LAWRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2268, 19 August 1897, Page 25

LAWRENCE.

August 16. — Death is busy amongst the old inhabitants of the district. Another one, familiarly known as "Tommy Leather" by a very large circle of acquaintances, passed away in the Tnapftka Hospital soon after midnight on Saturday. He had a very, large and varied experience of colonial life. He wag bookkeeper in the early digging dayi for a number of years for the then well known Lawrence storekeeper Jimmy Harris. He afterwards went into business in partnership with Mr Thomas Humphrey as baker and general storekeeper, and on giving it up after a few years he took to mining, which he followed principally in the Tuapeka Mouth and Miller's Flat districts, until declining strength and old age compelled him to give up that occupation, much against his will. For the past year or two he has been following light occupations, and although some of

his friends thought that he would be more- comfortable in the Old Men's Home, and tried to advise him to go there, he was of au independent turn of mind and shrank from tho idea of eating the bread of charity as long as his strength would allow him to hold out. The poor old man during the 68 years he spent in this life had more ups and downs than fall to the lot of most. The funeral of the late James Docherty yesterday afternoon was one of the largest in the district for some time past. Property Sales. — Amongst other changes takiug place jn our midst, is the sale by Mr J. huSey, of the Railway Hotel to Mr Joseph Cox, late of Outram, who takes possession to-morrow. Another property recently changing ownerg is the old drapery store in Ross pi ice, owned and o& upied in the early days by Mr W. Ll'Beath, and more recently by Mr M. Fraer. The purchaser is Mr Wngborn, of your town. Football.— Our football ciub}r>layed amost enjoy abe match with a team from Waipori on last Wednesday stfternoon. It belli* the half-holiday a •large number of the townspeople turned out to watch the game. The local tsam showed decidedly a better kDowle3ge of the scientific points of the game, which resulted as follows : -Lawrence, 17; waipori, nothing. Annual Meetings.— The Lawrence Cycling Club and the Tuapeka Jockey Club's annual meetings both took place last week. The balance sheet of the former showed a credit balance of £21 19s, and the roll of memberahip for an up-country club i 8 a very creditable one. The club anticipates being in a position to make a permanent cycling tract during this season, and a bazaar is talked of in connection with raising funds for this purpose. The Jockey Club's financial position i« also most satisfactory, the receipts being £68 12i 8d more than i ■ the previous year, while the expenditure, which included an amount of between £40 and £50 for top-dressing and sowing grasß on the course, only exceeded that of last year by about 30s. Mr Hugh Craig was re-elected president, and Messrs B. Hart and James Robertson vice-presi-dents. The date of next race meeting was fixed for Wednesday and Thurtday, 19th and 20fcn of January, 1898.