been provided by covering over the yard, and the banquet, we are requested to state, will oonclude in the same manner as that gi^en, las^ S^, Pa^ick's Daj^ I

There is a township in one of the agrioultuial districts of Otago, in or near to whioh no Justice of Peace resides. It is, however, so far advanced in civilization as to possess a gaol, and a resident policeman. The latter is a vigilant guardian of- the peace who takes a professional pride in having his gaol occasionally occupied. In the ordinary courae of things it would be useless for him to *'run in" perpetrators of small delinquencies, for it would be impossible to have the cases tried within a reasonable time. But the policeman is a man who will not allow trifles to interfere with the discharge of what he considers his duty ; so to the duties he is paid for- discharging, he adds those of the ** great unpaid."' Whenever a. man in this district gets drunkor otherwise misbehaves himself, he is incarcerated for a time the policeman considers sufficient to atone for his offence. Such -primitive simplicity in the administration of justice is worthy of all piaise/and extensive imitation. The Ardmore Station has been purchased by Mr. J. F. Heibert, Esq., of Lawrence, for the sum of £20,000. Mb. Pyke, R.M., has been severely indisposed for some time, We are glad to state that he ig now recovered sufficiently to take his seat on the Bench,. Jn our advertising columns will be found an invitation to contractors to forward offers for the formation, pitching, and gravelling, of the Beaumont Road, from Peel street to the town boundary. This road has long been in a wretch- , ed state, in fae.t a mere succession of quagmires. Its being made passable will therefore be hailed with satisfaction by those whose business or pleasures necessitates, their passing over it. The usual monthly meeting of the WaipqrJ Miners' Association Committee, was held at the Commercial Hotel, Waipori, on Saturday, March Ist. Messrs Ritchie, W. B. Manly, and J. Rhodes, were elected membars of Committee. A letter was read from. the President pf the Otago Miners' Association, containing various matters of inteiest for the consideration of the Committee. The Committee unanimously approved of the suggestion that a fund be established to. defray the working expenses of the Central Coiumittee ; and the secretary was instiucted to send the amount of contribution at the proposed rate per member, to the secretary of the Otago Miners' Association. The consideration o.f the question of the General Government taking charge of the goldfields of the province, and the appointment of a Minister of Mines, were deferred till next meeting, when, if j it is thought necessary, a public meeting will be called. It was resolved, that the Committee signify their approval of the aotion taken by Mr. Shaw and o.ther members of the Switsers Association, in the fifty acre block case, and in the interests, of the miners generally. The chairman appointed Saturday, April, 'sth, for the next meeting, and then closed, the meeting. The population of Wau>ori is reported to be sensibly decreasing, Messrs Cable and L\rum,mond general merchants, Waipori. have disposed of their business to Messrs Cox Brothers likewise of that ilk. A very good suggestion in connexion with the winding-up of the Devils Creek Quarts Mining Company, has been made. When all the expenses of the vyindyig-up of the concern have been paid, the ainpunf; available for distribution, will not yield more— perhaps less— than three pence per share. The amount each shareholder will be entitled to, will be so small that it is hardly worth while incurring the expense necessary to hand it over ; but the aggregate sum available for distribution, is comparatively large. It has been suggested by a number of of the shareholders, to. hand this sum over to the Tuapeka Hospital. The contributions by each shareholder w,ill be inappreciable, while the institution will be largely benefited. Obstacles stand in the way of carrying this pioposition into effect, but they are not insurmountable, and we trust, th/it some means may be devised whereby the demise of the Devils Greek Quartz Mining Company may be signalised by such a good deed. Encouraged, no, doubt, by the tempting bonuses offered by the General Government for the establishment of new industries, some individuals of a speculative turn of mind have endeavoured to introduce a. simple and expeditious mode of turning the natural resources of the colony to account, which is described as the " five pound trisk." The modus operandi is as, follows; -A gentleman of agreeable manners, but of uncertain morals and place of residence, enters a public house, and having established friendly relations between the landlord and the individuals who may happen to be present and himself, invite* the whole to partake of liquid refreshment. When he extends the said invitation, he ostentatiously exhibits a five pound no.te, probably remarking that it is all the money he has in the world, or something to that effect, and that he intends to stick to it as long as possible. He manages to convince the landlord or barman that the note he is exhibiting is a genuine >l fiver." When the liquors, are being drunk he adroitly changes the five for a one pound no£e, throws it to the individual behind the bar, who, having previously examined it, feels certain of its amount, throws it carelessly into the till, and gives the change for a five. When, at the solemn midnight, the day's takings are being counted the, voice of lamentation is heard in the house wherein the. liberal stranger had shouted. AT- Horseshoe Bend, w.a,ter is extremely scarce at present. Mr.. J. Woodhouse, of Teviot has lately purchased two shares in Bigney and party's claim . This party have given their race a complete overhaul and are about to work with tracks and tramways.— a system which was found highly successful at Woodhouse's claim at the Teviot. The whole of the material is now on the ground, and the party expect to be at work in a week, or perhaps less. Instead of using iron rails, as is the ease generally, they have decided to lay down black pine 3x4 with a light-strip of iron on top. This will effect a considerable saving^ and also have the advantage of increased steadiness, owing to the deeper hold which the rail will have in the sleeper. The change in the mode of working is in a great measure owing to the advent of Mr Woodhouse, as some of the old party entertain, exceedingly primitive notions of mining. The party have plenty of water in all seasons, and as the rising of the river does not affect them, they are in hopes of making something more than ordinary returns. The Rev. Mr. Roaeby, Congregationalist minister, of Dunedin, preached at Lawronce Wetherstones, and Blue Spur last Sunday. On each occasion he delivered an able and eloquent sermon, breathing a wide and liberal spirit, and was listened to with deep attention by. a large congregation. Tse plant of the Devils Creek Quartz Mining Company, Waipori, consisting of complete set of blacksmith's tools, wheelbarrows, timber, picks, shovels, gads, corrugated iron, octagon steel, &c, and a hut, has been disposed of by tender to Mr. James Ritchie for £13< ss. Water atili continues exceedingly scarce, and if a copious supply is not soon afforded by the clouds, a serious diminution in the already low escort returns may be. anticipated. The 0.P.Q., Company, Waipori, have suspended operations in their workings in consequence of the stone being. too- poor tp, pay for raising, andrcrushing. The men with the exception of two, have been discharged. These two men are engaged in prospecting another part ot the claia}, where the reef; crops out of I the surface. - The Wetheraton& Reef Prospecting Company have discontinued operations. Arthur Lfoyd Trevor, the missing., heir to a fortune of £1500* year, who Jhas been extensively., advertised for during tbe last eighteen months, has turned up. He .saw theadvertisemenfecontaining the notification of his- father's death, and that information of bis whereabouts was anxiously sought for, on Wednesday last, when on hja way to Lawrence. He. immediately, started- f or. Dnaedin, and" intends to proceed to tbe old country tbe first opportunity. He has, daring his residence in Otago, been principally engaged in shearing. The life he- has led in the colonies will teaoh him to appreciate his good fortune. Flies have been more troublesome the lasb week than at any previous time during^ the pjeßent summer^

In answer to deputations that waited upon them, the Superintendent and the Secretary for the Gold fields, promised to retain all the prison labor in Lawrence, and to offer no obstacle tor the carrying of Campbell ton-street through, to Peel-street. His Honor promised to introduce an Ordinance to legalise the action of the Town Council in granting 99 years leases, and also to support a vote for the erection of a new Posfc Office. ,He also promised to throw open 2500 acres of land on Smith's run, and a similar area on Bellamy Run. A meeting of the property holders of the west side of Rpss Place was held in the Royal George Hotel on Monday evening. About twenty persons were present. Mr. Matthew Hay presided. The Chairman stated tbe result of an interview he had with the Superintendent that morning. His Honor had promised to give the property holders if they erected a retaining wall the ground reclaimed at the back of their sections. On the motion of Mr. M'Kitnmie, seoonded by Mr. Harris, it v/as resolved to ask the Government to survey the course of the proposed retaining walL The Chairman, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Morrison, were appointed a committee to report upon tbe probable cost of the wall. On the motion of Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. M 'Kimmie.it was decided to ask the Blue Spur claimholders to contribute towards the construction of the work. It was also resolved to send a letter preferring a similar request, to the Town Oounoil. The meeting then adjourned. Messrs Burton Brothers have re-opened their studio in Ross Place, Lawrence, and are now prepared to execute photographs in that excellent style which has obtained for them their high reputation. - A SPECIAL meeting of the Tuapeka Hospital Committee, was held on Saturday evening. Present — Messrs Arbuckle (in the chair). Hills, Walker, Jeffery, Hill, Armstrong, Hayeß (Secretary), and Dr. Halley, Dr. Stewart was also present. The Chairman read a letter from Daniels, declining on behalf of himself and his wife, the situations of wardsman and matron ! whioh they had been elected to at a previous meeting. The letter was received, and Ka motion of Dr. Halley, seconded by Mr. «. wry, M'-Gannon and his wife were appointed wardsman and matron respectively. The meeting; I then adjourned.. ; His. Honor Jcdqb Gray has received twelve months leave of absence. During his wellj earned holiday the District Court of the Otago goldfields will probably be presided over by - Judge Ward. By a typographical error, in the letter of our Tuapeka Mouth correspondent, which appeared last week, the charge made by Mr. Grundy on the cattle he impounded, was stated to be 3s per head. 5s per head is the correct amount. His Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by Horace Bastings. Bsq, Secretary for the Goldfields, arrived in Lawrence on Friday evening. On the same evening they attended the anniversary soiree of the Lawrence Congregational Church, and addressed those assembled. On Saturday afternoon they proceeded to Waitahuna, returning to Lawrence the same evening, Qn Monday they received deputations, and listened to grievances brought before them. The principal subjects brought under their consideration, were, the detention of the prisoners in Lawrence gaol; a breastwork for Ross Place; certain charges brought against Mr, Grandy, depasturing inspector ; and certain applications to convert agricultural leaseholds into freeholds. The distinguished visitors departed from Lawrence en route for Dunedin, on Monday afternoon.. It was proposed by some of Mr. Macandrew's admirers to give him a a banquet] but he very wisely declined^ and requested those who hadinteiesfc'idsheDiselves in the mater, to, reserve *heir enthusiasm fora -more appropriate occasion. The Bishop of Dnnedin will consecrate thenew Church of England, Roxburgh, next Sunday. In another portion of tbe paper will h» found the addresses of counsel to the jury in, the Blue Spur case. Owing to their great length, we a.re uuable to print this week hi& Honor's charge. It will, however, appear next issue. On Monday morning last, the pupils of the. Laurence Grammar SchooL assembled in Mr. Menziea' classroom, when his Honor the Superintendent, the Gold&elds Secretary, and Messrs. Hayes and Squires, members of theSchool Committee, were also present. Mr. Stenbouse said a few words,, and the Goldfields Secretary, after making an appropriateaddress, presented Master Walter Menziea with the gold medal awarded to him at theannual examination. His Honor made a few observations, w.hich brought the proceedings, to a close. Fottb prisoners are working in Lancasterstreet, in charge of the gaoler. A female, named Emily Hunter, sentenced by Mr. Wood, R.M., to six weeks' imprisonment for vagrancy at Switzers. was received into Lawrence Gfcaol on Saturday hig^.. A, prisoner named Illingworth, seafcenceTrffc the Arrow to two months' imprisonment far assault, was also received in Lawrence Gtaol last week. At the Resident Magistrate's Court* Tapanui, on Wednesday, the 28th ult,, before Captain M'Kenzie, J.P., and W. H. S. Roberts, Escj,, J.P;, John Symea and another man were brought up on a charge, of burglary. Inspector Thompson, who appeared- to prosecute, withdrew the charge of burglary, and substituted one of being il-. legally on premises. It appeared that on fhe 19thult. Mr. M 'Duffwasmamedandhad fitted up a house for- the reception of his bride. It, occurred to Symes that it would be a capital joke to take the bedding out, and he imparted this idea to the other man, who entered into tjhe spirit of the joke, and they carried, it out M'Duff on coming to his house, at 3 o'clock in the morning, found that the bedding had all, gone, and a drunk man. sleeping in the bridal chamber. Symea companion wanted to put the abstracted bedding in the storeman's hut, but Symes would not dcthat, and placed it in a vacant hut. The two knocked about all night, and when they separated in the. morning, Symes instead of going straight home took a circuitous route, which led him, past the hut wherein the bedding had been placed. Symes was sentenced to. six month s hard labor, which, he. is now. performing in Lawrence-, gaol. His companion was sentenced to 14 days.- imprisonment, and the intoxicated individual who unwittingly violated the sanctity of the nuptial chamber was let off.