Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 122, 20 June 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

It is said that within the next six weeks Napier will be connected by telegraph wire .with Wellington and the Middle Island.

The New South Wales Government intend withdrawing State aid from thirty-six denominational schools at the end of the year. We understand that the rank of Inspector of / Police has been conferred on Senior-Sergeaht( (Emerson of Blenheim. *

A Melbourhe telegram in the Otago Daily Times says “It is rumored that a desire for severance of the union with the Home Gountry is increasing amongst otherwise loyal subjects.” /We notice that Mr. C. H. M‘Elwain has expended his business by opening a branch shoe u [establishment at Eenwicktowu, which will be ?t tinder the charge of Mr. C. Williams.

Errata.— ln our report of the Resident Magistrate’s Court last week, we by mistake ■mis-uamed the parties. The prisoner’s name was John Burroughs, and the complainant was Robert Townsend.

We learn from a private source that measles are very bad at Picton, scarcely a house being free. Our informant states that there have been above 100 cases, and that adults are attacked as frequently as the juveniles. As a proof of the.. injustice of the present' action of the Public Revenues Act, so far as this province is concerned, we learn that the cost of services charged provincially by the General Government last mouth exceeded the income, or consolidated fund by no less than £129 ! f Mr. Hen’rv Redwood having imported a number of partridges from Canterbury, has turned them out on his farm at Spring Creek; As besides being objects of sport, these are of the much-needed insectivorous kind; it isto be ? hoped that persons will abstain from annoying or injuring them in any way. y ■ - * ■■■ *- Latest accounts from the Thames say that Captain Brackenbury is a candidate for the seat in the House of Representatives'vacated by Mr. R. Graham ; and the diggers are requested hot to pledge themselves to either of the candidates now in the held, but to reserve their vote for one of themselves, who is about .to declare himself.— Post. %

We hear no more of the nonsense about “the County of Picton but the inhabitants of this" side the Wairau will have every reason to bo glad if the promoters of this scheme are only successful. Only fancy our being deprived of the pleasure of spending the immense sums re-

quired for the maintenance of the Picton Rphjd-L----about £2OOO per annum—to say nothing about ’ those in the Kaituna, Grove, Mahakipawa, Havelock, and the digging districts ! But what will be the feelings of their inhabitants when they have to support these roads and bridges out of a rate levied in the County only ? » <> appears from the Press that Mr. Duncan ;% Guy, the Clerk to the Resident BlagSlrStSh ■-©ntfft, Picton, has received notice from the General Government, “ that the office will either '■ be abolished, or that the salary will be greatly reduced.” Our contemporary argues with great propriety that a clerk should be retained in Picton, otherwise great hardship will result to persons wishing to take out summonses. In V short he anticipates what we had to put up with/ -11 some months ago, when deprived of our chief magistrate. The work for the various officials / ' remaining in Picton has fallen 1 to such a nominal amount, that we are not surprised to hear of the 1 reduction, and we should advise some others to put their .houses in, order, so as to be prepared - for further changes.,, An amalgamation of offices might be very beneficially carried out, and doubtless will be ere long, for oar means are small, and Local Taxation is. inevitable. This 'i* state of things has been, at least aided by the" ! : i foolish policy of some of Picton’s pseudo friends, as,.for instance, the discouragement given to the payment of customs in thkt port, openly given- 1 and boasted of by a political whom ; we need not name. The paltry sum of £22o' 1 being-, total for the March; ‘ iug not much more than sufficient' to pay the • Collector’s salary—pgainst :£1,300 paid in the depised Wairau, where we are glad to notice that." .they: continue to increase. ‘

Too Bad. —The Independent, alluding tcf tHe > late Piston election, speaks of Air John Godfrey r as a ‘‘local political/ firebrand, unceasingly V 'moving; and: restlessly scheming.” ; The', Picton ‘ ] Press gives the unkindest cut'.of all/ .Whocould/;f have;thought that the -journal which until-a few short months ago.; rias .under 2 his paternal care, f would, speak of him in this strain “ It’ was - f thought likely by many tbai. Mr. John Godfrey would, at the nomination, retire from the con- \ test; .nor did their thoughts beguile-them,'for after an almost .ineffectual attempt to obtain a ■i- 1 seconder, and the utterance of a long winded t/ V i! bombastes furiqso speech, the political/-fire-* 3 '’l 7, brand ’ > retired ;• from the contest, evidently -t’ chagrined at; the cold support offered him, . (two ,I hands only appearing for him. when the ahow of W hands was taken) and - with, a heavy'sigh ■ ex-' ,i : i pressed his sorrow that a ‘free and enlightened’ ■' | public should allow such rare merit as he pos- 1 f sessed to ‘waste its fragrance oh the desert air.’ In the; opinion of a certain portion .of the com- i V munity, Mr Godfrey may possess merits of very rare order, though; wa'. must confess we fail 'to //j perceive, them. ,• One;, may give him"' -■? credit for, and that is •‘ figures-;’ but' we leave >*} it to the free and enlightened public to say what • ;f good has -resulted from his ‘facts.’ We trust • v that,,this is the last time that ever we shall see ' *>■" Mr. v . Godfrey on the political boards, and that' ■ once and for ever the curtain may be lowered on the farce of, ‘John Godfrey, and how not .to do it.’ Mr. John Godfrey has on every possible occasion appeared in the political arena, his one -/ • apparent object being to create discord aad party > feeling.” ’ -■ /

There were no cases for hearing.at the Bi;si= nt Magistrate’s Court this week. Captain Mellish.—This gentleman takes his ifmtnre from Picton for Canterbury on the Ind instant. His loss, we are sure, will be reetted, as he is held in the highest .esteem by • residents of the district. We trust that he ajr Hud his removal a benefit. -- Pm l " 11 The Weather.-—During the past week we ivo been visited by a succession of very heavy ins, accompanied with extremely, cold piercing inds from tile S.E. During Sunday, Monday, id Tuesday it rained almost unceasingly, and at ie time we write, it is, to use an oft-quoted ex--ession, raining ** cats and dogs,*'without any jpearance of. abatement. Comm unicatiou wit u lenheim has been almost, entirely suspended, id it was found impossible to forward a moil um that place to Picton between Friday and unday. —Ft mu. Lakok axd Destructive Fihk in Metournk.—A telegram from Melbourne dated lay 16th, states The Albion Saw Mills in 'Hzabeth-street, belonging to Messrs. Halstead, err, and Co., have been totally destroyed by re, together with their extensive stock of timber ad building materials of all descriptions conlined iu their yard of two acres. Their loss is fti mated to be about £IO.OOO A chemist’s shop, roduce stores, bootmaker’s and tinsmith’s shop, nd also -a row of cottages have likewise been timed, notwithstanding the energetic and wellirected efforts of seven Fire Brigades anil a nge number of Volunteers to subdue the fire.” TrS'native news from the North is menacing, [owever, it would be improper to write any* ling-alarming until the result of Mr. Mackay’s iait has been made known. This much we may (ate, that the Rarawas declare that the war aa been made by the Government, to retake a um who was permitted to escape by the Euroean magistrates after having been surrendered >p trial; and the Ngapuhis declare that the war owing to the cowardice of the two resident lagistrates in The Bay district, who had charge f the culprit,, and who would not allow the gapohis to recapture the murderer. —Auckland 'rte Press. The hardships experienced by a body like the olice, and others, whose remuneration from the rovincial Government is small, in being unable 9 obtain payment for the past two months, eeds, we believe, to be experienced to be proerly understood. We do trust the Government f inch a thing is actually in existence) will lose 0 time in endeavoring to remedy the evil, and v so doing place a deserving body of men in ime kind of a satisfactory position. We should link how that payment is legalised the money ill be forthcoming, and that the rumor that it rill be paid on Thursday next is correct.— A Mistak a. —Charles to the altar led the >vely Jane, and to her father’s house returned gain, where, to convey them on their wedding »ur, already stood a brilliant coach and four Then, lo 1 the gathering showers at once ascended, clouds and warring winds contended ; lit moves him not, but in he hands his bride, x I seats himself enraptured by her side ; when 1 is, to cheer the fair one, he begun ; “ I hope a soon shall have a little sun ” But she, to hom the weather gave no pain, who heeded Ot the blast or pattering rain, but most about er future state bethought her, replied, “My aar, I’d rather have a daughter.”—/*. Opinion. Piracy,—The London correspondent of the feago Times writes :—“ The attack by pirates B the Macduff, London to Melbourne, on the :}rd October, should be a caution to mariners on la long voyage. A letter published here gives it. 7.30. long. 20.52, as the scene of half-au-mr’s sharp encounter, when 150 villainous cutiroats were beaten off their intended prey by iq resolute bearing of the crew and passengers fan apparently helpless merchantman. This iventnre cannot be too frequently narrated ; or should passenger vessels ever put to sea rithout being much better armed than was the ood snip Macduff at the time of her great peril; i, but for the 'sterling British pluck shown on us occasion, the probable consequences are per* totly horrible to contemplate. Important Appeal Case.— An important ppeal ease affecting the legal status of the Hokiika Corporation, has lately been decided in the upreme Court in favor of the Corporation, 'he appeal was from a decision of the Resident lagistrate at Hokitika, who had granted a non* nit in an action for the recovery of rates from ir. J. P. Klein, on the point raised that the layer and Council had not been duly elected, lia Honor, in giving judgment, said “ that it ras a principle, of Taw, that the acts of membersfacto at a Council or a Corporation were held -olid, notwithstanding that there had been some nformality or invalidity in..the election of such lembers, and that the appropriate proceeding or testing the election of such persons was by ruo warranto. ,V He also said that he acceded'to he argument of the Attorney-General, that if to assessment had been made, the. Citizen's' 101 l would be properly made up from owners md occupiers of property, and that such persons roold be qualified to vote and to be elected: !• gave judgment for the appellants, with' oats!” — Examiner. . - On to the Fuis. —The exodus to these Islands seems to continue, and that, notwithitandins the unfavorable reports of their being insnitable at the present moment for successful ;olonization —reports which far surpass in extent md authoritative meaning the descriptive and glorious visions of . this interesting field for sivilized labor, which from time to time flit from me newspaper. to another, and induce many :redulous lovers of the sub tegmine fagi to proseed headlong to that land of cotton and beechle*mer, there to find and enjoy the dolcefarniente it present so difficult to indulge in in New Zealand. The .schooner. Banshee leaves Dunedin irith a number of passengers for the Fijis, amongst .whom we notice Mr. Morton, late [nspectdr. of Police in Otago, who' has fallen a victim to one of-the. remorseless political scythes Bow so busily engaged in "the colony in its blind work of .retrenchment, and to whom a large minded Council voted one year’s salary as compMiaation for: loss of office, i; The Banshee takes alarge general-cargo,.and a number of colonists determined togive the-Islands a fair trial. Mr. F. J. Mossi.r formerly Provincial^Treasurer of Dtago, goes in the schooner.*— lndependent.

From a,private telegram, received on Tuesday last, we find that great scorms and disasters have occurred in Otago and the Soucn, probably of a more severe character than have hitherto been known.

In consequence of the inclemency of the weather on Sunday last, there was no service at the Church of Nativity during the day. The same cause prevented the Mutual Improvement meeting, and Mr. Kieruau’s reading. We published two curious stories of the horse last week from the Ararat local journal, one of which related to a horse named Sable, and the property of Mr, Parker, father of Messrs. K. and W. I‘arker, of Blenheim. This week Mr. W. Parker uas informed us that the story aa related is not quite correct, so far as the horae ramming with a quantity of gold is concerned. In other respects the story is confirmed.

There nun been two or three fresh cases of dipthei ia luring this week, among whom is Mr. Gnrrie, win* we are glad to report is again approaching convalescence. Wo trust this dire visitation has well-nigh finished its round of victims, and that before the season again cornea round, the surrounding district—to whose miasraetic influence we believe we owe this malady —will be drained. If not by moans of the Drainage Act, then by private enterprize.

Costs. —The question as to whether bankrupts should be allowed their costs was mooted at Canterbury some days ago by Dr. .Foster and Mr. Joynt, who had charge of a number of bankruptcy matters. After couai- ■■ derable discussion, .Mr. Justice Gresson pleased; to make the following order, which applies to all cases in which applications had been made ; “ Until further or general order, the bankrupt shall have his costs up to and including the gazetting of the trustee, subsequent to Court fees and trustee’s costs, and prior to the distribution of dividend to the creditors — Post.

The Lyttelton Times has the following with reference to the settlement of the counter claims between the Imperial Government and this colony :—“We have no wish to detract from any merit that may be due to the present Government for their conduct in this affair, and there is no doubt that the consent of Mr. Fitzherbert, as Treasurer, was requisite for the ratification of this contract, but it is as well to state what is already pretty well known in well-informed circles, that Mr. Weld has occupied a prominent part in negotiating or preparing the way for this settlement. Ho would be the last man to grudge Mr Fitzherbert any credit that may belong to him, but it is only right that honor should be awarded where honor is due.

A public meeting is to bo held in the Provincial Hall on Wednesday next, for the purpose of considering the best method of preventing the floods. So far as we are informed, Messrs. Robinson and Reeves have been over to inspect the site of the Opawa Breach, and believe they can at a comparatively small expense turn the Wai* ran into its original channel again, at the point on the south side of the river where at present there is a bank some four feet high. W e trust there will be a good attendance, and setting all past differences of opinion aside, that a determination will be come to, and at least an attempt made to remedy what has now become intolerable to both town and country. Of ono thing we may be certain that unless some such step be taken, the evil will grow worse with each recurring rain. At the request of the parties alluded to, the Superintendent has requested Mr. O’Sullivan to meet them at the Spring Creek School this morning, at 10 o’clock, for the purpose of visiting the Breach, and examining into the probability of the proposed plan being likely to answer the desired end.

We have had some very severe weather since our last. On Thursday week a S.E wind set in accompanied by incessant rain, which continued until Tuesday evening. During the whole of this period, the rivers in and near Blenheim slowly rose, but until Monday night did not overflow their banks in the town, nor then did it form a flood, as the streets were not covered. We have not heard of any cases of loss or damage, except the entire cessation of business during the early part of the week As those conversant with the district will anticipate, the chief part of the water came from the Taylor river, which backed up till it joined the Omaka. We owe our escape this time however, it would seem, to the diversion of the Opawa river which ,we noticed last week. This river overflowed below Mr. A. Jackson’s and near Mr. Robinson’s farm, opened a new course, and passing through Mr. Raul’s entered the main channel at Ford’s hole, so shortening its course very materially. Some' portions of Spring Creek district were submerged which have hitherto escaped, and consequently some of the farmers have begun to feel anxious that some steps should, be taken to remedy the . annoyance The road between the Spring Creek and Blenheim is, wo learn, very much cut up by the overflow of the water, and will stand in need of a considerable outlay to place it in condition again We (Auckland Free Press) Understand that Mr Stafford has been trying his hand in an attempt to strengthen his position as Premier, by adding to the Executive another Auckland .member. Accordingly, Dr. Pollen, Government agent here, has been induced to join the Executive, with a seat in the Upper House. We congratulate Mr; (Stafford on obtaining the ser vices of The ablest man, we shall say, at present in the Executive, for, however much we may have differed from Dr. Pollen, we have been at all times ready to acknowledge his great political ability and business capacity. Mr. Stafford has, therefore, imported talent into his Executive—a commodity in which the Ministry were sadly deficient. The changes which have led to this reconstruction of the Cabinet ' would appear to bo these :—Mr. Harris, owing to the. state of his private affairs,•was forced to^resign ; .Major Richardson, claimedexemption and the Speaker's chair in the Upper; House, Mr.'Stafford having provided for his near relative by a special pension bill to make things sure beforehand ; and therefore there was no one to conduct the Government business in the Legislative Council.; ;Dr. Pollen was, for many reasons, the best i man they could get. ,Of course, we now expect, to find Mr. Garleton hand-iii-glove with the Doctor;; but we can assure Mr. Stafford that however well laid hia plans may be, the end of Auckland is not yet.

The Qrey Pivcr Argus, of the 2nd lust., gives the following intelligence with reference to the Brunner Coalmine:—“ We understand that an application has bean made to the Provincial Government of Nelson for the lease of the coal* mine on the Nelson side of the Cray, and that the applicants are Messrs. Edwards (of-the firm of N. Edwards and Co.) and Cawthroii. We should be glad —as indeed every person in Greymouth would be—to see the working of the mine placed in such hands. Ax Italian emigrant recently returned to his native town, Narose, with a fortune of 45,000 francs, in paper. He laid his wealth upon a table and sallied forth, leaving a little child at play in his room. When he returned home he found his hard-earned fortune a mere smouldering heap of ashes upon his own hearth. The child, for want of some better amusement, had flung the pile of notes into the fire. In a paroxysm of fury the mau stretched the innocent offender dead at his feet with a single blow, and is now in gaol awaiting his trial for murder. / Is quest. —An inquest was held at Pioton Gaol on Monday the Isth inst, on the body of 'a prisoner, John William Carr, who died in the Gaol on the morning of Sunday, the 14th inst., at about 10 o’clock. The inquest was held before the Coroner, G. L. Meilish, Esq., and after hearing the evidence, the Jury returned a verdict of “ Died from natural causes." The deceased was sentenced last September to 18 months imprisonment, lor larceny from the ! barque Laughing Water, of which vessel he was steward. He was 32 years of age, and has been i ailing of consumption for some time past.— Press. N —New Settlement in Otago. —The Dunedin correspondent of the Post says:—“The select committee on the West Coast report favourably as to founding a settlement at Martin’s Bay. They recommend free grants of 109 acres to bona fide settlers there, in order to secure actual settlement—the placing of one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land in the market at an upset price from ss. to 20s.—and that immedia'e stops be taken to open a pack-horse track from Wakatip to Kakapo. The evidence given before the committee is very valuable, to the effect that the country is rich agricultural land, well watered and timbered, good navigation, and the climate superior to the East Coast."

During the last week or two the beach has made to a wonderful extent at the back of Kevcll street, commencing, we may say (for the bay lately scoured there will soon fill again) at the point of the North Spit, and extending north* wards to some distance past Orr’s right-of-way Evidently the beach is undergoing reconstruction, and we dare say, in the course of a few months, that it will have attained its former large proportions. A fine plateau of sand, firm to the tread, am therefore the very place for a healthy, enjoyable promenade, or for the evolutions of our volunteers, has been formed at the back of Weld-street right-of-way, and is rapidly spreading northwards and seawards. In fact, it is easy to perceive from the peculiar wash of the surf, that an immense aand-bauk is being thrown up where the sea is now breaking.— Hokitika Dispatch.

An unusual number of hard words are crowded into a small space in the following paragraph, which wo take from the last Australasian. The writer is speaking of two men, one of whom ill-used hia wife, and the other attempted to poison his children by giving them sweatmeats in which he had sprinkled poison. The writer rises to the emergency —to wit, —“ It is impossible to read of such miscreants, without wishing that the excellent principle of prophylaxis could bo brought to operate upon them ; for if society could be treated so as to deposit this sort of moral feculence, it is obvious the depurated portion would be both morally healthier and materially safer without them. Ruffians like Fletcher and Taylor may be fined, whipped, or even hanged, but society is very little better off for their single punishment. There seems to require some summary power of apprehending such scoundrels before their atrocities are committed, only the difficulty is to diagnose when and how to do it. A good deal of amusement was occasioned at the City Court, Melbourne, by the hearing of a case in which one William Jones was charged with attempting to commit suicide. A man named James Mitchell got into the witness-box, and was sworn, when he asked who was to pay him his expenses. He was a working-man, and would have to lose a half-day by his attendance. Inspector Kabat ; Who subpoenaed you here ? Witness : Nobody ; I gave the man into custody myself Inspector Rabat: And now you must give your evidence, or I shall appeal to the Bench to commit you. Witness : Not till I know who is to pay my expenses.—Mr. Sturt : You will be paid by being committed, if you don’t give your evidence.—Witness : Well, then, you had better lock me up.—Mr. Sturt : Very well, we will lock you up. We will remand the prisoner, and you too, till to-morrow.—Witness : Very well. He then left the box and walked towards the door leading to the watch-house, at first boldly, then more slo\rly and hesitatingly, and ultimately stopped and said : But, perhaps, I had better give my evidence. (Laughter.) Returning to the box, he proceeded ; When going from Melbourne to Emerald Hill last evening, I saw this man going towards, the river. He walked straight on into the water, and I followed him, caught hold of him, pulled him out with some difficulty, and there he is. Prisoner being asked what he had to say,, stated that he mistook the lights, as his sight , was bad. He denied that he had the slightest intention to commit suicide. . Mr. F. Stephen'interposed, and remarked i■ I think, at any rate that you should give this man, something for saving your life. Witness :■ That’s just what I think myself. (Laughter.) Inspector Rabat informed the Bench that thd defendant had £3 18s. on him when arrested, and suggested that; as the witness had lost his day r S; work; the defendant should make the loss, good to him, in consideration of being saved from drowning. Prisoner: I don’t see it ; T should have got out if he had hot taken me out. The Behch having ascertained that the man was Under the influence of drink when arrested, dealt : with the case as one of drunkenness, and fined bitn 2s, fed. and 7s, fid. costs, the latter to be paid to the man who had rescued him from the river; Mitchell remarked that he ought to have had 125., and said that he Vbuld never poll anybody else out of the water. "^Argus.

The Ausira/cuian has the following on the subject ot Australian wiue : —“Just miff, when the whole country is much exercised in the endeavor to bring up the -wines of Australia to the high standard which they are undoubtedly capable of reaching,' we have much pleasure in noticing a new vintage, grown at the Auldana Vineyards, South Australia. By favor of Mr. Patrick Auld (who has obtained medals at the London and Melbourne Exhibitions) we were a few days ago enabled to test the quality of what the French would call “a new breed,” which he has named “ Constantin.” Wo found it really magnificent wine, well bodied, of delicate flavor, and good aroma—a wine, in fact, quit* capable of competing with the productions of the great markets of the world. Mr. Auld has such faith in its merits, that he is on the point of sailing for England, in order to introduce his “ Coustautia" into the London market. We ar* not disposed to fear the result. As an evidence of what Australia can do in the production of wine, it will be most conclusive ; and when it is remembered that so magnificent an article—perfect in its alcoholic proportion, of remarkable stability, and very fine boquet—is the product of a land in which the manufacture is in its infancy, good service will have been done this country, m directing towards it the attention it is beginning to deserve in relation to its wines.