Local and General Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1214, 16 January 1886, Page 2

Local and General Intelligence.

The gold escort, which passed through Lawrence (id Thursday afternoon, conveyed to Dun*-din niue boxes and one tag of gold, valued at £30,000. A recent issue of the Government " Gazette " contains a notification of the appointment of Mr P. Miller, Mayor of Lawrence, as a Justice of the Peace. The scarcity of water is being very much felt by the miners in this district. In some of the claims at Blue Spur all the hands have been knocked off; while in those which continue working the pressure of water is getting some* what low. Mr Rawlings, mining engineer, is at present making a preliminary survey of some ground at the Island Block, near Roxburgh, which is j alleged to be highly auriferous. It is probable that a mining company will be formed to work the ground. The number of patients admitted into the Tuapeka Hospital during the past week was four males and one female, the number discharged being one male and one female. There are at present twelve male and four female i patients in the institution. ! The Presbyterian Synod has met during tbe I past week, the Rev. DrSalmond presiding. The following among other representatives were present— Ray. J. M. Fraser and Mr R. Neill, Lawrence; Rev. J. Skinner,M.A.,andEbenezer Jackson, Waitahuna ; Ray. R. Telford, Roxburgh ; and Mr A. C. Begg, Tapanui. The Tokomniriro races, which take place on Thursday and Friday, 28th and 20ch instant, give promise from the number of entrieß to be very successful. Nearly all the borsea which have been nominated for the chief events of the Tuapeka County Jockey Club's meeting have also been uominated for the Toko meeting. At a meeting of the Waitahuna Gully School Committee, held last-, Wednesday evening, I Messrs Clark and M'Kenzie were nominated as | candidates for seats on the Education Board. The Tapanui School Committee have also I noiniuated the same gentlemen, and the ■ Crookston Committee have nominated Messrs J Faruie and M'Kenzie. J Three men, one with a revolver, another | with a crowbar, and the third with a tomai hawk, made an attempt to stick-up the . manager nf the Commercial Bank at CollingI wood on Tuesday morning. The attempt was I foiled, but during the struggle the owner of the building coming in was struck by a shot from the manager's revolver and was killed. One man is under arrest. We ("Tapanui Courier ") are informed that a pamphlet is in circulation entitled "John M'Kenzie. E*q M M.H.R, for Moeraki — a misunderstood and ill-used patriot," The pamphlet in question, it is asserted, has been published I with a view to injure Mr M'Kenzie in h ; s canf didature for a seat ou the Education Board. I Mr M'Kenzie is to well-known for any pamphlet, circulated by an ill-feeling class, to iv jure him, The Sandhurst gold returns for the year 188."> show a prosperous condition of things. The total amount of gold produced has been 216 7720z* t out of which dividends were declared to the extent of £286,066, the amount of calls being £131,530. The profits for the year I amount to £154,536, against £163,351 last year. ! The total output of gold since the starting of ! the Bendigo goldfields has been 14,403,7300zs I worth £57,600,000. The Wellington correspondent of the " Daily Times" draws attention to the fact that Mr Ballance, in his speech at Wanganui, foreshadowed the dissolution of Parliament^, early next session. He states that Messrs Stout and Balance both regrer that they were persuaded to remain in office after the defeat of their financial policy last session, and declares that I Ministers will be reluctant to meet the same House again, as that will mean almost certain J defeat. The weekly drill of the Tnapeka Volunteer Rifles was held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening, close on forty rank-and-file being present. Captain Edie directed the company movements and rifle-drill, after which a bnsiI ness meeting of the corps was held. A reaoluI t.iun was passed affirming the desirability of | getting uniforms at once. Secretary M'Lean j was instructed to write to the Defence Department applying for targets for the company. The question of getting bye-Uws passed was mooted, also of securing a site for a drillshed and ground for a rifle range. We again call attention to the snle of work to be held in the English Chinch schoolroom on Tuesday next by the Trinity Church Guild. Judging from the woik — both useful and ornamental — to be shown, we would say the success of the sale must be insured, and be even greaterthan in former years. A splendid variety of dreaded dolls will be shown, including Red Riding Hoods, n'ahwives, infants, &c. A feature in i the sale new to Lawrence will be a Christmas tree, provided for the youngsters, and there will be as usual a refreshment stall. The sale will begin at two o'clock p.m., and will be car ried on throughout the evening. At the LaDd Board meeting on Wednesday, the following applications adjourned from last meeting to complete purchase on deferred-pay-i ment holdings were approved :— John Gilliand, spction 17, block XI, Waitahuna West ;Ephraim Varcoe, section 16, block ix, Tuapeka West. — The Warden, reporting on an application by Duncan Beaton to purchase section 11, block XI, Table Hill, stated that the applicant had , not complied with the conditions of his lease, ! and was not entitled to purchase.— Postponed until applicant can satisfy the Board as to improvements. — The application of Patrick Oimoud to capitalise section 5, block x, Teviot, was approved. The ordinary meeting of the Clarks Flat School Committee was held in the schoolhouse on Thursday evening at the usual hour. Present— Mr Walker (Chairman), Mr M'Lelland (Secretary), and Mr French. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary laid the balance-sheet for the past year on the table, and it was certified to by the Chairman and forwarded to the Board. 'Circulars from several aspirants to a seat on the Education Board were presented, and after these had been thoroughly discussed, the gentlemen receiving the favor of aomination were the Rev. Mrßannarman and Mr H. Clark. This conctuded the business.

Mb J. C. Brown, who took his seat at the meeting of the Land Board on Wednesday, gave notice that at next meeting he will move the following motions :—" (1) That in the opinion of the Board it is desirable in all future surveys of Crown lands a description of each section be furnished the Board for public information as to its suitability for agriculture or otherwise, altitude, and general- features of the land, and whether accessible or not by road." " (2) That the Board request the Government to cause a report to be made of the suitableness for a special settlement of the unsold Crown lands in the Rankleburn district, on the slopes of the ranges opposite Tuapeka Mouth."

THE Borough Council do nofc Intend to lose any time in pushing on with the completion of the drainage scheme, towards which £1000 was granted by Parliament last session. Tenders are now invited for the work, receivable up till noon on Monday, 25th instant. The plans, which have been prepared by Mr Edie (County Engineer), provide for the construction of a channel, 20ft iv width, walled with rubble, through the saddle of the spur at the foot of Gabriels Gully on the west side of the creek. The channel will also be carried throngh the present roadway, below Mr M. Joyce's residence, and will be spanned by a substantial bridge. Sixteen chains of road-formation are included in the contract, for which tenders are now invited.

A competition of fire brigades fa to be held it Napier shortly. A number of fire brigades bare gooe north from various districts to take part Id the competition, and the Ballarat Fire Brigade has come to New Zealand for the same parpose. The parents of the pupil-teacher at Lower Heathcote school, who some time Bince was charged .with assaulting a scholar with • pointer, the charge being afterwards dismissed, have entered a civil action against the constable who arrested him, damages being laid at £100. The uniform adopted by the Toapeka B ; fle« at last meeting is to consist of a navy blue trousers, scarlet coat with blue facings and white piping, and a helmet hat. On Wednesday evening next, on which night drill is to be held in consequence of Thursday being race-night, a sample uniform is to be submitted to the company for approval, and immediately afterward! tenders are to be invited. The Tapanui Racing Club's annual meeting takes place on the 4th and sth March. The first day's events consist of the President* Handicap (Io3ovs), Tapanui Handicap (40iovs), Maiden Plate (15aovs), Hack Race (lOaovs), Farmers' Purse (15aovs), and Time Trot (1530vp). Tbe second day's events are — Hurdle Race (20sovs), Hack Selling Race (lOiove), Jockey Club Handicap (40sov8), District Handicap (20sovs), Novel Race (SJOsovs), and Consolation Handicap (lOiOvs). A Wellington correspondent of the "Lyttelton Times" writes:— "l had a hint the other day from a good source that some* thing will occur shortly which will 'astonish the natives.' That was the expression used, but it does not refer to the noble 'savage.' He i* more likely to astonish us than we him, I gathered from what I heard that there wm more than a possibility of an important change in the personnel of the Cabinet before long, but what form that change — if it takes place at all — is likely to take, lam not in a position to say. That there will be a dissolution shortly after the commencement of next session Ministers do not attempt to deny, and they themselves are somewhat desirous of bringing it about." The "North Otago Times'' declares, on the authority of a gentleman who has examined the crops and pastures on tbe Papakaio Plain, iv the neighborhood of Duntroon, of Otekaike, at the deferred-payment settlement of Otiake, about Kurow, and in the Hakateramea Valley, that the grain and potatoes, as also the stock and pastures, are in first-rate condition. It states that the reports ciiculated about tbe effects of the drought are incorrect. The following remarks are very pointed : — "Has there ever been a season in any farming district ib the world where some farmers have not talked about their prospects as though the crack of doom might not be expected at any moment ? Is it not one of the humors of the agricultural character to shake the head with horrible suggestiveness in that respect? Assuredly it is! The Wellington " Post expresses an opinion that one great cause of the increased sobriety, order, and decorum which year by year marks the celebration of our festive season, without in the least detracting from its hearty enjoyment or genuine pleasure, is the iapidly-iucreasing number of colonial youths who are reaching mauhood. It is one of the most hopeful indica* tioos of what the future of the Colony will probably be that New Zealand youths are not addicted to indulgence in drinking habits. In temperance they set a good example to their elders. Very rarely indeed are New Zealand bred young men found giving way to intemperate habits. Driuk is not a favorite vice ; with them. We wish we could add that j smoking was not either, but we are forced to confess that indulgence ia the " pernicious weed " is almost universal amongst tbe riling generation. Perhaps some day smoking wiU become us unfashionable as excessive drinking has undoubtedly become.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs J. C. Brown, M.H.R.. J. Morrison, and J. M'Hattie, waited on the Hon. the Minister of Mines on Wednesday morning, and presented a petition largely signed by shareholders and workmen engaged in mining at Blue Spur and Muoro'a Gully, asking that Government should exercise the powers vested in them by sections 196 and 205 of the " The Public Works Act, 1882," by extending the main tailraee from its present termination to the junction of Munros Gaily with the Tuapeka river, also that they Bhould take a sufficient part of the land of Hugh M'Millan to form part of the extension of the main tail-race, bo as to prevent a recurrence of the proceedings taken against some of the pefcitionei s and threatened against others. The petitioners also asked for an inquiry into the circumstances. The Minister of Mines promised to get the Warden to hold an inquiry at once anjj to report, and he would then 1 consider what was to be done. The annual picnic of the Church of England Sunday School was held on the Lawrenco Recreation Ground on Thursday afternoon. The children and adult friends started from the Sunday School in the morning at about eleven o'clock, and marched in procession to tha ground. The weather was warm, but the heat was tempered by a delightful breeze, which blew over the ground occasionally, and rendered the day's outing very eiijoyable. The Yen. Archdeacon Beaumont, -vho was ably seconder! by Mesdames Revell, Herbert, Beaumont, and H. P. Thompson ; Misses L. Fowler, E. Miller, aud Shury ; Messrs Capes, Withers, Herbert, Taylor, Towsey, M'Nickle, Forbes, and others, made all comers of whatever denomination very welcome, and by their urbanity placed all at their ease. Plenty of eatables and tea was served out, and games of every kind were organised and kepi up without intermission till the time came for dispersing. Flags was fixed ou the Caledonian Society's grand stand, and the enthusiasm and esprit de corps evinced, together with the cieature comforts that were dispensed with such liberality, tended to put every one in good bumor. The party broke up at about seven o'clock.

! An occasional correspondent tends us the | following jottings from Tuapeka West :— The I crops throughout the district are on the wholo looking very well, being of a healthy green color, althoueh somewhat short in straw. However, if we had a few more seasonable showers, similar to those which fell on Monday and Tuesday, there would soon be a perceptible difference on the face of the country. In this district more attention has been given this season to oat than to wheat cropping. The former ought to yield well, if one may judge from the pi eaent favorable indications. Grass has been very abundant so far, and in some of the paddocks which have not been overstocked it still looks very well, decpite the recent long stretch of dry weather,— The rabbits are again spreading rapidly throughout the district. Some of the settlers are very dilatory in adopt, ing precautionary measures to stamp out buniiy . This is a great hardship to those propertyowners who are doing their best to keep their land clear of the pest. In summer-time, when bunny does not care to nibble at the poisoned grain, it ia necessary that trapping and dogging should be resorted to. — Our school has again been re-openfid. The parents should see to it that theii children are regular in thair attendance at school. It is discouraging to the teacher when the parents take little or no interest in the educational welfare of their children. Mr M'Duff is giving every satisfaction as master of the local school.— l am pleased to notice that the Waitahuna people are bestirring themselves in the matter of establishing a dairy factory in that district. The day, I hope, is not far distant when similar action will be taken here. Tuapeka West cannot be beaten for pasture, and if more attention was paid to dairyifarming the settlers would not cry so loudly about the duluess of the times.

The ordinary meeting of the District High School Committee was held on the evening of Wednesday last. Members present — Messrs Harrop (President), Jeffery, Wakefield, Mitchinson, M'Nicol, Copland, and Thompson (Secretary.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.— A letter was received ftom the Secretary of the Education Board containing the Committee's quarterly allowance, amounting to £22 63. A circular was also received from the Education Board's office intimating that the retiring members of the Board were Messrs Clark, Elder, and M'Kenzie. Circulars were received from Messrs Dick. Bannerman, M'Kenzie, Clark, and Farnie announcing that they were candidates for the vacant seats on the Education Board. On the motion of Mr Thompson, it was decided to nominate Messrs M'Kenzie and Clark, who were regarded as the most eligible .candidates to fill the vacancy,— The Visiting Committee submitted a report, in which they recommended that certain repairs, &c, be effected to the school buildings, the cost being estimated, at between £12 and £14. The report was adopted, and the Committee empowered to carry out the improvements as suggested. — The following accounts were passed for payment : — Mra Fowler, £2 10s j T. L\>wn», sa; W. B

Martin,' £2 15s fX'Catfoe, £4' 17s 6 1 ; Geo. Jtffety, £2 18s— Tho Secretaiy suhnaittad » H'ntement, to be forwarded to the Education Board, showing the financial operations of the Committee for the past year. The receipts from all sources, including the ordinary grants, » id likewise a special grunt from the Board for incidental and special purposes, amounted to £135 12* 91, and the expenditure amounted to £139 9s 7d. leaving a balance due to the bank of £3 16* 10d.— Mr Thompson moved, and Mr Copland seconded : "That the Committee apply to the Education Board for the appointment of two pupil'teachera in room of Miss L. Fowler and Mi 1 John M'Nickle, whose term of apprenticeship has expired." Carried. — There was do further business. The Defence Department has decided that the Easter emoampment of Volunteers for the Middle Island this year will beheld atOamaru. Easter Monday falls on the 26th April. Ik connection wilh tho Tuapeka County Jookey Club's race- meeting, the railway authorities intend to issue at Duoedin, Clinton, and intermediate Btatious Saturday return-, tickets on the 20th, 2ler, and 22nd instant, available for return up to the 25th. Ax operation was performed at the Hospital yesterday by Drs Withers and Blair, on Mr P. T. Higgs, of Roxburgh, who lately had the misfortune to be seriously injured by a kick from his horse. Three pieces of bone from the wound in Mr Higgs 1 skull were skilfully removed by the practitioners named. Mr Higgs still lies in a precarious state. A TOtrXG man named Alexander Brey was admitted on Thursday into the Hospital from Greenfield Station, where he had met with an accident. It appears that a loaded bullock* waggon, carrying about five tons, passed over both his legs. Although very severely hurt, he most marvellously escaped without either of his leg* being broken. D« GrBABHAH, Inspector of Hospitals, visited the local Hospital yesterday, and expressed himself as entirely satisfied with the state of the institution. He remarked that it was in a much cleaner stato than on- the occasion of his previous visit. He suggested that the furniture be replaced, as there is room for much improvement in this respect.

The Government have decided during the present month to connect the telegraph office and railway station at Lawrence by telephone. This will be a great advantage to the railway department in the matter of sending or receiving messages concerning any stoppages, Ac., ot the line. Situated as the telegraph and post-office is at present, it takes several minutes to go there from the railway station.

Ws laarn that Mr W. Barron has resigned his position as manager of the local branch of the Colonial Bank. During the seven years that he has held the position here, Mr Barron has proved himself an able and zealous officer, and we feel sure that the directory of the Bank will not for some time at least find another to fill his place with so much credit to himself and honor and profit to the institution of which h? has been a most worthy and efficient representative. Mr Barron during his stay here has also proved himself to be a useful citizen.

Tib annual meeting of parishioners of the districts of Tnapeka and Waitahuna was held in Trinity Church schoolroom last evening. There was a fair attendance ; the Ten. Archdeacon Beaumont presided. After the transaction of a good deal of business, the election of office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months was next proceeded with : — Mr Fraer was chosen clergyman's churchwarden, and Mr J. Thompson parish churchwarden. The following vestrymen were appointed for Lawrence: Messrs Capes, Crooke, Revell, Wakefield, Withers, Uren, Herbert, M'Coy, Hindmarsb, and M'Nickle.

A tkby few days ago a Melbourne public school teacher wai giving a lesson in etymology to a second grade. She asked the meaning of the prefix " pan." Several answers were hazarded, none quite correct. The teacher explained it, adding: "Now, remember, whenever you see 'pan' prefixed to any word you may know it means ' all.' " After illustrating by several examples, such as pantheon, pandemonium, &c., she called on her pupils to write, each for himself, one example. There was much scratching of heads, knitting of brows, and other indications of mental struggle, and at last a few hands were raised. "Well, Tom, what is it? What have you written ?" Tom arose, and, glancing proudly aronnd, read in a loud and resolute tone : 'P*n-cake-all the cake!" De H'Cabthy, formerly of Lawrence, is now practising at Brunnerton. We notice bj the " Grey River Argus " that he and the other doctor at Brunnerton do not indulge altogether in an excess of brotherly love, as the following extract from a letter written by Dr Langdon to Dr M 'Car thy will chow : — " There can be no question whatever as to jour perfect right to every patient in the district if you should be called in, but to take over a brother practitioner's case without a courteous intimation, and to make etatements reflecting on the treat ment and diagnosis, is not .the act of a gentleman , but of a ' cad.' Yon may gas and blow to your heart's content, bat sooner or later the bubble will burst. Metnlime it is impossible for me to adequately expresi the profound acorn with which I regard both you and your proceedings." The "Daily Times " in a late issue having made tome very severe comments upon the appointment of Mr J. C. Brown to the Land Bomrd, the " Bruce Herald" has the following pertinent remarks on the subject : — " We are of opinion that in the choice of Mr Brown great discrimination was exercised. There were previously three members on the Board, Meurs Duncan, Green, and M'Kenzie, all living within a dozen miles or so of each other, and all in the northern portion of the district. Mr Clark represents this portion, Mr Brad•haw, Dunedin, and now Mr Brown has become what wu urgently required, the goldfields member. His experience and. knowledge are beyond question, while the f act that he resides «o the goldfields, and is intimately acquainted with all relating to them, and is held throughout the district in the greatest respect and confidence, is alone sufficient guarantee of his fitness for the position. From every point of view, the appointment must strike the unprejudiced mind as most satisfactory, .especially when it is taken into consideration that a very large proportion of the business ■engaging the attention of the Board relates to Band«n the goldfields." A gentleman who belongs to this district pud a visit lately to the Macelown reefs, and from him w« glean the following information with reference to the Tipperary mme :— The mine is in capital working order, employing about twenty-five hands, The mine- manager (Mr L,. Rests) kindly showed me ovgr the workings..- The tunnel has been driven about 504 feet. Several shafts have been sunk on the jreef, the deepest being about 300 feet. The ■shaft ia which the miners are at present ■working >is about 60 feet deep. The reef inclines at an angle pf from 2.V to 5 degrees from tbe perpendicular, £fc» width varies from a few feet to twelve feet and over. The mine has to be carefully timbered throughout; this is owing to tbe moving nature ,of the surrounding country. The quartz is raised by meaM of ft water balance— a most simple and ingenious contrivance, the credit of first upplying it ia |few Zealand being due to the mine-manager, Mjr Resta. The worst feature •boat the mine is its distance from the battery, which is aituated fully balf.-a-mije away. The quartz has to be carted to ,the battery. Tbe resson why the battery had to be! «rected, so far from the mine is the want ot sufficient water, to drjjre the battery at the level on which the mine is situated. The battery,, which consists, of ten head of , stampers, and the usual appliances for saving ' the gold, appears as spick and span as on the 'dfty when it was erected. Mr A. Resta, the batterjuiiMmger,! has contrived several labor* Wiving appliances, which are quite ingenious in i

tbeir way. Tli ■ work in connection with the buttery and t ho mine appears to go on very smoothly and orderly. It is worthy of remark that this is so far the only mine on the field that has cleared expenses and paid a dividend.