LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Press, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 24 July 1867, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Panama Mail. —Up to the time of going to press, no tidings of the Panama Mail had arrived. Advance New Zealand !—Paul Tuhaere, a native chief, has been appointed a member of the Auckland Provincial Executive.

Departure. —J. D. Tetley, Esq., left Picton on Monday morning last, for Wellington, to take his seat in the Legislative Council of New Zealand, to which he has lately been called. A Rapid Passage. —The clipper schooner Jeannie Duncan, Captain Henderson, left Westport on Saturday, at 4 p.m., and arrived in the Sound at 4 a.m. on Monday, having accomplished the trip in the short time of 30 hours. Magistrate's Court.— At the Magistrate’s Court, on Monday, only one case came on for hearing, viz., Ileberly v. J. W. G. Beauchamp, a claim for £7. Defendent not appearing, judgment was given for the full amount and costs. Our Summary. —Next week we will issue our usual Monthly Summary, containing the news of the month, for transmission by Panama mail to England. Our subscribers may have the paper forwarded direct from this office by sending the address to which they wish it sent, together with stamps to cover the price of the paper and postage ; or the summary will be forwarded for twelve months to any address upon prepayment of seven shillings.

Nelson Gaoler. —Mr Rodgerson, who for many years has filled the office of Gaoler in Nelson, having resigned his office, Captain Clouston, who acted as Gaoler during the late absence of Mr Rodgerson from the colony, has been appointed his successor.—Examiner. Pleuropneumonia. —We (Otago Daily Times) understand that information has been received in town that pleuro-pneumonia has appeared among the cattle at the Wakatip. Mr Bailey, sheep inspector at Tuapelca, has been sent up in haste to ascertain the facts. A New Governor for New Zealand.— We (Wanganui Times) have it upon reliable authority that a new Governor will shortly assume the reins of power ill New Zealand. That fact is no secret to Sir George Grey and his “ responsible advisers,” nor do we see why they should keep so important a matter a secret from the colonists.

Distinguished Neighbors. —From the French papers it would appear that His Imperial Majesty’s frigates, the Isis and Sybille, are about to con veyforcats from Toulon to New Caledonia. It is stated that the Isis will come out to this part of the world with 150 convicts, and the Sybille with 200. Sale of Australian Wheat in England.— The Examiner says that the accounts received from England of the sales of the first shipments of wheat from Adelaide give the colonial grower a net price of nearly 6s a bushel. The arrival of the next mail is anxiously looked for, as still better prices are expected. Court of Appeal. —The Examiner, of the 16th instant, says :—“ The Court of Appeal will sit in Wellington in a few days. His Honor Mr Justice Richmond intended to proceed to Wellington last evening in the Otago, for the purpose of being present at the opening of the Court, but we regret to say Ilis Honor’s health prevented his leaving Nelson ” Goldfield’s Secretary'. —We learn from the Examiner that the Provincial Secretary of Canterbury announced the intention of the Government to appoint a Secretary for Westland, with a seat in the Executive. Mr Sale, the present representative of the Canterbury Government in Westland, is to be Under-Secretary. Cadet Corps. —A Number of the Blenheim boys have enrolled themselves as members of a Cadet Rifle Corps. During this week they were inspected by Capt. Baillie, who expressed himself highly gratified with their movements. Sergt. Major Kennedy informs us that he is in hopes of getting them a supply of short rifles for exercise.—Express. Nelson Statistics. —A Council return shows that during the year 1866 the Registrar of Marriages for Nelson issued 97 marriage certificates; and the number issued in 1865 was 77, showing an increase of 20 in 1866. A return shows that in the city of and district of Nelson there were registered in 1866 417 births and 137 deaths; and in 1865, the number of deaths were 164, births 359.—Colonist. Acknowledgment. —By the courtesy of the lion, the Colonial Secretary, we have received copies of the various papers relating to the Panama Mail Service, the Three-Million Loan, the Despatch of His Excellency the Governor, and other papers ; together, with a copy of the Debates in the Colonial Parliament. From the lion, the Postmaster-General, we have received a list of postage fees to all parts of the world. Government Hospitals. —There is a hospital in Taranaki maintained at the cost of the Colonial Government, for the service of the troops we assume, and respecting which the Taranaki Herald, very properly complains, of the exorbitant charge of ten shillings and eight-pence per day, which is made for all provincial patients j who enter the hospital. This is another sample I of the proportional expense of General Govern- j ment undertakings. j Canterbury. —The financial condition of the 1 neighboring province of Canterbury is anything | but satisfactory. On going into committee on the Estimates, the Provincial Secretary stated to the Council that the estimated expenditure for j the current year of £434,279, was £127,000 in excess of the estimated revenue, and that to this , deficit there was to be added an overdraft at the j Bank of £92,000, and other liabilities amounting j to £21,000, making altogether a total of liability ' of £548,000, against ail estimated revenue of £307,122. ! Nelson Members of Assembly.— The s.s. J Otago, last (Monday) evening took from us Mr ; Parker and Mr Buigent, who proceeded in her | to Wellington to take their seats in the House of j Representatives. Dr lienwick and N. G. Morse, Esq, members of the Upper House, also took their departure by the Otago. The only member of the Assembly now remaining in Nelson is His Honor the Superintendent, who, we believe, will leave by the steamer on Sunday next, provided the Council gets through the Estimates this week, so that the Appropriation Act can be passed.—Examiner, July ffth. Representation of South-West Goldfields. —The Nelson Examiner, of the 20th July, has the following: —The Colonial Secretary, in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Representation Act, stated that the Government proposed giving two additional members to the South-west Goldfields, and to give at the same time two additional members to Auckland. Otago has four members sitting folks Goldfields, while the Canterbury and Nelson Goldfields, with double the mining population, are only to have three members between them. The necessity for adding two members to the representation of Auckland we cannot discover.

Representation of Picton. —The Wanganui Times says : —Mr Arthur Beauchamp has resigned his seat in the House of Representatives as member for Picton, and Mr William Adams of Nelson is likely to be returned in his stead. Mr Adams was one of the first leading men in Picton previous to the separation of Marlborough from that of Nelson, and was mainly instrumental in effecting that separation. Having now seen his mistake, and the miserable position in which that province is placed by the action of Mr Eyes and his co-runholders, we know of no man upon whom the responsibility, of rescuing Marlborough from the avaricious grasp in which she is held, could be more fittingly thrown than Mr Adams. We trust that he will be unanimously elected.

Interesting Event. —Yesterday a ceremony was performed in the Church, such as is not often witnessed in Picton, Wiremu and Mere Mouhihi, Maories from Waikawa, were married by the Kev T. L. Tudor. The bride and bridegroom, if not attired in exact accordance with European taste, had made themselves as smart as consistent with their own ideas of bridal attire. After the ceremony, the happy couple with their friends adjourned to spend the day in true Maori fashion. Elections. —By a Government Gazette, it is notified that G. Maefarlan, Esq., has been elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the District of the town of Lyttelton, and John Studholme, Esq.,for the District of Kaiapoi. The Auckland News contains the returns of the voting for the Northern Division for a member of the House of Representatives, by which it appears that Thomas Macfarlane, Esq., has obtained 106 votes over his opponent, Major Cooper.

Native Lands. —Mr Mackay and Mr Parris> Native Commisioners, arrived here last week by the s.s. St Kikla, for the purpose of settling some questions connected with Native Lands. We learn from good authority that the Government propose to settle certain quantities of land upon the natives in the Middle Island, because they (the Government) partly acknowledged the natives had a sort of claim to some land in the Northern Island. The report that Messrs Mackay and Parris came for the purpose of paying money to the natives on account of land purchased from them in Taranaki, proves to be incorrect.

The Crops. —The Southland News says : There appears every reason to suppose that the farmers of this province have succeeded in producing oats and potatoes in excess of local requirements. The other cereals, although largely cultivated have not yet been grown in quantities to stay importation. Until very recently nearly all the flour consumed here was brought from Adelaide and elsewhere, but there is room for congratulation on the fact that town-made flour of first quality (from provincial grown wheat) is now offered by the millers (Hay Bros) at a price considerably lower than the imported article.

Photography. —We have this week received a specimen cf local talent from Mr Collie ; being a view of the Government Buildings, including the offices, the Council Chamber, the Post and Telegraph Departments. The point of view chosen by the artist displays the whole to advantage. In front of the Post-Office we notice the Postmaster and the staff ; and in front of the Telegraph Department is Mr Tucker (who by the way, we regret to hear, is about to leave us for the Bluff) with his aides. The picture is a really good one, well executed, and reflects great credit on Mr Collie. It is in what is known as cabinet size, and we have no doubt many will obtain copies of this souvenir of “the land we live in,” for the purpose of sending to friends at home.—Express. A Valuable Bird. —The New Zealand Herald says :—“ The little birds which are literally swarming through the province, and to whose sudden appearance amongst us some few weeks since we yesterday drew attention, would seem to have spread equally over the entire island. One of them may be seen in the Auckland museum. It is called the “ White Eye ” Zosterops dorsalis. We (Hawkes Bay Times) have recently noticed extensive flocks of a small bird of the linnet kind, which seem to be of recent arrival from parts unknown, and we are informed by parties to whom we have mentioned the fact that Ilawkes Bay is not singular in the presence of these little strangers, but that they are to be seen almost (perhaps quite) all over the i Northern Island of the colony, having been no- ! ticed in Wellington and Auckland, where they i have received the name of the ‘ Blight Bird, ’ I from the fact of their destroying all the blight 1 from the fruit trees.” Deep Sea Fishing. —The Westport Times of a late date, says—“ Amongst other industries that are greatly or rather altogether neglected | here may be included that of deep sea fishing. Outside of Hokitika, south, at the Karamea, I north, and at all intervening places it has been j proved that splendid fish can be obtained, and | already, in spite of many difficulties, it has been ! carried on at the first mentioned place. Splendid I groper, cod, ling, and barracouta exist in large J quantities and are easily obtainable, and this I bar can be crossed at almost all times by hookers that could not look at that of Hokitika, j excepting under very rare circumstances. The j consequence is that there need be no delay in bringing the piscatorial harvest to market, and such enterprise would be well reported. At present meat is Is 3d a pound to small consumers —almost a famine price to many, while fish could be sold for an infinitely smaller sum, and be in addition nutritious, wholesome, and a most welcome variation of an everlasting meat fare. Of late, large quantities of mold and barracouta have been brought by steamers from Nelson, and have met with eager purchasers. When however the summer sets in this will of course be impossible, and long before that we trust that Westport will possess a small fishing fleet.” Taking it Easy. —A very “ cool” theft wa s committed on July 8, at the shop of Mr Howden, watchmaker. A man entered the shop, andasked to see a watch, as he was going to buy one. He selected an open-faced lever watch worth £5, said it would do, and quietly walked out of the shop with it. Mr Howden was under the impression at first that his customer wanted to show the watch to some one outside, but on going after him almost immediately, he found that he had made good use of his time, and was nowhere to be seen. The watch had no maker’s name on it, but “ J. Ilallonby, policeman,” scratched on the case. The description of the thief was given to the police, but as no clue had been obtained it was beginning to be concluded that nothing could be done. On Thursday, however, the man came into Mr Howden's shop, stated that he was the thief, and wished to be given into custody. His name is John Snell, and we believe he looks sane enough, lie says that he could not sleep at nights for thinking of the watch he had so wrongfully become possessed of. Whether as a means of easing his conscience or not, we cannot say, but he had taken care to dispose of the watch some days ago. Of course his desire was complied with, and lie was lodged in the Police-office greatly to the relief of his conscience.—Auckland News-

Presbyterian Meeting. —A meeting was held on Friday last in the Presbyterian Church, Mr Campbell in the chair. Messrs Campbell, Watson, and Mouat, were elected as members of the Committee for the ensuing year, in the room of Messrs Esson, Allan, and Henderson, resigned. A resolution was carried, “ That subscriptions be raised for the purpose of compensating the Rev. A. Russell for his past services. A letter was read from the Clerk of the Presbyterian Assembly in Auckland, stating that the call from Picton had been forwarded to the General Assembly in Scotland, and that a pastor for the District might be expected out, in the coarse of the coming year. Convicts in Otago. —The Wellington Evening Post has the following from Otago :—“ By the Jessie Kelly, we have received an accession to our population, but not exactly of that description which we required at the present moment. A number of convicts from Western Australia have been landed on our shores, six of whom were arrested yesterday, and brought before the Resident Magistrate, to whom they explained that they had been informed by the authorities at Freemantle that they would be welcome to any part of New Zealand. The convicts have done long sentences, fourteen and fifteen years. Some produced conditional pardons, and others said they were ‘ expirees.’ They were discharged from custody on undertaking to leave the province immediately, the Commissioner of Police providing passages. Some of the gentry have elected to proceed to New South Wales, whither they will be immediately conducted in becoming state. This matter, requiring very serious consideration, will be brought under the notice of Government without delay, with a view of having a Bill passed during the session, preventing convicts landing in New Zealand.” Literature. —We (Wanganui Times) have published the prospectus of a monthly to be edited by the Rev. John Elmslie, M.A., Judging from the very high reputation which proceeded Mr Elmslie to this colony, and the zeal and ability displayed by him as a preacher and a lecturer since his arrival in Wanganui, we fully expect that the ‘New Zealand Evangelist’—should it make its appearance—will be one of the if not the very best, and most liberally conducted religious periodicals that has ever appeared in this colony. We put in the proviso because Mr Elmslie in his prospectus says : —“Our Magazine, it is hardly needful to say, must be self-sup-porting, otherwise it cannot go on.” The practical question now is,—How many will come forward to countenance the project and make the magazine self-supporting ? The subscription is only 12s a year, and if two hundred subscribers pay up one year’s subscription in advance, and a few liberal ladies and gentlemen give a small donation each, the publication can go on to a selfsupporting point. This suggestion is purely our own, and we have no pecuniary interest in the matter. We believe the serial is to be published at the Chronicle office, and therefore are at liberty to speak more freely in support of Mr Ehnslie’s proposed undertaking. It will require in all about 500 subscribers to make it pay. Exciting Boat Race. —On Saturday afternoon last, a race took place between Mr Laery’s boat “ Heather Bell ” and Mr Liardet’s wager boat “ Lady Flora Hastings,” from the island in the centre of the Bay to the wharf, the “ Heather Bell ” being pulled by Capt. Mellish, Mr Laery and his mate, and Mr Guy—Capt. Mellish, stroke." The crew of the “ Lady Flora Hastings ” con sisted of Messrs Liardet, Bruce, Downes, Saxon and Hull—Mr Liardet stroke. They all seemed in excellent condition, and each made up his mind to go in and win. Sometime I was passed before a start could be effected ; but at last, at the word “ off ” from Capt. Mellish, the boats went away in beautiful style, the “ Lady Flora ” creeping slowly ahead. The “Heather Bell,” however, hung close on her quarter, and began gradually to retrieve her lost ground. Just at this point of the race some of the crew of the “ Lady Flora ” began to show unmistakeable signs of being blown, and to everyone’s surprise, all at once down went one of the midship oars. But they were not to be done for all time. The steerer gallantly, if not pluckily, abandoned his post, got to the midship oar, and handled it m quite professional style. This in. spired the others, and gave them fresh vigor, and away they shot ahead again tugging and straining manfully. But, alas ! their many difficulties overcame them, and they had, when about to gain the prize and triumphantly rest on their laurels, to use our late representative’s expression, “ cave in ” The “Heather Bell ” came in in beautiful style, winning easily.

Mysterious Robbery at the Union Bank at Greymouth.— The Grey River Argus, of the 11th July, says:—“A robbery of a very mysterious character was perpetrated on the premises of the Union Bank, Mawhera Quay, on Saturday afternoon, between the hours of four and seven o’clock. It appears that the teller, Mr Gundry, left the bank a short time before four o’clock, having previously locked up a sum of about £470 in a drawer under the counter. In the course of the evening some diggers called upon him at the Melbourne Hotel, where he resides, wishing to dispose of some gold, and he returned with them to the Bank. On going to the drawer he found that the money, which was all in notes, had been abstracted, and further examinations showed that the lock, which was an ordinary up-shoot one, had been forced off. In the manager’s room, which is immediately behind the front office, there is a small window looking into the back yard, and fastened with a common bolt; this window was found unfastened, and there ivere marks on the windowsill as if caused by a boot. Nothing else in the bank was disturbed, and as there was no evidence of violence on the window frame, it is supposed that possibly it had been left unbolted. The back yard, by which only the window in question can bereachel, is fenced in by a high wall of corrugated iron, and, as it is in immediate contiguity to adjoining premises, it is remarkable that the thief or thieves could get into the yard of the bank without making noise sufficient to attract attention. But the most remarkable feature of the affair is, that the robbery should have occurred just when, contrary to his usual practice, the teller neglected to place the whole of his cash in the safe. The whole matter is wrapped in mystery, but the police are making a most rigid investigation, aud they are not without hopes of tracing the robbery to the guilty party.”