Lawrence.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 811, 13 June 1876, Page 7

Lawrence.

(From our own Correspondent.) The applications for agricultural leases bf sections in block XV., Cookstown district, Avere heard last Aveek in the Wardens- Court [ here. All the sections had been applied for ' Avith one exception. The favored piece Avas section five, for Avhich a large number of applications AA-ere lodged. The Warden decided in the first instance that all the applicants should be heard personally ; therefore, in consequence of the absence of many of the applicants Avho Avere represented by agents, the final hearing Avas adjourned for a fortnight, to enable those persons to appear. In the case of Mr Kitching's application for section 17, the Warden stated that as he kneAv Mr Kitching personally it Avould be unnecessary for him to appear. If the charge of dummyisui might be made against any one, surely that person may be presumably one, as he already occupies over fifty thousand acres of freehold land, acquired in various Avays, and it Avould have been but fair to submit him to the same test as the other applicants, by asking him the same questions as to his bona fides. The Warden, in using the argument of knoAviug Mr Kitching, and therefore not deeming it necessary to examine him personally, Avas scarcely logical, as he must be equally acquainted Avith Messrs lloughan, Bryant, Harrop, and other residents in and about LaAvrence, and if there Avas a necessity to ascertain the bona fides of these parties— Avho, I believe, are all respectable men and Avould make good settlers — I fail to see Avhy Mr Kitching should not be submitted to the same test. Mr John A. Grant Avas one of the applicants, and stated that if he obtained the land he intended to plant it Avith trees. As he is a young mam I dare say the speculation Avould be personally remunerative in time ; but in explaining hoAv he Avould go about it, it appeared he Avas not particularly Avell up in arboriculture. This gentleman was, I believe, formerly connected Avith editorial duties, and the change from clipping reprint to pruning trees Avould be but natural. The Government appear to consider that there are no builders in Lawrence, from the fact tbat in advertising for tenders for the erection of a terminus for LaAvrence they have not thought proper to send and plans and specifications for inspection here. The Mayor, hoAvever, has partly remedied this by sending to Mr Blair, the Government Enginee, and representing the matter to him. This resulted in the plans being sent to the Mayor, at Avhose place of business they may be inspected for a feAv days ; and if tenderers do not succeed in getting the contract they Avill have the opportunity of inspecting a large and varied stock of drapery, hosiery, &c, &c, Avith the option of making purchases. At the Licensing Court last week the Inspector of Police had prepared a long report upon the various hotels, and it Avas expected complaints would have been made against some of the applications; but as the officer of police had not given notice of any objection or complaint to the parties concerned, the Bench decided to grant all the applications, but intimated that at the next annnal sitting of the Court any properly eppducted complaints would be heard, and the applications dealt Avith accordingly. : The Committee lately appointed to enquire into the matter of starting a flour mill Avithin the township has pronounced favorably thereon, and, as I hear plenty of capital has been promised in its support, it is quite likely the matter will progress to a successful issue s/> £jp- as; the erection, of the .. mill is concerned, but Avhether it ivill be a paying speculation is another matter. It will, hoAvever, place the ''l^m«n'«n:»-b;t(§T';|^^|;:^i:'(b9 disposal of

! heir produce, as the present arrangement gives the owner of the one mill a decided ; mondpoly of jthe] grain. ; At; presehtjMr; M-Gill's mill at Evans 'Mat is fult of wheat, and* no flour, L.so; that the bakers have to get their flour from Tokdmairiro. The cause of the mill here not having flour to supply is the shortness of Avater. The new company will not have this to feaiV_S they contemplate using the Phoenix water, of which there is always a plentiful supply. - j Mr.Tpkher, who has established a nejw timheKyard 1 , ii taking' preparations f?r. erecting sheds close to the railway terminus ; and as he has lowered the prices considerably, he.will no doubt get a good, share of the trade. His supply ' of colonial t im " e r is 'bfoiight l froih iEheWaipori' Bush,' and the quality seems to be in no way inferior ; to that procured, from Tapanui or, the .Tuapeka 'Mnuth.^;^ ' ZTZ' ■' : ''i^.-A^'^'l Our localrepresehtativer ?i r .'J.''C|.'Browh, and the member for Wdikaia,'ha*Ve proceeded oxf. their n trayels to. Wellington,, there to, blojw off their long pent-up supply of political steam. It is to be hoped they will not, like the, engine driver at the Waiareka, tie down, the safety valve, and meet with a, similar result..' . [ '•).• '• • '••', ■ : .'___-_____^_^_— ________ ,