LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 1348, 31 August 1882, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tenders for the local mail services must be sent to the Chief Postmaster, Blenheim, by the 9th September. The several services foT which tenders are invited may be ascertained cn reference to our advertising columns.

The Registrar of Electors notifies that all persons interested in seeing the Roll of Electors for the district may do this by calling at the office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths,’ at the Court House, Picton, on any Wednesday or Friday ; and Post Office, Havelock, Tuesday or Friday. A rather serious accident befel Mr Fred. Martella last week, by which he sustained a fracture of the collar bone. He was chasing a cow, when he fell down a bank sustaining the injury mentioned. The accident will prevent him from following his usual occupation for several week, but his many friends will be glad to hear that he is progressing as well as could reasonably be expected.

The destruction of the old wharf is now almost accomplished, and in a few hours it is expected there will be a perfectly blank space where this once eyesore formerly stood. It is a matter for regret in one sense that the work is so nearly done, for when it is finished idlers will have to look out for some other amusement than watching the air bubbles from the diver’s helmet, and witnessing the blowing up of the piles..... An “ inset ” with this paper informs all and sundry that an auction sale will be held by Mr Syms on Monday next, when tho whole of the remaining stock in Picton belonging to Messrs Casey and McDonald will be submitted to public competition. Householders needing draperies, clothing, or general furnishings, may be able to suit themselves by attending this sale, which, in consequence of the number of lots to be disposed of, will commence at ten o’clock.

Twelve months since when the annual elec - tion for the Borough Council took place, the ratepayers showed a lively amount of interest in the election, and as candidates were numerous they had a choice in tho seclection. Another election is announced to take place on Thursday, 14th September, and the nominations must be made before noon on Saturday next September 2nd. Up to the present time we have not heard who are likely to come forward, but we hope that a good array of candidates will present themselves, and that good men will be elected to manage the municipal affairs. On Monday.night a visitor at the Terminus Hotel behaved himself in a very obstreperous manner and when requested to move on by Mr James, responded to the invitation by striking him a severe blow on the side of the head, using such force in his argument that it was feared Mr James had sustained a fracture of the jaw. This happily was found not to be the case, but the injury was sufficiently severe to necessitate the calling in of medicul aid, and Mr James is now rapidly recovering. The matter is likely to engage the attention of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, when we shall hear more particulars of what appears to have been a most unprovoked assault.

The cry is that in Picton nothing is stirring but stagnation, and to all outward appearance there is reason for the cry, but there is an undercurrent which shows that business is not as placid as it looks. We are informed that during the past fortnight no less than four freehold properties have changed hands through the agency of Mr Syms, and before this time there had been a considerable amount of speculation in real property. Good prices have in every instance been obtained, so that however stagnant the money market may appear, it is evident that there is some spare capital awaiting investment when suitable properties are in the market. This is a good sign of the times, and points conclusively to two facts, which are that confidence is felt in the future of the town, and that freehold properties are assuming a good marketabe value, which they have for some time not seemed to possess. Last week it was reported that coal had been found on Mr Western’s land at Mount Pleasant, hut enquiry proved the rumor to be premature. This week we have something more umgiblo in the actual discovery of coal in the same locality on land belonging to Mr J. Fuller. This last find was made by Mr Entwisle, who was engaged in removing some earth brought down by a slip caused by rains, when he came across some likely indications which further search proved to point unmistakably to the presence of coal. The value of this find has not been fully determined, but experts have pronounced an opinion that there is an extensive deposit of coal in the locality . Should a seam of any magnitude be found, it will set at rest all doubts about the extent of the Picton coalfield, for the locality of this discovery is a long distance from Shakespeare Bay, and it is only a fair presumption to suppose that the whole intervening country contains a bed of the valuable mineral. Many years ago geologists expressed an opinion that there was a probability of coal being discovered about the Elevation, and the find now made confirms the theory. We hope shortly to hear an attempt will be made to open up the seam at the Elevation and that it has resulted in bringing to light a coal-deposit of large extent. There is every probability of this taking place, and when it does the prosperity of Picton will be assured.

Te Wetere is said to be in possession of an autograph letter from Sir Donald McLean, stating that all sins of the past had been wiped out. At the New Zealand Refrigerating Company’s Works, Dunedin, three hundred carcases are put through the freezing chambers daily. There is accommodation for the stacking of five thousand carcases. The rumor is revived of Mr F. G. Wright’ M.H.R., being about to join the Ministry. It would be an especially popular move with the Canterbury members. It is suggested to introduce into this Colony in large numbers the cork oak, which is a very valuable tree of commerce. The tree grows luxuriantly on the hills of Spain whence is procured most of the cork used in Great Britain. The freezing works at Christchurch will be fitted up with two of Haslam’s refrigerating machines. A butter storehouse is included in the buildings, as the Company will he large exporters of butter. The plant is on the ship Thorn, which is daily expected from London. A Northern contemporary gives the following heart-rending narration Six weeks ago two little Maori children, aged three and four years, strayed away from a party of Maoris who were digging gum on the Kairara field (North Island), and went into the bush close by. The Maoris at once went in search, but could not find any trace of them. On subsequent days a number of Europeans—mostly bushmen —joined the Maoris in the search, but still no trace could be found, although 300 Natives joined in searching the bush. On tiie morning of the eighth day after the loss of the children, however, a bushman named Marainer related to his companion and a number of Maoris that he had had a dream in which he had seen the two dead bodies lying under a big rata tree, and also the track they had followed over the ranges, which crossed two creeks and then traversed a spur. A party at once set out for the indicated spot, and sure enough the dead bodies of the children were lying there within five feet of each other, the dog—which was a small Maori cur being nestled up alongside the oldest boy. The body of the younger child, however, had been half eaten by this wretched cur. The bodies were buried on the spot, the Maoris holding a great tangi and firing 400 shots over the graves.