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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 83, 9 April 1867, Page 3

The Wanganui correspondent, of the Daily Southern Cross, writing on the 23rd ult., says: — A melancholy case of suicide occurred in this towu on the Bth instant, under the following circumstances. A young woman named Elizabeth Irvine had been living in a lodging-house, after leaving the service of the Rev. Mr. Elmsly, Presbyterian minister here. It appears she came to this colony for the express purpose of getting married to her former lover, but wheu she arrived she found tbat the faithless lover had already married with another woman. Thus disappointed she gave way to despondency. Suffering from blighted affections and the pangs of despised love, she put an end to her existence by hanging herself with the rope of her trunk in a bedroom. An inquest was held on the body, and a verdict of temporary insanity returned by the jury. The poor girl held an unblemished character. I understand her passage money to this colony was paid for by the very man who deceived her by marrying another. The Coromandel correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross mentions that another very promising leader has been struck in the Kapanga Company's claim, aud sanguine hopes are entertained of its proving gold-beariug. A correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross writiug from Opotiki states that the Compensation Court commenced its sittings there on the 7th ultimo. Great dissatisfaction has been expressed by the friendly natives at the Court returning the land claimed by a native named Webster, a confirmed Hauhau. Thirty men were to be put on pay, and the First Class Militia called out. A correspondent of the Tauranga Argus, writing from Kaimai, reports a rumor to the effect that gold had been discovered in that neighborhood. The Marlborough Express says : — At a late sitting of the Native Lands Court, Mr. Commissioner Mackay stated that he had been instructed by the Agent of the General Government to make application to the Judge for permission to enable the Crown to appear in Court through one of its officers instead of by council. The Chief Judge replied that the claims brought before .the Court were of too great importance to permit of such an application being complied with. The Court required the assistance of educated gentlemen, and he thought the application showed a want of consideration for the Court. The Dunedin Evening Star, March 23rd, thus complains •:-— The Rangitoto, with the Suez portion of-the English January mails reached Port Chalmers at 6*30 yesterday morning ; but the boxes, &c M did not reach Dunedin Jetty until past 10 o'clock. We learp upon inquiry: that.the long time occupied in the -trapsit from the port to Dunedin was caused by the harbor steamer, the Peniusula, we believe, having to call in at Portobelbp for a consignment of eggs, butter and vegetables ! Surely, if a mail which arrives after a 10,000 miles voyage late is to occupy three hours in travelling the last nine miles of its journey, the sooner the money for a railway to. the port is begged. or borrowed the better for our social and commercial progress.

A charge of breach of Customs Regulations, says the Daily Southern Cross, of the 22ud ult., was brought against Andrew McMath, at the Police Court, on the prosecution of the Collector of Customs. The charge was that of taking a quantity of rum from the ship England, without having made the necessary entries ; aud the Bench imposed a fine of £50 and costs. A rather curious case came before a bench of Magistrates at Brunswick, Victoria, wheu Mr. J. F. Arnold, a local auctioneer, was brought up charged with selling at auction after sunset, in contravention of the terms of the act. That the matter was looked ou with interest in the district was evidenced from the fact that the court house was densely crowded during the hearing of the case. Sergeant Tydd appeared to prosecute on behalf of the police authorities, and Mr. Aspinall was for the defendant. The evidence submitted by the Crown went to show that some short time since a bazaar was initiated in Brunswick, in aid of the District Ladies' Benevolent Asylum. It lasted for two days, but as it was found thet the goods did not go off in a sufficiently lively manner, the ladies determined to call in the assistance of Mr. Arnold; and he, nothing loth, and forgetting all about the terrors of the law, like a good citizen anxious to do his little to aid the cause of chai'ity, consented to officiate at the improvised rostrum. The bait took, and the good people of Brunswick fell victims to the guile of the auctioneer. Mauy were the alarming sacrifices which were made that night, according to the kuight of the hammer, but the floor was cleared — long suffering dolls found bosoms on which to rest their weary heac?s at last, and other knicknacks wended their way to the residences of the stone quarriers and brickmakers, and the pockets of the good ladies were filled. Next morning, however, brought its consequence in the shape of a summons. All these facts having been proved, and the Crown case closed, Mr. Aspinal.l raised an objection that it had not been proved that his client was a licensed auctioneer. Tins-objection the bench held fatal, and Mr. Arnold went his way rejoicing, though he will doubtless in future be careful how he ascends the rostrum after sunset. — Leader, 16th ult.