The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 182, 6 August 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1867.

We mentioned about a fortnight since, that the prospecting party from the West Coast who had originally proposed to undertake the cutting of the track from the Baton to the Karamea, had renounced that intention, and left town for the purpose of prospectiug the Upper Karamea. Two of the party, Messrs Williams and Gilchrist, returned to town on Sunday night, having left their mate, Mr Brown, at the Baton, suffering from the effects of the severe weather which they experienced in the immediute neighborhood of the Pass where they were suowed up for three days and nights. They describe their sufferings and privations as being worse than anything they had ever gone through during a long experience on the roughest Australian and Otago diggings. They are confident that a good dray or even rail road might be made across the Pass with the greatest facility, and state that the result of the only trial which they made — on this side of the upper part of the Skeet river — was about a grain to the dish. The country is described as being of the most promising character, with quartz reefs cropping out in abundance, and every indication of being highly auriferous. Indeed, as far as appearances might be trusted, the party were convinced that the gold-field on the Karamea bids fair to more than rival those on the West Coast, not only in the richness of its products, but also as regards the agreeable character of its climate. We may add that they have taken up several huudred acres in the Skeet Valley, and will return in the course of a few days, when they promise to furnish us with information as to the results of their prospecting in that region. As if to remind us of the anniversary of the extensive conflagration which took place in this city on the morning of the 7th August last year, a fire, happily attended by far less serious consequences, broke out last night about 9 o'clock in au outhouse, used for the joint purposes of a stable and a washhouse, in immediate contiguity to the residence of Mr Bentley, M.P.C., at the Port. The flames attracted the notice of a large number of persons in town, and gave rise to various surmises as to their origin, many of them of rathe l ' extravagant character. It appears that a fire had been lighted during the early part of the evening for the purpose of heating the boiler in the washhouse, and by some means, unascertained, the flooring became ignited. About the hour already mentioned, 9 o'clock, the whole building was on fire, the hay in the stableloft blazing with great fury, and though every effort was made to stay the progress of the flames, the very insuificieut supply of water rendered the exertions of the bystanders entirely nugatory, and within a comparatively short period nothing was left of the buildiDg save a few charred sticks. Fortunately there was little or no wind at the time, or the dwelling-house would have been in the greatest jeopardy. Much credit is due to those who proffered their assistance on the occasion, and especially to Mr Cooksey and the boatmen belonging to the Harbor Department, who exerted themselves to the utmost to stay the flames, although their efforts, for the

reason already alleged, proved ineffectual. The damage committed by the fire is estimated at about £70 or £80. Our readers will perceive, from au advertisement which appears elsewhere, that a general meeting of the members of the Nelson Acclimatisation Society will take place to-morrow afternoon, at the Bank Hotel, at 3 o'clock. NfC_We would remind ourreaders that the pigeon shooting at Bichmond, postponed from last week, is announced to come oft to-morrow, at the Star and Garter Hotel should the weather prove propitious — n, consummation devoutly to bo desired, seeing that mine host Benfield has made large preparations, not only for the sport, but also for the creature comforts of the numerous visitors he expects ou tho occasion. We learn that about six miles of the telegraph line beyond Blenheim has been broken down, so that all communication with the Southern stations is cut off, and it is supposed that at least a fortnight must elapse before tlie requisite repairs can be effected. The Southern Cross thinks it highly probable that the gold-field lately discovered in the Thames district of the Auckland province, will prove of a permanent and payable character. Active steps have been taken to open up the (listrict, which is situated on Native land, for gold-digging, and it has been proclaimed a gold-field. Mr Mackay, who has been appointed Commissioner left Auckland on Tuesday morning, with Taipari for Kauaeranga, to make arrangements to open up the district. Should he consider it necessary, he will eDgage a number of experienced miners to prospect on the part of the Government. A considerable number of persons had started from Auckland for Kauaeranga in open boats. It was feared the proceedings of these people might cause a collision with the natives. The Auckland people were rather excited, as at a public meeting some of the speakers were for rushing the place and the Maoris at once. The Herald states that the washing of two loads dirt produced three pennyweights, it will therefore probably turn out to be what is generally known as a " poor man's diggings." On Thursday last Mr Travers brought forward a resolution declaring the expediency of bringing into force in this colony the law of divorce, and of vesting the jurisdiction in such matters in the Supreme Court. The motion was supported by Messrs Moorhouse, Borlase, J. C. Richmond, Harrison, Carleton, and Dillon Bell, and opposed by Messrs O'Neill and Haughtou, the Colonial Secretary stating that the Government was neither prepared to introduce a bill of this nature as a Government measure, nor to oppose it as such, and alluded to the legal doubts which existed respecting the operation of a Colonial Act dealing with so important a subject as divorce, stating that until those doubts were removed, he could not introduce a Divorce Bill as a Government measure. The motion was ultimately put and carried on the voices, Mr Travers promising to introduce a bill framed on the principle of the Victorian Act. The Wellington Independent of the 3rd instant says that from a remark made by Mr J. C. Richinand during the discussion on Thursday last, on a motion calling for a customs return, it would appear that the Government do not contemplate any serious alteration in the tariff this year. The Hon. Colonel Kenny placed the following notice on the Motion Paper of the Legislative Council, for Friday last : — 1. That the thanks of this Council are due to his Excellency the Governor, for the able manner in which he has vindicated the honor of the Government of New Zealand from the unfounded charges made against it by Colonel Weare, C.8., viz., of urging Major-Generai Chute to the commission of atrocities by her Majesty's troops, and permitting the perpetration of barbarities by the native allies — which have been stigmatised as " a stain upon the Christian character of the nation." 2. That the mode of correspondence which has been adopted, and the course generally which

has been pursued by her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies towards the Governor and Government of New Zealand, in reference to the unfounded allegations of Colonel Weare, are at variance with the regulations for the guidance of her Majesty's colonial service, aud with the practice of that department — are calculated to impair the authority of her Majesty's Representatives in this colony — to prejudice the best interests of her Majesty's service, and to cause injustice to her Majesty's loyal subjects of both races in New Zealand. 3. That a copy of the " papers relative to the statements made by Colonel Weare, C.8.," which have been presented to both Houses of the General Assembly of New Zealand, be forwarded to his Excellency the Governor, for transmission to the Secretary of State, with a humble petition from this Council to the Queen, praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to direct that they be laid before both Houses of the Imperial Parliament. Tlie motion was seconded by the Hon. Major Richmond, and on the debate which ensued, very general approval of Sir George Grey's conduct in the matter was expressed, and the resolution was put and carried unanimously. The Evening Post of Wednesday gives the following description of the gale of Tuesday last at Wellington : — A heavy south-east gale set in in the afternoon, and increased during the night to a perfect hurricane. Several small boats were swamped, and in some instances turned bottom upwards. The shipping had a most tempestuous night to weather; several vessels dragged their anchors for a considerable distance. The brig Rose, of Australia, which had just finished discharging a cargo of coal into the N.Z.S.N. Co.'s hulk Daniel Webster, drifted for several hundred yards, but succeeded in holding with a full range of chain on both anchors when off Pipitea Point. The Daniel Webster, when drifting, got broadside on, and being heavily laden was in imminent danger of foundering, some seas washing completely over her. The s.s. Ladybird and most of the small craft in harbor dragged their anchors, and H.M. corvette Charybdis, which also was found this morning to have slightly gone to leeward, got up steam at a very early hour. Some damage was done in several parts of the town; outhouses, fencing, and roofing may be seen in many places scattered about. A part of the roof of the N.Z.S.N. Co.'s office was blown off. Mr Martin's new store on the reclaimed land had several plate-glass windows broken^ and chimneys here and there were completely dismantled. The Hall in course of erection for the Freemasons on the Terrace, and a house building for Mr S. Waters, Cuba-street, have come to grief. Some of the streets are completely cut up, and dangerous to passengers. The damage done on the Hutt-road is roughly estimated at £3000 or £4000. Speaking of the Westland Separation League the Hokitika Evening Star says : — We learn with regret that the members are divided among themselves as to what kind of separation from East Canterbury should be demanded. There is a section who express themselves content if the revenue derivable from Westland is expended for Westland purposes. They ask no more, and are quite willing tbat the union between Westlnd and the Christchurch side should continue intact. Then there are a few who stubbornly adhere to their first notion of having Westland annexed to Nelson; while the majority are for the conversion of Westland into a distinct province, with the ordinary powers of raising money and expending it, which are the coucomitants of provincial institutions. Another but very small section seek to place our goldfields under the fostering care and protection of the General Government, and in all else to remain as au integral portion of Canterbury. We need scarcely say that, with so many different opinious, nothing definite is likely to be arrived at. Our West Coast members, we learn, are desirous of throwing off the yoke of Christchurch rule, but are not united in opinion among themselves as to what sort of a government we should place ourselves under. In fulfilment of a promise given whilst on his visit to Hokitika, his Excellency the Governor has forwarded a number of English willow trees for the ornamentation of the town. The Corporation will decide where they are to be planted. The newly appointed Board of Directors of the N.Z.S.N. Company have offered to

Captain Renner the appointment of Marine Superintendent to the Company. The Canterbury papers say that Lord Lyttelton and Mr Selfe leave England by the November Panama steamer, and expect to eat their Christmas dinner at Wellington with one of their former colleagues ■—Mr Fitzgerald. A destructive fire took place in Napier on the morning of the 21st ult., by which the Albion Hotel, and three other buildings were totally destroyed. The following question, addressed to medical men, appears in the Tasmanian Times: — What is the reason that paralysis is so prevalent in this colony ? Does it arise from climatic influences, or is it the result of our dietary ? It has been over and over again remarked that we individually consume a larger amount of animal food than the inhabitants of the older civilised world. Is this a predisposing cause, or does it arise from some cause which has no reference to either ? At any rate it will be worth while the investigating of the public, for nearly every fall we notice many well-known men gradually slipping out of the general circle of the community from this cause. The three children lost some time ago near Daylesford have not yet been found. Footprints have been discovered near Moorabool, supposed to be those of the children, and search has been made but without avail. A reward of £200 has been offered for their discovery dead or alive, and it has been decided to empty a large reservoir in the neighborhood. Willis, the fraudulent bank manager, has been found guilty, and sentenced to two years hard labor The trial of Searle and Ballan for the murder of Mr Burke has not yet concluded. Mr Aspinall has objected to the admission of Searle's confession as evidence. A nugget weighing 50 ounces has been found at Taradale.