Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 323, 21 January 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

A MEETING of the Tuapeka Atlienteum Committee was held on the 19th inst. Present : Mr. J. C. Brown, President, and Messrs. Halley, Squires, Ferguson, Pyke, and Abel. The minutes of the previous meeting were reail and confirmed. Messis. Abel, Squires, and Ferguson were appointed to prepare the report for the annual meeting. A list of books was selected from the catalogue lately received from the Education Board, and the Secretary was instructed to forward the same to the Board as soon passible. This concluded the business before meeting.

A BRANCH of the Gorge Creek Water Race has beeu cut "to the Alexandra road, in the vicinity of Butchers Gully. We tiust the proprietors will be enabled to dispose of the water at remuneiative rates. The work of construction has been both difficult anil expensive.

Fifteen Shillings per cby- was offered for harvest men on Moa Flat laat week, and men even at that rate were hardly to be obtained.

A parcel of new oats was sold at the Teviot last week at tb.3 ra.te of 2s. 61. per bushel ou the ground. „ A meeting of the Moa Flat Pt ogress Committee was hehl last week. The account for Messrs Sullivan ami/party's contract (approaches to the punt) was passed for payment, Application is no be made to the Government to reserve a piece of land on Moa Flat for a racecourse ancf lecreation ground. A resolution was passed that it was advisable to erect an Athi*n_ reura buiiding, and that immediate steps should be taken to obtain a grant for the same. The Secretary was instructed to communicate with tbe Executive in regard to metalling the roadway through the township, which work they had promised to peiform. A resolution was then passed that the cemetery be placed in repair and seeuiely fenced.

A sale of sections in tho township of Etbvick was held on Monday last. Mr. Stanbrook, of Clyde, was auctioneer. The majority fetched over tho upset price, the highest being £8 15s. Mr. Kitciiing, of Moa Flat Station, was the purchaser of all the allotments offered.

A CORRESPONDENT, wiitiug from Roxburgh on the 17 tb, says :—" On Wednesday last we were honored by a flying visit from the Governor and suite. The sympathy of tbe Roxburgh people with the Governor against demonstrations of any kinil uas plainly shown on this occasion, as complete silence reigned during his stay. The only one amongst us who interviewed the Governor was our enterprising townsman Mr. U. M'Douall, who presented bis Excellency with an umbrella and Mr. M.icundrew wiih a walking stick, which belonged fo that auii.ihle indwidunl, and whioh Mi. WDuiiall Imul picked up somewhere about the Horseshoe I»end. He nlso assured the Governor that he w,is extremely sorry for the csips : ze he must have had where the articles were picked up, which statement was pooh-boohcri by the Governor, who saM that as yet uo capsize had happened, and he did not think one was likely to occur while the reins were in his hands. "Whether he spoke figuratively, meaning the reius of Government, is still an open question here. A simple * Thank you ' was the only remuneration Mr. M'ljouall received, and he retired amid the laughter of the multitude, who fully expected to see him presented, ia return for his services, with something more substantial. But still he lives in hope, which I am afraid is destined to disappointment,'' -

Last evening, Mr. Clapcott gave a selection from his Headings, in the Assembly' Boom, Lawrence, for the benefit of the funds of tbe TuapeM Hospital. J. Mouat, Esq., occupied the ohair. There was a fair attendance , and Mr. Clapcott appeared in very good trim. His Readings were thoroughly appreciated, as they deserved to be. At tho close, a hearty vote of vote of thanks was passed, on the motion of Dr. Halley, to Mr. Clapcott for his kindness in placing his valuable services at the command of the Hospital Committee.

Lime burning has been commenced by Mr. Gideon Smith at Gorge Creek, on tbe Alexandra road, where limestone has been found in inexhaustible quantities. This will be a boon to the inhabitants of Alexandra and surrounding districts, where stone buildings are the order of the day. Before lime was discovered in the above locality, it had to be brought a long distance, and was a most expensive material in building.

The crops in the Speargrass Flat district are looking well this season. Harvesting operations are in full swing ; labor is scarce, with wages at the rate of 12s. per day.

Mr v Miller, of Coal Creek Flat, Roxburgh, is employed building a large boat for the Moa Flat School Committee capable of conveying 15 passengers. The timber used is principally kauri. Mr. Miller h.as, for years, turned out a large number of boats to do service on the Molyneux. No dnubt when the excellency of his workmanship becomes known, he will have a far greater demand for them. A local industry of this description deserves every encouragement from the public.

RIPB apricots are already obtainable at the Teviot. Although the recent heavy gales have committed great damage to the trees, which were otherwise promising a very large yield of fruit, sufficient still remains to pay the growers. Peaches will not be so plentiful as last year, as they have been affected <vitk blight.

Roxburgh was visited by another heavy gale on Sunday last, which we are sorry to say did a considerable amount of damage, especially to the grain crop and fruit trees. Several buildings hud to be protected with prop 3to prevent their overthrow, and one chimney was placed hors de combat. The punt crossed passengers at intervals through the duy ; but not without considerable rink t<% both punt, and passengers.

A New Courthouse for Clydo is in course of construction. It will be a substantial building when completed. The site is the Camp reserve, adjoining the small building at present in use.

Messrs. Attfield & Welsford. of Clyde, tire getting a handsome new shop and residence erected opposite the Port Philip Hotel. The is of stone, coated with cement. When completed it will bo an^ornamerit," to- -the town, and a good copy for othets to follow, who still dwell in the primitive wood and iron shells, which tho dus>t penetrates to the discomfort of the tebidents.

We bog to remind our readers that the T^panui races take place to-morrow and Friday. The progiamnie is au excellent one; and we are informed th.it a large number of horses are already at the scene of action. Fine weather is all that i 3 wanted to ensure visitois of two good day's sport.

Heavy numing- I>oxps, cartying 14 heads of water, wera blown down by the heavy gales at the Teviot last week.

Shearing ou the Moa Flufc and Ovens Hill Station will be finished in a few d-iys.

The funeral of the late William Thomas Thornton, who was found dead in »i gully near the Hound Hill on Friday night last, took place on Sund.iy. The deceased waa a inem.ber of the Ancient Order of Foresters, having joined the same only two months previous to his death. There was a lurg« turu-uut of the bretbern of Court Havelock.

A report was current yesterday evening that in opening out the stone in G.ibriels reef in the lower level, as mui.tioueil in our last, the lode has rapidly increased in size, and shows payable piospecta.

At the half-yearly meeting of Court Hayelock, A.0.F., which was held on the 13th inst., Bro. Storie was elected 0.R. ; Bro. King, S.C.K. ; Bro. Cairns was re-elected Secretary ; Bro. MTaggarfc vr is re-elected Treasurer ; Bia M'K:nnon,S.W.; Bro. Cross, J.W.; Bro. Moy'le, 5.8.; and Bro. Cosstick, J.B.

We are informed by a most trustworthy gentleman that from Cromwell all the way to Lawrenco via Clyde, Alexandra, Speargraas Flat, and Eoxburgh, there ia scarcely a hostelry where a decent luncheon of fresh-cooked meat caa, at present, be had. The various enterprising proprietors of the diffeient hotels have their pliices completely glutted with re.uly cooked meats, pastiy, &c, &c, prepared in anticipation of the Governor's visit, but of whioh he would not condescend to p.n-take. Ia order to, in some measure, compensate for heavy loss, they appear to make unfortunate travellers the victims cf the Governor's tour.

Mr. Ciafcott requests us to mention that his stay in Lawrence will terminate on Monday next. Those persons therefore who intend availing themselves of the liberal insurances offered by the Government had better lose uo time iv making application. Mr. Clapcott lectures at Tapanui. ou Tuesday, and at Switzers, ou Saturday, next week.

The following is the result "of the lake Wakitip Races.— fclaiden plate, 25 soys. — Ilawere, 1 ; Lellia, 2. Grand Stand Handicap, of 50 soya— Tambouriui, 1 ; Taffrai', 2. Hack [Selling Raoe, 20 soys — Port Phillip Buck, 1. Wakatip Handicap, 35 soys. — Sir Tatton. 1 ; Brunette, 2. Hack Hurdle Kace, 25 soys. — Nigger, I. Wakatip Derby, 40 soys. — Maid, 1. District Handicap, 80 soys. — Malabar, 1 ; Tambourini, 2. Ladies' Purse, 25 soys . — Sir Tatton, 1 ; Malabar 2.

The non-arrival of the Suez mail is beginning to ca\ise considßrable remark, and the idea most generally entertained seems to be that the P. andO. Co.'s steamer Pera has broken down*. She was telegraphed as having left ,0-alle on the 22nd December, and therefore ought ro have arrived in Hobson's Bay at the lale3t on the 11th in3t. Th§ mail, therefore, is now four days overdue in New Zealand, and all" chance of people being able to reply by tbe outgoing mail to letters brought by the incoming one, is now past. The Tararua, however, which is due at Port Chalmers today, has tho supplementary mail brought out from England by .the Ellora, and this halfloaf is better than no bread. — " Daily Times."

An* amusing incident occurred at Grreyrnoulh recently, when the s.&. Murray arrived alongside the wharf.' Amongst her passengers were a considerable number of Chinamenj who had not, according to tbe views of our Maori friend Tainui, a right upon the soil, until (hey had paid their footing to the New Zealand aboriginal, Accordingly, he stationed himself at. the gangway, and earnestly requested payment of h&if-a-crown per head. The innocent Celestials were at first rather taken aba';k, but finally concluded not to pay, which they did not, though they noue the 1c33 effected a landing. — " Greymoutk Star."

A project is on foot in the Blueskin district (so says the "Waikouaiti Herald") to import a first-class draught entire from home, specially for the district, and with this view a company is being formed on the joint-stock principle— the proposed capital required being £400. in 80 shares of £5 each. From that we. can learn, the project is regarded with great favour by the settlers interested, and a considerable proportion of the sum required has already been taken np in shares or promised,

A Pekin, HI., local editor wrote the following notice on assuming his duties : — " Sensational, distressing details of revolting murders and shocking suicides respectfully solicited. Bible class presentations and ministerial donation parties will be ' done ' with promptness and despatch. Kene banks and their operation made a speciality. Accurate reports of Sunday School anniversaries guaranteed. The local editor will cheerfully walk 17 miles after Sunday school to see and report a prize fight. Funerals and all other melancholy occasions written up in a manner to challenge admiration. Horse races reported in the highest style of the reportorial art. Domestic broils and conjugal felicities sought for with untiring avidity. Police Court proceedings and sermons reported in a manner well calculated to astonish the prisoner, magistrate, and preacher."

Major Le Poer Trench, in a letter to the " Times," communicates a vivid account from personal observation of the destructive progress of tho bog of Dunmore in Ireland. Up to a fortnight ago the bog presented the usual appearance of any other undrained bog with which the tourist in the West of Ireland is too familiar. To a casual eye it was simply a vast brown liquid mass, elevated 260 ft. above the level of the sea, and totally disconnected from the surrounding pasture and arable lands by banks of high, thick turf. But by means of a small stream it communicated with the Dunmore river, three miles off, and thus formed an element of danger to the intervening country. On the first day of this month came the crisis. The farmer occupying the land nearest the bog was digging his potatoes when he suddenly observed a brown mass slowly approaching him. He left his spade in the ground and went for the neighbours ; on his return, the mass (which was the rolling bog) had half covered liis potatoe-field, and completely hidden from sight his field of corn, with the exception of a few stooks, Bituated on a knoll ; they still remain an island in the middle of a scene of desolation. This was but the commencement . Since then the bog has continued to advance in a rolling mass, continuing its course right down the valley to Dunmore, burying o:i its way three farmhouses, and covering at least 180 acres of pasture and arable land to a depth, in some places, of six feet- The unfortunate victims of tho three farcns have been turned, by this " visitation of Providence," , farmless and homeless, with their families on the world. Major Trench, it will be seen, calls this desolation "a visitation of Providence." But he himself attributes it to tho right caxxse when he assigns it "to the absence of a complete and good system of arterial drainage."

The following amusing scene ia related by the " Daily Times :" — A Maori and. a Chinaman engaged in jan encounter of wits the other day, on the Fort Chalmers Railway Pier. The men were fair types of their respective races _ _ Qnjthe one hand, the Maori, with, tatooed features and haughty bearing ; on the other, the Mongol, low browed and crafty look, with shaven crown and pendent pigtail. The Maori was no other than W. Potiki, well-known at the Port ; whilst whilst the Celestial was one of those who left yesterday for the land of their fathers in the barque Hadda. The meeting was brought about casually. Potiki, decked out in gorgeous array, with belltopper on bead, waa walking tip the Pier with a medical friend, and meeting two or three Chinamen who. seemed to. be impressed by his appearance, patronisingly addressed one of them thus — " 'la, Johu. Chinamen, %o you. are gojhg home, eh ?''- To. which the Chinaman replied n^t ; but after eyeing his interrogator intently for a moment or two, marched up to him, and placing bis fingers on the tafcooiug on Potiki's face, remarked contemptuously, "'.What good that eh?" Replied the Maori, a raighj;ening himself ur> while his eyes flashed indignantly, "'lhat welly good joke," and then came the retort quick and sudden as with a sweep of his arm he knocked the Chinaman's hat off, and seizing his pigtail, whirled tbe Celestial rouud, at the same time shouting gleefully " But what good this, eh ?" The Chinaman eyed his' antagonist askance, picked up his hat, and silently marched off, leaving up his in possession of the field. The "Oreymouth Rvening Star " says .- — " It is simply astonishing how soon young j children pick up slang words, vile words, profane words, and attachto them meanings. It ia equally surprising how instinctively they conceal all this knowledge from, their parents, and while the mother thinks her little girl a model of innocence and purity her neighbor may know that such is very far from being the case. Therefore it is not possible for the mother to cultivate too great an intimacy with her child. She should have the juvenile heart spread out before her as a mirror, reflecting every thought, every feeling, every passion of the chikL Thus she will be able judiciously to administer antidotes to vice, and build up safeguards to [ virtue." An Australian exchange says : — Whilst our miners are searching for gold by deep sinking, the inhabitants of Thibet are seeki ing after the same metal by investigations made above ordinary clouds. The goldfielda of Gnari are said to he 16,350 feet — over three miles - above the sea level. Three hundred minei-s reside here in summer, and ovei six hundred in winter. The reason why the population increases during the latter season is that the gold is more easily s- separated from the soiTwhen the latter is frozen ; and the water is brackish that it can .only be drunk after freezing, the melted ice being perfectly fresh. Apropos of our leading article in this issue, the " G-uardian " of Monday comments on Judge Chapman's speech on denominational education in a similar strain. "We thank hi 3 Honor Judge Chapman," our contemporary says, " for placing side by side, and clearly discriminating, at the school meeting on Thursday evening last, two propositions which are very commonly confounded. One of theso propositions i 3, that opinion on religion, or any other subject which men individually hold, they may lawfully combine to support. To say that a number of people who hold the same religious views, and also agree in believing that religion and education should together constitute on organised system of training, may unite their resources in order to carry into practice theso views is, happily, now in our day a truism. The right of association has been for about a century past one of our settled and constitutional privileges. But when any such voluntary association, organised for the promotion of peculiar religious or educational views, goes, a step further, and asserts a claim to tne money of the State to help it in carrying Aliese opinions into practice, it makes a demand which is utterly unreasonable. And yet this is precisely the claim' which two considerable sections of our community h^re, unless %Ye greatly misinterpret them, been making. This, we take it, is what Mr. Justice Chapman meant by contrasting so broadiy as h& did the distinction between his position and views when he spoke ' politically' — ihat is, from, the point of view of the State — and his view.of the same subject when he spoke as a private individual. Again,' we cordially thank his Honor for putting the matter in the sharp, light of contrast he did, and lending ih. authority of his name and position to the views of public education which we have advocated."

Mabk Twain's Lectuees a Failuee.— Excepting among the mutual admiration society of critics and writers who are in possession of the London press, " Mark Twain "" is believed, says * London correspondent, to be a failure. He is too obvious an imitation — both as to dress, appearance, and general get-up— to the great Artemus Ward to please those people who expected originality, and his delivery is spoiled by too great a straining after effect. It would be far more acceptable to many of bis audience if lie read a few pages oat of one of his own works,