LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1904, 11 June 1892, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The directors of the Jutland Flat (Waipori) Dredging Co. have declared a dividend of 6d pei- share.

A heavy easterly gale set in over the district yesterday morning, and continued with more or less force throughout the day.

Mr Haytbr, the Victorian statistician, returns the value of the Australasiau imports last year at £71,874,000, and the exports at £71,684,000.

There were four patients in the Tuapeka Hospital last evening — three male and one female. Two patients were admitted into the institution during the week and one was discharged.

At the criminal session of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, B. T. Bryant, charged witli having at Queeustown shot a Chinaman with intent, was found "Not Guil y," and discharged.

Sir John Hai,l thinks that the colony should have a taste of the practical working of the financial policy of the Ministry before being called on to pronounce an opinion thereon at a general election.

The Bruce County Council have resolved to ask the member for the district to secure an amendment in the Rabbit Act raising the number of trustees to nine, whereby a county could be made a rabbit district.

Thk reason given for the retirement from political life at the next general election of the Hon. Mr Fergus is that be is about to open a branch establishment of Donald Reid and Co.'s firm in Western Australia.

It is said that the license of one of the Pnnedin hotels was taken away owing to the gambling that was known to have taken place in it. It is reported that the committee are prepared to grant a license for the hottl if there is a change of licensee.

The western district of Victoria is becoming highly moral. At Coleraine legal business is at a standstill. The customary court business consists of a debt case about once in a month or six weeks, with a few drunks thrown in between. Lawyers are scarcely ever required, a judge never.

The " Marton Mercury," urges that railway tickets should be made transferable. At Marton the other day a man was fined £1 and costs for returning from Marton to Silverhope on a return ticket which had been taken out by his son at the latter place. The maximum fine is £10 or two months' imprisonment.

The "Napier Telegraph " alludes in scathing terms to the recent re-shuffling of the Ministerial portfolios. To appease Auckland Mr Cadman goes back to the Native Department, thus acknowledging that the appoint ment of Mr Reeves was a mistake which had alienated the Northern members. Our contemporary fails to see now how Mr Carroll's office can be justified.

Messrs Arthur M'Donald, the wellknown grain and rabbitskin merchants, Dunedin, have been declared bankrupts at the instance of a London creditor. It is understood that the interests of country clients have been protected by the firm, as for some time past all remittances have been made by bank draft or by post office order, instead of by cheque.

In the Victorian Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Sir Graham Berry proposed the imposition of an additional tax on stock imported into the colony as follows :— Cattle, 30s per head ; sheep 2s per head ; pigs, 10s per head ; horses, 50s per head ; beef and mutton, 7s per 1001 b; pork, 10s per 1001 b. The motion was carried by 70 to 17, and the House then adjourned for a month to permit of the preparation of the Financial Statement.

We have been advised by cablegram that in the Sydney grain market New Zealand milling wheat brings 4s 7d to 4s 9d, and local 4s lOd. Oats : Bright short feed, 2s 4d to 2s 6d ; seed, 2* 7d to 2s Bd. la the Melbourne grain market milling wheat is quiot at 3* 4d to 4s. Oats: Calcutta and Algerian, Is 9d to Is ll£d ; stout white, 2s 3d. In the Adelaide grain market good sales of milling wheat are reported at 4s 3d. Oats bring 3s 3d to 3s 4d.

Mr Valentine was asked at the close of bis meeting at Tapanui the other evening if he was in favour of keeping rabbit poisoning back in order that factories, which were employing ten men for every one engaged in poisoning, could continue working. In reply Mr Valentine said that, perhaps, all the settlers were not aware of the fact that no one was compelled to poison. There was no clause to that effect in the Rabbit Act. Bufc power was given to prosecute if the rabbits were not destroyed. No inspector could compel them to poison, but he could compel them to destroy the rabbits. As a matter of fact he (Mr Valentine) was, perhaps, mor« largely interested than any man in the colony, but if the proposal proved detrimental to the colony he would favour poisoning. He did not think they could get the House to insert a clause delaying poisoning, and he would not vote for it,

At the raeetiag of the Bruce County Council on Tuesday, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Smith, " that tenders be called for the formation and of metalling portion of the road leading to Clydevale punt, and road to Tuapeka Mouth via Crookburn."

At tbe present time a conflict is going on in one of the Dunedin churches, the minister and a large section of the congregation being on one side and a small portion of the congregation on the other. The minister, no doubt recognising the impropriety of making reference to his enemies fr >m the pulpit, read, as part of the Sunday morning devotions, the 55th Ps.»lm. Our readers >nv<? only to peruse the complaint of David, ;.!) contained in this Psalm, to realise with what poignancy tha minister attacked his enemies.

At th- annual meeting of the Milton Licensing Committee on Saturday last, the police report stated that of the four hotels in the town, Mr Ketfc'a hari been well conducted during the past, year, and the other three only fairly well. The chairman said that it had come to the ears of some of the committee that a considerable amount of Sunday and after ten o'clock business was being carried on, and should such reports continue to come to their ears, renewals would not be granted next year. The renewals would be granted this time.

A meeting of representative citizens was held in Dunedin on Thursday evening for the purpose of deciding on the necessary steps to have tho Otago Central railway pushed on. The meeting was convened by Mr Pyke, who submitted a motion pointing out the desirability of forming a railway league. Tho motion was supported by Sir Robert Stout, the Hon. T. Fergus and Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R.'a. and carried unanimously. — At the close of the meeting a committee was formed to carry out the objects of the meeting.

The Hon. MrSeddon's opinions seem to be undergoing considerable modification, and are certainly not now of the same blatant and aggressive character they were a few months ago. Speaking at a banquet tendered to him at Whangarei during the week, he strvted that what the colony wanted was political rest. Turmoil created distrust and uncertainty, aud he was anxious that there should be finality ia the taxation question, so as to prevent ia the future the unrest caused by a change in the incidence. This looks like an indication of returning sense and a very clear admission of the "distrust and uncertainty " created by tho Government policy.

Mr Horace F. Bastings, son of Mr Horace Bastings, who is well-known in the Tuapeka district, hassetforthin Wednesday's "Daily Times "a scheme for the solution of the charitable aid and unemployed questions. Mr Bastings' proposal is based on the system in vogue both in Germany and Holland. He suggests that two or more large areas of land should be set apart in the North and South Islands of the colony for the purpose of establishing industrial settlements for the poor. On these could be carried on agricultural pursuits, fruit culture, gardening, and the raising of cattle and sheep, the profits going to support the old and infirm or helpless, thesurphis to be distributed on co-operative lines among the workers. If the scheme were properly carried out, he thinks it would become selfsupporting in the course of a few years, and charitable aid would be entirely abolished.

A SPECIAL meeting of the Tuapeka West Presbyterian Church Committee was held in the local school house on Tuesday evening. Present : Rev. Mr Jolly (chairman) ; Messrs Grieve (elder), Tuapeka Mouth ; Murray and Mnnro, Tuapeka Flat; Smith, Williams, Dalziel, and Mackay, Tuapeka West. A communication was received from Mr Stevenson, representing ths Beaumont on the committee, regretting his inability to attend. The chairman stated the object of the meeting was to take into consideration the necessity of provi-JiDg pulpit supply during the illness of the Rev. Mr Taylor After the matter had been exhaustively discussed, it was decided that no appointment should be made for the present ; but the committee would depend on the Presbytery to grant an occasional supply, and also thankfully accepted the proffered services of a few gentlemen who have always shown the greatest readiness to assist during the lamentable illness of the Rev. Mr Taylor, The meeting opened and closed with prayer.

We are glad to learn that the irregular transmission of the mails from Waitahuna to Dunedin, a subject to .vhich we pointedly Ciilled attention in our last issue, has received prompt ami decisive attention at the hands of the postal authorities. The President of the Waitahuna Farmers' Ciub has received a communication from the Chief Postmaster, Dunedin, stating that the mails are now beiug despatched twice daily direct from Waitahuna to Dunedin. This is satisfactory, and once more demonstrates the public usefulness of such a body as the Waitahuna Farmers' Club, composed as it is of intelli-, gent, active, and watchful men, and of the many claims it has on tbe support of i.he settlers. Were Waitahuna one of those sluggish, unprogressive and somnolent places that are to be only too frequently met with in up-pomifcry districts, the screaming farce Of taking the mails for an outing up Lawrence way before despatching them to their destination might go on indefinitely, or until something in the nature of a miracle had happened to open the official eye and mind wide enough to estimate the stupidity of the system. But tbeu it should be always remembered reforms come slowly and the circumlocution office is a universal institution and hard to demolish.

The following description of the banquet tendered to the "Buller Lion," Mr E. O'Connor, M.H.R., at Westport,- a few days ago, is from the "Charleston Herald":— "The banquet tendered to the • Buller Lion ' was a gastronomical blizzard, and was attended by a large number of citizens, including all the local scientists, demagogues, and leading business men. The attack on the savoury spread was well planned and eminently successful, all the plates and dishes being as clean as the day they were made in less than a quarter of au hour from the start. No serious casualties happened to any of the members of the attacking force, though, it is said, one of the party got his sludge channel blocked during the heat of the conflict through the spur of an old rooster getting stuck crosswavs in his mam syphon, but a well-timed rush of liquid sustenance through the main gunge removed the obstacle and cleared the passage. The mover of the address lost a couple of gum teeth in trying to penetrate the hide of a spring chicken ; and failing to accomplish the task, he had to let it slip down whole, taking the masticators along with it. The guest of the evening made a rattling speech in connection with his recent European tour, and the song " Castles in the air," sun? at its conclusion, was a neat and appropriate acknowledgment of the effect it bad on the audience. The blizzard blew itself out rather early owing to the supply of stimulants becoming exhausted. The caterer and his assistants were counting the spoons as our reporter left the hall."

tJ TT i H ? ii mm r < ?n? nn L b i y meefcin S of the Lawrence District High School Committee was held on. Wednesday evening, and was attended by Messrs J. Hetherington, P. Uren, T. Pilling, T. Arthur, W. G. Urquhart, and G. Jcffery (Secretary.) Mr Pilling, in the absencs of Mr J. C. Arbuckle, was voted to the chair.— After the routine business had been disposed of, the Secretary read a circular from the Education Board relating to the proposed institution of an "arbour day " in the several school districts of Otago.— After some discussion, the circular was referred to the Visiting Committee for report at next meeting. It was resolved that the circular from the Education Board re the enforcement of the compulsory attendance clauses of the Education Act, deferred for consideration from the previous meeting, be considere 1 by the Visiting Committee, with an instruction to report thereon at next meeting. — The return forwarded by the Rector showed that the highest number of pupils on the weekly roll for the month of May was 323; the highest daily attendance, 283 ; and the average attendance for the four weeks, 270. — The Visiting Committee reported that the new grates for the school had been received from the Education Office, and would be placed in position as soon as the school broke up for tbe midwinter holidays.— The Committee were requested to draw up a specification of the repairs required at the school with the object of expending the £10 voted for that purpose by the Education Board. — The following accounts were passed for payment:— J. Caskie, t2 los; J. M'Laren, 55.-This was all the business.

AT the election of a school committee at Tuapeka Flat last Monday evening, the following were proposed and duly elpoted:— Messrs H. J. Martin, A. M'Leod, F. Munro, J. Smith and G. Murray. Mr Martin was subsequently elected chairiianfor the curreni year, and Mr Murray secretary and troasurer. — The householders failed to elect a committee at the statutory meeting held on the 4th Monday in the month of April.

Lokd and Lady Glasgow arrived in Wellington on Tuesday, and met with a very cordial reception. The Governor stepped ashore from the Hinemoa to the accompaniment of salutes from the men-of-war, the volunteer battery, and the guard of honour. He was received by the mayor, who was supported by a band of municipal and other dignitaries, consuls, and volunteer officers. After an address of welcome from the corporation had been read, a procession of friendly societies, trades, etc., beaded the viae-regal carriage amid the cheers of a vast concourse of people. The reception is said to have been the most enthusiastic yet accorded to any Governor of the colony. Lord Glasgow's appearance excited generally favourable comment. He is rather an elderly-looking man, with grey hair and beard, and a particularly pleasant expression, especially when he smiles. Lady Glasgow also made a distinctly favourable impression. Her daughters seem very young.

We have been informed that Mr A. Nelson, of Milton, has been relieved of the office of Registrar of Electors for Bruce, Constable King being appointed in bis stead. This change, it is alleged, is the outcome of an impression prevailing at the seat of Government that Mr Nelson is not of the " right colour " politically. It is a matter for speculation as to how our rulers became possessed of this opinion, but in the wrath caused by the unparalleled boil over at Bruce the wonder is not that this officer has been sacrificed, for that is quite an everyday occurrence undu the present glorious regime, but that every man in Bruce dependent on the Ministerial bounty hasn't before this received his mittimus. Instead of a solitary dismissal, we should hardly be surprised at a regular battue of civil servants in the neighbouring constitu ency. It should be furtherknown that since the advent of the present Government to power, there are in almost every community a few individuals, Ministerial pimps and panderers; and it needs but a word from one of these creatures to cause an official to be suspected of holding unorthodox opinions. After that the end is near, as Mr Nelson and many other excellent public servants have learned to their cost within the past twelve months or more.

MR Chas. Cootb, a very old Dnnedin resident, at one time a traveller for Messrs P. Hayman and Co., and well-known on the goldfields, has returned to this colony from Melbourne, whither he went about two years ago, with the object of introducing a new gold-saving and quartz-crushing machine which is likely to make considerable changes in the present methods of gold-saving in New Zealand. The principal advantages claimed for the machine area great saving in first cost, transit, erection, and wording ; a more perfect amalgamation of the gold than by the old system of copper plates and wells, and, therefore, a much larger return of gold. A smaller quantity of water is sufficient, and this in dry districts is a most important item. The machine is worked on the principle of oscillation. It is placed on bed logs which artcovered with iron plates, and on these it rocks, the motion beiug imparted and controlled by a light beam impelled backwards and forwards by a wheel. It will crush upwards of 50 tons of quartz a week, and one horse-power is said to be sufficient to work it. The machine is put together in sections, easily portable, and it should prove a great boon to small co-operative parties and others, who can obtain a crushing plant at a cheap rate, and without the delay involved in erecting an ordinary battery. Messrs A. and T. Burt, of Dnnediu, are at preseut employed ou the manufacture of one of the machines.