Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 128, 1 August 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

A correspondent informs us that the General Government have abandoned the intention of requiring the principal of the £7,500 debt ; the future payments will be a moderate interest only. The barque Constance, from London to Auckland, has reported that she spoke H.M.S. Galatea, under the command of His lloyal Highness, on the 17th of May last, in latitude 29 - 6 South, and longitude 23 - 34 West, and has brought us the gratifying intelligence that then “all were well on board.

/As a proof that the value of property has not Hbeen much depreciated in Blenheim by the influence of hard times, floods, &c., we may state that a portion of the corner of High-street and the Market Place has been purchased from Eobinson Bros, this week, at the rate of TTI per foot, by Mr. H. Godfrey, who it is said intends erecting a substantial brick building on the site for the purpose of a corn and flour store. We believe this is the highest rate hitherto realised for land in Blenheim. Smart Work —On Thursday at 4 p.m, wo received by a messenger from Captain Cracknell, files of the Eieninn Post,and Independent, including the issue of the same day, containing news from Napier 224 hours old ! The Falcon was then lying below the Woolshcd. As she did not leave Wellington before 64 that morning, and crossed the bar about 1 o’clock noon, she must have “walked the waters like a thing of life, ” and been skilfully handled, to perform so smart a feat, never excelled before.

Our “ P.D,” offered his services the other day as a local writer, and upon: pur requesting a specimen of his skill, he evolved the following :

It has been rumoured that owing to the dullness of the times, and the repeated floods, a certain gall, nt and distinguished officer of the goose and ,sleeve-board has determined to convert his back-

yard into a cabbage garden as a measure of shear necessity. The operation might prove remunerative, as he lives in the only high street in the town, and consequently might defy the unwelcome visits of the rival [river?] Taylor.

Archdeaconry of Marlborough. —We have pleasure in stating that the Bishop of Nelson, in pursuance of his intention expressed when

ist in Blenheim, has conferred on the llev. H.

■F. Butt the digiiity of the Archdeacon of M arlborough. The formal institution to the office will take place at Nelson on September Sth, the first day of the opening of the Annual Synod of the diocese. An Archdeacon is called in old books “the Bishop’s eye,’’.and that is quite a sufficient definition of his duties. We hope that this may tend to keep up the awakened interest in the progress of the Church of England, which is visible everywhere throughout the diocese.

Police. —We understand that the police force in this province have not received any pay for now three months ! What makes the circumstance more singular, is that they are alleged to be the only officials who have been thus neglected. Some time ago, as our readers will remember, we stated that in reply to the Superintendent’s threat of discharging the police, jailors, &c., and setting the prisoners at liberty, the Government said they would be responsible for these salaries. This promise, it would appear, has not been fulfilled, to the shame of those who are responsible for the delay. Police Constables require feeding as much as a Premier, or a Postmaster-General, Mutual Improvement Society. —Tne usual fortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday evening last, when Mr. G J. Eae read an essay on “ The Conduct of a Gentleman.” After delienating the various specimens of the genus according to their own estimation, he showed what he considered was the conduct of a true gentleman. The production gave considerable amusement and satisfaction. Mr. Morley also read an essay on the same subject. Various members expressed opinions on the subject, and the way in which it was treated, including Messrs. Falconer, Johnson, Eylea, flush, Paap, and Augustus. On Tuesday week, August 11th, a reading'will be given by Messrs. W. Parker, Johnson, and W. Litchfield.

Spring Obebk Schocu.. — An adjourned meetplace'on~T£e 37th inst., in the schoolroom, for the purpose of considering the practicability of continuing the school in this district; Mr. G-. Dodson in the chair, who explained that the last years’ rates were only £33, and the fees .£23. There would be a little increase during the present year—probably £GO might be available by rates and fees—this would leave a deficiency of .£4O to make up the master’s salary, besides other incidental expenses ; and as there are only some 20 children from eight families attending the school, this would be a large sum for them, if all united, to make up, and more so if any refused to aid ; but as the heads of nearly all the families were present, it was for them now to decide. After some discussion it was unanimously resolved that the school should be kept on. Messrs. Soper, Dodson, Busch, Fairhall, and I. Gilford, were appointed a Committee to report the decision of the meeting to the Board of Education. : ‘ /

The Timaru petition for a county has been signed- fey over one thousand settlers, and leaves for Wellington by delegate the first opportunity. learn that the local Education Committee* have reduced Mr. Cave’s salary as master of the Bush School from £l2O to per annum. Mr Cave has in consequence, sent in his resignation. Speaking of the attack on the Turo-Turo-Mokai Redoubt, the Tar amid Herald says that it is more than probable that Kateae “furnished such particulars of the weak ua'ure of the defences at Turo-Toro-Mokai, and the carelessness of the garrison, as induced them to make the attack which proved so successful to them and so disastrous to us.”— Post.

The news from the Auckland goldfields is of the most favorable character. The steamer Halcyon brought 1200 ounces from the Thames on her last trip. At Ponri, on the Thames, a prospecting party got 5 dwt. to the dish, and this news caused a rush to the locality. No less than 5000 ounces of gold were obtained from Hunt’s claim as the result of four day’s crushing. — lndependent.

Havelock.— The correspondent of the Press says About two years ago a strong bridge was built over tiie ravine between Havelock and the Kaituna Valley. This bridge is now in a most disgraceful state, owing to a quantity of clay and brushwood haying been .placed upon it to make a foothold for bullocks, and it is now many' inches deep in mud ; and by the end of the coming summer it will be in a fair state of decay. A day and a half's work would remove the mud and save the bridge ; but I suppose “what’s everybody’s business is nobody’s busines.” Are ‘our members and leading men asleep, or do they not care for the public good ? The Bbeach. —On Thursday last, a party of 25 settlers and others, interested in this locality, visited the site of the Breach, the rock, and also a small creek which takes a portion of the overflow from the Opawa into the Wairau, about two miles this side of Reuwick, and which it is suggested should be enlarged, as a remedy for the overflow of the river. A meeting of the Committee was held last evening, when it was resolved to call a public meeting for Monday next, with a view of commencing immediate operations of some kind. We notice that Mr. Rolleston has obtained leave to bring in a Bill in the Assembly to'make provision for erecting, repairing, and maintaining protective works to lessen the damage occasioned by the overflow of rivers in Canterbury ; and we are informed that Mr. Eyes hopes to have the Wairau overflow provided for, either in the same, or a similar Bill. In the News of the 18th instant appeared a paragraph stating that it was rumored that a number of natives had escaped from the Chaf - ham Islands to the North Island, and so destroying the effect of the telegram containing the information received, paid for, and published by us on the same date. The telegraph officials, feeling their own credit at stake, have very properly called our attention to the circumstance. Now as the telegram in question was not known to anyone in our own office until near midnight, it dirt not escape that way; beside which none of our employes would be guilty of such meanness. If it transpired neither through the telegraph office, nor from ours, how did the News obtain their information ? About a year ago we pursued the same course of obtaining late news by telegraph as we now do, but were obliged to desist for a similar cause to that now complained pf, and the public were the losers thereby. We are not however disposed any Ismger to submit to such barefaced piracy, which might perhaps be better described as a mean theft, but shall take such measures as we think will stop it. Let the self-styled editor get his information in a fair and legitimate manner, paying for it as we have to do, and we shall be content

The Ferry.— On Wednesday last, Inspector Emerson, under instructions from the Provincial Government, advised by Mr. Nelson, and Mr. Travers—took possession of the punt and store at the Ferry. Mr. Hathaway resisted the seizure, but was removed by the police, who placed the punt in the charge of Captain Cooke. Mr. Hathaway went to Picton to consult Mr Conolly, and on his return told Captain Cooke that he should retake it by force on the morrow, which he did, and Cooke returned to town. After a further consultation by telegraph, as well as in consequence of letters received yesterday, the police retook possession, and placed Mr. R. Waldon to workrthe punt. Meantime he will be protected by P.C. Paap, who. has orders to remain and prevent a breach of the peace. We learn that while one lawyer doubts that the opposite party has obtained any counsel whatever, the other wonders that after past experience, anyone should again run the risk of losing a few hundred pounds. We are informed that the lease, under which the Ferry was given to Mr. Hathaway' originally, was, for legal reasons, not worth the paper it .was written on, and that the Government have a good ca.se. The story that a private arrangement exists between Messrs. J. B. Williams and Hanwright, for obtaining possession of the Ferry for the purpose of erecting a bridge, is a myth.

Maori Vnsmm.— A report lias been in circu--tetiTJu'for irie last week or so to the effect that a large number of Maoris were shortly expected to pay this district a visit, with the object of claiming some land. Having made enquiries, we learn from substantial authority that a letterlias been received by the Waikawa Maoris from the Ngaetau tribe in' Canterbury stating that a large number of that' tribe intend, about the month of January next, coming to the Wairau and to Waikawa to sec their friends- and to hold a tangi over the remains of the late Ronjjama te One, the late chief of Waikawa. ■ ' tend to discuss the land questionj and: -bring forward a claim they profess to have i'upftn the Government of this province for compensation, they, the Ngaetau tribe, never having received any of the purchase money for the land sold in this district. We understand that the Government of Canterbury have lately given the Ngaetau natives a block of land near JKaiapoi as Com-. - pensation ; and having succeeded thera, we suppose they intend trying what they can do with the Government of this province, it being their intention, we believe, to apply to the Government for some of the laud remaining unsold. The Waikawa Maoris appear to know very' little of what the Ngaetau tribe want to claim ; bufe before the intended visit takes place we shall probably be in possession of more particulars.— Press. • ■ . ’ :' :

A •‘-‘CTCKy Barmaid. --The “young lady” of the bar at one of the Shortland (Thames) hotels, had a crushing one day last week of the specimens given to her from time to time by the frequenters of the hotel. The result, we are informed, was £BO worth of gold. Cuathams. —The s.s. Storm Bird has been chartered by the General Government to proceed to the Chatham Islands, in consequence of the recent escape of the Maori prisoners, and to ascertain what actually occurred there previous to their departure. She sailed last night at six o’clock. S■ r. Cooper, Captain Fox, and a party of six men are passengers by her. —lndependent The Suez Mail. —We have received notice from the Telegraphic authorities that, in consequence of the proposed discontinuance of the branch mail steamer between Melbourne and the Bluff after the month of September, the usual monthly summary of English intelligence, via Suez, will be discontinued. The meaning of this notice is simply that the Government, acting upon their policy of retrenchment, have thrown over their share of the Suez contract at the expiration of its term. — Post. Marlborough Imports and Exports.- The value of imports received at the several ports of Marlborough during the March quarter was : Wairau, £3,003, and Picton, £734. In the corresponding quarter of 1867, the amounts were— Wairau, £2,632, and Picton, £1,410; thus there is an increase at this port of £371, and a decrease at Picton of £676. The exports for the same period were—From Wairau, ton coals, value £1 ; 2,572 sheepskins, value £214 ; and 1,070,580 lbs. wool, value £26,764; Foreign stores, £123 ; total, £‘27,102, against £43.020 in the corresponding period of 1867. Those of Picton consisted of 401 ounces gold dust, value .£1,604, against .£2,883 last year. The Late Concert.— The following statement of accounts has been handed to us, with a request that it might be published for the satisfaction of those concerned :

—We are glad to learn that the object for which this concert was got up is being actively prosecuted by friends in Kelson, where upwards of £SO has been subscribed. We believe the total fund is about £3OO.

Dr. To Millington, printing books of words £3 0 0 >» ,, advertising News .. 2 0 0 Johnson, ,, Express . .. 1 7 0 ,, printing tickets .. 0 15 0 Expenses, night of Concert .. 1 0 0 9 9 ,, erecting stage, See., Gorrie and Falconer... 0 0 0 .. Credit Bank of New Zealand . 40 2 6 Cr. £50 4 6 Bv sale of books of words . £1 15 6 ,, tickets at door , 10 0 0 ,, ,, Stationers, &c. . 33 7 0 99 Subscription Express . 1 2 0 „ News . 1 0 0 ,, Gorrie and Falconer. o 0 0 * 9 ,, Mr. J. Ewart .. . 1 0 0 Total ... £50 4 6