LAWRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 13

LAWRENCE.

September 8. — The dispute between the Tailings Company and the Great Extended is having a disastrous effect on the Blue Spur. The latter have ceased sluicing, and the Nelson Company are precluded from recommencing operations pending an adjustment of the difficulty. The Tailings Company are so far masters of the situation, inasmuch as they are still working. But for them the evil day is only deferred. As they approach the best of the tailings they, too, will be blocked, and the unprofitable battle will have to bu fought over again. The original claimowners have sent a couple of delegates to Wellington with a petition praying that the Tailings Companj' might be stopped. The petition was not numerously signed in Lawrence, because disinterested parties think that if a little forbearance on both sides were displayed the matter might be amicably arranged. Mining is so dull here at present that general sympathy inclines towards a claim that, like the Tailings Company, is in full swing.

The New -Flourmill is an imposing edifice, quite an ornament to the town. It is built on the most approved modern principles, and the machinery is of a very superior order. Once the race is completed the water will be free of cost, and the Milling Company will commence operations under favourable conditions, notwithstanding the local jealousies which new industries always cause in small communities. It is centrally situated on the Blue Spur road, just off Ross place.

Memories of Bygone Days.— Tenders have been accepted for the new premises in Ross place of the Bank of New Zealand, and thus another of the few remaining glories of Peel street will be swept away. Sad, silent Peel street ! It makes the old identities melancholy to watch its decay, and look back at the good old days when eccentric Donovan's big bar scarce afforded elbow room to the busy throng, when Walsh's Camp Hotel was a place of note, and the Commercial and Victoria (which still maintain their prestige) competed with them for public favour, when every roof covered a commercial venture and Ross place was consigned to tents and mud. Now, alas ! the very buildings, despite the best efforts of the painter, tell of age and despondencj'. True, the council chamber and court-house, the post office btill remain, and brings fitful gleams of prosperity to Peel street, but only like a faint light to make its darkness visible. However, it is only from a business point of view that it is a failure. Peel street rises in favour daily for private residences. A couple of substantial dwellings are now in course of erection there, while others are projected.

Agricultural. — By the way we hear a great deal of the depression, yet new buildings are tho order of the day. The dull times cannot be so severely felt here as elsewhere. Perhaps the rise in oats has given a spurt to trade, for oatgrowing is our strength. Our farmers say they can beat creation in that line, and the rise has been a great blessing to those who have been able to hold over their crops. The Weather, &c. — We were plumiug ourselves on having such a mild winter, but the condensed severity of half-a-dozen winters has burst on us since the last days of August. Hail, rain, and snow, and bitterly cold winds, with an occasional frosty night, have been our portion until we are almost paralysed. That, perchance, is why the borough elections passed off so quietly, the retiring members, Messrs Miller and Chalmers, being returned unopposed. Parliamentary Union. — Even the erstwhile lively Parliamentary Union seems to have succumbed to its chilling influence. Before the break in the weather tho lndi<»' and strangers' galleries were always well filled; "gods" and " angels " wrotu its annals in the. local paper;

the eloquence or otherwise of hon. members and the ddwnfall of Ministries were current topics. Now the Tdap'eka Times disposes of its meeting:, in half-a-dozen lines, tfnd weare no' loilger edified or amused by its proceedings. The Late Fire.— Much commiseration is expressed f dr Mr T. Roughan, who lost so heavily by 1 the disastrous fire at Waitahuna West. However, it showh tnat a fire may be thfe' r«»!v<ltof an accident, a fact which is being lost sight tn hbre. We have had a visitation of fires lately where 1 insurances were effected, and most uncharitable suspicions thereby engendered. Mr Roughan's loss will demonstrate that a man may insure his property without premeditating a fraud. Oqituauy.— The death of Mrs Hopkins removes tfucfttlcr, of our old identities. Mrs Hopkins lived at iivans' Mat for over 20 years. She appeared strong aiid healthy,- wearing her 67 years lightly. She died from paralysis. Robert Parker, better known as " Old Bob,-" has also gone to his long home. In his case, poor man, death was a haj>py relea.se. He was 80 years old, and friendless, one of the chronic cases the Tuapeka Hospital found so troublesome. Cricket. — The cricket club have held their annual meeting. They begin the season with a small balance in hand. Mr Harrop is president, Mr Allnut vice, Mr J. Roscow captain, Mr G. Murray deputy-captain.