LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1888, 16 April 1892, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

We have been requested to state that the Beaumont races will start sharp at noon on Monday.

The last wash-up of the Ettrick Dredging Co. gave a return of 21oi! 6dwt, valued at £81 12s 3d, for a fortnight's work.

The South Australian Government intend to grant a bonus of £2000 next year, £3500 the following year, and £4,500 the third year for the export of butter.

At the Christchurch Police Court on Wednesday a man was fined £5 and costs (£1 16s) for shooting a grey duck one day previous to the opening of the season.

A contemporary says that the Scotc-Rit-chie case should be a warning to those who think that they can recklessly outbid their neighbours in the auction room in the belief that they can afterwards abandon the property when they choose.

There were nine patients in the Tnapeka Hospital last evening — six male and three female. Two patients were admitted into the institution during the week and three were discharged. — The wardsman acknowledges the receipt from Mrs Tyler of a quantity of hot cross buns for the patients.

The latest advices from Sydney state that milling wheat brings 4s lOd, and chick wheat 3s 9d to 4s. Oats : Feeding,2s 5d to 2s 6d ; seed , 2s 7d to 2s Bd. There is very little doing in the Melbourne wheat market. Fair average milling is quoted at 4s. Oats : Algerian, Is lOd to 2s. In the Adelaide grain market, milling wheat brings 4s 2d, and oats 3s 4d.

The football match, Milton v. Lawrence, played on the local recreation ground yesterday afternoon, resulted in a decided victory for the visitors. The scores were— Milton, 7 points; Lawrence, nil. The passing of the Milton players was really Al; while the collaring of the home team was a treat rarely witnessed on the local ground.

ONE of the candidates seeking election for East Melbourne in the Victorian Parliament was subjected to considerable interruption when addressing a recent meeting, and order was not restored until he assured his audience that his white waistcoat was not ironed in a Chinese laundry. The boo-hooing chiefly came from persons who resented the calling out of the mounted rifles to control violence during the maritime strike.

We have heard that the commissioners who recently took evidence in reference to the punt dispute at Tuapeka Mouth have definitely recommended that the upper site be selected. If this be correct, and there is good reason to believe it is, there is nothing more to be said on the subject, no appeal to a higher court, and the most prudent thing to do is to bury the hatchet, shelve the discussion, and make the best of existing conditions.

IT is stated (says tbe Taieri paper) that the Dunedin millers have tried to " bluff" sellers into bringing down the prices for milling wheat by purchasing stocks from outside markets with the intention of making sellers believe that there was a dull local market. The sellers, however, must have seen through the game, for prices were well maintained, and the purchasers had to take stocks at the real market quotations, and not at the reduced price they were anticipating.

The nominations in connection with the Victorian general elections closed on Tuesday. The Hon. Messrs Peacock, Wheeler, M'Lean, and Graham (members of the Ministry) were returned unopposed. Eight private members were similarly returned. The nominations include thirty-two Labor candidates. Sir Graham Berry has been nominated for the East Burke constituency. Dr Rose, against whom there was such strong feminine opposition last election on account of his figuring in the Divorce Court, is a candidate for the North Melbourne seat. Mr David Gaunson has been nominated for Emerald Hill.

We understand that the directors of the RoxbHrgh Amalgamated Goldming Co. have decided not to engage in the work of raising the dam wall at Dismal Swamp this season, as recently resolved upon. This decision has been arrived at owing to the season being so far advanced, frost having already set in there, which would retard as well as prevent the work from being of the substantial and enduring nature required for such a purpose. A meeting of the directors was held in Dunedin on Tuesday, when it was resolved to plank up the bye-wash to a level with the present wall, which, it is considered, will provide a good deal of storage for water. There is already sufficient timber on the ground for that purpose, and tbe manager (Mr W. Peters) is in entire accord with the course decided on by the directors.

The arrivals in the colony during March were 1483 and the departures 1653. From New Sonth Wales 599 arrived and 757 left for that colony. There were 544 arrivals from Victoria and 478 left for that colony ; 156 came from Tasmania and 125 left for that island.

English people eat more butter than any other nation in the world. The " Table " points out that their consumption is 13 pounds per annum, »s compared with 8 prmnds in Germany, 6 pounds in Holland, 4 pounds in France, dud 1 in Italy. E.igLnd's bill for butter en me to £10,000,000 last year, with an additional £4,000,00(1 for margarine.

A German, as soon as he arrives at the top of a mountain, wants to kuow the exact height of the mountain he is on, and of every "peak around him. A Frenchman goes into raptures over the wildness of the scenery, and the beauties of nature, and accompanies, sometimes, his remarks by an attarapt to embrace his guide. The Englishman, when he has " done " his peak, plunges his ice-axe into the snow, looks around him, and then says, "I say, open the sacks and let's have some grub."

IN giving judgment at the Tapanui Resident Magistrate's Court in a case in which W. T. M'Farlane was chaiged with plying for hire with a vehicle in Tuafteka County without a license, Mr J. N. Wood, R.M., said he did not consider that the defendant was plying for hire. The evidence showed that what he carried was only his own goods, and such a case did not come within the provisions of tbe bye* law. The information was, therefore, dismissed. The Magistrate refused to allow the defendant his costs, as he thought the County was justified in bringing the case into court. It was a test case by a public body, and in such circumstances he did not think costs ought to be allowed.

A very excellent authority says :— "lt is a fact that such fruit as the apple, the pear, and the plum, taken when ripe without sugar, diminish the acidity of the stomach rather than provoke it. The vegetable sauce and juices are converted into alkaline carbonates, which tend to correct acidity. A good ripe apple, raw, is one of the easiest of vegetable substances for the stomach to deal with, the whole process of digestion being complete in 85 minutes. In the French hospitals an apple poultice is applied to inflamed eyes; it is probable that such fruits 'taken as food also serve as allayers of innamation in the stomach and other alimentary organs. This is peculiarly true of cranberries and grapes."

A largely-attended meeting was held at Dunedin on Tuesday evening in support of the movement for extending the franchise to women. Resolutions were carried to the effect — (1) That the Parliamentry franchise should be extended to women, not as a privilege but as a right. (2) That the meeting sail on the Government and legislature to pass without delay a measure conferring the franchise on adult women. (3) That this meeting thank those members of Parliament who so energetically strove last session to pass the Bill, and express a hope that they will again support it this session. Five ladies spoke at the meeting. Sir Robert Stout, Mr Downio Stewart, and Mr R. Oliver also spoke.

The agent of the New Zealand Bible, Tract and Book Society, whose headquarters are in Dunedin, opens in Lawrence on the 19th instant, remaining until the 30th. This is an excellent opportunity for those desirous of providing themselves with books of the class retailed by the Society, whose stock of evangelical literature is both large and well assorted and of the most varied and best kind. Bibles, hymn-books, books of religious instruction and explanation, including the higher works of theology by the most eminent divines are sold at the most moderate prices. In addition, there are works on social questions from the standpoint of religion by distinguished churchmen, religious truths embodied in attractive narrative form, as well as biography, church history and, indeed, everything that comes under the head of religions or theological literature.

Yesterday, as usual, was observed as a close holiday by the business portion of the community in Lawrence, the shops being closed and the streets wearing very much the quiet appearance of the Sabbath. There wa?, however, a bit of a demonstration in the early part of the day, an invading force of footballers froir Milton, who came up to try their luck with the local club, signalising their entry into the town by the tootling of an asthmatic horn and other tokens of joy most creditable to the festive part}, considering the depressing nature of the atmospherical influences they must have passed through in their journey from Milton. There were also some picnic parties during the day, though the weather was scarcely of the kind to favour that form of recreation. Morning service was held in Trinity Church, and a discourse suitable to the solemnity of the day was preached by the Venerable Archdeacon Beaumont.

Mr Jas. Allen has announced his intention of delivering an address inihe Good Templars' Hall, Waitahuna, on MHday nigbt. Of Mr Allen's abilities as a speaker, and his standing as a public man, there is no need to speak. Though comparatively young in public life, he has succeeded in taking a very foremost position among the more thoughtful class of politicians ; and it may depended upon that, the color of his opinions apart, his address, as far as the political questions of the day are concerned, will be both instructive arid straightforward. Mr Allen is, indeed, above all other things characteristically straightforward and sincere in the expression as in the formation of his opiuions, and .these qualities have tended as much as anything else to gain for him the admiration and respect of even those who differ most widely politically from him. It is, of course, superfluous to recommend that Mr Allen should be accorded a patient and attentive hearing ; his ability and personality will alone, no doubt, ensure him that much, to say nothing of the intelligence and dignity of the audience before whom he is to appear.

Bidders ?t an auction sale do not usually allow their emotions to dull the keenness of self-interest. But there are exceptions to the rule. A case in point occurred (says the "New Zealand Mail ") during the recent sale of city property belonging to the New Zealand Estates Company. Amongst the sections offered was one containing the residence that has been occupied for many years past by Mr Joe Dransfield. Mr Dransfield, like many another good man and true, has felt the pinch of hard times, bu); he was loth to part with the house that was endeared to him by domestic associations. The competition for it was spirited up to a certain point. A lady went one bettei than the owner, and a pause ensued Then rose Mr Dransfield, and uncovering his head, he said, smiling sadly the while, "Well gentlemen, I will for the last time go £10 higher, but I should so much like to keep the old place." The bidding stopped instantly, the "going, going, gone," elicited no response, and the auctioneer, laying down his hammer, led off the applause, which fairly " brought down the house," as the newspaper reporters are wont to say. Mr Dransfield does not lose his old home. May he long live to retain it.

MX F. NICOLL has been the recipient of a very flattering testimonial from the directors of the Hercules No. 2 Goldinining Co. on the occasion of resigning his position as manager of the company's claim. The which bears the signatures of *Mr John Mouat and Sir Robert Stout on behalf of the board of directors, speaks in most eulogistic terras of Mr Nicoll's very valuable services during the period of his management, and of regret at the loss of his services after having carried the company's works through from their inception in a manner highly creditable to his ability and industry and entirely to the satisfaction of the company. The directors express themselves as most anxious to testify to the able manner in which Mr Nicoll has carried out the works, and the skill, energy, and judgment which he has displayed in his position as manager, as well as the entire confidence the directors have always been able to repose in his integrity and ability. This is certainly unqualified praise, something that any man may very reasonably be proud of, particularly in these days when mine managers are made the objects of so many hard knocks, and when, in -addition, their position, owing to a variety o£ obvious circumstances, ia one of great delicacy and responsibility. But it is only what Mr Nicoll's ability and experience and thoroughly conscientious methods entitle him to, and fully bears out our own remarks made at the time of his selection for the appointment.

A TRIANGULAR rifle match, in which the Tuapeka and North Dunedin volunteer corps and the Roxburgh Rifle Club take part, will be fired at the Wetherstones range on Monday.

At the Land Board meeting on Wednesday, H. Muir, holder of pastoral license of lection 69, block IV., Table Hill, wrote stating that he could not at present pay his rent, and asked fdf time.— lt was decided to allow applicant two months in which to pay his rent.

The Police appear to be experiencing some difficulty in convincing people of the propriety as well as the prudence of responding voluntarily to the demands of the dog-tax without being subjected to the expense and indignity of being compelled in open court to do so. Just a very little consideration should be sufficient to convince people of the folly of persisting in such a course, as the legal costs involved in a visit to the court actually amount to more than the regulation fee in the first instance.

The public will have an opportunity on Monday evening of judging of the merits of ProfesaOfr Mason and his talented company. From his success in other places where he has Tiaited, and the encomiums pronounced on the excellence of the entertainment he provides, there need not be the slightest hesitation in strongly recommending his performance to the public here, nor in predicting for the Professor bumper bouses during his stay. And this, too, in spite of the continually expanding competition in the show line, the number ot such concerns that are now drifting around the country and the consequent drain on the public purse. But the latter consideration has no place in reference to Professor Mason's entertainment as there is no charge, or next to none. The fact is the Professor has revolutionised the show business, overturned the old order of things and if he doesn't bring the public around him it is certainly the fault of the publio and not of tbe Professor.

Mb A. Lee Smith addressed a meeting of the electors of Bruce at Milton on Wednesday evening. The address was one of considerable length, embracing all the prominent political questions of the day. The taxation policy of the Government, he said, was largely connected with the land policy of the Minister of Lands. They had what was called the pro-perty-tax, and at last election he objected to it ; but atill there it was, and though he had his doubts with regard to an income-tax, he could quite understand it was the proper thing, provided there were exemptions in the case of small holders; but then he thought if the exemptions were carried out to the point they should be, the Government would be prevented from getting revenue sufficient to replace the property-tax. As regards his candidature, he had no hesitation in saying that he had placed himself unreservedly in the hands of the Government, and told them if they could get a better man he would retire. But the Government decided on running him, as their candidate, which accounted for his being before the electors. At the close of his address, a vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr H. Clark and seconded by Mr Geo. Keith and carried.

The manager of the Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining and Sluicing Co. reports for the week ending 9th inst. as follows :— " I am very sorry to say I have had to shut down one of the elevators through scarcity of water, No. 1 being stopped since 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning. The washing up from No. 2is not up to the average for the time, bnt I have the bottom to clean in yet, which I expect to have done on or about Friday, when I shall wash down again, as I have to remove the paddock left. The wash in No. 2 looks well as we work into the fiat. I received the ripples and castings attended to by Mr Davey, which are exactly what is required. I also received the timber for the race, which I am getting placed in convenient positions so as to put it on quickly when an opportunity offers, as I understand it is not likely that anything will be done to the dam but fill in the byewash this season. I do not think it is advisable to to attempt to do that, as I understand the frost has already set in there, and we have sufficient timber to plank it up on a level with the present wall. If the board thinks well of it, i will send a man and get it planked up at once. Washed down No. 2 on Friday, 230r 3dwt 20gr."

An idea of the losses of land-booming companies in Victoria was afforded at the meeting, held a few days ago, of the Centennial. Land Bank shareholders. There was no dividend for them but only a prospect of more calls, The chairman congratulated them, however, on the fact that since last half-year the directors had succeeding in cancelling three large contracts. One was the property on the other side of the river concerning which so much had been said; L 45.000 had been lost on this, but the land had been bought at a ridiculous price, and as there was L 70,000 still owing on it, there was not the slightest chance that the company could ever have recovered the property. The other property was at Whittlesea, and on this they lost LIO,OOO, but the company had still owed on it L 30,000, which was about three times what it was worth. Other smaller contracts had also been cancelled. Calls had been made, but there was extreme difficulty in realising anything from them. The manager explained that those calls which had not been paid were practically in the hands of the solicitors. But it was no use pressing men into a corner who had nothing. In one case they had done that with a man who owed the company £2000, and all they got was £2 4s 9d at a heavy cost. Mb James Allen addressed one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings yet held in Milton on Thursday evening. His address included all the leading political topics of the day, and was listened to with marked attention throughout. At the close, the customary vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. Our correspondent Adds:— There was an unmistakeable ring of sincerity in Mr Allen's utterances, which, very early in his speech, visibly impressed the audience, and found an echo in the salvos' of •pplause that rewarded him from time to time. His fluency, too,|and hia pleasant style were much in his favour, and from the outset it could be seen he had, nautically speaking, taken the audience in tow, and sailed along smoothly to the close of the address. The questions at the close were few, and that was solely because of the entire freedom from anything of a shuffling or doubtful nature right through his speech. He has the faculty of clear and ready expression, and, having a thorough grasp of the questions he dealt with.he found no difficulty in saying exactly the thing he wanted to, and in a manner that left no doubt as to his meaning. Another noticeable feature of his speech was its freedom from fads and its thoroughly practical and comraonsense character. It suited his bard-headed audience to a " t." His friends are mightily pleased at his deliverance and the effect it produced. Everything points to the election being one of the roost stubbornly contested we have yet witnessed here, and I'm afraid there's going to be some personal bitterness imported into it too.