Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 151, 2 January 1869, Page 3

Local and General News.

The attempt to acclimatize trout ova at Nelson has been pronounced successful. The John Bunyan has arrived in Port Underwood. The Hera is to sail on Saturday next for London. The sports advertised last week to take place at the Ferry yesterday, were highly successful, and well attended. No disturbance occurred. A movement has been commenced at the Buller for the purpose of promoting the separation of that district from Nelson, and promotion into-a County. r We learn that Mr. J. B. Williams is about to leave Blenheim, his situation as clerk to the Superintendent, to take the appointment of master of the Kaikoura school.

—■''Bad Times. —The Nelson Examiner announces that “ in the altered state of the Province arising from dulness of trade,” it is deemed advisable to reduce that into a bi-weekly in future.

Nelson Election. —N. Edwards, Esq., has been elected member of the House of Representatives for Nelson, polling 3t>2 votes against Mr. Shepperd’s 214. We shall allude to this event again.

Nelson College.- —The nomination of a Governor, in the room of W .-’Adams, Esq , who recently resigned, was to take place yesterday at Nelsoi . Two candidates warp in the held ; —A. Sclanders, Esq., of Nelson,Caud D. Jennings, Esq., of Motueka.

Some accidents occurred yesterday. A son of Mr. Kitchen’s was thrown out of a trap, and the wheel went over his head, but he is little the worse for the mishap. Mr. Shepherd, of the Grove Hotel, Big Bush, was run into by Rori (native), and unfortunately his leg again broken^ The Philharmonic Society’s long-talkeo-of concert came off last evening. A full- and welldressed audience attended, to, the number of about 120, who, generally speaking, seemed amused. The duets, violin and piano, gave great satisfaction. We must defer a detailed critique until our next issue.

y*t)N Thursday evening we received, by Lewis, /that morning’s Nelson paper. This journey concludes his contract, a circumstance much to be regretted, as, under the new contract, the course of post will be increased from 3, or at the most, 4 days to 11 ! a service which will be of little use to this part of the Province, * The advent of the New celebrated at midnight on Thursday by the firing of guns, and ringing of bells. A band of music also paraded the streets of the town, serenading among others, Mr. Henderson on the eve of his departure for England, whither he proceeds by the woplship Hera in a few days. Clarence Ferry, with the Government reserve of was put up for competition at the Survey Office, on Tuesday last, at the upset price of £SO a year. Some little competition ensued, which resulted in its being let for £7l a year to. Mr. Lyford. who has worked it for and is well spoken of by all who have travelled the road to the Kaikoura. ”• Ret renchment. — A movement is on foot in the more southern portion of the Province for memorialising the General Government to comgil a reduction in the number of Provincial overnment officials under the altered circumstances of Marlborough. The promoters consider that the duties of the whole departments might be efficiently performed by a Commissioner of Waste Lands and his clerk.

Ot* Monday last, information, arrived in Blenheim thatiMr. P. M’Rae’s youngest daughter had been gored by a tame cow, at Blarich, and severely injured. Medical aid was speedily securt d but last evening we heated that the little sufferer was in a dangerous state. It appears that the calf had only just been taken away from the cow, and she was in an excited state in consequence, and the child coming in her way, she rushed at it, inflicting a very bad wound a little below one of her shoulders. Magistrate’s Court. Richard Kiarnan was brought before Dr. Muller onSaturday last, charged by Police ConstabhrPaap with drunkenness. He was hned-2flTaaff costs, and a strong caution added against nffiking pearance ih the same place.—On- Wednesday, Stephen Hockey was charged with being drunk and illusing his wife, and was commit eel to Picton gaol for two months, and to pay costs, in default of which to remain another month additional. was charged the same day witn drunkenness, and lined £1 and costs, or 48 hours’ imprisonment, *

another column veill be fouud a very interesting and important •Report upon the “ Wairau "Fiver ahd'jsfaiflf^sg - •by Mr, Marine Engineer. It will scarcely be necessary to request our readers Jtagfve it their'most careful perusal, ■ since the interests and ultimate welfare of all are deeply involved. It will be seen that Mr. Balfour takes » very practical view of the matter, and,' while showing the threatening aspect of the Waihopai .and Opawa rivers, be points out how the‘danger piay be averted by steps taken immediately. We presume a meeting will shortly be called foa the purpose of initiating some course of precedence. without delay. - . , y? The Church of the Nativity appeared -rfiost beautifully decorated for the season on Sunday last. On the walls were several banners or labels bearing appropriate sentences formed with leaves of the willow. Pendant from the chandeliers were drooping festoons of flowers and foliage of the most tasteful character. Around the arch of the chancel was an elegantly formed design, including the sentence—“ Glory to God in the Highest,” while suspended below was a monogram, as well as in the centre window over the communion table The latter consisted of a cross with the letters IHS intertwined, and the whole surrounded by arborescent foliage, flowers, &c. Upon the pulpit front also was a garland of flowers, and the end of every seat was surmounted by a sprig of holly. The whole was the work of certain ladies of the congregation. The execution and design alike deserve great praise, as we havemever seen anything of the kind more in accordance with good taste. r Bush School Picnic. —On Monday last the School children’accompanied by many friends were taken by their master, Mr. Ward Parker, to the Omaka Farm, where every facility was afforded for regaling themselves with the rich things provided for the occasion, of which there was a plentiful supply. The affair was an entire success, and nothing can be more pleasing than to record the happy manner in which both old and young entered into the fun of the day, all fully bent on making the most of the opportunity. Running,, jumping, vaulting, sack racing, blind man’s buff, &c, were the order of the day for the male portion ; while teazers and forfeits took the attention of the ladies. The party returned home in good time, and without any mishaps, highly gratified with the day’s amusements, and numbering it as one of the - , happiest they had spent in New Zealand. On reaching the Schoolhouse they stopped and partook of refreshments, after tfhich three hearty cheers were given for the master in a most cordial manner. The party then broke up.