Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 342, 28 March 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Our Waikaia correspondent, writing under date of 16th March, Bays that rain has been falling continuously for the last 24 hours, and another flood is the result. On Thursday evening there was a meeting of the School Committee. Present : Messrs. M'Coy, Jamison, Jeffery, Menzies, and Hayes (Secretary.) Correspondence : Letter from Mr. Hislop, accompanying models and designs for drawing class, intimating that the Education Board were going to recommend the Provincial Council to defray one-half of drawing master's salary. Mr. M'Coy was appointed to confer with the Town Council to hasten on the selection of a new Market Reserve, in lieu of that to be given up for the new Grammar School, that that work might be proceeded with. It was also agreed that estimates be made of expenses likely to be incurred in school repairs and improvements during the year, with a view to have the legal share allowed to these wards by the Education Board, and also that they may be asked to include in these estimates an harmonium for the use of the School. Messrs. M'Coy and Menzies were appointed as examiners for the quarter ; and Messrs. Harrop and Hayes as visitors for the month. A TOuNG boy was being examined as a witness in the Resident Magistrate's Cuurt last week. After answering several questions put to him by a member of the bar in a satisfactory manner, he was asked his age and replied 10 years, the next question put to him was : " What are you my lad ?" a son of my father, sir. vras the pert answer, much to the amusement of those assembled in the Courthouse. It is needless to add that the youngster's parents hail from the Emerald Isle. A Waipori correspondent furnishes us with the following items of news : — Since I last wrote, the construction of the Drainage Channel has mnde tut little progress. The scarcity of labor, and the damage committed l>y floods, have retarded the work to some extent. One would imagine that the high rate of wages offered would be an inducement for any labor at present in the market unabsorbed ; but, however, this does not appear to be the case. The number of hands engaged is about 70. although 150 more would readily be accepted by the contractor if procurable. I observe that those in the vicinity of the wofks purpose securing comfortable residences hefore dreary winter sets in. They have already commenced to erect the primitive sod and thatch hut. — Mr. Neil, the schoolmaster, commenced his duties on Monday last. There was a goodly number of scholars present at the opening of the school. — I almost forgot to mention that our local bakery has reduced the price of the 41b. loaf, which can now be obtained for 9.1., instead of 10d., as heretofore. ijujHiuK.vi'ioN barracks are about to be erected at Milton. The next Supreme Court sittings in Dunedin commence on Wednesday, the 18th April. Thk Roxburgh inhabitants are petitioning the Government to have the township declared a Municipality. TWO gentlemen from Southland visited this distiict last week for the purpose of obtaining land on which to settle. They had to leave without attaining their obj°ct. The following was amongst the business transacted at the Waste Land Board on Thursday ; — Mr- Connell applied on behalf of Mr. M'Farlane, that the time for considering his application for a sawmill should be extended foi a week. Granted.— Mr. Connell, for Mr. Perry, applied for a sawmill license on block VIII., Glenkenich district. To be received as if made on the Ist of April.— Mb, Connell. on behall of Mr. J. Rogers, applied that he might be heard in answer to the objections made by Mr. Howarth to the granting of hi 3 application foi 30 acres of land in the Glenkenich district,— The Board resolved that 10 acres only should be surveyed, and that applicant's house should not bo interfered with. —Mr, John Hughes applied to purchase the freehold of his agricultvral lease, being sections Gl and 66, block 1., Waitahuna West district. Approved. — The Provincial Secretary brought under the notice of the Board the question of fences in the Tigei Hill district.— The Board approved of Mr: Warden Simpson's suggestion in the matter.— Mr. Simpson wrote bringing under the notice oi the Board the subject of the preservation of the water-races in Roxburgh district. — Certificates approved, and referred to the Survey Department for the deduction of races. — Messrs. Griffith Thompson and William Bruce applied to exchange agricultural leases of sections 10 and 16, "block 11., Tiger Hill, for leases under the Waste Land Acts.— Postponed. Wk hear a new surprise is in store for the Assembly, says the ' • Daily Times " of Thursday in the shape of a gigantic company, with a capital of £3,000,000. and a Government guarantee of 5 per cent., to monopolise the entire trade of Polynesia. It will be established on ihe same basis as the African Company and other trading companies formerly in England. The capital is to be raised in England, under the above Colonial guarantee. The prospectus -will be confidentially circulated shortly by the Premier. Air. "Yogel, who has taken the project in hand. It was this scheme to whioh he referred in recent speeches as a measure under the consideration of the Government, and likely to develope immensely the trade of New Zealand with Polynesia, but of which he was not then at liberty to say more. We have no details yet, but of the truth of the main facts our readers may rely. It is to be hoped no scheme will be consitlerocl without full notice being given to the public and a full discussion. We are not prepared for any more surprises at present. From advertisement it will be seen that the General Government invite tenders for the construction of a Post and Telegraph office at Waikaia " Switzers.' 1 Mh. Dixon schoolmaster at Blacks has lesigned his appointment as Schoolmaster, much to the regret of the School Committee and the fathers' of families in thnt district. The grain crops in the Blacks, district this season are unexceptumally good, as much as 60 bushels to the acre have fieen reaped in places, and very little of the ground cropped realised les3 than 40 bushels. This should give an impetus to farming in that district. Mr. John Kelso has secured the Ada Colt which won the Consolation Stakes in Dunedin, beating a large field of good horses. After the race the colt was sold by pnblic auction for £160. Kelso has since bought him at a good round figure, If a few more horses of the same j sort were brought into the district we should j have no wore walk overs for $100 prizes.

We were shown a mushroom on ■Wednesday evening last, which measured 21 inches in circumference, and weighed exactly lib. It was discovered by Mr. Coverlid on this tide of Mr. Bae's Junction Hotel, Teviot road. 'For the last few days, it has been exhibited sit;the Victoria HoteL Mr. Coverlid informs us tb»t these edible fungi are to be found ia considerable numbers in that locality. Wk are informed that the inhabitants of Blacks have petitioned the Government to appoint Mr. W. U. Burke a Justice of the Peace. The contractors for the Lawrence Courthouse commenced operations on Wednesday last. The work of constructing an embankment to the Wetherstones creek on the north side of Boss Place was also commenced this week. The contractors for the Town Hall are now making rapid progress with the foundation of thebuilding. MB. M. Hat reports having sold Messrs. Woodhouse and Rigney's celebrated claim at the Horseshoe Bend with working plant complete for the sum of £230. Those parties who are entitled to have tbeir names on the Electoral Roll, and have not taken the necessary steps, are reminded that Tuesday next is the last day on which applications will be received by the Registrar. MR. W. HAVES will sell on Tuesday next some valuable property in Peel-street, also some valuable leasehold property in the suburbs, for particulars see advertisement in another column. From an English exchange we extract the following :—ln: — In a aeries of addresses, Mr Horsman has been giving his constituents his mind upon recent and prospective legislation. The Ballot measure he greatly praises, styling it the electors' charter of independence, and trusts that under it canvassing, either by candidates or agents, will be done away. Mr Horsman has excellent personal grounds for wishing this, as he has three times had tbe measles from his having had to kiss so many babies in his canvas. The country was always aware of the great depletion which the purses of candidates often suffered in their canvassing tours, but till now, I believe, it has been ignorant of the great personal risks from infection which its would-be legislators incurred on these occasions. Our Ballot system is not yet what it ought to be, but, no doubt, it will eventually render üm ecesary not only babykissing, but other more heinous kinds of bribery. ___________