TOKOMAIRIRO. (FROM THE DULY TIMES )

Otago Witness, Issue 570, 1 November 1862, Page 8

TOKOMAIRIRO. (FROM THE DULY TIMES )

Tokomairiro, Wednesday. " To-day in snow arrayed stern winter rules Tho ravaged plain " And tho memory of that unimpeachable authority " the oide&G "inhabitant " fails to recall an instance of such extreme severity of weather at this season of the year. As far as my own experience of eleven years go<*s, [ only rememl cr onn instance at all parallel, which was some seven or eight years ago, when we had n full of snow o.i the first of November. On Monday las' i t Uegan to snow and there hay ■ been occ loioual showers of it c-ver since, just sufficient to keep the giound white.

The sly-grog sellers on the Wool&hed bad scarcely recovered Irom the surprise occasioned by tho police seizures which I mentioned in my last, when they were thrown again into a state of alarm by receiving summonses for f-ly-grog selling, a couple uf informer* having made a tour from the Tokomairiro Gorge to the Woolshed, and laid no lest than fii'tei n informations against diiftienfc parties. E'ght of these cases were held at the Woolshed on Monday last, and in seven of them convictions wore obtained, the fines varying from LlO to L2O. Three of these cases were against parties who bad been fined la»fc week for exposing spirits for sale. The eighth case was against a man named Ilauglnen, but after receiving the summons he bolted, aid a warrant was issued for his apprehension. Several of the offenders belonged to the fair sex, and as one of these a woman named Pacey was' unable to pay the fine (LlO), and bud no goods whereon to levy, she was committed to gaol with hard labor for a month. When, however, the constables went to arrest her a number of the diggers gathered round and amongst them subscribed the amount of the fine and the costs, the informers themselves contributing L.5. Tin's, however, could not save them from the vemrennce of the diggers, some two or three huii(fred of whom were speedily assembled. A mounted trooper was with the informers to protect them, and it was wirh difficulty that lie and Sergeant Golder(the officer in charge of' the Woolshed) could keep the crowd back. Stones were iiying about veiy liberally, and at one time it appeared probable that not only the informers but alt,o the police would come to grief. Very little more and this would have been the case, as there-, was only the Sergeant an 1 one trooper from Tokomairiro on the .spot. A very insufficient force to face two or three hundred men. Iv fact, although there is now a large population at the Woolshed the only police force there consists of one sergeant, and at Tokomairiro also tiic force is wretchedly inadequate to the requirements of the place, as although Sergeant; Burn and Colder who, in charge of these stations, arc both active and excellent officers, it would be q ntc impossible fur them to maintain proper order with the force at their command were it not that we are all very orderly people up hero. It would be well, however, if cases of emergency were provided against.

Yesterday at tho Court at Tokomaiiiio the remaining seven gro^ cases came on for Jienrinp with the following result. JL Tomison, fined L2O; Smith and HibbarJ, LIU, and Urn. Cochrane LlO. Information, ayaii.st J. M'LeoJ and Collins fl'll through. These cases were all laid under the '• Gold Fields Act," as being within three miles of the boundary of a gold field . Au information against W. Black, under the old Licensing Ouimance, fell to tha and one against A Pnlermont resulted in a conviction, and the fine of £50 the only sum allowed by the Act. Piilennout beinu- unable to pay, an 1 having no goods whereon to dUtrain, was committed to tlio ToKomairiro Gaol /or one month with hard labor. Apropos to sly grog selling, it appears doubtful whether there is really a licensed house in Tokomairiro. The 6th clause of the " Gold Melds Act" provides that " no license for the sale of any spirituous liquor, wive, a!i>, beer, or porter in any quantity, within any gold iieid, or withiu three miles from the boundaries thereof, shall be issued except under the authoiity of this Act; and every person who shall sell any "spirituous liquor, wine, ale, beer, or porter, in any gold Held, or within three miles of any boundary thereof, except he be licensed for the purpose under this Act, shall forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding fifty pounds." Now, as all the hotels or nearly all in Tokomairiro are within tlnce miles of a proclaimed gold field, and a,-' they arc all licensed by the Provincial Government, under tlie old Licensing Ordinance, it would appear that the license is not worth the paper it is written upon. For unexpired licenses, granted before the proclamamation of the gold field it might not matter, but they have actually granted fresh licenses &ince the proclamation. Bottle licenses arc also clearly illegal. Messrs Smith and Ilibbard have one of^ them, granted eince tho proclamation of the gold field, and their store is within a few yards of the, boundary of the gold field. The Tokomairiro Bench wore saved from deciding tho uucstion of the legality or otherwise of the license yesterday, as it was proved that Messrs. Smith and Hibbard, had violated the law in another wav, even if their license were good, as they permitted the bottle of ale which they sold to'tlie informers to be drunk on the premises. Tomison Jilso pleaded a bottle license, but he had done the same, and moreover he ordy thought he had a license as his previous one had expired about six weeks ago, and he said he had no doubt his agent in town had got it renewed, as be Lad told him to do so. Of course this was useless.

A steamboat passenger, missinj? his handkerchief, asked a fellow voyager near him if he had seen it, and insinuated a charge of theft. But aft rsvards fi'idinsi' Ills pocket-companion in his hat, he began to apologise. " Oh, don't be nfter making an apology :it was a mere mistake — and on both sides too : you look me for a thief, an 1 1 took you for a gintlemaii."

A " notion" seller was offering Yankee clocks, fintdy \arni-hcd and colored, and with him a lookingglass in front, to a lady not remarkable for her personal beauty. " Why, it's beautiful !" said the vender. " Beautiful, indeed ! a look at it almost frightens me!" said the lady. "Well, ma'am, reEhed Jonathan, v I guess you'd better buy one that am t gol, no looking-glass."

THE MAJOR'S DAUGHTER. . [From. Once a Week. ) It was rather a gay scene at the judge's house, in K'-.rra'.'kpore, at the Ivuinningof the cool so ison. about tiiif.j je,irs n^o. Tin; rooms wie biilliantly lit>htci, and th ■ puqrt, were arriving fist -o that ih- bivad open vaee »» thj front of the home was crowded «itli buggies aud palkis, and tluu- o>varthy attendants. NiLijty generally stagnate; in Indii dining the hoi mm oi!. People (. \ist as they be,t can,— close tlndr b'inils and window*, and :mk: i r th ;Ir giani .>l.j<>ct in life lo keep nut mc s.-orcriius winds. But tin; hot sja^jii hid p i^d, tin 1 ranis h.i.l c mo and gone, and ivuw ekj.orwje'ecy rou.ol it ell: tio.n its tumid sntetoan inteichairje or" friendly m> etings, v> hi<,h were to he iiuiu^uiafe I by tliiiiis*embly, a f the house of Mr. Giove, the jud^e. livoiy one 'was there, that is to s.iy ) evei-v one who w w wvoguivjd ->s ;in\ body at <i'l, 1 ot'i civUi in and military. " There was" an additional iutPiO't about the parly, btcausc the Miijofs daughter, who had ju-t co.ue o"ut from England, was expetod to m ike her first app^a.aiue there ; and as yimnj; ladies weie ,i duid«.d novelty, there wasa great amo'iul of ainiiiiii'T speou'ation about her. '• I think 1 shall consign Aliss Yiuiace to \ou when she comeb," Mj-s Giovos.iid to the wife of "a young civil; in. f> You must male her know everybody: an I I cm trust you for finding out what she is made if/s he added Lmghing. " Don't give me ciedit for too mueli penetration," nj lined Misritinley; "but I suppose she is little ino:'3 than a school t,'irl '" " It will be a wonder 'f«hc reaches your standard. But here she comes, v.ith the Major and hi-, wife.' 1 And the li,i<y, kind-Jio.irtcd Mrs Grove started up to leci/e tin m. Major Vim ace was tall anl portly, his hair was nlui'tet white, and his face beamed with kindness and good hum jr. jfi-, wile looked pleasant and mationly, butr.ither woiii with a long Im'iin life. Jiv-iy one turne.l to look at CWa Vmrace, and everj one luokc I twice. Tue st-hfc of tin; bright vouns ciil Jre.h from E-ig'-md, bioui/ht a home feelir.,' to all tV.rhwrts 8h ■ w.it, sli lit and fair, v.ith soil In own hair, tiken back simply Irom her I'i'e, such mciTj huiieht oje*— there was no residing ihcm. She was dio ed in miiij.lc white niu.siii), with si^-h :ui.l liintiniim, oi' blue, and altogether formed a delijtiitial connast to the moio O orgeous toilet of 3 oiue ot tie eMiji-l, lilies. _ Mi-s Vinivicj was «oon enlace 1 for the ncYtqtiadrille, and. .u'cei dauuuij, till she was tired, she found heiaelffeeitPd (juletlv «'ia couch by Mr.-, Stanley, who auuioed her \,ith uipid and pood-luunoredly bnti'icl bkel'-lus of the diii'ennt people as thej p'lfc-el near tlu.n. " That sjt-jut ia Iv i* T^Eis A, who has not an idea in her head, or hulhc-i.-nt eiier^y to karn Huido-,t..nee, inoivsur tomaniwe her servai.ts. That tail young' oitivvr vMithe \dlow moustache is Lioutenaiit 8., who i;, al\\ jjv mul- in^ hid job s. Aud that is Ensign 0., who eiiinot M.U a joke when every one else '"is Lui^'.iin:' at it "' "Who is tint intalloctinl looking man with a tivmcnd^u'! beirJ, w!io i a talking in so animated a m mnev .'" "He is my hubbuid," said Mrs Stanley, with a ple.red si nle. " Indeed .' and that noble looking elderly man to whom !m is sp ( ai wx, with t ; ie iioji-gtcy* lmir. aud such wiyt, evpr-'s^ive u;,es '" "Wh it, h ive you not been introduced to the Hon X Innul Nov ilie .' Th ,fc is ijmte an ov^iirht on the part of our i'jo i h li.M lie is a snlen lid ma-i. If he hnsa l'.vill, hp ib a little tn> and au-th'ii-itn:ive, hut thru is <nikc p irdona'ile with sucli a mi'id. lie holds a li-<<h p ,<-ition un.ler Government, and will lea\e m boon to siifiirs in lather a diitin bud part -,f the di die!, that has hardly got quieted down i.i.110 t"'e m ;tn.\-. ' "I. hs \\ itc here ' ' "He Iris in en a widower for many years. His childie i an; i?ro,\iun- up They aie koiv in England inn-hiii4 tiioir education. But see, t ley are coming tuW.lids U 3 "' The joined them, and sought an introduction to JlUi Viin.ue. Tluy were ' soon ent;'igt;J ia an a.imnfod cojiversatiou in w'ticli Mrs Stanley took ,\n active part, f r. as she often said, the re was no one s-, well worJi talking to as Mr. Nevdle iv the otation, and cou^eraation' was certainly her jot I c. J Mi-.* Vinraca wa, by no means asileat listener, but took her part gracefully and modestly , where she Lit sure of lier ground, periecdy cimnnitiL' the othoi-s by her playful allies, and sprin-htly replies A nl hour slipped i.ipid'i away, and when" Major Vinv.ice came to look for his daughter, he was amused to see her &o soon at home amoii^ her new fiiends. "We!!, Cl.ira,"he said' "and how Jo you like your fir-t tiial of Indian life *" " I am quite dehg'kted, ])api," she replied bidding them farewell with a pleased smile. rln -hort, Clara Vnuv.ep became qu^e the rase at Kunvickpore, and in ridin ,r-e\cui-Muns,, r -e\cui-Muns, tilnn-parlie.", and pie-nics, she and Sirs Stuiley wore constant companions. jlr a Stanley thought f-er the most delightful girl she had ever st,en, with such sterling sense, united to such sweetue,-s of temper and grace of m inner. Mr Neville seemed very much of the same opinion, aud finding iv the society of this younir giri the pleasantefet lclavation irom his gir.ve duties, he became much more rociable than hi^, wont, and, to every1 body's burp)i,c,j lined in all the pleasure-making excursions. &me time after the evening spent at the judge's houi-e, with which my story bejins, Miss Vinuicf wass.pendin-1 a il->,v d.iys with Mrs Stanley. It wa' just aficr the h.-cond breakt.ust— for, iv India, all who h ive .vuy if»ai-d for liMltli and eni^mentWse earJy have a blight breakla-t, and then take e\ereise in lh<> cool morning air, and return to the ordinary nieaf Mr Stanley hid kic the l.idics for his usual nnnis-u-iiaUvnik, and they were sitting out in the vcaudah rcvclliuf; iv letters an 1 the new pcriodi^i's wiiich hid come -in by the m.ul that mornin;'. They Wt.ro tou much abioibed to hear ajiproaehint,' foorsteps. and by a Miigul.ir cuincMcuc", (Jiara was in the act of exclaiming -'1)1), Mr.; Stanley! here is a pass.to-e that would ju-t sait Mi- Neville,— l bhoul.l like to wnteli his f.ice when he reails it,'" when Mr Neville himself stoo-l hcfoie them. Of course Clara blushed and loo.ved \ery pretty in her momentary cojifu-ion, but Mie reidily got out of her ddnVulty by sa)ing paily '" How vei.i fortu.iate, Mr Novii!o ! I have no sooner rxpre^ela wi-li (han I find the opportunity of bavinittuihiled;'' o which Mr Neville replied, " That he v,as only too «!ad to be able to gratify any wishof MissJ V mracf , and to prove hoi very groat powers of disj crimination .'' and so they immediately pioceeJed to road and diaju. > the subject in hand. After half an hour had --lipped ava> unconsciously, Mr Neville started, looked at hi-, watch, ami tuVirinjj to Mrs StanL-y, said : " But I must not forgot my errand. T came to ask you and MU 3 Viniaee to join in a pic-nic tomorrow, ot my »ettiii»-n». It is a general holiday— a Hindoo fe-'av,'l; the courts will be closed, and we may as weil make the best of the time. What do you siy to a .■-ail on the (Jhilka Lake I" •' Oh, it would be deli o 'hliiU !" cried Clara : " there is lio'hinif I Ji'ce better th >n a .sail." " You aie -retting up a ])ic-nic Mr Neiville ! Well this is womlei full" said Mis Stanley with an arch smile. " lint cm you rea'ly manage" it {'' "Oh, yes, some of us cm liiJe, a/id tho^c who prefer it may take palkis. I bball send m,- people on witli a tout and provisions. Indeed, I will take no reiiivd, so don't let me ,see you hesitale. I am on my wny now to make amusements with Stanley. "' " Thank you, Mr Neville, yon really carry all before you. I am sure we shall enjoy it bi'\ond evei vthinji " Clcia said he must get papa's and mamma's consent, so a messenger was immediately sent, who returned with a noto from Mrs Vinra.'e to the intent that .she should be very »lad for Cli.ra to Ikuc the pleasiuc, and shs would trust her dear girl to Mrs Stanley's care. The pic-nic came and went. To Clara it was like a new revelation. The goi^eous beau ty of the Indian hieneiy, the magnificent hmuunco of vegetation the magic painting otbutteiUy and bird, all heightened and Piihaneed by the intelligent comments and explanations of Neville and the Stanleys, made the day pass like a dream of wonder and delight. It was specially the attentions of Neville that "effected the charm, for he generally found his place by her side ■ and contact with the fresh and energetic' soul of his yountc companion, seemed to call into play all his viuiffl powers of mind, and graces of couveisation, and to dotlie him with a new vigor and youth. He forgot his fifty summers, -or remembered them only with a high, to call himself an old fool, and then to return and lose himself more deeply iv the new interest that had stirred the pulses of his heart once more. "My dear, my dear, will you stop here for a moment !' cried the Major, in a perturb d voice to Mrs Nmrace one morning; " here's a mess we arc in?' He \veut on as soon as he found himself alone with Jus wife " Would you believe it, I have had Mr -Neville Lore proposing for our Clara ? ' fitii!™B thsiblel WLy heh old enough to be hei> _" That is just what it is my dear— it is perfectly ridiculous." J " How did you answer him ?" " Well I told him I was qu-tc taken by surprise, but tnat I could not entertain the idea for a moment. 1 sam thatl knew perfectly well that his position and tliat sort ot thing was every way desirable, but that I considered all these advantages were quite overbilanocdbythedifleiencaofage, and that I should never consider such a inaniagc as anything but a saci ihce on the part of one so young as Clara. I said it was most unfortunate,- that I regretted exceedingly that such a thing should ever happen and I hep-ged him not to say anything to Clara, as it would only needlessly distress her. And now, my dear, owiV cx l jressetl y° m ' sentiments as well as my '• Yes, quite. I think you are acting for the good of ButiuSheiay ?>' *" *" "^ °* this - J,!A b look^ exceedingly cloudy and stern, and said it was quite unnecessary to caution him against speaking to Clara, as he should leave to-day for the