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Marlborough Express, Volume XIV, Issue 1154, 23 July 1879, Page 5

There was a slight shock of earthquake on Monday evening, about twelve minutes to eleven o’clock.

It was reported in Havelock yesterday that the store and goods belonging to Mr Williams at Kenepuru Saw Mills, in Pelorus Sound, were burnt early on Sunday morning.

It is intended for public convenience to change the hour at which sittings at the Resident Magistrate’s Court are held from ten to eleven o’clock. The change will come into force after the 4th August next. We understand that with a view of relieving the business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court it is intended to hold sittings on Thursdays as well as on JMondays, at which the justices in the locality will be asked to assist by forming a rota. The Resident Magistrate will shortly call a meeting of those gentlemen on the! Commission of the 'Peace in this locality for the purpose of consulting them on this matter.

Mr. Joseph Wai'd returned home this morning from Kaikoura, by way of Wellington. He has been engaged in erecting a n*w boiling down establishment, the execution of which was delayed by the continued bad weather.

The returns of the Customs revenue at the several ports in the Province ot Marlborough for the Financial year ended on the 30th J une last are as follows : L 1,212 ; Havelock, L 834; Kaikoura, L 1,072.

Mr. O’Sullivan requests us to call attention to an alteration in the hour for his sale on Saturday next. At one o’clock he will offer “ Maori Girl” and foal, and other live stock ; at two o’clock he will hold an extensive sale of groceries and general merchandise. Yesterday afternoon Daniel Boone, a laborer in the employ of Mr Fairball at Eose’s old farm, had his thigh broken by a kick from ahorse. Iho services of Dr Horne were called into requisition, who set the injured limb, and the patient is now doing well.

The Wellington Chronicle has been had. Under the heading “ Press Association,” it publishes telegrams of a most violent aud one-sided nature re the Doherty case, which the Blenheim correspondent of the Association requests us to say were never sent by him. .AN artizan has settled in Blenheim whose avocation will be found useful by those who require their traps renovating. Mr Searle has taken the premises lately occupied by Mr Sowman, in Grove-road, and coach painting is his particular forte. Mr. O’Sullivan’s sale of general merchandise on Saturday was well attended, and the prices obtained were satisfactory to the consignee. The influx of visitors rather interfered with Messrs M‘Dowells’ business, as the whole shop was full of people on the look out for bargains.

Henderson and Fergus, the contractors for the railway extension, have lately taken two contracts from a number of competitors, namely, River Temuka Bridge, the River Eyre Bridge, and the River Eyre contract. Consequently this firm will have plenty of work on hand when they have finished our little job. /

There mast have been very severe weather again on the coast. Our telegrams speak of considerable damage to the Hinemoa, and the Taiaroa, which went on from Wellington to Lyttelton on Saturday night only reached there on Monday morning, thereby throwing the time table out a day. She leaves Picton for Wellington this evening instead of last.

During the quitter ending June 30th, 1879, 202 ounces of gold, valued at £BOO, were entered for exportation at Picton, this being a decrease of 560 ounces upon the return for the preceding quarter. The total quantity of gold entered for exportation between the Ist April, 1857, and 30th June, 1879, was 46723 ounces, of a value of £181,310.

Industrial Exhibition. —We have much pleasure in recording the fact that another of our Blenheim youths has won honors in the field of industry and skill, lately closed at Sandhurst, in Victoria. By the Bendigo Advertiser we learn that Albert James Stratford has been awarded a bronze medal for a case of butterflies prepared by him, and forwarded through the local hon. secretary, Mr Rae, to the Exhibition, which was opened last March, We hope others will follow young Stratford’s example, and compete for prizes at the coming Exhibition at Melbourne in October next.

LO.G.T. —At a special meeting held on Monday, 21st July, of the members of the Aggressive Lodge, No. 6, a resolution was passed by the Lodge—“ That a vote of thanks be recorded to Bro. VV. B. Earll for his faithful services as Grand Lodge Representative in the past, and assures him that notwithstanding the false statements made by James Doherty, with reference to him as our representative, that this Lodge has still full confidence in him as our future representative.”—(Signed) Phillip Vebcob, W.O.T. ; Samuel Gann, W.S,

Doherty resumed his position at the Borough Schools lon Monday morning, having been advised that his position was tenable. It appears that when he resigned he did so indefinitely, and as the Board did not accept or take any action Mr Doherty holds that they must give him three months notice in order to get rid of him, as they condoned the resignation, which he has since withdrawn, by letting him remain two months without taking action upon it. The consequence is that the teaching power of the Schools is up to its full strength again, although against the intentions of the management.

It is a pity Wellington journalmi living so near to us as they do, do not acquire little knowledge as to the geography of Marlborough. The following paragraph from the Chronicle will show the necessity“ The steamer Wellington brought over two Blenheim desperadoes this morning to be lodged in the Wellington gaol. These raffiians had kept the whole Wakamarina district in terror for some time. Finally they were caught, tried, and sentenced to considerable terms of imprisonment.” Our contemporary ought to know that Wakamarina is nearly as far from Blenheim as is Wellington, and its interests still more diverse,

The Original Georgia Minstrels gave their first entertainment last evening in the Lyceum Hall. The performance was of the usual Christy Minstrel sort, so popular with New Zealand audiences. The most distinct feature being the presence in the company of some real negroes, whose drollness kept the risible faculties of a large section of the audience in constant play. The corner men especially were very good. We understand that it is the intention of the troupe to give an entire change of programme to-night, and to-morrow evening.

lir reply to Mr Stevens, the Minister for Public Works said that 3a Ir 13p of the re- i claimed land had been sold during the recess for £86,172 16s, none of which was in arrear. The auctioneer had been paid one per cent, commission.

The long-pending case of Sinclair v, Daniell, involving the title to a large portion of town lands in .Blenheim, is to be heard by a special jury in the Supreme C.iut, Wellington, on Friday next. Mr Oouolly, instructed by Mr W. Sinclair, solicitor, appearing for the plaintiff. The importance of the case may be gathered from the fact that the mortgagee has sold and not accounted for 58 sections, and there are about 146 quarter-acre sections that have not been dealt with. The following Bills were read a fi’-st time in the House of Representatives on Fi iday : —“A Bill to amend the Land Act, 1877 ; a Bill to regulate the amendment of charitable institutions ; a Bill to regulate the inspection t mines ; a Bill to regulate and restrict the immigration of Chinese ; a Bill to amend the Licensing Acts. The last named was introduced by Mr Curtis. The other measures were introduced by members of the Government. The second readings will be taken next Friday. We have good authority for believing that a dissolution is now certain, therefore it is high time the electors of Wairau begin to consider who they would prefer to represent them in the new Parliament. We are in a position to state that Mr Henderson is again coming forward for Wairau, and will take his stand on the same Liberal principles which he advanced when contesting the seat on the last occasion. The friends of Mr Seymour will no doubt enlighten us shortly as to his intentions, but as he is now hard and fast in the hands of the Opposition we may fairly assume that his opinions will be no more Liberal in the future than the past.

In the appointment of Captain McNeill as Lloyd’s agent for the Port of Picton and adjacent coast from Stephen’s Island to Canterbury, a step in the right direction has been made. For some time past there has been a lamentable frequency of wrecks in the vicinity of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, and the conviction has come home to many that a proportion of these occurrences were brought about either intentionally or by the carelessness of the masters of the vessels. Captain McNeill’s appointment will relieve the Collector of Customs of duties which, though ably discharged, must Lave been far from agreeable. Thu Amcui —A Road Board election took place on Monday,-the 7th instant. Messrs John Tinline, Wm. Thomson, and W. 0. Rutherford retired by effluxion of time, but were eligible for re-election. Contrary to the usual custom, there was a contested election. Hitherto there has frequently been some difficulty in getting sufficient candidates, but upon this occasion no fewer than seven were nominated for the three seats, namely, Messrs Tinline, Thomson, W. O. Rutherford, James Macfarlane, A. Earsham, T. Chapman, and Duncan Rutherford. The result of the poll was as follows : —W. O. Rutherford 13, D. Rutherford 11, W. Thomson 10, J. Tinline 8, J. Macfarlane 7, Earsham 5, Chapman 4.

Assessment Court Under Provisions of Land Tax Act, 1878.— The following are the dates and places fixed for the hearing of objections to the valuation lists, and claims for exemption from Land Tax in the Province of Marlborough : For Queen Charlotte Sound portion of the County of Sounds, and the Borough of Picton—at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Picton, on Monday, the 14th August, at 10 a.m. For Peloius Sound portion of the County of Sounds—at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Havelock, on Thursday, the 7th August, at 12 noon. For the County of Marlborough and the Borough of Blenheim —at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Blenheim, on Tuesday, sth August, at 10 a.m. For the County of Kaikoura—at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Kaikoura, on Wednesday, the 13th August, at 11 a.m. Prom a private letter received in town yesterday we learn that Dr Deane, who resided here some months ago, has got into trouble by having taken as partner the Twining whose name will be remembered in this locality and at the West Coast for mistakes that have occurred in connection with him. It is alleged that Twining was put into a druggists shop by Dr Deane, and that the firm was duly charged with numerous goods, including jewellery supplied to Twining. Suddenly this gentleman disappeared in company with some female, and D-' ■ took possession of the leavings. Shortly towards Twining re-appeared and threatened the doctor with an action for slander, and in selfdefence the latter is bringing an action for embezzlement. We expect to hear more of this case presently. It is stated on good authority that one firm will make £IOO,OOO clear profit if the Engmh Harvest depression still continues.

When the Taiaroa was leaving Picton a | Wharf on Friday evening last one of the steerage passengers fell off the wharf. Beyond getting a ducking, however, he was none the worse for his mishap. The Sydnev Exhibition opens on a day yet to be named in September. On the 30tb. of August Mr Sellars, secretary, leaves for Sydney with the New Zealand exhibits, and shortly afterwards will be followed by Dr Hector. The Tuapeka Times says that Mi* M'Pherson Scott, the schoolmaster _ who was discharged for falsifying his rolls, intends to commence an action against the Secretary of the Otago Education Board, and also against the Morning Herald, Evening Star, Daily Times, and Otago Witness, for having published the correspondence in connection with his conviction. Damages are laid atja large amount in each case. At the Magistrates’ Court Nelson, the other Day, before Messrs H. E. Curtis and’ Joseph Mackay, J.J.P., the Bishop of Nelson was fined 5s and costs for allowing his horse to stray on the road. As one proof that Government have not neglected to take all necessary precautions for the defence of the Colony, we may state that the ship Pleione, just arrived, has seventy-six cases, each of which contains two thousand round of cartridge, 152,000 in all. In addition to this, the same vessel brings 119 casea'of fuses and tubes for the Government.

The Acclimatisation Society’s committee met on Saturday last, but owing to the absence of the Secretary no business could be done, and strong things were said about him. It was decided to hold a general meeting next Saturday.

The return of the Customs Revenue at the several ports in Marlborough for the quarter ending the 30th June of the present year is as follows : Wairau : spirits, L 652 ; tobacco. LIBS ; wine, L2B ; tea, LS3; sugar and molasses, L7O ; goods by weight, L 7; ad valorem ten per cent, L 47 ; total, L 1,075, showing a decrease of L 52 upon the corresponding quarter of 1878. Picton : spirits, Lll9 ; tobacco, L 53 ; wine, Ll 9 ; tea, Ll 7 ; sugar and molasses, L 36 ; goods by weight, L 6 ; ad valorem 10 per cent, L 5 2; total, L 302, or an increase of L 3 upon the corresponding quarter of 1878. Havelock: spirits, LUO; tobacco, L 9 2; tea, L 6; sugar and molasses, LlO ; total, L2lB, an increase of L 52 upon the returns of the corresponding quarter of 1878. Kaikoura : spirits, LlO9 ; tobacco, L3O ; wine, L 5 ; tea, L 9 ; sugar and molasses, Ll2 ; goods by weight, L 8 ; other duties not specified above, LI; total, L 174, showing a decrease of LlO9 upon the corresponding quarter of 1878. A warrant was issued yesterday (Tuesday) against Thomas Earn, shoemaker, Blenheim, for the larceny of a wheelbarrow, of the value of ss, the property of John Mackay, Blenheim. The accused, who was arrested by Constable Barry, was brought this morning before the E.M. The facts of the case were that about noon yesterday the accused, who was intoxicated, entered the kitchen of Mr and Mrs Mackay, who were absent at the time, and in the presence of their daughter Harriet Mackay took possession of a small wheelbarrow, and carried it off to his house, expressing his intention to return it only on the gift of a pint of beer. On Mrs Mackay’s return she went to prisoner’s house and asked him to return it. He took up the barrow from behind his counter, but said he would keep it until he received a pint of beer. The prisoner, who pleaded guilty, had no evidence to offer. Inspector Smith stated that prisoner had been resident in Blenheim for some years, and had always borne an excellent character, except for his love of drink. He had never been in the Court before. His Worship said that under the circumstances the Court would overlook the matter, and dismiss the case. He, however, pointed out to the prisoner that he had rendered himself liable to six months’, imprisonment. His Worship commented sevt rely upon accused’s habitual clrunkennes i. and hoped the present prosecution would p. o. c a warning to him for life.

The M :< '“beU Opera Company, which so recently playeu Blenheim, has been creating a sensation iii Wellington. On one evening last week one of the performers came on the stage under influence other than legitimate, and was hissed off by the audience. On the followin" day an ac< r ’ r, ent happened to Madame Le Couteur, which «si> nec«s?;itate staying at home for a week or two. On Monday last Mr Mitchell was arrested at the suit of Professor Hughes for salary in arrears, and had 31 .other summonses served on him while in Court. It transpired during the proceedings that they only took £4 in Picton, while tbeir expenses were £3O, which threw them back somewhat. The Post had the following paragraph about, the company ; When Mr Mitchell, the proprietor of the Opera Company, was being examined in the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, he stated that the performance of “Martha ” was a fiasco, owing to the orchestra not being provided with sufficient hand parts. “ Hasn’t the opera always been a fiasco when it has been played by the company ?” asked Mr Adams, who appeared for the conductor, Mr Hughes. The witness seemed a little taken aback by the question, and then replied apologetically, “ Well, the other places we played in were only little townships, and it didn’t matter much.” This naive admission and indirect compliment to the critical powers of the Wellington public excited roars of laughter in Court.

A,, recent , Auckland telegram says : A lake has been discovered at White Island ■which contains a solution of hydrochloric acid, and a white small stream which runs into it is strongly impregnated with sulphuric acid. These acids are potent solvents, and once their discovery is made known, means of turning them to profitable account will soon be found. These valuable chemical waters were employed in the manufacture of bone dust, and the result has been most satisfactory. There is now in town a smalhbox of the,product, which is of the consistency of flour. It is almost odorless, and contains alhthe ingredients which render it a marketable commodity.

A Christchurch telegram of Men ay says : —A man took a bottle of medicine this morning to the police depot, requesting the sergeant in charge to have it analysed. He said he obtained it from a chemist, to try to gain strength. On taking the dose it blew the drums of both Gars out bodily, and took half of his nose away. He added that he was an old soldier, and had never seen anything like it during bis many campaigus. I His only hope how waa .ithatithe result of the analysis might enable him to - recover i damages from the chemist for giving him a compound of such extra strength. To-day,, theipolice,report, that the man is insane. The dose was jalap. ■.’lf! J *!!';■) ;.-.L .Higher Edp, The interim, report of the Commission upon Higher Education is now injthe hands of Ministers, It recommends that ■there should, be oue University for the Colony, jihftt/is,vOne; degree-conferring; body, with four ipjleges, :situated,;in Dunedin, .Christchurch, Wellington and; Auckland. It recommends that 1 ■ shpulfibe spent ah ereecting colleges in Wellington and Auckland, so as to put these cities on a par with CHfistchuch and Dunedin. At each 1 placef there will be four or five professors, and the ‘Chairs will' he’ Englishj 'classics, mathematics, ‘-phyMio,* ahiTnafnrkl sciences. Each professor is; to have a salary of £GOO or L7OO per annum, and a.djfferance of opinion as to whether versify should, in the discharge ofifcsfunctiphsj'beperipato|iol". The Otago memberapf the Commission voted to have it fixed at Dunedin, while most of the others were for making it peripatetic? 'Mr.O.Rorke, and Mr. .Gisborne, how.-, quencewoifthe vict^ invYijD Uli;i hun j

Mew Teas. —We learn from Messrs Sclander and Co. that they have received telegraphic advice from Sydney of the arrival at that port of their new season teas, per s.s. Killarney. The shipment, which consists of 100 chests, 1020 half-chests, and 4022 boxes, has been transhipped into the Union Co.’s s.s. Wakatipu, which left Sydney for New Zealand on the 17th inst.

Nelson lias lost one of its chimneysweeps and nightmen, and the patriotic inhabitants are bewailing his decease. A local poet has contributed to the Mail an elegy on his death of nearly a column in length. The two first stanzas read as follows:

“ Vebe Bogle lies in his last lair, He’ll sweep your reeky lutns nae mair ; Of life’s hard work he had his share From first to last, Now here he lies without a care, All troubles past. To labour’s lowly toil he knelt him, With varied useful arts he dealt him ; By day, we heard, and saw, and felt him Intent to clean ; By night, without a doubt, we smelt him Tho’ all unseen. ”

A collection of eight exquisite pictures is being forwarded by Mr Gully of Nelson, the famed N. Z. artist, to the Sydney Exhibition. The largest of those says the Mail represents a winter sunset on Lake Wakatipu, and the artist has been very happy in catching the various tints on the snow clad mountains. It is a thoroughly cold wintry scene, such as if viewed in reality would cause the spectator to look to his stock of firewood, for he would know that a bitter night must pass before be saw' the sun again. By alljwho have seen it, this is allowed to be Mr Gully’s masterpiece. Higher praise it would be scarcely possible to award to it. There are six views of the scenery on the Christ-church-Hokitika road, and the other is a portion of Milford Sound. From the inspection of any of them the “most rosthetic of counoiseurs might derive a considerable amount of gratification.

An inquest was held on Tuesday last at Dovedale, before G. W. W. Lighthand, Esq., J.P„ and a jury, of which Mr James Berry was foreman, on the body Adah Lee Eben, aged 22 years ; whose body had been found dead in the bush on the Sunday evening previous. Prom the evidence it appears that the decaesed had for the last three mouth or so, beeuliu a very low state of mind, and on Saturday, about midday, went iuto the bush, but as she did not return, search was made that evening without finding her. On Sunday the settlers turned out, and formed a search party to look for r 'her, they succeeded in finding the body about dusk, lying on tbe ground in the bush, about half a mile from her home. It was supposed on finding the body that she had fallen down in a fit, or died of heart disease ; nor was anything known to the contrary until the day of twhoiv a small piece of rope was found, about seven inches long, deeply embedded round the neck. After discovering this the constable went to the place where the body was found, and at once discovered a piece of rope, corresponding with that found on the neck of the deceased, firmly tied to the fork of a small tree, on which, no doubt, the younglwoman Had hung herself. The rope had been tied no an ordinary slip knot, and had evidently broken off close to the neck. The juryfrerurned a verdict “That the decaesed had hung herself '.while in an unsound state of mind.”— Colonist.