LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 270, 3 April 1873, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The General Assembly, it is stated, in wellinformed quarters, will meet towards the end of May. This will probably have the effect of shortening the session of the Provincial Council, which commences on the sth May. Dubing the races at Dunedin, it is competed that, in order to allow the booth-holders a fair profit, seventy thousand liquors must have been consumed. It is stated that on the road between Clyde and Cromwell there are numerous ruts, which are so deep that a horse unfortunate enough to get into one of them almost disappears. The depth of these ruts is accounted for by the fact that the road was last year repaired with mud, and all the stones found upon or near it thrown into the river. The seat in the Hoase of Representatives for- \ the Lakes will shortly be vacant, the present occupant, Mr. ELillenstein, finding his business arrangements render it impossible for him to continue to represent the district. Mr. G-, B. Barton, barrister, of Queenstown, is likely to be Mr.~Hailenstein's successor. An inmate of the Dunedin Benevolent Asylum, claims to be 115 years old. He is a native of some island near Tahiti, and;- despite his great age, looks hale and hearty. He has been whaling the greater portion of his life, and says he was acquainted with Captain Cook. The Tu\peka Hotel, Tuapeka Flat, has changed hands, Mr. Docherfcy, who has for several years been the hospitable host of that favorably known hotel, having disposed of it. Mr. Chris. Long, late of the Golden Age Hotel, WaitahmiA, now occupies the place of Mr. Docherty, and we have every confidence that he will keep up the good reputation so well earned by that gentleman. The Mount Benger correspondent of the "'Morning Star" writes as follows: — "At it again. There is a plot to make Mt. Benger virtuous, to abolish cakes and ale, ami quarrel with our best friend, plum porridge. A certain clique having a slight degree of iuSucnco owing to iheir leader being no Its 3 a person than th« ioc.il Ilhailainanthn3, the awful weilder of the tenors of the law, in short and in plain English, the Resident Magistrate, are determined to anticipate the milleuium. The last victim to their holy zeal has been the postmaster at the Teviot, who, having the misfortune to saffer from a severe attack of influenza, was locked upon as fair game. He was neither a Good Templar nor a Plymouth Brother, so his sickness mast spring from the source of all evil, P.B. It vent for nothing that all the duties of his onerous and responsible office were carried en as usual, jthat there never was any ground for complaint, but on the conti&ry, the highest efficiency and punctuality ; the opportunity was too good to be lost, and such representations were made to the Government as led to his removal. lam glad to say this last action of the "unco' guidj" has excited the wrath of the Mt. Bengerites. A memorial requesting the continuance of the present postmaster^hfe the Teviot is being largely signed, and atestimoniAl, which by the amount already subscribed, promises to be a handsome one, is to be presented at an early date. For my on part lam not in the ltmst surprised to find Messrs Pecksniff, Chadband, and Stiggins guilty of a mean and dirty trick, but I must confess my astonishment at finding one public official doing his utmost to injure a fellow servant.- The river is as low as ever it was last winter, and promises to stick to the downward course. Already a few pioneer Chinamen have made their appearance and the hearts of the storekeepers rejoice. There 1b no doctor in the district, and any amount of sickness. Couldn't you spare us one of your superfluous "sawbones?" Being killed secundum artem, robs death of half its terrors." In our last issue appeared a letter bearing the signature "Freedom," on the "Meaning of St. Patrick's Day." We have reason to believe that the name supplied to us as the real name of the writer was a fictitious one. Had our -suspicion been aroused, we should certainly have excluded the letter from our columns, but it came to us bearing all the appearance of genuineness. If we trace the writer, we shall certainly publish his name. The South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, being desirous of l ucreasing theii capital, have issued 12,500 shares for Bale, at 30s each, being 15s premium. Forms of applications may be had at Mr. J. Harrop's, Peel-stieet, who has been appointed argent for the Tuapeka district. The rock in the Walsh's gully tunnel is reported to be much softer now, and the cont.rac- ' tors (Messrs Coutts) are making good progress ' with the work. Owners of dogs are notified that the tax on these domestic animals is due. If the Town Clerk does his duty* we imagine he will make a good haul for the Corporation from this source — that is supposing he can trace the ownership of the half of the mongrel curs found in the streets. We believe he will have difficulty, and that a massacre of the innocents will ha necessary.