Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume VIII, Issue 545, 18 October 1873, Page 5

Local and General News.

The outwaicl English Mails will close here on Wednesday next at 2 p.m. The Lyttelton will leave Wellington this evening for Blenheim. The Wellington races are fixed for the the 7th and Bth March. We learn that it is intended to open a school m the Awatere County, at Kekerangu. A slight shock of earthquake occurred here on Wednesday evening at about ten minutes before midnight.

The Colonist says :— " We hear that Mr Franzen has parted with the Alert to a firm m Blenheim, who intend to employ her m the wool trade from that place." We believe the firm referred to is Messrs Dodson, Fell & Co.

Free Nominated Immigration. — We understand that an order m Council has been passed for Free Nominated Immigrants, to take effect from the 20th instant, the regulations for which will probably be published forthwith. This will afford those de3i"ring to bring out their friends an opportunity of doing so without incurring any liabilility, and which ib is to be hoped for the properity of the Colony will be taken advantage of freely.

Friendly Societies Fete.— The joint Committee appointed by the Oddfellows and Foresters met on Thursday evening with a view of making the requisite arrangements for, holding their annual Fete and Procession on Monday Nov. 11th. The principal business done was the appointment of Mr Yarrel as Chairman and Mr Johnson as Secretary to the Committee. The site of the Fete stands over to an adjourned meeting, as also does the choice of a baud. Only two booths will be allowed on the ground, one a publican's bootli of the ordinary kind, and the other for refreshments of the other kinds more suitable for the ladies. The letting of the sites vail be by auction at an early date. Among other sports on the ground, it is pi-obable that the Gymnastic Ti'oupe will give a performance. It is also m contemplation to have a ball m the evening, for which purpose Mr Ewart has kindly offered the use of his new hall. The Committee meets again at Ewart's Hotel on Monday next at Sp.ni.

A STew Party. — The Wellington cor respondent of the Bruce Herald says : — A new party is forming for next session upon the basis of the abolishing of Customs duties on necessaries, and iuopojsing a property and income tax.

A Wakganui telegram of Oct. 11, says Mr Duigan has sold the Chronicle to Mr Watt for £1000. Mr Tribe, M.H.R., becomes editor after the Ist of November. The paper will advocate the views of Mr Watt's party. . „.,.:",

Scab Boaed. — There was no quorum at the meeting of the Scab Board on Thursday. The only members who attended were Mr. Joseph Ward, and Mr. H. Williams. The latter rode a distance of 40 miles for the purpose of atteuding the meeting, which resulted m his disapointment. Mr. Lovegrove has resigned his seat m consequence of his removal to Woodend,- Canterbury.

A Hint.— Apropos of certain extracts of late m the Nelson Examiner, it will be a useful reminder to the editor to note that Picton is not Blenheim, although m the same Province ; and that while the paper published at Picton is named the Press, that at Blenheim is the Expeess. He will find ''Bowden's New Zealand Geography " a very good and trustworthy means of coaching up as regards Marlborougli m several other respects.

We understand that Mi' Withers is about to leave the Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim, having received the appointment of accountant m the Napier branch of the National Bank, m which town his family resides. Mr Arthur Buffge, who began his business career at Blenheim m the service of the Bank of Ne\v Zealand, and has been stationed latterly at Hokitika, is to be promoted to the vacancy made here by Mr Withers' departure. The latter gentleman has made himself an universal favorite while he has been here, and his loss will be regretted ljy many.

A New Enterprisf. — Two gentlemen. Messrs O'Halloran and Nicholl, the representatives of a Company recently formed m England under the title of the New Zealand Fibre "Works Company, have visited Blenheim this week, with the view, a3 we are informed, of ascertaining what facilities exist m this locality for establishing the head-quarters of their mauufactoring department. We sincerely hope that Blenheim or its neighbourhood may be found suitable for their requirements, as we are well assured that the establishment of a fixed and industrious population m our midst will be the surest source of prosperity to the Province. The company m question are the patentees of a new kind of machinery which produces a fibre infinitely superior to anything hitherto known.

Awatere County Boakd. — The Awatere Road Board met on Wednesday last when were present, Messrs Chaytor, Munro, and Templeton. Payments for various .works of importance that have lately been executed were ordered, amongst which may be mentioned, £60 expended on repairing the existing track from the Avon saddle to the mouth of the Grey, and the formation of other new tracks, thereby saving seventeen crossings of tlvsfc river; also £52 spent m the formati.-i of ;i j.jw portion of the Taylor Pass Road. Several rates remaining unpaid the Secretary was authorised to sue for them.

The Celestial Queen arrived at Lyfcfcelton, from London, on :j .iar !.iy, with cargo for that port and jSTelson. Being the first wool ship from Port Underwood this season, she will proceed there, and disiharjre her cargo for here into the Lyttelton, after which she will at once commence taking m produce. The Celestial Queen is a very fine vessel, of 543 tons register, and will carry about 3500 bales of pressed wool and flax. Captain Watt, her commander, is well known iv these water?, and the opportunity of making a visit to the old country is here offered at, we presume, a moderate cost. — Colonist.

Eyes v. Hendersox. — Some of our readers might imagine from <i statement ill the Nevas last week that the application for a new trial m Eyes v. Henderson had been abandoned. That journal referring t > certain proceedings on a particular date, said " nothing occurred relative to a new trial on behalf of Mr Eyes " The paragraph further stated that the Court adjourned to the (sth instant. We find from the Evening Mail of Oct. t>, that on that day the Court sat m Banco, and under the heading of "Eyes v. Henderson" is as follows : — "The return of the rule niii for a new trial m this case was argued by Mr Acton Adams for the plaintiff, and Mr Pitt for the defendant. His Honor took time to consider." The Examiner of the 11th also says further : — "In Binco, yesterday, his Honor further reserved judgment on the question of a new trial m the case of Eyes i. Henderson." As will be seen by our telegrams of last evening, the decision was arrived at yesterday, and it was adverse to the plaintiff.

Literary Institute. — The Committee has made a further addition to the library this week. Among the new books received are the folldwing : Darwin's Descent of Man, the Ocean World, the World before the Deluge, Hugh Millar's Testimony of the Rocks, Old lied Sandstone, Edinburgh and its Neighbourhood, Headship of Christ, De Foe's Plague and Fire of London, a selection, of Novels by deo. Elliott, Thackeray, Lord Brougham, Wilkic Collins, M, O'Hara, and Mrs Gaskell. comprising Adam Bede, Silas Marner, The Mill on the Floss, Esmond, Barry Lyndon, Felix Halt, Hoggarty Diamond, Jfe&nes Yellowplusb. Adventures of Phillip, Frank Fairleigh, Miss Crosby's Matchmalting, Poor Miss Finch, Mary Barton, Ruth, Albert Ruel, &c, Essays by John Stuart Mill and Thomas Carlyle, Letters by Artemus Ward, Travels m Afghanistan, &c, &c., on the "whole a valuable and pleasing selection of standard literary works, which v/e trust the members will duly appreciate, by well using them, and using them well.

Moke Actions. — Thelibol list is pretty nearly completed m Waugamii ; so hy way of a change wo are to have some actions for defamation of character, two of which have already been commenced ; as business is rather dull, no doubt these interesting little cases will tend to while away the. time when waiting to makean entry m the datyjjook. — Wa-n;/anui Chronicle.

The lastfewweekshavebeen prolific ofacdents, and though, fortunately, not so fatal as some wehavehadthe melancholy duty to record, they have been sufficiently painful to be sincerely regretted, for the sake of those concerned. On Sunday, the sth instant, Mr Mackin fell from his horse while crossing the Awatere river, by which he sustained considerable internal injury. We are glad to learn, however, that he is progressing favorably under the care of Dr Johnston. On Thursday the 9th Mr Charles Madden broke his leg, and on Saturday the 11th Mr J. Arnold was thrown from his horse near the Clarence river, and falling on his left shonlder fractured the bone ; the sufferer m each case was attended by Dr Johnston, and we believe they are both doing well.

Spring Creek. — The following petition has been extensively signed m the above district, and we are informed that a sufficient number of names has been attached to present it to His Honor the Superintendent for his consideration : — " We the undersigned ratepayers of the district of Spring Creek, do respectfully request that your Honour will take immediate steps to place this district under the Hawke's Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, the boundaries to be as follows, viz : — From top of Fox's Island, by the Opawa river, to the S. E. corner of section 33, thence by the boundary of sections 33 and 34 to road bounding sections 30 and 29 ; thence by a line of road m an eastward direction, to cross line of road between sections 30 and 26 ; thence by said cross road to Wairau river ; thence by Wairau river to top of Fox's Island.

Scenery m Marlborougil — The fine arcs will not be unrepresented at the forthcoming Exhibition. Mr Stanton has lately received two fine works representing scenes m the Marlborough district, painted by Mr. Wyvell, a resident m that province, to the order of Mr. Henry Redwood, which will be shewn m the art department of the Industrial Show. They, are river scenes, with mountains m the distance, and are cleverly worked out. In both the water is admirably painted and the light thrown upon the high lands m the background is true to nature. Mr. Redwood has to be congratulated on the possession of a fine companion pair of landscapes. — Examiner,

. Bankruptcy Court. — The case of George Edward Levien, of Havelock, which has been several times before the Court was finally ordered to stand over untill the 9th January to afford an opportunity foi 1 the opposing creditors, Messrs. H. Davis and Co., Bridge-street, to bring any further evidence against the bankrupt that can be produced. If no further evidence is shown, bis discharge is to date from the 10th of the present month. In delivering judgment, his Honor characterised the case as being one " of oath against oath," and that " the credibility of the two parties must be decided on with little or nothing to weigh the scale on one side or the other." His Honor's concluding remarks were that he would not be warranted m coining to conclusions adverse to the bankrupt. The points -were sufficient to induce him to retain the case, not by way of inflicting any stigma upon the bankrupt by the delay," but that an opportunity might be given for further enquiries, and the production of proofs. — Colonist.

The Absconder Hayes.- -The Magistrate at Greymouth has committed for trial Hayes, the store-keeper, who was charged under " The Fraudulent Trustees Act, ISGO," with absconding with money the properly of the Bank of New Zealand. The Magistrate remarked that "the defendent admitted that he was m possession of the amount of gold on the night of the alleged robbery, and he tendered the balance to the Bank. Afterwards this amount was tendered through his solicitor, and he thus made the admission that he was a trustee at the time. It was not for the Bench to consider the points of law which had been raised, but it held that a prime, facie case had been made out, and the prisoner was therefore committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court." Bail was allowed, the accused m £SOO, and two sureties of £400 each. The other informations laid by the Bank against Hayes were withdrawn ; but proceedings against him were commenced on the following day (25th ultimo), on a charge, under the Bankruptcy Acb, of falsifying and mutilating his book of acjounts.

Horses for Canterbury Races.— Mr Redwood shipped yesterday morning by the Tarauaki, at Picton, seven horses for the ensuiug Christchurch meeting. These consist of the four-year-old mare Malvina, winner of the Maiden Plate at Canterbury last year, aud the Jockey Club Handicap at Nelson ; and the following three-year-olds by Ravensworth : colts— Pepepa, dam Waunea ; Kakapo, dam Toitoi ; Terenga, dam Phoebe ; fillies — Paringa, dam Countess ; Batter, dam Pancake. The seventh animal is Spritsail, a filly by Traducer. out of Wetsail. Pepepa, Teringa, and Spritsail, are engaged m the Derby ; Malvina, Pepepa, and Spritsail, for the Cup ; and Malvina, Kakapo, and Paringa, m the Jockey Club Handicap. Pepepa, Kakapo, Pariuga, and Spritsail, are also m the Ledger, to be run for m the autumn. The whole lot are m good health and condition, aud if landed safely are well calculated to uphold the reputation of Mr Redwood's stable. Pepepa is a colt of great promise, aud although not possessing the substance of his half-brother Mminka, has fine racing points, and will be difficult to beat under three-year-old weights. The races come off on the 11th, 12lh, and 14th of November. Examiner, 10th.

The Derry Sentinel has the following, — " A husband and wife sailed from Defry for Glasgow, en route for Ediuburgh, last Monday evening, the wife having on her knee her thirtythird child. Of the S3, there are at present alive 24. It is more than probable that a similar case could not be pointed out."

A singular statement was made the other day at the Clerkenwell Police Court. A dancing-inaster, who was prosecuting a man on a charge of assault, admitted, m cross-examin-ation, that lie had never lived with his wife, for on the day of the marriage he was m her company only ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and then he left her. Her parents were m much better circumstances than he was, and it was their wish that he should marry their daughter and then leave her. This he accordingly did,

We hear that an amusing occurrence took place not 100 miles from the Rutland Hotel a day or so ago. A tradesman m conversation with a disciple of " Esculapius " addressed him as "Mr ;" but was at once reminded of his mistake, and of course apologised. A minute or two afterwards Medico, becoming rather fraternising called his friend "my dear boy " — the opportunity was too good to be lost — the immediate rejoinder was " excuse me, Mr is my name." — Wanganui Chronicle. '

It it is always gratifying to hear of any progress being made m the direction of local industries, and therefore it was with much pleasure that I learned of the enterprise displayed by one of our fellow citizens, Mr Louisson, who has recently made a trip to the Thames for the express purpose of making himself acquainted with the various batteries and the method of working them, with a view to crushing the hematite that exists m such large quantities at Collingwood, and reducing it to a marketable commodity. He has brought back an engine with him, and the requisite machinery is soon to follow, and m the course of a few weeks we may expect to hear the burr of the battery on his premises m Bridge-street. It will be a good thing for the proprietor and for the province when the natural product that is now lying idle m such vast quantities on the other side of tho Bay is turned to account. May he meet with the success he merits. — Mail. The following shows Good Templarism under a new aspect, and one which, if supported cannot fail m assisting the great social reform contemplated by the advocates of total abstinence : — "We give insertion to the following note, picked up last night at the Oddfellows' Hall at the close of the Good Templar Metting, omitting the name of the fair writer: — 'Dear , — I feel it to be my duty to confess that I am now a Good Templaress, and can no more meet you on the old terms. I have been initiated into mysteries of that sacred order this evening, and am now allied permanently to the pure stream of nature, and m its sweetly temperate mennderings henceforth I will keep my head and heart cool, and bathe my little feet. Now, my old love, if you really possess that tender regard for me, of which you have so often whispered by the light of the stars, you must resort to the same pellucid source of physical purity, for, believe me, The lips that touch wine . S'iflll never hiss mine ; ! The lips that sip beer Shall ne'er whisper near With words that are vafn In the ears of Ann Jan?. — Avckland Star. The enterprising aeronaut who, as was was mentioned some time ago, proposes crossing the Atlantic m a balloon, is at New York trying to raise the necessary £2000 to carry out his project. He intends to start m a balloon 100 feet m diameter, containing 10,0001bs of ballast, and having a drag- rope of 1000 feet loug, relieving the balloon of weight to the extent of the rope's immersion m the water. The passengers will travel m a wickerwork car of two stories, with strong canvas sides and roof, the lower storey of which will be used for storing provisions, such as cooked and canned meat and fruits, and quicklime for boiling coffee and eggs. Underneath the car, the •' Graphic" says, will bean open gallery for taking observations of the sun, and below this a life boat. Professor Wise, who calculates on a strong "westerly current to take him to England, intends to take reckonings three times a day, and to study the atmospheric currents. Should this trip prove successful the professor proposes circumnavigating the globe, an undertaking which he calculates will take him some eight or nine days.

Honorable members who are severely economical m all matters not affecting their own persons are disposed to be sufficiently liberal, at the expense of the public, iv ministering to their own comfort and convenience. The Joint House Committee has actually had the effrontery to ask that the following items be placed upou the estimates, as they object to the cateiiug for Bellamy's being done by contract : — Salary of steward, -£'250 ; three waiters, £lo ; cook, £50 ; cook's assistant, £30 : crockery, glass, &c, £500; cellar, £§0; contingencies, £45; total, £000. We trust that the House will not sanction such a monstrous misappropriation of public money. If the members want to improve the arrangements of Bellamy's, tfiey should do so at their own expense. This .£IOOO, for instance, might fairly be deducted, pro-rata, from the honorarium vote. The House Committee also want bath rooms, and two or three more reception rooms to be provided. They have apparently forgotten to ask for a billiard room, but will probably correct the omission. We fully expect that the next proposal will be that Bellamy's should be maintained by a vote of the House, and that members sliould*be fed and provided with liquors entirely at the public exDense. — Post.