Our attention has been called to another blunder made by our bilious contemporary in the article on' the Government Telegraph Monopoly, which appeared in yesterday's issue, in which it is stated that the bi-monthly message of English news supplied by the telegram is limited by the Government to a thousand word 3. It happens that the last telegram furnished to thia journal, and appropriated by the Colonist, contains no fewer than 1456 words, a fact which, it might have been supposed, the most cursory inspection of the telegram would have demonstrated. With regard to the matter contained in the telegrams, it is plain that before the intelligence conveyed by them can be regarded as trustworthy and satisfactory, some more efficient person must be employed in compiling the news than has hitherto been the case. In both the last telegrams the most ridiculous mistakes have been incorporated ; in the obituary of last month, for example, the Earl of Rosse, the eminent astronomer, figured as Lord William Rosse, an individual wholly; unknown to Burke or Debrett, whilst an English lady, the Countess Dormer, who is still living, was numbered among the <le;td, in the place of the Countess Danner, wife of the late King of Denmark. In the last telegram, ' the apartments of (he British Minister, at Rome,' a functionary who has not existed since the days of Charles 11., were said to have been eearched by the police, no diplomatic authority being publicly accredited to that Government from England, though Mr Odo Russell resides there as Charge d' Affaires. Menabrea, the new Italian Premier, is also made to read ' Members,' and Nassau, the alleged new port of call for the P. and 0. steamers is also probably a mistake ; in fact the list might be multiplied ad infinitum. We understand that steps are being taken towards the erection of v Synagogue for the use of the Jewish community in this district, which is rapidly increasing. A subscription list has been opened for this purpose, on which 'already figure names representing upwards of one hundred pounds which is likely to be largely augmented. The estimated cosfc of the building is £250, and a site has been granted for the purpose by Mr H. Davis immediately below Church-hill. We need hardly add that our best wishes attend the undertaking. A Government notice states, for the information of persons intending to make a journey to Marlborough, by the way of the Pelorus, that the road up the North Maitai will be stopped for a few days, in order to give time for certain repairs required by a bridge on that route. A Commanding Officer's inspection of the City Companies is announced to take place on. Tuesday evening next, the 28th instant, at 6 o'clock. Mr. A. Fletcher's collection of objects of art, made during his recent visit to London and Paris, will be open to pablic inspection at the Institute, on the afternoons of to-morrow and the following days, at half-past 2 o'clock. The s.s. Ahuriri left Wanganui on the 16th, at 3 a.m., for Westport, experiencing strong wind and heavy sea, arrived at Westporfc on the 17th, at 3 p.m.; left for Nelson on the 20th, and arrived yesterday at noon. Mr H. Trimmer, of the Sturt, and Mr Francis Grote, of Fourth Creek, both old and well-known colonists of South Australia, have committed suicide.
In speaking of Martin's Keef, the Westport Times, January 20, says the whole of the quartz crushing machinery, which arrived in the Beautiful Star, lias been safely transported to the locality of the reef on the Waimongoroa, notwithstanding the immense difficulty of dragging such- ponderous masses over the infinite difficulties that have to be surmounted in the last mile or two of the route. The machinery will be set in motion by a huge overshot waterwheel of thirty feet in diameter, and there being an unlimited supply of •water, will have a force of at least 50 horses. It is extremely fortunate that it lias reached its destination before the flood likely to prevail for a day or two had commenced, as otherwise the difficulties of transport must have been greatly enhanced. As ie i«, it seems probable that the stampers may be sec up and got into action by Monday next, and there are about 300 tons of very rich quartz waiting§to be crushed. The Westport Times, January 18, gives the following under the head of ' Prompt Payment!" We have to acknowledge the receipt by last night's mail, of a voucher to an account for £3 10s against the General Government, which has to be sent back to Wellington with our signature. The account is dated January 16,1867, exactly twelvemouths since. When we get the money, the office will be illuminated, but that will probably be sometime next winter. Captain Eraser, who, with Mr. Julius, proceeded to Melbourne some time since with a view to induce the Prince to visit Otago, has returne'd^ and states that his Koyal Highness received the addresses most graciously, and will use his best endeavors to visit Otago. The Victoriau Government impeded rather than aided the deputation, but the Prince, not at all inclined to be drynursed, used his own discretion. He also entrusted Captain Fraser with a despatch to his Excellency the Governor. The revenue received from the telegraph in the southern district last year, was 12,860 ; for the year before, £7000 ; and the estimate for the next year Avas £IS,OOO. The expenditure was £7000. The messages sent in New Zealand were about a fourth of those in Victoria, while here the salaries were only a seventh of those in Victoria.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 18, 22 January 1868, Page 2
Word Count
940Untitled Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 18, 22 January 1868, Page 2
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