LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 296, 2 October 1873, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The ordinary meeting of the Lawrence Town Council, which should have been held on Monday evening, lapsed for want of a quorum. The Mayor, Crs. Mqara and Hay and the Town Clerk waited patiently for upwards of half-an-hour, but a quorum did not muster. Tho sketch plan of the town hall was on the table, and an explanatory letter from Mr. Lawson, architect. Or. Mean suggested that the plan should be submitted to the Public Works Committee for them to report upon at a special meeting to be called by the Mayor for the purpose. The Mayor fell in with the suggestion, and those present separated. ' ' '■- The " Daily Times," of Saturday, is rather severe on our Dunedin correspondent for haying propagated a statement concerning the Dunedin Hospital, which turned out to hare no foundation in fact. For the " Daily Times " (of all other journals in the colony) to read any person a lecture for misrepresenting facts, is about one of the coolest pieces of impudence it is possible to conceive. Probably there is not another newspaper in the colony more addicted to haphazard comments and assertions. It only requires a. reference to its tiles to enable anyone to see that we are stating a fact in writing thus, for the number of retractations and corrections it has from time to time been compelled -to makeis legion, not to mention the policy of reckless and wilful obstinacy that in its stubbornness it adopts as a medium of getting out of difficulties into which it has noundered^and which, it would wound its amour propre to acknowledge. We recommend our contemporary to bear in mind the old axiom, that "people who live in glass houses should not throw stones." Were a stone to be thrown at the glass house of the " Daily Times " every time that occasion, justified the proceeding, the glazier would be in very frequent requisition. In conclusion, we may just state that the rumor which "our correspondent embodied in his letter was the common talk of the city, and it was owing to tho publication of his letter being unavoidably delayed for a week, that the statement appeared after public denial of the reported occurrence had been made. The anniversary of the Loyal Tapanui Lodge of Oddfellows takes place to-morrow evening. The following particulars have been furnished to us by one of the raftsmen who discovered the human remains on the bank of the Molyneux lust week. Just a week before the discovery, they were out on a similar search for the body of poor Roscow, and when within three or four yards of the place where the discovery was made, they found a dog hung from a manuka tree, and resting in the current, about 3 or 4 feet from the bank— so near that a man could fin 1 no difficulty in stretching out from the bank and y suspending the dog> Furthur down the body was found between two- rocks that formed a sorb of miniature bay or dock in the'river. As they did not happen to look between the rocks in cuttii.g down the dog, they missed, it is believed, discovering the remains at the same time. Judging from the state of decomposition in both the dog and the man, they must must have been in the river for a similar period. Moreover, if the man, whether by accident or design, dropped in the river between the rocks, he may never have moved from the pl&ce ; and a fresh, when he rose io the surface, may have landed him highei on the bench. Our informant believes it the very last place where any one would go for the purpose of destroying a dog, and it would seem as if the man and the dog wore somehow connected. The dog lie further described «s not large, and of tho ball breed. —On last Monday week, it is also reported that a man man while waiting for the pant opposite C'yduvalo Station, saw a corpso ji:tss ; mid news has reached the Mouth t'n.ic the day following, two men standing on the bridge utßalolutha saw a similar sight. Of course, when people are anxiously looking for poor Boscow's remains, suah items of rumor are greedily seized. Mr. CASKT-has introduced an amended Land ' Bill into the Victorian Parliament for the purpose of increasing the area of selection from 320 to 640 acres, and to relax the conditions of residence and cultivation. The reason for this measure is said to be that the best of the laud has been taken up, leaving only the poorer portion for selection. The usual fortnightly readings were held in Wefcherstones on Thursday evening last; a goodly number of people turned out considering the weather, which was rather stormy. After the readings, a few hours enjoyable dancing followed. The same evening a house belonging to Mrs, Scoto caught fire, hut it was fortunately extinguished without doing much damage. Tenders are called for pitching and gravell* ing 59 chains of road between Tokomairiro and Tuapeka near the fiuming. This has been one of the worst parts of the road during the past winter months. We, are glad to notice the Provincial Executive intend, executing these works early in the summer. To those unacquainted with the circunutanoef. the scene presented on Tuesday, 23rd ult.. of four Chinamen on horseback, under strong escorV riding up Peel-street was very amusing. Here were four harmless creatures who had been guilty of the grave offence of sinking a few holes in the 10,000 acre block of land, said to be non-auriferous, lately sold in the neighborhood of Tapanui, some 40_ miles distant from Lawrence, convicted of mining on private property, and fined in the amount of £6 each— more money we guess than they have earned for some months past— and in default of payment, brought to Lawrence at the expense of the country. Each of course had to be provided with a horse, and two mounted constables were required to see them safely lodged in Lawrence gaol. Had they been sentenced to three months, some good might have been got out of them. As it is, they will only be getting properly acquainted with their work when they will be set at liberty. Verily the ways of our J.P.s are inscrutable. Tenders are called for pitching and gravelling; the unfinished portion of the road between Tokomairiro and Lawrence. Ere another winter we may expect to see the road from Tuapeka to Dunedin completed, and the journey robbed of its present discomforts. Mining on the banks of the Molyneux during the past winter has been pursued under difficulties. The fickle river has kept continually rising and falling, and in some instances, where meu were working deep ground, their winter's work has been almost profitless. Most of the claims at the Teviot are engaged stripping top stuff —the large quantity of water available at this season enabling them to get the stuff away very quickly. Messrs. Woodhouse have juit finished a large paddock. This party employ a large number of wages men. At the Homeshoe Bend the system of working with; tracks has been for some 'time in operation. ' The ground in one of the claims is very deep, but it is worked very systematically, and we believe pays the proprietors well. Two dredgesNicholson's and Wood's -are at work on the river near Moa Flat, with payable results. The Government are calling for tenders' for pitching and gravelling ; 0 chains of road near Tubman's property, on the Teviot road; also 80 chains between Stewart's, at? the Island Block, and Benger Burn. The advertisement calling for tenders appears in our present issue. We are glad to see that something is to be done to this long neglected road, and hope ere long to see the whole of it put in a passable condition. The recent heavy floods have destroyed the track in many places. The creeks were swollen to such an .extent - that the water Bpretd o»'er the surface for a mile, and in places .Chan? n els were formed in the centre of the roadway. The surfacemen, under the direction of Mr. Barr, are engaged in the necessary repairs. A MAN named Nation fell from his horse and fracturned his aim while riding over the range* in the direction of Reedy Creek recently^ xiw sufferer is in the Tuapeka Hoapitnl, and is progressing favorably under the care of Dr. Stewart, Some gentlemen in the Teviot are taking steps to form v Foresters' Court in that district. There is ample scope for one. The only real obstacle in the way is the want of a resident medical practitioner, but that will no doubt soon be overcome. Should the Court be opened, it will be an additional inducement for a doctor to settle there, ,-

Mb. John O'Bbikn, well-known in the Manuherikia and Dunstan districts, expired in the Dunstan Hospital last week We are informed that the deceased had been suffering for «6me time past. Mr. O'Brien had resided in the Gorge at the foot of the Old. Man Ranges for a number of years. During the early days of the rush to Campbells aud other gullies at the other side of the Range, O'Brien was tha means of saving the lives of many who had lost their way in the snow, and who, but for the pluck t>f good-hearted "Johnny O'Brien o' the Gorge," would have found a grave on the mountain amidst the snowdrifts which, during the first winter of the rush, cost so many rash men their lives. Mr. O'Brien leaves a good property, which we learn he has bequeathed to • nephew in Victoria. FBOH the Maerewhenua Correspondent's letter in the " Mount Ida Chronicle," we learn that a one-eight share in the Mosquito water race was lately sold for the sum of £550 to Mr. M'lntosh of the Blue Spur. The same writer states that Mr. Barclay, from the same place, bought a share in the Fiery Cross for the sain of £400, Both parties have the different clauxs, and are well satisfied. Mb. Loqan, telegraph Inspector, visited Tapanui and Switzers last week to make arrangements for the extension of the telegraphic wire to these places. We are informed that as soon the line between Naseby and Blacks is finished, theTap&mu and Switzers one will be started. A LABGE percentage of lambs has been lost by the runholders this season— the inclement weather during the last month has been the Cause, It is to be hoped the price of wool will remain «« a good figare, so as iv some reapeebs to compensate the squatters for their heavy losses. A LiBGE vein of antimony has been discovered Dear Coal Creek; the exact locality has not been made public. We believe the prospector has sent a small quantity to Dunedin for assay. Mr. JOHN Beighton is making extensive alterations in his business premises at Roxburgh ; the millinery department of his business is to be considerably enlarged. A one-eighth share in a claim on the Waikaia was sold last week for £450. The ground is immensly rich in places, and no doubt the next season will see a large number of men profitably employed in that locality. Besides the large deposits known to exist, there is a large quantity of timber, Mr M'Lean, late of the Waikaia Flat, is erecting a saw mill on the ground. We hope the Government will, as soon as the weather permits, make a road through thebush ; it could be done very cheaply, and would be the means of opening up a fine tract of first-class agricultural land. There is no doubt quartz reef a exist ai>o«t the head o? the Waikaia River. Several rich specimens have been unearthed in the alluvial workings. The pheasants on Cargill and Anderson's Station are thriving weU ; they are gradually spreading over the district, some having been seen at the Beaumont recently. Mr. Hatching, of Moa Flat Station, has sent to Victoria for tome hares. . which he purposes turning out on the ran. We have no doubt but that they will thrive well in that locality. Great credit is duo to the Above-named gentlemen for their endeavors to introduce game. Fbom an advertisemement in ar other column, it will be seen that the celebrated horse Quicksand will again travel the Tuapeka and Tokomairiro districts, thus making three seasons in succession in these localities. This horse haa loft some fine stock, and fur symmetry, speed, and endumi.ee, we question if iie can be surpassed in Otago. For four months during the worst of the winter weather, a member of our staff rode him all round the country, making time on the bad roads superior to that which ordinary horses do in the height of summer. We can confidently recommend him to bi eeders who wish to secure good hacks or light harness horses. His owner has secured a large paddock for the convenience of mares coming from a distance. Mb. P, M 'Gill's flour mill at Ethick is progressing rapidly towards completion, and will, no doubt, be finished in ample time for next .ha; vest. Two. shares in the Hercules Company at the Teviofc, changed bunds last week for the large sum of £850. Mr. Borton, the late Warden, was the purchaser. Several shares in other companies on the river had also been disposed of recently at high prices. The ''North Otago Times" makes the following comments on a debt case heard at Oaniaru a few days ago :—": — " In reference to the case of M 'Murray v. Coverdale, our readers will perceive that it was ' shouting' that brought the plaintiff before the Court. We are utterly astonished that some private member of Parliament has not brought in a bill dealing with the gigantic «vils of 'shoutii.g.' It is bad enough to be able to get drunk for cash, for credit, or for barter, but to be able to get drunk without any personal responsibility whatever is a most seductive premium to intoxication. The subject of 'shouting" is surrounded with difficulty, but surely that difficulty could be obviated by keen legal sagacit}. What an immense amount of sagacity is brought to bear on various kinds of legal commercial persecution. Have we no legal acumen to spare for the unfortunate victims of dipsomania ?" The following from "Passing Notes" in the" Otago Witness "is a good skit on the incessant which has taken place on the Waste Lands of Otago : — Among the ancient historical records of the Province of Otago, it would be well to stow away a pricis of the legislation concerning her waste lands. Certainly no one will believe the truth, unless it be put in some very plain -way. In 1856, the Otago Waste Lands Act was passed to finally settle any and every difficulty. In 1857, an Amendment Act w as necessary. 1858, an Amendment of Amendment Act was passed. 1859, an Amendment of Amendment of Amendment Act was required. 1860, a consolidation of all previous Acts was carried, 1861, an Undoing Act was needed. 1862, an Act explanatory of the Undoing Act. The land then had rest two years. 1867, an Act was passed, raising tbe price to £2 per acre. 1868, an Act reducing the price to 10s. per.acre. 1869. an Act was carried, refusing to sell more than 50 acres to any one holder. 1870, an Act repealing the Act of 1869. 1871, an Act declaring that the Otago waste lands should all be reserved as an endowment for the Lunatic Asylum. 1872, an Act declaring pll not hypothecated for some loan to be forfeited to the North Island, In 1873, an Act, two Acts, three or four Acts, *being amendments of the amended Acts of all previous Acts as yet unrepealed, was refused the governor's assent. 1874, an Act declaring j that all previous Acts were repealed, and all the lands of the Southern Island were to be reserved as an endowment for the Maoris of the Waikato, was a'most unanimously agreed to -Mr. J. L. Gillies and the Minister of Injustice recording a protest. . Thb Melbourne correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times," in recording the death of Bamford, who has held the post of common hangman in Victoria for a considerable .period, says : • "The successor had been intro--ducedto the flogging work, where it was necessary to replace Bamford, as he had got too weak for the work. Recently, Bamford was sent up to Ballarat to hang a black scoundrel named Wallace, and it is said that his substitute in Melbourne threatened to strike unless he was allowed to take the hanging with the flogging. His ruffled feelings were, however, soothed for a time, and now the lamented decease of his superior has left him in possession of the office, with all the perquisites and privileges thereto appertaining. The freehold land on which the Chrisfcehurch Town flail stood was sold on Monday last. Ifc has 85 feet of frontage to one of the principal streets, and realised the sum of #7000,

Thb ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee of the Taapeka Hospital took place in the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday evening last. The following members of Committee were present: — Dr. Halley (in the chair), Messrs. Jeffery, Hill, Harrop, Hills, Arbuekle, and Hayes (Secretary). Dr. Stewart (resident surgeon) and Mr. Hay (collector) were also present. The minutes of the former meeting were read and- confirmed. The surgeon's report wi»B laid upon the table, and showed 8 patients in the hospital at the beginning of the month, 12 admitted during the month, 6 discharged, leaving 14 patients in the hospital at the end of the month. The only business before the Committee for consideration was the following letter from the Secretary of - Court Star of Tuapeka: — "Court Star of Tuapeka, Lawrence, September 6th, 1873. Sir,— -I beg to call your attention to the following copy of a minute passed at the last meeting of the members of the above Court, aud shall be glad to have an early reply from you in regard to the matter : • Tbat the Secretary be instructed to write to the Secretary to the Tuapeka Hospital, 'calling his attention to the fact that the late John Kobinson, a member of the Foresters' Society, who died in the hospital on the 29th»ult., was after death treated as a pauper, the said John Kobinson being a paying patient during his illness, and further to ask why he was so treated, in having his remains placed for burial in a pauper's coffin.' — I remain, sir, your obedient searvant, «TOHfl[ Thompson, Secretary. Mr. Win, Hayes, Secretary Tuapeka Hospital, Lawrence." The letter was received ; also one accompanying it from Mr. W. H. Trubshaw, Court Havelock, making certain charges against Mr. Mears, who has the contract for the hospital interments. Mr. Mears was called into the meeting, and on Mr. Trubshaw's letter being read, to him, he characterised the statements made therein as false, but declined to give an explanation unless desired by (ha Committee, and then only in writing. After considerable discussion, the following resolution was adopted : "That the Secretary beinstructed to write Mr. Mears, enclosing a copy of the letter containing the allegations against him, and requesting an explanation by Thursday afternoon." As it was decided to hold a special meeting on Thursday evening to consider the matter, we shall hold over our report till next issue, when the whole subject will be laid before our readers. Mr. Walker retired from the Visiting Committee, and. Mr. 8,. Hills was appoin.-ed to act in his stead. Mr. Bay, , collector, reported upon his work for the past month. The meeting then adjourned. Messrs. I. Hallenstein & Co., of Queenstown, have purchased the drapery business j which has been carried on by Mr. M'Beath in Lawrence, for the last ten or twelve years. This enterprising firm, in addition to their extensive establishment at Queenstown, have business houses iv London, Melbourne, and Cromwell. The Lawrence branch, we are informed, will be under the care of the managing partner, Mr. Fraer, who has so successfully managed the Cromwell business for the last five years. From the wellknown go-ahead policy displayed by this firm in their large" and varied commercial enterprises, we look upon their advent in Lawrence with, considerable satisfaction. Although Mr. M'Beath has sold his business. i we tru3t it is not bis intention to leave Lawj rence where he has made so many frienils ; ;_ let us rather hope that he will devote part of his capital in the development of some' of our local industries. We have received a letter from Mr. Hinde with reference to the public meeting held at the Blue Spur, having for its object the reservation of block XIX. from agricultural leasing ; but as the Government have signified tleir intention of withdrawing thai block hrom application, the insertion of the letter could not in any way change the result. The following correspondence shows the result of the public meeting held at the Blue Spur with reference to the leasing of agricultural areas on block xix. :— " Goldfields Oflice, September 25, 1873.— Sir,— I have the honor to inform you, in answer "to a petition received from the miners of the Blue Spur, that the Government have given instructions to the District Warden not to grant any agricultural leases in block xix., Tuapeka Eaat. — I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Hobacb Bastings, Secretary for Goldfields. —Mr. T. F. Morris, Blue Spar." The following letter was forwarded in reply :—: — "Blue Spur, September 26. 1873.— Sir, - In reply to yours dated 25th inst., on behalf of the petitioners of Blue Spur, 1 am requested to return their sincere thanks for your kind and prompt attention in causing block xix., Tuapeka East, to be permanently set aside for the benefit of the miners. — I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, T. F. Morris. — Horace Bastings, Esq., Secretary for Goldfields." Our Blue Spur correspondent writes as follows : — On the Spur, mining matters are I progressing favorably. The present extraordinary wet weather has given an abundance of water for the dams and races, which is being taken advantage of by most of the companies. The Perseverance Co. have come to an arrangement with Messrs. Morrison j and Co. for the purpose of carrying the water j across their claim to wash away the great quantity of looße stuff on the boundary They are now engaged with doable shifts, -working 16 hours in the 24, and getting through enormous quantities. With the exception of th& Nelson Co., who have just washed up after a considerably long spell, all the other claims are fully at work. There was a rather bitter storm amongst us lately on account of some of our residents applying for more than their fair share of land adjacent to the township. A great quantity has already been leased and fenced in. That intended or i used for actual settlement, few can object | to ; but when intended for speculation or trade purposes, it becomes another question. Steps were taken to oppose the applications, and a memorial forwarded to the Government, which promptly brought forth an assurance tint no further leasing would be allowed in the locality. Since we have got so much, steps are about to be taken t<Tremove another nuisance, in the shape of protecting the commonage from the encroachment of the neighboring squatters' sheep and cattle. The complaint is simply this, that the herds of the large squatters are eating the grass which the smaller squatters say should be reserved for them. A. meeting on this subject is called for Thursday night, when no doubt the question will be fully discussed. Horacb Greely thus hits the nail on the head — "It is' strange how closely men read tne papers. "We never say anything that anybody don't like, but we are sure to soon hear of it. If, however, once in a while, we happen to say a good thing, we never hear of that. We pay a man a hundred compliments, and give him a dozen puffs, make speeches for him, and out of nonsensical harangues made on public platforms make him appear to say something brilliant, and he takes it all as a tribute to his greatness, and he never thinks it does him any good. But if we happen to say things this man don't like or something he imagines is a reflection on his character, see how quick he gets mad and flares up about it. All our evils are duly chalked against us ; but we never apparently get any credit for what good we do,"

The date for the concert and ball on behalf of the Tnapeka Hospital has been definitely fixed for Friday, the 17th instant. The programme will appear in our next issue. Frequent inquiries having been made as to the progress of the Gabriels Gully Quartz Co., we have referred to the Manager, who informs us that since the date of last report, the Company, in accordance with their intention mentioned therein, have suspended their operations pending the completion of the tunnel of the Clarks Hill Prospecting Co. as far as the line of their reef. This work is progressing very satisfactorily,' the ground continuing soft ; and at the present rate of progress, the line of the reef should be crossed about the end of this month. The alluvial gold met with on the Clarks Hill Co.'s reserve, proved to be only a small gutter running out at the crown of the Spur. The gold was coarse and heavy, and from the position of the run, in all probability, more deposits of a similar nature exist at the same level on that side of Gabriels Gully. We learn that the delay in the formation of the footpath to Wetherstones, towards which the Progress Committee hfcve collected £40, is owing to the Government Engineer not having made the necessary surveys. As soon as this is done, the work will be proceeded with. From advertisement it will be seen that Mr. Aitken is receiving another consignment of gum boots. The •• Southland Times " in a recent issue says :— The Post Office authorities would confer a benefit on the public if they caused a lamp to be lit up, on the evenings when rn'iils arrive, in the compartment of private boxes. As it is necessary for nearly every one who goes to a box at night to strike a light, there, is considerable danger of the office being set on fire through matches being carelessly thrown down." The provision of a lamp would cost little, and do away with the risk now incurred. "We would gladly make the same reccomendation with regard to the Lawrence Post Office if it were worth preserving, but the best thing the authorities could do w. our case would be to supply all the small Doys that congregate in the shed where the private boxes are placed with an unlimited number of matches, so that the rotten old building might speedily be consumed and left no longer a disgrace to the *town.