TUAPEKA NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 14053, 7 May 1909, Page 12

TUAPEKA NEWS.

(From Oor Own Correspondent.] LAWRENCE, May 6. The mayoral installation took place in the Borough Council Chambers at noon yesterday, Crs Winn, MTntosh, M‘Kinlay, and Arthur congratulated Mr Jas. Robertson on his re-election, for the third time without opposition. His Worship replied in suitable terms, remarking that it was a great pleasure to him to fill the mayoral office, as the duties were light when he was backed up by so many capable councillors. He was'sorry that Mill. H. Leary no longer filled a seat at the Council table, but his place was taken by a young man (Mr J. B. Thompson) who was certain to give a. good account of himself as a councillor. Mr P. Uren, who has filled the post of town clerk for a period of twentv-seven years, and who recently tendered his resi gnat ion, leaves Lawrence early in August for the Empire City. For some time Mr Uren, who is getting up in years, has been in indifferent health, and was induced bv his family in consequence to give three months notice of his desire to be relieved of his duties. A great number of the burgesses, as well as several of the councillors, regret very much that Mr Uren will shortly sever his connection with the Council. Mr Uren is exceedingly obliging and courteous, and has always'done" 3 his best to carry out his duties' in a satisfactory manner. It is true that he did not please all the councillors, but, nevertheless. he enjoyed the confidence not only of the greater number of them, but also of the great majority of the burgesses. There is no change in the position of affairs so far as the Lawrence-Roxburgh Railway works are concerned. The work of ballasting the line from Evans Flat to Lawrence is now under way, employment being thus found for about a score of men. The platelaying is completed as far as the Bellamy station homestead, and will be carried on, it is understood, to the BinHill tunnel. The fifth of the six bridges on the line between Lawrence and Carson’s is just out of hand, and a start will be made to-morrow with the last of these bridges. I am given to understand that the station buildings at Evans Flat and Bowler’s Creek are to be proceeded with at an early date. No time has yet been fixed for the opening of the line for traffic 1° Big Hill; nor is it yet known what Minister—whether Sir Joseph Ward or the Hon. R. M ‘Kenzie or the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie—will be present on that auspicious occasion to make the official declaration. I certainly would not advise the last-named gentleman to undertake the dutv.

The lady electors of Goa! Creek and Roxburgh have a petition in circulation praying the Government to resume the construction works on the lino at the earliest possible moment. The petition is being very numerously signed over all the districts immediately interested in the Lawrence-Roxburgh Railway, A requisition is also afoot to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works respectfully requesting that he will pay the Lawrence-Roxburgh districts an official visit at as early a date as possible, before the approaching

parliamentary session, not only to meet the sealers interested in the construction and completion of the railway, but also to judge for himself, as a practical man of wide experience, as to the advisableness or otherwise of pushing on the construetion works to Beaumont—to th</ point authorised by Parliament. The requisition is certain to be Very largely signed, and it is to be hoped the honorable gentleman will promptly fall in with the wishes of those who are desirous that the construction works will shortly be resumed. The recently-formed Mining and Prospecting Association gives promise of doing good and useful work. The Management Committee met an evening or two ago, and drew up a set of rules setting forth the aims and objects of the Association, which briefly are as follow ;—“ To protect the mining interests of the district'• to encourage and promote prospecting operations; and generally to awaken public interest in mining and to conserve the mining reserves.” The warden has already been approached in regard to the itfstmsntioued matter, and he has given an assurance that no applications for the alienatipji of the mining reserves in the Tuapeka district will be dealt with by him without ; the Association being first asked for a report. A member ol the Association forw a idea £5, to lie given through tile Association as a donation towards assietin» Messrs M'Donaid Bios, to prosecute their search for the old Gabriel's Gully quartz reef a. work in which they have heen’hngaged for about twelve months. It is 1 understood that in the event of a big | prospecting scheme being approved by the j Association a company will be formed to undertake t lk- necessary prospecting work, I acting in conjunction with the Association’ j .Rightly worked and wisely managed the Association can be veiy helpful in, re-es-tablishing the mining industry in the Tuapeka and neighboring districts. Within the last few weeks several fine lines of sheep from Tcviot Station have been railed northwards, where the demand is said to be strong. Bom© fine lambs from the Tuapeka West district were consigned this week to Burnside, where a good market is always to be found. The quality of the mutton grown in this district is ol the best.

The price of beef and mutton, retailed by.the local butchers, has fallen very materially during the past few days. This is due directly to the action of one of the local “ Knights of the Cleaver,” whose praiseworthy example was promptly followed by his rivals. There is great rejoicing among householders thereanent. Mr Rose Gunn, of Tuapeka Plat, has sold his farm to Mr James Bayly, of Green Valley, Waihemo. The price has not transpired, but it is understood that both parties are satisfied. Mr Gunn will probably pay the Old Country a visit at an early date.

The weather lately has been very cold and changeable. Sharp frosts have occurred, followed the last two or three nights by heavy fogs.