Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 327, 4 February 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Mr. Bastings, Goldfields Secretary, and Mr. M'Kerrow, Chief Surveyor, passed through Lawrence this week on their way to Switzers, to investigate the offer made by Mr. Logan to exchange land in place of that which was found to he auriferous in his late purchase. The reef at Waipori is looking well. Stone has been struck both north and south of the O.P.Q. Co.'s claim, and from appearances will pay handsomely. Crushing operations will probably be delayed until the Golden Point Water Race is brought in . The intention of the present shareholders is to drive their machinery with water power. On Saturday evening, a volume of smoke was seen rising over the hill above Messrs. Herbert and Co.'s paddock, Gabriels Gully, just at the spot where there was known to be a large stack of hay, and the alarm of fire was at once given. On enquiry, it was found that some boys had set fire to the grass near the bathing dam. and the wind wafted the smoke in the direction of the stack. A serious nccident happened to theDnnstan coach on Saturday evening when within a short distance of Lawrence. The coach was descending the bill from Munro's house at a good pace, and on reaching the foot of the hill, where there is a slight hollow in the road, one of the hind _ i — i« „„,! iAnlv_hroke. throwing the coach on its side. The horses meanwhile noTted with tlfe~ forecirriage. The driver, Hugh Craig, and the two passengers who were on the box — viz , Mr. David M'Donald and Mr. Eastwood— were pitched off. Craig and M 'Donald escaped with a few bruises and a severe shaking, but Eastwood unfortunately fell under the coach, and sustained a simple fracture of the leg. The inside passengers were more or less hurt, but none of them seriously. Eveiy assistance possil>le was rendered to the sufferers by persons who happened to bo in the locality. Mr. Pressly. who wis driving along the ro-id at the time, conveyed Mr. Eastwood to Lawrence. A boy who was tiding in Mr. Brook's dray in close proximity to the scene t>f the accident had * very narrow escape for his life. Seeing the horses galloping towards the dray he lept off, apparently bewildered, right among the feet of the runaway horses, and eye-witnesses describe his escape as miraculous. The coach hoises ran on towards Lawrence, passing through the Chinese Camp, where they freed themselves of the forecariiage, and were afterwards caught. One of them is severely cut. bnt the others are not much the worse for their escapade. The scene of the accident was visited by a large number of people on Sunday, the wreck of the coacii appearing to be an object of great interest. It was the opinion of many of the visitors that the conch was unfit for the heavy traffic and rough road. When the accident happened, the driver had his team under thorough command. The un. fortunate gentleman, Mr. E.istwood, agent for Mr. Bachelder. who bad his leg broken is progreasing favorably under the care of Dr. Stewart. There is % large demand for land in the Switzers district. Several thousand acres would be taken up with avidity if the Government would make it available for settlement. A large block on Gow's run has been promised for some time. There is very little gold mining going on in the immediate vicinity of Switzers. Messrs. Skene and Co. are using what water is coming on to the hill. The ground continues to pay very well. A few miners are scattered about the various gullies, but the majority are out in the ranges for the summer months. The Upper Waikaia is the centre of attraction, though several parties are profitably employed at Gows Creek, the Dome, Whitecombe Creek, and other localities. The Dunstan Jockey Club races take place on Thursday and Friday next. There is a liberal programme, bill; very few horses are entered to compete. A report of the meeting will appear in our Saturday's issue. The programme of the Switzer's races, to be run on the sth and 6th March, will be been in our advertising columns. There is upwards of £200 to be run for. sufficient, we imagine, to induce a large number of horses to compete. The names on the list of stewards are a sufficient guarantee that not a stone will be left unturned to make the meeting a success in every way. A Tapandi correspondent furnishes us with the following items of information ;— On Mon- j day evening, the 12th of January, the annual I meeting for the election of a new School Committee took place in the schoolroom. There was a very good attendance of parents. The report of the retiring Committee showed that the school was in a flourishing condition in all respects. The Committee had taken office in January, 1873. and found the school in debt to a small amount. They left office after having raised funds by which gieat improvements to the school property have been effected. A good well has been sunk, and pumps affixed for the benefit of teacher and scholars ; a nice little bell-turret has been erected, and a good bell hung therein : the play ground has been fenced in and cleared of rushes, and some other minor improvements have been effected. The teacher reported finding the school in a very low state, bn t remarked th.ntall were working very diligently and making good progress. Some amusement was caused by the vagaries of one individual, who asked a good many ridiculous questions, and who seemed desirous to turn the meeting into a farce ; but the eood sense of the majority male itself felt. The report of the retiring Committee was unanimously adopted, and nine good men and true elected for the present year. I think it ought to be noticed that the firm of Messrs. M'Giegor and Co. have generously purchased bats, writing desks, work-boxes, &c, for school prizes. Things generally are looking bright in Tapanui. ' The telegraph line has been pushed on with marvellous rapidity, the new post and telegraph office will soon be begun, and the new Presbyterian church and doctor's residence are nearly finished. The shearing has fullyans wered expectations, and the crops around are generally looking well ; so I will conclude by saying " Advance Tapanui,"

From advertisement, it will be be seen that [ Bachelder's pantascope will pay Lawrence a farewell visit on Friday night. They have j engaged the Athenaeum Hall. Those who have not seen these splendid views and heard Mr. Horace Bent's animated description of the same would do well to avail themselves of this opportunity. The rock through which the railway tunnel at Manuka Creek is being cut continues very hard. Three shifts of men, working 8 hours each are employed. The contractor is uaing bis utmost endeavors to push through with the work. Thi Carandinis, we understand, will give two of their celebrated concerts in Lawrence about the 16th and 17th inst. The Chinese population in and about the Switzers district is on the increase. The majority of the Chinese are doing well, as far as can be ascertained. We cannot help Doticing the many additions in the shape of substantial and commodious buildings that are springing up from time to time in the rising and prosperous township of Havelock. Mr, Higgin's new store, which is being constructed by Messrs. Hay and Son, promises to be, when completed, of a very imposing appearance, and will contribute in no small degree to improve the appearance of Havelock. We are pleased to see this township making such rapid strides in this direction, and we have no doubt that before long the primitive sod and thatch hut will be superseded by more elegant and artistic edifices. The time has comeor at least settlement is sufficiently advanced, and offers faoilities in the form of cheap and durable weatherboards and iron, to make a move in this direction, Wk were in error in stating that Mr. Ayling's contract at the Horseshoe Bend was progressing very slowly and not likely to pay. The opposite of this Mr. Ayling informs us is the fact, The contract is progressing rapidly, 20 chains being already completed, Mb. Henry Clatfibld, tinsmith, has been appointed tinsmith to his Excellency Sir Jmnes FerguSßon. Mr. Clayfield is cow a resident of Invercargill, and it seems did some work for his Excellency during his visit to that city which gave him great satisfaction. As a reward for his skill, Mr. Clayfield, who is not unknown to the inhabitants of Lawrence, has received the appointment above mentioned. Ox Saturday last a man named Laurence Laurenson, while engaged driving a horse and cart on Mr. R. Ayling's contract, at Horseshoe Bend, met with a very severe accident. It appearst hat Laurenson was in charge of a very spirited animal, and while in the act of removing the winkers, it took fright and bolted. He was knocked down, and the wheel of the cart went over his leg. breaking it at the _thish. He waa_h«»ntfM-._t*»- tb«-Tm»peka Hospital by Mr. Ayling. and we learn 13 progressing^ favorably. A pahaGRAPR in the " Daily Times " states that the fiist apricots of the season were brought into Dunedin from Clyde last week. We may state that ripe apricots v/ere gathered at Mr. Tamblyn'B, Coal Creek, Teviot, on the first week in January. Messrs. M'Rae hare finished their contract for pitching and gravelling the unfinished portion of the road between Lawrence and Tokomairiro. The road is now completed throughout, with the exception of the bridge at Murrayo Flat, which is" in course of construction. Mb. Edward Thompson, boot and shoemaker, Peel-street, Lawrence, has in his shop window a pair of boots, of his own make, fitted .vith rotary heels, We are informed they are made somewhat on the same principle as Hawkin's patent rotory heels, for winch at one time there was a great demand, and of which there were many unsuccessful imitations. Among the many advantages boots so fitted have over others are these— They wear the sole of the boot much more evenly, are much neater, and effect a saving of at least 50 per cent, to the wearer. The last advantage is the crowning one, and accounts for the numerous orders Mr. Thompson has already received for boots to be made on the same principle. THE Tokomairiro races are advertised to take place on the 12th and 13th of Match. A meeting of property holders on the north side of Ross Place was held at Mr. Jeffery's. on Monday evening. It was resolved that the embankmeut be commenced at once. Those parties who objected to sign the agreement were to be again asked to do so. A letter wa* received from the Government stating that the land at the rear of the property belonging to those who refused to contribute towards the building of embankment would be sold to the highest bidder. The first meeting of the newlyelpcted Committee of the Tuapeka Atbenreum was held in the Library, on Monday afternoon. There were present— Messrs Brown (in the chair,) Abel, Ferguson, Adams, and Squires and Drs. Halley and Stewart. The minutes of the previous Committee meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Dr. Halley, Mr. Abel was reelected Treasurer. Mr. Abel proposed that an advertisement should be inserted in the local paper willing in all the books which h*d been out for more than one month ; and if not re- j turned at the expiration of ancther month, the same to be charged for. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ferguson, and carried. The object of the foregoing resolution was to enable the Committee properly to take stock. It was decided to add Buckle's " History of Civilisation " and Plimsolls " Our Seamen." to the library. Mr. Abel and Dr. Stewart volunteered to take stock of the books. The meeting then adjourned. Three home ships arrived at Port Chamlers on Monday, viz., the Lutter worth, Margaret Galbiaith. and Warrick. Mb J. C. Brown, M.H.R., has purchased from Mr. Vincent Pyke his beautiful property situated in Lawrence, and known as Wardensthorpe. A Waitahuna correspondent informs ns that a slight shock of earthquake was felt there on Sunday, thelstinsfc. The vibration seemed to he from west to east, and only lasted about two seconds. From the " Daily Times "we observe that a shock was distinctly felt by many persons in Dunedin the same evening aboit twenty minutes to seven. Two shocks were felt, at the Peninsula between six and seven : and Monday's Metrc-ologicallreport states that there was a shock at Queenstown on Sunday evening, at twenty minutes past seven. Thr Po'ice v, Stanbrook wa<» wrongTy stated in our Clyde telegram on Saturday. Instead of selling '* without a license," the case was for selling "after the hours permitted by the Ordinance." The half-yearly examination of teachers and candidates for employment as such, and the annual examination of pupil teachers under the Otago School system, was held in the University on Friday and Saturday. The examiners "were Inspectora Hislop and Petrie and Mr. Mackay, of the Port Chalmers Grammer School, the last mentioned gentleman being an examiner by virtue of bis office as President of the Otago Shoolmasters' Association. 15 males and 38 females,- being 53 in aIL presented themselves for examination. Mr. Geace, the clebrated English cricketer, acknowledges that the ocean is the 'roughest wicket he has played on this year, and that it would be better for having the roller over it,'

Mr Nml Colqohoun, of Lawrence, was the winner of a beautiful chaste inlaid table in Messrs. Howeil k Hay's art union. Messes Bubbows and Perks, the wellknown London corn merchants report as f follows:—" The late arrivala [of wneat] from New Zealand have been decidedly inferior condition and quality, many" parcels being much sprouted and very damp, and tbe sales made have, in consequence, varied fr^ai 583 to 61s per 4901b5., landed," FEOfcta Dunedin contemporary we ieara that tbe bay about Port Ohalmers u.».8 at present a number of shark 3 moving about it, jrist large enough to prove troublesome customers if meeting any one in the water. They have been seen about the JRailw iy Pier swimming in a very comfortable and quiet manner, and also farther out in tbe bay. Some of them were as large as five feet lung. The fact that tbese animals are about should be another incentive towards the construction of the Port Chalmers baths, for even a shark of five feet in length can be a very n Ipleasant antagonist to a bather. There is aho farther evidence of the presence of these tub., for many codfish taken lately in th 2 harbour bore the marks of having encotmered them, by being bitten and braised, in a manner which oancot be accounted for in any otliar 1 way. Some relics of poor bnmanity (says tbe "Daily Times'" of Saturday) were found yesterday at tbe point of Deborah Bay. Port Chalmers, where the prisoners are cutting tbe new road. The excavation where the road goes round the point of the bay is rather high on the one side, and on nearly at tbe top of it, in tbe loamy soil, a complete skeleton was discovered. Tbe bones were huddled together—evidently the rites of sepulture hestowed upon the corpse to which they belonged were hurried and primative, for theTe was not theslighest vestige of coffin or .graveclothes ; the body bad just been deposited anyhow in a bole scraped to retain it. This fact, together with the format on of the skull, forehead low, and reatreating jaws, point with tolerable distinctness to the Maori descent of tbe being to whom the skeleton was once an habitation, J^ome of the bones are considerably decomposed whilst others are in a good state of preservation, but from their general appearance it is inferred that they had been in the earth's keeping for nearly a century ; also, that the skeleton is that of a female— this conclusion being led to by the formation of the upper part of the thighbones and the small size of tbe skeleton i^^h. erally — whilst the worn teeth indicate th : the owner of the bone« had -reached her full term of years. Ihe skeleton was carefully gathered together and removed to the Police Camp, where it was viewed during tho afternoon by many cuxions in such matte**. The Melbourne "Telegraph" says in regard to tbe escape of O'Karrell, to New Zealand, that he has fled to tbe worst biding place in tbe warH. "Tbe towns are smaU and it has pleased Providence to render tbe population preternaturally curious, so that not a stray mosquito, not ' native and to the manner born,' could possibly hope to elude observation- . Each lazy citizen, lolling at bis shop door, winking and blinking, as he looks up and down the vacant street, is an amateur detective, and relieves the monotony of local scandal by reckoning up the stranger and comparing not is afterwards with his neighbour ; and a lonely "Victoran is per it an object of jnstifiid suspicion. 80 so »n as news of a flight can be wired from Melbourne to Wellington, the defaulter who takes rotu there is doomed, and society in Australia will feel all the sifer. The last mail from America brought tb& interesting information that the ship" Splendid hai left New Bedford in tbe month of November for Port Chalmers, where she will take up her headquarters as a whaler. The Splendid is a ship-rigged vessel of 330 tons burden, and 13 owned by some miners at the Blue Spur, and some parties at Port Chalmers. On the arrival of the Splendid at this port she will no doubt set at onco to work, with the view of securing for her owners the bonus of £500 wbi.'b is offered by the Government for the first cargo of whafo oil. It is to be hoped that the Splendid will prove to be the pioneer of a large fleet of Port Chalmers whalers. This is almost certain to be tbe case, as from all accounts whaling in those seas will prove to be a very p~">iltab!e industry without the- aid of Goverainvat bonuses.