Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 335, 4 March 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The San Franoisco mail closes at Lawrence at 6 a.m. on Monday next, the 9th instant.

THE nomination of councillors to represent the East fend West Wards in the Municipal Council of Lawrence, in room of Mr, Mears and Mr. Hill, resigned, took place in the Counoil Chambers at noonj yesterday. Or. Walker, in the absence of the Mayor, acted as Returning Officer. There being only one candidate nominated for each of the vacancies," the Returning Officer declared Andrew Ferguson duly elected for East Ward ; and Charles Bryant for West Ward. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer concluded the business.

The annual soiree in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Waipori, was held on Monday evening. Theie was a veiy good attendance. The tea, which was catered for by Mrs. Pilling, was of a sumptuous description. At the publio meeting, which followed the tea, Mr, Beck occupied the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Beys. Mr. Cameron, Mr. Menzies, and also by the Chairman. A well-trained choir, under the leadership of Mr. Jones, sang at intervals during the evening. From statements made, it appeared the Church is in a very healthy financial position.

On Monday evening the usual monthly meeting of the Tuapeka Athenaeum Committee was held in the library. There were presentMessrs. K. H, Fisher (in the chair}, A. J. Abel, C. W. Adams, H. L. Squires, and Dr. Stewart. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Au account of £3 17s. Bd. was leceived from Mr. Harrop, and ordered to be held over till next meethig, the Secretary meantime to write to the " Otago Guardian" Company, requesting a copy of the "Guardian "to be forwarded to the institution. The following accounts Wore apssed for payment : — J. C. Love, salary, £24 ; TUAPEKA TIMES, £2 13a. 6d. Afv. Abel reported that he had been unable to complete the revision of the library, but would be able to bring up a report for next meeting. The meeting then adjourned.

Excavating for the foundation of the Town Hall was commenced on Monday morning by Messrs, Whittet and Mears, contractors. The time allowed for the completion of the building is eight months.

A YOUNG I.AD. named John Tuckey met with an accident on Monday at the pio-nic. He was on the giant's stride with some other lads, when he fell and broke one of the bones of his wrist. The injury wa.s immediately attended to by Dr. Stewart, The Perseverance Gold Mining Company forwarded l?ooz. l&hvts. of gold to the Melbourne Mint, by yesterday's esbott.

ONE of our respected citizens had a narrow escape from a serious accident yesterday. While walking on the hill above Peel street. ],P, P ~ft4l_intq_oms o£ these abandoned shafts which every year are ""Becormisg" "more nntl more dangerous, owing to the grass growing round the edges of th.em. -Luckily our unfortunate fiienU caught hold of the sides of the shaft with his hands, otherwise he might have gone to the bottom and suffered serio.ns injury. It has been to us a matter of surprise that so few accidents have happened from the same cause. TVe consider the filling ap of thase old shafts within the town boundary a very legitimate work for the Town Council to take in hand. The cost would be a mere song, and the safety to lift* anil limb from this cause which would

then be ensured ia no trifling matter. ATapanut correspondent writes: -The new Presbyterian Church "in Tapanui is now nearly rcouxpleted, and will be a great boon to those who woisbip in the unsightly and ill-ventilated room where service is at pr? sent held. It is estimated that about 300 persons will be able to fiud sitting accommodation, and I trust that that number will be often found within its hallowed walls to listen to the impressive and carefully thought oat addresses of the pastor, the Key, A. Bett. The contractors are Messrs. Crawford Brothers. These gentlemen have secured the contraotfor the new telegraph, post, and money order offices, which are to be begun iv about a fortnight. Judging from the plans, which were exhibited a few weeks ago, these buildings will be both handsome and commodious. A cobrespondent sends us the following particulars regarding the progress made on the railway work between Tokomairiro and Lawrence :

- The first section from Tokomairiro is that of Messrs. Campbell Bios., who are making rapid strides with the work. These contractors had the savey to. take advantage advantage of the labor market lust winter, when wages were from 7s. to &. per day. The cuttings ou this seotion are, comparatively speaking, easy, the greater part of the work being formation. The next section is Messrs. Str.icb.au s,nd Huntei's, and known us the Glenore section. This part of the-work is beinsr proceeded with vigorously, •fcvW) shifts of men each day, working eight hours each, having beeu employed. One shift has been dispensed wit>, as it was not found to be profitable to the contractors. The foreman, — Mr. Moriis states that the catting on the Tokomairiro side will take two or three months before the heading would be started. There are about three chains of hard blue rock, ranging from SOft. to 70tt. in depth, to be cut through. This rock will admirably suit the purpose of road metal. Going over the hill, on the Tuapeka side, we find a cutting of 70ft. in depth, with the same appearance of rock, as on tbe Tokomairiro side: The contractor are sparing no expense in order to penetrate the adamantine rock. I was shown some lifchofracteur, made into small cartridges from half an ounce to one and a half ounce, to be used on these works. The size of caifcrulge is iv accordance with the depth of hole which has to re ceive it. A percussion cap is fixed on the end of the fuze, and securely placed in one of these cartridges. Th.c explosion is very effective, and is a grea.t saving of labor , and, as the drills have a very small bore, it is said the effect is much moie* powerful than that produced by powdei .

&. first-class quaria crushing plant is for sale at Maerewheilua on the 7th inst.

The fund for the puichuse of fire works for a grand pyrotechmc<tl display an St. Patrick's eve has already reached the su-in of £11,

A Waitahuna correspondent, whose com. tnunication we had mislaid, informs us that a running match recently took place there between two anmtures uameil Laiihwaite and Ehernberg for £8 a side. The latter gave Laithwaite 3 yards in 200* and won easily by two or three yaids.

We have very little further to <uld in reference •to the burning of the Victoria Saw Mills The fire was cotißned to the large sheil, which 'was completely burnt flown, rendering the really superior machinery utterly useless. Saws were twisted awl rout, pull'es, and wheels cracked or burnt, and much valuable timber consumed. The origin of the fire is clouded in mystery, as the usual precautions had been observed the previous eveuing. The fire was first discovered by one of the men who works at the taill^ who on getting out of bed to have a smoke, about 4 o'clock on Thursday morning, observed flames proceeding from thp large shed. He at once gave the -alarm, and many willing hands set to work to prevent the fire spreading, with what result we have already stated. A correspondent informs us that much sympathy is felt for the owners, especially Mr. Hawatt, who has aWays been to the fore in everything which tended to the advancement and well-being of Tapamu.

Ma. Morbibon has sub-let the contract for the construction of the Waipori Drainage bhannel to Mr. John Crawford, who, it wdl be observed, is advertising for pick and shovel men.

Oamabu races Are advertised for the 7fch and Bth of April. The programme is an excellent one.

Mb, H. A. Robinson has opened the storeroom lately occupied by Mr. Arbuckle. and ad* vertises that he will receive by Yeend and Pope's southern line of coaches, every Tuesday and Thursday evenings, a supply of fish fresh from the sea. It will therefore be for the inhabitants of Lawrence to say whether or not they prefer fresh to stinking fish. We hope Mr. Robinson will receive sufficient inducement to continue and extend this line of business upon which he has entered.

Mr. Frank Fiebdisg, of Switzers.. has purchased the run known as Gow's Station by private contract. The price has not transpired-

Slb. M. Hat reports > having sold on account of Mr. John Cooper, at the Blue Spur, dwellinghouse, stable, household furniture, and miscellaneous goods at satisfactory prices.

The Switzers Jockey Club races commence to-morrow. We are informed there is a good turn-out of horses, and every promise of a successful meeting.

ON Sunday last, the atmosphere surrounding Lawrence was filled with thistle down, which was wafted on the wings of the wind, and to all appearances looked like a snow fall. There is every reason to expect we shall have an abundant crop of thistles next season. This year the increase was about a hundred fold, so at the same ratio all the waste lands of the province will very soon be planted with this valuable weed.

The Gabriels Gully crushing machine was employed yesterday afternoon and this morning crushing seven tons of cement for the Nelson Co., Blue Spur, whioh had been taken from the bottom of a 5Q feet shaft, sunk in that Company's claim. The result ia not yet known ; but Mr. Murphy, who is in charge of the machine, informs us that the indications are favorable, and he anticipates the yield will be upwards of loz. to the ton.

Mr, Brodbick. formerly of ihe National Bank, Switzers, has been appointed agent for that bank at Kiverton.

Don Juan, the winner of the Cup in 1873, died at Geelong on January 31. It is reported that the owner, Mr. Joseph Thompson, is so discouraged at the loss of the horse that he intends to give up raoing, i\ud to sell his stud.