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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 116, 20 May 1867, Page 3

On Saturday week, Major C. Heaphy was decorated by Major-General Chute with the Victoria Cross, ia the Albert Barrack-square ; and a good-conduct medal was also presented to Sergeant Frost, late of H.M. 70th Foot. A banquet was given in the evening by Major-General Chute, when upwards of 120 guests were invited to meet Major Heaphy. The Taranaki Herald of the 18th inst. says: — The daily yield of petroleum oil from the Alpha Well has remained much the same during the week — the quantity being afc present about eight gallons per diem. We believe, however, this quantity will be almost certain to increase as soon as the vein is cleared of all the matter which must have accumulated during tbe time that the works were discontinued, and it must be remembered that this is the smallest of the veins which have been struck. We understand that Messrs. Webster and Hulke have tried the oil as a lubricant for the machinery used in their steam mill, but it was not filtered previous to the experiment, and there is consequently a sticky substance left on the machinery. This substance can probably be got rid of by simple straining and without the application of the more costly process of distilling. We are told that an

experiment is also about to be made iv town for smelting the iron sand by means of the petroleum, and that a small furnace for that purpose is in course of construction. The TaranaH Herald is informed on good authority, that a letter has been addressed by the chief Tito Koaru to all the eading chiefs between White Cliffs and Whanganui, summoning them iv the name of the king to assemble at Pungarehu early in June. It is possible, most probable perhaps, that this meeting will lead o no harm, or indeed will not really take place at all ; but still there is a possibility on the other side, and if it is part of the duty of a government to protect the life aud property of the governed, it is the duty of the New Zealand Government to take such measures as will render disaffection powerless. The Canterbury Times says : — lt is understood that the General Assembly, which at present stands prorogued to May 30, will meet for the despatch of business on Saturday, Juue 29. It seems from the Canterbury papers that considerable difficulty is experienced in completing the Anglican Cathedral, at Christchurch. On Monday last a meeting of the subscribers to the Cathedral fund was held for the purpose of electing four of their number to serve ou the Cathedral Commission, and to consider what steps should be taken for going on with the work. Although no definite conclusion was arrived at, the discussion showed that the prospect of proceeding with the building in the meantime was very slight^ Various suggestions were made to the meeting, among wh ; ch the most noticeable was a proposal for disposing of the site and foundations in Cathedral Square to the General Government. The Canterbury papers state that the Postma.ster- General contemplates important changes in the Telegraph Department. The renewal of the line from Woodend to Blenheim is under consideration. A new General Manager is to be appointed. Dunedin papers state that Major Croker and Messrs. Thompson aud Borton, Gold Receivers, have been dismissed, for refusing to recognise the orders of the Provincial Government in preference to those of the agent of the General Government. Mr. Maekay, at Waitahuna, has not seceded — "Among the faithless only he remains." * The Campbelltown correspondent ofthe Southland JVews says: — The remains of a moa were discovered on Saturday last by Mr. Louguet, a resident of Campbelltown, on the narrow sand ridge which divides the upper waters of Bluff Harbour and Foveaux Straits. The skeleton, which is now to be seen at Mr. Longuet's private residence, and has been viewed by numbers of persons, is very complete, with the exception of the lower part of the head, the teeth of which — some an inch, in length and of a verypeculiar construction — are the only remains. It is estimated the bird was a young one, and measured, when alive, some nine or ten feet in height. The 12th Regiment left Auckland yesterday, in the Mary Sheppard transport ship, for Plymouth. A farewell ball was given on Wednesday, at Hoffmann's Kooms, Shortland-st., by the officers of the garrison, to Colonel Hamilton and officers of the Regiment. There was a numerous company present. The rooms were most elegantly decorated with flags, &c, and the splendid band of the 12th Regiment discoursed some fine music, dancing being kept up till an early hour. Turkish baths are about to be established in Adelaide ; the cost will be about £700. About £300. have already been collected, and the corporation has promised to supplement any amount which does not exceed £400.

The followiug brief notice of some rather startling events in the life of a man appeared in a recent issue of the Pastoral Times : — Andrew Levett, watchmaker, had attempted suicide by hanging himself, after failing to meet his creditors. He was cut down and committed for trial at Wagga Wagga. Holloway's Pills.— Impaired Constitutions — The infirm are unfortunately most prone to become the victims to dangerous maladies, unless the purity of the blood and regularity of the vital organs be carefully guarded. Holloway's Pills can be recommended with the most truthful earnestness as the best purifiers, alteratives, and aperients, when the body is naturally weak or accidently disordered. They never create disappointment, and do not cause the weakness and oppression too often consequent on the frequent repetition of the ordinary drastic drugs, which are sometimes thoughtlessly, though most disastrously, prescribed. These pills, in truth, carefully guard the constituents of the animal frame; they enrich the blood when poor in quality; they increase that fluid when deficient in quantity, and always strengthen. 2435