Local and General Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1213, 13 January 1886, Page 2

Local and General Intelligence.

I A vert brilliant Aurora Australia was visible in the southern sky at about eleven o'clock on Saturday night, Messrs J. C. Brown and H. Clark have been appointed by the Governor to fill the | vacancies on the Otago Land Board. In onr Coal Creek correspondent's letter this issue, a wish is expressed that Professor Black would visit Roxburgh in his tour of the goldfields. The Tarawera leaves Port Chalmers for the SoundB s on' her annual excursion * to-day. A large number of passengers have been booked for the trip. We notice -by late exchanges that Cardinal ■ Moran will visit the Lakes the second week in I February, attended probably by several Australian bishops and Bishop Moran. Ma S. Abbim, formerly engaged in mining pursuits for many years at Wetherstones, but who for some time past has been laid up in the Dunedin Hospital, died of consumption on Saturday last. In consequence of the division of the subjects which have till now been taught by Professor Shand at the Otago University, he has elected to take the chair of Natural'Philoaophy and to resign the mathematical classes. The directors of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, in their half-yearly report, ; recommend a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent per annum. The reserve fund is to be increased by £1000, and £3762 13* 5d is to be carried forward, Mr J. E. Danson, of Dunedin, has informed the "Times" that in consequence of there being a likelihood of a scarcity of good wheat, he contemplates importing some from India. Some samples appeared to be of excellent milling quality. We beg to draw attention to an advertisement on onr second page notifying that onr amateurs are coming to the front on the racenights. We have bean shown the programme, and can assure our readers that the entertainment will be well worthy of patronage. The "Bruce Herald" states that notwith. standing the dryness of the weather, the daily I supply of milk to the Milton Dairy Factory continues up to the mark. On Friday 1051, and on Saturday 1068 gallons, were received. A sample cheese was forwarded to Melbourne on Monday. At last the drought has broken up, and parched Nature begins to put on her brightest green, Kitchen gardens are already looking better for the downpour, and had it but come a fortnight previously crops that now look very poorly might have been first-class. The rain seems likely to continue for a day or two, and will do a vast amount of good.

A fatal dynamite explosion occurred in the Opawa River (Blenheim) on Thursday. Two men had fixed a fuse for the purpose of removing a snag, whan it unexpectedly went off, blowing them both out of the boat they had been in, and stunning one so that he was drowned. No reason is known why the charge exploded. The fuse was 2ft Oin long, and should have taken three minutes to explode the dynamite. The Education Department has issued cards for the use of children attending schools who may be desirous of saving their" pennies. Ttfa Minister of Education is strongly of opinion that sufficient attention is not being given to the inculcating of habits of thrift amongst the youth of the Colony. To encourage this somewhat, it is hinted to teachers that they might give lessons on thrift and. promote the coatom of using these cards by the children. The idea seems a good one, Messrs Abbocsle, Robertson and Co. l report having sold at their rooms on Saturday, on account of.theTuape&a County Jockey Club, the privilege to erect booths, &c, at the races on the 21st 'and 22nd inst.- The publicans' bodthßJ Nos. 1 and 2j, fell to $£r John Johnson's bid at £21 and £15, reapeofcivejy,: Jot 3,(re-. freshment booth) was secured by Mrs Silk for £5 153; lot 4 (right to sell fruit) found a pur. chaser in Mr John Tamblyn at £2 10 j ; and the race cards foil to the lot of Mr Bromley, at JE9 12a 6a.

The young man from Roxburgh named F. T. Higga, who lately received a kick from a horse, resulting in the fracture of his skull, still lies in a very dangerons state in the;.Ta»peka Hospital. Very little hope is now .^nter&fned of the poor fellow's recovery. In a certain fashionable hairdresser's shop in Dunedin for some years past there have b'jjen a pair of wax busts of a lady and a xenUein'an, the latter wearing a moustache, and both with wigs, bnt on Wednesday last the heat was so intense that the busts melted down, leaving nothing but wigs and moustache to tell of former days. The Queensland Government has been in communication with the Hon. Mr Larnach, -Minister of- Mines," with the view 8f obtaining' information re the working of the school of Mines, as it is proposed to establish a similar institution in that colony. The hon. gentleman Jte&to-»K^%^P«pSB«L» suitable, person to go over to Queensland as lecturer on mineralogy. An adjourned meeting of the Roxburgh J.P. Court was held on Saturday last before Messrs Borton and Burton, Js.P.. when an application by the police for a prohibition order was granted against John Strother. who had been previously convicted of drunkenness. When arrested, Strother had a considerable sun of money in his possession. On this, and former occasions, he has had reason to be thankful to Constable Poole for taking care of bis money for him. The time for receiving tenders for the superstructure ,of the Roxburgh bridge closes on Saturday next. The length of the span of the bridge is 270 feet; the roadway, which is to consist of planking laid on steel cables, is to be 15Aft wide, and on either side it is to be iron latdce-work. The whole has been estimated to cost between £3000 and £4000. The superstructure is to be raised 10£ i. clear of the highest flood level, and 55ft above the ordinary level of the river. The declaration of weights for several of the events which take place in connection with the Tunpeka County Jockey Club's annual meeting will be found in our advertising columns to-day. Given fine weather, the meeting should be one of the most successful yet held under the Club's auspices. The entrieß in almost every instance are good, and, judging from the qualify of the horses nominatedfsome really first-rate sport may be looked forward to on the 21st and 22 ad instant. At a meeting of the Tuapeka Domain Board held in the Courthouse on Friday, the following members were present — viz., Messrs Brown (Chairman), Herbert, Docherfy, Rsvell. and Harrop (Hon. Secretary). After the disposal of the routine business, it was decided to retain the land kcown as the "Saddling Paddock" in the hands of the Board, also to caution Messrs Robertson that legal proceedings will be taken against them if they allow their cattle or sh^ep to trespass or injure any fences or interfere with any gates that may be under the control of the Board. Pkokessor Black Hashes from place to place with aatoniching rapidity. Ooly the other day he was electrifying enthusiastic audiences of miners at the Thames, and now we learn that he is in Southland, where he commenced his campaign at Orepuki on Saturday nigh*. When the Professor last visited Lawrence he stated that he would return early in February to organise chemistry classes here. In Auckland, at his suggestion, the Thames School of Mines Association has been formed, and it now numbers about 400 members, with funds lodged in the bank amounting to £380. Considering that this is the excursion season it might be a very good move on the part of the Tuapeka County Jockey Club to induce the Government to ruu an excursion train to Lawrence to enable visitors from Dunedin and Clinton with intermediate stations to attend the races here on the 21st and 22nd inst. Experience of the Blue Kibbon picnic recently will, however, show that it will be of no use to announce other than excursion fares. That such an excursion on the days named at cheap rates would be a complete success there cannot be the shadow of a doubt. The ironwork for the bridge over the Clutha River at Beaumont has arrived in Lawrence, and is being carted out to the work. It is to be hoped that every possible effort will be made to get the superstructure completed without loss of time, and the bridge handed over to the County, as the system of maintaining the present punt is a costly one, while at the same time the transit by punt in case of flood is often accompanied with a considerable amount of danger. When the bridge is opened for traffic a saving in expenditure will be effected, and crossing the river will not be attended with the same risk as by the punt. We understand that Mr John M'Kenzie, who has done such good service to country districts as a member of the Land Board, in the exposure of some rather shady-looking transactions in connection with land dealings, and also as a member of the Education Board, intends to seek re-election to the latter body. By Mr M'Kenzie's action on several occasions the Education Board has been saved from the reputation that it at one time seemed likely to gain of falling into the hands of a clique of professional time-servers, and we feel sure that the Committees of country school districts will be pleased to learn that Mr M'Kenzie is again in the field.

At a sitting of the Police Court on Monday, before W. H. Eevell, Esq., E.M., T. King, who came from Moa Flat, was charged on the information of Constable Daubeny with being a lunatic at large. On Saturday last, the accused went to the police station, suffering from mental derangement. Inspector Moore stated that since the accused had been locked up he was coming to his senses. Accused was remanded for seven days toieceive medical treatment.— Wm, Hughes was charged wit,h being drunk in Ross Place on Saturday night. The accused pleaded to be let off, and as this was his first offence the information was dismissed, accused receiviug a caution,

A cop* of "The Land Act, 1883," has been sent to us. It consolidates a number of previous Acts and Ordinances. A preface, issued by authority of the Hon. J. Ballance, gives the general areas of the Colony, mode of administration of Crown lands, intimates where land offices are situated, the classification of lands, price, mode of purchase and of payment, descriptions of the homestead and deferredpayment systems, as well as a number of other explanations given for the purpose of assisting intending settlers. The work consists of 192 pages, and contains a map of the Colony, with descriptive letterpress and a quantity of statistical information.

Our Roxburgh correspondent writes:— The annual congregational meeting of the St. James' Anglican Church was held on Friday evening last in the Church schoolroom, the Rev. Mr Martin, who was passing through the town on his way to Clyde, presiding. A new Committee was formed, and arrangements made with the Bey. Mr Martin for a monthly visit. —The Roxburgh school was re-opened to-day (Monday), after having been closed for a fortnight during the holiday season ; a good number attended. — Mr Heron, of the Commercial Hotel, has good temporary accommodation in the way of Btabling, having secured the stables connected with Mr M'Cormack's boardinghouse and fitted them up. The loss to Mr Heron caused by the fire will be upwards of £500, besides great inconvenience. The plans for the new stables are, I understand, prepared, and the structure will be proceeded with as soon as possible.

A meeting of the Directors of the Tuapeka Caledonian Society was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday evening. Present — Messrs P. Miller (Vice-President, in the chair). Chalmers, Harrop, Hart, Hetherington. and H. P. Thompson (Secretary),— After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed, the following accounts were passed for payment :— Prize-money, £$8 Is ; board for Band, £8 2s 6d; rail and donation to ditto, £11 ; T. O'Driacoll, 7a V'K Brooks, 4a ; Wilson and Co., 2s 6d ; TJren and Anderson (attending gate), 25a ; rent of Town' Hall and piano, £3 188 ', M. Fraer, 103 6d ; P. Miller (whip and spurs), 27s 6d; Bromley, 12s 6d; H. P. Thompson (Secretary), £5 53 ; W. M'Nickle, £2; Pilling Bros., £8 ss; J. Middlemiss, 63; postages and telegrams, & 6d ; Mrs Silk, IQ3 ; expenses' from Danedin in connection 'with the concert, £5 15s 6d ; music, 355 ; Domain Board, 21s. — A rough balance-sheet was submitted by the Secretary, showing the receipts (including a oredit balaace of £46 15s 2d) to be £171 7s 8d ; and the expenditure £110 16) 6d, leaving a credit balance of £6011s 2d.-It.waß decided to request the collectors to endeavor to collect all outstanding subscriptions,— Jt. was resolved that the Tuapeka County Jockey Club be allowed the use of the flags, &c, for the races on the usual terms.— lt was resolved to donate £3 3s to the Industrial School,— This was all the 1 busineßß,

The Blue Spur School' Oo'nfmittee h»re nominated Messrs M'KeDzie and Clark to fill the vacancies on the Education Board. The t&kaereton, Hampden, Dnhback and Inch :3Talley Committees have also nominated the 'Same gentlemen, who are deserving of the support of country Committees. in the Melbourne "Leader," says tsjA- discussion has been carried on lately in the Press on the question—'* Is there a hell?" Well, most people who have survived last week's hot weather will be inclined to say that there is, and that it is not far off j while of those who haven't survived, some may know for certain. The discussion is useless except to prove what a fine country this is to live in when people have nothing to trouble them but the dim future. The easiest way to solve the problem is to avoid the possibility of finding it out, by doing good works on earth and avoiding evil. An occasional correspondent at Tuapeka Mouth writes :— Some of the gardens in this district, are growing large quantities of fruit this season. Mrs Anderson's cherry, peach, and apple trees are heavily loaded. Mr Clyde's pear trees, known as William's Jargonnelles, are so productive that every branch has to be supported with manuka forks, and even then a great deal of fruit is trailing on the ground ; his apple-tress are likewise very fruitful. Mr Brown's trees have more fruit this season than etfer they had previously. There are some gardens, however, that have hardly an ordinary crop, and one would be inclined to ask whether keeping down the weeds has anything to do with the abundance of the yield of fruit.

At Oamaiu, on Friday, James Hay was charged before the local R.M. on two informations with having been guilty of cruelty to animals by packing a certain fowl with 95 other birds in a crate of insufficient size, contrary to the statute. Mr Aitken, inspector to the Society ' tor the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was the principal witness. Ha described the crate as measuring 4ft Bin in length. 3ft in breadth, and 2ft lOio in depth. It was divided by two shelves. In the top compartment there were 22 turkeys, in tbe second 36 fowls (two dead) and 13 ducks, and in the bottom 12 geese and 13 ducks. The birds had no apace to move. They came by train to Dunedin, and would be about six and a half hours in the crate. The acensed was fined 10s with costs amounting to £2 103 Bd. The following cases were disposed of at a Hitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, W. H. Eevell, Esq., 8.M., presiding : —Isaac M'Farlane v. M. Green : Claim of £2. MrGooday for plaintiff, for whom judgment was sriven, wtlh costs (7a) and professional fee (103 6d).-F. W. Knight v. Ah Chun and Ah Fan. Mr M'Coy for plaintiff; and Mr W. Cunningham Macgregor for the defendants. Tilt plaintiff suad the defendants for £15, being amount of a dishonored promissory note. The defendants, along with au other Chinam»n, named Ah Kee, conducted a storekeepintr business at Waipori under the style of " Kwong Why Kee." Ah Kee, who was in the habit of getting goods from plaintiff, always got them and paid for them in the name of the firm. On several occasions Ah Kee also borrowed money, and signed a promissory note in the name of the firm ; these moneys were always paid, excepting the promissory note sued for. The defence set up was that the defendants were only servants of a firm of Kwong Siu Wing, Chinese merchants, Dunedin, and that they bad no authority to sign the firm's name unless to a receipt when a stamp was used; and further that Ah Kee, who got the money, retained it for his own use to pay for some mining claim and not for business whatever. His Worship, after hearing evidence, gave a verdict for defendants with costs, including one witness from Dunedin, 265 ; interpreter's fee, 21a ; and professional fee, 21s.— The Court then adjourned.

Mb Joseph Renall, of Gladstone, reports to the Wairarapa paper that he has caught a strange animal which the Maoris of his district recognise as the much dreaded Taniwba. It is about six feet in length, and of the lizard species, and it seems to be amphibious. Mr Benall intercepted it between the banks of the Ruamahanga River, and after a struggle in which he had hia arms well bruised he managed to master it and secure it alive. If. has been residing for the last week in a horse trough, dining on grass, and apparently it is agreeing very well with its confinement. The following piece of interesting information is taken from the " Hawke's Bay Evening News." Easter will full next year on its earliest possible date, namely, St. Mark's Day, April 25. The last time that it so fell was 1736, old style (1734 new style). The next time will be in 1943, new style. Eaßter falls on St. Mark's Day at irregular intervale, happening on an average three titrea in four centuries. At present, however, it happens about once a century, at intervals of either 57, 68, 84, 95, 152, or 173 years. This will continue till the year 4,900, when three intervals of 320, 1,393, and 281 years will intervene.