LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1812, 15 July 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Outt Coal Greek correspondent's letter ig unavoidably held over. It ia estimated there are iiearly 40,000 people out of work in Victoria. HARRY Clayfield, formerly well-known in Lawrence, where he worked as a tinsmith, died a few days ago in the Southland Hospital from apoplexy. A scratch match will be played on the local football ground to-morrow afternoon. Sides will be chosen on the ground ; play to commence at 3.45 o'clock. OUR correspondent informs us that the axle on the top of the tumbler of the Miller's Creek Co.'s dredge broke on Friday night. This will cause a delay of a few days to permit of the neces3iry repairs being effected. We have received from Measra Chas. Begg and Co., Dunedin, a very pretty waltz, " Sweet Thoughts of Thee," of four numbers, which is highly spoken of and much sought after by the music-loving public. The death of Mrs Macdonald, wife of Mr A. Macdonald, Ross Place, was heard of in Lawrence on Monday morning with some surprise, as, though in delicate health for some time, she had been attending to her business as usual on Saturday. Mrs Macdonald was an estimable and courteous woman, and her death is much regretted. The returns from the following mines are to hand : — No. 1 Hercules Hydraulic Sluicing C>., five days' work, 70oz 13dwt of gold ; the Dunedin Dredging Co. (Roxburgh), five and a-half days' work, 590z 9.iwt; Millers Creek Dredging Co., four and a-half days' dredging, 14oz ldwt 3grs ; Upper \yaipori Alluvial Gold Dredging Co., five days' work, 18oz 17dwt 6gr. Mr Thomas Trbloar, second son of the late Mr Thomas Treloar, Tuapeka Plat, who was one of the oldest residents of the Tuapeka district, was accidentally killed while blasting a log with dynamite on the Catlin's line on Saturday last. The deceased, who was a steady, hardworking man, leaves a wife and family, who are at present residing in Dunedin. NONE of the anatomists, surgeons, or physicians of the world have been able to say what are the functions (if any) of that organ of the body called the spleen, which can be removed without any discoverable result upon the health, but an injury to it can cause death. A man named Douglas went to catch a horse near Blenheim last week, and was soon after found dead. A post mortem examination showed that deceased had in some way sustained a rupture of the spleen, and that death was due to that fact. As contradicting the Colonial Treasurer's statement that a protective tariff would lessen the imports, the following from the "Age" is of interest :— Facts are apt occasionally to fly in the face of Forecasts. In byegone years, when the early advocates of protection were pushing their cause to the front, they were warned that if successful they would be held responsible for the ruin of our import trade. Victoria has rejoiced in a protective tariff for many a year now, and the problem that now presents itself for solution is to account for the enormous excess of imports over exports in our trade statistics. The unusuilly long spell of dry, frosty weather is beginning to make the scarcity of water seriously felt, and there is in consequence much inconvenience. The supplies of water for domestic purposes are pretty generally exhausted, and the Borough water, which is not by any means of a superior quality, is now largely used. The farmers, too, have bad quite enough of the present weather, and are beginning to wish for a change. The frost is the most protracted known in the district for many years ; and though very trying, it bears no resemblance in point of severity to the black frosts of the Old Country. It may be interesting to state that a fev^ weeks ago a representative of Messrs Armour and Co., a large sausage making and ham and I bacon-curing firm in Chicago, visited Wellington on his way to different parts of New Zealand, making enquiries with a view to j obtaining contract supplies of sausage skins, i The sausage business of Chicago is so enor- ! mous that that town puts the whole world under contribution for these skins. As giving an idea of the great extent of the business of the town, we may mention that this one firm alone kills no less than 10,000 hogs daily dur- j ing the season or an average of 7000 hogs per diem all the year round. Tremendous rains have fallen throughout j Victoria, and considerable damage is reported. The water rose rapidly at Toorak and South Yarra, and in some instances families had to be rescued from their houses in boats. Over 150 families have been rendered homeless at I Richmond, and 360 persons were driven from j their residences at Toorak. The Flemington racecourse is under water. An extensive por- I tion of the Adelaide railway line has been washed away. M'Culloch's foundry, in the city, was undermined by the flood water, and the building collapsed. The damage is estimated at £5000. Railway communication with I Melbourne is interrupted. THE Tuapeka Rifles underwent the usual Government inspection by the new drill in- i structor, Sergeant-Major Bezar, in the Volunteer Hall on Friday evening. There were present on parade — 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 col-sergeant, 3 sergeants, 3 corporals, 1 [ bugler, 26 privates, making a total of 37. The new instructor, Sergeant-Major Bezar, who is reputed to be a highly qualified and capable man, signalised his first visit by putting the corps through an hour and a half's good practice drill, and was understood to be j well pleased with the result. The corps are 1 fortunate in being favoured with the services of so competent an instructor, and they should make a point of benefiting as much as possible by them. There were altogether twenty-two civil cases set-down for hearing at the R.M. Court, Lawrence, on Mouday, the majority being for rates sued for by the Tuapeka County i Council. The whole of the amounts were ! either paid before the cases were called or judgment confessed, except in two cases, in which jndgraent was entered up for plaintiffs. In the case of J. C. Arbuckle v. G. Leslie, judgment was given for the amount claimed ! (£3l los) with costs (£2 18s.) Mr Crooke appeared for the plaintiff. S. M'Combe v. T. Stiyens, claim of £2 arising out of a transaction on a horse. Mr Finlayson appeared for defendant, and as plaintiff failed to appear judgment was given for defendant, with solicitor's fees (10s 6d). In the case of the Borough of Lawrence v, James Sim, a claim of £21 for rent of sections, judgment was ! given for the amount claimed, with costs«(£2 lla).— This was all the business, '

A YOUNG man was brought up at the Wellington Police Court a day or two ago charged with travelling on the Rotorua from Christchurch to Wellington as a stow away. The young man (remarks a contemporary) was probably taking this step for the purpose of impressing upon the Ministry his qualifications for a G ivernm nt h:llet if there are any open. A QUKLSTIOW th.it 1) ts been raised by newspaper disuussiuu is the reatdn d'etre of a curious offertory plate adopted in the new St. Paul's dihedral, Melbourne. In fear of purloiners—in.lividuals who wmiM steal a coin fr.«u the pUte before the very eyes of the churchw irden— the cathedral authorities have adopted .in offertory plate covered with a wire network, through a slot iv which you drop your offering. The precaution is regarded as a reflection ou the Melbourne congregations, and some churchgoers are very wroth about it. The annual ploughing match under the auspices of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club came off last Friday, eleven ploughs altogether taking part in the contest. Of these three were digging ploughs, five double furrows, and three swings. The winner of the champion prize was a one-armed man, whose ploughing is said to have attracted a good deal of at* tention. The judges of ploughing were Messrs R. M'Ara (Waitahuna) and A, M'Corkindale (Bound Hill) ; and of horses and harness, Messrs J. Drysdale (Tuapeka West), R. Craig (Round Hill), and Geo. Dick (Waitahuna). The usual fortnightly meeting of the Blue Spur Mutual Improvement Society was held last Wednesday evening. There was a moderate attendance. A debate on the question of " Prohibition " was held. At the end of the debate a vote was taken, and a motion affirmiug the desirability of closing public-houses without corapensHting licencees was carried by a majority of three. It was agreed that the discussion for next meeting should be on the question "Ought bachelors to be taxed?" A subject concerning the welfare of a large and interesting portion of the community should draw a full attendance. If the present Parliament grant female franchise, the single man may very soon find himself singled out for special taxation if he does not bestir himself. It is understood in well-informed circles that Sir George Grey has decided not to take any action with a view of endeavouring to enforce his theory that the foreign bond-holders should be taxed. We are glad to hear this rumour, and earnestly hope that it may prove io be true. If Sir George had never supported such a doctrine, it would have been far better for his reputation as a statesman, and far better, too, f >r the credit of the colony on the London Stock Exchange. We hope that even Mr W. L. Rees, whose chief characteristic is certainly not prudence, will see the wisdom of adopting a policy similar to that of his chief, the veteran Sir George. The mere fact that such projects are publicly supported by members of the New Zealand Parliament must tend to create a feeling of unrest amongst the holders of our stock in England. To read of whole armies being supplied with bullet-proof cuirasses seems like a fable, and yet, in these days of scientific developments nothing is impossible -to mon«».y. Given the funds to pu'rehase them, and the steel cuirasses which are capable of turning the ballets of the most powerful rifles will doubtless be obtainable. But what an appalling sum it would cost to supply the armies of Germany Austria, and Italy with such protection ! Yet the cablegrams say that they are to be so supplied, and the cablegrams never make blunders or " hardly ever." Apparently the terrible science of war is rapidly providing means for its own extermination. The expense of supplying all the latest improvements to the soldiers of the world will soon become so crushing that human nature will rise up in revolt against it. Mr L. A Norman, writing from his new home at Mount Zeehan, whither he appears to have taken wing after his flight from Dunedin, threatens the " Taieri Advocate " with the moat terrible pains and penalties the law can inflict for what he calls a "contemptible paragraph," penned by the Dunedin correspondent of that paper. After duly notifyingthat "you will hear from my solicitors at a later stage," he offers to bet the " mendacious correspondent" £25 that he never made £2 000 out of the Islaud Block Extended Gold Co., the loser to hand his stake over to the Dune* din Hospital. If, as Mr Norman asserts, he didn't make £2,1)00 out of his connection with the unfortunate company in question, nobody will regret that fact more than himself. Of ttiat we may be certain. And equally certain may we be that it wasn't his fault that he didn't. At the same time, it's only proper that Mr Norman should be careful of his good name and spotless reputation, though possibly there are in Dunedin some who would consider that they have a better right to Mr Norman's £25 than even the Dunedin Hospital. By an accidental piece of good fortune, the scientific world will soon acquire some new I and very interesting information in regard to the> conditions prevailing at a great depth from the earth's surface. Some months ago a company began drilling a hole in Western Virginia in search of oil or gas, and in this way they have now got to a depth of 4475 ft without having once struck water. This is within 70ft of the deepest well known, and it is now arranged that the United States Government shall take up the work and push down as far as human skill can penetrate. The officers of the Geological Survey have been detailed for the service, and they are preparj ing an outfit of instruments, one of which is to be specially constructed for the purpose aimed at. The hole is 18in in diameter, and the observations of temperature, etc., will be undisturbed by actual contact with the walls. Already the boring has passed through a dozen rich veins of coal, and through oil and | gas in non-paying quantities, as well as gold, j quartz, iron, and ether minerals. The cost ! of continuing the work will only be 3 dollars i a foot, and the record of the discoveries made will be placed in the Geological Survey at the World's Fair at Chicago. The quarterly meeting of the Tuapeka West Presbyterian Church Committee was ■ held at the manse last Friday evening. Pre- ! sent : Rev. Jas. Taylor (presiding), Messrs Mackay, Dalziel, Grieve, Brown, and Bot. ting, also Misses Dalziel, Mackay, and E. Smith (collectors.)— After the meeting had been duly constituted, the finances for the quarter were dealt with. The sums collected for the minister's salary, which was lower than I usual, amounted to £30 16s 10£ d. Mr Grieve | reported that the proceeds of the soiree held i recently at Tnapeka Mouth amounted to £5. I This amount was passed to the manse fund. I —Feeling reference was made to the late I secretary, Mr Drain ; and several members spoke in high terms of his disinterested labours on behalf of the mission. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mackay | seconded by Mr Grieve : " That thiscoramittee expresses its sincere regret at the irreparable loss it has sustained by the removal by death of its late secretary, Mr Drain, and would convey its kindly sympathy to Mrs Dram m her bereavement."— Mr Sotting , was appointed to succeed Mr Drain as secreI tary -T s3oine discussion took place as to the right to exercise the vote vested in the church property in the district.— The meeting was closed in the usnal way. • D^\ INO M r Seddon's speech in the, financial debate, he said Sir J. Hall's property was p *u°,n?/j£ the P r< >Perfcy-tax valuation as | worth £91,000, whilst the improved value of I th.c estate was put down at £8000. Sir J. j Hall explained that the £8000 was merely the value of the buildings, and that other improvements were included in the value of the land. Mr Seddon said that Sir John Hall should have corrected the mistake when he found it existed. To this Sir John Hall replied as follows : "I am ready to let the Government have my property at Hororata at the propertytax valuation with 10 per cent added. In the face of the House I make the offer." This is a decidedly fair offer, and we are certain very few others would care to make such an offer. The Government have the power under the law to take the land on these terms, and if they think Sir J. Hall's estate so much undervalued here is an opportunity of acquiring it for closer settlement. If Mr Seddoo is right in his surmise that Sir J. Hall has undervalued his estate to escape the tax, he has a fair chance of proving his suspicion to be true by accepting the offer. We are all anxious to see the land of the colony closely settled, Mr Seddon being amongst the number if he sees a good thing in it, and an easy way of reaching the desired end,—" North Qfcago Times."

The W&itiQuna Rifles were inspected by Sergeant-Major, Brz»r,on Thursday evening, and were put through a number of exercises, all of which were very creditably performed. The number < n parade were — Captain Patrick, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 bugler, and 26 rank-and-filr, making a total of 36. It was arranged to commence class-nrinp on Monday, 20th inst. ; and it is to be hoped that the memners will roll up and maintain the good name they have made for themselves in shooting. As the company is .not up to the.required strength, it is intended that something should be done at once in the way of reoruiting, is this is the month fixed for doing so. - OPERATIONS at the Commissioners Flat Co. 'a claim are being vigorously pushed forward nnder the capable management of Mr John Watson. There was a. bad break in the race, on which all hands have been engaged sine* Mr Watson took charge, until within the last few days. The elevator has been sunk about 10ft. below the sluicing level reached by thft late manager, so that they are now sluicing almost on a level with the river. The stones are not quite so plentiful down below, as they are at the surface, which means a saving of both time and lahour. A start was made with the elevator en Monday, and everything appears to be working smoothly, A few leaks showed themselves about the riveting, but they will soon stop, and are not likely to give any trouble. One manifest drawback in connection with the claim is the scarcity of plant, which would be found very inconvenient in case of anything going wrong or getting out of gear. The manager has been opening out during the last few days, and expects to commence sinking about the middlo of the present week. There is just now more water in the race than can be used, though the jet is running sixteen hours a-day. Wb have received from the publishers, Messrs Mitchell and Co., general andcoloni.il advertising agents, London, a copy of thoir "Newspaper Press Directory for 1891," fuller, if possible, and more replete with information than anyprevious issue of the work. It is impossible within a brief space to convey anything like an adequate or appreciable idea of the vast store of useful information contained between the covers of this publication. To business men, traders, merchants, and, indeed, to all whose business renders it necessary that they should know something of the best means of advertising in any part of the world where newspapers circulate, the work is simply invaluable. All the principal papers of the Australasian colonies, British India, South Africa and the Continent of Europe are described in such a manner as may enable all who intend to advertise to do so to the best advantage. That part of the work devoted to the colonies shows in an especial manner the inexhaustible research and inquiry as well as the systematic and intelligent arrangement and painstaking labour with which the compilers set about their work. Not only are the specialties of each newspaper described but also an authentic description of the characteristics of the district in which it circulates. In fact, nothing is neglected that could possibly be of assistance in the way of information to intending advertisers, and no well equipped office or counting-house should be without the work. The price besides is moderation itself— only a shilling— so cheap, indeed, as to make one wonder how so much valuable and interesting information can be gathered together from every quarter of the globe', compiled with such method and with sucK an expenditure of labour, and given to the pnblic at such a price. , WB sincerely hope that Ministers will not do such an improper thing (says the "Hawkes Bay Herald.") as to ask the House for a vote to clear " Bellamy's " from debt. That institution exists solely for the convenience and comfort of members, and those who use it should bear every penny of the expense. It is nothing but a first-class club, with an excellent restanrant and a cellar of wines and spirits of capital quality, and the charges are very moderate considering the accommodation provided. So long as members choose to keep up the institution and to pay for it the public have no right to complain of its existence. But when Parliament is asked to vote a sura to clear " Bellamy's " from debt the public have a right to protest, and to demand thai; if members cannot pay for their private club it shall be abolished. It would be just as reasonable, and just as proper, to ask for a vote to defray the unpaid hotel bills of members. If our legislators were not paid they might reasonably ask for the provision of means of refreshment within the Parliamentary Buildings, but as it is they are paid a* sum far in exesss of any expenses they necessarily incur in attending the sittings of Parliament, and it they want luxuries they shonld pay for them out of their salaries. It is more than hinted that the debt is largely due to the fact that some members in the past have neglected to pay their meals and drinks. If that is ao, let tfce public know their names. If they are no^/members, let the amounts due be deducted from their salaries. If they are late member^ but alive, let them be summoned in the ordinary way in a court of law. The exposure might be unpleasant for them. If so, they can pay up. If they are so deficient in feelings of what is right and proper and honourable, and prefer the exposurej let them have it. To ask the House to hide them by paying their debts is a shameless recrest, and one which the Colonial Treasurer Inould refuse without a second thought. It is a matter for regret that the meeting at Moa Flat on Saturday evening, instead of deciding on such a lengthened postponement, could not see their way to take advantage of the existing enthusiasm on the subject that brought them together, and resolve on commencing operations at once. Such a postponement as that decided on simply provides an opportunity of allowing whatever interest exists in the subject to die onb. Nothing could be more, favourable than the circumstances under Which the undertaking was first taken in hand, in proof of which we may point to the large number of shares subscribed for; and we Delieve it is even yet possible, without any assistance from the stations, with a little exertion to dispose of 3000 shares locally, and so enable a suitable start to be made. The' promptitude with which the settlers have already so largely responded fairly warrants this conclusion ; and we think it was a pity that course was not followed by the meeting. As regards the willingness of the stations to assist by supplying the raw material, there can hardly be any room for doubt on that point. We presume it is their interest to keep down the rabbit pest, and to do so with most profit to themselves. And that being the case, it may be accepted as a matter of course that they would take the fullest advantage of the proximity of the rabbit factory. At all events, stations invariably do it in other places; and not only so but they give all the encouragement and assistance they can towords establishing such industries as that contemplated in the Mount Benger district. Even with the shares already taken up, a decent start could have been made, and any further monetary assistance from whatever quarter could be utilised in farther enlarging and extending the operations of the company. Besides the satisfaction of knowing tbat the industry was an accomplished fact in the district, and that remunerative work was being provided for a large number of people, there would be the further pleasure of knowing that the money offered for shares was profitably invested and in a fair way of working oat dividends. All of these pleasant prospects have, for the present, at all events, been unwisely abandoned ; and for no corresponding advantage, as far as we can see, that a four months* postponement of the work can bring.