LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Marlborough Press, Volume VI, Issue 56, 15 July 1865, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

The Picton Herring. — We notice in an Auckland paper an announcement that a large quantity of colonial-cured bloaters from Picton were to be offered for sale by Mr. Cochrane. Fatal Accident. —A passenger by the Auckland informs us that one of the engineers belonging to the Airedale, whilst attending to his duties, was killed by the sudden escapement of foul air. which overpowered him. The English Mail.— ln another part of the paper a few items of European and American news will be found, copied from the 4 Southern .Cross,’ of July 4. It is conjectured that the April mail will not reach here until the 19th or 20th instant, at which time we may hope to be in possession of telegrams to May. Hokitika. —1,400 wethers a week are required to supply the mutton consumers of Hokitika, and we hear on good authority that Mr. Caton and another gentleman are about purchasing or chartering a steam vessel of 70 horse power, drawing 4 feet six inches when loaded, to trade from this province to Hokitiki with stock. We wish them all the success that their enterprising spirit deserves. Electric decisive is known as to the exact spot- where the submarine telegraph cable will join the overland line in Marlborough, but we hear that the place at present deemed most eligible is Massacre Hill, the submarine line ending at White’s Bay, and a line from thence to the main line being carried at the foot of the Hills on the north side of the Wairau plain. Lighthouse.— lt is said, and on good authority, iliat the next lighthouse to be erected will be at the entrance of the Tory Channel. The Dumber of steamers and other vessels entering Queen Charlotte Sound is now very large, and as the timber trade is developed must increase, the erection of the proposed lighthouse will therefore prove a great boon to shi;'masters, as well as a security to shipowners and others who risk their lives and property on the deep. A Good Example. —What is there in the atmosphere of Marlborough that prevents us from doing likewise, or, at any rate, taking example from the following :—“ Ilis Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki, who is also a candidate for the next Superintendency, on leaving for Wellington last week, appointed as his deputy Mr IL K. Biehmond, Commissioner of Crown Lands, who is the other candidate for the Superintendency.” Boring for Petroleum in Taranaki. —By private information received yesterday from Taranaki, we learn that a small company had been formed for the purpose of boring for petroleum in that province, and that they had begun their labors on the Sugar Loaf Mountain. It is said that fifteen years ago petroleum was discovered in the neighbourhood of this spot ; and lately further indications of this valuable mineral oil have been found. This induced the formation of this company, who are now said to be working energetically and are sanguine of success.— * Colonist.’

Threatened Scarcity of Stores at Hokitika. —Hokitika will shortly have to return to a state of bacon, if a supply of beef and muttod is not soon to hand. Already the dearth of sheep has raised the price of mutton to 2s. per lb.-, and we believe the last of this race on Hokitika was slaughtered on Monday. Beef is nearly, if not quite as scarce, and there will be a good chance soon of the butchers having to shut up shop for want of saleable meat ; if such should be the case, it will be advisable for purchasers to look well to the composition of any sausages that may be offered for sale.—“ West Coast Times.’ Miraculous Escape. —On the 4th instant, a number of men, belonging to five boats, who were on the look out for a whale that had been sighted from Look-out Point, South Head, Tory Channel, in order to keep themselves warm, engaged in the game of “ We,” which requires considerable dexterity in running and leaping about. One of their number reached a point which is about 120 feet above the sea, and as he was backing towards it did not observe bis danger. Unfortunately, at this moment, another young man made a sudden rush at him, and he fell over the point and landed on a jutting shelf of the rock, about 70 feet from the top. Though stunned, he had sufficient presence of mind to see that unless lie leaped clear of the rocks bc-low he would be dashed to pieces in his downward course. lie did so, and fell into the water, 50 feet below his former perilous position, bleeding, and as his comrades thought, killed. What was their surprise to find, when a boat readied him. that although weak, and much cut about the face, he had actually dived in a heavy sea to recover his hoots. We are happy to say that when removed to Mr. Jackson’s, that gentleman, who has lmd considerable practice in the healing art, skilfully dressed his wounds, sewed up his lacerated face, and in a few days he was quite recovered.

'Pm: Cask of Staxi.et r. llewitt.—AVe understand that the stun of ten pounds was collected in the space of half-an-hour towards paying the fine inflicted by the Court upon the defendant in this ease, and that the plaintiff declined to receive a sunt of equal amount to which he was entitled under the statute.

On Hit. —Tn the event of the request of “ the majority” for a dissolution of Council being acceded to, of which there is not the slightest probability till the next electoral roll comes into force," we h.ear, from excellent Blenheim and Kaikora authority, that Air. Coulter has made it right for the [super■intendency. It is generally understood, however, that A!r. Eyes will not press his claim for at least six months, when lie expect? to have his innings. A correspondent, thinking that rhyming (or poetry?) like fever, is catching, wishes us to publish tiie following, in hopes that some one may catch it:— The Councillors met in their Council Hall, Sonic crab’d ones amongst them 1 ween: They said that our Super was hound to fa’l AVhen the “ Hump ” in their places were seen ! Now the “ Rump ” they reckon’d without their host— Got confused, anil were giad to bolt— And the Light Brigade, they made it their boast That they “ AA’on with the chestnut colt.”

v—mi■***■«' A Royal PniirNnsmr. —Thomas Sheridan, on the point of sailing for the Cape was arrested and thrown into a sponging-house. This was mentioned to the Prince ot Wales (afterwards George IV.) while at dinner, and that personage was observed to whisper a few words to Colonel M‘Mahon, who laying down his fork immediate’y left the table. In about an hour he ve'uriad brim.'ing Sheiidan wi:h him. Ci lonel M’Mahon, by. the prince’s orders, paid his debts to the amount of ±'3oo. and the prince presented him with a £IOO note the same evening at sariing. “ Here, Tom, I’m very poor, like yoiuself; but I loved your father, 'lake this to buy a hammock to stow yourself away in on your voyage ; and write to me from the Cape; and tell me how Christina drinks oil its native soil.”. It was about the first and last generous ‘action he ever did.

The ‘ New York Herald ’ says rumours are current that President Davis has resigned. President Lincoln delivered a speech in which he said, ” AA'e must now see the bottom of the enemy’s resources. They will stand cut as long as the}’ can draw upon the last branch of their resources lam rejoiced to see the end so near ’'