Local Intelligence,

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 431, 3 February 1875, Page 2

Local Intelligence,

IMb. Horace Bastings had a narrow escape of his life at the Switzers Freehold Gold alining Co.'s claim on Friday last. By some inischiince the winding gear became disconnected from the engine, and fell down the shaft where Mr. Bastings was examining the works Fortunately the ropes caught the pump, and were thus prevented from going, to the bottom of the shaft, hut for which Mr. Bastings and the wdrlunen would certainly have been killed,, as the falling ropes and other tackling wore very heavy. Messks Hunter and Straohan have thrown up their contract for the Manuka Creek railway tunnel. A COVEY of partridges, thirty in number, are seen almost daily in the police paddock, Lawrence, on the town boundary by membera of the force. After the annual meeting of/, s/aijscribera of the Lawrence Athenaeum is held, to-morrow evening, there will be a sale of magazines and valuable books. Wb have pleasure in stating that the Secretary of the Tuapeka Hospital has received a cheque for £25 from Messrs 'Neill aud Co of Beaumont station. This is the second handsome subscription these gentlemen have given to the funds of the hospital. The eldest son of Mr, Patterson, saw mill proprietor, Tapanui, had his leg broken on Saturday by a fall from a hone. The lad's injuries were immediately attended to by Dr. Douglas, and he is now progressing favourably. The sum of £22 103 was collected at Tapanui on Friday night, and presented to Mr. A. M'Kay, to compensate him for the accident in the Hurdle fiace, and the loss of the use of a valuable mate which he took to Tapanui. The money was collected by Mr. T. Hewitt, and would no doubt be very acceptable to Mr. M'Kay, whose misfortunes at Tapanui races have been numerous at previous meetings. Messrs. Meabs and Whittet have made a start with fclieir contract on the Beaumont road.. They have n number of men employed, and intend pushing on rkpidly with the work. Mr. Miller has also made a start with his contract adjoining Mears and Whittet's. Mr Kitching's saw mill at the Manse bush, Tapanui, is nearly ready for work. The mill has been erected under the superintendence of Mr. John Perry. The contract for falling logs has baen let for twelve months to Mr. George Meats. The price of heavy timber suitable for bridge building is rapidly increasing iiuTapanui. As much as 25a per hundred is now being asked by some mill owners for black pine in long lengths, A NOMBRR of intending settlers visited the Waikaka hundred last week with the intention of looking over the laiid prior to applying for it. Seeiug the rush for land at fhe present time it is a wonder that the Government do not comply with the wishes of the agriculturalists and open up large blocks of hind in suitable localities. The following additional applications to depasture stock upon the Tuapeka commonage have been g> anted : - George Mathcson. 30 head; Edward Malone, 25 ; Samu«l Whyte, 5 ; David M'Neil'y, 10 , Fiaucis Fear 12 ; Christojjher Daiziel, 10 ; Jtsnkin Evans, 3 ; Michael Drew, 8 Tlie applications of A Hog^, W. Livingstone, Mrithieson. and M'Donaltl to depasture sheep were refused, the Board not having any power to grant them, l\!r Oahkuthicrs, Chief Engineer, arrived in Lawrence last evening. We understand his visit is in connection .with the Gabriels Chanaej scheme. The wife of Mr. Earnest Peterson, of the Blue Spur, was found- dead in her bed at her residence yesterday morning. "We are informed the deceased lady had been com plaining lately, but no serious consequences were anticipated. From English shipping newa, we observe that the following ships hav<? sailed foi Otago from, the ports named ;— The Wellington sailed from London on November 27, and New Plymouth, December 4 ; the Gareloch sailed ou November 24 ; the Oamaru, from Glasgow, on November 26. The Kedron cleared at Liverpool on December 5. Humboldt despatched December 31 ; Wemmington, to sail January 13. The case of Malaghan v. Wenkheim, part of the report of which appears in our supplement, was concluded on Monday. The jury found- a verdict of one farthing damages for the plaintiff. Tbe " Evangelist " for this month contains No. I, " Notes of Travel of a journey round the World, by the Rev. Dr. Copland." These notes bid fair to be very interesting, if we may judge from No. I.