Local and General Intelligence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1216, 23 January 1886, Page 2

Local and General Intelligence.

Mr Vioabs, of Christchurch, has been appointed to succeed Mr Barron as manager of the local branch of the Colonial Bank. The privileges in connection with the Tokomairiro races, which take place on Thursday and Friday next, brought £110 10s at auction on Tuesday last. We have been Informed by Mr J. C. Brown. M.H.R., that the Hon. Mr Ballaoce will probably visit Lawrence toward*) the end of the present month. Therh were eleven patients iv the Hospital last evening — viz., eight males and three females. During: the week two patients were discharged from the institution. The settlers of Woodville go in for tobacco cultivation, Mr August Yollbracht, manager of the New Zealand Tobacco Company, has bought some of laßt year's crop, which be found in first-class condition, and equal in quality to American tobacco. Altogether I about 300 acres of tobacco has been promised . {or next season, in all Hawke's Bay.

The Rcies Junction School Committee, at a special meeting held last Saturday evening, nomiuated Messrs Clark and Green to fill the vacancies on the Otago Education Board. A Waitahuna correspondent infoms us that the crops in that district, h <mh uot promising much straw, look veiy well. The turnip ciop, however, seems likely to nru out a failure iv consequence of the diy weather. Constable Hastings, who has bi>eu stationed at Wuitalmua for a considerable time, took his departure on Tuesday last f<>. Nui ih Duuedio, where he takes the pliice of Constable West, who has been transferred to Waitahuna, There will soon be very little hard work about, the cultivation of the potato. The "Gazette" just to bind (aaya an exchange} contains an application for a patent for an invention for digging, sorting, and bagging potatoes. Perhaps the boldest project ever devised is that set, before the readers, of a late number of the " Scientific American.' Its object, is to improve the climate of the Eastern States of the American Union by diverting the cold oceanic currents from the Arctic regions at the Strait of Bblleisle by the formation of a breastwork across the Strnit. The cost of the scheme is estimated at forty million dollars. This is how they manage matters in the Hawkes Bay educational district. The notice ppeaks for itself: — "Education Office. Napier, January 11th, 1886. —The Inspector of Schools invites all principal and certificated teachers under the Board to meet him at the Education Office to-morrow (Saturday) at 11 in the forenoon, for the consideration of the 'New Standard Regulations.*" As showing Ihe estimation in which the products of the dairy factories are held, mainly because good and even quality can be dependtd upon, the " Southland News" mentions that a gentleman who recently offered (locally) 8d per lb for 80 kegs factory made batter, goo an offer of 90 kegs of iarmei-'a batter at 6d per lb. He, however, declined to accept the latter at any price, his reason being that " nothing but factory butter will take in a foreign market." It seems very much as if the railway manage* ment make fish of one district and flesh of another. The train arrangements for the Tokomairiro races, while comprising the same concessions in the way of Saturday return-tickets as for the Tuapeka races, include iv addition an excursion train leaving Dunedin at 10.15 a.m. on Thursday morning and returning from Milton at 7 p.m., the return fares being 3a second and 4s first-class. Had such a concession been granted for the Tuapeka meeting, many more people would have visited Lawrence, At the Land Board meeting on Wednesday, the application of John Spencer to purchase section 5, block Vli., Teviot district, containing 20 acres, was considered and approved. — The following auplications were made to complete purchase of deferred- payment holdings : — John Gilliand, section 17, block xi., Waitahuna West ; Charles M'Donald, section 6, block XL, Crookston ; Alexander Allen, section 17, block vi., Waikaia.— John Gilliand's application was adjourned for a week, and the others were approved. It has been suggested (says the "Bruce Herald") by a gentleman who has had consider* able experience in such matters, that in the event of the turnip crop being a failure, as there is every probability that it will be, farmers might sow cow cabbage, or vetches, to enable them to tide over the winter. He also considers that should it be conMdeied advisable to ie"sow turnips, it would be advantageous to sow them as is universally done in England, od the flat surface of the ground instead of on drills. They would thus stand a better chance of getting al all the moisture to be had. Messrs J. and T. Meek, of Oamaru, flourmillers, are importing a complete plant of roller machinery for the Crown fiiur-mills. Compared with flour manufactured with stones the roller-made flour is said to command a readier market and a higher price. Oamaru has special advantages for the manufacture of good flour by this method ; for the graiu there is particularly suited for milling by the Hungarian roller proceßß. The "North Otago Times >' looks forward to this move as likely to lead to an enormous development of the flourtrade in that district. The Strath-Taieri correspondent of the '" Taieri Advocate " states that the oldest recident fails to remember such a dry season, to have seen the Taieri with so little water in or to have felt such heat. He states that the lick of rain has driven some of the farmers to irrigate ; one of them, Mr W. Lindsay, is especially forward in this. His irrigation works are on such a scale that in future he intends to defy Nature, unless she goes as far as drying up the creeks, which she has never yet done. This is a very praiseworthy undertaking, and if the season prove wet ths irrigation system is no hindrance ; if dry, it is of invaluable service.

The following unopposed applications -vere granted at a sitting of the Warden's Court at Roxburgh on Wednesday (Mr Warden Hickson presiding) :— Claim of four acres at Roxburgh East, F. Woodhouse and others ; water-race at Waikaia, J. Spencer ; water-race and claim at Pomahaka. F. Robinson and Co. ; claim at Waikaia, R. Millner ; d»m at Horseshoe Bend, W. Rigney ; protection for claim at Waikaia, F, Laloli ; tailrace at Pomahaka, J. Robertson ; water-race at Dismal Swamp, J. Behin and another ; residence areas atjßoxburgh East, John and R.^ J. Stringer.— M'Laughlin v. Cameron : Plaintiff claimed a dissolution of partnership on the ground that defendant had cot worked or represented his share in a claim held by both parties. After hearing plaintiff's statement, the Warden struck out the case, The Presbyterian Synod on Tuesday evening, in adopting a lengthy report from the Mission - Committee, expressed satisfaction at the work carried on by the missionaries. The Rev, Mr Michelson, missionary, was present and gave a brief statement regarding the spread of the Gospel in the islands — Mr Don (Chinese missionary), from Lawrence, congratulated the Synod on the appointment of a catechist, and mentioned that, great benefit would result in consequence thereof. He also spoke of the usefulness of converts who returned to China. At the present time] two of the most valuable men working under the London Missionary Society in Canton were returned Australians. — The Rev. Dr Stuart pointed out the advisability of the churches holdiug a monthly meet- | iog iv the interests of missions, ! At the meeting of the Land Board on Wed- \ nesday morning, Mr J. C. Brown brought for* ward the reaolutionof which he had given notice | of motion at a previous meetiog, to the effect " That the Board request the Government to cause a report to be made of the suitableness for a special settlement, of the unsold Crown lauds in the Rankleburn district, on the slopes of the rangeH opposite Tuapeka Mouth." In reference to the motion, Mr Brown said that the land was good, and was situated in a suitable locality for a special settlement. It consisted of about 3,000 acres, was well wooded, and was also well watered. Goldmi ning operations were being carried on on the banks of the Molyoeux, so that during the winter time, when the river was low, the settlers might occupy their time in mining, whilst in the summer months employment could be obtained on the various large properties surrouoding the block. Under the amended regulations a family might obtain 500 or 600 acresT but the limit for each individual was 150 acres. He thought that wherever the Board found a practicable opportunity of throwing a block open for special settlement they should seize it. — The Board agreed to recommend the motion to the Government for favorable consideration.

Mb R. Craig, who is moving iv the matter of a dairy factory at Waitahuna, placed himself in communication with one of the shareholders of the Milton Dairy Factory Company, and in response received a letter containing the following particulars, which he has kindly placed at our disposal ;—" Tbe building, estimated to work 800 gallons of milk at one time, cost £648 ; the expense incurred in addition to this, for cheese-drying rack, pans, churn, and hoops, etc., amounted, along with solicitor's fees, engine, boiler, beltiog, and pulleys, also the piggery, to £460. Beyond this there was from the time of commencing operations about £250 laid out in other ways, and about three months milk had to be paid for regularly before any return could be expected for cheese. On butter the return ia obtained much sooner. The factory is preferred by settlers, because in dealing with it they know that they get their money on the 4th of the month, whereas in dealing with stores they have to take out the value of their produce in goods. There are some in Milton who are paying up their shares with milk— a very easy system of doing. The secret of saccess is — J)o not start till you are quite ready ; have plenty of shares sold, for it costs far more to get everything in workiqg order than one would imagine." I

We ("Daily Times '') understand that some well-know Victorians are now in Otago as the foterunners of an influential syndicate, having for its object the purchase or leasing of the Island Block, near Moa Fiat. This valuable piece of land— five miles in length— is not only valuable for agricultural purposes, bntalso as a goldmining property, it being an old river-bed of the Molyneux. Gold has been, and is still beiog obtained, from the ground beyond the freehold, and its auriferous capabilities and value are of such public notoriety that if our Dunedin men had possessed even a fragment of local enterprise it would have been worked long ago, and a splendid fortune would not have gone into the hands of foreign speculators. What becomes of the ballot papers after an election ? In England, on being counted, they are sealed up in packets by the returning officer and sent to a Government office in London. There, in their sealed packets, they are kept locked up for twelve months, and then burnt by the Clerk of the Court of Chancery. Without the counterfoil ballot book aud the register of voters none can tell who marked a particular ballot paper ; and as these are not produced at the counting of the votes, the secresy of the ballot is absolute. Should, however, a petition be presented against' any return, in which the petitioner claims the Beat, then the ballot papers may be ordered to be examined during the year before being burnt, but in that extreme case alone is an examination possible. A meeting of the Tuapeka Horticultural, Poultry and Bird Society was held in the Council Chambers, Town Hall, on Wednesday evening last ; Mr j, J. Woods, Vice-President, in th» chair. lb was resolved to allow any person to exhibit flowers without limiting the peiiod of possession, so that intending exhibitors will be in a position to compete in this department without restriction After discussion the Secretary was instructed to write to Mr Harroll, of Dunedin, professional florist, asking him if tie would act as judge, Arrangements were also made for the appointment of judses in the various other departments. Messrs Stenhouse (President) and Woods were appointed to see to the opening ceremony, which will take place at three o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday next ; and we understand that His Worship fhe Mayor (P. Miller, E-=q.) and J. C. Brown Esq., M.H.R., will be asked to take a part in the ceremony. The President and VicePresident were appointed also to look after the musical arrangements necessary for the occasion, consisting of instrumental music in the afternoon and vocal and instrumental music in the evening. — From the enthusiasm displayed and the general interest taken in the Society both in Lawrence and the surrounding districts a very successful gathering may be anticipated. The following from the " Western Star '* is a description of a novel and somewhat ingenious sluice box intended for use at Colacßay diggings. Instead of the water being brought into the box direct from the race, it is stored in a tank situated immediately over the false bottom supported on the framework of the apparatus, and conducted from the tank to the head of the box by a pipe. The tank can either be supplied with water from a pump or from a race. It> is contended that the particles of gold are more easily separated from the wash-dirt than under the old process. The gravel and other coarse stuff, instead of passing over the whole surface of the false bottom and being carried off at the lower end, is, by placing a wooden bar diagonally across the perforated place, shot off at the right hand bottom corner ; while the sand passing over the plates (which are silvered by the new sodium process) is deposited into a trough at the lower end. As soon as the trough is filled it is removed and the sand contained in it emptied into the sluice box and washed over again, the gold lost by this mode of working being a very infinitesimal quantity indeed. We understand this new method has been found to work successfully on some of the Otago goldfields, and is said to be admirably adapted for beach combing. Rather a mean trick was played on a Chinaman named Jimmy Lung, a well-known sporting character hailing from Tapanui, at the Tuapeka County Jockey Club's races on Thursday. Jimmy, it appears, had invested in two totalisator tickets on the Publicans' Handicap, one of them being on Factory Girl, who turned up the winner, and on whom a dividend of £7 11s, which was regarded as a " nice little pot," was paid. After the race, Jimmy was anxious to know which of the tickets was the lucky one, and for that purpose handed them to a young fellow who was standing close by who assured him that they were no good, at the same time snatching the ticket on Factory Girl out of his band and decamping. Before Jimmy made the discovery that he had been robbed, the ticket had been presented at the totalisator office and paid. Poor Jimmy was in a terrible state ; he had dropped two or three notes previously in backing the wrong horse, and on losing his ticket on Factory Girl he became quite sad and dispirited ; to use his own words, "my heart, too muchee low down !" A great number of people sympathised with Jimmy, who is regarded as a very fair and square "sport." No doubt he will profit by this incident, and, like the majority of his countrymen, put less confidence in future in the white man, especially if he be an habitue of a racecourse. A PRESENTATION of a silver locket and chain was made yesterday to Miss L. Fowler, who is leaving the district for Mataura, byMrHarrop, Chairman of the School Committee, on behalf of her fellow-teachers and pupils of the Lawrence District High School. In making the presentation, Mr Harrop said that it was a small token of the kindly feeling entertained towards her by those with whom she had worked for some years past. He hoped and felt, confident she would be successful and prosperous in her now appointment. As Chairman of the School Committee he had pleasure in seeing former pupils of the school succeeding so well as teachers, much praise for which is due to the Rector (Mr Stenhouse.) Mr John Thompson (Secretary of the School Committee) said he had known Miss Fowler for over fifteen years yast ; he had watched her career almost from infancy, and no girl ever left Tuapeka whom he felt more proud of. She had been a teacher in the Trinity Sunday School for the past seven years, and her removal would be a severe loss to the school. She was a credit alike to her family, herself, and Lawrence, and on behalf of the Committee he wifthed her con* tinued prosperity in life, Mr Fraer said, as Chairman of the Education Board, and as one who had taken an active interest in the High School and its teachers, he felt pleased to be present on this occasion. He was glad to find that Miss L. Fowler had obtained one of the six bepfc appointments in Southland. Mr Steohouse briefly returned thanks on Miss Fowler's behalf. i

A sitting- of the Resident Magistrate's Court at Roxburgh was held on Wednesday last before J. T. Hickson, Esq., R.M., when the following cases were disposed of :— Police cases : Some young lads were charged on the information cf Constable Pool with setting fire to the grass on the Recreation Reserve. Accused, after being cautioned, were discharged.—Civil cases: Balliston v. Miller, Judgment for £13 19s 6d, with costs (21s). Dunkley v, Balliston : Claim of £17 Bs. Judgment for £10 and costs (20s). Cameron v. M. Gordon : Claim of £4 18s on an I O U. Judgment for amount claimed, with costs (6s). Same v. Wbelan : Claim of £16, being the ralue of a spring cart. Judgment for defendant with costs (13s). — Some two or three other cases were settled out of Court.

A weitee in a contemporary has the following remarks on our educational system :•— "The majority of the men who are unemployed now in our large cities are men who have received such piteously ' genteel ' educations. Advertise for a first-class clerk and you will receive replies from a hundred well ' qualified men, at a mere pittance. Advertise fora firat-clasß bricklayer or stonemason, you will probably have to advertise yet again. The chief end of man is, despite theological sentiment, to get his living. In the education or educing the power of the child, this end should always be borne in view. Were this done, much of the money which is being fruitlessly sp°nt in quondam higher education would go to support our schools of mines, our agricultural colleges, and in the teaching of practical mechanics and dynamics in our schools. This is the true ' higher education.' Our present so-called higher education as a national system is abominable. Where such aro founded, it is well also to institute a Charitable Aid Board. One creates a need for the other, and they are both rods in pickle for posterity."

We (" Waimate Time?") have so often referred to gold discoveries in the Waihao district that it is with some diffidence that we announce the satisfactory result of a discovery. On Monday we were shown a really first-clais sample of coarse gold, weighing about 3dwt — obtained in the Waihao district by Mr H. Dunn from about two loads of earth. The locality is, of course, kept secret, but we can vouch for the bona fides of the find. We sincerely hope that the present discovery will result in the establishment of a permanent goldfield, about the only thing likely to cause a revival of the trade. At the ordinary meeting of the Education Board on Thursday, it was resolved thnt permission to mine in the school grounds at Waitahuna be granted, provided the teacher is 'satisfied, and that a proper guarantee be given. — Alexander M ( N»b and Aunie Cousins were appointed pupil-teachers in the Lawrence District High school vice John M'Nickle and Lilian Fowler, whose apprenticeship had expired. — It was resolved' on tbe motion of Dr Brown : " That a summary or suitable abetract of the inspector's reports be sent every month to the members of the Board, along with the usual notice of meeting." Wednesday, March 3rd, was fixed as the date for the election of new members to the Board. Professor Sliand tendered bis resignation as a member of the Board owing to tbe pressure 1 of his University duties. These appears to be a little breeze going on among the medicos of Napier, Dr Spencer having preferred a charge — if it can be so called — against a brother practitioner, for having cut the leg off a patient suffering from heart disease. The committee were apparently asked to decide whether the treatment of cutting off a man's leg trao conducirc to tbe cure of heart disease, and the c >mvnitt«e were wise enough to refer the matter to tbe arbitration of Dr Keywertb, it being considered that he was better able to give an opinion on such novel treatment. It is believed it will bo found on enquiry that the man's leg was cut off for some other reason, the ohairman looking upon the matter "as revealing a naaty piece of medical spite somewhere." Mr Caraeil also remarked that "i Ibe medical men wished to wash dirty linou in public, they should be made to manage for themselves,"