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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 145, 22 August 1866, Page 3

The Wellington Advertiser of the 20th speaks confidently of the ability of Mr. Stafford to organise a Ministry out of the influential leaders of parties in the House. The Independent of yesterday, has not reached us, -we are consequently unable to give the opinions of that journal. We learn from private sources, however, that it was unlikely that any Ministry would be formed with Mr. Stafford at its head. The general- impression among well informed persons was, that a strong Government would be formed without any aid from Mr. Stafford. The number of Maoris transported to the Chatham Islands, is 116 men, 49 women., and 38 children. A return of the cost of Provincial Governments throughout the colony, recently laid before the Houses of Assembly, gives the following results: — Auckland, 153 officials, employed at a cost of £22,602 14s. 9d.; Tarauaki, 22 officials, cost £4,772 ; Hawke's Bay, 25 officials, cost £5,118; Wellington, 76 officials, cost £15,017 95.; Nelsori, 45 officials, cost £8,301 155.; Marlborough, 9 officials, cost £2,070 ; Canterbury, 74 officials, cost £21,833; Otago, 123 officials, cost £38,535 ; Southland, 31 officials, cost £6,460. The yearly cost of 554 officials under the Provincial Governments is £124,709 18s. 9d. The following bill has been read a first time, in the House of Representatives ; a bill to authorise the Superintendent of Nelson to give waste lands of the Crown, within such province, for the construction of a railway from the Port of Nelson to the West Coast of the proviuce. The Argus says, the inhabitants of Greymouth — unless they are more alive to their own interests— may not be long before they will have an opportunity of doing as the people of Nelson have done — lock the doorafter the steed is stolen — in other words, organise a lire brigade after half the town has been consumed. The winter has been so severe on theDunstau diggings that the miners have been employing their time in amusing themselves on the ice. Curling matches have beeu quite tbe fashion, and skating, sliding, and such like have beeu pursued to a great extent. It is stated that such a severe winter has not been experienced in Otago ever since its occupation by Europeans. An important decision has recently been delivered in Dunediu by Mr. Justice Chapman, to the effect that a banker has no lieu on bills placed in his hands for collection. The case iu question was the " Commercial Bank of New Zealand v. Dyer.'' This decision is an important one to the mercantile community. As there seems to be some misappreheasion as to the date when the present shooting season terminates, iu consequence of the alteration made in the late session of the Assembly, we append the clause of the Act then passed, by which it will be seen that the present month of August is still open to sportsmeu. "Protection of Certain Animals Acts, 1865," clatise 3, "No pheasant or quail shall be hunted, shot, taken, or killed, except during the mouths of May, June, July, and August, in any year." A pet ; tion has been presented by Mr. Whitaker to the General Assembly praying the admission, duty free, of goods imported for mining purposes only. One of the natives convicted of the murder of Mr. Fulloon died recently at the Mouut Eden Gaol, of pneumonia. The deceased was named Tumati o Ngatihoko, and his sentence of death for the murder had been commuted to 14- years' penal servitude. Tamati was very unwell at the time of the trial, and had to be supported into the Court-room. The colonial office lias intimated, to Mr. Jenkins that the office of interpreter to the forces will be done away with.

Tbe Auckland Herald informs- the colony that the desire for separation is not dying out, nor will it die out but:. -with possession. Auckland foiled again will rise, Antaeus-like, from the ground, more determined and vir gorous than ever. Auckland will bide itstime, and even though the Auckland resolutions be lost, we are a step nearer our object. " The tide is ebbing, and we may soon be able to walk dry-foot over land now covered with water." . We understand that Mr. Stanley 11. Jones, who has been employed in New Zealand as the head of the Commissary Department, has been recommended to the Queen for the honor of knighthood. Commissary Jones, we understand, will remain in New Zealand to wind up the outstanding affairs between the mother country and New Zealand. The Manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company offers £200 reward to anyone who will give such information as will lead to the apprehension and , conviction of the person or persons who were concerned in committing an incendiary fire in Forgham's buildings, Otahuhu. This munificent reward is offered in the hope of stopping the alarming increase of incendiarism. The Government ferry boat capsized a few days ago iu the Manukau, and 10 live3 were lost. Two clung to the mast and were saved. An inquest was held on the bodies of Mrs. Westford and her three children. The jury said both boat and crew were unfit for the service ; and pressed on the attention of tbe Government the necessity for making provision for the safety of the public in crossing the Manukau. The skipper ~was a one handed man, and the boat a flat bottomed vessel. The names of the missing parties are Lucas, Murphy, Eeynolds, and their families. The Taranaki Herald of the 18th states that the whole of the Ngatirnanui and Taranaki natives, have signified their readiness to give iu their allegiance. The Taranaki Petroleum Company, at No. 1 well, are clown 70 feet, oil comes up plentifully on the chisel. In the Alpha well a depth of 160 feet has" been attained.