Local and Gener al Intelligence.

I o Thebe were 15 patients in the Hospital last night— l 3 males and 2 females. Db Wardale, of Clyde, has been unanimously elected to the post of resident surgeon of the Tnvercargill Hospital. The amount netted by the enteitainineut held a short time ago in the Town Hall on behalf of the funds of the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital was £43 125. B.ANGER HuGHAN, who arrived in Lawrence on Wednesday, evening visited the Tuapeka East and Table Hill districts on the following day to ascertain if the holders of pastoral de« ferred'paytnent lands were complying with the conditions of lease,

Dr Blair, the newly-appointed medical man to a number of Friendly Societies in this district, arrived on Wednesday evening last. A meeting of the Wetherstones School Committee was held on Thursday evening, and was attended by Messrs Sinythe (Chairman), Niddrie, Russell, and Murray (Secretary.)— The business transacted was unimportant ; there being no inward correspondence Accounts to the value of £1 8a were passed for payment. TENDERS have been called for additions to schoolhouse and teacher's residence at Evans Flat. A new class-room 30ft x 20ft, with a cloak-room, is to be added to the schoolhouse, and two rooms— l4ft x 12ft and 10ft x 12ft— are to be added to the teacher's residence. The Wardsraan and Dispenser of the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital acknowledges with thanks the receipt of a large package of magazines, sent to the Hospital for the'nse of the patients by Mr and Mrs T. Tyler ; also, about a twelvemonth's collection of the " Illustrated London News " from Mr Clayfield for the same purpose. In reply to a telegram which Mr Oudaille (County Chairmau) sent to Mr J. C. Browu, M.H.R., yesterday, he has been informed that there is £1,100 to the credit of the Tuapeka County Council, due for deferred - payment land ; and £500 due under the " Crown and Native Lands Rating Act," which will be payable to the Council in August next. A Wellington telegram of Wednesday's date says that durine the past week considerable excitement has prevailed about the Terawhiti goldfield, owing 10 the reported striking of a large gold-bearing reef in the Golden Crown claim. At a meeting of shareholders, Mr C. Mace announced that a rich reef, 4ft. thick, had been struck, bearing stone which he had known to crush 6>z to Boz to the ton. It is voty gratifying to notice from the report of Dr Grabham, published in our last issue, that the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital i» so highly spoken of } and that Dr Grabham is of opinion that it is a desirable thing that a suitable residence should be erected within the grounds of the establishment for the Resident Surgeon. This may, in some degree, be reckoned prophetic that something will be done this seßsiou, in the way of a residence. A copy of the first issue of the "Waikato Gazette and Thames Valley Recorder" has

reached us. This journal ia a new venture by . Wilson Brothers, formerly proprietors of the L" Bruce Standard," Milton. It is intended to supply a want on the Waikato — viz., the want of a. newspaper ; and with a population of sonn 1,500, as stated in the opening article, should be successful and receive go d support ; and we wish the proprietors every success. The " Gazette " contains a good deal of interesting matter (including a fair supply of locals), and is fairly well printed and otherwise got-up. Mr Watson, nurseryman, has just finished his contract of planting the Athenaeum Reserve, situated between Ross Place and Colonsaystreet, with a fine selection of trees consisting of pini ineignes, macrocarpas, ashes, and Norwegian spruces, etc. This reserve, which has lately been substantially fenced has, now that such a fine selection of trees have been planted, quite an altered appearrnce for the better, and we have no hesitation in saying that in i% few years should the trees take kindly to the Boil this will be one of the most attractive spots in the township. A FIBE, by which the battery shed of the Extended Mining Company, Waitahuna Gully, was burnt to the ground and the machinery more or less injured, occurred on Thursday afternoon last between two and three o'clock. No clue can be obtained as to the origin of the fire. Mr J. Moen had been in the shed on some errand some couple of hours before the fire was discovered, and reports that the building was then all right. The doors were unlocked and there was free access to the building. The shed and machinery were both insured in the National Insurance Office (Mr J. C. Arbuckle, agent) ; the shed for £130 and the machinery for £870. As the suppression of the rabbit nuisance is a matter occupying the attention of all the surrounding districts in the meantime, and as it is only by combined effort in all parts of the country that anything beneficial can result, it is earnestly trusted that a large number of settlers will be present this evening at the meeting called by the Waitahuna Farmer's Club with the intention of arranging means to grapple with the nuisance. The rabbits, it is said, have been increasing at a most alarming rate in the Clarks, Waitahuna and other districts within the past twelve months, and, if allowed to spread at such a rate for any length of time, would ravage the country with almost as serious consequences as attend the attack of the proverbial locust. At the Land Board meeting on Wednesday, the adjourned application by Messrs Connelt and Moodie, on behalf of D. H. Mervyn, for payment of amount receivable by him as valuation on his pastoral deferred-payment section, sold on the 19th ult., was considered, and after a lengthy discussion, principally between Messrs Stout and Connell, as to the amount of the valuation to which he was entitled, it was resolved : "That the sum of £165 be returned to the selector, this being 75 per cent, of valuation for improvements, less expenses incidental to taking possession of the land."— Mr Stout dissented, on the ground that j the above sum was more than the applicant was, under the circumstances, entitled to. , The application of Messrs Connell and Moodie, on behalf of William Beresford, to capitalise his gistoral deferred-payment section 6, block xrv., enger district, wai declined. On the morning of Wednesday last, a fire was discovered to have occurred on the farm of Mr Jas. Buchanan, Evans Flat, two stacks of oats, which had been previously consumed, being then smoking. The first to discover the occurrence was Mr Malcolm M 'lnn is, shepherd to Mr Clayton, who bad seen the smoke from his dwelling, and informed one of Mr Buchanan's sons of the fact. One of the stacks was a large oblong one, and the other a round one, both having been intended to be cut into chaff. The stacks contained the produce of 30 acres of land. No one belonging to Mr Buchanan's farm, it is said, bad been near the stacks for some three weeks, they being in an out of the way place, about two miles from any house and over halfia-mile from any road They were insured in the United office (Mr H. P. Thompson's) for £80; but were valued by Mr Buchanan at about £100. The whole affair is shrouded in mystery. At the Supreme Court criminal session?, Dunedin, on Thursday last, the foreman of the Grand Jury represented, on behalf of that body, that they were of opinion that the case from Oamaru against Norman for stealing wearing apparel was of such a character, that it should have been disposed of on the spot, and the expense and inconvenience of bringing so many persons to the Supreme Court avoided. They also desired to draw attention to the exceedingly unsatisfactory manner in which the case against George Clark, the Clerk of the Vincent Couuty Council, was brought before them, there being hardly any evidence in support of the two charges in the indictment, and none whatever that the amounts if received by the Clerk had not been paid to the bank. His Honor said, with regard to the first case, he quite agreed with the jury if the law had been such as to *%ye allowed it to be disposed of on the jtfrat ; but as the law stood at present it could -4Ht have been so disposed of. As to the latter case, His Honor said that the jury having directed attention to it, if anybody was to blame, they would no doubt hear of it again. Mr Haggitt here informed His Honor that the case was got up by the solicitor for the Vincent County Council. The last "Gazette" to hand contains the working account of the New Zealand railways, showing the receipts and expenditure to the termination of the four-weekly period ending 26th May, 1883. The receipts of the North Island railways (451 miles) for the period named were £17,666 7s 9d ; and of the South Island railways (915 mileß), £81,841 19s 3d. The expenditure for the same time was — North Island, £11,708 15s Id ; South Island, £48,485 Us lid. The receipts of the HurunuiBluff section (848 miles) for the four weeks ending 26th May were £61,259 4s lid, against an expenditure of £34,630 Is sd, leaving a balance of £26,629 3s 6d. The receipts for the corresponding period last year were £60,917 2s sd, and the expenditure £31,475 63 lid. The returns for the four weeks of the branch lines named are as follows :— Lawrence : Receipts, £592 4s ; expenditure, £565 13? sd. Outrara : Receipts, £200 19s lid ; expenditure, £218 8s 4d. Tapanui : Receipts, £245 8s Ud : expenditure, £225 l?s lOd. Riverton: Receipts, £J.,105 17s 4d ; expenditure, £8.20 3s sd. The receipts of the Lawrence branch for the month of April were £610 7s 3d; expenditure, £392 2b 6d.

A petition, signed by a number of residents on Run 106, has been entrusted to Mr M. Fraer for presentation to the Education Board. The petition asks that a school and teacher's residence be erected on the 18-acre reserve in the neighborhood, as the nearest school to the petitioners at present is Tuapeka Mouth, a distance of six miles.

The following letter (addressed to the Hon. Secretary, Mr John Thompson) was read at last night's meeting of the Hospital Committee : "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter requesting that a sum of money be placed on the Estimates, sufficient for the erection of a suitable residence for the surgeon of the Tuapekiv Goldfields Hospital, and by direction of the Colonial Secretary, to inform you that the matter shall receive the consideration of the Government,— l am, &c, G. S. Cooper."

Thb half-yearly meeting of Court Havelock, A.0.F., for the election of officers, took place on Tuesday evening last, with the following result : — C.R., Bro. Alex. M'Corkindale ; S.C.R., Bro. H. Bruce; Treasurer, Bro. D. M'Taggart ; Secretary, Bro. R. M'Ara; S.W., Bro. J. Ryan: J.W., Bro. J. Beattie; 5.8., Bro. D. M'Corkindale ; J. 8., Bro. G. Stevenson.—lt was decided to hold the anniversary of the Court on the last Friday in August, on which date the district meeting of the United Otatro District is to be held at Waitahuna. — P.C.R. Bro. R. Ciaig and P.C.R. Bro. J. Thompson were appointed delegates to represent Court Havelock at the district meeting.

Air the Supreme Court on Wednesday last, Joseph Louth (formerly Stationmaster at Tapanui) was found guilty of having embezzled certain cheques and other securities for money, the property of Government. His Honor consented to reserve a legal point raised by defendant's counsel, MrDenniaton. A further in ilictment will be taken against the prisoner ou Monday next.— Robert Farmer was found guilty on a charge of uttering a counterfeit £snote, and sentence was deferred. — The jury were unable to agree upon the verdict in the case against George Muran, charged with arson, which occupied the latter part of the day on Wednesday, and they were locked up for the night. A fresh jury will be empannelled to try the case on Monday.

A meeting was held in the Schoolhouse, Evans Flat, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of opening a Public Library. The meeting was fairly attended. Mr Selby, haviug been voted to the chair, explained to those present the proposals of the conveners; and, after some discussion, it was decided to form a Library Committee, consisting of Messrs P. Brook, G. Brook, Richardson, Selb'y, Hopkins, w. Smith, and Jaa. Buchanan. To these gentlemen is to be committed the initiation and management of the District Library. Mr Selby was appointed Secretary and Librarian, and instructed to ask assistance from the sister institution at Lawrence ; aKso, to write to Mr J. C. Brown, M.H.11. for Tuapeka, thanking him for the kind services he has rendered in connection with the affair.

The Wesleyan Church quarterly meeting was held at Blue Spur on Tuesday evening last. There were present — The Key. J. Law (in the chair), and Messrs Herron. Dawson, Luke, Tucker, Milburn, Downie, Hoare, Matthews, and Vivian. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, the Chairman stated that as Boxburgh was now connected with Lawrence they had in the circuit 79 church-members, 4 Sunday-schools, and 600 attendants on public worship. The balance-sheet submitted by the stewards was regarded, on the whole, as fairly satisfactory, although showing a small debit balance.— lt was resolved that an effort be made during the quarter to wipe off the deficiency. — After several other matters had been duly considered, the meeting, which proved a very pleasing one, was brought to a c ose by the Chairman pronouncing the benediction. — Before leaving, the members present were regaled by Mr Luke with refreshments, which were highly appreciated, and for which the donor received a hearty vote of thanks.

In answer to our Millers Flat correspondent* we have much pleasure in furnishing the follow ing particulars in regard to the road leading from Beaumont to Millers Flat :— T he work completed to 3lst June last was 7$ miles, including three bridges, one 53ft of a span. The work is mostly rock-cutting, with the exception of the naturally level parts, which do not require much labour. There are six men employed in finishing, by day-labour, Casey's contract. Gilchrist's contract of 237 chains is expected to be completed, with the exception of the superstructure of a bridge, which will be completed when Casey's contract is finished, as then there will be a road for drays to approach it. Bohning's contract of 92 chains is at present stopped ; about one-fourth of it has been finished. About one-half of Featherstone's contract of 116 chains is finished ; the remainder of the work is stopped. P. and R. Anderson's contracts are completed, and carry the formed road to the end of firewood track. The work necessary to open up through traffic betwixt Beaumont and Millers Flat is the completion of Bobning's and Featherstone's contracts, and the formation of 50 chains near the Menzion Creek. We are informed that this new road, when completed, which will be as soon as expedient, will open up about 36,000 acres of country ; and will shorten the road to Beaumont Station by some 10 or 12 miles, the present road being through very rough country and a distance of some 25 to 30 miles.

We are indebted to an occasional correspondent at Tuapeka West for the following items : — On Tuesday last, Mi- Forbes Shepherd, who has had the management of Morrison's extensive farming property for some two years, took his departure on a trip to the Home Country. Mr Shepherd, who contemplates, on reaching the land of his birth, entering into the holy bonds of matrimony, intend.", towards the close of the year, to return to the Colony and to settle down permanently amongst us. The settlers here are unanimous in wishing him a speedy and enjoyable voyage ; and that he may also be fortunate in securing a suitable young lady as a life-partner. While he has been amongst us, Mr Shepherd has deservedly won the golden opinions of all the settlers; for he is a gentleman possessed of many estimable qualities, and has always given a willing hand in pushing forward any good work in the interests of the district, and has never been backward in contributing his mite towards alleviating the miseries of the poor and indigent. — The settlers are busy in all directions in laying phosphorised grain for the destruction of the rabbits. It is very gratifying to note that all hands are working together so unitedly in striving to check the suppression of a great and terrible nuisance. It is to be hoped the parties who have been successful in tendering for cleariug the reserves and Crown lands of rabbits will lose no time in joining in the general war of extermination. — The autumn-sown wheat is now bsginning to show itself in all directions ; the young braird, generally speaking, looks strong and healthy. If the rabbit nuisance is kept well in hand this winter, I have no doubt the farmers will find that they have been well repaid for their trouble and expense by increased yields of grain next harvest.

At last meeting of the Bruce County Council, it was resolved (says the "Herald') that that Council pay one-half of the extras, certified by Mr Smaill, in the erection of the bridsre at Tuapeka Mouth by Mr Archibald. The Chairman was authorized to employ Mr Haggitt to defend any case which may be instituted against it by the Tuapeka County Council in connection with this contract. Prior to this resolution being carried, a telegram was read from the Clerk of the Tuapeka County Council stating that Mr Archibald had withdrawn his action against that body ; also a letter upon the same subject from Mr Smaill, recommending the Council to pay the balance authorized by his last certificate, as according to the terms of the contract, the Bruce County Council had agreed to payment for extras upon certificate from Engineer without any stipulation as to authority being given. The Chairman said that he had consulted Mr Haggitt, who advised him that the case lay against the Bruce County Council, and that Tuapeka had nothing to do with it at all. Mr Haggitt's opinion was that, according to the terms of the contract entered into by the Bruce County Council, they had accepted Mr Smaill as their Engineer ; he had thus become their servant and they were responsible for all that he did. He was authorized to modify the contract and order extras. Mr Smaill had sanctioned extras to the extent of £125, (of which the Government would pay half. The Chairman further said that according to Mr Smith's arrangement with the Tuapeka County Council that body should pay half of the remainder, or one fourth of the whole sum, which they refused to do. Mr Smaill had pointed out that unless this Council paid the other quarter, the Supreme Court would give judgment against them with heavy costs. Even after this sum was paid, there remained another claim from the contractor for £2p9 4s which the Engineer disputed.

The following remarks of Mr Archibald Forbes are very severe, and unfortunately apply to New Zealand as well as Australia. Colonials cannot but acknowledge wiMi shame that the reproof was called fur. Mr Forbes says : "It is the misfortune of every traveller in Australia to have forced upon his notice tbe foul expressions and revolting oaths will) which Australians of the lower orders habitually di.-fij;ure their conversation. Amoiic.uis swear 'considerably tall,' but there the lowest American bi idles his tongue when women are within hearing, aud gives practical effect to the aphorism. ' Maxima reverentia debetur paten's.' The foulmouthed Australian, it is painfully evident, has neither regard for woman nor reverence for children. It seems to me this is the loathsomest stain on the colonial escutcheon,"

OUR Tuapeka Mouth correspondent writes : — A meeting was held in the local schoolhouse on Saturday evening last for the purpose of making preliminary arrangements towards raising funds on behalf of the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital. There were present — Messrs M'Roberts (in the chair), C. Anderson, W. Hay, James Porter, Robert Porter, G. S. Hall, P. C. Grant, J. Kelly, and A. Drain. It was decided to bold a soiree, concert, etc., on the 20th July next, when it is hoped that the people will turn out en masse and lend their aid to so deserving an object. The following were nominated as a Committee to carry out the entertainment — viz., Messrs C. Anderson, W. Hay, James Porter, John Porter, C. Rowe, P, Stivens, A. M'Coll, G. Reid, R. Porter, A. Brown, J. Harvey, D. Eraser, G. S. Hall, P. O. Grant, J. Kelly, and A. Drain. Owing to the severity of the night, a number who would have had to come a considerable distance were unable to attend ; but it was arranged to hold another meeting on Saturday, the 7th inst., and to send notice to all those nominated who were unable to attend vhe last meeting. The following bubscribed the sum of 10s eacli to supplement the funds — viz., Messrs G. Reid, G. S. Hall, J. M'Roberts, James Porter, VV. Hay, C. Auderaon, and A. Drain. It is ex pected that a considerable sum will be netted iv this way by members of committee, in addition to proceeds of entertainment. Mr John Taylor agreed to wait on the ladies of the district for necessaries for the soiree, and I understand they have responded very liberally.

THE Dunedin correspondent of the " Cromwell Argua " thus hits off the newly-elected M.H.R. for Bruce : — Mr M'Douald is a character : he is a huge Scotchman from the Border country, as good-humored as he is strong, as rough in speech and habits as he ia burly and broad shouldered, a noted lover of horses and dogs, and a pushing shrewd man of business. Jamie M'Donald, as everybody calls him, is seen in his element at a coursing match. He has any number of greyhounds, which he calls after flowers— Verbena, Phlox, Druinmondi, Calceolaria, aud so forth. He has a voice that can be heard as far as a fire-bell, and his instructions to the slipper or stewards, given from some neighboring hill, ring out over the field like a trumpet peal, and are interlarded with suadry strong expressions that somehow seem to be quite natural to such stentorian lun^s. He never knows when he swears. " D — n it, man, I'll soon let you see how that is," he said to a Minister of the Crown, to whom he went on a deputation. " Man, that's a d— d fine dog you've got," is how he electrified the raiuister of the gospel who went to christen his child. Still, you would by no means call him a foul-mouthed man. He, simply out of habit, graces his conversation with a few expletives that are not always used in polite society. He is wonderfully strong. Many years ago he got into some difference with the police at the Caledonian sports (be is now an honored director of tbe Society), and knocked half-a-dozen of them over like ninepins, creating sunh a disturbance for half-an-hour or so as has never before or since been seen at these gatherings.