Local Intelligence.

Narrow Escapes. — The boisterous state of the weather in the Bay in the early part of the week was very nearly proving fatal to several lives. On Sunday, the Necromancer and the Ann, and we believe another coaster, which had sailed on Saturday for Aorere, with altogether nearly thirty passengers for the diggings, were compelled to put back from the violence of the weather. The Ann contrived, though not without great difficulty, to make the harbour, as she was unable, from the strength of the wind, to carry the canvass necessary to enable her to steer properly ; while the Necromancer, which was manned by only one seaman, was altogether unmanageable, and was run on the Waimea sands, where she remained four days. On Monday night or Tuesday morning, the passage-boat from Motueka, with several passengers on board, was in great danger of foundering in the Bay, and was, we are informed, only kept afloat by part of her cargo being timber. The accident to the Necromancer, which was nearly proving fatal to twelve lives, is attributed to the helpless state in which her master found himself when the gale sprung up, without a single seaman on board to assist him, the vessel having gone to sea in this state, because the seamen had demanded an advance of wages, which was refused by the owner, who trusted that the passengers would be able to give the master the requisite assistance to work the vessel. With the increased traffic for coasters caused by the gold-fields, and the number of passengers who every day entrust their lives on. board of them, it is absolutely necessary that some supervision should be exercised to see that all vessels conveying passen- j gers across the Bay are properly manned and not overcrowded, and that the vessels themselves are in a proper condition. If this is not done, the occurrence of very serious accidents may be apprehended. Odd-Fellowship. — The anniversary dinner of the Traveller's Rest Lodge, at Richmond, took place on Monday last, when an excellent dinner was provided by the hostess, Mrs. Cleaver. The chair was filled by W. T. L. Travers, Esq., one of the representatives for the Waimea Districts in the General Assembly, the vice-chair by Mr. W. Snow; and the guests embraced two of the provincial members for the districts, Mr. Kelling and Mr. Butler, Mr. J. Ward, one of the members for the Suburban Districts, and Mr. C. Elliott, the colleague of the Chairman in the House of Representatives. The company was not so numerous as we have seen it on some similar occasions, which we accounted for by the absence of so many men at the gold-fields. We were glad to learn from the speeches of Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Kearns, both old officers of the society and two of its most zealous promoters, that Odd-Fellowship still increases in prosperity ; for while the institution is one of the most popular of our Benefit Societies, so also is it one of the most useful. The dinner passed off exceedingly well, and to the apparent satisfaction of both members and guests. Testimonial to Mr. H. Seymour. — The following testimonial to Mr. H. Seymour was read at the public breakfast lately given to that gentleman, previous to taking his departure for England. The document is numerously signed by persons of all classes :—: — To the Honourable Henry Seymour, M.L.C., Sfc, $c, Sfc. Dear Sir— On the eve of your departure for England, we, your friends an I fellow-colonists, cannot allow you to leave us without publicly expressing our deep regret at losing you, and assuring you of the unfeigned respect and warm regard which your consistent conduct, your unimpeachable integrity in all the relations of life, and your unvarying kincness of heart, have secured to you from all classes in this settlement. Among the first settlers on tho shores of Blind Bay, you have also been among the foremost on all occasions to promote its welfare and prosperity. Whilst your position as representative of the landed proprietors in England, gave you great influence, both here and at h^me, we bear our willing testimony to the fact that you have always so exercised it, often under very difficult and and adverse circumstances, as to make your duty to your clients compatible with the utmost possible consideration for the welfare and interests of the colonists. With the firmest and most undeviating adherence to what was just and right, you have happily combined an amount of forbearance which the lapse of time has shown to be as wise as it was generous, and a degree of personal attention to and kindly interest in our welfare which has justly entitled you to our deep respect and warmest regard. As one of our oldest-established merchants, you have, in connection with your respected partner, acquired a.d retained by your liberality and honourable dealings the confidence and regard of the whole mercantile community. As a public man, you have, as a member of the House of Assembly, received the highest honour which her Majesty's Representative could bestow ; and as a member of society we may, without trenching on the domain of private friendship, bear witness to the hospitable cordiality and numerous kind offices which call for our acknowledgments, and make us so deeply regvef to lose you. Accept, therefore, for yourself and Mrs. Seymour, our hearty wishes for your health, prosperity, and future happiness, and may the remainder of your days be crowned with every blessing in the good country to which you are now returning.