POSTAL NOTICE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 45, 19 December 1868, Page 2

POSTAL NOTICE.

Maps close at this office as under: — For ' Dunedin, via Waitahuua, Glenore, Tokomuiriro, and ail offices between Tokoinniriro and Dunedin, daily at 8 p.m., and on Sundays tit 10 a.m. For Blue Spur, daily, at 5 p.m. For Wetherstones, daily, at 5 p.m. l?or Beaumont, Miller's Flat, Teviot Junction, Tupanui, Poirmhukii, Long Valley, Mimulierikia, Clyde, and olfices beyond Clyde, every Tuesday, at 8 p.m. The office closes, for sale of stamps, is»ue and payment of money orders, registration and delivery of letters, punctually at 5 p.ra The Telegraph Office is open to tho public on week days from 9 am to 5 p.m., and on $ ?? r Mys from 10 to 10 30 a.m., and 6to 5.30 ■h^j£ Miiigton time. H. W. BASBOK, Postmaster. inst., of W.

viate the* misery "which is ttteTßccssary attendant of a gtfcat- conflagration. Public meetings, tee trust, will be convened, and subscription lists opened, for the benefit* of those thus cruelly deprived at one fell stroke of house and home. Our space forbids us entering minutely into a detailed account of each sufferer, tfut to one case we must give some notice. The office of one of our most able contemporaries has been burnt to the ground, soon to be re-erected we earnestly hope. The " Timaru- Herald "is a journal ! which hds taken, a firm stand in politics, affording, a bright contrast to -the' "cowardly- vacillation displayed by too- many colonial newspapers. It Mas* been: "conducted in a manner calculatedtp. win the respect and esteem" 'even of political opponents, and we £an only hope that this notice will not prove its epitaph. Little aid can be expected by the Tinaaru. people from the Provincial Treasury of Canterbury for, lil^e the residents of the Tuapeka and Mount Benger districts, they have been too outspoken in their denunciations of vile jobbery and political corruption to hope for any consideration from the Provincial Executive. Their case is the more to be pitied, demands the more sympathy from us on account of this, and we trust the feelings thus awakened may not be without some good result. But while we lament the desolation of Timarui-and Switzers, do not these disasters bring a startling warning home to ourselves ? The township of Lawrence, at present happy and prosperous, may, for all we could do to prevent"it, be in a few short hours a heap "of ashes. The Town Council have indeed resolved to procure fifty feet of additional hose, but of what avail would the hydrant itself o'e if any of the buildings in our streets caught fire ? A tin pannikin would be nearly as serviceable and much less expensive. A small engine of some sort should be obtained without delay, and the ratepayers, we are sure, will grumble at no expenditure for such a purpose. Another serious ' omission struck us forcibly when an alarm of fire in the Commercial Hotel was recently given. No man appeared to know his post ; no one seemed familiar with the mode of working the poor instrument we already^possess, and, had the alarm he'enreal, the whole building would have been in a blaze long before &< drop of water could have been broughj; to ***aac~upon. Ab. Tlris~isfcla,-*ta£eL of .things which should nofc be allowed to continue ; a volunteer body should be at once enrolled and regularly drilled, ans2 we are sure many of ourcitizens will be happy to further a scheme so beneficial to themselves and to the whole community at large. At present we are only secure by accident — the chance dropping of a lighted match by a child, or the carelessness of a smoker, may involve the ruin of all our citizens. Such a state of things cannot be allowed to. continue,, and when the interest of all is at stake, we trust none will be found to hang back. If funds are needed we^have no doubt subscription lists be liberally signed, for after all prevention is the best kind of fire insurance. Our " Fire Company " would, we predict, become highly popular, and our young men would not have to complain that the}'' were driven to the billiard table for want of some more suitable recreation. At all events, let us do something, and what we do let it be done quickly, for the danger is ever present and ever threatening. liU , -.^p miners amongst we s ■PWr^l the outtytfig WV ?4S« surrounding w<u a. &t o * k"&SL2^ 0U lia line of road, tb ■B^Vf rttwoolshed nye j^^^V /is of tue vv" Uo] & ;fto ld - A g go? o all the m< * Aed then its *

('engaged in sheep and cittte bfeeding. Directly, or indireetl^" they rare striving hSrd to secure for them!«elves and friends a huge slice of iihe Tuapeka Goldfield. How far agricultural settlement enters into their project, is a question which all I who are in any degree acquainted • with the usages of squatterdom can ' satisfactorily answer. Be- this as it may, these sections have been objected to by the miners working thereabouts, because of their goldbearing qualities, and a memorial to such effect, signed by upward? ,of twenty working miners, was handed to the Warden at^ta^rence, bli the" 9th ii*s,tant. The statements therein set^ forth seem reasonable x and*weli wortli the consideration of miners and, others^ ., .Mining, however, is not* how ttie only occupation of the residentsjof the district, although on its unhampered prosecution our prosperity is mainly dependant. Agricultural development is rabidly spreading its -benign influence over the soil, and to har-. monibusly combine the two industries, so that > every facility- may be given for the fullest extension of both without & discordant clashing- j of their respective interests happening, would be'a 1 deed fraught with incalculable benefit to the community. The agriculturist requires consumers for his produce ; a large mining population would be to him a veritable EL Dorado." Thetniner finds his gain in being able to purchase necessaries -at" tKe* cheapest possible rate. With many farmers j in the field, his chances of doing-, so - are continually increasing. Let us now see wherein the Services of the Tuapeka Land League could be "brought to bear in bringing so desirable a state of things to such a consummation. If- the principles be rightly enunciated by its orators, it pledges itself to take care that ground really fitted for mining is not wrested from the sturdy weilder of the shovel and pick. But how shall this be ensured ? By a proper classification of lands only suited for cultivation or grazing*'" purpobes, apart from others whose auriferous characteristics determine fcheir uncontrolled reservation for the labors of the miner. The task is not difficult of execution ; a commission composed of professional and prac- ; cal men, miners &c, should be appointed to personally examine and decide upon the areas eligible for agricultural selection ; and, except in case wliepe circumstances arose entirely beyond the ken of skilled judgment or -foresight, its, decision should be final No sud^ ■course "oi* procedure has yet been thoroughly carried but, and hence the jarrings between, the two sfcroug arms of our body corporate, the digger and the husbandman. :* The mining denizens are not averse to agricultural settlement on this Goldfield., if .the liDe of demarcation be fairly drawn, and this disposition wati.evinced in the Warden's Couit on the 9th instant applications for leases being unopposed, simply because the land sought for was regarded as valueless for miniDg pursuits. Here then is the opportune crisis for the League to exert its powers. 'We understand a meeting of that body will be held early in the new year ; the suggestions thus offered should be borne in mind and measures adopted to put them in immediate operation. The miner and the agriculturist will then see that the League is watchful of whatever tends to subserve the advancement of both classes. Each noting that its welfare is being securely and beneficially cared for, will accord its heartiest support, and the ultimate '-issue be made one, charged with lastingwosperity to the important districVof] Tuapeka. <

A TEAmeetikg, in aid of the funds of the Church of England, ome off on Tuesday evening. We believe the meeting wrts "very successful, and attracted a large attendance. Owing to the Committee having neglected to show us the courtesy usually accorded to the ,pi»sa, r we 1 did not senS a reporter, and therefore speak* entirely from hearsay. >-;) A SMALLnugget, weighing fully Ua3f»n ouncti was discovered the ©ther day in a siDgukf nanner. Me Donovan, «f the S^amrocjJ Sotel, has recently been gravelling the, jH woaches Jkojus hotel, and has beea carting .^| itnff from the hfeitpa '»> UUUugW tiafig' t~Se^J^M from among the stuff thus procured a D^^| rs" nicked out tbe nugget, *3^HB^^^^|

— Thx formation of -the Court "Star 6f Tna« peka," A.0.F., .wu <JomploUd m T&unday Evening, -when thirty-three' membert Were-ini-tiated by a District .Officer, firo. Goo&nan, into the mysteries of Forestry. The following gentlemen were eletted^office-bearen.: 0.R., Mr. TitchenerjSub-C.R., Mr. MorisAnV Treasurer, Mr. Ferguson ; Secretary, Mr.' Bennett ; Senior Woodward, Mr. Walker ;' Junior do., Mr. Mitchell; Senior Bekdle, Mr. Murray; Junior d 0.,. Mr.i IRutley. ' After the' formal business was over, nearly sixty gentlemen sat down to a most sumptuous supper, provided «by Mr.; Clark,, of the Masonic hWL . Our readers will find a detailed report in another column. The usual' Fortnightly Readings cwne "off 'at .Waitahuna on Tuesday evening. The'attendance was veryjFair, and the. entertainment was very successfully concluded. We observed with pleasu.e-that.the ladies seem to patronise the readings, a large number of them enlivening the performances by theu presence. A match has. been arranged^. between Mr. Bastings' far-famed trotter Tommy and Mr. Prichards'. Flora Temple, for £100 i-side.-' .Th«t match will come off on or about the 28th inst., on th 4 Silver Strekiri or Dune"dih K rab* T ebufse9. THE Provincial Government have .offered to fc 'guarantee' tKe payment of £350 as a honus p the first vessel w&cn'clears "Gt^go"- Ikeski fulfy equipped for' a 'whaling cruise.' \T© -encourage' enterprises of this kind is all very well ; but hungiy men will hardly submit "to be fed oft lollies. No sweetener Mr. Macandrew can administer will serve to divert the attention of the people from the imperative' necessity which exists for encouraging settlement. AX inquest on the body' of Ah Qwa, whose, suicide we recorded last week, was held on Monday, and' resulted in a verdict of " Temporary insanity." The body was" interred in the Chinese part of the cemetery with all'the rites and ceremonies customary among the Chinese. Some time ago we announced that Mr. Popehad started a line of coaches, to Switisers. • He has, we believe, sold out his interest -to .Mr. Bradley, who intends Tunning a weekly cbach 40 that place. From the efficient manner in which the other lines of road occupied by Mr. Bradley are worked, we have no hesitation in saying that the Switzers coach is likely to prove highly beneficial to the places between -which it will run, and indeed to the whole business community. " . . A local bard, who has grown warm on the. Tk>wn Hall question," sends us the following:— STANZAS ON TOWN COUNCILLORS. After Goldsmith (considerably). TVhen Corporations stoop to;folly, And find too late Town Halls don't pay, "Wiat punch can soothe their melancholy, And wash their grave mistakes away ? Then if they their chagrin would cover, Aud li.ido their blame frdm every, eye, Let them, like some heart-broken lover, Pack np their earthly traps— and fly. A WBEli-AmafDßD- pubKo-mccthijjTircurlielcl in the Provincial Hotel, Evan»' Flat, on Monday evening. The object of tbe assemblage was to consider means for the proper prospecting of the country between the Tuapeka and Beaumont Rivera. It was agreed to issue 'subscription lists without deky ;.and ihe following gentlemen wei c appointed a Committee ;-^Messrs. J&uies Hopkins (chairman), David Evans, B. Fagor (secretary), D. M. Evans, and.W. Haslem. The Committee have, we believe, inspected the only place in the distrfct where the bed rock has been formed under the quartz gravel and sand formations. Favourable prospects have been often obtained f rotfi this; . but the lack of timber has prevented its .being pifb'ierly tested. Whatever may be the result of their exertions, the Committee are worthy of every support ; and the fact of its members being experienced and practical miners renders us sanguine as to the result of their laboiurs. We trust an amount of support worthy of the cause may be given them. A meeting of the Tuapeka Jockey Clnb, attended by Messrs. Bastings (PreridentJ, Sheath, Led, Hay, Clayton, and Lancaster, was held on Monday evening in the Commercial HoteL The following tenders iorpreparing'the course were opened: J. Downey, £52 10s.; Felix Diutimski, £49 155. ; W. Calhoun, £21 10s. ; A. Mitchell £22 ; T. Spellan, £19 15e.: W. G. Anderson, £22 10s.; M. Tolcher, L 37. On the motion of Mr. Hay, seconded by Mr. Lees, .the tender sent in by Mr Anderson was accepted. Mr. Simpson was then appointed Judge ; Mr. Sheath, Starter ; and the following gentlemen Stewards : -Mesbn. Lees, Clayton, Chalmers,; Stewart, Bastings, M'Coll, and Hay, Mr. Henry being elected Clerk to the Stewards. It^, was also agreed that three booths sHould be sold, no publican to be entitled to bid unleajLa' subscriber of ten guineas. Mr. Hay brought forward an amendment reducing the am/*^ of the necessary subscription to five pwifteas, but as it did not find a seconder thg^f Tfl&tJl&division. It was also rteolved tiat^^^rzTA of booth No. L glxtfcAha?*^ 23" a |rana stand, afLMlmsf'iumt*?*'*^**^ * the The sale oOJ>3^^Hfc3&i^iW laC^^r *ht Bth of 7e3^jH^H||^KUL£^£j programrVj^^^^^^^^^^^HflHl^^^^l our P>Ju^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H —a succl^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^J pleasant as I«^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H Coinmitteo lud^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H Lawrence Bt^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H inst., u&leju^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^j prograimiei^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H the "cA&^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^l jgeote&M^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H

The sale

Fbom our advertising columns it will be seen that the enterprise and energy of Mr. Donovan h»V«" supplied a want generally felt, and removed a slur from the township. While places much smaller and of less importance have started numerous entertainments for the holiday season, the good folks of Lawrence have been content to rest on their oars, leaving the Wetherstonians to cater for their amusement. From the liberality with which prizes are given, we feel safe in piophesying some capital sport on Boxing Day ; and when we - express our admiration for the public spirit and energy shown by Mr. Donovan, we give utterance to the' general feeling of the citizens.

.Service in connection with the Church of England will be feeld at Lawience at 11 a.m., and at Waitahuna at 5 p.m., on Christmas Day.