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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 38, 15 February 1868, Page 2

One of those mischievous * canards,' of a similar character to that which caused so much uneasiness in reference to the fate of the Countess of Kintore on her last voyage fiom this port, was afloat yesterday amongst the quidnuncs of this city in connection with the Queen Bee, which ship left for Lyttelton on the 2nd inst., and which, it was alleged, had been wrecked, all hands being lost. On enquiry from the agents, Messrs. N. Edwards and Co., we find that no intelligence has been received of her safe arrival at her destination, in consequence of the fact that telegraphic communication between this place and Christchurch has been suspended ever since the great storm, but that no apprehensions whatever are entertained with regard to her safety. We may add that the captain of the Gothenburg reported having seen a ship off Cape Terawiti, which is supposed to have been the Queen Bee. No intelligence has also been received — and for the same reason — of the arriral at the same destination of the Amateur, which left this port in company with the Queen Bee. Our readers will perceive from a requisition numerously signed by electors in the district of Golden Bay, which appears in another column, that Mr Wastney, M.P.C. has been requested to become a candidate for the representation of that constituency in the General Asaembly* There are therefore now three candidates in the field for this electorate. It will be seen from Mr Wastney's reply to the requisition, that it is his intention shortly to visit the various parts of tbe district, with a view to an exposition of his political sentiments, previous to the nomination. His Lordship Bishop Suter returned to town yesterday after a visit to the eastern portion of his diocese lying between Picton and the Kaikoras, which has extended over a month, and dnriug which time hi? Lordship has had to cross several of the

most rapid and dangerous rivers in that part of the country. There seems to be no doubt that Mr Home has been elected member iu the Provincial Council for Charleston in opposition to Messrs Bain and Graham, aud the result of the election may be regarded as a matter for congratulation, inasmuch as Mr Home has taken a leading part in Victorian politics, and will, therefore, it may reasonably be presumed, constitute an acquisition to the ranks of our provincial legislators. The Anniversary of the Wesieyan Methodist Church at Richmond takes place to-morrow, when sermons will be preached in the Church both morning and evening by the Rev. P. Calder, the annual tea meeting taking place on the Wednesday evening followiug. Wo are gratified to be able to record another instance iu which recourse has been had, and with marked success, to local manufacturers for the supply of articles which it had hitherto been deemed i necessary to obtain elsewhere. It having been found requisite to have a second hose reel made, in connection with the Waterworks, Mr. H. Balme was commissioned by the Provincial Engineer to make one, and has turned out a very creditable machine, which may be seen at his manufactory, in Hardy-street West. The first session of the Westland County Council was opened at 3 o'clock, on Monday the 10th inst., the chairman, the Hon. John Hall, reading an address which occupies three columns of the Evening Star. The Estimates for the County of Westland were afterwards laid on the table by the chairman, and show a revenue for the six months ending June, of the present year, £78,950. The expenditure on departments, £46,642. Amount available for Municipalities and Road Boards, £32,307. 1 Living,' says the South Australian Advertiser, 'is cheap enough now, at all events. A storeman in town last Saturday bought a quarter of mutton (weighing 121bs) for ll^d., and a bunch of turnips given in. Our advertising columns contain a notice of a quarter of mutton with a loaf of bread for one shilling! We have heard of other butchers selling a quarter with turnips and carrots at the same price,' Subscriptions are being applied for and liberally responded to by the public on behalf of the five orphan children of Mr and Mrs. Furness, who came to so untimely an end during the late storm at Woodstock, by which the father was crushed to death, and the mother died within a few hours after. The. Marlborough Express states that Mr. J. O'Sullivan has sent in his resignation as a member of the Provincial Council for the Pelorus. Mr Levien is likely to be his successor. Rumor says a further vacancy is imminent in a constituency between Blenheim and Picton. In such case it is likely that Mr. C. Redwood will be brought forward by his friends. The new dredging machine about to be employed in Sydney will be capable of raising from 1,500 to 2,000 tons of silt daily. This immense quantity of stuff, which it is proposed to raise, will be carried a few miles beyond tha Heads aud dropped into deep water. One of the many silly acts of the late directors of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway was actually to throw away £100,000, paid to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue on tbe supposed profits arising from the undertaking, when in reality the corrected accounts show a positive lost. At the meeting held recently, Mr. Malcolm asked if any steps would be taken to obtain repayment of this £100,000 from Government, but Mr, Laing, thought it could not be re- j covered* ■ j