Local and General Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1121, 21 February 1885, Page 2

Local and General Intelligence.

We have to apologise to our readers for the non-appearance of our usual literary supplement to-day.

Mb Kavanagh haa been appointed poal master for Mauuka Creek.

The number of patients in the Hospital yesterday was eighteen -thirteen males and five females. Two patients were discharged during the week and four admitted.

The polling for a Licensing Committee for Dunedin, which took place on Wednesday, ■ esulted in Messrs Fen wick, Sligo, Hallenstein, Eliott, and Barnes being returned on the moderate ticket.

THE plans and specifications for the proposed fl >ur mill are now to hand. Tenders will be called for the building at an early date, and the erection of the mill proceeded with and pushed on with the utmost despatch, in order to be in time for the incoming grain crop.

THE New Zealand Government have been officially notified that a deputation of Samoan chiefs will visit Wellington shortly to urge upon the Government (he desirability of annexing the group to New Zealand. Now that the weight of L ird Roaebery'a influence may be felt in the interest of the Colonies, there is some hope of the earnest request of the Samoans beiog complied with.

At the last meeting of thn Laud Board a communication was received from the Heriot Progress Committee asking the Board to group the town sections into areas of from two to five acres. The Board requested the Committee to specify which sections they desired to have so grouped. This movement is in the interest of the working man, and the principle is one which it would be well to extend to a great many of the country townships.

The formation of the first section of the Otago Central railway is now completed, and tenders will be called at once for plate-laying, after which the Wingatui section will be opened for traffic and utilised for the conveyance of the material for the Wingatui viaduct. It is difficult to understand why this was not done long ago, as had the first section of the line been opened a great saving would have been effected in the carriage of material alone.

THE Vice-President of the Lawrence Bowling and Tennis Club, having made a presentation of a racket to be played for, the following were drawn for the series of matches, which must be played off before the 25 Dh inst. :— Barron plays Dixou, and Orooke plays Woods ; Thompson plays Howard, and Withers plays Gordon ; Capes plays Taylor. A good deal of interest has been taken in tennis lately, and these matches will tend farther to keep the interest up.

The enthusiasm displayed over the despatch of troops to the Smdan by New South Wales has not yet died out, and the other Colonies feel sorry that their offers have not been accepted. Representations have been made to the New Zealand Government to offer a contingent ; but in view of the refusal of the Home Government to accept the offers from other Colonies, it has beeo deemed advisable not to make any offer. The Queen, through Lord Derby, has expressed a deep feeling of gratitude to the various Colonies for their warm expressions of loyalty.

At the sitting of the Education Board on Thursday, the following local business waa transacted :— The application of residents of -Waitahuna West to have a school established in that district was referred to the inspec or for report. — The protest of the Tuapeka Flat householders was sustained, and it was decided to hold a fresh election of a School Committee. —The householders of Waitahuna Gully and Tuapeka West having failed to elect a Committee, the 13 -h March was fixed for the elections. — Alias M. M'Donald was appointed mistress of the school at Raea Junction, and Miss W. Smythe pupil-teacher in the Lawrence District High School.

The Tuapeka County Council, at its last meeting, decided to call for tenders for the following works as recommended by the Public I Worlca Committee : — Eo»d throatjb litviafjston's property to J, Sutherland's, conditionally that Mr Sutherland advance the money (not to exceed £100) for two yearn, free of interest; road leading to Ferguson and others, Waitahuna Gully, at a coat of £30 — tenders to be in by next meeting. Mr Geo. Jeffary's tender for stationery for the ensuing twelve months w>s accepted ; and for blacksmith work, the follow, ing tenderers were successful— viz., Wm. Hay, Lawrence ; H Fraser, Waitahuna ; and Grant and Oornisb, Beaumont.

Dr Withbbs met with a nasty accident on Wednesday. It appears that as he, in company with Mr Catteo, was riding swiftly down a decline near Fursyth on his bicycle, a doc; rushed out and was the means of giving the Doctor a nasty fall. When picked up by his companion he was insensible, but he soon came to. Fortunately Mr J. Thompson came up shortly afterwards in his buggy and drove Dr Witherß into Lawrence. Though a good deal cut about the head and face and nands, and more or les3 bruised all over the body, we are pleased to be able to state that he is not in any way seriously injured. He was able to be out and about yesterday, and in the course of a few days will be so far recorered as to be able to attend to his pationtf.

Letters <>f »aru alzation hive b u en grantfd to Siuk Lee, boardinghouse-keeper, of Tuapeka

• The Rev, W. Soorgie, who was trained in the Qeago University, has received a unanimous call fiom the Presbyterian congregation of Lunosden.

TENDERS were opened yesterday for the ont houses in connection with the Hospital surgeon's residence. There were only two tenders, and that of F. Moyle, being the lower, was accepted.

PBOFEBBOB Ulrich has left with ns a sample of perforated cojmer grating for stamper boxes as used in the Victorian quartz-crushing batteries, which we will be glad to show to any who choose to call at our office. The Professor assures us that the cost of the grating is trifling compared with the value of the gold saved by nMng it. As the sample must be returned to Piofessor Tjlrieh shor'ly, we would recommend those interested to call as soon as convenient. THE trotting-match, wlrch was arranged a short time ago between Mr J. Spier's eh g Tommy and Messrs Macdonnell's br g Freedom, for £20 a-side, takes place this afternoon. The distance is about seven miles— from the railway crossing at Waitahuna to the junction of the Wai tab ana road and Whitehaven-street, Law rence— and the hour appointed for the start is six o'clock. A fair amount of interest is being taken in the match, and neither horse is without supporters. The ordinary meeting of the Tuapeka Mouth School Committee w \a held on Saturday, 14.h instant. Present— Messrs Reid (chair), Haimes, and Brown (Secretary). — Mr Brown uroposed, and Mr Hames seconded: "That this Committee vote for Messrs Bannerman Fraer, and Johnston to fill the Education Board vacancies." Carried unanimously.— lt was arranged that the school be closed for five weeks during the harvest, and that the time for closing be left to the discretion of the teacher.

At the meeting of the Land Board on Wed nesday. the inquiry into the alleged dummyism at Waitahuna West was further adjourned till the 18ch of March, as the police have not yet succeeded in finding the men required as witnesses. Mr Mouat askod that eff >rts should

be made to secure the attendance uf Gladstone Robinson, who had been employed as a cadet at Greenfield Station, and wh» was now somewhere in Southland. Mr M'Kenzie urged that every possible means should bo taken to obtain the evidence of these men, as without their evidence the inquiry could not be concluded, Mr Green expressed the opinion that the tnquiiy would not be ended, whatever the Board's decision might be.

The Wakatipu correspondent of the Cromwell

paper complains that net-fishing and the use of dynamite still goes on regularly for u*3h oatening purposes, and the offenders against the law are difficult to snare. The ranger and the police are active, but though they sometimes get on a corieot trail, their efforts generally end in smoke. They may, he says, "fiida plant of fi\h and perhaps euj >y it and get some other benefit out of it, but at present that is the net

result. Oae day someone will be caught ; but just fancy a 'suspect' carrying a box on his head in which there were some splendid

trout right under the nose of these zealous

officers. This was actually done last week. ' Eggs' in chalk letters was written on the oox, and ttome straw litter exuded from the top."

New Zealand is not behind in the inventive genius of the age, as the numerous applications in each " Gazette" for patents will prove. In the *' Gazette" of 12th February, the following patents are applied for :—": — " Lightning post-hole sinker," W. Rainbow (Chrisrchurch) ; "universal motor," J. JnhiiHon (Nelson) ; " woolwashing machine," W. H. Lambert (Kiikorai); " an invention for miking felt hug of rabbit fur or wool, or both combined," G. Bertinshaw (Dunedin) ; " preparation of carbon for telephouic purposes," F. Herben (Christchurch) ; '"fixing barbs on single wire," E. West (Oaraaru); "artificial stone-making uncnine," C. Hiblaid and C. N. Legge (both of Auckland); '" machine for threshing grain or grass-seed," F. H. Woodsnan (Opawa) • " iuvention for ventilating boots and shoes," H. Corrick (Christ church.) A meeting of the Committee of the Tuapeka Bowlmg Club was held on Tuesday evening. The following members were present — Messrs

Woods (in the chair), Capes, Withei-8, Stenhouae, Jeffary and Taylor. — The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud coufirmed. — A letter was received from the Secretary of the Balclulha Club, asking for a date to be fixed for the return match. It was decided to play the return match at Balduiha on the 17th prox. — The Secretary was instructed to notify the Caledonian Club that the return match will be played on either Good Friday or Easter Monday. — A discussion cropped up about the admission of boy* and dogs to the green. It was decided to draw the line at doga; but nothing defiaite was arrived at concerning boys. It might not be too much to ask those boys who choose to visit the green to confine themselves to either the seats or the sidewalks; otherwise they will be debarred the privilege of entering the grounds, In watching the results of the Education Board elections, it will be seen that most School Committees are favoring the introduction of new blood ; and, judging from the voting so far, it is quite unlikely all the old members will bs returned, though some of the Committees are voting for all the retiring members. This is ouly the case, with very few exceptions, in isolated country districts where men are less likely to be progressive. The retiring members have had a good long term of office, and it is only fair that their fellow-colonists should have a snare of the sweets of office. The spirit of monopoly cannot be tolerated in a young Colony, and we see no special reason why members of the Education Board should not give place to equally deserving men. The provision for the annual retiring of a third of the Board members was meant to admit new blood periodically; but some Committees, in contravention of the spirit of the Act, have lent their influence to favor monopoly of office. However, it is not too late for them to see the error of their way. Colonel Sir Herbert Stewart, whom the telegrams report to be dying from the wounds he received in the battle of Metemneh, joined the army by purchase as ensign, on November 24th, 1863 ; became lieutenant by purchase on July 18 h, 1865. and captain by purchase on April 11th, 1873 ; brevet-maj >r on November 29 h, 1879; major in July. 1881 ; and brevet-lieutenant-colonel on July 24 h, 1880, serving in the 3rd (Priuce of Wa lea's) Dragoon Guards. Ha served as hrisade-maj >r of cavalry in the Zulu war of 1879 and was present at the cavalry affair at E zuagayan ; was specially employed oa the Hoes of communication after the breakine-up of the cavalry brigade (mentioned in Colonel Russell's rei»>rt, brevet of major) ; served as principal staff- fficer to the Transvaal field force in their operations against Sekukuni ; and subsequently as military secretary and chief of the staff to Sir Garnet Wol seley (mentioned in despatches, brevet of lieutenant-colonel, medal with clasp); went to S>utb Africa on special service in January,' 1881, and nerved in the Boer war as assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general (mentioned iv despatches »nd knighted). Oa the Khar toum relief expedition being organised, Sir Herbert, who was included in the Wolaeley gang, was appointed to the command of the advance column, and despatched to Berber from K->rti. PrOFKSSOR Black completed his three days' course at Alexandra on the ll<.h instaut, when his tour for this season came to a close. From first to last, the Professor has been met with the utmost enthusiasm, and his lectures and classes have been well attended throughout. Panning through Cromwell on Thursday, en route for Danedin, the Professor was met by Mussis M Kersie and Pryde, on behalf of the Bannockbu n residents, when the first-named gentleman presented Dr Black with three hand some nuggets of gold as a touvenirot his visit <o Bannocknurn and slight acknowledgment of his labors during his week's soj mm there. Mr M'Kersie expressed the great and general satisfaction that would be felt on the Professor again visiting the district. In accepting the gift, Professor Black said that since commencing his tour at Lawrence he had deprecated the bestowal of gifts, as it would lead to a bad precedent, and on this account he had previously declined similar favors. But he accepted the Bannockburn gift with pleasure, as be thoroughly understood and appreciated the motives which prompted it. He had been moßt highly delighted with his sojourn among the people of Bannpckburn. He and the miners there had been like flint and steel— when they came into contact light had been the immediate result. There sprang up a sympathy between them, and the result had been, ha trusted, instructive and gratifying to both. He looked forward with pleasure to Mb return to this district next year, when he hoped for yet further advancement in the mining intertst,*11 Cromwell Ar^us, l^

~"~Owcs<» to tha dite of svle of Mr Henry M* ks f-eshilil pr>parby falling on one of the Di i4liitr.toi diva, it has been postponed until Wednesday, 4 h March. THOMPSON'S diorama of the S ludan war will be exhibited in the Town Hall next Saturday and following Monday evenings. As piocoriul representations of Rcenes in the Soudan, including the death of General Gordon and fall of Khartoum, will be shown, the public will have tbe advantage of seeing what the telegraph has so feebly explained. The chief attraction of the show will be the numerous gifts distributed among the audience. The Borough surfacemen are at present en gaged in constructing a sewage channel to counect the drainage of Ross Place with the drainage channel. The sewer is 3ft deep by ljft wide, bnilt of atone, with concrete floor, and about 2£ chains in length. When completed, this will be a great improvement on the open drain which heretofore had to do duty as a sewer, as open sewers are scarcely the correct thing this hot weather. The telephone line to Waipori is now complete and in good working order, though it has not yet been formally opened. Mr Logan (Telegraph Inspector) went to Waipori on Thursday and placed Mr F. W. Knight in charge of the Waipori end of the line. Already the inhabitants of Waipori feel that they are in communication with the rest of civilization, 111 1 and there can be no question about the great advantage which the telephone confers upon them. It will now be possible for the residents of Waipori to tel-ephon-e story in Waipori, and mate their friends laugh in Lawrence. A SOMEWHAT unusual occurrence is reported from Wellington. Oa Saturday last it was discovered th.it a serious outbreak of blood-poison-ing had taken place in two wards of the Hospital. The disease was traced to a case of Euerperal fever, whinh resulted in death eight ours after admission to tbe Hospital. Several patients are Buffering from blood-poisoning, and some of the cases are considered critical. Every precaution has been taken to prevent the spread of the disease, but in spite of that it has increased. The Government are having tents erected on the hospital grounds for the convenience of patients who cannot be removed to their homes, and for the reception of urgent cases. _ The Colonial Secretary has given instructions to the medical superintendent to use every means to stamp out the disease. The Mahdi, nothing daunted by the reverse which a portion of his forces received, is pushing on towards Metemmeh, and is said to be concentrating 50,000 men for the attack upon that place. While conveying guns and supplies from Khartoum to the former place, the rebels fell in with a detachment of British troops, conveying wounded towards Gabut. The rebels opened fire on the convoy, hut after an hour's skirmish they were driven off and retired. The British have retired from Gahut to Abukla w,el]s, nearer Metemmeh where water is more plentiful. This movement was effected without molestation f i orn the enemy, and it is considered probable that the British will fall back to Gakdul. If General Wolseley is compelled to retreat this way the Mahdi will drive him out of the Soudan hefore help arrives. Public indignation in England will take a practical form a* soon as Parliament mm a et£, when a vote of want-of-confidence in tbe Gladstone administration will be proposed. In accordance with a promise made some time a/o to the Athenaeum Committee, Piofessor Ulrich came to Lawrence on Thursday for the purpose of arranging the m nerals in the Museum '" connection with the Athenaeum. Pn .fessor Ulrjch made a presentation of several valuable specimens to the Committee, one being a kind of quanzin which ibe gold is so fioe that it cannot be extracted by ordina>y methods, and also a very rich silver ore. These specimens are well worthy of inspection by the miners of the district. We had a long conversation with Professor Ulrich anent the School of Mines. He is of opinion that we are making a mistake in asking for a School of Mines. What we want is a miners' school in which subjects of practical use to miners could be taught. A fully equipped School of Mines can only be carried oo in connection with the University. Fro«n the reports and documents which the Professor had with, him, we learn that the Ballarat School of Mines is a kind of scientific academy, where mine managers may learn assaying, surveying, &c , and where state school teachers and others may take different branches of science. This is certainly not what we want. We want something less ambitious and more practical. It would be quite competent for the Mining Institute, with tbe help of a Government subsidy, to provide what is wanted. The proper function of the School of Mines would then be to train men for these off-shoot mining schools, Thubsday was quite a gala day for Lawrence. The excursion train brought such an advent of visitors as never visited the town at one time before. The first train arrived at twelve o'clock noon. The train consisted of ten carriages, drawn by two engines, and the one which arrived half-an-hour afterwards bad eleven carriages. Many of the carriages were American bogie carriages ; and it was rather an unusual sight to see them on the Lawrence line. This is the first occasion on which they have been used in connection with the pas-senger-traffic on the line ; but notwithstanding their great length they tamed the curves nicely. Some eight hundred passengers left Dunedin by the excursion train, aud including those picked up along the route, about a thousand strangers must have visited Lawrence. The Athenaeum, Town Hall, and other public buildings were thrown open to the visitors, but the chief object of attraction was the mining at Bine Spur j consequently every conveyance available was pressed into service, and large numbers went to see the mines at work. Fortunately, the Gabriels - Tailings Co.'s hydraulic sluicing apparatus was working, so that the visitors had an opportunity of seeing tbe newest mining appliances in full operation. Some of the batteries were also visited, both at tbe Spur and at Wetherstones. The sight of tbe mining will not be one of the least memorable of the trip to Lawrence, and most people manifested the greatest interest in what they daw. The expressmen did a good trade during the d»y, and the hotels and fruit-shops were well patronised. .While affording the inhabitants of Dunedin tbe means of a splendid outing, the advent of such a large concourse of people did a little good to Lawrence. Tbe visitors were fortunate in getting such a glorions day ; and this had the effect of bringing out a larga number of local people, especially in the afternoon to see the trains off. The first train took its departure at five o'clock, and the second followed half-an-hour afterwards. The universal expression of opinion given by the visitors was favorable to Lawrence, so that we are not likely to be left out in future excursions. It would only be fair to Lawrence to give us an excursion trip to Dunedin, which, we believe, is likely to be done.