Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 114, 25 April 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

Thh Charles Edward is to leave Nelson at 5 p.tn. to day, and will, it is expected, start again for Nelson on Tuesday morning next. The Earl of Derby lias resigned from ill health, and Mr. Disraeli has succeeded him as Premier uf England.

The Algerian sailed from Sydney for Nelson on Feb. 5, and the Gertrude for V\ ellingtou on Fob. 20. On Feb. 29 the Ballarat was loading for Nelson, and the H.Adderley, for Wellington. /tr~is rumoured that Mr, Justice Chapman, of /he Otago district, will shortly visit England, and that the acting Judgeship has been offered to Mr. Dudley Ward, the District Judge at Wellington.

The Convict Swale. —The execution of the above-named criminal, who was recently found guilty at Christchurch of the double crime of inurdrr and arson, was fixed for the Kith inst. The following appears in the London Times of the 28th January last: —The Chancellor of the Exchequer begs to acknowledge the receipt of £o from X.Y.Z.. New Zealand, on account of Income Tax not charged in England. The Japanese Jugglers, whose performances have created so much surprise in Victoria and New South Wales, arrived unexpectedly in Canterbury on Friday last, in the barque Crishna, from Newcastle. There are in all six male and female performers in the troupe.

Bank of New Zealand, —An abstract return of the liabilities and assets of this bank at the close of December quarter shows that it is highly healthy and prosperous condition. The assets were <£’2,576,018 against £1,663,416 liabilities. The rate of last dividend was 17 per cent., amounting to £42,500, and the reserved profits amounted to £208,618. A Suspicious Case. —One James Francis Crowlej r has been brought before the Resident Magistrate at Hokitika at the instance of Air. Shaw. It seems that Mr. Crowley expressed an opinion that the West Coast Times' office would be blown up, and Air. Shaw, the proprietor thereof, thinking that perhaps the wish was father to the thought, had Crowley brought before the Alagistrate. The latter, however, dismissed the case.— lndependent. The Pleasures of Law.—Under this heading a squatter’s troubles in A ictoria are thus set forth by the Pastoral Times “ Air. Huugerford, prosecutor, in the case wherein Air. Henry Readford was, on the 19th ultimo, tried at Deniliquin for cattle stealing and acquitted, was served with two writs as he was leaving for Melbourne by Cobb’s coach. The late prisoner went away in the same carriage. One writ was at the suit of Mr. Readford, who claims £5,000 damages ; the second from the poundkeeper at Hay, who claims £450 damages as impounding fees. The cattle in dispute were given up to Air. Huugerford at Hay, who sold them. That the cattle were stolen from Air. Hungerford’s station does not admit of a doubt; by whom the crime was committed has not yet been satisfactorily proved. Air. Hungerford has come on two occasions 1,000 miles to Deniliquin and returned to his station to come back again, thus travelling 4,000 miles to prosecute. He brought with him on the last occasion his overseer and stockman, and it is now sought to get £5,450 damages from him. We should think in the face of these facts that all of our squatters will not be strong-minded enough to prosecute in cattle-stealing cases.

The following pretty paragraph, clipped from the Otago Times, should give a caution to sea men •—ln the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Pori Chalmers, oa the 27th uicitno, David Storey, steward of the ship Viola, was sentenced to sis months’ imprisonment for deserting his skip. The singularly mild season which we havt enjoyed during the last few weeks, has had considerable effect in the vegetable world. A luxuriant crop of grasses is visible in every direction, while some of the vegetable are sprouting out afresh again. Mr. Macdonald, of Blinkbonuy, called upor us a few days ago with a sample of strawberries which he had gathered, and Mr. F. Adams has pears in flower, and expects to be able tc supply his friends a second time this season.

Woollen Cloth a! and factory. —The manufacture of cloth at the works of the Victoria! Woolien Cloth Company on the Bar won is ar established fact. The Argus states that some fifty hands, many of them women, are regnlarlj employed from six c.m. to six p.m. Two additional looms have been set going There is a large quantity of tweeds of various hues readj for placing on the market.

/dSuR Champions. —Messrs. Guy and Tait, the Representatives of the Marlborough Volunteers and the Cadet Corps, left for Wellington or Tuesday last. We notice from the Independent, that the representatives of all the other districts, except Nelson, had already arrived in Wellington, where the Volunteers had held a meeting, and determined to give their visitors a ball. The firing will take place on Monday next, and we have arranged for a telegram of the result, which *, we shall publish as an Fxtra. Wanganui Bridge. —The long talked-ol bridge over the River Wanganui is in a fair waj of being erected at last, tenders for the work having been advertised for by the Governmenl of Wellington. It will be an iron truss bridge, supported on iron cylinders. The length of th« bridge will be about 600 feet, with a swing span, The iron material is supplied, and now lies at Wanganui, as well as the timber, concrete, and other material.— Examiner.

It is tolerably well known (says the Lyttelton Times) that a requisition has been numerously signed requesting Mr. Bowen to stand for the office of Superintendent, and it was known by Mr. Bowen’s friends that he expressed his willingness to stand for the office, if such reasonable provision had been made for it as would have justified him in doing so. From the state of public feeling, his friends had reason to believe that the late vote would be reconsidered wind cut down the salary.

It is stated that the Provincial Government have terminated the lease of the Grey coal mine. The lease was granted to a Ballarat company, about two years since, upon certain conditions. These conditions are said to have been violated in several ways, but the Government were reluctant to interfere as long as there was any prospect of the mine being worked properly but as the work is being carried on in a way tc seriously injure the mine, the authorities have decided on terminating the lease.— Mail.

His Excellency the Governor.— His Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen have been rendering themselves highly popular in the North, by visiting various districts. His Excellency has paid a visit to the Thames, aad a! our latest dates, had left Auckland for the Bay of Islands, to attend a large native gathering about to take place there. On. his return it was expected his Excellency would visit Waikato. It is understood his Excellency will not return to Wellington until a short time before the opening of the Assembly.— Examiner.,. Accident. —On Saturday afternoon tin accident occured at Piccon, which would have undoubtedly ended fatal, had it not been for the timely assistance rendered, to one of Mr. Hebarley’s children, who had been playing on the jetty, and getting too near the edge tumbled in. It appears as the mail boat was coining alongside the jetty, Air. H. E Liardet heard a splash, and on looking round saw a child in the water, when he immediately jumped in and brought her to land. Thanks to .Mr. Liardet, the child received no further damage lhan a wetting. In the evening another accident to Mr. A. Schuster. As he was coming off the steamer Storm Bird, he missed his footing on the plank, and was precipitated into the water between the jetty and the steamer. Fortunately assistance was at hand by which he was rescued without any further damage happening than a good ducking and the loss of his cap.— Press.

The Panama Mail Contract.— The New Zealand Herald of Saturday last, 18th instant, says that a debate on ihe advisability of terminating the New South Wales portion of the subsidy to the Panama Mail Company, took place in the Sydney Legislative Assembly on the 2nd instant. There is every probability that New South Wales will give notice of withdrawal to this Government, and so in 1871 the colony of New Zealand will have to support the whole cost of this expensive and useless service, or, learning wisdom from the sister colony, herself withdraw at the earliest possible moment from so foolish a bargain. Just as New South Wales can obtain for £29,000 the same service for which she pays £55,000 by way of Panama, can New Zealand be served in like proportion. The Panama Service is one of the fruits of that recklessness of expenditure and speculation, which distinguished the Government and individuals alike a.few years since in New Zealand.

The peaceable inhabitants of Rangiora were aroused, a day or two ago, by the intelligence that four members of the criminal class had arrived from Christchurch. It appears that after a few unsuccessful attempts to induce storekeepers to supply them with goods, they tried the public houses. Selecting the Plough Inn, they ordered tea and a quantity of grog, which they distinctly refused to pay for, stating that they did not intend to pay for anything in “ this place.” A little caution was administered by Sergt. O’Grady, and the fellows left for Oxford at an early hour next morning. A man named Mead, who is at the head of the gang, swore they would not leave the plains without something. It may be well for stationowners and farmers to look out for these men, as they are supposed to be armed. On their arrival at Rangiora, the storekeepers and 'publican* were put on the alert by the police. —Lyttelton Times.

Presbyterian Minister for Picton. —We are informed that the Rev. Mr. Soutar, of the Church of Scotland, has been appointed Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Picton, and was to leave Scotland for Port Chalmers on the 13th February last, so that his arrival may be expected shortly. - The Mutual Improvement Society met on Tuesday evening last, when an essay was read by Mr. Falconer, upon “ The advantages of Education to the Working Classes.” A considerable amount of criticism was evoked as to the subject matter. We may state that if all the essays are equal to those given so far, it is impossible but that considerable good will result from these meetings.

S'. The arrival of Professor Augustus among us has resulted in a most singular change in the appearance of our friends, many of whom we find it almost difficult to recognise, in consequence of the modern and much improved style of wearing the hair. A visit to his establishment will convince those who have not yet been there that they have a genuine luxury within their reach, and at a moderate price The professor deserves every encouragement.

" A singular Lusus Natures was shown to us by iMr. John Ewart, the other day. It was one of a litter of pigs, newly farrowed. It had but one eye, and that of undue proportion, fixed in the middle of the forehead; and in lieu of the snout, an appendage to the forehead, like the proboscis of an elephant. With the exception of the feet, which were pointed and hooked, the rest of the animal was perfect. We understand Mr. Ewart intended to preserve the body in spirits.

The Carandini company gave two additional concerts this week. On Monday evening, being a benefit night, there appeared to be a larger attendance than on any former occasion. On Tuesday evening a farewell concert took place, when cartes de visiles of the party were distributed to all present. They consisted respectively—of the company, of Miss Rosina, and Miss Fannie—of which each person had their choice. The result was, we believe, most flattering to Miss Rosina, who was much the most in demand, Any critical remarks upon the quality of their performances on these occasions will be superfluous ; the ladies, especially Madame Carandini, sang amazingly well, and her reputation with the Blenheim public may be considered to be established. The party left for Picton, en route to Kelson, on Wednesday last.