Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 118, 23 May 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

The ketch Alarm arrived at Wellington, from Kaikoura, on Monday last. Parliament.—A Gazette has been issued further proroguing the meeting of Parliament until Tuesday, the 2hrd J uue.

The wheat crop of California is estimated at a minimum of 30,000,000 bushels this year. Contracts have been taken for the erection of a Grammar School at Wellington, at a cost of £BSO.

■ An attempt is being made to form a Joint Stock Company, for the purpose 6f erecting a theatre in Wellington.

The steamer Wellington is advertised to call at Picton en route for Wellington and East Coast, tomorrow (Sunday).

The Lyttelton Times of the 2nd instant states authoritatively that his Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen will visit Canterbury, Otago, Nelson, and the Middle Island generally, after the close of the next session of the Assembly.

Mb. Ki announces a reading of TBeMttV'CEnsfmas Carol, in the Council Hall on Tuesday evening next. And on Wednesday evening a lady will deliver a lecture on “Flirtation, its evils and remedy,” in the same place. ■ The amount of gold exported from - Marlborough during the March quarter, was 401 ounces, valued at £1604, all of which was sent to New South Wales.

Last week’ Mr. E. Dunn, of Greytown, dug up a potato root, which had been planted by itself in his garden, and obtained from it twentypounds weight of potatoes !- Wairarapa t.Mercury. " ' ■*%

The Charles Edward arrived from Nelson on| Sunday, afternoon last, bringing a quantity of* cargo and 6 passengers, including N. Edwards, ? Esq. She left again on Tuesday for Nelsonj but unfortunately got on a bank in going down the{ river. She left finally on Thursday morning. | Co-operative Flour Mill meeting was held at the School-room, Masterton, on Saturday evening, May l 3rd, for the purpose of taking into consideration the necessity of forming a Co-operative Flou Mill Company. A committee was formed for. the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for carrying out the project. — Independent.

Captain Machin. —We understand that the certificate of this gentleman, late Captain of the s.s. Kaikoura, has been returned by the Admiralty on account of informality. The Board approved of the course taken by the Court here, and considered the sentence not too severe ; but the finding of the Court should, instead of being sent direct, have been forwarded through his Excellency the Governor.— Journal.

The Nelson Scab Act.— ln the Nelson Provincial Council, on the 12th May, in reply to an enquiry from Mr. Parker, upon what grounds the information laid, against Sir David Monro, for having driven sheep infected with scab through this province, -was withdrawn, the Provincial Solicitor stated•! that an information had been laid against Sir D. Monro, similar to that l laid against Mr. E. .Green, though he was confident 'that the latter could - hot be maintained. The Scab Inspector, however, thought he knew b’ettefi' ancCthe decision arrived at by the, Magistrates ’was’ Ultimately reversed,.' . Under/ .these circumstances, the information against Sir D. Monro; being of precisely similar character, was withdrawn; ' 4

Census Results. —The Census returns for Marlborough show as follows ; —The amount of land held underlease is 930,274 acres ; freehold, 545,166 acres ; 273,782 acres fenced ; 2,664 acres broken up, but not under crop ; 1822 acres in wheat; 2132 in oats ; 1381 in barley ; 55 in maize or sorghum ; 25 in rye or here; 837 in hay (mown); 11,553 in sown grasses; 270 in peas or beans ; 299 in potatoes; 14 in turnips or rape ; 15 in mangold, carrots, parsnips, or onions ; 341 in garden or orchard ; 71 in tobacco ; 8 in other crops ; making a total under crop of 17,984 acres.

The following mysterious notification appears in the General Government Gazette, dated.from the Treasury, Wellington ;—“ All persons having money to receive from the Government, either as salary or supplies, are cautioned not to sign receipts without the money having been actually paid. Persons residing at a distance from a paymaster can obtain forms which will empower an agent to receive money on their behalf, so as to obviate the necessity for personal application to the paymaster; Paymasters are also specially charged not to allow signed vouchers to be forwarded to them previous to the money having been paid.” The Geelong Woollen and Cloth Factory is now fairly established. The Advertiser states that the spinning or weaving room appears to be a very hive of industry ; and the looms are now in such good working order that the cloth is being turned out very rapidly, and is undergoing the finishing touch for the market. A large quantity of cloth is in the storeroom, ready for disposal as soon as the company may think fit; and its quality and texture will be sufficient to recommend it to the most fastidious. Two more of the machines—a scribbler and a condenser—are now at work ; and with these extra appliances the looms are kept employed. Scab Act. —The Resident Magistrate’s Court was occupied during a considerable part of May 13th, with an action brought by Sir David Monro against the Provincial Government to recover the sum of £l7. It appears that Sir David applied last year for a lease of land upon his run in the Amuri, which was not granted in the particular form desired by him, and consequently lapsed, the deposit being returned. Sir David now claims from the Government the interest upon the deposit while it lay in the Waste Lands Office. Mr. H, Adams, Provincial Solicitor, appeared for the Government; Mr. Pitt for the plaintiff, and the case was adjourned until Tuesday next.— Mail, May 13. The Variety Troupe, under the management of Mr. Evereste, have been performing at the Council Chambers this week. The entertainment comprises threatrical performances, nigger singing, &c. The company consists of Messrs. Evereste, Clinton, Ryan, and South, with Mrs. Evereste. The acting of Ryan, the “bones” of Clinton, and the stump oratory of South were all excellent in their way. Mr, A. J. Hoskins performed very ably on the violin. During the time we were present South delivered a speech upon the history of England, which was extremely amusing from the absurdities with which it abounded. Nearly everyone in the locality were introduced in the course of the peroration. Miss Alice Travers showed herself to be a finished actress, while Mr. Evereste presided at the pianoforte, and played most dextrously a variety of popular music. Our space will not allew us to notice the performances at length. This evening, being their last appearance,' is for the benefit of Miss Travers, when the programme will include a new local song, “the celebrities of Blenheim;” the “Bal D’Afrique;” and a negro Operatta. “Oh Hush! or, Who throw’d the last boot ?” Some well-known amateurs will also appear.

have, this week, had the pleasure of inspecting a rare work of art. The subject is a Testimonial presented to John Kissling, Esq., the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, on the occasion of his promotion to the Blenheim Branch, which circumstance we duly noted at the time, but the address having to be sent from place to place for signatures, only reached the gentleman named by the Charles Edward on Monday last. It is a superb specimen of floriated penmanship or illumination, of which we can give but the faintest idea. The text is in black letter of the kind denominated Augustinian, the kerns or pendants of each letter being largely foilated. In the margin is a vignette , view of Greymouth, surrounded by a wreath of ferns, which also greatly abound in other parts of the drawing. Above the view is a beautiful vase of flowers. A tablet at the foot contains the names of the various officers who have served under Mr. Kissling, as well as the seal of the Bank, also very well drawn. Gold and coloring abound of course in the drawing, but the whole is the product of the pen only.' The artist was Mr. Hindmarsh of Greymouth, and we have no hesitation in saying that his production is the most beautiful specimen of illumination we have ever seen. At our request, Mr. Kissling has consented to allow it to remain at our office for public inspection for a day or two. \ XI

Promotions.— ,We,, learn that G E, Mellish, Esq., the President Magistrate at Picton, has been promoted to a similar appointment, at Kaiap.oi. where all his interests and relationships are centred. Consequently, S. L. Muller, Esq. will be the sole Resident Magistrate in the Province, with a corresponding salary. It is not likely that any successor to Captain Mellish will be appointed, since Dr. Muller has received instructions to hold periodical - Courts at Picton, which will probably be fortnightly. We congratulate both gentlemen on the change, the latter especially, since he has filled the' office of - R M. here for the last, six or seven months without any salary for so: doing. That the change is not agreeable to our Picton neighbours, is evident from the following extract from the Press, which verifies what Mr. Stafford, said at Nelson the other day.—“ G. L. Mellish, Esq., R. M—This gentleman,'we are'sorry to inform our readers, has. received instructions .from the-General Government for his removal from Picton to.Kaiapoi, Canterbury, there to fill the office of Resident Magistrate. ; . He leaves for Canterbury, we. beleive, on the 6th of June. A : -requisition_isin course of signature, praying for the retentionipf the services of ;Captain Mellish .in the district. The requisition lies at ;the store mf Messrs Arthur Beauchamp and Co, for signature.”

We learn from the Grey River Argus of tj 12th, that Mr. Ireland, Q.C., late Attornd General of Victoria, had arrived at Hokitij last Friday, by the Tararua from Melbourd especially retained for the defence of the pi soners under committal for “ rout” and seditioj libel. It is understood that Mr. Travers h; also been retained on the same side.

Freemasonry. —A meeting | was held Ewart’s Hotel on Thursday evening which. wB attended by about 20 persons, chiefly membeH of this ancient order, when resolutions we™ passed, “That in the opinion of this meeting is desirable to establish a Lodge in this proviucS and that application be at once made for a din pensation.” Also, “ That such Lodge be namel the ‘Marlborough Lodge of Unanimity.”’ .A meeting of Masons only is to be held at the saml place on Thursday next, for the purpose cl further promoting the desired object. ■ On the 15th April, the election of a Membeß for the Northern District, in the House of Repreß sentatives, under the “Native Representation Act, 186 G,” took place at Russell. A half-castl (Mr. Frederick Neue Russell, of Russell, Bay ol Islands), was proposed and seconded by twl natives and elected without opposition. Thl new member has received a good education, an cl on the mother’s side is said to be related to the* famous old chief, Tamati Waka Nene.— Colonist! Startling Joke. — The Lyttelton Times of tha 12th says : —“The heaviest mail that will evem have reached any part of this colony, or which! will have passed through any post-office in the! world, has been announced as to arrive here almost immediately. Colonel Haultain is reported as having inspected the Artillery Company yesterday, and ‘ promised them one twentyfour pound howitzer, which he said would most probably arrive from Wellington by the next mail!’ We congratulate the local mail contractors on their prospects.” Phrenology. —Mr. Cook has been giving a series of lectures upon this subject, during the week. Upon calling in for a few minutes the other evening, we found him engaged in some electro-biological experiments on two persons said to be susceptible to his influence, one of whom he professed to make rigid. Laying his head upon one form, and his feet upon another, the subject lay as if at ease upon a solid surface. The lecturer then mounted upon the man’s stomach, and stood for a few seconds. The audience was not numerous, but very disorderly. /"We observe that Mr. Hanson Turton, solicitor, and conveyancer, has commenced practice fin this town. This gentleman makes his appear- ' ance amongst us well known and recommended to several of our leading fellow-townsmen. Mr. Turton served his time under the Hon. James Pendergast, Attorney-General; and by dint of application and hard study during a period of three years, lately passed a creditable examination before his Honor Mr. Justice Chapman. Apert from his qualifications of a professional nature, we understand Mr. Turton has a thorough knowledge of the Maori language.

The Mutual Improvement Society held a meeting on Tuesday evening last, when an essay upon “Meanness” was read by Mr. Gorrie, and criticised by the members. After which, Mr. Morley read an extract from Macauley’s “ Miltpn,” giving a somewhat partisan view of the state of affairs from 1630 to 1680. The reader’s animation showed a sympathy with the author, and a somewhat vigorous debate followed, manifesting an interest in the subject and occasion Several names of persons desirous of joining were proposed, and we are glad to say, the Society evinces evident signs of vitality and usefulness.

Discovery of Land in the Artic Ocean.— Intelligence comes from Honolulu tliat land, hitherto' unknown, has been discovered in the Artic Ocean by Captain Long, of the American whaler Nile. Captain Long reached the high latitude of 73‘30 N., where he discovered the land in question. He describes it as being very elevated, and having a mountain near the centre, about longitude 180 degrees, resembling an extinct volcano, and estimated to be 3,000 feet high. The Nile sailed several days along the coast, and approached within 15 miles of the shore. The lower part of the land was free from snow, and appeared to be covered with vegetation. It may be added that the “ appearance of land ” in the above locality is laid down in the most recent charts of the Artic regions.— Mitchell's Steam Register. Bad Times! —Where are they Not?—The New York Tribune says : —“Winter has set-in early and sternly ; the markets are glutted with fabrics, which are selling at low prices ; 1867 has been a hard year for manufacturers and merchants generally, because of the steady decline in the price of goods, which constrained them to sell for less than cost of stock,' so that there is generally no profit on the year’s business, and often a serious loss. Then the cotton crop has failed in large districts, and is, on the whole, below an average, while if sells for scarcely half its price a year ago. The corn crop is also below the average; hence high prices for bread and meat, with no corresponding advantage to the farmers who' cannot buy goods so freely as they have done ; hence a very general and wellfounded cry of hard times ” ■

■ Bmx H DAy Celebration. —An event of cbn'sTHeraEie interest in a family which ranks amongst the earliest and most widely respected of the Nelson settlers, was celebrated yesterday, "when the eldest son of Henry Redwood, Esq., M.P.C. attained his majority. The auspicious event was duly, commemorated by a ball at Hednesford, for which a large number, of invitations had been issued, and the festivities were kept up with unflagging spirit until a very advanced hour of the morning, a large number of the guests reaching town sometime after daybreak. At the supper, which, we need hardly add, .was most profusely and elegantly furnished, the health of was drank

-with great' enthusiasm, and appropriately acknowledged by this promising representative of the third generation of a most worthy stock. The healths of his father, and of Mr. Redwood, sen. (who, with Mrs. Redwood, remained among the merry dancers up to a very late hour), were given with all the honors, and the occasion will long be remembered not only in connection with the happy event which it was intended to commemorate, but also as one of the most agreeable social reunions which has taken place amongst us for some time past.— Evening Mail.

The town of Greymouth has sent up a petition praying to be incorporated as a borough under the Municipal Corporation Act. The Editor of the News called upon our publisher recently, and requested him “to get up a barney about something !” adding very naively that “ it need not make any difference between us I”—a request which was politely declined. Since then we have seen how the idea has worked upon the excited and “joyous” imagination of _ our “ mysterious ” friend in more ways than one. '‘f week he gave us a fresh proof of his specious powers, by 1 stating what he knows to be “ untrue, in accusing us of “ sycophantic ” and ; “ wholesale flattery.” Because we will not ‘ start “a barney, ”‘he is so anxious that he starts one himself. He is quite welcome to. any good he may derive from this course, and we can assure him that nothing he can possibly do, in that or any.other way, will ever "make any difference between us that does not exist at present. We have a proper appreciation of nim and his conduct.