LAWRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 17

LAWRENCE.

July 18. — The mining engineer deputed to report on tho Blue Spur claims leaves to-day for up-country. He is favourably impressed with the facts, figures, a.id appearances of this now famous property. Unfortunately a misunderstanding has arisen as to whether the waterraces were disposed of in connection with the claims. It is hard to imagine how the rumour that the property had been so divided could arise or find believers, as the cement without the water would be as valueless as the water without the cement. Nevertheless it has gained credence, and the engineer has in consequence cabled to his syndicate to await his report (by mail) before accepting. He has, after an exhaustive inquiry, estimated the annual yield at £20,000, a sum considerably under that of disinterested local experts. When the Tailings Company was stopped for encroaching on the tailraces it was averaging 60oz per week. Let anyone fond of figuring take the ether eight claims at work and strike an average, and it will be seen that Mr Brown's estimate was not an extravagant one, nor the claim of this company to rank as a first-class investment exaggerated in the slightest degree. The engineer, who has just como from Queensland, where he has been on a similar mission, is struck with admiration at the immense water-power coming on to the Spur, and the indomitable pluck and enterprise displayed in the construction of the races. He avers there were lion-hearted men in Tuapeka when tho Waipori was tapped.

Agricultural. — Farming has been at such a low ebb here that one is almost disheartened to speak of it at all. Farmers, with few exceptions, seem going to the wall, yet the quantity of grain produced is enormous. Someone must be enriched by it, yet town and country alike groan under the depression. The capabilities of Tuapeka West are only developing. Its reputation grows. This year the farmers are summoning heart of grace and look forward to better prices, discerning a rift in the cloud, and speak more hopefully of the coming season. The rise in wheat has conduced to this. Those who accepted Mr M'Gill's offer of 3s lOd per bushel deemed themselves fairly fortunate, but those who held back have done better; one farmer who had a large quantity to sell informs me that the local milling company have bought from him at 4s l : jd per bushel. It was a fixed idea that only on new ground could wheat successfully be grown at the West, but this idea has been exploded. One of our leading farmers who tried the experiment has taken a grand crop from his land quite equal to any from new ground. He did not adopt the usual mode of procedure in cultivating it. He only ploughed the land once, then went over it with the disc harrows without turning the sod. To this new departure is attributed the splendid crop which rewarded him. A considerable area will be sown in wheat at the West this season. The more despised portions of this district are gradually being brought under cultivation and are showing a fertility surprising even to the owners. From what was a very few years ago one of the roughest and most unpromising looking sections imaginable, a settler has this season already sent 130 tons of grain to the market. The slaughter of rabbits is immense. Rabbiters are the only money-making people nowadays. Progress. — Lawrence is not standing still, for all the outcry about hard times. New buildings still go up. The watchmaker's shop on half the section adjoining the Town Hall approaches completion, and ia a worthy neighbour to the municipal building. Several other new buildings are contemplated. One of our local auctioneers hfs purchased a site in Ross place with the intention, it is said, of opening a grain and produce store on an extensive scale.

Political — Politics here as elsewhere are the ruling passion with all classes of persons, from

the small boy, upwards. Even the ladies are becoming learned in political economy, and retrenchment is on everybody's lips. No branch of the "public service will be spared— not even the hitherto aacred education grant. As ere this reaches you a full report of the public meeting of the Lawrence Political Reform Association will have appeared in print, I need say no more on the subject.

SHAG POINT.

July 14. — Mr David- Graham's butcher shop and dwelling house were burnt down to the ground this morning at 3 o'clock, Mr Graham had just harnessed his horse to go for the midwife, and Mrs Graham had occasion to go from one room to another, carrying a lamp in her hand, which the draught caused to flare up, frightening her, and caused her to drop the lamp, which exploded and set the place all on fire. She snatched the child, who was sleeping in bed, and, in trying to escape, fell fainting to the ground. Mr Graham, hearing her screams, ran back and found her. He dragged her out of the burning building on to the railway line, and then rushed back for the chiH, which he got out safely, but the fire had obtained such a hold that he could save nothing, and the place wan soon reduced to ashes. Mr Graham loses some £14 or £15 in cash together with all his effects. Mrs Graham and' child had nothing on but their nightdresses. Mrs Graham was badly burned on the hands and face. The adjoining buildings were also on fire several times, but willing hands having arrived, the fire was confined to the building destroyed. The building was the property of Mr J. Kenyon, and was insured in the Standard offics for £100. Mr Graham's furniture and effects were insured for a similar amount in the same office. The police after investigation are satisfied that the fire was purely accidental.