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Marlborough Express, Volume XIII, Issue 1081, 23 November 1878, Page 5

Natator has been scratched for the Wellington Gold Cup.

There were no less than six vessels m Picton on Thursday, all waiting to load with timber. No wonder that we cannot buy any m Blenheim under these circumstances.

The nomination for the Mayoralty of Picton took place on Saturday last. The only person nominated was Mr W. Syms, who was elected Mayor for the ensuing twelve months.

Sir George Grey left Wellington on Wedneseay last by the Hinemoa for Kawau. The Under-Secretary for the Goldfields, Mr. Oliver Wakefield, also left by the same vessel on an official visit to the Thames Goldfields.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Nelson, on the 6th instant Mr Fell appeared for Messrs Sedgwick and Gowland, who claimed six quarters' rent from Mr John Armstrong, of Bleaheim, and obtained judgment with costs LI Is, Mr Fell requesting that his professional fee should not be added.

Before J. Allen, Esq., E.M., on Thursday, Mr Allporfc was charged with having maliciously destroyed some fencing, the property of Mr Hillmer. Mr Conolly appeared for the prosecution, and, after evidence had been taken, judgment was given against the defendant, and he was ordered to pay 25s damages, with L 2 3s costs, the amount for damage nob to lie enforced if defendant within six weeks replaces the fencing destroyed. —Press.

Several enquiries have been made of us as to whether the Counties Act Amendment Act did, or did not, pass last session. To set all doubts at rest we take the opportunity of informing our readers that" it did not pass. In the list of acts passed, or otherwise disposed of, it does not appear, and yesterday we received a copy of the Statutes of 1878, and the act m question is not one of them.

Acclimatisation of Fish. — The young trout are progressing moat satisfactorily m the Acclimatisation Society's boxes, and will soon be ready, fiom all appearance, to be placed m suitable streams, and left to take care of themselves. This will be satisfactory intelligence to all who take an interest m the experiment now heing tied m various parts of the colony of introducing choice kinds of European fish into New Zealand waters.

It is somewhat ciuious that so manytenders are being called for just now, by our various public bodies. Of course the thing is easily explainable as far as the Borough Council is concerned. There always is such a pressure when an election is looming, but we cannot help thinking that the season is rather out of joint just now when everybody is busy with shearing or hay harvest.

In our last issue we alluded to a dirty election trick which had been played by the "party" m order to injure one of the candidates on the present contest for the Mayoralty of Blenheim by circulating a report to the effect that Mr Johnson had sat and adjudicated upon a case m which he was interested- It has, however, transpired that the whole affair has been the result of something very similar to a conspiracy m which a number of persons are concerned, one of whom — without any attempt to ascertain the truth or falsity of the story — wrote a letter of accusation and complaint to the Minister of Justice ! On hearing this Mr Johnson at once communicated with Ministers urging an immediate and searching investigation. Consequently we shall doubtless have this vile conspiracy probed to the bottom without delay. In the meantime it is understood that legal proceedings have altready been taken as the reputations of more than one person have been attacked.

Mb James' new hotel is making satisfactory progress at Picton. It appears that he has seen reason to modify his original plans somewhat, leaving two wings to be added hereafter. The site will be the best m Picton, being contiguous to both railway and steamer. We met him the other evening evidently waiting for the building to go up, and it is no disparagement to our old neighbour to say that there is no other occupation he is bo fit for aa that m which he has beea aa long known id Mwlborough,

A meeting of the Blenheim Ratepayers Reform Association will be held on Monday evening, at eight o'clock, at the Lyceum Hull, at which all members are requested to attend.

A singular accident occurred to Mr Isaac Freeth a day or two ago. It appears that he was getting on his horse, when he slipped and broke his arm at the wrist. We are glad to hear that he is now goicg on favorably.

A meeting of the Kifle Association was convened at the Club Hotel yesterday evening, and adjourned until Tuesday next, at 8 o'clock p.m., when the election of a local committee will take place, and ab which all members are requested, by advertisement, to attend, or to send m their names previously.

The time for receiving tenders for the erection of the Grand Stand at the race course has been extended until Wednesday next, the 27th inst. Judging from the plans the new building, a two storey one, with ample aconimodation for a large number of visitors, will be a valuable adjunct to the course, and be largely patronised.

The Picton Eegatta has been fixed to come off on Boxing day. We wish every success to the affair, but it seems to us that ib would have been better if New Year's Day had been chosen, so as not to clash with the Sports advertised to be held at Renwiok on Boxing day, There are many people who would like to be pre? pent at both gatherings which they cannot be if both take place on the same day.

The Clarence Bridge. — Mr Blackest the Government Engineer, left here on Thursday last for the Clarence.-, to fix a site for the bridge to be erected over that river. A sum of £5,000 appears m the Appropriation Act of ast session for this work which is a much needed one, and when completed will be ajgreat boon to the settlers m the locality, and to the pnblic generally.

Teachers' Examination. — The Secretary to the Education Board has received a circular from the Education Depaitment as follows ; — " With reference to the regulations of 24th September for the examination, classification, and certification of teachers, I am directed by the Minister of Education to iuform you that whatever reasonable claims to exemption from examination m science are involved m teachers' replies to the circular of the Inspector-General, dated April last, will be considered m a liberal sense before teachers are advised what classification is to be granted m each case j and that on their receiving advice on that point an opportunity will occur for them to put m any fresh claims, which also will receive full consideration.—E. 0. Gibbes, for the Secretary.

We learn that some considerable changes are about to be made on the railway, -with a view to economy, and making both ends mcct — if such a thing can be said of a railway that, has a terminus at one end only. AH the station masters on the line are to be dispensed with except the one at Opawa ; the manager will undertake the duties at Picton, and the guard will issue tickets, &c, at the side stations. A gentleman was telling us yesterday that there has been a great and unnecessary reduction m the rates for carrying timber at the instance of the Baw-millers, whereby the revenue was greatly reduced, while the traffic has not andin factcannot be increased, as all competition had coased long before by the drays being taken off the road. W» hope the reduction of men is not a consequence of the reduction m timber freights.

More Tricks. — We wish to reply to a note by Mr J. T. Robinson which appears m our advertisement column at his request. Those of our readers who have got a copy of last issue by them will do well to refer to the paragraph to which Mr Robinson refers. It is headed "Canards", and is near the top of the third column on page 5. It will be seen that we referred to "two of the latest specimens" which we narrated. Mr Robinson however garbles the quotation by beginning with a sentence at the close of the first specimen, and then goes on to deny the accuracy of the second. We made our statemaiit on the authority of Cr. Wenoyss, who said Mr Robinson came up there and asked him to sign Cr Pell's nomination, alleging that he did not think Mr Johnson was coming forward as he had not seen or heard anything of bis nomination paper which was not m the office. Cr Wemyss added that he was mt bound to vote for Cr Fell, m consequence of his signature having been obtained by such a representation. It is only a fair assumption that others of the seven signatures of Councillors were obtained by similar misrepresentations. Another question ariseß if, as Mr Robinson states, seven Councillors signed Cr Fell's nomination paper, we maintain he has not been nominated at all, as the Act is very clear and concise on the subject, saying — "No person shall be deemed to be a candidate unless nominated m the following manner, that is to say, a nomination paper m the form m the second schedule, signed by two electors,"&c. The schedule m question says: — "We, A. B. and C. D., being two duly qualified electors," &c. This is another trick of the "party", who ara trying to play fast and loose with the Local Elections Act now.

Immigration.— Of the. 74 immigrants (equal to 66£ statute adults) for this Province, who arrived at Nelson by the " Edwin Fox," on the 18th inst., 56 arrived here on Wednesday. They are all m good health, and the majority of them appear of a likely sort to make good and useful additions to the working population, into whoso ranks they will, no doubt, rapidily become absorbed. There are 10 marrUd couples of whom the men are cla sed aa farm laborers, and of these eight are "withcnt encumbrance." There are 18 single men classed as farm laborers, and 13 single women set down as domestic servants for whom, as well as farm laborers, the market here is by no means overstocked. The balance is made up of children. Up to yesterday half of the adults had met with employment at current rates. The " Edwin Fox " brought out to Nelson 219 souls, equal to 223£ statute adults. The Hew Zcalander of the 19fch inst., speaking of this importation, says : — "There being no demand for immigrants m Nelson and Weatland, it hat, been arrangad that with the exception of tb« aomi-

nated ones, and those who desire to go to Nelson* and Westland, the immigrants alloted to these places — 175 souls— shall 7 be brought on to Wellington.

The Ravenscuff Mike. — Our Pioton contemporary of yesterday has the following paragraph m reference to this mine, and the specimens referred to now lie at our office for public inspection. They need no microscope to see the gold m them, being indeed very rich : — " A boat arrived from the Kavenseliffe Mine the early part of this week, bringing some of the richest specimens of golden quartz that has been seen m the district. The quartz was placed on view at Mr Welford's, and wa<s inspected by a large nnmber of persons, who were well pleased to see such plain proofs of the richness of the Ravenscliff, as it is an indication that the district only needs to be tested to bring to light other deposits of equal value. The stone from the Ravenscliffe mine was obtained at a depth of 250 feet from the top of the hill, and as a similar vein of gold has been obtained at two intermediate depths, it is anticipated that the vein runs through the quartz the whole distance down. Should this prove to be the case, it would be difficult to estimate the value of the property, especially as the quartz increases m richness as it gets deeper, and it can be worked 200 feet lower than the present workings without going below the level of the water. There is every indication that the Uavenscliff will equal some of the most noted reefs m this Colony and Vie* toria, and a bright future would be opened for the district, should further working reveal such "jewellers' shops" as were wont to delight shareholders m the good old days of Tarren* gower, when Nusgetty and Eagle Hawk were m their prime. The gold m the Ravenscliff reef is not merely on the fuce, but permeates through the stone m such quantity that it appears to hold the stone together m some places, and the latest specimens are as rich as the most covetous shareholders could desire. The larger number of shares are held m England, and when it is scon there that there are opportunities for obtaining such golden returns from the Colony, money will not be wanting to develop our resources."

Hart's Opekrtt* Company. — On Wednesday evening Mr and Mrs E. Hart's Operetta Company opened for a short season at Ewart's Hall. The mom was crowded, and the entertainment was m every way a successful one. The members of the compauy are • old favorite! here, and therefore it was expected that a cordial welcome would be accorded to 1 them, and such was certainly the case, as a laager or more appreciative audience has seldom if ever assembled m the hall than was present last Wednesday. The programme comprised the laughable comedy of "Double Dealings," followed by another piece of the same character entitled " My Wife* Kelations," both of which were rendered with much spirit and humour, and were heartily received. The entertainment was varied with soogs and musical selections of considerable merit, and amongst the features especially worthy of notice was Mr Hart's banjo solo with song. In response to an encore Mr Hart gave an imitation of "The bells," which was a wonderfully clever performance, the sharp cfaar sound of the ringing of a peal of church bells being reproduced with astonishing fidelity, and calling to the recollection doubtless of many of those present the village chimes heard long ago m the old country. Both Mr and Mrs Fart are accomplished characteristic vocalists, and have great skill m making rapid changes of costume. Mn Hart (Miss Kate Eussell) is also a very skilful and graceful dancer, and her performance on the skipping rope is certainly one of the best of its kind that we have ever seen, and was deservedly encored. The following evening the performance was repeated to a good house, and last evening there was a change m the programme, and " Diamond cut Diamond" was performed before a numerous and appreciative audience. To-night (when the Company are announced to appear positively for the last time) a complimentary benefit will be tendered by Mr and Mrs Hart to the fire brigade, to assist that body m the purchase of a rfteam fire engine. There will be • torchUghtprocesßionof the firemen on the occasion headed by ths members of the Blenheim Volunteer Band, who will leave the station at half -past 7 o'clock, and will assist at the Hall during the evening's entertainment, when Mr Hart will appear m his great fire scena entitled "Our Noble Fire Brigade," m which all the firemen will appear on the stage m full uniform. A crowded house may confidently be expected on this occasion. '

The Wellington Evening Chronicle states that the new Emigration Agent, Mr George McCulloch Reed is to get a salary of £600 a year with all expenses allowed.

Referring to the death of Mrs Drew and child, who were killed daring the recent gale at Timaru by the roof of her bouse blowing off, the Herald says : — " Wo cannot help animadverting on the fact that the roof was merely placed on the concrete walls, without being pinned down or connected thsrewith m the gligheat degree, and we treat this accident will be a warning to all architects, builders, and others m the futmrn to have roofs properly secured. There is no doubt, had this been the case m the present melancholy instance, we should not have to take up our pen to record what has taken place to-day." A writer m the Dwnedin.Age says: — At the sale of Educational reserves the other day the lease of a block of a dozen acres was knocked down to an innocent looking countryman at half-a-crown per year per acre. The bidder banded. over the thirty shillings, and patiently waited^ till the end- of the sale. As the crowd was/dw* , pe>sing he moved up to the Secretary of the, Ea« ncatton Board, and blandly aske-t, "Whan wtjU 'eca'fir ma Croon Grant?" "You have no Crown Grant. You only got a lease," was the reply "Unly a leese !" exclaimed the other. "An' d'ye think 'es goin 1 to gi'e half-a-croon &n acre for a leese" You never expected twelve aip« res for thirty shillings, did you ?" "Deed did a," was the unabashed rejoinder. "Here, tbio,take back your money," said the secretary, hand* ing him his deposit, and drawing a line through the record of the purchase. Some people have no consciences. *■

No IeBB than 203 entries have been smt ! m for the New , Plymouth. Agricultural Sh«Wr which will be h«ld on «fa« 4tb I>w«mlw,

Messrs Jameson Brothers, of "Wellington have just completed a large and commodious building at the corner of Tory and Buckle streets which they intend for a family hotel. The number of passengers carried by the Wellington tramway last week was 17,030, the to recteipts amount to £210 2s. Mr W. V. Jackson, Manager has tendered his resignation to the directors of the Company. A ship-owner writes to the Dunedin Morning Herald: — "Ik is little better than a crime to bea ship-owner m this colony. Captain Andrews and his mate have been sacrificed., not to the public mind, but to the Marine Board." Post Sessional Speeches. — Our city members, says the Nelson Colonist of the 19th inst., Messrs Curtis and Sharp, announce their intention of addressing their constituents at the Provincial Hall to-morrow evening. Thanks are due to these gentlemen for taking so early an •pportunityof meeting the electors. The Post of Wednesday last says ; — The Hon. Mr Sheehan, accompanied by Dr. Hector, intends we understane, to leave Wellington to-morrow, to proceed northwards to meet Rewi, and arrange for seeing Te Whiti regarding the Hiroki affair, and also to settle some other matters connected with the native affairs and the coming meeting m March next. The Secretary of Customs has forwarded the following to the Collectors of Customs for the information of inporters : — " As fencing wire cannot be warehoused, the Hon. the Commissioner authorises you to allow it to be landed under deposit entry, and afterwards to be cleared free of duty, as soon as exemption m new Tariff Act becomes operative." A correspondent sends the following to the New Zealander : — On Thursday last as the Key. John Parkes and Miss Tompkins were crossing the Eangitikei river m a fresh, the horses became restive, and Mr Parkes was thrown into the water. Miss Tompkins, with great presance of mind, jumped into the water and succeeded m " landing " the rev. gentleman who suffered no inconvenience further than a good " ducking. " The New Zealand Times states than an important discovery of graphite or blacklearl has just been made m the back country of Wellington. The Colonial Laboratory has received specimens from boulders found m a creek, and they prove to be the purest and most compact equal to the best quality of graphite which has made Borrowdale, m the old country, so famous. As an article of commerce the graphite is of great value, but its value is considerably enhance! by the fact that its presence indicates the existence of coal of the older formation is close proximity. For various reasons it is not deemed advisable to be more precise as to the locality of the deposit. The "Waikato Times says that it is satisfactory to learn that the Thames- Waikato railway will be at .once proceeded with, and that the sale of land m the immediate vicinity will, it is expected, recoup the colony the cost of its construction. We have no doubt that the Government has not over-estimated the returns when it calculates to repay the whole cost of the line from the sale of allotments m the proposed township of . Omahu, and m the sale of small farms, the largest of which, we are informed, will be 320 acres on the Te Aroha block. A London telegram to the Times of India gives the following important particulars regarding the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank: — "London, 4th October. In connection with the suspension of the City of Glasgow Bank, the city article m to-day's Times says that Smith, .Fleming, and Co. are liable for cash advances amounting to L 853,000, and for acceptances to the value of L 900.000 sterling. Another firm owes the bank L 770.000 for advances, and LI, 600,000 for acceptances. A third figures m the list for L 1,200,003 for cash and acceptances. A fourth exhibits a debt 0fL500,000 sterling, making a total of L 5,823,000 lentj by the brnk directly or indirectly to four firms, the reputation of one or two of which has been anything but good for some years back. The advances granted to these four firms, coupled with thene o ligent system of general mismanagement, is the direct cause of ths suspension, and is hardly short of criminal. It i 3 now estimated that the bank will show a deficit of L 3,003,000, which to the knowledge of the directors and managers has been accumulating from year to year. Yet the dividends had been steadily increasing. His Excellency the Governor, who is a good judge of horses, complains of the difficulty of getting good weight-carrying hacks m New Zealand. In a speech at the Wairarapa Agricultural Show at Carterton on Wednesday last, he said — " .Gentlemen, I must congratulate you upon this your first show m Carterton. I regret greatly that the weather has been so much against you, but bad as the weather was I was able to see that there was m the yards some Btock which did great credit to your district, and I may also say that 1 do not mean to tell you your show was perfect, that I saw a better class of hackney and carriage horses m your yards than I have seen m any other district m the •olonv^ Cheers.) I think there is a great deficiency m respect of that class of stock m New Zealand, and I think you will begin to find it out before long. I know I have found it out. I cannot get any horses myself ; lam rather a heavy weight, ami want to get horses that will carry me, but I have been unable to find one m New Zealand ; but you have some mares here to-day, which if bred from by good thoroughbred stock ought to produce some very good animals. " A correspondent sends us the following item of news — "Quite a ripple of satisfaction was felt among the publicans at the announcement of the revival of the Blenheim Cricket Club." To illustrate the fury of the gale which raged on Friday (says the Wairarapa Daily), w<s may mention that Mr Joseph Maby, of the Hutt, wheu crossing the Rimutaka on horseback, wa^ fairly lifted out of the saddle near Windy P^bjit,- and precipitated, over the hill side. He fortunately fell only a fawfeet down, and escaped without serious injury. ' •?

Mr Sparry, the newly appointed Land Tax Commissioner, arrived m Wellington by the Taranaki to-day. We understand that he enters on his new duties immediately. — Post, 19fch inst. Cheap Brhad. — Messrs Dodsworth and Fletcher of Wellington are prepared to supply bread to any part cfthetownatthe moderate rate of threepence the two-pound loaf . Doubtless, says the Chronicle, their establishment will be well patronised. Mr Floyd, Inspector of telegraph lines for the East Coast District, is about to be removed to the Southern Island, where it is purposed by the Government to appoint him manager of the railway telegraph lines. It is stated by the Waikato limes that Mrs Ralph, of Taupiri, has been offered and refused, the sum of £20,000 for the property upon which the coal mine is situated, and from which she i 3 drawing a revenue of one shilling royalty on every ton of coal. " The Old Stoky— Mr Travers, jun., complained recently m the R. M. Court that a summons had not been served on a man named Walton, though it had been taken out ten days before, and Walton was a respectable man who was m town every clay, and resided only three miles off. He said he would lay the matter before the Minister of Justice. Mr Mansford said he would be glad, if Mr Travers thought he had good grounds, that this course should be adopted, as he would like to see any negligence of duty punished. — Chronicle. The Divorce Court sat on Monday at Wellington. Decrees absolute were granted m the following cases : — Heney v. Heney and Moore, Woolcock v. Woolcock and Waddell, McMahon v. McMahon and Russell, Barnes v. Barnes and Martin, and Devery v. Devery and Moore. The case of George v. George was then heard, and after evidence was taken at considerable length, the Court granted a decree nisi on the usual terms. This is a Wellington case, m which the wife petitioned for a divorce on the s round of cruelty and adultery. Coppfb. — Mr J. Honnsell has some slpendid samples of copper exhibited m his shop window. There is a bar weighing six pounds, ht c product of 36 lbs of ore smelted at Messrs Mloutray and Crosbie's foundry, the ore being from Messrs Smith Harley and Co.'s mine. Another is a magnificent piece about 18 inches long by 6 inches wide, almost entirely virgin copper got out from the D'Urville's Island mine. In answer to numerous enquiries we may state that by late market reports copper is worth from about £68 to £70 per ton.— Colonist. A great bush fiie which took place on 16 instant at the small farm settlement at Makaretu, on the edge of the Ruahine bush, is reported by the Post's Napier correspondent, who states that the schoolmaster was endeavoring to drive some cattle out of the bush to save them when the burning limb of a tree fell upon him, knocking him "down. He was so severely injured that serious doubts are entertaiued-of his recovery. Mr Hoolner's house and its contents were burnt to the ground. While the house was burning, Hoolner's wife made, an ineffectual attempt to save some valuable papers, and m doing so was severely burnt. The whole country is suffering from dronght, and bush fires are seen m every direction, causing much uneasiness. The Napier correspondent of the Post, telearaphing under date the 18th inst. says: — The Taupo coach on its last down trip had a most narrow escape from a serious accident. The ribbons were m the hands of Peters sen., when m turning one hill between Taupo and Petane he noticed the valley on fire, and that the flames would soon cross the road. With great presence of mind Peters drove his team smartly over the road, and the passengers looking back immediately afterwards, were surprised and gratified to see the dangerous position they had escaped from. Two minutes after the coach had passed the flames were crossing that portion of the road they had travelled over. Among the passengers were Mr and Mrs Oakley, of Sandon, m the Rangitikei District, and a few friends who had been visiting the far-famed Taupo springs, who were all thankful for their hairbreadth escape. Tub " Loafer m the Street" says : — "The laws m connection with newspapers m Japan are very severe. . A draft of proposed amended regulations of a les 3 stringent . kind is, I learn from the Japan Gazette, under the considerations of the Gen-10-in, whoever he is. From this draft it appears that the intention of the authorities is to abolish imprisonment, and to substitute, therefor, purely pecuniary punishments for Press offences- This must be good news for the Japan paper men, for assuming they are like you and me, and never trot round with a credit balanoe of more than about eighteen pence, they can sling the ink of libel and wield the pen of sarcasm with a sweet freedom to which they have been hitherto strangers. The pen may be mightier then the sword, but it don't run as a rule to money. As a profession, buying bottles or peddling pork pies is far ahead of it. Fire at Nelson.— Yesterday morning says the Colonist of Tuesday last, shortly before nine, a fire broke out at the rear of Mr Patterson's general store, at the corner of Waimea steaet. The building m which the fire originated consisted of a ground floor, used as a store house, and which contained sugar and other goods to ihe valne of about £200, and the loft, m which was about £20 worth of hay, straw, &c, and it was m the latter the fire broke out. When first seen smoke was issuing through the shingle roof and almost immediately flames broke through. The Fire Brigade was soon on the scene, and the newly-organised Salvage Corps, under Captain Fletcher, did good service, tided by other citizens, m removing goods which otherwise would have been damaged by water. The fire, atter burning through the ronf of the loft, and spreading to the cart shed and stables beyond, was extinguished by the Brigade, the damage to buildings being estimated at about £100, to which amount they were insured m the Royal. The origin of the fire is unkiiown for no one, we are informed, entered the loft since the previous afternoon. Mr Patterson is a loser to the amount of the value of the hay, &c, m the loft.