COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3254, 11 July 1872, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(FftOM OUR OWN CORKKSt'ONDENTH.)

TOAPBKA.

Wo have had a succession of snow and rain for the last few weeks, and the consequence has been that mining has been very much retarded, trade is dull, money scarce, and very little has been going on which was worthy of notice. The means of communication between Waitahuna and Manuka Creek by the new road is in a very bad state, in consequence of the want of metal, and the roads farther up the country are in a very deplorable state. From Lawrence to Waipori the way is almost impassable, and very dangerous to travellers and those having the necessity to go in that direction.

At the Blue Spur, things are very much at a stand. The dispute between the discoverers of the quartz reef on Clark's farm-is in course of arrangement at present, and the principal matter now to be decided by arbitration is tbe amount of compensation to be paid to tbe lessee. Casey's claim lias been flooded by the water from an adjoining race, which has given way. • , In Lawrence everything wears an easy aspect. I looked in vain to find anyone in a state of excitement in consequence of the proposed sale of land to Cargill and Anderson.

A Chinaman was charged at the Magistrate's Court hero to-day, with taking some money from the premises of a hotelkeeper at Waitahuna. The circumstances connected with this matter seem to be as follows :—-The Chinaman went to the policeman at Waitalmna yesterday, and complained thai he had been stopped on the Round Hill, and a" good sum of money taken from his person. At the suggestion of the policeman the Chinaman proceeded to show what was left in his pockets. A party who Was standing near saw some sixpenny pieces which- came from the Chinaman's pocket, and on examination stated that he could identify two of these as his property, on account of some marks which were on them. He then gave the Chinaman in charge. The Magistrate has adjourned the further hearing of this matter till Thursday, when further facta will be made known. . .

The readings at Wetherstones and Lawrence have been very attractive lately, and every pains has been taken to cheer the long evenings of winter. We have a circus amongst us, and this evening the first performance comes off.

BT. lUTKANS. Mining operations of all kinds have been suspended dining the laat four weeks in consequence of the frost, which still continues, without a. sign of break-ing-up. Soi.to idea of the severity of the f()rmed fmm facfc tliat h d £ covered with a coat of ice -en inches in thicks .Very KWe snow has fallen as yet, which is to be regretted, as on a deep and early snowfall, hardened by tho frost, we have to depend for a plentiful supply of water during the summer. Xhe Mountain and Enterprise Water Race Companies, after a long and prosperou£l caretjr> ], avo amalgamated and formed t * nemse i vea j n to a Company, under tlie fft Unite<l Mountain and Enter- •*•.«. " w . R Com ny w : tn anaidfV^J^J^r^^K^l^of^ "P'^l^o^, o,?' £*'«? late m-na-er each. Jfr Samuel Turner, late ™™*2£ oE the Mountain Company, has been appointed manager of the new Company, which will be registered nnder the Limited Liability Act. , The Otago, Gold Mining j Company, notwithstanding the severity { o f tne weather, are pushing ahead with j their race, having formed nearly a mile th^gh a i mo »t solid rock daring the last 1 - £^ Th Scandinavian Water Race I^JlT«^ „:«, t^iv ~B nfli orinct«*litv i C<W*7' ?oV I?S 6d d«cl««f I » 4"/^^ dIV» SiSV»rif »S I>er 240 th ahare-equal to &>W-°" **£ Ist inst Shaies in thm Company are in

great request, and a considerable number have changed hands lately at about par—a price highly favourable to buyers, considering the profitable and permanent nature of the investment.

The second of the series of musical and dramatic entertainments in aid of the National School Fund look place in the schoolroom on the evening of the 28th ult, and was a complete success, the room being crowded, and the entertainment a most enjoyable one. It consisted of songs, readings, and solos, concluding with Dibdin's Ballad Opera- of the Waterman. During the List month the schoolroom has been considerably enlarged and decorated by the voluntary labour of a number of friends of the Hchool. A new stage has also been erected, and a handsome drop scene representing the Lake of Como, painted by Mr Wilks. A fine painting by Mr W. Kelty, "The Banners of War,", "was placed over tho proscenium, wliich was otherwise tastefully decorated, and presented a really brilliant appearance. Mr Archibald M*Phail occupied the chair, and Miss Hanger and Miss Jamieson presided alternately at the pianoforte. The entertainment commenced with a comic chorus by the Dramatic Troupe—a most laughable and ridiculous affair, which put the audience in the best possible humour. This was followed by " A Father's Love," from " I Puritani," finely sung by Mr E. Watson. Mr M'Namara then gave a recitation, "The Woman of Three Cows,'1' which was well received, as was also a reading— Paddy's Travels in France" —by the same gentleman. Mr Prcscoti also gave a reading from Mark 'iVain, which caused considerable amusement. Mr I rider gave the songs "Tho Mistletoe Bough" and "Ye Banks and Braes," in grand style, and had to submit to an encore. A duct, " The Canadian boat song," by Messrs Indcr and Watson, was hardly up to the mark, probably from the want of suflicicnt rehearsal. Tho last-named gentleman also sang "The Arab's farewell to his Steed," with good taste. MrsM'Phail, who was in line voice, sang "Constance," and "The Spell is Broken," very sweetly, and was loudly applauded ; as atao was Miss Lucy Smith in her songs " Beautiful Isle of the Sea," and " The Spot where I was Born," both of which, were ad-, mirably rendered. The singing of these two ladies was one of the most attractive features of the entertainment. Mr Wilks gave a comic song, " Pills and Potions," in character, and was very amusing, but the effect was marred by the accompaniment. Mr Hewitt sang a serio-comic song, " Captain do Vellington Boot*," very effectively. Mr Kelly sung the adventures of nn ancient mariner who married a mermaid—-a very amusing story. Mr Rose sang two comic songs splendidly, and had to repeat them. Mr W. Pyle junr. gave the tong "Boar it like a man," with good taste, theaudienco taking part in the chorus. The first part of the entertainment wa*» brought to a close by the song, "A Motto for every Man," finely sung by Master Harry Prcscott — his first attempt — and for which he was loudly applauded, and complimented by the Chairman. The entertainment wound up with " Tho Waterman," which was well put upon the stage, with appropriate scenery, dresses, &a, and was capitally played throughout. Tom Tug was well re, resented by Mr John Cormack, who looked every inch a sailor, and sang his songs and danced his hornpipe to perfection. Mr Bundle was played by Mr Prescott, with a quiet humour that was exceedingly droll, and gave one a good idea, of a henpecked husband chafing under the despotic rule of it theatrical shrew. The part of Robin was represented by Mr Win. Pyle junr., who rendered the love passages between Rover and Wilhelmina most effectively, and sang the music with taste. Mr Wilks played the part of Mrs Bundle, and made a capital termagant, his got-up and acting in the part being admirable. Mr Wilks also played the part of Wilholmina—rwhich necessitated an alteration in tho text of the play—and showed his versatility by making love m tho character of a young lady as naturally as he did the scolding in that of an old one. A vote of thanks to Mr M'Pluul for presiding terminated one of the most ploasant reunions ever enjoyed on Sfc. Buthans. The next entertainment is announced to take place on the 10th prox.