LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The memberg.of the defunct Lawrence Cricket Club have adopted crayfishing in the Phoenix resorvojr as a substitute for the noble game. Thi; body of the Chinaman lo.st an the Lammerlaw llanges during a severe storm some months ngo has not yet been recovered. Theue is only one Scotchman in the Otago police force, and, probably with the view to make the best use of him, he is stationed, in a district where the population is chiefly -Milesian. Thi? time for receiving conditional tenders for the erection of a bridge over the Molyneux at the Beaumont has beeu extended to the Ist Maxell. CiPTMN Baldwin's, visit to Tupanai induced the residents of that township to take\idvant"age of the Government Life Assur.uioe Scheme to the extent of £3,000. Thk " Bruce Herald," in a semi-lucid interval, sajrs : " Misrepresentation islbe tactics of a certain class of journals, amongst whicu the Tuajjeka Time* ' m.iy be uumhere'l." Are it? A MBMING of the Executive, for the purpose of taking into consideration the closing or certain ro.iil lines i icki.lrfil in die Uomls Djveistou Oiilinniice, VJZ'2, will be held on the s&t!i February, when those iuten;sced a:e invited to be present. SoiIK misapprehension seems to prevail regarding the necessity of porsoa.s applying for mining privileges attending the Warden's' Court. 'Hie Warilen h.u* several ti,ines intimated ia open Court rh-it, unless such persons appeared at tlio proper time, their applications will be struck out. The sittings of the Djsfciicfc Court of the Otago Qjldtieids have been altered as follows : — Lawience, the 2nd Tuesday hi April ; Clyde, the .Monday after the 2nd tV'ednesd-iy in March ; Quecnstown, the 2nd Monday after the 2id Wednesday in March; N^aseby, Hie 2nd Wednesday in March. A JjIST of persons registered as vendors of poisons appears in the "Provincial Government Gazette "of the sth inst. It includes the names of J. Harrop and G. Jeffery, Lawrence ; J. Brighton, Teviot"; M. Marshall, Clyde ; G. AY. Hutchins, Balclutha ; E. Pettit/'i'okomairiro ; L. Hotop, Queeustown , Hallenstein and Co., Queenstown and Cromwell. The grand stacd, booths, and race. oards for the ensuing 'luapeka meet were solo! by public auction by Mi. Matthew Hay on Saturday. The grand stand and booth attached wem purchased by Mr. Chalmers, for £26 ; booth No. \ was disposed of to" Air. GrHnley for £17 ; and' No. 2to Mr. George Clark for £8. Refreshment booth No. 1 was bought by Mr. Wootton, and No, 2by Mrs. Tyler. The race cards weie purchased by Mr. Ferguson for £1 10s. " Snow-dropping " is an unwelcome visitation the inhabitants of Lawrence have hitherto enjoyed happy; immunity^ from. Last 'week, however, that 1 mean ?6raT of petty larceny was introduced. A chevalier dinclustne some tiny during the night watches, 'denuded a clothesline of all the articles suspended therefrom. The thief is still at large, but it is to be hoped that the police will soon lay their hands on him. The Wetherstones reservoir is lower than it ever was before ; and if rain does not fall at once, miners depending on it for their sluicing power will very shortly have tojsuspend operations, If the owners or lessees of this reservoir were to clean out the enormous quantity of debris accumulated ou its bottom, it would, when full, be able to hold fully a third more water thau its present condition will allow. [Since the above was in type, 6h,e reservoir has been completely emptied.^, Oitr^ Switzers correspondent writes : "The Commissioners — T. L, Shepherd, Esq.,, M. H.R., and J. P. Maitland, Esq./R.M.— appointed to inquire into the alleged illegal sale by the Waste Lands Board of 50 acres of auriferous land here, opened the proceedings on, Faiday moi nin<*, at 10 o'clock. Mr. Shaw watched the proceedings for the Mining Association. The evidence of Win. Acton was first taken, and ocenpied the greater portion of the day. On. Saturday the, evidence of Messrs. Skene, Wilkie, Ufcting, and ocliers w«s talcen. On Monday tit& Comm^mion 'w}li proceed with the evidence of Mr. Wood ai>d others. I have not heard hoy. many more witnesses the Mining Association will examine, but !•> believe it probable the Commissioners, as ' far as Svvitzers is concerned, will probably, close on Tuesday. The Commissioners, will thence proceed to Waikaka to report' upon the boundaries, of the new goldfield there. ' They will iifterwards proceed to Dunadyi to examine Mr. Bailey, Mr. Hughes, and Mr". J. T> Thompson. The evidence, as far it a it, has' gone, shows a state of doing business, hardly dreamt of before, and I think this. Mining. Association deserves the thanks of the .mining community for the manner in which it .followed up the ca^e. Theiie is no accounting for the proclivities of some people. A gentleman, who describes himself as a Christian, recpntly visited a classically designated agricultural town, and whilst there some of the Aa'tiyes remarked in his' presence that the Chinese' were making giqat prepare-., tionw for the 'New Year festival. WhereuntcT the Christian gentleman responded "Yes; all semi-civilised- people pay great respect to the New Year. It is a pagap festival, anterior to Christianity. "> The natives seemed to thinkthat it was a covert attack" reflective on certain Caledonian practices, and became iadigna.nit thereat. "* " • But when he apologised-, They forguv him like a^mig»,_

A meeting of the AVaipori District Miners* Association was held on February 3rd. Present \ Messrs S. Caudwell (in the ichair) A. Boss. J. Vivian, J. Butterworth, and J. Robertson, On the motion of Mr. Vivian, seconded by Mr. Butterworth, Mr James Robertson was elected Secretary in the place of Air. M'Kean, resigned, I Mr. Ross made some remarks relative to the decision of Vincent Pyke, Esq., in a case brought before him in the Warden's Court, Waipori ; but owing to the late Secretary (Mr. M'Kean) having neglected to lay the letter containing particulars of the case before the Committee, it could not be taken into consideration. Notice of intention to propose three, new members of Committee at the next meeting was given, There being no. other business, the Chairman appointed Saturday, March Ist. for the next meeting and closed the proceedings. A company, consisting of 6 shareholders, has been formed to prospect a reef supposed to exist in a spur between Cobblers' and Blue Spur Gullies. Wetherstones, about a mile from the township. A prospecting claim, of 1200 ft by 300 ft., has been applied far. Sluicing operations have revealed what are considered indubitable indications of the presence of a quartz reef. Its general direction is supposed to be north and south, with a westerly underlay. It i 3 to be hoped that the promoters, of this company will succeed in the discovery of a rich quartz lode. The enterprise of this company ' stands out in pleasing relief to thesupineness and spiritlessness which unfortunately characterises the people of this district, and if it stimulates others to embark in like ventures, they hava done much to promote the progress of the district, even if their search for reefs is unsuccessful. A spfciaj, meeting of the Tuapeka Hospital Committee was held, ou the evening of Wednesday, the Dth inst. Present : the President and Messrs. Jeffery, Hills, Rofoed, Walker, Mears, Arbuckle, Hayes (Secretary), and Dr. Harley. The business for which the meetyig was convened was the. consideration of a letter from, Mrs. Smith, stating her inability to continue supplying butcher's meat to the hospital at the price she was no.w charging, and requesting the. Committee either to allow her an increase in the price or to relieve her of her contract. Mr. Jeffery moved, and Mr. Hills, seconded, that, Mrs. Smith, be allowed 2^d. per lb for butcher's, meat instead of 2d., as at ptesent, Mr. Walker moved that Mrs. Smith be relieved from her contract, and that fresh tenders be called. Mr. Arbuckle, seconded the amendment, which was, carried. It was resolved that the Visiting Committee should decide upon the tenders. Thai Visiting Committee reported th,a.fc the bread being supplied to the hospital was of infeiior quality, and the Secretary was instructed to, write the contractor on the subject. A letter from Mr* Ha.rris was read, explaining that his. oven wa.s ou,t of repair, and that the bread he. was supplying was procured from another source- A vote of thanks, to the chair concluded r.he proceedings. » A jckkjing of delegates from the various. Sibbath Schools in the Toapeka and Waitahuna districts, for the purpose of nuking arrangements for a grand picnio, at which all the Sabbath School children sh.ou.ld attend, was held in the Schoolroom. Lawrence, on the 6th inst. Pre-. sent —Messrs Coverlid (chairmin), Johnson, Clarke, Squires,, Bulfin, Thompson and Stenhou3C. It w.as resolved that a picnic should he. held at the Lawrence Ra.cecour3e, on the Friday after the races . that one-half the expense of conveying the children from Waitabnna be defrayed Uy the Lawrence Coinmittea ; that the. different~schools should meet^i the Lawrence Schoolhouse, at 11 a. m, on the day of the picnic. Messrs Coverlid. Sojaires. Thompson, Jamison, Crow, Stenhouse, Johuson, and J. Robertson, were appointed a Committee to make, further arrangements. The Lawrence Committee were' empowered to alter the arrange-, inents or postpone tMe picnic, if they thought desirable.. .' Mr. S£enhpus.e was appointed Secretary. Messrs Luke and Uren of the Blue Spui\ were appointed members of the Convnitt.ee. and* it was leftTlto their discretion whether the liluo. Sj.ur Schoolsitymld join in the. arrangements. The Committee "appojnte.l the iLv'.e of its meeting for FridHy., the iith in^t. This brought the. proceedings tea dose. Our Irish fronds intend to celebnita the d.iy sacred to the patron saint oftheir- native isleoix a grand scale. There are tobe racing and v;t riousf athletic sports, and in' thfl evening a grand ban-, quefc. The Piovinckl Brass Band is to be p.-es--ent, and their lively strains will add to the enjiyment of thp auspicious occasion. Father. Lnrkin havisig tit-ken the management, is sufficient guarantee for the success of the celebration. Full particulars will appear in our next, issue. The Tuapeka baby crop for 1573 U veiy unsatisfactory. The returns sbow ajless number ofinfantile advents than those of previous year. Njsxt Thursday and Friday, the Tu.vpeka Jockey Club annual races will he. run. The. meet of 1873. promises to far surpass all previous successes in every way. The number of entries of good horses for the handicaps is very large, and promises capital contests. For the other events the number of horses arriving and reported on their way, promise large fields of competitors. The handicaps declared are as fair as can be wished, and we must congratulate our local handicappers at having avoided the errors which deprived the up-country races of a great deal of interest. Several l^acers are already domic L. dm the vicinity of the town. Those, who have already appeared are Medora, Banjo, and Bosjosman. under the care of the brothers M'Kay ; Hatred, Malice and Tambourini, iv charge of Rob Reay ; Misfortune and Awatea, attended to by Richards ; K)ate Kearney, Wildbqy and ilfiss Ennis, under the auspices of. O'Brien. Jacob Davison, oneof our local trainers, has Sultana and Gamecock ujuler charge. Tom Parsons is at Tokomairiro with Romeo, Specimen and Catapult, which steeds may shortly be expected to arrive. Hazlett's pair, Atlas and Brunette, are probably on their way from Clyde. For the, Lawrence Handicap, the favorites appear to be iJfisfortune.and Empress ; for the Publican's Handicap, one of Reay's couple of slashers, or Atlas, are the ones finding favor in the eyes, of the public. Next week we shall give the straight tip, and we will now bring our remarks to a finish by expressing a hope that the best horses may win on their merits, Mr. John Hughks, for a number of years a. representative of the goldfields, and of Tuapeka^ in,. the Provincial Council, died at his residence Dunedin, on Tuesday- morning, Mr. Thomas Muirhead. being about to. leave the colony, a number of gentlemen amateurs have resolved- upon giving him a complimentary parting benefit. During his_ residence in the-Tuapeka district, Mr. Muirhead has cheerfully- given his valuable services to every entertainment- for charitable, or useful purpeses,. and. there is no doubt his assistance has conduced much to the success of every entertainment in which he appeared. The action of the gentlemen who have under-. ta.lien ite -task, of getting lap tlie farewell benefit is highly- commendable, as no one% ever deserved a bumper, house more than the^ gentleman who is to receive that compliment on the evening of Friday, the 21st inst. We. need say nothing about Mr. Muirhead's abilities as a singer — the wide popularity he has earned* and the enthusiastic reception he has always .met with at the,hands of Tuapeka audiences rendering it impossible for any enconiums to enhance his reputation. The benefit is to take the form of a concert and Ethiopian entertainment, and will be given in the Commercial Assembly Room, on the evening of Friday, the. 2lst instant. To bespeak a crowded audience would be an insult to both the imeficiare and the public. We know that on the benefit night sitting room will be difficult to obtain;. Mji. W. Tavxor* barrister and solicitor, has removed- from PeeLstreet to the Beaumoctf road. His office is now, situated next M*." Middlemlss's blacksmith's shop, andopposite Mr. Arthur's store. W« are-, desired, to intimate that Mr. T.^ Mussen is -now prepared to take portraits hk. the style which: has won for him his well-, "■deserved reputation, at his studio, Peei-stiye^ £awrence v

As will be seen by advertiaement, Messrs. Barton Brothers have opened theiy photographic gallery in Rosa Place fqr their third season in Lawrence. They bring with them many nqyelties, uoticeable a_raong them being examples of the Cameo Medallion and Rembrandt style of portraiture,. They are both very pleasing and effective, and are, we understand, great favorites with the public. As examples of the latest style, Messrs Burton exhibit a series of portraits of the Governor, l<ady Bowen, family, aud suite. We have had an opportunity of examining Messrs. Burton's portfolio of large views of the province known as " Otago through the Camasa." Here we find, thoroughly illustrated, a large portion of the province, from Oamaru in the north to Popotunoa }nthe south ; while nearly every important goldfield is represented — several photograpns of ihe Blue Spur being not the least effective Then we have some charming bits of bush scenery. One of these particularly s.truck us. it'ia a acen,e on the Kuriw^o River, exhibiting at onoe cabbage trees, flax, toitois, find snow grass— a thoroughly characteristic New Zealand picture. Dunedin and suburbs of course form on important part of the series, though the mpre outrof-the-way parts of the province are not neglected, the Nugget Point lighthouse being made a very telling picture. We might enumerate also views of Balclutha (a very gem), Milton, the Tokomairiro Plain, &c, ; but we recommend our readers to call at Messrs] Burton's gallery and turn ov-er the portfolio of " ( Jtago through the Camera " for themselves.