LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 173, 1 June 1871, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tan Mining Confoi'onou was brought to a close ou Siituuliiy lait.

We learn tluit a Chinaman was found dead in the snow on the Waipori Uanges on Monday last. An inquest was held the following day by W. L. Simpson, Esq., at Waipori, whither the body was conveyed, but we have not learned the particulars.

Mr. William Lapsley who, for the last seven years, has been well known and respected in this district, rtiud in the Tuapeka Hospital on the 25th iost , after an illness of four months. The funeral took place on Sunday, the 28th inst., and was attended by -about 200 persons, the procession being one of the largest ever seen in Lawrence. The deceased having been a Freemason of long standing (since 1836) he was buried with Masonic honours, a large number of members of that order, in full regalia, taking part in the ceremony, which was conducted by the Worshipful Master, Mr. Charles Bryant. The Rev. Mr. Meuzies was also in attendance, and read, with great effect, the ordinary Christian burial service over the grave. The friends of Mr. Lapsley desire to tender their thanks to Dr. Stewart for his unwearied attention to his patient during his illness. We are also requested, on behalf of deceased's friends, to sincerely thank Mr. Reynolds, the Warder of the Hospital, for his great and untiring kindness to Mr. Lapsley when under his care ; also, Mr. Gilbert, one of the patients, who showed the deceased much unselfish kindness.

IT will be observed from advertisement that Mr. Ormond, of the Teviot, will open his new and capacious hotel on the 9th inst. He gives a general invitation to his friends and the public at large.

OUR Blue Spur correspondent writes to sny that Mr. Alexander Oormack, Blue Spur, ia the successful tenderer for the new Presbyterian Church. He is under a bond to have it finished and handed over to the building committee in eight weeks from the 22ud ult.

On Wednesday last Mr. M'Kellar purchased over 10,0(M> acres of the Orookston Hundred. This, we are informed, includes all the wooded hill and the adjoining flat. Mr. W. H. Roberts on the same day also purchased 2500 acres adjoining his station. "We think it possible that the people of Tapanui might not be aware of the Crookston Hundred being open for selection, as the Government did not advertise it in the local paper.

The ship Helenslee, from Glasgow, arrived at Port Chalmers on Sunday last. She brings upwards of thirty passengers, amongst whom are a number of weavers who have come out under the auspices of Mr. A. J. Burns, for the purpose of establishing a cloth manufactory at tHe Taieri.

The usual monthly meeting of the Tuaptka Hospital Committee was held on Tuesday even* ing' at the Commercial Hotel, when there were present— Dr. Halley (in the chair), Dr. StewartsMessrs. Farrer, W. D. Morrison, Harrop, Abel, Gooday, M'Swiney, and Hayes, secretary. After the minutes of previous meeting had been read and confirmed, the secretary read a memorial which had nepn iorwarded to the Government by the committee, praying that 150 acres of rural land be granted to Mr. Jeffrey in exchange for his section adjoining the Hospital ground. The Visiting Committee's report ww received and adopted. The Resident Surgeon's report was laid on the table, when, after it had been read and examined by the gentlemen present, it transpired that certain persons whose names were on the list of destitute patients were deliberately imposing upon the charity of the institution, said persons being in compare* tively prosperous circumstances, and quite in a position to pay the small fee oharged by the authorities for medical attendance. Such monstrous imposition was strongly condemned by the committee, who agreed to take steps to prevent a recurrence of it. After some further discussion the matter dropped. Dr. Stewart asked for permission to get printel forms for his returns, &c, which was granted. After a conversation concerning the gravelling of footpath near the Hospital, the meeting adjourned. In the Provincial Council Mr. Thomson, member for the Clutha, has been elected chairman of committees. Mr. J. L. Gillies has been elected Speaker of the Provincial Council by a majority of 13 over Mr. Eeydolds, the late Speaker. Mr. C. E. Hacghton, the Goldfields Secretary, entertained the members of the Mining Commission at dinner on last Friday evening, the 10th inst, at the Shamrock Hotel. Dunedin. Tenders are invited for the construction of about ten miles at the Clutha cud of the Southern Trunk Kail way. This distance will bring the line up to the Saddle at Mr. Jainw Adam's property, Tokomairiro. and next to the Dunedin end is the heaviest portion of the line. We understand that Mrs. J. Stanley Martin, well known in Dunedin as an accomplished pianist, is about to take up her residence in Lawrence. Another great law case is pending at the Blue Spur, owing to a blast in Best and party's claim having brought down the Kip and Te*r Company's race. This is the only item of importance from the Spur this week. We beg to remind our Teviot readers that the soiree in connection with the Presbyterian Church, Roxburgh, takes place this evening. The celebrated Barlow, of " blue-tailed fly " nototicty, hits arrived in Dunedin, aud hue taken the Princess Theatre for a a lort season. He is accompanied by Messrs Bromley, Buckley, Holly, aud Christie, who are spoken of by the press in very high terms. It seems that our anticipations of the ultimate success of the workings :tt the Table Hill Quartz Keefs are likely to be fully realised. On Saturday lust a. cake of aiuttlgnin, weigbiug tiOozs, iZdww. wna brought down here, beiuj tlie result of a fortnight's cruahiug. We have che fullest confidence that the more extensive aud deeper workings of the reef will steadily increase the returns. - " Bruce Standard." We (" Daily Times ") understand that the first number of a comic periodical in the styleof " Punch '" will be published in » few days. Mr. K. P. Whitworth is to be the editor. Dunedin ought to be large enough to support such a peiiodical ; and the time for the venture seenm opportunely chosen, as the proceedings of the Provincial Council will foim a fertile theme for harmless witticisms. 4,840,000 acres of the province of Wellington, out of a total area of 7,200,000 acres, are still in native hands. Dr. HhCTOii reports that his analysis of the Knapdale water, from the effects of which it is supposed Mr. M'Nab's children died, shows no trace of poison sufficient to cause death. Our Tuapeka veadeis will not have forgotten Covtitz Cronquist (or, as he was called by some, Coroner's Inquest), who was sent to reside with the Governor of the Dunedin Gaol for having passed a valueless cheque at Wethers tones. It appears the same individual has been getting iuto trouble in Fiji, having been charged, according to the " Fiji Times," with stealing five shillings from the bar of a hotel. A public meeting was held, and a jury appointed to' tiy the charge, when, after hearing the evidence, they decided that Cronquist was guilty of the charge laid against him, and that the publication of the veiaict and evidence was sufficient punishment. Cronquist writesin the sante issue of the " Times " a letter in the " virtuous indignation " style, in which he begs "to place on record that if I am assailed again I also shall take the freedom of resenting any attempt to I interfere with the liberty of the subject." -