Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 396, 3 October 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

A MKETINO of the Gabriels Gully Channel Committee was held in the office of Mr. Squires on Thursday afternoon. There were present : J. C. Brown, Esq., M.H.R. (in the chair), and Messiß. Kendall, Herbeit, Anderson, Hinde, Hales, Fraer. Morrison, Ferguson and Squires (Secretary.) After the minutes of the previous meeting W&V6 re&d B.ud 0011" finned, the Chairman entered into a full statement of the receiption the deputation received in Dunedin from the Provincial Government, and of his conduct in bringing the subject prominently before the General Assembly, with considerable show of success. The Secretary read several telegrams and letters he had received from Mr, Biown since the last meeting of Committee, all of which went to show that not a stone had been left unturned by that gentleman. The Chairman said when the subject was referred to the Public Works Committee of the House of Representatives, he stated that tho construction of the Channel would allow to be worked about 100 acrea of auriferous deposit of an average depth of 60 feet, containing 9,680.000 cubic ynrda. This quantity of stuff, calculated at one pennyweight of gold per cubic yard at 45., would yield £1,936.000. This work would give employment to 200 men for over 30 years, and, at 10s. per day per man, would amount to £968,000, leaving a similar sum for the expense of w_afcer, powder, iron, tools, rent, &o. Then looking upon the scheme from a Government point of view as regards its reproductive character, the duty on 484,0000z5., at 25. , would

amount to £48,000 ; rent on 100 acres, at £2 10s. per acre for 30 years, £7500 , miners' rights for the same peiiod, £6000 ; making n ip-and total revenue to the Government of £61,900. This estimate he did not consider at all a strained one, as it was based upon wellknown data. The Chairman further remarked that Mr. Creighton late-v editor of the "Guardian " who examined the workings at the Blue Spur some time since gave valuable evidence before the Committee; Mr. Macandrew also did his utmost to further the soheme. After some conversation Mr. Herbert moved that the Secretary be instructed to write to the Government asking when they will be prepared to make the survey and carry out the initiatory works in connection with the Gabriel.B Gully Drainage Channel in accordance with, the reply given by the Minister oi Public Works to Mr. Brown's question. The motion was seconded by Mr, Morrison and carried unanimously. A cordial vote of thanks was then accorded to Mr. Brown for the energetic measures "adopted by him for the furtherance of the scheme, The Secretary wa s instructed to send letters of thanks to Mr Macandrew and Mr Creighton, M,H.R's.for the support accorded by these gentlemen to the undertaking. The Chairman said that he considered he had only dono his duty in the matter as member for the district, and was not entitled to any praise. He was glad to known that the Committee were satisfied with the action he had taken, as that was to him a sufficient reward for all his endeavois in the matter. A fund was then started for the purpose of paying sundry expenses entailed by the Secretaiy, after which a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.

A meeting of the Lawrence Grammar School Committee was held in the schoolhouse on Thursday evening, Present : Messrs. Squirea, Menzies, Thompson, Jeffery, and Hayes (Secretary). A letter was received from Mr. Ross, architect, re plans and specifications of new school buildings. A letter was received from the Education Board relative to the proposed side school at Tuapeka Flat and other business. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Squires and Harrop for their valuable services in. making arrangements for the new schoolhouse. A letter was received from Mr. J. Menzies, assistant teacher, asking for an increase of salary. The consideration of this letter was adjourned until the Bth inst. The Secretary submitted the financial statement. It was moved and seconded that the next quarterly meeting be held on the last Thursday in November, to allow the Committee sufficient time to make :u rangeineuts for the annual examination. The Secretary was instructed to apply to the Town Council for the annual prize given by them. The meeting then adjourned.

Messrs. Caprice, Duthie, and Co. will hold their annual walking show of entire horses at the Commercial Yaids, Milton, on Wednesday r.ext. After the show, a number of horses will be off et ed for sale.

A Koxburgh correspondent aendo ua.the following :— The anniversary tea meeting was held at Coal Creek Wesleyan Church on 29th ult., and was well attended: Mr. H. Bloxain was in the chair, and the report showed that the entire debt on the church was 4a. lOd., which one of the fiiends immediately offered to pay. The Chairman quoted from a letter which appeared in a recent issue of the Tuapeka Timeb under the heading of " Jottings from Box' burgh," in which the writer requests the Good Templar sisters of Lawrence and the Blue Spur to come up to the I'eviot and try to stir up the well-wishers of Good Teuiplarisiu here to action. The Chairman, stated that he knew of twenty who were willing to join. I can assure him I could name several more, who are not included in his twenty, that say they will do the same. Now, Sir. what I should like to know is thia, what is there to prevent these lodge here. They have been talking about v long enough, iind, like most other things here, they let talking suffice. But if the ladies only take it in hand, we may then expect something to be done. Is there any mysterious forms to go through? any awful oaths to be administered? or any need for all this secrecy.

THE bftznat in aid of the Church of England building fund, Roxburgh, will open on Thursday, the Bth inst. Intending contributors should therefore immediately forward their gifts to the Secretary.

The following Chairmen of Boards of Wardens for depasturing districts have been ap pointed. — Mr. John M'Hnttie, Tuapeka ; Mr, Thomas Evans, Waitahuna ; Mr. James Ritchie, Waipori.

The following named gentlemen have been elected Board of Directors of the Colonial 1 Bank .:— The Hon. M. Holmes, Messrs. A. W. Morris, W. A. Totinie, W. J. M. Larnach, John Reid (Merton), Donald Reid, and John Reid (Elderslie). There were about 200 shareholders at the meeting, held on Wednesday, and the wotingr was by ballot —shareholders having from 1 tO 42 votes, according to the number of shares they held,

A small gang of prisoners, under the supervision of Sergeant Titchener are engaged iti the formation of Lismore-street, This street has been in a neglected state for a considerable time.

We are informed that Mr. John Kelso has taken the Prince of Wales stables in luvercargill, to which place he intends shortly to remove.

Two old Wethentonea diggers, George Henderson and Andy Cullen left by coach this morning en route for the Palmer.

Complaints oontinne to reach us from people residing in the neighborhood of the Blue Spur and TMonros Gully about the flocks of the neighboring squatters trespassing on the commonage. We hope the newly elected Board of Wardens will give this matter their attention, with better success than their predecessors.

The mouthly union prayer meeting was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening, and, in spite of the inclemency of the -weather, ih.ere was a very good attendance, though not equal to former meetings. Thefmeeting, ■which was presided over by the Key. J. Cameron, was of a very interesting character.

AT the close of the union prayer meeting in the schoolhouse on Wednesday evening, a meeting of 'the Committee, to take measures for the formation. of a bible depdt in connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society, was held. 16 W»8 agreed to rs»ise a little money- and obtain a stock of bibles, to be left with Mr. Sfcenhouse. It is to be hoped that the scheme will succeed. Through this means the Scriptures will be cheaply supplied to Sunday schools and people around the diutiicr.

The "Gazette" contains a notification . of the resignation of Mr, Fairer of hia appointment as a Licensing Commissioner for the district of Lawrence.

From the report of tho Waste Lands Board, it will be observed that Mr. John M 'Lean's application to purchase a number of sections on his run was refused. Mr. M'Lean could nob have expected anything else. - The land was proclaimed open in 1870, but owing to some legal difficulties, it was never opened for sale or lease. Many applications have been made for sections on this run, and refused ; and it would have been very unfair towards these applicants and other persons tohave granted Mr M Lean's application. If that land is to be sold, let it be made known as widely as possible, when and where, so that it will bring its full value. But do not sell it at all, we say ! Let it be occupied under the Agricultural Leasing System, which, as we have repeatedly urged, is the best system for the occupation of land on goldfields yet discovered.

From advertisement it will be seen that the favorite stud horse Quicksand will again travel this district. He will also travel to Balclutha and the intervening district. Quicksand's pedigree requires no comment from us. '? he three year old stock left by him in the Clutha district can be shown against anything in the province, and it is on the earnest solicitation of the settlers in that locality that the horse is being sent there.

We understand the Good Templars of Lawrence purpose celebrating their first anniversary by a soiree, concert, and ball, to be held early next month.