LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 291, 28 August 1873, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

THE English mail via Suez will close at the pott-office, Lawrence, on Sunday next, at 5 p. in. Messrs. Hdnteb k Goodfellow have commenced work on thetr contract for the Tuapeka Bail way. The scene of their present operations is near Chalmer's Halfway-house. We are informed on good authority that thirty-five ounces of gold have been taken out of a small paddock on Scrubby Flat, situated on Ardmore Station. The land is private property, otherwise our informant states it would have been rushed. The Lawrence Town Council advertised some time since for money for the purpose of building a town hall, but no offer was received from any person, either in or out of the district, up to the time specified by the advertisement. The Council then -went begging for an offer, and ultimately got one on their own terms, namely 6 per cent,; but no sooner have they obtained their wishes than they begin to barney about the commission to be paid for negotiating the loan. Mr. Harrop, who makes the offer, »sks the extremely moderate commission of 1 per cent. ; but some Councillor or Councillors, evidently envious of such an immense sum (L2O) going, to Mr. Harrop, object to the amount. Had the negotiation been transacted by some Dunedin broker, a charge of 2£ per cent., or probably more, would have been made, and we believe would have been paid without a murmur* . Court Havelock A.O.F. will celebrate its fourth anniversary in the Court room, Havelock, on the sth September. We are glad to learn that a company is being formed at Waipori to sink a deep sliaf fc in the flat for, the main bottom. Tho company is to be in 20 shares of £5 each. 'We have to acknowledge the receipt of a paper read before the Colonists' Protection League Society, 4uokland, on the subject of the " Protection of Native Indnstries." The writer believes that the "sreat scheme" of 3870 is rapidly sapping the foundations of New Zealand's robnst youth, and advocates proteotipn as $c 9nlyautid«te,

We have received a latter complaining of the Switzers mails being left at the Beaumont Ferry post-office and not at the house where the Switzers coach driver lives, which it is stated is a mile further on the road. We presume the driver of the Dunstan coach has instructions where to leave the Switzets mail. If he does not leave it as instructed, the complainant has his remedy. A correspondent furnishes us with the following:— A meeting was called by public notice by Mr. Moyle for Thursday last, at CoghiU's Assembly Rooms, to ascertain what action the Committee appointed some six or eight months ago had taken to carry out the wishes of the inhabitants of Havelock in getting an Athenseum erected; The weather was good, and everything seemed favorable, but there only turned up two or three of the Committee. Even the Secretary of the Committee did not put in an appearance. It will be remembered that several valuable sections and a 500 acre endowment were set apart for the Havelock Athenseum. lam inclined to think, if the Committee appointed to take some active steps towards the erection of a building in this place persist in resting on their oars, there is every probability of our friends up the Gully getting possession of the endowments Some £40 or £50 were collected for the purpose of establishing an Athenaeum, and it shows very poor spirit on thp part of the Committee if they allow the matter to fall through. A ek-heakino in the case of the police against Dapp was granted, on the application of the defendant that had he had legal assistance he believed the verdict would be reveised. The case was beard on the 21st inst., before Air. Warden Wood. Several non-suit points weie raised, but which were not admitted by the Bench, and evidence was then gone into. Mr. Dnpp, Mr. Daniel Jope, and Miss Dapp gave evidence for the defence. Sergeant M'Nally showed good tact in his cross-examination of the witnesses. The evidence for the defence was thai bottles and decanters labelled "rum " and "brandy" were placed on the table ex« pressly for the convenience of Mrs. Dapp's friends, withoutany intention of offeiing any for sale. Mr. AVood dismissed the case, observing that the evidence for the defence was overwhelming, but expressed a very strong doubt as to the credibility of the witnesses. Complaints as to the late delivery of the Tapanui and Switzers mails are very uumerous, many of them being against Mr. Matheson, the contractor for the Switzers portion. We can exonerate him, as the fault lies entirely with the Government. Whilst tho main road is allowed to remain in such an impassible state, the Dunstan coach driver cannot be expected to keep time to the minute. It is an often expressed wish that the leading members of the Government should be yoked up with Mac as whip, and see if they could manage to pull through. We guess that would be a smart team for a bad road ! Mb. Thomas Coop, long known as telegraph line-man, has received the appointment of postmaster at Roxburgh, in place of Mr. Alfred Hale. We feel sure the appointment will be appreciated by the Teviot people, and from Mr. Coop's well known good business qualities and obliging manners, we expect the complaints so numerous hitherto received by us fiom that quarter, as to the non-delivery of the Tuapeka Times, vail become a thing of the past. Mb. George Smith met with an accident I whilst driving up the steep hill between the Beaumont Ferry and Rae's Junction. Hotel. He was driving an expresb with three horses, I which got fast in a deep rut, all efforts to extricate it being ineffectual. After several attempts to start the team the leader became restive, and suddenly jumped to one side, smashing the pole and doing other damage. Mr. Smith had to return to the Beaumont for assistance, anathematising the road makers ar.d the Government iv general. From advertisement it will be observed that Mr. W, H. Cox has commenced a cheap sale of drapery, clothing, and boots in Cnghill's Assembly Room. Havelock. As Mi: Cox purposes remaiuing there only fourteen days, those who wish bargains should avail themselves of the opportunity. On a recent tim to Switaeta, we visited tbe underground workings of the BUck Horse Claim, more familiarly known as the Break -em All Claim, deriving its name from the number of men who lost their small capital in endeavoring to extract from the wet and treacherous ground the treasures supposed to be hidden below, There is not the slightest doubt as to there being good gold in the claim. Splendid patches have been unearthed in the shallower ground from runs all tending into the deep lead , but from the enormous quantity of water, the proprietors have had to contend with the efforts to bottom the gutter in the present workings have been successful. The lead has been driven across, and from reef to reef measures 100 feet, resembling the bed of some ancient creek or river, heavy wash running on to the reef on both sides with payable gold throughout. The men are at present. employed, with the assistance of several pumps worked by a water wheel, to prospect the deeper ground to ascertain as near as possible the exact depth previous to sinking a new well shaft in the deepest portion. When once that object is attained future workings will be carried on rapidly. In some portions of the claim they have good payabte wash on a false bottom, but it is not the proprietors intention to remove it until the value of the mine is known. The claim is well worth a visit. The permanent work is done in a very superior manner. The main drives are closely timbered with heavy birch. The proprietors deserve success for tho plucky manner in which they have stuck to their arduous work, A SPECIAL meeting of the Lawrence Town Council was held on Monday evening for the purpose of passing a resolution empowering the Couucil to borrow the sum of £2000, for the purpose of building a town hall. There were present — the Mayor, and Crs. Hay, Hayes, Mears. Walker, and Armstrong and the Town Clerk. The .Mayor stated that the object of calling a special meeting was for the purpose of passing a resolution (the spirit of which had bepn resolved upon some time since) for the legalising of the power to borrow the sum of £2000, being part of the original sum agreed upon to enable the Council to proceed with the erection of a town hall. It was thereupon moved by Cr. Hay, seconded by Cr. Hayes, and carried nem. con. "That iv connection with the resolution of date 12th March, 1873, moved by Cr. Hay, seconded hy Or. Coverlid, with regard i to the advisability of obtaining a loan for various purposes, this Council do now borrow the sum of £2000 for the purpose of building a town hall in Lawrence, the sum named to be raised by the issue of 20 debentures of £100 each, bearing interest not exceeding the rate of six per centum per annum, payable half-yearly in Lawrence, Dunedin, or Melbourne, and redeemable twenty years from the date of issue, and to be secured upon the Corporation bondß." With reference to the correspondence which has appeared in our columns regarding the examination of weights and measures. Inspector Thompson informs us that on a requisition being presented to him by five residents, he would cause such an examination to be immediately instituted. It is rumored that a branch of the National Bank is shortly to be opened in Tapanui. We are requested to call attention to Mr. J. C. Arbuckle's monthly sale of horses, cattle, &c, at Havelock, on Saturday next, at which he will offer some good draught Btock, suitable for contractors, waggoners, &c; also, a substantial 5-roomed cottage „ with half an acre of land in the town of Havelock. On Wednesday next, he will dispose of the whole of Mr. Buck's household furniture at the Lawrence post-office. i The Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge will celebrate their anniversary on the sth proximo, a large number of tickets have been already disposed of. In the case of M f Comb v. Low the application for a new trial was not granted. Messrs Morrison & Irvine, the contractorsfor the Manuka Creek portion of the Lawrence and Tokomairiro railway, have 6ub-let a portion of the lyie to Messrs. M'Kenzie, who were recently engaged on the Clutha line at Caversaam, They are making preparations for a stavt. t

There is the unusually large number of 64 acceptances for the Melbourne Cup. All through the colonies speculation on the event is assuming large proportions, every small township running its £1 sweep on the event. In Melbourne and Dunedin Derby and Calcutta sweeps are reaching gigantic proportions. We call the attention of our readers to Mr. M. Hay's advertisement of sale of horses, oattle, pigs, &c, in Searle and M'lnnes* yards, Feelstreet, which takes place to-morrow. The auctioneer informs us that the oattle are all quiet and well-bred, and amongst the horses will be found some to Buit all classes of buyers. The concert for the benefit of the Athenaeum will take place in a few weeks. The local amateur vocalists have been in full practice for a considerable time, and no doubt the programme will be an attractive one, such as will ensure a bumper house. The usual monthly meeting of the Tuapeka Hospital Committee was held in the Commercial Hotel, on the evening of Tuesday, the 26th inst. Present— The President (Dr. Halley) Messrs. Armstrong, Harrop, Hills, Jeffery, Kofoed, Hayes, and the Resident Surgeon, Mr. Hay, the collector, informed the Committee that the subscriptions for the ensuing jear promised toexcetd last year's, £90 beingalready subscribed. The proceeds of an entertainment at Tapanui. amounting to £13, had been received by the Treasurer. It was moved that a letter be written to Messrs. Crawford, Mooney, and thanking them for their exertions on behalf of the Hospital. The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Carrick thanking him for the lecture he gave for the benefit of the Hospital. A vote of thanks was, at the same time, accorded to Mr. Armstrong for the use of the Assembly Rooms free of costs for Mr. Carrick's lecture. A message was received from Mr. Blewitt signifying his willingness to deliver a lecture at an early date on behalf of the institution. It was resolved that the President and Secretary wait upon Mr. Blewitt and ascertain the subject and proposed date of the lecture, f". .. J JeTe ** e T wa s oppointcd a member of ihe Visiting Committee in place of Mr. James Hill, who retires by rotation. A resolution was passed that the Visiting Committee be empowered to get the fence surrounding the Hospital put in thorough repair. The usual vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings. [A little more punctuality on the part of the Committee attending meetings would greatly facilitate business. An hour was lost wating for a quorum for the above meeting.— Ed, "T.T."] Mr. William Sheath has commenced business in Ross Place, and from the fine show of meat he is exhibiting, we expect he will secure a fair proportion of the trade of Lawrence and the surrounding districts. Mb. Harrop has just received direct from home a large parcel of some of the most popular books of the day,- consisting of Anthony Trollope's work on Australia and New Zealand ; Stanley's " How I found Livingston;' "Journal of the Seige of Paris," Captain Bingham ; "Correspondence of War between Germany and France," " Daily News ;"' " Expression of the Emotions," Darwin ; " Lifo of Count Bismark;" "Political Portraits;" " Lifo of Dr. Guthrie;" "A Lady among the Mormons;" " International Atlas, 1873 : " and numerous other sterling works ; also a large assortment of the newest and most pouplar novels by favorite authors. All these works are well bound, and offered at a figuire that will bring them within the reach of the public generally. Mr. Gboroe Jeffery informs us that he h'»s received a large consignment of new books. We shall enumerate a few of them in our next issue. A Letter from Alexandra signed " A Father/ also a Havelock correspondent's letter, arrived last evening too laic for publication. They will appear in our next issue. '