Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 409, 18 November 1874, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The British and other mails via Suez close at the Lawrence office on the morning of the 24th instant. Between the hours of one and two o'clock on Tuesday morning, the dwellinghouse of Mr. John Pearson, farmer, Wetherstones Flat, was oompletely destroyed by fire. On visiting the scene a few hours after the conflagration, all that remained of a fine house was two bare chimneys, a child's iron cot, and the corrugated iron, which had covered the roof of the building, lying amongst the smouldering ashes, twisted into all shapes by the intense heat to which it had been oxposed. From inquiries we made on the spot, it seems that about one o'clock, Mrs. Pearson was awakened by the barking of the dog at the back of the house, and certain sounds. There were in the house beside herself five children, two of whom were asleep in a. front room with herself, and three in a back room, the one adjoining that in which the fire appeared to originate. Mr. Pearson was away at the bush for firewood. On getting up to ascertain the cause of the dog's barking, Mrs. Pearson went to the back room where the three children were asleep, and while in the act of awakening the eldest one, the flames burst through the partition from the adjoining room with great fury, leaving the occupants but scant time for escape. Luckily, Mrs. Pearson did not lose her presence of mind, and in a fe* seconds she had all her live charge free from danger, although not a stitch of clothing was saved to cover them. Before any available assistance could be had from the neighbors, the building was one mass of flames, and all that was saved of the valuable furniture, of which there was a large collection, was four chairs and a sewing machine. As to the origin of the fire, it seems quite a, mystery. We are informed it broke out in one of the back rooms, in which there was no fireplace, and none of the family, who retired to rest about 9 o'clock, were known to have been in it during the evening. On going along the passage to the room in which the children were sleeping, Mrs. Pearson states that she did not notice any smoke nor smell any burning. The police were early on the ground, and we have no doubt will sift the matter thoroughly. The house was insured to the extent of £500 : —£300 in the Norwich Union, and £200 in the Victoria. The anniversary tea meeting in connection with the Blue Spur Presbyterian Church was held kst night. A report of the proceedings will appear in our next issue. There has been no abatement of the measles in the Tuapeka district during the past week — if anything, the cases are more numerous now than ever. Our local physicians have not had such a busy time of it for many a day. On Monday and Tuesday evenings Smith's Combination Troupe gave entertainments in the Assembly Rooms, Lawrence, to good houses on both occasions. Hud the excellence of this company been better known the room would doubtless have been crowded. Mr. St. Vincent is a host in himself, and assisted by such talented men as Airec, Verletti. and Turner, they cannot fail to draw large audiences wherever they go, The Secretary for the Havelock Christin; b Sports informs us that a committee was formed on Saturday last to carry out these sports, and that it is- intended that the horse racing will he open to horses in the Tuapeka district. The programme will shortly be published. The site for the flour mill adjoining Mr. Patterson's Saw Mills, TapanuL has already been cleared, and the erection of the mill will shortly be commenced. . A dinner was given to Mr. George Skcne at the Crown Hotel, Switzers, on the evening of Friday, 6th instant, to bid farewell to that gentleman who bus left for Queensland. A numerous party of friends sat down to dinner. J. N. Wood, Esiq., occupied the chair, After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been drank, the "'guest of the evening" was proposed with enthusiasm. Mr. Skeue replied at some length, expressing the regret he felt at lea\irg the district in which he had resided for so many years. A concert and ball in aid of the funds of the Tuapeka Hospital, will be given by the Waitabuna Christy Minstrels, in, the Athenamin Hall. Waitahuna, on Tuesday, 24th instant. Dk. Stewart has undertaken to collect the annual subscription for the Benevolent Asylum. Mr. \V. E, Fairer has hitherto collected subscriptions for this institution, and now that he is absent it is to be hoped the Tuapeka public will encourage the Doctor in his laudable efforts by subscribing liberally to so deserving an object. The Tuapeka district has had much consideration from the committee of the Benevolent Asylum. . Me. Wood, the Resident Magistrate at Switzers, met with an accident last Thursday. He was riding along the road near to his own residence, and leading a horse which hung back and dragged him out of the saddle. Mr. Wood, was considerably bruised and shaken, c-J though, we aie happy to say, not seriously hurt. Mr. G. B. King, D.D.G.W.C.T. of Lodge St. Lawrence, 1.0. G.T., leaves for Roxburgh on Thursday morning, for the purpose of opening a lodge there in connection with the Order. The Rev, Mr., Williams, of Balclutha, will conduct divine service in the Lawrence Wesleyan Church, on Sunday evening, the 29th inst. The rev. gentleman, we understand, will preach in the Wesleyan Church, Blue Spur, in the morning of the same day. A LECTURE, eloquent, able, interesting, rich in illustration, and pervaded by a high chrißtian tone wns delivered by the Rev. Mr. Beck, in Clark's Flat School, on Friday last. His subject was : " Elements of greatness in character." The attendance was good, the weather being everything that could be desired. The Rev. Mr. Cameron occupied the chair. The hope was expressed by those present that Mr. Beck would deliver this lecture in Lawrence, so that a wider circle might have the opportunity of enjoying and benefiting hy the very instructive matter it contained. Before the audience separated cordial votes of thanks were passed to the Lecturer and Chairman. This course of lectures is to be wound up by a soiree, which is expected to take place about the 18th proximo, when those who have kindly given their services as lecturers are looked forward to as the speakers on the occasion. The Switzers Fieehold Gold Mining Company, at Winding Creek, are proceeding rapidly with their permanent works. The main abaft is down nearly 200 feet, and slabbed from top to bottom. The machinery is being fitted up, and will be ready for a start in a few days. The engine is being erected under a substantial shed, which will also be fitted with appliances for doing the blacksmith's work required in the claim. It is to be hoped the deep ground in this claim will turn out as rich as expected, and remunerate the shareholders for their outlay. The manager of the claim —Mr. H. N. Simson — is well acquainted with the ground, and if gold exists in the* gutter, lie will very soon unearth it. St. Andrew's Day, 30th inst., will be recognised as a general holiday in Dunedin. The programme of the Dunedin spring meeting which takes place on that day, promises to provide some excellent sport. The entries for several of the events will be found in another column of this paper.

It is to be hoped the Government will notde« lay throwing open the Herriot Hundred in February next, as promised, as a large number of people are anxiously looking out for the land for settlement. A concert will take place at Tapanni, at Christmas, in aid of tho Presbyterian Church funds there, which have lately been drawn heavily upon in the erection of a large building, that now requires painting to give it a finish. From the •" Gazette," we notice that certain sections in blocks L, 11,, and V., Tuapeka (Hundred) West District, having been improved by being fenced will be offered for sale, as land of special value, at the Survey Office, Lawrence, on Monday, 4th January, at an upset price to'be stated in a future advertisement. Our Alexandra correspondent, writing on tho 13th instant, says : — The approach from the Ferry to the township has been surveyed by the District Engineer, and, I understand, it has been decided to -widen the road at the .bends, and form it on a uuiform gradient as far as TbgyerV corner. The work, when completed, will be a great improvement, as the present approach is so steep as to have frequently caused the teamsters to double bank their horses in ord,er to get their waggons up the hill. The plans and specifications are to be ready next week, and the work will be pushed forward as soon as possible. — The Oxford Troupe performed in the Library Hall on the 10th and 11th instant. The attendance was not nearly so numerous as the quality of the entertainment deserved, but those present testified their satisfaction by heartily applaud, ing the performers. -There is still a great outcry for land at Waikaka, although the Government do not seem inclined to accede to the request of the people In the neighborhood of Waikaka— especially towards the Mataura — there is splendid agricultural land, and if a large block was thrown open under the leasing regulations, it would be eagerly taken up. The ship Mataura, from London, arrived at Port Chalmers on Monday. She brings 40 passengers and a full cargo. During the voyage some frightful weather was encountered.