Local and General Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 27, Issue 950, 27 June 1883, Page 2

Local and General Intelligence.

Thb criminal sessions of' the Supreme Court will commence in Dunedin on Monday next. A'MST of works under "The Roads and Bridges Construction Act," amounting to £38,939, has been forwarded by Mr Smill, County Engineer, to the. Minister of Public

In our advertising columns appears an advertisement by Messrs Buchanan and Dewar, calling for tenders for the filling into drays of 9,500 yards of stuff in connection with the formation of the sludge channel. This surely j offers employment to a number of men, who could club together and make an offer. We understand that the contract will be started as soon as a tender hat been accepted for this work.

Thb sixth annual meeting- of;tKe*Edu»tionai Institute of Otago was .op<jnecTin^the^Oddtfellowa'/^all, Dunedin, 'yesterday. %Dr Mao Ronald jtdeli^ered an address in the evening, 'and during the session several papers' will be read on subjects. < „,', •' ] AjraijP as fiajjis Lawrence waslmade by two yestetda^ /Theylef t Dunedin at about half-past four" in the morning, arriving at Lawrence at noon, where they stayed a short time, after which they started on their return journey, expecting to reach Dunedin about eight o'clock in the evening.

OUR Beaumont correspondent .writes:^ At. the close of the meeting of settlers regarding the rabbit nuisance, held at Beaumont on Saturday evening last, some discussion was about to arise in connection with the action of the Beaumont Reserve* pommittio ; but the Chairman said that such a thing was out of place and foreign to the object of the meeting. He considered that the 'self-constituted in* vincibles, Nos: 1 to 4, should have their full j swing, and he would ask those .present to treat any statement of theirs in the same manner as j he did himself .-i(Mr Bucha'n : With the con* j tempt it merits.) : We would remind those wishing, to -hear, pn || interesting lecture, of the Rev. , Mr , Eraser's lecture on " Abraham "Lincoln " in the Presbyterian Church; on Friday next, the 25th inst. iMr'<F/tat«r;jha". ,lectar«d,-.«prcotintry; ; on; one or two occasions,' and ;hiftb opinions of those hearing, the lecturer. in., regard to his ability to .enlist the interest of an audience with an. able lecture? "ha y*' 'appeared in our columns.' The ticket of admission is a very moderate sum for tho trjeatin store ; and a number of our townspeople should take advantage of this and eDJoy an evening which will .be replete with both enjoyment and profit. i

Thb thirteenth annual ploughing match of the West Taieri and Maungatya Society was held on Mr John Bell's property at Maungatua on Friday last. There were four competitors < in class A, the first prize falling to the lot of Alexander Sinclair (who also took a silver medal for the champion lot), and the second to Matthew Clydesdale, In class' B, there were six entries, A. Buchanan and R.Bremner being first and second, respectively. > There was only one competitor in class C— viz., J. Volueiki, who was awarded the first prize (£4) on account of the excellence of his work. In class D (double-furrows), there were twelve entries, the first prixe being taken by W. M'lntyre and the second by R. Gray, ' ' ' : < <

At the close of the entertainment held on Friday evening last in aid of tne Hospital fund, Mr G. F. C. Browne president of the Hospital Committee), after thanking the audience and. the performers generally, coupled particularly with the names of Mr J. J. and Mrs Woods. • who had contributed so materially to the, success of the entertainment, said that a sum of about £60' had' been raised by the entertainment,' which, with the Government subsidy added, would amount to about £300, and which was a matter for congratulation. . Mr Woods, on behalf of Mrs Woods and' himself, acknowledged the compliment paid them; and' expressed himself as being always pleased to do anything h* could on behalf of such' an object.

Mr Roixeston was waited upon at Wei* lington ou Saturday last by a deputation of Chinese, who laid before him the injustice of their countrymen having to pay £10 for. being allowed to land in New Zealand unless they were [in possession of an exemption-ticket. Many through not being acquainted with the law had to pay a sum of £10 after hay ing been merely on a visit to a neighouring Colony- when desiring to return to New ZealandThe European gentleman (Mr M'Coll), who represented the Chinese, stated that they wished the law amended so that passports might be issued to the Chinese similar to those issued to Europeans under the famous Chinese treaty. He also stated that a petition was in course of signature by the Chines* residents of the colony, praying Parliament to hang up the Immigration Aot until the population has increased to 7000. Mr Rolltston promised to inquire into the matter.

Our Evans Flat correspondent writes :— There was a pleasant social gathering at the residence of Mr Buchanan (ex-County Chairman) on Friday evening last,' to celebrate the attainment of majority by Mr John Buchanan. The affair was got up in a style worthy of the popular host and hostess, and a night full of enjoyment was participated in by the guests. — I regret to have to chronicle the fact that a waggoner who put up here, lost on Friday a pocket-book containing about thirty pounds, with some important papers. — The scene of the late fire at Mr Campbell's is now the site of a new residence in course of erection, which will shortly improve the appearance of the locality. —The children attending the, local school, with their parents and friends, are to have a day's outing on Wednesday (27th). They are to picnic near Mr Henry's, woolthed, and, should the weather be. fine*; the .gathering, will be a happy ont to old and young, a^eneral invitation to all and sundry having been issued -by the teacher. ' ' , ! , A bathhr odd affair, having somewhat of the semblance of burglary, occurred on the morning of Monday last about half-past two. At that hour, Mr Hales and his family were awakened through the attempt of some one to lift a window in the back part of the premises, of which the fastenings had not been secured. On the nocturnal marauder being disturbed by the inmates of the house getting up, he made his way round to' the front of the building, Mr Hales being in time to see him disappear down the footpath and; go out at the gate. As the moon was rather obscured at the time, a good observation of tha personal appearance of the midnight visitor was not obtained. It appears that a somewhat similar attempt had been made at the residence of Mr Falck later on in the morning, ,Mr Falck, having been disturbed, went to the window and asked who was there, to which, the quasi-burglar replied : " It's me 1 Don't you know'me T" and ran off. If such has really been an attempt at burglary, it is some* thing of a new departure in our midst. , Let us hope that it is more likely to have been the. conduct of someone under the influence of liquor.

OujJ Roxburgh correspondent writes :— Mr H. M'Douall has leased the Queen's Head Hotel from Mr P. M. Broad, who, delivered up possession on the 22nd instant.— A new stone residence has just been completed for Mr T. Andrew situate near his forge in Scotland-street —The long-talked of race between Mr Duncan's horse Winfiald, and Mr Mervyn's Sir Audley cam* off on Saturday last, on the race course, Roxburgh East. It is said the amount of stakes was £20. Winfield carried 12 stone ; and Sir Audley 10 stone, The, latter >on easily. >£. goodly number of the sporting* population were present.— Mr James Steele has disposed of his butchery business to Messrs W. and A. Gray. These young men will doubtless receive a share of public support, being well-known in the district as steady,' persevering, and obliging in disposition.— The mining property in the insolvent estate of J. J. Harris has been sold to Mr Alexander Cmlow for £100 f and I believe this gentleman. has' leased it to Messrs W. Coulter and W. Kitto.— Tha recent mild weather has caused the snow to melt rapidly,, and the Clutha river has risen a little in consequence.— The Borough Council are making improvements on the main street in North Ward by rubbling a portion and repairing the large culverts. The contract is let to Mr James Lythgoe.

Thj nomination of candidates for the representation of the Bruce electorate to< >k | >lnce on Saturday last. Three candidates were jjioposed—vie., Messrs R. Gillies, W. A. JlloHely, and Jas. M'Donald. The election takes place on Friday next. We understand that the attendance .at ■St Patrick's school has greatly increased since Alt and Mrs Byrne entered this seminary, and that they are giving entire satisfaction, considerable improvement being rhowo by the pupils, of whom there are from 80 to 90 as an average attendance. , .The meeting ,of the Lawrence. Cricket .Club, convened by the Management Committee, and held in the Town Hall on JSloriday evening, was attended by ten members. Mr W. C. Allnutt, who was voted to the chair, requested Mr Sim (a member of the Managing Committee) to explain the object of calling the meeting. Mr Sim stated that several members of the Club were very anxious that its affairs for the past seasou should be wound-up. There were a few accounts' sfill, unpaid! and. 'other matters thai demanded attention.— The Chairman questioned if they'cbiiicfproceed^arlher, seem g ; that the Secretary was absent- and had neglected to send in the books belonging to the Club. — After discussion, it was resolved to request the Secretary toresigtf'and fohandover-the Gltitfs books and papers to Messrs Sim and E. Eolfe ) who were deputed; |o iptenri^w; that officer. — The meeting then adjourned till the following Monday evening, _„.'''. A series of" aftic|sV'p,n .New,, Zealand from the pan of "The Vagabond "are now appearing in the " Melbourne "Argus." In these articles " The" -Vagabond," who has,' bo far " done " Dunedin and Invercargill only, enter* into comparisons between this colony and Australia, and it should be satisfactory to us to be assured that the comparison is highly favorable to this colony. Mr Julian Thomas appears to be particularly struck with the beauty and Home-like character of the scenery of. New Zealand, the salubrity of its climate, and its abnormal number of children. With reference to the young New Zealanders, he says';—" This New Zealand is breeding a race which, physically, will be the fiuest in the Southern Hemisphere. Climatic influences have a great share in the formation of a national character. Between the future New Zealander and the future .Australian, there will fbe the same difference that is found between the residents of Chili and Peru ; and we know how the vigorous denizens of the colder climate recently walked round their more wealthy, but indolent neighbours. The Spanish Africans are all from one stock, evan as the colonists are. Some day. a dispute, may arisf , and then the New Zealandars will go over and annex wealthy Australia. .What I notice her* particularly is that the young generation seems to be as good as and pfteq better than ifa progenitors. ■ I have grave doubts of such being th* case in many parts of Australia." Our Clarks Flat correspondent writes :-j-The School Committee held their ordinary meeting on Thursday evening, the 21st inst. Thanks to the light of the moon, more than to the County Council, we got through our difficulties of locomotion as heroes do who have to come to the front through seas of slush, resembling the historic slough of John Bunyan. "Up to the knees " is but a mild expression ; for it is, ■ indeed, a miracle how we can " keep our heads above water." There were present : Mr Fraser (in the chair), aid .Messrs' French, Rowe, Petersen, and M'Lelland (Secretary.) — The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. — The correspondence consisted of a circular from the Education Board re the winter holidays and the annual meeting of tbe Otago Educational Institute, advising that the Committee should make arrangements so as to enable the roaster to attend the meeting. Resolved : " That Mr Blair might close the school if he thonght proper to do'ao ;" but Mr Blair decided to stick to his duties and to keep the school open.'— A letter received from the master relative to a neighbor's horses trespassing on the school ground was referred to the Secretary, who was instructed to give the parties notice to repair their part of the fence. — An account for cleaning the school (£l 9a 6d) wits ordered to be paid. — It was agreed to get 100 trees planted in the school ground ; the, Secretary to get particulars of varieties and prices, etc. —Mr M'Lelland (as Chairman of the Church Committee) applied for the use of the school for a weekioight prayer meetiug once a fortnight. Mr Fraser asked how it was to be conducted and by whom, and wanted a guarantee that th* prayer meeting would be conducted by the minister. He suggested that the charge of It a night should be made for the purpose of cleaning and lighting. Mr M'Lelland felt that in his dual office as Secretary of the Committee and Chairman of the Church Committee, his position was not an enviable one, and he could give no guarantee to Mr Fraser. He would, however, say for the minister that, when he was present,' the prayer meeting would come up to Mr Fraser's standard ; and when it was not convenient for the minister to be present, he would no doubt make the appointment of a' suitable substitute. It was decided to grant the use of the school, subject to the charge for cleaning and lighting.—— The Rev. Mr Fraser held a* service on Friday evening, which was largely attended ; and at a meeting of the Church Committee held after wards (Mr Fraser in the chair), Messrs M'Lelland, Fraser, French Walker, Brydie, and Blair (Secretary) were prtaent. Mr M'Lelland stated what had been done with regard to the prayer meeting, and the conditions thereanent, and the Committed unanimously accepted the conditions.— A conversation arose respecting the condition of the Sabbath School. The Superintendent (Mr Brydie) stated the number in attendance. Mr .Walker thought that the attendance would improve were the hour altered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This hour would give the children tha privilege of dining at home with their parents, and would also be a boon to the teacher. After a little conversation, the hour was altered as suggested.