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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 921, 29 February 1868, Page 3

The Queen has had fixed in the pulpit of the Chapel Royal; Savoy, a sand-glass of the measure of 18 minutes. This is presumed to bo a sermon meter. Abtesian Well. — The first of these wells in the Wanganui district has been bored by Mr. Shield. This gentleman had dug about thirty feet in search of water, but finding he was only getting his labor for his pains, the idea occurred to him that he would try a boring experiment, when at the depth of twenty feet more he came on tho water in full foree — so full that in a couple of days his thirty feet well had filled and was running over. — Independent, Feb. 22. The Sea Serpent. — The existence of this marvellous monster of the deep has often been doubted, and it is not generally known that amongst others who have seen it; is Captain H. B. Benson, Manager of the Panama Company. Captain Benson was at the time in command of the brig Lucille, on a voyage from the Mauritius to England, and the creature was seen not far from the Cape of Good Hope. — Independent, Feb. 22. H.M.S. Galatea.— The 831. Herald, of the 7th inst., says : — This noble frigate will be taken into Fitzroy Dock, at Cockatoo Island, this morning, to undergo a thorough overhaul prior to her departure for New Zealand, early in March. Earthquake at Wanganui. — The Wangimui Chronicle, of the 20th says : — At ten o'clock, or a few minutes before it, last night, a slight shock of earthquake was felt in Wanganui. There were two shakes — the first one was scarcely perceptible ; the second, preceded by a low rumbling sound, was more distinctly felt. Earthquakes. — Light shocks of earthquake seem lately to have become quite common occurrences with us. Yesterday evening we felt one at about eleven o'clock, and again, between seven and eight o'clock this morning there was just a slight sensation of a quake. Neither do they appear to have been confined to this Island, as by a private telegram from White's Bay — the point at which the submarine cable reaches the land on the other side — we learn that there was one at four o'clock, accompanied by a loud noise like thunder, and that through the night and this morning several shocks were distinctly felt. — Evening Post, Feb. 20. Goldfields. — Private telegrams were to-day received in town, announcing that a splendid gold-field has been discovered in Maryborough, in Queensland, and that a surprising quantity of the auriferous metal in the shape of " thin gold " and nuggets have been obtained. A great rush is taking place, and the good news will doubtless attract many experienced miners from all parts of the colony. — Independent, Feb. 22. Serious Coach Accident at Wanganui. — On Thursday morning last Cobb and Co.'s coach started from the lied Lion Hotel, Wanganui, en route for Wellington, with the mail and following passengers : — Wm. Fox, Esq., Walter Buller, Esq., E.M., Hugh Hoss, Esq., barrister, J. Gilchrist, Esq., Bank of New South Wales Inspector, C. Webb, Esq., merchant, Mr. A. Cass, draper, Mr. J . Stone, Mrs. Bevan and child, of Lower Eangitikei. Mr. Buller and Mr. Gilchrist occupied the box seat; the rest of the passengers were inside. By half-past 8 o'clock the coach reached the Turakina hill, and shortly after commencing the descent came suddenly in front of Mr. Burr's dray, which was on its way upwards. The dray was drawn up as close in the cutting under the hill as possible, and the coach tried to pass outside it, nearly grazing tho near wheel of the dray, but unfortunately tho ground under the outside wheels of the coach gave way, 'and it fell over. At that critical moment the king bolt which connected the fore and aft parts of the coach, providentially bent and drew out, leaving tho body of the coach to be precipitated down an almost perpendicular precipice of over forty feet. The driver acted with firmness and presence of mind ; kept his seat and took his horses safely past the coach from Turakina, which was then on its way up, and only a short distance from where the accident occurred. Had the horses been allowed to take head, a collision with the Tnrakiua coach must inevitably have taken place. Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Buller instantly jumped off the coach-box, and ran to the assistance of the other passengers, who, in the body of the coach, were precipitated down the cliff; the coach in the descent rolled three times right over. Had the horses and coach-box gone with it, some lives would, most likely, be lost. The passengers were drawn up by ropes, when it was found that Mr. Cass' right leg was broken in two places, but he bovo it with wonderful equanimity, and up to tho present time is quite cheerful over it. Mr. Stone received a serious injury across the loins, but is also progressing favourably. Mr. Fox escaped with a severe bruise in the thigh, and, of course, a shake of the entire frame. Mrs. Bevan's ankle wus sprained, but strange to say, the child who went right to the bottom and was found under the coach, was uninjured, and the little traveller, only eight or nine months old, was brought up laughing. Mr. Webb was much bruised, but is doing well. Mr. Eoss oneo more, escaped with severe shaking. Messrs Cass, Stone, and Webb, were brought back to Wanganui, the other passengers and mail were taken on by a coach quickly provided for that purpose. About mid-day Mr. Fox went on in a private conveyance, and his numerous friends will be glad to hear that he will shortly be as livpiy and hearty as he was the night before the accident, when so warmly entertained by the public at Wanganui. — Wanganui Times. Mu. Fox. — By private letters received yesterday evening, wo learn witli pleasure that Mr. Fox is rapidly recovering from the effects of the accident he recently received by the upsetting of a coach. — Tndependent, Feb. 22.