LAWRENCE.

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 304, 23 February 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE.

(From our own Correspondent.) The weather in this district lately has been very changeable, but on the whole favorable to harvesting. A good breadth has been cut and secured, but there is still some considerable portions untouched. The quantity and quality is much under a fair average. The fldX mania has not arrived this far, although there i 3 an abundance of the raw material on the banks of the Molyneux on both sides. No doubt soon I will be able to chronicle the fact that a mill or mills has started. Whilst speaking of mills— -the flour mill promised to be erected here is still in statn quo ante. The cricket match between the Lawrence and Waitahuna teams came off on the Lawrence cricket ground last Thursday. The interest in the match by the citizens was hardly perceptible, scarcely any being on the ground. The day was rather windy which was so far unfavorable. After a keen contest, when many of the combatants displayed considerable skill, the match terminated in favor of the Lawrence team, the scores being Lawrence, 151 ; Waitahuna, 114. In the evening a sumptuous dinner was partaken of in the Shamrock. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and responded to, and the company spent a humorous and happy evening. Another sad accident occurred at the Spur on Thursday last. A miner of the name of Husband was tamping a small shot in a drive in John and party's claim with the handle of his pick with an open keg of powder alongside of him. It is supposed that while tamping the pick musb have struck the top of the drive causing a spark which must have fallen into the keg. An immediate explosion was the result ; the unfortunate man is burned in his face, hands and body, and he must have been blown against the roof of the drive, as there is a large scalp wound on the back of his head. Dr Halley was quickly in attendance. It is not known as yet whether hi 3 eyes are injured, as his face is too much swollen to enable the doctor* to give an opinion. It is however, so far fortunate, that no bones are broken. The sufferer was conveyed to the hospital, where he is progressing as well as can be expected, and no immediate fear of a fatal termination are entertained. The further favorable news from Cromwell , are beginning to tell upon our population ; both European and Chinese and even some of our storekeepers are beginning to think it is hiffh time to rennve somewhere else, as everything about Lawrence is fearfully depressed. As yet the departures are not numerous, but a movement in that direction by many is evident, when as a matter of course Lawrence will suffer. We would joyfully put up with an increase, but to lose a portion of our population is equivalent to a further depression, if that be possible in our case. There is one satisfaction however, that the people who leave us are not leaving the province, only going to another portion of our dominion. I should not wonder to see a good many of our Blue Spur miners sell out and depart, as the confusion into which tha tailings question is placed, and the apparent hopelessness of getting a remedy as things are at present, has so disgusted many that a feeling of uneasiness is observable amongst them. A good many Chinese parties have commenced working in the bed of the gully, and from the pertinacity with which they cling to their claims, although lately frequently swamped, leads me to believe that they are making a fair thing of it. Our mornings are now pretty sharp, giving us a foretaste of what we may shortly expect — winter. Some of these mornings the Blue Mountains will very likely appear with its hoary h«ad.