LAWRENCE

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 380, 16 August 1871, Page 6

LAWRENCE

(From our own correspondent.)

The weather continues extraordinary fine, and our farmers have taken every advantage as they are forward with their work, and the around being in first-rate condition to receive grain, a good deal of which has been sown. Since my last communication, I have been as far as Teviot, and it is pleasant to see the improvements going on in all directions where theplodding industry of the settlers is untrammelled by the freezing influence of squatterdom ; all life and energy beyond and within their influence _ead and silent, the contrast is lamentably but too apparent. The stations, and around them, are a veritable sleepy hollow. The celebrated Island Block, however, is being fenced, 'and a commencement made with the plough. About Rae's Hotel, junction of Teviot and Switzers roads, unmistakeable signs of advancement are ap- '• parent ; the plough is at work and everything betokens that the right sort of men have taken possession and settled there. I cannot say anything in favor of the roads, they are truly and veritably, in many places, sloughs of despond ; nothing else could reasonably be expected, |as there are none employed on them to keep them in repair. In the Moa Fat district, sowing has been the order of the day for some time.

At Teviot, matters are dull, the river ; being as changeable as a coy maiden, materially interferes with the onward progress of this pleasant little town. That there is gold in the river banks is apparent, but to get at it — aye, that is the rub. I must say, however, that they have some public spirit, as every arrangement was made to celebrate the centenary of Sir Walter Scott, although the Scotch element is not in the ascendent. In •diurch matters they are in the front rank, as they are about erecting a Wesleyan and an Episcopalian church. There is a Catholic church already built.

A large cattle sale took place at Docherty's Hotel, Tuapeka Flat, this week. The attendance was large, but the prices realised were not very satisfactory. A good few horses changed ban s, but being mostly inferior stock, tbe prices were in accordance.

There was a rush to the foot of Munroe's Gully a few days ago, a quartz reef having been discovered. About 200 were speedily on the ground, and the usual pegging out toolplace • since, I have heard nothing abont it, aud I presume never will. However, if we were so fortunate as to have in the district, quartz mining, no doubt it would give an impetus to business generally ; a thing devoutly to be wished for in this district, as the universal burden of conversation is, '* what is to become of us 1 "

There is a great deal of sickness amongst us, both young and old suffering from bronchitis. It is satisfactory to have to record that no death as yet lias taken place in consequence. Although a good many Chinese (new arrivals) have been amongst us of hte few are now to be seen, they having taken their departure to the various up-country diggings, Queenstown being the favorite. A few h; ve set in about Gabriel's and neighboring gullies. In legal matters nothing of consequence has taken place. The District Court has been sitting, and the examination of a few bankrupts was the chief business. Grant nnd Pullar's, from Switzers, last examination took place, when their certificates were suspended for six months. The Blue Mountains are still covered with snow.