Untitled

Marlborough Press, Volume IX, Issue 607, 2 September 1868, Page 4

Biktii OF Two Lions. —We learn from the Westport Star, that the lioness lately exhibited in Nelson by Mr Eoley, gave birth to two cubs at Westport, on Saturday last. These are unquestionably the first lions born in New Zealand, and we hope better fortune may attend the present offspring of the lioness than favored them before, for although this is the third or fourth time she has bred, none of her offspring are living. Of her last litter, a fine cub grew up to some size, but was killed accidentally. The Colonial Press.— From a return of newspapers published in the colony, unregistered for transmission by post, recently issued, we learn that there are 67 journals in theoolony ; of this number, seven are published in the Province of Auckland ; two in Taranaki; six in Nelson ; four in Marlborough ; eight in Wellington ; three in Ilawltes Bay ; six in Canterbury ; nineteen in Otago ; four in Southland ; and eight in Westland. K.uicomtx. —We notice that the timber has arrived fer the new Catholic Church, so that its speedy erection may be anticipated. We must congratulate the members of the Homan Catholic persuasion for the prompt steps they have taken in the matter of establishing a place of worship in the district. Wliilst other denominations have been thinking they have been acting. <>n Wednesday, the 22nd ultimo, great shoals of fish known as the llukihuka, came ashore at Kaikoura, both in the south and north bays, and during Thursday several splendid snow-fish were captured,—l lerald. Lady Bowen’s Brooch,— The following is taken from the Auckland Weekly Express: “ A very handsome diamond-shaped brooch, made of green-stone and mounted with Thames gold, has been manufactured by Mr F. 11. Lewisson, of Queen street, Auckland, to the order of Lady Bowen. From the centre diamond piece of green stone, which is tastefully bordered with gold, there are pendant three miniature meres, ornamented with gold, and they are removable at pleasure, so that they can be attached to a neck-lace-as well as to the brooch. This handsome piece of jewelry was made, we are informed, from a design supplied by Lady Bowen, and it is quite unique in its style How DO THE RKEELS GET AMMUNITION ? The Wanganui Times explains how the rebel natives get Government arms and ainmuniton. Government arms and cartridges have been found on slain rebels, and have been seen in possession of the Hau-haus on the field of battle. Government arms are left in the hands of socalled friendly natives' who wear their loyalty very loosely, and efist it off or resume it at pleasure. The Government also supplies the rebel natives indirectly, with food, money, and clothing ; sets up its enemy, in fact, and then fights against it. The Wanganui Times trusts that during the present Session of Parliament the incubus of the native department will be thrown off the shoulders of the colony. The Thames Goldfields— The Auckland Herald says that altogether there will be sent away some 15,000 ounces of gold, the produce of the Thames for the month of July—or very nearly three-quarters of a ton of solid gold. The result of nine days’ crushing from Hunt’s claim was 10,700 ounces, 8724 ounces of which lias been shipped per ‘Taranaki.’ Hunt’s battery continues its work, the heavy rains during the early part of the week enabling them to set the twelve head in motion, The yield will doubtless bring the total up to 12,000 ounces for the first fortnight’s work. The gold crushed from the Caledonian claim was retorted on the 28th ultimo. From nine tons of quartz crushed, 225 ounces of gold were extracted. This gives a yield of 25 ounces to the ton. A claim called the Golden Crown lately crushed 16 tons of quartz, which yielded 877 ounces of smelted gold.. The ground had been worked for ten months without any return. A half-share was recently sold by auction for £5, and another half-share a few weeks ago for £lO, so lightly was it estimated Loyalty of tiif. Maoris. —In one of his despatches to the Duke of Buckingham, his Excellency the Governor writes I have stated on previous occasions that the Maoris generally concur in these sentiments with their fellow-subjects of European blood. An additional proof of the prevalence of these loyal feelings will be found in an interesting and gratifying fact which recently has been brought to my knowledge. It had been arranged that the Duke of Edinburgh, during his projected tour in New Zealand, should visit the celebrated hot lakes and springs, which arc situated at some distance inland from the eastern coast of the North Island. The loyal Arawa tribe, through whose territory it is necessary to pas to reach the lakes from the sea at lauranga spontaneously undertook by their personal labor the cciefs and their clansmen working together ind without-any remuneration from the Colonial Government, to construct a road sixty miles in length for the convenience of his Royal Highness. This road was recently travelled oyer with ease and comfort by a party of English ladies and gentlemen, who state that the Maoris, luive also erected pavilions along the route, and have provided boats on the lakes in anticipation of the visit of the 4 Queen’s son,’ as they affectionately style the Duke of Edinburgh.” j