LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1869, 6 February 1892, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The arrivals in the colony for the month of January exceeded the departures by 736. HARVEST work is well advanced in the Mt. Benger district, nearly the whole of the oat crop having been cut. In this district harvesting will be general in another week's time. TfiK Juvenile Musical Troupe of the Salvation Army, which includes eight vocalists, will be in Lawrence to-night and to-morrow. They visit Wuitahuna on Mon day. There were nine patients in the Tuapeka Hospital last evening — six male and three female. Two patients were admitted into the institution during 'the week and three discharged. The unemployed difficulty is again claiming attention in Melbourne. It is stated that a thousand people are starving in Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne, and that hundreds are existing upon charity. The friends of Mr W. Rolfe, late stationmaster bere, have arringed to make him a presentation at the Victoria Hotel on Monday evening. Subscribers to the testimonial fund are invited to meet at nine o'clock for an hour's social enjoyment. At the Land Board meeting on Wednesday, Ranger Hughan reported on Messrs Mcc, M'Laughlan, and M'Crdssan's complaint against J. Donoghuo for having fenced in a portion of the mining reserve, Tuapeka East. — The Board deferred consideration of the report. A proclamation, under the hand of the Governor of New South Wales, absolutely prohibits for a period of twelve months from the ]Bth ultimo the importation or introduction to that colony of any sheep, or any fodder or fittings put on board any vessel with or for use of any sheep, from the colony of New Zealand. We are advised by cablegram that in the Sydney grain market milling wheat is bringing 4* lOd to 4s lid," and oats from 2s 6d to 2s B<i. In the Melbourne grain market milling wheat is quoted at 4s o£d, and stout oats 2s 4d. In the Adelaide grain market, wheat is inactive, milling bringing 4s 4d, and oats (duty paid) 3s 4d to 3s sd. Among the measures being prepared for next session is one empowering the Government to take possession of all unclaimed moneys in the banks and unclaimed land. They will probably be placed under control of the Public Trust Office, which will administer them; and after the lapse of a certain time the department will hand over the proceeds (if still unclaimed) to the Treasurer. The annual meeting of subscribers of the Lawrence Athenaeum and Mining Institute was held in the Town Hall last evening, there being a good attendance. After the report and balance-sheet had been received and adopted^ Mr E. Herbert was elected president for the ensuing year. The retiring committee were re-elected, Mr Fraer taking ! Mr Herbert's place; and the auditors (Messrs Wakefield and Thompson) were also re-elected. A meeting of the committee of management of the Tuapeka County Jockey Club was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Thursday evening last. Mr James Chalmers presided. After tne minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed, the Secretary submitted the balance-sheet showing that the vet proceeds of the club's last annual meeting amounted to £149. The Club has now a credit balance of £250. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the committee at an early date to take into consideration the necessity of improving the racing track. It was also suggested that the services of an engineer be obtained to report on and lay off the proposed alterations. An announcement on onr first page will be found from Messrs Donaghy and Co., of the Otago steam rope and twine works, Dunedin, apprising farmers of their ability to supply, binder twine of the best quality. This firm is noted for the genuine and superior quality of the article they supply, the best proof of which is to be found in the success which has attended their business, and the enormous , increase year after year in their output. Messrs Donaghy and Co. supply binder twine of every description, from Manilla to New Zealand flax ; and as they are nativo manufacturers, the creators of a flourishing local industry, we consider they are deserving of generous public support. At the annual meeting of the Equitable Building and Investment Company in Wellington, the chairman said that shareholders would be disappointed that instead of the usual 5 per cent the dividend was only 4 per cent. This was the result of the Government taxation, by which the company would have to pay an amount equal to a property tax of ljd in the pound. As a large proportion of the Company's deposits consisted of small sums, which under the Property Tax were exempt, he did not think that small depositors had much to be thankful for to the Go- ■ vernraent. Increasing taxation might mean a larger margin between depositors and borrowers ; either the deposits would come down or borrowers would have to pay a larger rate of interest. The Christchurch election petition is being heard before Justices Denniston and Williams. In his evidence Eden George said, be had been a candidate at several elections. At the general election he received 119 votes, in 1889 he received 184 votes, and in 1887 113 votes. Sir Robert Stout quoted the Order-in Council validating the election of Mr Sandford, but beyond this, he maintained, the nomination of Mr Sandford was valid, as in September he had advertised in the papers his intention of standing. Mr Harper contended that the Order-in-Council was ultra vires. He claimed that Mr George was duly nominated and none of the other candidates were. The Order-in-Coancil professed to cure "an accidental misfeasance," which was a contradiction of terms, for misfeasance was the wrongful doing of a legal act, and could not be accidental. The Court reserved judgment until this morning.

At the weekly meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees on Wednesday, the chairman reported that last month there were 397 cases on the books, 138 men, 344 women, and 969 children being relieved, at a cost of £131 11s per week. He was glad to say the outdoor relief cost was slowly, and, he hoped, surely falling. Forty relief cases were dealt with. At a meeting of the Tokomairiro Farmers* Club on Thursday evening, a letter was received from the Waitahurm Fanners' Club en^ closing a communication frotu the Burnside Saleyards Company re charges on stock, and asking for suggestions on the snlijecfc. It waa moved and seconded that the Waitahnna Olub be requested to insist upon a meeting between the directors and delegates from the clubs. On the subject as to whether the club should continue with the Farmers 1 Union, tbe members were of opinion that the membership should be continued for another year. Emily Oalliok, wife of a surfaceman at Abbotsford, died suddenly while under chloroform at Mr Myers' dental surgery, in the Octagon, Dunedin, on Thursday afternoon. For some time past Mrs Callick had been suffering from toothache, and went to have the tooth extracted. Dr Macpherson was called in and the chloroform administered, and while under its influence the woman's pulse suddenly ceased, and though every effort was made to resuscitate her, she quietly passed away. The deceased, who was 30 years of age, was the mother of three young children. The mission services in St. Patrick's Church, Lawrence, which were conducted by the Rev. Fathers Hegarty and Mangan, of the Bedemptorist Order, were brought to a close on Sunday evening, after having lasted a week. The congregations throughout the mission were exceedingly large, and at the closing ceremony the rev. gentlemen congratulated the members of the church on the edifying manner with which they had responded to the invitation of the missionaries, and said that in no place they visited had they observed such anxious and earnest co-operation, such zeal and devotion, in their efforts to promote the spiritual welfare of the people. Sir Morkll Mackenzie, the eminent English physician, is the last name on the list of distinguished men who have recently succumbed to tbe influenza epidemic. Sir Morell Mackenzie first became known to the world outside London when he was called upon to attend Frederick 111. of Germany during his last illness. A fierce controversy followed that event, and led to the publication of a work in which Sir Morell defended his treatment of the emperor against the attacks of the German specialists. He was born in Essex in 1837, and was educated at the London Hospital and the medical colleges of Paris and Vienna. His collegiate career was a distinguished one, and he was in due time elected physician and afterwards lecturer on diseases of the throat at the London Hospital. He is the author of numerous medical works, principally on diseases of the nose and throat. A meeting of the Waitahuna School Committee was held in the local schoolhouse on Monday evening, the members present being Messrs M'Ara (Chairman), Livingston, M'Kenzie, M'Milian, Bishop and Ellis (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. After some discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr M'Kenzie, seconded by Mr Ellis, that five weeks' holidays be given during the harvest season, to commence from such time as the head master shall deem suitable. After some discussion as to the cause of the irregular attendance of school children, the secretary was instructed to write to Constable West, the police officer in charge of the district, inquiring from him whether he would act as truant inspector for Waitahuna school district. The sum of £l 17s Id was paid into the school fund. Accounts amounting to £1 16s lOd were passed for payment. This was all the business. The "champion mean man" has bee represented to one of our Northern contemporaries by the following yarn :— A man was driving sheep along the road, not a hundred miles from Sandon, when one of the flock • got done up. A bargain was struck with a settler alongside of the road. The sheep was worth 10s, but after a stiff bargain had been driven, the sheep was sold for ss. Time flies, the " five bob " was not paid. Two years had elapsed. The two settlers met. "By the way, Mr Jones, you have not paid me for that sheep I left with you !" Mr Jones disputed the ss, and said it was only 4s. Mr Brown, rather than have any dispute, accepted the statement, not the 4s. "Well," says Jones, "You will have to take it out in slabs." "Very good !" Jones delivered the slabs, but in his statement of account deducted two slabs to pay for the stamp that was used to send the letter notifying the slabs were delivered ! Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., in the course of his address at Balclutba last Friday, made the following telling hit at Mr Ballance:— Mr Ballance said : "He wished here to call attention to the large areas of .land held by a few persons. Eighty-four persons held 84,000,000 acres ; 1116 persons held 34,848,912 acres. Then 155 persons, 16,898,908 acres195 per50n5.4,027,412 ; 33 companies, 2,247 449 ; and seven companies 1,389,664." This is a terrible state of affairs, gentlemen. How much is that 1 About 140 millions ! Gentlemen, you know you would have to believe that Ministerial statement but for tbe annually published statistics of the affairs of thecoaotry. Our statistics for 1890 tell you that the total area of New Zealand, including volcanoes, mountain tops, lakes, rivers, swamps, bogs, and everything else is not half the area that Mr Ballance says has been sold. The total area of the colony is 66,700,000 acres ; he said 140,000,000, and the total area alienated since the foundation of the country i«i 19,666.000 • not 140,000,000. * On Wednesday and Thursday evenings next, an opportunity will be afforded the public of Lawrence of witnessing in the Town Hall an exhibition of the phonograph Edison's startling talking machine— one of the most wonderful inventions of the age. The machine will be under the direction of Mr Geo. Kelly, and its construction and working will be explained, and records taken in the hall and immediately reproduced by Mr Ducorron, electrical expert from Edison's factory. The phonograph has now been exhibited in most of the great cities of Australia and also extensively in New Zealand, and in every instance it has attracted enormous crowds among whom have been the leading and distinguished men in every community, anxious to see and hear and learn as much as possible of this marvellous invention. Its performances actually exceed the bounds of credibility ; but yet all the wonders attri« bated to it have been verified over and over again, and are now accepted by a wondering and admiring world as another proof of what may be accomplished by science when directed by the genius of an Edison. We have no hesitation in predicting large and delighted audiences on the two nights named. Complaints have of late been very frequent as to the state of the Bungtown road, over which there is considerable traffic. No attempt whatever is made to keep the water tables in order, and in consequence the water is allowed to form channels over the road and - create deep holes, often in the centre of the road, which make travelling by vehicle very dangerous, especially at night. No reasonable excuse or justification can be offered for such a state of thiDgs, as no extra expenditure of the Council's funds is needed and very little labour either. Nothing more is required than the occasional attention of a surfaceman to remedy the defeots complained of and render traffic possible without subjecting those who nse the road to unnecessary risk and danger. If only in the interests of economy, irrespective altogether of the public safety and convenience, it should be tbe duty of the Council to establish for the guidance of the surfacemen a system of periodic inspection over this and other such roads, so that what at first might only need a trifling expenditure of lahour might be prevented from becoming a matter of considerable and freqnent expense. The cleaning of a water-table from time to time is in itself a very small matter ; but if it should be neglected it may mean serious damage to the road and, consequently, expense to the ratepayers. This is the economic side of the question, without any reference to the chances of accident and not improbably loss of life that may occur. We hope the County Chairman will take the first opportunity of authorising the surfacemen to give the road some I attention.

OUR Millers Flat correspondent writes as follows i-Mr J. Ballantyne, who has been appointed manager of the Golden Run dredge, is busy fixing up the machinery preparatory to an early start being made.— Mr Brownlee, one of the directors of the Millers Creek Company, was here last week and appears to be well satisfied, as far as I can understand, with the prospects of the Company. I understand though that he has some intention of taking the dredge to Con I Creek where he has • claim. I don't see myself how they can very well work here for any time, as they have not sufficient frontage to allow of the tailings being conveniently disposed of. It is intended to see what can be done a little higher up the river. The dredge is to be shifted farther up the river, as it is impossible to get rid of the tailings in its present location. — Mr Rawlins, manager of the Island Block, is again on good gold, and it is to be hoped it may continue. — The manager of the Island Block Extended is still busy prospecting, though with what amount of success lam not in a position to say.— The Ettrick dredge is running smoothly again, and no doubt before long some good returns will be forth* coming.— The farmers are all busy cutting the best crops they have had for many years past. Ms Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at Balcluthu last Friday evening, and there is no exaggeration whatever in saying that it is one of the very best political speeches that has been delivered aince the session closed. There is no pretence at declamation or oratory, but it literally bristles with fa«jts, and » chockf ul of information that must be specially valuable at tho present time when there is so much Ministerial misrepresentation and inaccuracy in the air. We long ago predicted a distinguished and a useful political career for Clutha's representative, and the present delivery, betokening not only great industry, but keen observation and ability and a complete and easy mastery of the questions that are agitating the public mind just now, affords strong confirmation of the accuracy of our prediction. Mr Mackenziehas literally pulverised the jumble of mis-state-ments with which his namesake the Minister of Lands endeavored to mislead a Balclutha audience a week or two ago. What makes Mr Mackenzie's criticism the more weighty and reliable is that he is himself the very best type of a Liberal, has raised himself from the ranks of the people, and is still one of them in instincts and sympathy, and, crowning virtue in these days of cheap clap-trap and sacrifice of pluck and principle to popular favour, he has the courage of his convictions and a good command of the language with which to give expression to them. The Postmaster-General is not at all fortunate in his reforms. His postal reduction, which imposed a burden of £40,000 on the colony for the benefit of a wealthy minority in the population, while all the necessaries of life remain heavily taxed, is still remembered with dissatisfaction. His latest experiment as a reformer has been made on the telegraphic tariff, and, unlike the other, it is acceptable to no class whatever, it is condemned all round, and it seems inexplicable that a man of his insight and admitted knowledge of business could have been led into so palpable a piece of folly. It is evidently intended as a concession to the public ; but while it is neither a concession to the public nor a gain to the revenue, it is certain to be a source of confusion and inconvenience, and has already elicited a general chorus of condemnation. Under the old system, the public were charged one shilling for ten words in tbe body of the message and were allowed ten for the address and signature ; now the same charge is made for twelve words in the body of the message and six in the signature. This is a most impracticable change, and has an exceedingly strong flavour of red-tape about it. It is an experiment and not a wise one ; nor is it likely to enhance Mr Ward's reputation as an administrator or a clear-headed practical man of business. Had he allowed twenty words to be sent, eliminating the rule restricting so many words to the address and so many to the body of the message, allowing the sender to allocate them to address or message as he thought fit, the reform would be a sensible one, and would be received with satisfaction. Another senseless innovation is the alteration in the arrangement of the telegraphic form, the object of which, except it be to further confuse the public, is anything but clear.