Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 370, 4 July 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

A meeting of the Gabriels Gully Sludge Channel Committee was held in Mr. Squire's office on Thursday afternoon. The Mayor occupied the chair and detailed the interview he, in company with Mr. J. C. Brown had with Mr. Reid. The committee decided upon getting a similar memorial to that presented to the Piovincial Executive drawn up and numerously signed by the resideuts of the district and forwarded to Mr. Brown at Wellington. His Honor the Superintendent has promised to present the memorial. The contractors for the Lawrence end of the railway are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining suitable timber for fencing their portion of the contract. The timber specified for posts is nob obtainable in the vicinity of Lawrence though rails can be obtained in large quantities. On Wednesday evening, Bro. J. Thompson, Deputy Provisional Grand Worthy Chief Templar, instituted a subordinate Lodge of the Order at the Blue Spur. As the state of the roads and the weather during the winter made it a matter of considerable inconvenience for the members of the Order resident at the Blue Spur to attend Lodge meetings at Lawrence, and as a considerable number of persons in that neighborhood were anxious to join, the opening of a Lodge in that locality had for some time past been anxiously looked forward to. The following members of the Lawrence Lodge assisted in the institution ceremony : — Bro. M'Coy, W.C.T. ; Bro. Fargher, W.P*T.C. ; Bro. King, W.S. ; Bro. Menzies, W.A.S. ; Bro. Hiscox, R.H.S. ; Bro. Simmons, W.O.Gr. ; Bro. Nixon, W. J.Gr. ; and Bros. Collins and Grainger Clarke. After the opening of the Lodge, a name — tho Queen of the South — was chosen for it, and the following officers were elected and installed : — Bro. Varcoe, W.C.T. ; Sister Cousins, W.V.T. ; Bro. M'Lelland, W.C. ; Bro. Hopwood, W.S. ; Bro. John Cousins, W.A.S.; Sister Uren,W.F.S.; Sister Ralston, W.T. ; Bro. Mills, WJI.; Sister Robinson, W.D.M. ; Bro. Thomas Cousins, W.J.G-. ; Bro. John Peters, W.O.Gr. ; Bro. Campbell j W.R.H.S. ; Bro. Euitace, W.L.H.S. ; Bro! John Coutts, P.W.CT. The Queen of the South Lodge has be^n instituted under very favorable auspices, *nd this incident is viewed as being very satisfactory by those who have the extension of che principles of the Order at heart. The opening of a Lodge at Havelock is talked of, from which we may gather that the existence of the Order in the district is not likcljr to bo ephemeral. Oue Teviot correspondent writes as follows :— The Roxburgh Dramatic Club, assisted by the Harmonic Society, gave an entermainment on Friday evening last, which was attended by numbers not only from the Teviot but Moa Flat and surrounding districts. The prcccedings were commenced with the chorus "The Chough and Crow," by the company. Mr. R. Brown sang the comic song "The Five Cripples," and receiving a heavty encore sang another comic song ; after which Mr. Reid sang in splendid style " I'm a Dad-Dad-Dad," and being greeted in the same manner gave " Tho Bell of the Ball." Mr. Austen, a volunteer, sang "The Maid oE Athens," and the " Tho Boy in Blue." The " The Carnovale " having been sung by the company, the Darkie farce of " Tom and Jerry" was pcrformod by Messrs. Cormackand Pennell in very good style, which elicited loud laughtsi*, and completed the first part of the entertainment. Part two commenced with " Hail Similing Morn," by the company. Two songs were then sung by Mr. Austen, " The Villago Blacksmith " and the comic song " Rolling Home in the Morning, Boys," which were received with great applause. " The Laughing Chorus," by the company, completed this part. The great piece of the evening, " The Area Belle," was then played by the following gentlemen : — Mrs. Croker,

Mr. J. Pennell ; Penelope, Mr. H. Waight

Pitcher, Mr. D. Cormack; Tosser, Mr. J. Brosnan j Chalk and Water, Mr. J. Pitches.

It would be invidious, when all .performed their parts so successfully, to mention- any one in particular — the repeated bursts of applause and laughter proving how perfectly satisfied and amused the audience was with the whole performance. Altogether, taking both the feeling of the audience and the financial part into consideration, I think I may state it was one of the most successful entertainments ever given afc Roxburgh. I believe that the proceeds will be found sufficient to liquidate all the debts at present outstanding against the Society. At the close of the entertainment the room was cleared, and dancing was carried on — Mr. Burton presiding at the harmonium, and Mr. M'Doualj took his usual place as M.C. — until 12 o'clock, at which time, Mr. Beighton having neglected to take out a special permit, the house was cleared by the police — tho only drawback to those fond of that amusement to what was really an enjoyable evening.

MR. Tanton is erecting a place of business in Havelock for the manufacture of ginger beer, &c. Mr. Tanton, we understand, purchased the valuable machinery and plant of the late firm of Rollings and Raggitt.

On Wednesday afternoon, about 300 children, with many of their parents, met in the new Presbyterian Church, Havelock, where they partook of a substantial tea, after which they were addressed by the Revs. Messrs. Cameron and Skinnpr.

A corhispondent informs us that out of the twenty-five houses which constitute the village of Glenore, eight of them are sly-grog shanties and one a licensed house. It is to be hoped this is not the proportion similar sized places would present if the truth were known.

• The membei-s of the Lawrence Brass Band assemble nearly every night in the band room for practice. We are informed that they are making rapid progress under the careful tuition of Mr. M'lntyre. There is every probability that the township will be enlivened by some good music by the commencement of the incoming summer.

Good news comes from "WaiporL We are informed that two and a half wiles on each side of the sludge channel have been pegged off in extended claims, some of which include part of the new township afc the Lower crossing. In one of the claims known as the Blue Duck, prospects have been obtained which will yield from £6 to £10 a week. After the next pay day it is espeoted a numHcr of new claims *ill be taken up. so that the channel is really proving itself to be the opening of a new goldfield in WaipoiL

As Mr. J. C. Chappie intends holding a sale at Mr. E. Ayling's on Saturday, the usual monthly sale at Roxburgh did not coma off on Tuesday last.

The Roxburgh local tailor, having perfectly recovered his health, has resumed his usual occupation*.

Mr. Hat reports having sold for Mr. James Badge on Tuesday and Wednesday, household furniture and drapery at very satisfactory prices.

We are glad to learn from the report of the last meeting of the Waste* Land Board that Messrs. Creswick and party are tot' bo allowed to commence cutting timber in the Tuapeka Bush previous to the survey being commenced. The pressure of business on ■the survey staff will prevent a survey being made for a considerable time. As this bush is situated only six miles from Lawrence we may safely expect shortly to purchase firewood at a reduced rate.

We hear that a movement to start a Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society has already been wade at Roxburgh, which we kope will be a success.

Manx of the claims at the Teviot were idle last week in consequence of the frost, and if the present heavy frost continues, we shall expect to hear of some of them soon being idle again. Bt the ommission of the small but significant word " not " our telegram giving the result of

Green's trial in Melbourne on a charge of the

murder of Reynolds conveyed the very reverse of what was really the fact, instead of " was found guilty "it should have read " waa found not guilty."

The snow on the Waipori track is six inches in depth.

Mb. M. Hat in our advertisement columns announces himself as a candidate for the

Mayoralty of Lawrence. Mr. Hay is an old and tried Councillor, and has done good services to the citizens of Lawrence. 16 will be observed that Mr. Ferguson has received a uumoroualy signed requisition, and has consented to contest the election.

A meeting of the Committee of the Lawrence Grammar School was held in the School house last evening. Present : — F. H. M'Coy,

Esq., President (in tho chair), and Messrs, Jamison, Squires,; Harrop, Thompson, Menzies, and Hayes (Seoretary.) The Rector, Mr. Sten-

house, was also present.

The minutes of the

previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received fiom Miss Darton, tendering her resignation as assistant teacher, in conse-

quence of having received the appointment of

mistress of the Balclutha School, It was resolved that the letter be received, and the request granted ; the Secretary, iv writing the reply, to testify to the valuable services rendered by Miss Darton to the School, and also to congratulate her on the appointment. The

following motion, proposed by Mr. Menzies and seconded by Mr. Harrop, in reference to the

writing of obscene language on the palings in the vicinity of the School by the scholars, was carried, viz. , " That in the case of the evil being repeated, the teacher be instructed to communicate with the parents of the children so offending ; and falling his receiving satisfaction, that the matter be further reported to the Committee." Mr. Jamison moved, "That application be made to the Education Board for the privilege of engaging two pupil teachers to fill the vacancy occurring through Miss Darton's resignation." Messrs. Squires, Harrop, and the Secretary were appointed a subComnuttee to arrange preliminaries, and take the necessary steps towards pushing on the erection of the new school buildings on the late market rest-rye, and to call tenders for their erection. A niemoianduin waa received from the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, askthat the overdraft, which amounted to £90, be immediately lciluced. Messrs. ILtrrop, Thompson, and Hayes were appointed to act as a Visiting Committee for the quai ter ending September. Messrs. Menzies and Jamison were appointed to visit the School during the July examination. It was decided, in future, to advertise the quarterly meetings. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

We learn that the Waipori Quartz Mining Company has been floated privately. They have taken steps to have an extensive water race constructed to drive the machinery by water power.

Some time ago we (" Bruce Herald ") referred to^the fact' that a wooden railway viaduct of 210 feet in length was about to be constructed over the Tokomairiro River at the Woolshed, while any quantity of excellent building stone for the purpose existed in the immediate vicinity. We now gladly learn that a stone bridge is to be substituted instead of the pro* jected timber viaduct.

We are pleased to learn that Miss Darton, assistant teacher in the Lawrence Grammar School, has received the appointment of mistress of the School at Balclutha. Miss Darton received her education at the Lawrence School, and from her early 3 r ears showed more than ordinary aptitude as a student. For several years she occupied the position of pupil teacher and .passed all her examinations with great credit to herself and to Mr. Stenhouse her tutor. For the past twelve months she has been acting as assistant teacher. We congratulate our Balclutha friends on their choice, and feel confident they will find in Miss Darton an able and efficient mistress for their School, quite equal, if not superior to any Victorian lady they might have appointed.

The barometer now stands higher than it has done for many months, and it is said the frost last night waa more intense than it has ever been in this district for the last nine years.

At the last meeting of the Waste Lands Board, an application was made by Mr. James Thomson to purchase 655 acres of blocks IV. and VI., Waitahuna East, being land situated in the goldfields, Tte application was referred to the District Land Officer to see if he knew of any objection'' to the land, it being situate within a goldfield. We should imagine there is every objection to the land being sold, until it is occupied under the Agricultural Leasing Regulations for the usual period. But why 655 acres, when 200 acres is the limit allowed by the Act ? If we mistake not, this very land has been applied for in the regular form by Messrs. James and John Drinnan and David Paton.

A correspondent writes " I am surprised to learn that the leading bank in this colony is showing jealousy of its new rival by putting the ' screw ' on its constituents all over the country, evidently to prevent them speculating in shares in the Colonial Bank."

The question of the delay in the survey of land applied for in the Tuapeka and Waitahuna districts was brought before the last meeting of the Waste Land Board when it was resolved. "That the Government be recommended to put on more surveyors in the Tuapeka district, owing to the number of claims lying over being very great. At present a rate of progress, completion of work now in hand would be thiee years behind time."

People are positive just in proportion to their ignorance.

Face all things ; even adversity is' polite to a man's face.

From friends we learn what we should be ; from enemies, what we are.

Would you be surprised to learn that the man who stole the judge's coat shortly afterwards appeared in a law suit. Rather Dear. — The price of a girl is quoted at two cows in the slave districts of East Africa, according to Sir Samuel Baker. There are in Chicago's new hotel, the Grand Pacific, 59 flights »f stairs, 38 milea of wire, 999 windows, and 1070 doors.