Local Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VIII, Issue 436, 20 February 1875, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

At a meeting of directors of the Phoe'iix Water Race Company held at the Company's office, Peel-street, on Thursday evening, we are informed that arrangements were made for taking over the management of the works from the Gabriel's Gully Q M.C.. by the company, as soon as certain repairs to the race and dam have been effected. Arbiters are to be appointed to estimate the amount of repairs necessary, when the Gabriel's Gully Qaartz Mining Co will pay the amount, together with the £100 forfeit money, and then cease their connection with the Phoenix works.

The installation of officers for the ensuing year for Lodge St. George, 1128, EC, took place in the Lodge-room, Lawrence, on Thursday evening. There was a large muster of brethren present. Bro. Nathan. P.M.. of Dunedin, performed the beautiful and impressive installation ceremony, in which he was assisted by Bro. Gore, Deputy -Provincial G.M., of Dunedin. The following are the officers for the ensuing year:— Bro. A. Alexander, W.M.; Bro. E. T^chener, S.W.; Bro. W. F. Downes, J.W.; Bro. Wuldie, S.D.; Bro. M'Coy, J.D.; Bro, Middleiniss, 1.G.; and Bro. Arthur, Tyler. Four candidates we:e then nominated for initiation, anl will be balloted for next Lodge night. Before the Lodge closed. W,M., Bro. Alexander presented Bro. Nathan with a valuable Masonic jewel as a small token of the appreciation of the brethren for his kind services in coming from Dunedin for so many years past, and acting as Installing Master* Bro, Nathan, in acknowledging the gift, ex. pressed gratification at seeing Masonry in Tuapeka progressing with such strides, and hoped he would have the pleasure of visiting Lodge St. George for many years to come, and con" tinue to witness its further prosperity. The brethren then retired from the Lodge-room to the Commercial Hotel, where a banquet was prepared for them by Host Storry. who fully maintained the reputation he brought with him from Dunedin, as being an admirable caterer. The tabJes were lavishly furnished and very neatly spread, and the wines were of the choicest description. The \V\M. occupied the chair, and the S.W. the vice-chair. The usual Masonic toasts were drunk with great enthusiasm, and a few most enjoyah'e hours were spent, when 'song and sentiment followed each other in rapid succession. Whatever may be the results offthe recent anathemas which have been pronounced against Freemasonry in some quarters, it is evident that the craft is exteuding its boundaries, and with that no doubt its usefulness in this part of the Province, as Lodge St. George has never before sliowu so many signs of vitality,

In our last issue we had occasion to remark upon the pilfering tendencies of some of the children who have, during the last few weeks, been making free with the produce of the orchards in this town. One ger.tletuan who has spent over £70 in trees. &c, has told us that the trees have, in some instances, been actually stripped ; in fact, four of the best have been almost completely ruined. The quantity of apples that were taken, in this instance, was very considerable, and plainly shows that it is not the children alone who participate in the spoil. That parents should encourage their children to steal is almost incredible ; but we fear that, in some cases', they are fully awaie of what is being done. We trust that t-he police will look sharply after the delinquents, for it is high time that such things were put a stop to. Prison labour has done a great deal towaids the improvement of Lismore-street, and that thoroughfare promises to become one of the best in Lawrence. Several handsome private residences have already been erected in the neighbourhood, and the building of others is contemplated.

Tele high winds on Thursday did a great deal of damage to the grain crops in the vicinity of Lawrence. The ripening fruit was also much damaged, apples and plums being blown off the trees in large quantities, *

A paragraph in the ' ' Guardian " speaks of certain discoveries of cinnabar in Waitahuna, •' One must go from home to hear news of himself" the proverb says. As far as we can learn, nothing in the cinnabar line has been heard of, save what was known eight or ten years ago, and that was of no great consequence. We understand, however, that a lease of some ground for cinnabar raining was then granted, which is now in force, and the existence of

which discourages prospecting in the locality. No one will be foolish enough to go to toil and expense in searching for the ore, when those who are now shepherding the ground would at once step in and reap the benefit of his labour, if he did discover anything valuable.

We are in a position to state that one of our neighboring settlers offers to convey the freehold of four or five acres of his farm, or whatever quantity maybe required for the purpose, to any company of men who will start a woollen factory on the same. The land is in every respect conveniently situated for the purpose, and there is a copious supply of water always within easy access, and the railway passes close to the land. The only reservation made is that the donor be allowed to erect cottages for the workmen on the ground. We sincerely hope that this offer will be caught at by some of our local capitalists, or, what perhaps would be better, that some steps wjll be taken- to form a tompany.to-, carry-out the object stated.

Bishop Moran arrived in Lawrence on Wednesday evening. We understand that he will conduct divine service in the Roman Catholic Church to-morrow, when a confirmation service will also take place. Commissioner Weldon arrived in Lawrence on Wednesday on one of his periodical visits of inspection. He visited Waipori on Thursday. The winner of the wager for horse shoeing, a description of which appeared in our last issue, generously handed the amount to Mr. M. Hay, the collector for the Tuapeka Hospital, as a donation to the funds of that institution. Mining operations were suspended in Morrison and Co.'s claim, Blue Spur, on Wednesday last, owing to one of the head dams having burst dYer night. The necessary repairs were effected without delay, and work was resumed on Thursday morning. WJB*have to acknowledge the receipt of the February number of the '• Illustrated New Zealand Herald " the price of which is now reduced to sixpence. The plates are excellent, and selected with great taste. A man who was employed as a cooper at the Black Horse Brewery, is at present iv th c Hospital, suffering from* the effects of a sun. stroke which attacked him whilst working at the brewery. We observe several fine hop plants growing in this district. Mr W. G. Anderson, on the Coalpit Flat, has some which are very large when it is considered they have been allowed to run wild, and the summer has buen very changeable. There is no doubt if proper cultivation w»s resorted to, hops could be grown in the district that would command a ready sale, and leave a handsome balance of profit to the grower.

Mr, R. W. Nichols is carting a large quantity of gravel on to the main load between Lawrence aud Havelock. Ue has the contiact for maintaining the road in good order, and is adopting the sensible plan of c.irting uiateiial to places where it will be required befoie the winter, Two fresh claims have been opened out by Chinamen on Weiheislones Flat. They work the ground very systematically, and no doubt with payable results. The Chinese gardeners, who leased a piece of ground from Ah*. M 'Alpine on the town boundary, have discontinued operations, after cultivating a large area and cropping it with vegetables. We are told their funds ran out before the crops came to maturity. The laying of the rails from Milton to Kaitangata is#'now completed. The engine arrived at the Tokomairiro station for the first time on Saturday last. The Lawrence furni produce merchants report the following as retail prices current .--Oats, old, from 5s 3d to 6s ; new do, 4s 6d to 4s 9d ; oaten chaff, £o per ton ; meadow hay, £4 ; straw, £1 15s per load. The Government have commenced the formation of a roadway from the Waipori township to the lower-crossing. This work will be a great benefit to persons residing down the river, and will greatly facilitate the openiug up of claims on the channel. The railway bridge over the Waitahuna river at H<tvelock is rapidly progressing. The driving of the piles will be completed in two or three days. At Waitahuna the Norwegian party are engaged in lengthening their race." 'Fifteen men are employed. They have already bpen engaged about eight weeks, and will take ten or twelve more. When they have done, the race will be the largest, fullest, and will secure the most unfailing supply of any in the Tuapeka district, if not of any private race iv the province. Dr. Hal Ley returned to Lawrence last eve" ning, and has resumed. praefcisiug. . t We observe in the*'" Provincial Government Gazette," that the Roxburgh School Committee are advertising for a schoolmaster. The salary offered is £175 per annum with residence. Applications will be received up till the Bth of March. The Waitahuna School Committee aie also advertising for a successor to Mr. D. Clarke. We have received from Mr. George Brook, of Evans Flat, a box containing apricots and peaches. The fruit is extraordinary large and luscious, and is not surpassed by fruit of a similar kind grown in the south of the province. The brick making trade has not been so brisk in Lawrence this summer as was anticipated. The demand is now, however, increasing, and several iHrge orders are shortly expected for new buildings. The quality of the bricks now supplied at Messrs Cormack and Nichols yard is first class, and as the advantage of constructing buildings of brick is becoming more apparent we expect before long to see the resources of this enterprising firm taxed to the utmost. A sitting of the Supreme Court for the dispatch of civil and criminal business will be he!d at Lawrence on the 16th of March, at 10 a.m. Mr. William "U'lSeath is a passenger l>y the Omeo. which armed at the Bluff yesterday morning, A SKRIOTJS accident happened in *very simple wav on Thursday, at the railway woiks, Murray's Flat, near Mr. Hammond's hotel, to a man named Lienfz While at work iv a stiff clay cutting the pick of a fellow workman, who was close to him, slipped off the clay and Btruck Lientz a severe blow in the back. The poor fellow, who was removed to his home at Havelock, has been suffering much pain from the injury. Dr. Halley, on his way home last evening saw the sufferer, but yet cannot speak as to the extent of the injury he has received.

The IFaikoikoi land sale will take place xm Tuesday next at noon, Mr. Hay having received positive instructions to offer the sections as advertised in another column.

Me. M. Hat reports having sold on Tuesday, at the district Land Office, the following sections situate in the Table Hill district, viz., sections 2 and 4, block I, comprising 376 acres, at 25s per acre, to Mr. Reid of Milton, also section 26, block 3, comprising 43 acres, at 225., to Mr. Weyman. Section 52, block 4, at upset price, viz., £3 3s. per acre, to Mr. John M'Rae.

The following may probably be useful to our local poundkeepers : — A lost cow in Yankee land was lately advertised by the following notice, which was posted on trees and fences :—": — " Strayed or stoled. — A large red Kow, with Yaller Specs on her left side, and a pair of white specks on her right ear. She was about seven or eight years old, and belongs to a poor widow with a short tail. Ten dollars will be given to anybody who will return her to Newark. Gune 17, 180074."