LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 123, 16 June 1870, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Griff en are candidates for the Mayoralty of Dunedin.

Napier telegrams state that the experiment of the Superintendent meeting the Council without an Executive has been found to work well.

last evening the first of the Wetherstoneswinter course of Readings took place. The attendance was large, and the programme excellent.

Th.3 s.s. Claude Hamilton arrived at the Bluff on the 12th inst., having the Suez mail on board, a summary of which appears iv another column.

Our report of the R. M.'s Court, Police v. M'Kiinmie, and the District Court, Mears v. Robeits; also an article from "Rambler" on Passing Events, we are compelled to hold over till next week.

IN our obituary column will be observed a notice of the decease of Mr. Robert Winder, a Switzers miner, who was highly respected in the district. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of Switzers' residents. The Church of England burial service was read by Mr. Dean, Schoolmaster.

The "Southern Cross" is opposed to the union of Otago and Canterbury. Speaking for Auckland the " Cross" states that that province could not accept such a proposal, as the union would enable these provinces to dominate the colony. The same paper, however, is prepared to accept a constitutional amendment on the basis of insular separation;

A silvbb seal, seven feet in length, was caught in the Dunedin Harbour on Thursday last. It was secured in a zinc-lined case, and is exhibited in the shop of Mr. Jewitt, fishmonger, and is reported to have "snapped furiously when the cover of the case was lifted, emitting at the same time a loud hoarse bark, not much unlike that of a large dog."

From Melbourne telegrams we summarise the following items r— Mr. Charles Matthews haa terminated a highly successful engagement at the Theatre Royal. — Power, the bushranger, has been arrested. — Mr. Thomas Pearson, barrister, has drowned himself. Letters were received from him by his friends and the- police stating where his body would be found.

On Thursday last the Headings in connection with the Tuapeka Athenaeum were commenced. Mr. Keen occupied the chair, and delivered an opening address on the social benefits to be derived from these entertainments, which, was greatly applauded. The programme, although perhaps not quite up to the mark, was gone through with spirit. The attendance was firstclass- indeed it was the largest we have ever witnessed at these Readings. The programmefor next Thursday is ander the charge of Mr. Downes, and we have ua doubt it will bft % creditable one.

A CONCERT and ball, in aid of the Tuapeka Hospital, was held at Waitahuna Athenaeum, on Tuesday evening last, and, considering the horrible state of the roads, was well attended. The programme was good, and was well carried out. Messrs. Burton and Bayliss presided at the harmonium. After the concert, Mr. Bastings, as president of the Tuapeka Hospital, thanked the "Waitahuna Athenieum Committee

a neat and appropriate speech for the benefit tHey had so generously given to that institution. The seats were soon cleared away, and about fourteen couples stepped it out right merrily to the sweet strains of Mr. Bui ton's music. Mr. Fry, as M.0., was all that could be desired. The refreshments provided were excellent, and the whole affair was a great success.

The Governor opened Parliament in peison on Tuesday at 2 o'clock. He said that the correspondence between the Colonial and Imperial Governments would be laid before the House. Their attention would be invited to the condition, stagnation, and depression under which the colony labours, consequent on the comparative suspension of colonization during the last few years. Proposals would be laid before them for encouraging and aiding immigration, and for the construction of public works. They would be glad to learn that the New Zealand commissioners are negotiating for the construction of the cable between New Zealand and Australia. The Life Assurance Measure passed last session, he was glad to say gave eveiy prospect of success. Amongst other subjects they would be asked to consider a Representation Bill, vote by ballot, amendment in the law of bankruptcy, the union of Otago and Southland.

A meeting of the Board of Wardens was held in the Bridge Hotel, Waifcahuna, on Tuesday last. Present— Mr. Browne, chairman, and Messrs. Robertson, Poison, and Gascoigne,

secretary. The minutes of last meeting weie read and confirmed. The following applications ■were granted, viz:— A. Douglas, miner's right, 17 head cattle ; W. Carr, miner's right, 6 head ; Daniel Tucker, miner's right, 6 head ; John Campbell, agricultural lease, 30 head ; J.unes Smith, freehold, 50 head ; Matthew Tope, miner's right, 10 head : S Williamson, leasehold, 9 head ; J. Casey, miner's light, 4 head ; John Ford, leasehold, 9 head. Application from H. Hitchin was refused as not being within the district. Jas. Hill's application was refused on the ground of qualification not being stated ; also, K. Lancaster as not in AVarden's district ; also, James Rae, as there was no evidence that he possessed the qualification, ilfessrs. Browne and Gascoigne were appointed a sub-committee to arrange about the coming election. The meeting terminated by a vote of thanks to the chair.