LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 293, 11 September 1873, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to the pressure on our space this week, weaie compelled to hold over till next issue communications signed *' A Miner," '* Non Lil>et, v and " Veritas and Fair Play," our report of yesterday's Warden's Court, and our Dunedin and Dunstan correspondents letters. AN inquest on the body of Edward Thompson, who lost his life while at work at Messrs. Theyers and Beck's Brewery, was held on Saturday afternoon last before W. L. Simpson, Esq» Coroner for the Dqnst^n district. It appeared from the evidence that deceased was at work with James Hessan and James Simmonds, taking out sand and gravel from below the gable wall of the Brewery, and replacing it with stone when the wall gave way and smothered Thompson. Simmonds had'otid of his thighs broken, and Hessan escaped with some bruises. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death on the body of Thompson. We shall publish the full particulars of the accident in our next issue. The Government Assessor, Mr! Calcutt, has been making a tour of the railway line from Tokoinairiro to Lawrence, for the purpose of valuing the property through which it passes. It is evident from several of the sums we have heard mentioned, that the compensation offered by the Government will be very inadequate for the damage done by the cutting up of the properties cencerned. In the case of one of our neighbouring farmers, we are informed that thevaluation placed upon his house and that portion iof the land required (? acres) is £75 ; whereas, at ; a lon calculation, the cost of the same to the owner had been £175. Any appeal from the assessment made .by the Government must be. to the Supreme Court, The Lawrence swimming bath, constructed last summer at some considerable cost, has been partly destroyed. Some mischievous individuals have broken dawn the wall and stopped up the outlet, musing the water to overflow and wash away a portion of the embankment. It is to be hoped the public will not trudge a few pounds for repairs. The summer is drawing near, and the luxury of a bath, can be appreciated by everyone. Complaints have been very frequent of late as to horses running about the township daring the nigbt. Lust Tuesday two horses camped under Mr. Lyng's verandah during the heavy rain, and no* satisfied with the shelter, they broke a large square of glass in one of the windows. It is very annoying to the towns-people to have their property destroyed in this manner. It will be advisable for owners of horses to keep them in a suitable place, otherwise they may be called upon to pay a rather heavy price fw the sleeping accommodation of their four-footed friends. The concert in aid of the funds of the Toapek& Athemeuu* will be held on the 19th instant, thia day week. Tfce- programme *iU ha iovsA Vk <M» ad,vej(&Ws WhjUftQA.

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Lawrence was visited by a heavy rainfall on Monday last— a continuous downpour for 24 hours. -The creeks rose gradually until 12 o'clock, but did not afterwards attain a greater height. Mr. Leary's house, situated ou the edge of the creek, was surrounded by water, and anxious inquiries were made during the evening as to the safety of his property. On Tuesday night, and the greater part of yesterday, storms of enow and sleet fell at short intervals. A LABGE number of Mr. Buck's friends assembled in Peel-street, on Monday morning last, to wish him .God speed. He carries with him to his new scene of labor (Westport) the hearty good wishes of the inhabitants of Lawrence. A grand pigeon match is to take place at Lawrence, on the 15th of next month, between five gentlemen from Dunedin, and five from the up-country districts. Mr. S. G. Smith is forming the Dunedin party, and the well-known runholder, Mr. Glassford, the up-country team. Preliminary arrangements are already being made, and the sarrpunding districts are being scoured for the feathered tribe, who are to become the victims of the friendly match, 400 birds are required for the match, which will, no doubt, be followed by sweepstakes. The novelty of a shooting match in this district will, no doubt, attract a large concourse of people from the surrounding districts. Guns which have long lain idle will be burnished afresh by those who will go in for scouting. It is to be hoped regulations will be enforced by those gentlemen who have the conducting of the affair in hand to prevent the anxious sportsmen, who do the scouting, from shooting recklessly amongst the people, otherwise we fear there will be blcod flowing from Her Majesty's lieges as well as from pigeons. Mr. James Barclay has sold his interest in Messrs. Morrison and Party's claim on the Blue Spur, and intends leaving shortly for Maerewhenua, where he has purchased an interest in a large claim— Mr. John Davidson formerly resident in this district is one of the shareholders. We can ill-afford to lose such men as Mr. Barclay. He was one of the pioneer party in the early days of cement punching. He still retains an interest in the Extended Company's claim. Messrs. Gordon and Gotch, the celebrated news agents, have removed their London offices from Holborr. Hill to more commodious premises in St. Brides-st, the large colonial business transacted by this firm obliging them to leave their old premises for a more extensive building. Mr. George Morrison's tender for the erection of a church for the Congregation body, which at present meets in the Aihenceum, has been accepted. The amount of the tender is £404. The tender of Mr. S. A.. Miller for the erection of a new Wesleyan Church in Lawrence, for £299 has been accepted. The Bey. George Smith, Missionary to the Chiuese at Swatow, province of Canton, on Friday evening laht delivered a long and interesting lecture in the Presbyterian Church. He gave an outline of the origin and history of the Chinese nation, describing the several dynasties which had ariseh and passed away in succession, the progress of idolatry, worship of ancestors, &c. He explained tbe relationship only lately established with other nations, and the opening up of the country to missionary enterprise. The lecture was listened to with very great attention. On Sunday last, at the Blue Spur at 3 o'clock, and in the evening at Lawrence, the same gentleman gave highlyinteresting addresses on the subject of "Christian Missions in China." The address in the evening lasted for an hour and a l?alf, and .was listened to with marked attention throughout. After glancing at the enormous extent and population of China, he gave an outline of the efforts of the Roman Catholic Church some centuries ago to introduce Christianity, and to circulate the Soriptures. He described the present state of missions ; its difficulties and drawbacks ; and pleaded most eloquently the cause of the mission to China, inasmuch as Chiua was the citadel of heathenism, the greatest efforts should be made to Christianise it. There was a large attendance in 'the evening ; and the collections at all places, we understand, amounted to over £11.