Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume VII, Issue 433, 25 September 1872, Page 2

Local and General News.

The Falcon arrived at the Wharf from Wellington this afternoon.

Mails close for England via America Auckland, &c„ by the Taranaki, at noon on Saturday.

We are nob worshippers of Mr Stafford, and do not take upon ourselves to say that his new Cabinet is unexceptionable, or his annoucements of policy wholly satisfactory.— Examiner. The new books ordered for the Literary Institute may be expected shortly, as advices have ibeen received of their shipment per the Asterope, which left London in June last. Signor Donato left Havelock on Saturday last after a very successful visit, proceeding to Wanganui by the J. B. Taylor, Capt. Yorke, en route for Auckland and San Francisco.

On Wednesday last, the 18th inst., the pleasure yacht Cambria foundered in the harbor off Havelock. The crew were rescued from the rigging by Capt, T. Morgan and friends in the Favorite.

Alluvial Diggings.—On Friday last a prospecting party left Havelock to test some newly-discovered alluvial diggings about six miles from the town. About three ounces of very fine gold had been brought in as a sample, and groat hopes are entertained of further success.

The Annual Fair, under the auspices of the Wairau Agricultural Society, was held this day (Wednesday) in the paddocks opposite the Royal Hotel, As a Fair it may be fairly stated to have been a failure, as we have seen as many persons present at one of Mr Dodson’s sales. The only entries were cattle sent to the auctioneers for sale by auction ; and it was not until about noon that any were placed, to the great disappointment of numerous sight-seekers. The total number of cattle and horses on tho ground was not exceeding 50 head, supplied by Messrs C. Redwood, Purkiss, H. Dodson, and Stratford, which were sold at rates as under by Messrs Dodson, Fell & Co. ;—Milch Cows, to £9 ss; Steers, £3 10s to £4 15s; Yearling Heifers, £2; Wanganui, a hack, fetched £l3 10s; Sommervill’s bread cart, horse, and harness, £2l. Messrs FT. Edwards & Co, offered the well-known entire, “ Stirlingshire Jock,” but in the absence of competition it was withdrawn at

Chamberlain has been sentenced to.ten years imprisonment at Hokitika.

With respect to the Nelson Superintendency, rumour is also busy, and many names are mentioned, amongst them is that of Mr Luckie, for whom a process of requisition is going on at the West Coast, and many signatures have already been appended at the Grey.

The Picton Railway.—The non-em-ployment of many of the men brought into the Colony by Messrs Brogden and Son, has caused mine comment outside of the Province ; and for the purpose of seeing where the fault, if any, lies, Messrs Brogden and Henderson, We are informed, will arrive at Picton during the week by the p.s. Luna, for the purpose of making enquiries.—Press The Marlborough Club.—A notice in another column intimates the existanceof a new club which has been formed lately in our midst under the name of the Marlborough Club. Its objects are, we believe, similar to clubs as generally held in other towns. Premises have been secured, and are in course of furnishing adjoining to the Masonic Hotel, where members, whether town or country, will be enabled to meet together at any time. The rooms will be supplied with newspapers, magazines, &c. Already about forty members have joined, and it is intended to commence with the new quarter. A general meeting of members is to bo held this (Wednesday) evening. Egmont EI'CTION. —The Nomination day is September 26. and polling-day October 3. Up to Wednesday last there were only two candidates in the field, Mr Moorhouse and Major Atkinson. The issue of the election will be a distinct indication of the people of Taranaki for or against the late Ministry. Mr Moorhouse has announced his programme to be for “ Peace, Public Works, and Immigration,” and his chances are exceedingly good. He was, says the Taranaki Herald, received most enthusiastically at Patea. Major Atkinson is the representative of “ the family,” as it is termed in the locality, and is a strong advocate of Mr Stafford’s policy. The other persons spoken of have not yet como forward.

Explosion at the Ngakawau Coalmink.—A somewhat alarming oocurrance happened at the Ngakawau Coalmine on Saturday lust (says the Westport Times, September 17.) A man named Patrick Hanlon, in the absence of the lessees of the mine, entered the tunnel and taking up a candle he found lying therein, he lit it with the intention of satisfying his curiosity by inspecting the work. But an almost immediate explosion took place,, the man’s hands, face, whiskers, and hair were scorched and burnt, and in dire alarm he heat an instant retreat to the open air. His first impression was that a trick has been played him. That the candle had been plugged with powder to scare any uninvited visitors; but this is not at all likely. Mr Chambers, who was in town at the time, states that slight symptoms of fire damp have pervaded a certain break in the tunnel since August last, and that the strongest probabilities are that Hanlon unaware of this, held the candle close to the walls or roof, and thus caused the explosion.