Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 135, 12 September 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

. The Amuri Reserve Act has been assented to by the Governor. Letters of Naturalization have been granted to Antonio Rose, laborer, of Havelock.

✓ Mrs. Ellen Templeton is gazetted as Post-’ mistress at Awatere, vice William Earll, resigned.

The services of the Pelorus Rangers volunteers, and the Prince Alfred (Marlborough) Volunteers, have been accepted.

A subscription list has been started in Wellington, in aid of the officers and men of the ill-fated s.s. Taranaki.

The Wellington Jockey Club have fixed the Wellington races to come off at the Hutt on the 26th and 27th January next.

a notice that Messrs. Brown and Co. announce the opening of Refreshment Rooms, in their new premises, Grove Road, this day. | The Canterbury Rivers Bill was re-committed and reported with amendments on Friday last, which were ordered to be considered next sitting day.

Bain, the late clerk to the Christchurch Bench, has pleaded guilty to the charge of embezzlement, and was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude.

The “colour” of gold has been discovered in quantity at the Urenui river, in Taranaki. The Herald announces that a prospecting party has been organised to search the district thoroughly. Ms Cooke, who has been very successful at Nelson as a lecturer on Mesmerism, &c, will give an entertainment in the Provincial Hall this evening.

Wk are indebted to Capt. Cracknell, of the Falcon, for Wellington files up to Thursday last. The Falcon left at 12 noon that day, and crossed the bar yesterday at 9 a.m.‘ Her manifest appears in another column We regret to hear that diptheria has made its appearance in the Te Aro end of the town. As yet the symptoms of the disease have been very trifling, and noticed amongst children only.— Post).

Mr. Bo .star, the Chairman of the County Council of Westland, has not yet made his appearance in the Legislative Council, a seat in which was given him by the Government at-the opening of the session.— Post,

.Kaikoxjra.— We learn that Mrs. Cole had a very narrow escape from drowning a few days ago whilst crossing a creek near Messrs. Inglis’s woolshed, in consequence of the horse she was riding having got into an unknown quicksand, i Clerical Appointment.— We observe that 'the Rev. W. H. Ewald, Chaplain to his Lordship, the Bishop of Nelson, has been appointed to the Incumbency of St. Paul’s, Wellington, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Hay Ai ax well. The living is worth £4OO per annum — Examiner .-

The Late Tidal Wave.— We note that'the singular phenomenon which visited the East Coast of New Zealand, was experienced the same day at Sydney and Newcastle, in New South Wales; but very slightly at Adelaide, and not observed at all at Melbourne or Port Phillip Heads.

The Nelson- Markets.—Under date September sth, Messrs. Rod and Hounsell quote fine tiour at £22 per ton ; Mr. D. Moore quotes Redwood’s best Wairau at current rates. Wheat, per bushel, from Bs. to 9s. ; barley, ss. fid to 65.; oats, 3s fid. to 3s. 9d. ; potatoes, £4 10s. to £5 10s. per ton ; Hobart Town seed, £7 ; hay, £5. Falcon Signal.— Mr. Dodson, the agent for the Falcon, informs us that in future—immediately on the arrival of that vessel in Wellington, and until she leaves again—a blue flag, with white anchor, will be hoisted on his flagstaff, thus , enabling persons to telegraph orders until the last moment—a convenience-which will, we are - sure, be appreciated by our tradesmen. A number of friends met last night at Plimmer’s Hotel to entertain J. C. Boddiugton, Esq., who is leaving Wellington in a few days to assume the management of the Bank of New Zealand at Kaiapoi, Canterbury. The guest of the evening is deservedly popular, and his removal will be muct. felt by the Star Regatta Club and the Athenaeum, in whose behalf he has displayed indomitable energy.— Post, Sept. 3. /^Appointments. —Alfred Julius Sickler, Esq., ,-is gazetted as “ Wai7Tsn"bT’alU W'afden’s' Courts fnow or hereafter to be constituted within the Goldfields of Marlborough, with power to act alone or with assessors, and to exercise all or any of the powers vested in or imposed on Judges of Warden’s Courts.”. William Jeffrey, Esq, and Julius Decimus Tripe, Esq., of Picton, are also created Justices of the Peace; and the latter gentleman is further to be a coroner for the colony. ■

Sunday morning last the early-rising portion of the Blenheim public were scandalized by the appearance of an effigy dangling from the flagstaff over Mr. Lawrence’s shop. Upon information being received by Inspector Emerson, he at once ( cut the figurd down. Upon reflection, we are sure the petpetratoi-s will agree with us that not 'only the dky, but the circumstance that thd .victim .or this .graqjbical joke was abSentfrdm the .town at. the'time, made the act .unj list and unfair. ’A revdird'beifig offered for the detection of,the perpetrators, resulted ih more than one of them giving themselves up,, but were told that the offer was only a joke. We expect that the i business-will hot Crid here. ,

Rumour states that .it , js probable that boththe Marlborough members will be; found ia the Opposition loboy on Mr. Fox’s motion, unless the just claim: of ,the Province to compensation is recognised by the Ministry. -t. —, ' ' Thk Validation Act —ln the" Legislative- ■ Canned, «u .the 28,tfe&it., Hbhe Hon Capt, Baillie sought to introduce a Silf to validate the Picton Improvement Act. Dr. Pollen thought the course taken asingular one, and suggested its withdrawal and the introduction of one renewing the Validation Act of 1837, which would-be done by the Government, excepting such portions as would be affected by the legislation of the present session. On ths North side of the Wairau, at the Ferry, a sand-bank has been formed by the late fresh which prevent the working of the punt, except at or about high water. The “ Indefatigable” informs us that on Thursday evening he was obliged to leave his coach on the other side, and, with a, portion of his passengers, walk home. Our friend, Capt, Cooke, has obliged us with a table of high water at the Ferry for the guidance of travellers, which will be found elsewhere. A subscription list was opened in Wanganui, on Thursday last for the purpose of presen dug .Father Pezaut. with a suitable token of respect previous to Tiis departure for Blenheim Within 24 hours persons of all denominations had subscribed, simply as a token of their respect for the truly Christian benevolence and untiring zeal which he has uniformly displayed during a residence of sixteen years in Wanganui — Post. .Fatal Accident. —A man named H. Powell ■ lost his life at the Moutere, on Thursday, Aug. 27th. The deceased was riding a horse in a cart, after dark, we imagine, and in crossing a bridge at a turn in the road, he kept too close on one side, which caused the timber of which the bridge wa,s constructed to tilt up and overturn the cart into the ditch. Powell was found yesterday morning by some men going to their work quite dead, with the cart resting on his chest. Powell was a married man without family.— Examiner. The Government steamer Sturt, which arrived this morning from Wanganui and Patea, brings no news of any importance Great dissatisfaction is said to be felt in the Wa igauui district at the inaction of our forces, and every one feels that after the great and expensive preparations made by the Government something should be done. Colonel Haulfain’s visit was expected to have the most satisfactory results, and after the due arrangement of our internal difficulties, it was hoped that the Maori difficulty would be properly dealt with, and with vigour — Pont.

A farewell demonstration to Sir, G. Grey, K;C.B., &c., came off very successfully oh Tuesday last. A luncheon was given in the Oddfellows Hall, which was crowded with visitors. On the committee were Mr. Justice Johnston, the Superintendents of Nelson, Marlborough, Southland, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington, and a large number of members of the Legislature. Sir G. Bowen, Lady Bowen, the Bishop of Wellington, and a number of Maori chiefs, were among the guests, and Sir D. Monro occupied the chair. After lunch, a number of toasts were drunk, speeches made, and an address presented to Sir .George Grey, who replied briefly and feelingly, .after which he took his departure for England.

Falling off in tits Customs Revenue. — The total amount of Customs Revenue for the colony, for the year ended 30th June, 1868, was £793,394, The Revenue for the year to the 30th June, 1837, was £865,032, showing a falling off in the receipts for the last financial year of £71,638. In commenting upon these facts, the Colonist observes:—Last year, in making his Financial Statement to the House of Representatives, Mr. Fitzherbert, the Colonial Treasurer, estimated that there would be a small increase in 1837-68 ; and stated the sum be expected from the Customs at £870,000 ; so that the revenue actually received shows a deficit, as compared with the expectation of Mr. Stafford's “sagacious financier,” of £76,<>00. This is a very serious deficit at such a critical time as the present.” / The Wanganui Evening Herald, on Wellington Journalism, says : —“ The Wellington Journal, formerly the Wairarapa Journal, has succumbed to the iron-hand of fate. There have been many changes of late hi the Wellington press, and now it is to be hoped that things have found their level (we do not mean a dead level) in that as in everything else There remains the Independent, one of the best written papers in the colony, and the best in the ■ make up’; the Evening Post, that is as familiar with the people of the Empire City as a ‘household word,’ and sub-edited *o perfection, is one of the most readable and flourishing evening papers in these colonies ; and, last, that old and well-known name, the Advertiser, which has been resuscitated, and now bids highly for public favor. The Advertiser has struck out for a colonial policy, and we wish it health and long life. ” -J A Fortunate Maori Chief. —The despatches of his Excellency Sir George Bowen to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham are rather interesting in some respects. For instance, referring to his visit to the Thames Goldfield, he narrates the following ;—“ There is one peculiar and very interesting and suggestive fact connected with the town of Shortland—namely, ihat it is arising on ground belonging to the influential Maori chief Taipari. He declines to sell his laud; preferring, with a view to its increase in value, to let in lots on building leases. But he hts made liberal gifts of sites for, churches for the Anglicans, the Roman Catholics, and other principal : Christian communions ; as also for a public hospital, a cemetery, a park, and other public purposes. He employs Europeans to survey and lay out roads and streets, and to .construct drains, and culverts, and the like. In short, he appears to me, on the one hand, as capable of maintaining his just rights, and, on the other, as desirous to improve his property as an English landlord. .Taipari’s income, from rents and mining licenses, is already at the rate of nearly £4,000 sterling yearly. He has caused a commodious house, in the English style, to be built for himself on a slope commanding a beautiful prospect over the sea and rising town. Taipari’s example, and the knowledge of the wealth ho is acquiring by allowing the colonist to occupy his laud on equitable terms, are beginning to exercise a beneficial influence over many of his Maori countrymen who have hitherto lived in sullen and hostile isolation. ”

amUsing paragraph from the Welliugtga Earning Pod : —Our readers will smile at us probably, if. we say a few words op the danger of the incautious use of firearms—it will almost seerira work of s&pererogition, and -yet we have just heard Of a i&irb.w escape which a gentleman in our city had- yesterday afternoon. He'"'was standing at his window, when crash went the glass, and he felt himself struck smartly on the chest by something. On'looking round, he found a small pistol bullet, ami inwardly thanked Providence that its force was spent era it struck him, and that he was alive. Enquiry has brought to light the fact that some gentleman in the neighbourhood of the scene (tho Terrace) have a partiality for cat shoodug, and were probably amusing themselves last evening But vve would suggest their practising in some spot where people less do congregate, where houses are scarce, and children unseen and unheard. They may then eventually, unless in the interim they shoot themselves and are cured, become expert enough to hit a cat at three yards distance, and be less likely to give their neighbours a travelling ticket for Heaven. If they won’t go out of the town to practise, may we suggest; the use of salt—it will tickle up the cats, and do no one any harm. Mutual Improvement Society.— I The agree-

able 1 Tdia age “in the weather during tho last few* days enabled the members of the above Society to resume on Tuesday evening last, the Bth last., their very pleasing and instructive meetings, which, through the inclemency of the season, have been unavoidably postponed. Mr. Kissling , having declined to discuss the question, “Are the Colonies of Great Britain calculated to promote h?r interests and uphold her greatness ?” Mr. Samuel Johnson anticipated his ptsition on the quarterly programme, and read a very able and interesting essay, entitled “ Where is the Soul during Sleep ?” The numerous qnotations from and references to, both ancient and mo lern writers, shewed a depth of research and industry highly creditable to the essayist. The essay, as its title would imply, was ratherinterrogatory than didactic, and characterised byapurity of diction and somewhat poetic style of composition, especially in the peroration. A critical discussion at the conclusion of the essay was opened by Mr. C. J. Rae, followed by Messrs. Falconer, Morley, W. Litchfield, and Rush. The meeting, though not the most numerous, was nevertheless well attended, and was graced by the presence of several lady visitors, whose example, we hope, will be followed by all our female friends. Tho quarterly business was transacted after the visitors retired, when some modification of the rules was effected, the subscription reduced to Is. 6d. per quarter, and the following officers elected for the ensuing half year :—President, Mr. William Falconer; Vice-President, Ci J. Rae; Treasurer, Thos. Davies; Committee—Messrs.Gorrie, Rush, W, Litchfield, and Johnson. —[Communicated.] 3.5. Taranaki.—The Diver Drowned.— I The s.s.. Lady Bird, Captain Renner, sailed for! Qiieen Charlotte Sound at 3 o’clock yesterday f morning, for the purpose of ascertaining the posi- | tion of the s.s. Taranaki, as she now lies at the | entrance of Bowden’s Bay. A number of persons I proceeded in her, including three.divera, with ap- I paratus complete for the purpose of ascertaining ■■ the practicability of raising the ship. She arrived . at Bowden’s Bay at 9 a.m , and anchored close to the Taranaki. Operations were then commenced by getting the boats anil forming a stage for the divers. On sounding it was found that she was lying in 13 fathoms forward and 17 aft. The diver then went down for the purpose of making a rope ladder fast to the Taranaki, and having done so, returned after a short time. His dress being adjusted by adding extra weights, he again descended with the intention of inspecting the vessel’s position and bottom. For a quarter of an hour after he had been down signals had been exchanged satisfactorily, after which they ceased, and nothing more was observed until his red cap was seen floating on the surface. It was then known that the helmet must have been removed by some cause Efforts were then made to bring him to the surface ; but failed, although persevered in for upwards of an hour, the diver having evidently got entangled in some portion of the wreck. After trying with the boats and lines by pulling in various directions, the man was liberated and brought to the surface, but life was quite extinct. It was theu discovered that the helmet had unscrewed itself from the breastplate of the dress, which was tho cause of the unfortunate accident. The man's name was Burton, and well known as a practical diver. We understand that he is a single man. The body was put on board ihe Lady Bird, and she returned, arriving here at 9 a m.— Wellington Independent, Sept. JO.