TUAPEKA NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 12625, 3 October 1905, Page 2

TUAPEKA NOTES

[Sracu*. totbj Stah.] Tb» worst of ill-luck has dogged Mr John Tynan, who* has the contract far dismantbeg, removing, and re-erecting <t»e Happy Valley dredge, which was purchased some time ago for a claim near Kelso. The work of dismantling- was promptly undertaken and carried through in. record time. Shortly afterwards a couple of traction engines were engaged to remove the pontoons in two sections. A start was made, the pontoons were set on trucks, but tbe weight proved too uracil for tie axles of tho trucks, and a new set had to bo procured. These were ro sooner obtained and put in position than there was a break in the weather, which delayed a fresh start hems' made. After the lapse of a few days, steam was againgot up, and another start made, when the winding-drum of one engine gave way, followed almost immediately after by the' collapse of the windm£-dnim on the jsecood engine. This necessitated tho casting of new winding-drums of heavier make, and a fortnight petssed before tbeee reached Hie ground. Everything was again got in readiness, when wet weather set- in, •followed by the bad break last week- It w now proposed, if the weather keeps up, to moke another start this week with the two engines attached to one section of the pontoons, instead of each engine being responsible for a section. In this way it w assumed that much quicker time will be mode than if each engine took its own load. It is to be hoped that everything will now go on swimmingly and straightforwardly,- and that Mr Tyson's luck (to adapt a medical phrase) will " rake a turn for the batter," ior it is. most assuredly about time. There are no fresh developments in county election matters Active canvassing still goes vigh*. -mMrily oa, and if election. pledges are to be relied upon very few of the old members can m«ke sure of their seats, as the new candidates (so it is alleged) are meeting with very strong encouragement. It is now doubtful if Mr John, Bennetts will be opposed for Teviofc Riding, as Mr James Hands (of Miller's Flat), whose nanw haa been mentioned as a candidate, has no intention, whatever of ccsnirtg forward. In a letter to the local paper, Mr Hands says he thinks too much of Mr Bennetts to have any desire or intention to oppose him, for he has looked eo well after the interests of his riding. This tribute is certainly not undeserved, for Mr Bennetts is a shrewd, intelligent, level-headed, and! capable publjo man, who takes the keeueat possible interest m all mutters affectiitg not only bin own riding, but the county generally. Outside of the £IO,OOO vote for the extension of the railway from Lawrence to Roxburgh, there is rot another vote on. the Public Works Estimate} that meets with great'.* or more general approval so thia district is concerned than the £6OO whieh has been granted for the "»d *° Tuapeka West via Faulkner's Valley. The construction of this piece of road will he of inestimable vame to the settlers at the upper end of the Tuapeka West settiement. It will cut off a long, cirnuitoiw Winding, noteworthy for its steepness of gradient, and will shorten the distance; to Lawrence very materially, giving also >i piece of roadway that can he easily maintained. Mr Rennet's constituents in this portion of the Tuapeka electorate- will not ba unmindful of "favors received" when polling day comes round. We are promised a visit during the current month from tbe Rev. L. M. Isitt, who is to speuk in the Town Hall on the Solicense question. I do not know if lie Will sjieuk in any other part of the Tuapeka electorate on the occasion, of his coming visit, but it is generally understood thai the party to which he- is allied are going to reakn a strong effort this time to capture the electorate. Mr Isitt is certain to draw a crowded house in Lawrence, for, apart from his wonderful iKiwers aa an orator —a fact so widely and justly known—it was in Lawrence, away back in the eeventii.B, that he spent hia firat or second year an a probationer- preparatory to joining the MetlioJiiit Ministry. Lite district High School ConMiuttee are likely 1o fall i« line with the «tepa that are i,i ho taken by the City schools to eomliii- ■r.i.vatu Trafalgar Day. The matter jn-;H.eil up at the last meeting of the Com. mlii-.e. when it wins resolved to confer with 11:-.- utting-rector on the subject, with, the \i. »• of celebrating the day in a befitting manner.