Local and General Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1026, 22 March 1884, Page 2

Local and General Intelligence.

The Swift Creek railway will be open for traffic in the course of a few days.

We learn that five applications have been received for the vacant post of mistress of the Evans Flat school. The Committee meet this evening to consider the applications.

An auctioneer's license has been issued by the Commissioner of Customs in favor of Mr James Robertson, of the firm of Arbuckle, Robertson and Co. Mr Robertson conducted his maiden sale at Bellamy yards yesterday.

Some of thff material for the new bridge over the stream at Evans Flat is on the ground, and the contractors (Messrs Ryan and Scott) in* tend proceeding with the work shortly. A good deal of earthwork will be required to make up the approaches, as the banks of the creek are very low.

The Cromwell Jockey Club's autumn meeN ing will take place on Saturday, 24th May, The programme comprises five events— viz , Handicap Hurdle Kace (2030v5.), Birthday Handicap (30a0v3.), Handicap Time Trot (lSaovs.), Autumn Handicap (25sovs.), and Hack Selling Race (lOaovs.)

Encouraged by the good Btand they made against the Milton bowlers, Borne of the members of our own Club are practising assiduously, with the firm determination of being better prepared for next match. The green is in wonderfully good order, when it is taken into consideration that it has only been played on this year for the first time.

A ifEETJNfi of the Evauß Flat Library Comraittee was held on Wednesday evening. Thp Secretary submitted a catalogue from Mesaio Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh, and comparison was made between the prices therein and those iv the Education Board's list. After discussion, it was decided to leave the choice of books to the Treasurer, it being an instruction only to buy in the cheapest market.

Th£ estimated population of the New Zealand cities and principal towns is as follows : Cities —Auckland, 27,275 ; Duaedin, 25,761 ; Wellington, 22,116; Christchurch, 16,056, or in* eluding Sydenham, which is really a part of the city, 25.302. Towns— Nelson, 7,118 ; Oamaru, 6,318; Napier, 6,185; Thames. 5,208; WaD. ganui, 5,042; lovercargill, 5,017; Lytteltor, 4,463; Titnaru, 4,215 ; Caversham, 4,209} NfcW Plymouth, 3,706; Hokitika. 2,779.

A child of Mr Thurston, a farmer at Crook* ston, fell into a cauldron of hot water on Saturday, whilst playing with her sister, and received injuries from the effects of which she is not expected to recover.

In reply to a telegram sent to Wellington by the Mayor of Dunedin, the Government have agreed to close all the Government offices throughout the provincial district of Otago on Monday, 24th instant— the anniversary of the province. At a sitting of the Warden's Court at Roxburgh on Wednesday, the application of Coulter and party for permission to erect a dam at Anderson's Flat was granted, as was also the application of F. Laloli and another for cancel* lation of certificate.— There was no business transacted in theR.M. Court on the same day. An excellent sample of oats has just been threshed out by Mr Henry, of Bellamy Station. Everywhere the crops are ripening, now that the weather is more favorable. Leading-in is being pushed ahead during every fine hour, though some of the wheat crops will scarcely ripen before the frost sets in. Fearing this, some of the farmers are cutting it in the green state with the view of turning it into chaff.

It was mentioned in our last issue that steps were to be taken by the young men of Lawrence to form a Football Club. A meeting of those interested will be held in the Town Hall on the evening of Wednesday next to make arrange* meuts for the establishment of the Club. As a good attendance is requested, no doubt the young men of the town will muster in strong force.

We notice that Leonard Line (formerly pupil teacher in the Waitahuna school), Charles R. Richardson (formerly of Roxburgh school), and Gerald Morris (teacher of Coal Creek school) have passed the recent matriculation examination of the New Zealand University. This entitles them to a pass for teachers' class D certificate in the subjects covered by the matriculation examination.

The bibulous Maori king. Tawhio, has joined the Blue Ribbon Army. On interviewing Sir George Grey about the Maori visit to England, Sir George urged the Maori KiDg and his followers to forswear drink. By way of showing an example, Sir George Grey signed the pledge himself, and of course Tawhio and his followers did the same. The "bit of blue" was fastened to the coats of Sir George and the dusky chiefs by Mrs Seymour George.

The Tokomairiro Jockey Club are likely to have » very successful meeting on ,the 3rd and 4th April. la all, fifty-eight entries have been received- tor -the- five - principal events— viz., Tokomairiro' Handicap (10 entries), Handicap Time Trot (16). Publicans' Handicap (12), Hurdle Race (8), and President's Handicap (12.) Mr D. H. Mervyn's Blackboy has been nominated for the Tokomairiro and President's Handicaps, and Mr A. Sim's Nelly for the Handicap Time Trotting Race.

Mb M. W. Gbren, M.H.8,, will deliver a lecture at Blue Spur on Tuesday evening next : subject, " Hard times and how to prepare for them." The same gentleman will also deliver a lecture in Lawrence on Wednesday evening, on '? Britain's Destiny, and the Ten Lost Tribes." Those who did not enjoy the privilege of listening to Mr Green on the occasion of his former visit to this district, should not allow this opDortunity to pass without hearing him. The admission to both lectures is free.

The following letter from the Crown Lands Office (Wellington), addressed to the Chairman of the Tnapeka County Council, has been {laced at our disposal for publication :— " Sir : have the honor, by direction of Mr Holies ton, to inform you that it has been determined, on account of the great expense incurred by the Government in keeping down the rabbits on the Mt. Benger commonage, to offer the 11,000 acres on the west side of the Pomahaka River on pastoral lease, and the necessary steps will at once be taken accordingly.— l have the honour to be, &c, H. J. H. ELIOTT (Undersecretary.)"

Te Whiti hag fairly held out the palm of peace at last. On Monday, atParihaka, about 100 Maoris and an equal number of Europeans were entertained at a feast. Te Whiti entertained the Pakehas, and Tohu the Maoris. The spread was got up in European style, tablecloths included, and the company was served by waiters dressed in gaily worked aprons, with towels thrown across their shoulders in orthodox fashion. Most of the Maoris were dreasedin European costume, and ibis is an immense stride towards civilization in a very short period. His enforced sojourn among white men must have enlarged the ideas of the wily Maori prophet, and it is pleasing to find that he has profited by the experience. The Europeans should now return the compliment, and invite Te Whiti and his followers to a feast.

A cobbespondent at Tuapeka West writes : —Harvest work is now being pushed on steadily. The weather so far has not been very favorable, but still advantage is taken of every fine day to set the reaper in motion. Very little crop has yet been stacked, as it is considered unwise to start leading-in while the weather is bo changeable. On every hand I hear that the returns are likely to co-ne op to expectations, provided that the weather takes up. The oat and wheat crops have done remarkably well throughout the district this season— oats in particular. There will be an abundance of straw on every farm. I saw a field of oats being cut down the other day where the Btraw averaged from 6ft to 7ft in height, and it is not a difficult matter to find many such fields in the neighborhood^ Grass is also very plentiful ; in fact, the season has been a remarkably fine one for all kinds of grasses.

Messrs Cox and Clifford, .of Wai^ori, struck good stone in their claim (the Little Maud) last Saturday. This find they well deserve as a reward for their plucky perseverance, as prospecting has been steadily carried on for over four years. It will be gratifying to them to know that their money and time have not been spent in vain. Some time ago, they worked down to the water level, and drove in a considerable distance, but as very hard rock was encountered, the drive was abandoned. The erection of suitable pumping machinery, and the working of it when erepted, would entail too much expense, co that a drirejiad to be attempted at a lower level. It is in this drive that the stone has been struck, bo that the mine will be easily drained, without the expense of pumping. If the perseverance and enterprise shown by Messrs Cox and Clifford were more generally displayed, many payable reefs might be unearthed that now lie buried. The future of goldmining in Otago depends upon quarts-reefing j but capital is required to discover the hidden treasures.

What the future of fruit-growing- in Central Otago might come to may be guessed from the following, which we take from the "Daily Times" of Thursday :— For some time past large piles of cases containing fruit of various kinds may have been aeen in stock at the shop of Mr J. J. Pryor, George-street, and supplementary supplies have been received once and twice weekly. The appearance of the cases would convey the impression that they were importations, but on examination each will be seen to have the lettered address, " From John Tamblyn, Coal Creek," or "From Joseph Tamblyn, Coal Creek." We learn from Mr Pryor— who, it may be observed, has done mupb to encourage the industry— that the Messrs Tamblyn are noted growers in the Teviot district of this province, and that he receives fruit from them weekly to the value of £150. The cases contained varieties of the following : — Peaches, apricots, nectarines, pears, plums (seven ofeight sorts), apples, walnuts, and several kinds of grapes. Of the apples, Mr Pryor declares the ribstons much superior to the noted Hobart sorts.

ANOTHER fatal tramway accident occurred in Dunedin on Thursday afternoon, by which Mr Oliver Wakefield (Under Secretary of the Mines Department, Wellington) lost his life. It appears that at ten minutes to three, a tramcar, drawn by a steam motor, was passing Messrs Herbert, Haynes and Co.'s establishment, when Mr Wakefield was in the act of crossing the street. In avoiding an express which was passing at the same time, he failed to notj.ce the anproaphing tramcar. He was knocked down, and the front wheels passed over the lower part of his body before the motor could be brought to a standstill. He was at once removed in an unconscious state to the Hospital, where he recovered so far as to request m telegram to be sent to his brother, Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R. for Selwyn. Drs MwnwW and Scott found that both thigh bones had been severed, and amputation was consequently necessary. The operation was performed by the medical men mentioned, assisted by Drs Davis and Copland, but, as was feared, the patient sank rapidly after the operation, and expired at about six o'clock in the afternoon. Mr Wakefield was en route to Melbourne at thj time, having obtained leave of absence.

According to an American paper, Slade, the "Maori," as he is called, but who is in reality a half-caste belonging to South Canterbury, has netted 37,500 dollars during his stay in the United States.

We again draw attention to the fact that nominations close on Monday next at one p.m. for three of the principal events of the Tuapeka County Jockey Club's first meeting, which takes place on Thursday, 27th inst.

The Wetherstones Cement Mining Co. are reported to be on a very good run of gold at the present time. A full complement of hands (thirtyone in all) is now employed; and the battery is kept running full time.

Some of the first threshing of the season in this district has been done on Mr Treloar's farm by Mr Robin's mill. A splendid sample of wheat, the yield being fully forty bushels to the acre, has been put through. When such a crop of wheat can be grown, it would be rain to say that the Tuapeka soil is unfit for wheat culture.

At the Land Board meeting on Wednesday, the applications of J. Burton, Peter Boyd, A. J. M Thereon, and A. C. M'Kenzie, of Teviot. to have their holdings capitalised were agi esa to.— Honora Fitzgerald (for whom Mr W. L. Simpson appeared) was declared the purchaser of deferred-payment lease sections 7, 9, and 16, block in, Teviot. We are pleased to learn that the shares in the Great Extended Company are being rapidly disposed of. This company, upon the basis proposed, should be one of the best mining investments placed before the public for some considerable time. The extent of ground held by the company makes it a permanent investment, and not one that may be worked out in a few years.

It is high time that some change was made in the carrying by rail of small parcels of general merchandise. We see no reason why articles of this description should be carried only at parcel rates. A parcel, weighing lcwt 141 b, which came to Lawrence from Dunedin the other day, was charged 6. This will leave very little profit to the storekeeper on the goods so charged.

Fbom the last issue of the "Gazette" to hand, we learn that the Governor has accepted the resignation of Mr George Samuel Hall as a trustee of the Tuapeka Mouth Cemetery. It is also notified that Mr T. H. M'Kenzie has been appointed postmaster at Waitahuua, and Mr R. Stewart postmaster at Horseshoe Bend. The appointment of Master J. Bushell as cadet in the telegraph-office at Lawrence is likewise gazetted.

The "Timaru Herald" hears that Sir John Hall purposes taking a trip to New Zealand by direct steamer in the month of October next. The projected visit of the ex-Premier has no political significance, but is solely connected with his private affairs, and is not likely to be of any long duration. Should his health continue to improve, however, he will probably return to the Colony with his family and settle down again in about 18 months' time.

At the last meeting of the Mount Stuart Road Board, the Chairman (Mr W. Miller) reported that a part of the boundary road near Mrs Dewe's required about £7 expended upon it to make it passable, as there was a very sharp pinch at that point. It was resolved : " That the Clerk apply to the Tuapeka County Council to bear one-half the cost, and that the Inspector have the work laid out and tenders called for next meeting."

Some little stir has been occasioned in Wanganui lately by a find of gold in the Tohua country. The ground on which the gold has been discovered belongs to the Natives, but though it was known to be auriferous some years ago, the owners were always opposed to the country being opened up to European goldseekers. Now, however, the chiefs are agreeable to allow Europeans to prospect the ground, and have promised to give them every assistance. A meeting was held at Wanganui on the 19th inafc. to consider the matter, when it was decided to send a prospecting party up the river at once to test the ground. A company, with a capital of £500, will be formed to give the affair a good start.

The " Evening Po3t " writes ag follows upon the subject of the new railway tariff : — As showing how the new railway tariff will work in comparison with former rates we may instance the cost of conveying goods under Class E, For carrying such goods 10 miles the new charge is 4s 4d per ton, as against 3j 6d in 1883, 4a 6d in 1880, 4* 7d in 1878, the charge under the old Canterbury Provincial rate being as now, 4s 4d. For 20 miles the new charge is 6s, as against 4s 4d in 1888, but as against 7s in 1880, 6s 8d in 1878, and 6a 4d the Provincial scale. For 50 miles the new rate is 10s 2d, as against 6* lOd in 1883, but as against 12s lid in 1878, and lls lid under the Provincial tariff. So that while there is a considerable increase over the ruinously low rates of last year, there has been no reversion to the higher rates of 1878-80, and even the much lauded Provincial tariff of Canterbury has not been fully reverted to. So there is no just ground of complaint on the score of excessive charges under the new scale.

The ordinary meeting of the Education Board was held in Dunedin on Thursday. The Committee appointed to enquire into the financial position of the Board reported that the general account for last year showed a surplus of £2,708 14s of which about £800 is due to accidental sources of revenue. On the supposition that the average attendance remained the same, the Committee estimated that the expenditure for the current year, would exceed that for last year by about £700, of which sum about £600 will be paid in augmented salaries on' account of advances made by teachers in their classification. This leaves a surplus for the current year of about £1,200 which the Committee considered may be confidently relied upon under present circumstances. — The following among other appointments were made :— Miss Annie Darton, mistress, Wetherstones school; and Mr Ewen Pilling, headteacher, Swift Creek.— Six weeks' leave of ab« sence was granted to Mr Goyen, one of the Board's inspectors.— The Chairman, in reply to Mr Begg, said that the leave of absence granted to Mr Fergus expired last month, but nothing could be done in th.c matter of (supplying his place until he was absent three months in succession beyond his term of leave,

The meeting of settlers held in the schoolhouse at Tuapeka West on Wednesday evening was rather sparsely attended. In takin? the chair, Mr Bulfin said the meeting had been called to consider the advisability of appointing a delegate to attend the conference of farmers to be held in Dunedin on the 220 d instant, relative to the question of weighing in bags with grain — a question that was at present exciting a good deal of attention in farming communities throughout the length and breadth of Otago. After the matter had received due consideration, it was resolved that a delegate be appointed to represent the Tuapeka West district at the conference. Mr Bulfin was requeated to act in that capacity, and at length agreed to fall in with the wishes of the meeting. A suggestion was thrown out that Mr Bulfin should bring before the conference the advisability (in the event of the grain'merchants still adhering to their determination not to give the usual allowance for bags) of farmers making arrangements for disposing of their grain independent of middlemen, and thereby saying a considerable sum in the shape of commissions, &c. Mr Bulfin was instructed to oppose to the utmost extent the action of the Dunedin grainmerchants who had decided that bags should be weighed in in the sale of grain.— This part of the business having been disposed of, Mr Smith brought under notice the condition of the roads in the district and the necessity of something being done to put them in a state of repair before the approach of winter. After discussion, it was resolved that a petition be prepared and circulated for signature, calling upon the County Council to take proper steps to render the roads passable for the cartage of grain during the winter season. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Osborne, M'Gillivary, and Mullens, was appointed to attend next sitting of the County Council to support the prayer of the petition.— Mr Mullens referred to the advisability of forming a Club in the district. Such au institution, he pointed out, would proye of incalculable benefit to tb,e farmers, and the sooner they took steps to oonserve their own interests the better for themselves as individuals and as a community. Several of those present having spoken in favor of the establishment of a Farmers' Club in their midst, it was eventually decided to canvass the district to ascertain what number were likely to countenance the movement. In the course of conversation, it was suggested that an application should be made to the Land Board to reserve a section in the village settlement for future iubo as a show ground.— The usual vote having been tendered to the Chairman, the meeting dispersed,

St Paul thought -that women should sit in silence in the Church, but apparently the people of Melbourne hold a different opinion, as a Miss Marion Macfarlane has been admitted as the first member of the female deaconate of the Diocese of Melbourne. She holds office in the parish church of South Yarra.

Meetings were held at Otaria on Friday, and at Riversdale on Saturday of last week to protest against the action of the Dunedin merchants re grain bags. The determined front of opposition to this innovation presented throughout the country will surely induce the city grain merchants to re-consider their docison.

At a special meeting of the Athenaeum Committee, held last evening, it was resolved to accept the tender of Messrs Wilkie and Co. for the supply of magazines and illustrated papers. It was decided to bind the Tuapeka Times from its commencement, also the " Daily Times" for the past five years, and the " Art Journal."

There were thirteen patients in the Tua< peka Hospital last evening. Of these, twelve were Europeans (eleven males and one female) and one Chinaman. Mrs Shaw, of Malone's Flat, was admitted into the Hospital on the evening of the 20th mat., suffering from a fracture of the leg. caused by slipping down after the rain on Thursday afternoon.

Life in Cape Colony must be pretty lively, We learn from a recent number of the " Cape Argus" that a Dean figures in a libel case, where it cornea out in the evidence that he paid undue attentions to his cook during his wife's absence in England; a man was murdeied at Grahamstown for diamond stealing; one was shot at Port Elizabeth ; and another stabbed, New Zealand cities, with all their pecadilloes, are to be preferred to the Cape cities.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Working Men's Political Association in Christchurch on Friday last notice of motion was given for the next general meeting as follows:- 11 That it is desirable for the Government, to discontinue the sale of land in the Colony, and to institute a colonial bank of issue." It was resolved to inform the Trades and Lftbor^Coußcils of Auckland and Otago— " That this Association is of opinion that the sale of Crown lands should absolutely cease, and that a progressive land tax should be levied."

A SPECIAL meeting of the Committee of Management of the Tuapeka Hospital was held last evening to consider applications for the office of cook and also ward'servant of the above institution. There were presentMessrs Tanton (President), Thompson (Secret tary), Pilling, Browne, Miller, Michael, IJren, Jeffery, Craig, and Morrison. There were sixteen applications in all for both vacancies, and upon a ballot being taken, Harry Wilson (late of Dunedin Coffee Palace) was chosen as cook, and Henry Wenman (of Wetherstones), who had recommendations from Mr Titchener (of the Industrial School) as wardservanr.

The offertory at the laying of the foundationstone of St. Patrick's College in Wellington slightly exceeded £1200. Bishop Redwood gave £150, and it is understood that each of the other bishops gave an equal amount. In the evening, Pontifical Vespers and the Benediction of the Holy Sacrament were celebrated in the Cathedral before an immense congregation. The procession had to be abandoned, as the church was so crowded. Bishop Luck preached at High Mass. In the morning, there was a large congregation, and Bishop Moran preached. At both services there was magnificent music, the choir being greatly strengthened, and a full band was added to the organ. At the laying of the foundation-stone, Bishop Redwood read a letter from the Roman Catholic prelates of Australia, regretting their inability to attend, and expressing their best wishes for the institution.

Though of late there has been considerable improvement in the weather, still the unsettled state of the atmosphere, dating from the Java eruption last August, has not disappeared. We had a good example of peculiar climatic change in the thunderstorm of Wednesday afternoon, which occurred between two and three o'clock, followed by a heavy shower. The rain, which fell heaviest about Blue Spur, put ap end to leading-in for the day throughout the district. The thunderstorm of Wednesday was repeated on Thursday, but at a later hour, Shortly after four o'clock, the first of the shower began, followed by a fall of hail. Very heavy rain then succeeded,and so sudden was the down pour that all the water-channels were running over, and Boss Place was flooded right up to the door of Mr Fraer's shop in less than a quarter of an hour. The rain seems to have been confined to a limited area, as no rain fell at Wetherstones, Blue Spur, or Tuapeka West. The rain track was from Waitahuna to Lawrence, at which latter place it seems to have e xpended its fury.