Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 391, 16 September 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

A RUMOR was in circulation in Lawrence yesterday afternoon to the effpet that Mr. John M'Lean had purchased from the Government 4.000 ncres of land adjoining his pre-emptive right on Bellamy Station, aud comprising the very pick of the land on the run. Waitahuna has lost one of its oldsefc residents. Mr. Joseph Dewes, who has lived there 12 or 13 years — since the first of the rush, and successfully carried on business as ii storekeeper died on Sunday morning, after a lingering illness. Mr. Dewes always took an active part in mutters affecting the welfare. of the distiict in which he resided, and was much respected by all who knew them. We are informed that he was a Royal Arch Mason, and desired to have a Masonic funeral. His wishes in this respect could not. however, be complied with, owing to the shortness of time allowed for the necessary prepaiations. His remains were followed to the Lawrence Cemetery yesterday by a large number of friends, when the Rev. G. P. Beaumont read the Church of England funeral service over the grave. The first Fire Brigade practice takes place to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. The members are to muster at the Commercial Hotel,

; OUR Roxburgh correspondent writes as follows: , " The election of Mayor and Councillors passed : off very quietly at ltoxburgh. One would not guess from the appearance of the citizens that the ambition of some of them had so lately been : gratified by their being elevated to the proud ' positions mentioned above. There are niany here who have great faith that the step taken is one in the right direction, and will conduce . greatly to the future prosperity of the place. That such is the case is amply proved by the high prices lately given for sections, as much as £40 and £50 having been rpceived by owners ' for unimproved sections in Cheviot and Scoti land-streets. It is confidently expected that the - members of the new Corporation, in whom the electors have every trust, will work harmoniously together ; each one possessing considerable interest in the place is a guarantee ! that they will use every endeavor to prove them- ' selves worthy of the confidence placed in them." The Sussex Hotel, Dunedin, for several years ■ successfully carried on by Mr, Bannatyne, lately L changed hands, Mr. Thomas Oliver, of Alex- , andra, having purchased it. Mr. Oliver has now taken possession, and by advertisement assures his friends that the prestige of the late proprietor will not deteriorate in his hands. ! Mine host, J. R. Kemp, of the Cape Broom ■ Hotel, who has just completed the erection of 1 his capacious hotel on Bald Hill Flat, by far I the largest roadside hostelry between Lawrence and Queenstown, invites his friends to a supper and dance on the occasion of the house warming. We wish Mr. Kemp success commensurate with the enterprise he has shown in erecting such an excellent building for the convenience ; of the travelling public. ( The latest idea for tradesmen in Lawrence who hive creditors that are hard to obtain ( money from, on account of their drinking propensities, is to get a leading member of the Good Templars Lodge to propose the defaulter as a member of that worthy Society, This ! plan is siid to be unfailing. The cne-sixteenth share iv the North of • Ireland claim, Blue Spur, rumored in our last , week's ?ssue to have been sold, was purchased by Mr. John M 'Coomb, for the sura of £450. A similar interest was sold this week for of £500, and a like amount was refused by another shareholder. It will be observed from advertisement that Mr. Cox's sale of drapery will be brought to a . cloie on Saturday evening. i The members of the local Fire Brigade ■ chimed exemption from serving on the jury at tie sitting of the Supreme Court yesterday. Judge Chapman decided that their claim of exemption was valid, and excused them. Numerous grabs /ires of large extent have beeu burning ali round the district during 1 the last week, illuminating the horizon in all directions. From advertisement it will l>e seen that one half share in Messrs. Hansenand Party's claim, Tuapeka Month, i«f«*«"»-l<»-A HtfAVY shower of snow fell in Lawrence early on Sundayinorning, coveriug the surrounding ranges with a white mantle. THE Treasurer of the Brass Band informs u=? tkat subscriptions in aid of the Band fund are coning in very freely since the lists were circuhted. Sever.il ladies have oponed their purse striugs in aid of the funds, thus testifying -.heir approval of the efforts of the members of tin B.ind to amuse the public. Dr. C.vRR gave his farewell lecture and mesmeric seance in the Assembly Rooms on S.iturd:,y evening. There was only a moderate attendance. The Dr. left for Roxburgh on Monday morning, and from thence will proceed to Alexaudra and Clyde, From advertisement it will be seen that Mr. J. F. Ki tching has fo-ir entire horses for serrice at the Beaumont Farm. These horses have been selected for stud purposes from this and other colonies, without regard to cost, and their pedigrees aie undeniable. Messrs. Mt.aks and "Whtttft are now making very rapid progress with the new Town Hall. The contractor for the Courthouse Mr. A. Humphrey is also pushing on with that building. ,The stone work is now completed, aud the other portions of the work are being pushed on vigorously. Mu. H. W. Coverlid has presented to the Hospital, through Mr. Watson, several sycamore trees. These trees *rill be a great ornament to thß grounds of the institution. We learn that tlv. Watson has intimated his will ingness to plant any trees or shrubs presented to the Hospital free of cost. Five black swans were seen on Messrs Reese M'lutyre's dam, at Tuapeka Mouth, last week, Two coveys of partridges have also taken up their quarters in that neighbourhood. Starlings and skylarks are becoming very numerous on the Tokomaiiiro plain. Large flocks of tho former may frequently be seen on the wing. The shipping report of the " Daily Times " says that the whaling barque Splendid, the property cf Messrs. Cormack and Co., is preparing for sea. It is thought she will be ready to sail in a fortnight. "We are sorry to learn that Mr. Rollingshaw, who is well-tnown in Lawrence, attempted to commit suicide at JTaseby, on Monday. The luteati telegrams atate that that he is not j r et out of danger. The following telegram, with reference to the last week's crushing of the Shotover Terrace Gold Mining Co. , was received from Mr. Thomas Grace on Monday :—" Nine pounds weight to hand. Mine looking well. Prospects on Friday, one ounce to a dish in one tunnel." , A meeting of those interested in the re-form-ing of the Lawrence Cricket Club will be hold in the Commercial Hotel, on Friday evening, at 8 o'clock. We are pleased to learn that nearly £200 have beeu collected for the widow and family of the late Mr. Wm. Boult, of Havelock. Good Templarism seems to prosper on the goldfiekls. The Havelock lodge now numbers upwards of 30 members, and additions are being made to it every meeting night. The YVaitahuna Presbyterian Church has now received the finishing touch, being completely out of the hands of the contractors. A meeting of the congregation is to be held in a few days. The only regret expressed by those who have the management of the church is that they did not erect a larger building. The Rev. Mr. Skinner's preaching is so much appreciated by the people that the place is crowded every Sunday. We. are informed that Mr. Walter Miller has commenced the wholesale impounding of the cattle found on his newly purchased country in the vicinity of Wai tab ana. H e generally oifei-s to purchase the stock so impounded rather than take legal proceedings against the owners. Mr. M. Hay will sell by public auction at Tapanui to-morrow, ou account of Mr. Andiew Allen, the Commercial Hotel and other freehold property. Me. Mickakl M'Carthy's entire horse Young Wellington will travel the ilfount Benger district this season. This horse's pedigree is second to none bred in the Province. His sire was considered the best horse of his day on the Taieri. A consignment of 30 tons of potatoes was sent to Dunedin this week by Mr. James Harris. The price obtained for them in. the Dunedin market, we understand, is £6 a ton, which sum, after deducting cartage at £2, will leave a fair ' margin of profit.