Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 399, 14 October 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

oA MEETING of tie tawrence Athenceuro Committee was held in the library on Saturday afternoon. Present .• J. C. Brown Esq., President, and Messrs. Squires, Halley and Ferguson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. With reference to the leases of Athenxum sections, given to Mr. Humphrey and Mr. Wofcton, the presideut stated that owing to these sections being Educational Endowments, the conveyances from tho Superintendant, to the Athenteum Committee, were free from duty, and therefore, not finable. While in Dunedin he (the presidents bad got the conveyances completed, and paid £2 Is Gd being the total amount of expenses on the same. Dr. Halley stated that .Mr. John Logan of Dunedin had, through him, kindly ofiered to supply the " Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser,'* to the Athenseum freo of cost, if the Committee would accept it. The secretary was instructed to write Mr. Logan accepting his kind offer. The chairman thought the time had arrived when Hoiaething should he, don© towards the disposal of thd preseub Athenseutn building and site. It would be well, he considered, for the committee to make it known that the present building and site were open for sale. He had no doubt such a sum would be realised for the property as would enable the Committee to erect such a buildingon their site in Colonsay street, as would not only bo more commodious as au Athenreum and museum, but more suitable for other purposes. After some conversation the followiug resolution was agreed to, "That in view of the increasing need for accommodation for purposesconnected with the Athenseuni, it is desirable that offers should be invited for the purchase of the present building and site, with the object of erecting a more suitable building in the central site situated in Colonsay audLancasterstreets, belong ing to the institution ; and that in erecting a new building the Committee contemplate giving special regard to the requiremenjts of Friendly and other societies," The meeting then adjourned. Thb gift auction bazaar and art union in aid of the funds of the Chui'ch of England, Roxburgh, was held on Thursday last at the Commercial Assembly Booms. The bazaar was opened about three o'clock in the afternoon, and there was soon a pretty good muster. A number of ladies belonging to the Teviofc and the surrounding districts had subscribed to tho bazaar several very handsome specimens of their workiu.msbip, consisting of antimacassars, toilet covers, mats, all kinds of knitting, tatting, crochet work, &c, &c, which realised very fair prices. The facility with which the articles appropriated to the bazaar wero disposed of was, as is usual in such cases, attributable entirely to the ladies, who exerted themselves so energetically and successfully (there being but few of tho lovda of creation who could withstand thair request) that by th<i time the tickets for the art union were called off the bazaar was cleared oui. There waa nlso a wheel of fortune or lottery-box (one shilling tickets — each speculator receiving a prize), which was so much in favor that it was continually in motion from about five o'clock in the afternoon until half-past ten or eleven o'clock at night, about which time tho drawing of the tickets for the art union took place , Mr. T. Coop was at one box, and Mr. Whitnell at the other. Amongst the fortunate prize-takers may be mentioned Mr. Moore Grahame, winner of a bagatelle board' ; Mr. J. Woodhouse, sewing machine ; Miss Gillon, Tuapeka, clock ; Ah Hee ['X Chinaman) silver electro-plated tea and coffee service. The number of people there, and the amount of money taken, exceeded all expectation, there being over £100 clear after all expenses are paid, The Committee are to be congratulated upon the successful manner in which the arrangement was canied out. aud their thanks are due to those ladies who so kindly interested themselves by sending articloa to the bazaar. The usual quarterly meeting of subscribers to the Tuapeka Hospital will be held in tho Commercial Assembly Eoom, to-morrow evening, afc eight o'clock. In addition to the ordinary business the newly revised rules will be submitted to the subscribers for approval and adoption. It is therefore very necessary that subscribers should turn out well on the occasion, so that proper rules for tho management of tho institution should be adopted. We understand that the discussion as to the manngement, which was interrupted by the unfortunate termination of the last public meeting, will be resumed. Our Alexandra correspondent informs us that a fatal accident occurred on the sth inst., to a boy about six years of age named Willia-n John Blackwell, who was killed by falhngover a precipice at liockside, near the Galloway Station, Manuherikia. It appears that on the above date, the boy had ' been amusing himself by rolling stones over a precipice about 100 ft. in height, and by some means had overbalanced himself and fallen to the bottom, causing his instantaneous death. On the 7th inst. an inquest was held on the body at the Geelong Hotel, Alexandra, wben a verdict was returned of accidental death. Messrs. Lancaster, Baaton, and Cummingg recently forwarded certain proposals to tho Provincial Government for constructing a road up ihe eastern side of the Olutha River from Beaumont to the Island Block. A memorial signed by 340 settlers in the district commended the undertaking to the Government and the Waste Lands Board. The road is estimated to cost £3000. and amongst other privileges, MrLancasfcer and party require the exclusive right to dispose of any timber or scrub on Crown lands to a distance of five chains on each side of the proposed road throughout its length, but subject to a condition that they shall sell to the public, at a price not exceeding 15s per cord, all timber bo granted to them. At present the traffic between Lawrence and Clyde crosses the Kiver Clutha at the Beaumont Ferry, tho road, after that point, encountering several ateep Mils. The applicants wish to remove their Ferry from Beaumont to the Island Block. The proposed road traverses a portion of country of a flat character, and is much shorter. The advantages are to be attained without the expenditure of Jtny public money. The following gentlemen says the " Times " had arranged to wait upon hia Honour the Superintendent yesterday in support of the proposals and memorial ; Messrs. W. J. M, Larnach, E. B. Carglll, G. F. Reid, F. Fulton, John Mouat, Vincent Pyke, and J. A. Connell. A mosbage, however, was received from his Honour ta the effect that the Government had considered and agreed to the constiuction of the proposed road. Tho applicants were referred to the , Waste Lands Board for tho required timber license. It will be observed that tho time has been extended of the sailing of the Comet for the Palmer diggings, to the 20th inst. Messrs. Hayes and M'Donald are the successful tenderers for the construction of the bridge over the Clutha River at Roxburgh. Their tender was for £2882 105. The Roxburgh people can rest assured that every expedition will be used in the work, as Messrs. Hnyes and M'Donald have nearly finished the Beaumont bridge, and have all the necessary plant for the work. The woatber during tho last few days has beon exceedingly stormy. On Sunday morning the sun shone out brightly, and gave every sign of the incoming o f spring weather, hut towards eveding the barometer commenced to fall rapidly, and early on Monday was lower than ever before known in Tuapeka. At dawn of day on Monday a terrino gale of wind was blowing from tho westward, and at 7 o'clock rain and sleet cennnenced to fall in.a manner seldom seen in these low latitudes, the rainfall raising the creeks in a short time to an almost •impassable condition between Lawrence and the Beaumont. A party of surveyors encamped on the flat opposite Bellamy station were surrounded by water, and had to remain within their tents tho whole of tho day. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon snow commenced to fall heavily, and continued with but slight inter- ' mission for about twelve hours, accompanied with occasional peals of thunder. Yesterday the weather was again very stormy and wet, and unless a change soon takes place for the better we fear wcshall have to chronicle heavy losses in stock, and serious injury to growing crops as a consequence. The flooding of the Whithaven street creek, on Monday morning, undermined one of the walls of the culvert in Carapbelltou street. The matter was promptly seen to by the corporation officers. A waggoner named Andrew Bain met with his death very suddenly on Saturday last, six miles from Balclutha. Hd fell from his waggon,the wheels of which passed over his body causing instantaneous death. Mb. Hatcrop informs us that he is prepared to book passengers by the .Comst, which sails on the 20th inst. for Cooktown, the port for the, Palmer diggings, Freight and (

passage, and all particulars may be obtained at the Medical Hall, Peel Street. Dr. Stewart and Mr. Abel met with?an accident on Saturday last. In descending the hill above Mr. Nichol's farm, on the Waitahuna road, one of the shafts of the Buggy snapped in two. Mr. Abel jumped out and endeavoured to catch tho horse by the head ; but unfortunately being so near the embankment, the horse and buggy went over. Dr Stewart held to the reinß, and went over with thorn, and received some severe bruises, and a sprained ankle. Curious en«ugh a similar accident happened the Doctor twelve months ago near the same place. Upon enquiry this morning, we learn that he is progressing favourbly, and will be able to resume practice in a day or two.