TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 79, 14 August 1869, Page 3

TAPANUI.

(From a Correspondent.)

August 7th.

After our snow-storm we have had eight days of most delightful weather, and our roads have improved more than could have been expected in the time. There is now some chance of a pedestrian making his way through our township. We have had a slight spring shower or two, but the moisture dries up as soon as it falls. The weather is really delightful for the beginning of spring. The district is goon to have an addition, to its various branches of industry in the shape of a boiling-down establishment. I may state, on good authority, that a trial will be made in two months.

Our Mutual Improvement Society met last Thursday evening, Mr. Ethredge in the chair. The attendance of late^ has been very encouraging. The subject of debate for the evening was " Has woman influenced the world for good or evil ? " Messrs. Crawford and MTarlane for the affirmative ; Messrs

Neish and Le Bedel for the negative. Mr. Crawford, in opening for the affirmative, laid before the meeting • the ! good influence ,of a wife, mother, or sister, and how many '-sacrifices -they could make to save a husband, son, or, brother from harm or evil, and- dilated on their influence and assistance in distress or' trouble. Mr.^Neisb, for tli9 negative, took 'for hia foundation the evil abounding in the world-, and tho way in which it entered, using many illustrations to prove his subject. Mr. M'Farlane followed, turning many of Mr. Neish's remarks to good account, and showing where criminal instances only served as beacons to tho world. He also brought forward manyladies' names whoso services both in the past and present Tiad been of great value to mankind, and tbe influence" their example was likely to bear in the future. Mr. Le Bedel commenced' by instancing Herodias and her wiles to get John the Baptist's head, The members generally gsemed to take a good deal of interest in the .debate. Mr. Neish saw lie had lost ground, and made a bold fight at tho end ; collecting a good many statements of the various speakers, he received them very ably. Upon being put to the vote, the chairman declared the decision to be in favour of the affirmative by a largo majority. Other business of the society was then gone through. . Mr. M'Duff is to deliver an essay next meeting on the ■ life of Eobert Burns. Altogether, we had a very pleasant evening. On Saturday, our, township was all life together, being the day appointed for the monthly sitting of our "Magistrate's Court ; Mr. Wood was in attendance. George Mountany was charged with .having unregistered dogs in his possession. Ha stated he had applied for registration of tho same, and was let off with costs. MacKeller charged Bracigirdle with breaking a padlock on his gate in order that ho might pass through. Sentenced to pay for the lock and Court expenses. Glaister wag charged with sly grogselling, and lo make an example lie was lined £30 and costs, •or three months' imprisonment. -Roberts charged Menlove with passing through hia run with cattle without giving notice. The case wn,3 adjourned ii!l next Court day. Eoberts sued Porter, miner, for damage done by his horse grazing on the run. Defendant fined £1 and costs. Eoberts also sued Martin and Evans, both miners, for depasturing stock on the run, but waa nonsuited. Several squatters in the neighbourhood were brought up by Mr. Atkins, Sheep Inspector, for not having proper dips. As Mr. Atlcins had not been gazetted at tbo timo the information was laid, the case was adjournod till next Court day.