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Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1067, 29 March 1882, Page 2

An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Lankcy Creek Gold Mining Company was held at Mr Hindmarsh's office on Monday evening last. The whole of the rules proposed were passed, aud other arrangements relative to calls were agreed to. \

The Assessment Court at Hampden was held yesterday, before Mr W. H. Revell, R.M. Some rather interesting cases were for hearing. In 1865, several Nelson residents took up sections in the. township, and have remained in possession of them ever since, but have not been called on for rates. This year, however, the assessor has put them on the valuation list, and rated them at township rates. The holders have appealed against this, urging that they are only called on to pay countiy rates, and the oases were heard yesterday, but we have not yet heard the result. Considering that they have enjoyed exemption for so many years they might have paid and looked pleasant, but in any case the probabili ties are that they have been ordered to do so, and had the additional satisfaction of being mulcted in costs as well.

The shareholders in the Keep-it-Dark will be glad to learn that at a meeting of directors on Monday evening, it was resolved to declare a dividend of sixpence per share out of the late cleaning up. Crushing still continues, and the stone is looking remarkably well, so much so that the sanguine anticipate another dividend of a shilling next month.

A meeting of shareholders in the Captain Cook Quartz Mining Company will be held this evening at Mr Lee's office, the business being to take steps to register the company, and make arrangements for the future. The prospects of this mine are reported as very improving.

We are informed that there are a great many scarlatina cases in and around Reefton amongst children. As yet, the djsease is of a very mild type, and readily gives way to treatment. Lit us hope that it will continue so.

The Reefton Assessment Court will sit on Friday next, Mr Revell presiding. There are 25 objections sent in to be dealt with.

The R. M. and Warden's Court will sit to-morrow. In the former, John Cox will be brought up on .emand, charged with uttering spurious coin. This is the only criminal case. There are two charges of assault and abusive language, between parties at Black's Point, for hearing, and seven civil cases, bnt none of them of the slightest public interest. In the Warden's Court there are 22 applications, and 10 applications for gold mining leases.

The Waxworks Exhibition was well patronised yesterday and last Monday evenings, the music being, of course, the great attraction. The exhibition may be said to be a very cheap promenade concert with all the waxen celebrities thrown in. The music is really of the highest class, Mr Kohler, senr., being a host in in himself in this art, whilst his brother and Mr Scott, the pianist, are also exceedingly good on cornet and piano. Mr Kohler, senr., on Monday night intro- . duced a novelty in the shape of the English concertina, which must be heard to be appreciated. He will play it every evening during the week, and it is well worth a visit. He also plays an instrument styled the ocarina, made of clay, I and fashioned something like a torpedo, from which unlikely instrument he produces the sweetest sounds. His manipulation of the finger glasses is extraordinary, as also that of the glass harmonicon. Irrespective of the waxworks, the music is cheap at the price of admission. A meeting of the Reefton Jockey Club was held on V! oaday evening for the purpose of considering and ordering some of the accounts over from the last meeting. A claim was put in by Mr Lynch, who had the totalisator for commission on the amount put through the instrument on the oil day when he himself was to ill to attend. This was opposed by several members, on the ground that the agreement with Mr Lynch had terminated on the previous day, and that the totalisator was the property of the Club, and for other reasons After some discussion it was agreed that the claim should be paid on the instrument being put in thorough repair by the applicant. The balance of the money advanced in £5 debentures to build the Grand Stand, with £85, was ordered to be repaid with two shillings and sixpence interest on each debenture. A case of welshing, or rather defaulting, was brought before the Club by Mr Payne, who asked advice as to the corn-so he should pursue. It seemed that a man calling himself Kiernel attended the late races, representing himself to be a bookmaker with £000 at his command, and Mr Paine laid wagers with him in a double and treble,' bot'i of which he won. the total making £77 in his favor. On buUliiu; lii^ht this " buoluriikcr " had iv.^

a shilling to pay up with, and Mr Payno not only did not get his £77, but lost some £15 or £20 that ho had hedged in full confidence of Kiernel's good faith. The Club gave him little satisfaction, beyond suggesting that he (Mr Paine) should post tho man in the local papers as a defaulter, and communicate with the racing clubs of the colony, detailing the circumstances. The matter then dropped. After passing accounts to the amount of£27 7s 6d the meeting adjourned for a week.

It is reported that the successful tenderer for the construction of the Little Grey bridge is a resident of Kumara.

On Monday last, under instructions from Sergeant Neville, and in accordance with an intimation from the Licensing Committee at their last meeting, Constable Bamford called on the whole of the hotelkeepers in the town and explained to them the requirements of the new Licensing Act, and alterations and improvements in their premises they would be expected to effect, before applying for their annual licenses in June next. He also informed themthat, though the Committee had no desire tobe unnecessarily stringent, there were certain conditions that they were bound to insist on, and any failure to comply with these conditions would necessitate the refusal of the license. As we understand, in each instance the licenseholder undertook to comply with the Act.

Mr Dawson's new hotel is progressing rapidly towards completion, and will probably be occupied in about three weeks at furthest. The recent holidays delayed work some time, but it is now vigorously proceeding. In noticing this building the other day we omitted to state that the whole of the plumbing, including the large tanks, was undertaken by Mr Wm. Bobertaon, of Greymouth, and he will finisd this week. The whole of the work has been executed in a most satisfactory manner, and reflects great credit on Mr Robertson.

The date for opening Parliament has been definitely fixed for May 18th. A very hot session is certain, and both Government supporters and Opposition members are certain of victory.

The Inangahua exhibits for the Christchurch Exhibition have not yet been sent away, and we should not be surprised when they do arrive at their destination, if they ever do, that they will be shut out altogether. The Council has certainly been most culpable in the neglect shown in connection with this matter, and the district will suffer for it in time present and time to come. The whole list of exhibits so far, comprises — antimony, by the Council ; coal, Irving ; do, Connolly ; hematite and bricks, D. David; specimens of gold-bearing quartz, Welcome, and Specimen Hill Companies ; and goldbearing cement from Lankey's Gully. They are expecting and waiting for specimens from the Keep-it-Dark and other companies, prior to despatching what they have got. [Since the above was in type we have received the telegram that appears in another column, relative to provision being made for the Greymouth and Reefton exhibits. As far as the latter are concerned, Mr Thornton will not have much trouble in "laying them out," as they could all be stowed away in a tolerably large carpet bag.] We are requested to state that youths are now permitted to enter the Reefton reading room free of ' charge. All that is necessary is that applicants should apply to the secretary, Mr Allen Broad, who will issue tickets which will be available during good behaviour. Aa it ia the aim of the Committee to render the institution as popular and serviceable as possible, early application should be made.

It is announced that the old-established firm of James Mulligan and Co. , drapers, Christchurch, have assigned their estate.

We understand that it is in contemplation to organise an amateur dramatic club in Reefton, to provide amusement during the coming winter.

The Nelson road in places is said to be in a very bad state, and it is with difficulty that the bi-weekly mail service gets over it. Mr Weston, M.H.R., has communicated with the Government with reference to its repairs and maintainance, and there is every prospect of everything being done that is necessary.

The Thames Advertiser, in reply to unfavorable comments on that goldfield made in the English Press, writes as follows : — '• Within the past thirteen years we have unearthed gold to the value of five millions sterling. This has been won from an area of less than 200 acres — and when it is stated that the ground in question has been merely surface scratched, some idea may be formed of the value of our district."

A letter from Jamaica, received in London, mentions that in Jackson Town much curiosity has been caused by the birth at one time of seven infants — all boys. The mother, Mrs Hulbert, is a large and strong woman, and her husband small and thin. The children weighed between 41b and 51b. Great sympathy has been expressed by the religious community to which they belonged, and a subscription of 500dolwas made for them.

The municipality of Bourke has decided in favor of the increase of public-houses, When the result was made known, a congratulatory banquet was inaugurated by the coroner, the doctor, the undertaker, the sergeant of police, and the two local reporters. An exchange says that Sir George Grey, erst- while the Parkes of N.Z. is a pensioner of the English crown, but 'that he generally declines to receive his £2000 per annum ! ' We are glad to learn that a simple-minded country editor exists in New Zealand. For our part, we are willing to immortalise Sir George Grey (at so much a column) directly we hear of his refuf:in:j; 2000 pence per annum.

Miss Funny Stenhouse, who visited Australia come years ago as lectures 3on the evils of Monnonisni, io about to start for a tour round the world, with the same

object in viov

A well-known Woolloomooloo citizen, celebrated for his presence of mind, in trying to get out of the tramway the other day, was knocked down ami had his shoulder dislocated. He looked at the limb, and then said very offhandedly :— " I don't want to go to. law, so I'll take £200 and say no more about it." Mr Roberts smiled freezingly, remarked that the claim was a moderate one, and promised to see the Commissioner. The story goes on to say that the Commissioner sent the injured passenger a note, saying that he would like to see him at the railway office, at 11.30 a.m. The patient went with a beaming face, and was met by a man in blue, who handed him a summons for illegally attempting to get out of a tram while in motion. They fined him £2. and he hasn't yet got compensation.

A notable fish— an undoubted brown trout— 3lin., the girth 21| and the weight no leas than 191b5., was caught by Mr Charles Nicholas, at Temuka, and has proved to be in splendid condition for the table, the flesh being a pale orange. The largest fish ever obtained in Canterbury was one taken last year by Mr G. Watkin, which turned the scale at 211bs. Mr Nicholas' specimen ranks next ; and the third on the list is one of 161 b., secured by Mr Piper.

A wax figure of Ben Franklin exhibited in France is labelled, " Franklin, inventor of electricity, who, after making seven voyages round the world, died in the Sandwich Islands, and was devoured by savages, of whom not a fragment was ever discovered."