Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 329, 11 February 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The sale of land situated in block 111, Glenkenich district took place in the Land office Lawrence, Nearly every seat in the Conrt House was ocoupied by 12 o'clock when Mr. Hay, district government auctioneer, opened tbe sale by offering section 1, which was knocked down to Captain Mackenzie at 8s an acre over the upset price of £1. It was remarked before the sale corqroenced that the Captain intended going in big licks, as he had filled his capacious wallet with Bank of New Zealand notes of all sorts and sizes evidently prepaied for stormy weather. The sal^ of the first section was the key-note to the coniiietition which followed, as very few of the sections brought less than the first one, and many brought a great deal more. The bidding ranged fioin the upset price to £5 lls. an acre. Tbe latter sum and £4 Is. being obtained respectively for two small allotments. Of the 4067 acres offered for sale about 345 ft were sold, at an average of about £1 12s. 6d. per acre. The amount lealised by the Government was £5579 9s. lid. The details of the sale appear elsewhere. A preliminary meeting of the promoters of the Sunday School Annual Union Pic-nic was held last evening, when it was resolved to hold the pic-nic on Friday, February 27th, on the racecourse. Mr. Squires was appointed Secretary, and was requested to communicate at once with the various Superintendents of schools in the district. The weather in Tuapeka during the latter end of last week was scorching by day and sultry by night, The thermometer on Saturday rose to 126 degrees in the sun and 88 in the shade. The effect of this intense heat has been very enervating. Everything animate, excepting grasshoppers, appeared to suffer from lassitude. The grasshoppers have developed wings, and fill the atmosphere in every direction, to the no small discomfort of many people. This week has brought a change of 'westther. On Monday morning a severe thunder storm came over by Mount Stewart and Round Hill, skirting Lawrence and travelling towards Waipori. We met two gentlemen who were caught in the storm — the one on the Round Hill and the other on the Waipori ranges— and they described the scene as something terrific, making their horses play up at a frightful rate. In Lawrence the rainfall was slight, but we have never before heard such pealsof thunder, or witnessed such vivid flashes of lightning. We have not heard of any damage resulting from the' storm in Lawrence or its neighborhood, but we hear that three of the iron telegraph posts in Murrays Flat were struck by the lightning and split in two. Yesterday the atmosphere which had bien so sultry was considerably rarefied, and a good deal of rain fell in the early part of the day. Early this morning the cold was Sibernian. We learn that Mr. M'Carthy's house, Moa Flat, known as. the Dumbarton Bock Hotal, and the farm on which it is situated have changed hands, the manager of a large up country station being the purchaser at tbe sum of £900. The booths and other privileges connected with the Tiupeka forthcoming raoe meeting will be «©M by auction at the Commercial Assembly Roam, at 2- p.m. to-morrow. Good Tjemplabism still makes rapid strides here. Lodge St. Lawrence added nine to its list of membership an Monday evening last, and a similar number is spoken of for tbe next; Lolge meeting. The total number of members now in compliance with this Lodge is about 70. ,On Friday night last about 9 o'clock, a beautiful meteor was observed in Lawrence to pass over the heaven's in the direction of from south to north.

Last Saturday (writes a correspondent) the Teviot was visited by Murray's circus, and the inhabitants of that place and the surrounding districts were anxiously looking forward for something in the way of change, but the 'fates willed it otherwise. The marquee was puttip, but owing to the heavy wind it was taken down again, and numbers went home sadder, if not wiser. There was a kind of medley entertainment given in the Commercial Hall, which certainly did not give much satisfaction — the performers evidently being out of their element. On Thursday last the dull monotony of the Teviot was enlivened by the arrival and performance of Bachelder'B Combination Troupe, Having heard so much of the celebrated pantascope, numbers of people (taught a lesson by the events of the previous Saturday) were heard asking if it really was to be exhibited ; but tbe Teviot people were again doomed to disappointment. Although there was but a small attendance in consequence of the pantascope not being exhibited, the performance as far as it went was first rate — Mr. H. Bent proving -that his reputation had been well earned, and the orchestra giving evidence of possessing great musical talent. Between the songs, &c, dancing was vigorously carried on by the public, the orchestra playing the while.

MB. M. Hat will sell this day, at 2 p.m. f Mr. C. Eedden's property, consisting of a house, land, horses, cattle. &c. For particulars see advertisement.

Captain Hdtton, during his visit to Tuapdca and Waipori, made him self acquainted with the Gabriels and O.P.Q. reefs. We learn that he expiessed himself highly pleased with the O.P.Q. reef, and remarked that were such a fine body of stone discovered at the Thames, 50 head of stampers would be at work in a remarkable short space of time. With regard to the Gabriels reef, he expressed himself satisfied with the payable nature of the lode,

Messbs. Bastings & Kofoed are calling for tenders for tbe erection of a malt house adjoining their brewery at Wetherstones. With this addition to their already extensive premises, our local brewers will be in a position to defy Dunedin competition ; but what is better still, an impetus will be given to our district farmers in the cultivation of barley, for which Messrs. Bastings and Kofoed held out excellent inducements some months ago.

A CORRPSPONDKNT writes : The members and adherents of the Presbyterian Church at Waitahuna have resolved on giving a call to the Bey. Mr. Skinner. The rev. gentleman labored a month lately at Waitahuna, and during that time succeeded in making him a, universal favorite. The call has been numerously signed, and will be forwarded to its destination in a day or two.

Harvesting operations are continuing to go ahead. Several farmers have finished reaping, and inform us that the oat and wheat crops generally will be inferior in comparison, both in quantity and quality, with previous years. This fact is attributable to the dryness of the season, and the damage committed by grasshoppers and caterpillais— the last mentioned insect being the most destructive. In many instances farmers have lost a large quantity of grain from ravages committed by this pest. Myriads of them may be observed wherever the crop is thickest, and they manage to crawl, in the absence of wind, to the top of the straw, where they laboriously unite in nipping the grain off the head. It is to be hoped that some method for counteracting the evil effects of this insect will be introduced into the district before next harvest. It has been urged that fowls are useful in checking this pest, A correspondent, writing to a contemporary on this subject, re--raaiks : " Let the fowls have the run of the whole farm, except when the corn is in the ear , then let the hens having chickens be cooped along the sides of the corn, so that the chickens alone may go out and in. and I will answer that their little prying eyes will detect any come-at-able insect, and no sooner will the discovery be made than it will be turned to practical account. No damage will be done by chickens to corn unless they be allowed to remain on the growing crops, at the same time they are completely efficacious as regards the insect pest.' 9 Mr. Pressly, our local nurseryman, Jean vouch for tbe accuracy of this correspondents remarks, as be has had all the chickens he could muster located in his nursery lately, and has found them to Hct as an excellent antidote.

Bacheldee's Pantascope was exhibted in Lawrence on Friday evening last to a very fair auidence. On the principle that "a thing of beauty is a joy for ever," some of those present, who had been at all the previous exhibitions of these views in Lawrence, did not fail to appreciate them a fourth time.

A contempobaby writes as follows t— " We understand that the blocks of 'land selected on Mr. James Smith's Tuapeka run, and on Messrs. M'Lean's Bellamy ran will be opened shortly, partly for sale and partly on deferred payments. It is intended thai the portion to be placed under the deferred payments beopened first; and that the land selected for that purpose will be a strip along the centre of the blocks. This we conceive to be a step in the right direction, and have great pleasure in recognising this sign of a desire on the part of the Government to. prevent lands so well adapted for settlement from faling into the hands of large holders or speculators. Some of the land to be opened is of choice quality, in the neighborhood of timber, and altogether such as we can recommend to those desirous of securing homes. We need scarcely remind such that by the time they can b» fairly settled, and their land under cultivation , the Tuapeka railway will be open,*Bo that their produce may be economically carried to market."

The railway contract of Messrs. Hunter and Co. , between Lawrence and Waitahuna, is being pushed forward vigorously, and we observe that a considerable amount of work has been completed since we last had the pleasure of referring to the progiess made. A large number of culverts vunning through the intervening gullies have been finished. The contract generally is in a forward state, and it is presumed there will be little difficulty experienced in completing the work within contract time. We notice that there are two or three rock cuttings throughout the contract to contend with— the Principal being before approaching Clarks Flat from Lawrence, and which is composed of a very hard stone. This cutting appears to us to be the only one of * tedious kind, rendering the removal of the stone difficult, Blasting powder, as may be imagined, is constantly brought into requisition. It is our intention in a future issue to ?ive a more extended description of the work completed on this portipn of the line.

The following phenomenon is described by the "Tamworth Examiner:" — "We have been informed by a party residing at Springs, on the Attungaroad, about 14 miles from town, that a mos* unexpected phenomenon occurred last week in that neighboroood. It appears that the range of mountains in that direction worked themselves into a combustible condition, and exploded with a violence that startled the settlers for miles around. The first report was not unlike the discharge of heavy ordnance, after which was emitted smoke and debris, which was scattered for a considerable distance in all directions. The smoke was so dense that it completely obscured every object — mountains, trees, and houses — and lasted for a considerable time. The mountains in this neighborhood are largely composed of limestone, and it ibthought by some, persons that it is to" this *? may attribute the explosion," " --*'•'

The •• wise |aw " to the effect that •' one half of the world does not know now the other half lives," might nqwwithadvantage be varied. We might make it that ' * one half of the world does not know how the other half keeps from dying." Take for example the case of the people in the metropolis who eat occasionally, or as a rule, saasage3; There are sausagesand sausages, and the grades from ttxe wholesome and savoury article which is supplied you, with a "tip" thrown in, at Newmarket, to the horribly foul and deadly thing which is sold in poor districts of London inustfbe countless. A sanitary inspector went to the premises of a buccher in Bethntl Green, and made a discovery, the details of which, as given in the papers, are almost sickening. He found in a chopping house " four or five tuns of dry beef that had been, salted, and also a large tray full. The whole of which was putrid, nearly rotten from de* composition, and running with maggots " He seized the stuff and conveyed it to the police court where the case was heard, and there it was condemned to be destroyed. But the inspector brought out one more cur* ious fact in the course of his evidence* It was clear that no one would take the trouble to keep such filth if there .was no chance of making something of it. " Such meat " said the inspector " could be used for German sausages or saveloys', and he had known it to be used by butchers for that purpose, but he thought it was too bad for ordinary sausages, as it would spoil thei* flavour." " It's the seasonin' as does it," said an eminent authority on this very-aab**.^-ject, and no doubt the Germans^at sausages that require a good deal of strong condiments to mask their nastiness. We have before now, in travel, come in contact with Germans eating sausages that, as Qnivedo says, *' emitted poisonous whirls " enough to spread disease all over the parish. But we doubt whether the lowest of the German poor have courage to taste the horrible messes that appear to be sold to and eaten by many inhabitants of London. A fine of £10— ''the money was paid," says the reporter — is alto* getber insufficent to deal with such a crying evil. The money oan always bo paid in cases where the merchandise is absolutely worthless, and is sold at any price whatever.— * London " Sportsman."

Two or three little stories, says the '• Saturday Review," which hare appeared in the papers during the last few days — and those days perhaps have not been more fertile in Beandle than usual — are unpleasantly illustrative of our views of commercial morality. A confiding widow for example saw an advertisement offering Wallscnd coal^ for 275. She bought four tons which turned jfc out to be totally unfit for burning Tho * seiler was summoned before Mr.AHerman Finnis,andwitbout disputing the fncts,set up a remarkable defence. It was aruued on his behalf that he had published "a mere trades* man's advertisement." It would appear thafe a tradesman's advertisement is a delicate circumlocution for a false statement Tha falsehood, however, was asserted to be so transparenr that noboly ought to have bean deceived by it. It the purchaser really fancied that she was to get Wallsend coals for 275 , sb c was a fool for ncr pains, and had no right to expect a remedy. The doctrine doej not appear to be peculiar to the coal trade* A dairyman was recently summoned before Mr. Ineham, charged with mixing his milk with water, an offence which, h mevav, is not very agreeable at the present moment. Hare, also, it was argued that peeple who bought milk for 4J. a quart must know tbit it was adulterated. Mr. Ingham replied very pertinently, that, if people wished to hav# water mixed with their vi'Ak tliey would pro* bablv piefer to perform the operation fof themselves t and the unlucky rniikmar. wa» fined £10, with the alternative of two months imprisonment. Alderman Finnis aiao declined to sanction this ingenious mode of argument, though we rsgret that ho only fined tho coal Merchant £1 a ton instead of inflicting the full penalty of £10. Not being ourselves either coal-oierchants or milkdealers, we have very little pymyathy with the plea they put forward ; although, they might possibly claim the sanction of a certain celebrated Cabinet Minister, who, as we all knovr, considers adulteration be simply a form of legitimate competitiot.. That such practices should be put down with itrong hang **3aia to the unsophisticated mind as obvious aa chat picking poskets should be emphatically discouraged. A inau who sells a quart of water and calla it milk cheats his customs quite as dishonestly as if ha stole thair money in a simpler fashion, evon if ho simuitansoujly sells four quarts of milk^at the acknowledged price. It is exactly I tie sircie a<* if hU oajto.ners paid him in guiit money and cuiled it gold. In short, tho matter does not really admit of an, argument, and all consumers, to say nothing of honest traders, ntt4 ba anxious to see the law rigorously enforce!.

The following telegram has been received by the Queensland Government from Mr. Walter Hill dated Cardwell 26th December. It says:—" Since the 20th November we have examined the banks of the Mulgrave, Eussell, Mossman, Daintree and Hill Rivers, aud have been more or less successfull in finding suitable land for the growth of sugar -^ andothertropicalandsemitropical productions. The ascent to the summit of the Belleaden and Kerr was successfully made by Mr. Johnstone, Mr. Hill, and eight troopers At 2,5 )Q feet they observed a tree w : th crimson flW«rs«^— ' which excels Poinciana regia, Collvillia race- V mosa, Lagerstroma regia, aid Jocaranda mimosifolia. At 4,500 feet a tree fern was discovered which excels in grandeur all others of the arboreous class, and palm trees of the same height will rival any British India species in gracefulness. On the bant* of the Daintree we saw a palm, tree (cocoa), which far exceeds the unique specimens of the same genera from Brazil in grandeur and gracefulness. Whilst cutting a line on the banks of the River Johnstone for the purpose of examining the land, an enormous figtree stood in the w.iy, far exceeding in stoutnesi and grandeur 'the renowned forest giants of California and Tictoria. Three feet from the ground it measured 150 feet in circumference; at 55 feet, where it sends forth giant branches, the stem is enormously thick. Tlie River Johnstone, within a liinite 1 distauce from the coast, offers the fiwt and best inducements for sugar cnltivation."

An effect ef the hot weather which hat recently been experienced upon Sandhurst (writes the " Bendigo Advertiser " of January 9th), was, the other evening, brought promin* ently under the notice of a family residing in Wattle-street, in rather a curious manner. It appears that during the time the family wers engaged at tea their attention was attracted to the fireplace, from the precincts of which an incessant tapping appeared to proceed. Several close scrutinies were made of the mantelpiece, fireplace, chimney, &c, which, • however, proved of no avail, as the noise immediately ceased when any person approached the vicinity. After several ineffectual attempts to discover the cause of the rapping, it was found to proceed from a small tin- match»box standing upon the mantelpiece, which upon being opened was seen to contain a newly-hatched bird, whose little - beak pecking against the inside of the box, had occasioned the peculiar noise. The most remarkable thing in connection with the ease is that the egg had been procured and placed^ in the box upon the mantelpiece about a week" previously by a juvenile member of the family,who is making a collection .of birds.' eggs, and as there bad not b»«n any ire in the room for months the heat of the weather alone had hatched the egg m its novel nest. The feathered youngster is alive and doing well.

"Good morning, gentlemen," says a book pedler, entering a railroad cat. No one responded. "Beg pardon, if 1 have said too much ; I withdraw the last expression.'-' -■

V.'n learn that Menu, Hay and" Beta, of Wetbent^ue*. nre the raeeettful tenderers for Hie bttj'-u" ij of ihe fiwKyt^rian Church" lit Havelob • Yhti contract price ig £350. A bobbsry of a most daring and impudent cbvaote^has teen Committed at the counter of the .Jjr.sir-r Bank, t3ork» A clergyman was mai;':j t lodgment of some money, £73 in ncr -:;. He was filling up the docket for the an:-, i„; in the usual -way, when a person of gentlemanly appearance stepped alongside, and took the pen out of his hand, observing " I beg your pardon — a moment sir." The rev. sestleaau be..aroe naturally indignant at this lioertv, an) expressed himself strongly on the 1 fabjee-, but the stranger, who received the ra.-K Tvith the Utmost composure, after geicg r'b: i~ gh tLe form of writing something, i> ;>. icJ Kck the pea with thanks. When the ali-.-«»irs3 resume:! hia position to write, he foun.'. tLat hii £73 in notes were gone, and TMiils cs vsa making known his loss tfitfi s'rsagef disappeared. The perpetrators have, up ta the present, eluded capture. The Melbourne "Age" says that during the passage of the ship, Dhawar, which arrived at that port on 23rd December, she Weighted in- one day 74 vessels, all of which were steering to the southward. The Dhawar lost a mac overcoard, and the steward' comrflKfra cuisine during the voyage.