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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 10, 13 January 1868, Page 2

The Mail for Europe, via Suez and for the Australian Colonies &c, will, -we are informed close either late to-morrow evening, or at an early .hour on Wednesday morning. The schooner Lady. Don, from Christchurch, arrived this morning, with 780 bags of wheat for Messrs Rod & HoanseU.

The paddlo steamer Charles Edward, which arrived iv port this morning from, the Grey, is another important addition to the considerable steam fleet already possessed by Messrs N. Edwards & Co. She formerly belonged to the Gipps Land Lakes Steam Navigation Company, and was built on the Clyde in the latter part of 1862, by the well-known firm of W. Denny & Co. She came down to Hokitika about three months ago, where she grounded on the Spit for about 24 hours, and was then taken off. On her subsequent trip up to Greymouth she probably started a rivet, and making some little water, her captain ran her ashore on the beach north of the Grey bar. There she was surveyed, and recommended to be launched. Preparations were therefore made for that purpose, but for some inexplicable reason she was allowed to drop off the block, aud some holes were thus made in her bottom. She was therefore condemnod, and sold by auction on the 21st December, when she was bought for £1000 by Messrs N. Edwards & Co., who on the following day dispatched Mr Brown to effect a temporary repair of the steamer. He commenced operations on the 24th December, and ou Friday night last, the 10th instant, she was ready fo»' sea, haviug been launched 1050 feet— more than half a mile— in the interval between these two dates. This, allowing for interruptions caused hj holidays, two Sundays, and the heavy weather, may be regarded as one of the smartest achievements yet performed on the West Coast. The total cost of her launching has been, we understand, £400; her further permanent repairs here are estimated at about £600, and when they are completed she will constitute the fastest and most complete steamer on the coast. She loft Greyraouth at 12J p.m. on Saturday, in tow of the Nelson, and reached this port at 7 a.m. to-day, having experienced very rough weather. The Charles Edward is 125 feet loug, and 20 feet in the beam; has 60 horse power, with steeple eugiues and other powerful machinery ; draws 6 feet when loaded, and carries 120 tons cargo. Her passenger accommodation is very good, as she has cabins on deck as well as below, and from her very light draught of water she is altogether admirably adapted for the coast traffic. Our Westport Correspondent, whose letter appeared in our issue of Saturday last, states that the cemetery at that township has not yet been fenced in, and is subject to constant desecration. It will be in the memory of our readers that the Provincial Council, during its last session, voted the sum of £150 to be equally apportioned towards the fencing in of the cemeteries at Brighton, Charleston, and Westport, in consequence of the deplorable picture drawn by the honorable members for Westport and Cobden, Messrs Bentley and Donne, of the then state of those places of interment, and the necessity that existed for the adoption of some immediate steps in order to protect them from the inroads of cattle, pigs, and 'other small deer,' which were constantly straying withiu their precincts and desecrating and destroying the graves. It might have been anticipated that so disgraceful a state of things would not have been permitted to continue one instant longer than was avoidable, especially when funds had been specially granted for the purpose, but it seems that at Westport, at all events, this has not been the case. Let us trust that some steps will be taken at once to put an end to this reproach, which betokens an indifference to considerations which even Pagans hold sacred. A survey steamer and staff has been despatched by the General Government to the Kaikoura, for the purpose of making a marine survey of that district in accordance with a vote of the General Assembly at its last sitting. An event of a very interesting and gratifying nature occurred at Clifton on Friday evening last, when a testimonial, 'in the shape of a valuable watch, with gold Albert chain and locket attached, were presented to Mr W. S. Handcock, at a teaparty, at which about 80 of that gentleman's friends assisted. Mr Baird, in the name of the subscribers, presented the watch to Mr Handcock, which bore the following inscription, beautifully engraven by Mr Drew, of Nelson, the terms of which will sufficiently explain the object of the presentation: — Presented to Mr W. S. Handcock by the inhabitants of Clifton and Motupipi, as a mark of respect and esteem for his services in 'conducting public worship at Clifton for the last 3 years. New Zealand, December

1867. After tlie presentation, the party partook of tea, the youngsters amused themselves with football, ami dancing was kept up until a late hour. A smart rush is reported to have taken place last week between Stafford Town and Scandinavian Hill. Gold was struck on a terrace ; and some of the miners imagine that a continuation of the Scandinavian Lead has been hit upon. The Marlborough News of the 4th inst. states that on Wednesday last a most mclaucholy accident happened to a man named Francis Waltz, who was in the employ of- Messrs Williams Brothers, at Avondale. From au inquest held before H. Williams, Esq., Coroner, it appeared that the deceased was not a very competent driver, and had been down to the White Cow with wool. When returning through the cutting near the Turamel, his dray capsized upon him. His skull was fractured, and several bruises were inflicted. The verdict of the jury was ' That the deceased was accidentally killed by the capsizing of a dray that he was driving.' The Marlborough News of the 4th inst. says that Mr Joseph Blaymires, of Picton left that town for Renwicktown last Saturday. On that day Mr Jellyman pointed out to him the ford to cross the Opawa to Renwicktown. He has not been heard of since, and it is feared that he has been drowned, as there is a dangerous hole on the left, when on the opposite side to EenAvicktowu. The Western Weekly News states that a colonial bishop — without doubt the Bishop of Dunedin — has been snubbed in extraordinary fashion by the Bishop of Exeter. It says that the Bishop of Dunedin, in compliance with a distinct request from the Bishop of Exeter, arrived at Exeter from London to conduct the ordination at the Cathedral, but on his arrival was told that he could not officiate, * because you are not consecrated under letters patent, but merely under the sign manual of the monarch .' The Bishop of Colombo was therefore called on to perform the ceremony, and the Bishop of Dunedin sent back whence he came. If this is a correct version of the transaction, either a great blunder or a gross discourtesy, or both, has evidently been committed. The Grey River Argus of the 7th inst. states that the police authorities are in possession of what appears to be conclusive evidence against the man Douglass, now in custody at Hokitika, on the charge of murdering a miner at the Wainaea. Some few links in the evidence are wanting, which however are expected to be completed.