Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 190, 21 August 1869, Page 3

Local and General News.

The p.s Osprey. —This little steamer, which was built to order, some time ago, for the Blenheim trade, by Mr. C. Seagcr, is, we understand, once more under his hands, for the purpose of being lengthened eighteen feet. — Independent.

Telegrams from Christchurch, in the Post of the 11th, say gold-bearing quartz has been brought in from the Peninsula to-day. It would not be wise for people to come here without fuller information.

/Telegrams in the Post of Friday last say ; -- The fourth lift at the Taranaki was made yesterday. The lift was 5 feet perpendicular, and the vessel came ahead 15 feet. The mastheads are how 3 feet 7 inches above the surface at low water. — —-

Strange Offer. —The following appears in a Newcastle journal:—“George Laws is astonished at Joseph Brown wanting to shoot him, when he knows that he can get a match for £SO a side. George Laws will shoot any man in England for £25 or £SO a side.”!

Oh Monday last Thomas Clemett was brought up before a Picton Bench charged with stealing, on the 14th instant, on the Picton Road, one five pound Bank note, the money of William Heaynes. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment with hard labor— Press.

'Ox clit iu Dunedin that an action will shortly be entered in the Supreme Court, damages to bo laid at £I,OOO. The action has reference to Fenianism, and the principals are well known. The Rev. R. L. Vickers’ lecture on “Character ” was postponed on Wednesday on account ! of iho wea her. He purposes delivering it on j next Wednesday evening iu the Provincial Hull, ' when the chair will be taken at 8 o’clock by S L. Muller, Esq. Local Industry. —We have much pleasure ; in announcing the arrival per Rangitoto of the I necessary machinery for a flax factory, which i\ e 5 understand is to be established in the Wainui- i omata Valley on a pi ce of ground on Mr. Fitzherbert’s property which lias been leased for ■; the purpose. Bokou uett Council. — A Court for the revision of the Burgess List was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday last. The Mayor presided, and was assisted by Messrs. Barley man and Bomford, assessors, and the Town Clerk. The following names were inserted : —A. M’Lanchlan, John White, and Edward Simmonds. The correctness of the list was then certified, which terminated the proceedings. We had the pleasure yesterday of inspecting the first sheet of the anti-annexation pe ition, which was elegantly engrossed by Mr. P. I'lannagan. The illuminated caps are taken from 10th century manuscripts, and the work, which is very ornate and highly colored, is surrounded by a sprig border with flowered corners. It seems to us almost a pity such pretty work was doomed to he wasted. Waipdkurau.—A telegram in the Independent dated August 13 says Two pieces of pure gold weighing about one pennyweight each have been found in a duck’s gizzard at Oakburn’s place. The Poranghau neighborhood has been prospected cursorily by some experienced diggers, and some very promising quartz lias been collected for lir. Hector's _ examination. Considerable excitement prevails. The Government and the Press.— The Fox Government have, like sensible people, recognised the importance of the Press, and telegraphed, says the Post, a summary of the Financial Statement, extending to 3,000 words, to ail the principal newspapers of the Colony. _ Mr. Stafford may learn a lesson from this, audif he does, ho will cast off that hauteur and snpercillious bearing to the fourth estate which distinguished him while in office, —Wanganui Herald. The Waikato. —We are glad to be able to state that from Auckland papers up to the otli of August there is no foundation for the report that a massacre had taken place in the Waikato. The latest intelligence is comprised in the following sentences : —Te Kooti, with 200 men, is building a pa at Wharereata near Tonkangamntu, but for what purpose is not known. RewLhns joined him, also Te Heuheu and people. Te Kooti’s cavalry consists of forty men, well armed. Titokowaru expected in daily at Tokangamutu. From returns in answer to circulars sent to all the sugar-growing districts of New South Wales, and published iu the Sydney Mail, we learn that there are now no less than 2SSO acres planted with cane. Last year there were only between COO and 700 acres so planted, and the increase proves that this branch of agricultural industry is becoming well established. The cost of planting and cultivation has been estimated at from £4 to as much as <£TS per acre—a rather wide I’ange but to be accounted for by the character of ground in each instance, and the value set on the planter’s own labour. The following appears in the Loudon correspondent’s letter in the Independent : —The flight, as I am informed, of a certain Mr. T°—, a sheepfanner of the Middle Island, caused a sensation some time back to those whom he had honored with his custom. He was reported to be in Portugal, but this appears to have been a ruse. It is now stated that ho is at present in River Plate, South America. It is said also that he borrowed £SOOO on his run of a London firm and decamped with it. This has seriously damaged the prospects of New Zealand landholders who wished to borrow in London at six or eight per cent on mortgage of their estates in your colony. Embezzlement. —It will be remembered that in his financial statement the Colonial Treasurer stated that a Treasury official had been sent to investigate the state of the Westland County accounts. The officer referred to was Mr. Gavin, and we learn that the result of his investigations has been the discovery of some very serious defalcations on the part of an officer holding a high position in ths County—Mr. Winter, the County Treasurer. We are also informed that Mr. Winter, finding his defalcations discovered, attempted to leave the Colony, but was arrested on board ship on the eve of his departure. Mr. Winter was for many years in the Treasury department ir Otago before his appointment to W estland.

Flax Machines. —A number of gentlemen, including two qr three members of the Assembly, attended at Mr. E. W. Mills’ Lion Foundry on Thursday last, for the purpose of testing the flax machines manufactured there. The trial was in every way most succesful, the whole of the gentlemen present expressing their satisfaction at the manner in which the machine didits work. One or two of those present, who have had experience of machines made in other provinces, considered it decidedly superior to any they had seen. Dr. Wilford of the Hutt, ordered two machines. Another trial will shortly take place and we are informed that Mr. Mills will be happy to see present any persons who are interested in flax. — lndependent. [lt will be interesting to our readers to learn that this machine was intended for Mr Coleman, .of Blenheim, and it arrived this week by the Amateur.] Novel Game. —Those of our readers who understand the noble game of Chess, will bo interested in learning that a match has been made between two players— “ Blenheim” (black), and “Omicron” (white). The moves will be made separately by correspondence, and recorded daily on the-black board in front'of the E.cpres Oflice at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m , and collectively in our columns weekly. “Blenheim” made tho first move yesterday, and “Omicron” followed at 4 p.m. : ' Black. I White: 1. KPtoK 3, 1 1. KPto K 4.

A Ducking. —Another appeal for a better light to be placed on the Queen’s Wharf was male by the pantryman of the Lord Ashley, who, owing to the deceptive gloom, walked overboard on Tuesday night. Fortunately he could swim a little and was soon extricated.— Hid.

Providential Escape.— On Saturday night last, as the wife of Captain Gibson was returning home to the country in a cart belonging to Mr. Haigh, she accidently fell out. The wheel passed over her body, below the chest on the right side, and the left hip. She was carried in a state of insensibility to Mr. C. Davy’s bouse, whose son was immediately sent for medical aid. Shortly afterwards Dr. St. George arrived, who on examination found that there were not any seriouS injury sustained We arc happy to state that she is doing well.—Taranaki Herald. A Valuable Remedy.— Kerosene is thn best antidote for a severe burn or scald. Immerse the injured part in cold water for a moment, dry with a soft cloth, taking care not to rub at all ; then bathe in kerosene, and the terrible pain soon ceases. We know of a little child who put his foot and leg into a pail of nearly boiling water. The above remedy was applied, and in a few minutes the child’s screams ceased. We know not the philosophy of the matter, but we do know that it is the most efficacious remedy for severe barns or scalds in the * materia medica. ’ — Echo.

A man named Johnston, formerly a soldier, and employed at Mr. Dransfield’s coal yard, made an attempt at self-destruction this morning. He procured, as it is said, two pounds of gunpowder, which he placed in a nail-can which had been perforated at the bottom to be used as a sort of stove ; on the top he put a piece of board, on which he laid his head, and then ignited the powder. The explosion threw him a considerable distance backward, and wounded his head severely. Under the direction of Mr. France, he was removed to the hospital. We have heard that he was suffering from the effects of excessive drinking. — Post. Accident, — On Monday, as two men were /crossing the Waihopai, which was somewhat swollen, they had a narrow escape. It appears that a man named Daniel Draper was crossing i the river with a horse and cart containing three j pigs, accompanied by another man on horseback j named Parsons. The latter got over safely, but j when the horse and dray neared this side the | current caught them, and the horse lost its footf hold. Drapergot out and tried to lead the horse up the bank, but was unable to land, and both horse and cart were swept away down the. river for half a mile or more, where they were afterwards found. The'horse was quite dead. Sale of Flax. —We take the following from the Southern Cross : —Messrs. Cobb & Sawtell have received the following information from there London correspondent : —Per * Siam, from Auckland—A in diamond, 40 bales at £47 sold ; 121 do., £3B bought in ; 11 do. sea damaged, class 1, £36105. sold ; 11 do. do., do. 2, £34 10s. do ; 3. do. do. do. 3, £3l 10s. do. ; 2 do. do., do. 4, £26 10s. do. ; flax tow, 1 do. broken, £lO do. The subjoined extract from a letter dated 21st May,—“ We have sold, ex ‘ Light Brigade,’ 20 bales flax, at .£32, and one at £2B; the remainder has been withdrawn, as it could not be sold at these prices.” Popular Readings.- The fourth Reading of the season was held in the Provincial Hall on Monday evening last, when J. Kissling, Esq., presided. The readings included “Bung for Beadle,” by Boz (Mr. Rae); “Lays of Ancient Rome,” by Macaulay (Mr. Morley); “ The Bashful Man,” (Mr. Carter); “The Captive,” by Lewis (Mr. Johnson) ; an original translation of Schiller’s poem, ‘ ‘ The Combat with the Dragon, ” was given by Mr. M. Alexander; “ The Ocean,” from Byron (Mr. Morley). The customary thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings a close. The attendance was very good considering the inclemency of the weather. The ' readings will be continued on Monday evening next.

Havelock. — Our own correspondent writes on August 17th as follows :—The Volunteers received their new rifles _frotn "Wellington last week, and,' judging from the good scoring made when trying them for the first time, they are a decided improvement on the old ones. The Company have now decided on procuring uniforms at their own expense, as the Government refuse the Marlborough Volunteers any capitation allowance. —The Volunteers gave a ball here on Wednesday last, which proved a decided success, dancing being kept up with great spirit until the wee sma’ hours” made their appearance.- The yield from the goldfields has been below the average this week, owing to the miners being unable to work in consequence of the rainy weather.

• Annexation.— We have often heard it remarked that History repeats itself. A case in point occurs in a piece of news by the last mail. It appears that in the United States Senate, on the 13th April, Mr. Chandler offered the following resolution ; —“Resolved,' —That in the judgment of the Senate, the solution of all controverses between Great Britain and the United States will be found in the surrender of all the British possessions, in North America to the people of the United States, and that the President be and he is hereby requested to open negotiations as soon as practicable for a settlement of all matters in dispute upon that basis which, after a long discussion, was, at Mr Sumner’s suggestion, referred to the Foreign .Relation Committee. On this resolution the New York Times says :—“ Those who are talking so very glibly about the transfer of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward’s Island, and Newfoundland to this country by the English Government lose sight of one fact. It is not in the power of the English Government to transfer these vast territories, with their population of four millions. The colonists would not submit to be bought and sold in this way, And it is they who should have to be consulted about the matter. The free and hardy population of Canada and the Maritime Provinces would be very apt to take their destiny into their own hands if they found they were to be made the subject of trade dicker ” Even America does not consider it proper to annex a Province, without consulting the inhabitants, yetthe present Ministry does not hesitate to propose the annexation of Marlbrough to Nelson without taking the people into account at all.

Westport.— Some peculiar tidal pheneuomena wore witnessed at Westport the other day, by which some damage was done at Charleston. A party have struck gold in a tunnel, after driving a distance of 2400 feet There are two contiguous tunnels of a nearly equal length. Telegrams from Dunedin, in the Post of Friday last, say Discoveries of rich quartz have been made at Stewart’s Island. Government has been communicated with, and a warden appointed present. The quartz reefs has been tested, i|jid gold found in some. In many specimens none was found. A party has left 'lnvercargill for the island, whose report is expected in a week. There are great difficulties in the way of reaching the reef. The excitement is subsiding. We learn that just prior to the departure of the last mail from London, a gentleman from this Province was walking along the streets in Tjfmdon, in company with two gentlemen from Nelson, talking of the wonderful prospect openfug out for Nelson by means of the West Coast .Railway, and how readily the scheme had been taken up by English capitalists, when, mirabile .dicta, whom should they stumble against but .Mr. W. Long Wrey, who was despatched to England (in company with £1000,) some four years ’ago to negociate and form a company for the ’formation of the Picton and Blenheim Railway, 1 whether intentionally or not we are not able to state, but after our local friend had been introduced to him, some words were let fall which led them to understand that the long-winded gentleman had conceived the notion that Mr. had been sent specially to look him up in the matter named, by the Marlborough Government ! Mr. Wrey thereupon showed considerable alarm and an anxiety to close the interview. All endeavors to obtain information relative to the unfortunate undertaking were, however, in vain, the utmost that could be got out of him was that he had no progress to report; and the state of the money market was such that he feared he would have nothing to communicate at present, but when he had he would write again. We do not learn whether our friends undeceived him or not before they parted company. It is a great pity that those who had the promotion of the railway at heart did not engage some likely agent at home to push the scheme. Had they employed Mr. Morrison, in all probability the railway, with all its concurrent advantages, would by this time have become an accomplished fact.