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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 262, 4 November 1868, Page 2

The arrival of the Sturt, with the returning members of the Nelsou Contingent, has been expected for the last two or three days, but a telegram received to-day from Wellington, which states that Tito Kowaru had made his appearance between Wanganui and Patea, in some measure accounts for their non-appearance, as it seems probable that in presence of such au emergency they would be detained at the Front, at all eveuts until the arrival of further reinforcements. The Sturt, on her arrival here, wiU convey to the Front the few men who have enlisted here as members of the Armed Coustabulary. We understand that a considerable number of men made application for this service, but beiug over the appoiuted age, 30 years, they were ineligible. This is probably to be regretted, as amongst them were several old soldiers who might have done good service in the corps. Most of these, we learn, have now left for the West Coast.

Mr Huddleston informs us that he has received a communication from Mr E. Butts, the Honorary Secretary to tbe Southland Acclimatisation Society, which shows that we may regard ourselves especially fortunate in the result of the trout ov:t experiment in this province. Mr Butts states that a large number of the ova brought to Invercargill for the Southlaud Society about the same time as those obtained for the Nelson Society, have uot been hatched, aud although it is said that about six hundred have been hatched, there seems every probability that this is an excessive calculation, from the difficulty experienced in arriving at a correct estimate of the number of young fish. It is intended by the Southland Society that the trout shall be distributed amongst the various streams of the province immediately, about 50 being reserved for artificial breeding.

We would remind our readers of the transit of Mercury, alluded to in our issue of Monday, which commences a fjw minutes before 5 o'clock to-morrow afternoon.

We fiud that we were misinformed when we stated in our issue of yesterdav that his Honor Mr Justice Richmond had arrived in the Gothenburg. We fiud that the heavy accumulation of busiuess to be heard before the Court of Appeal will necessitate the Judge's remaining in Wellington for possibly a fortnight longer. It will be seen from our advertising columns that unusual facilities are offered to holiday seekers by the arrangements for the trips between Motueka and this port to be made by the Lady Barkly, which will allow of a sojourn either in Nelsou or Motueka of two entire days, the steamer leaving on the mornings and returning in the evenings of Saturday and Tuesday next.

Iu committee in the House of Representatives on the no-confidence motion, a question arose as to whether members were allowed to read their speeches. Mr Carleton (the chairman) said it was allowable for hon. members to refer to ' notes' when addressing the House; of course these notes might be very copious (laughter). Mr Haughton: But 1 have seen hon. members go up to the table and read their speeches right off, finishing up with a flourish of the manuscript, tied together with a piece of red tape belonging to the Government, and then send it to the Opposition journal, the Independent (laughter). The Westport Evening Post has the following: — For the second time within a couple of months, Westport has been left without a bit of butcher-meat in the market. A few days ago, the butchers announced an increase in the price of meat to Bd, lOd, and Is per lb, but now there is not a*■ pound of flesh ' to sell. In the items of meat, bread, and the indispensable c nobbier,' Westport is at present the most expensive seaport town that a man can live in, in all New Zealand. Amongst the list of promotions and appointments which appear in the last . Government Gazette, we notice the appointment of Captain Harvey Spiller to be Sub-Inspector of Armed Constabulary. It is stated that Mr W. H. Pilliett for some time Resident Magistrate at Have-

lock, and lately editor of the Wellington Eveniug Post, has received an appointment under Government at the Kaikouras.

A gentleman named Pownall, who has imported by the shipElectra a large quantity of machinery for the purpose of establishing a very extensive flax manufactory in the province of Wellington, has selected the Mauawatu district for the scene of his operations; and when the site of his manufactory has been decided on the work will be at once commenced. Every colonist must wish Mr Pownall all success in an enterprise which is likely to confer so much benefit upon New Zealand.

At about 3 o'clock on Saturday morning a fire broke out iu an empty house at the corner of lugestre and Cuba-streets, Wellington, which resulted in the total destruction of the building, and the partial damage of the adjoining cottage. The property belonged to Mr M'llwain, tailor, aud we believe the house was insured iu the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company for £200. The place had been unoccupied, but carpenters had been at work in it on the previous day. The cause of the fire, however, is unknown. As an evidence that the enterprise of New Zealand wool growers shows no symptoms of abatement, we may instance the recent importation by Messrs Bethune and Hunter of 45 fine rams, destiued for Napier, and of 134 rams brought to Wellington by the Omeo on her last trip, to the order of Sir Charles Clifford and Mr F. A. Weld, of Flaxbourne Station, Marlborough, which were to be forwarded to their destination by the schooner Shepherdess.

The Asterope, which has now niade eight voyages to Wellington, is to sail for London on or about the 20th December.

From a letter addressed by the loyal Maoris of Wauganui to Dr Featherson. Mr Fox, Mr Richmond, and the members of the General Assembly, we extract the following: — 'Friend, Mr Fox, our advice is that this tribe the Ngatiruanui should be exterminated! Not one should be left alive to create fresh trouble in this islaud. Do you consent to this proposition, viz., let the women be preserved as slaves for the Europeans, and all the children be killed, lest they should grow up and destroy and eat more Europeans and natives.'

The Wanganui Chronicle of the 29th ult. says: — Colonel Whitmore, among other improvements introduced by him into the management of tbe Colonial Force, is desirous of establishing a proper relationship with the press. He is very naturally auxious that accurate information should be given to the public, and proposes arrangements whereby that desirable end may be attained. It is our duty to reciprocate his courtesy iu this matter, and to thank him for keeping us informed of his movements so far — movements, it is gratifying to say, which indicate the return to a vigorous prosecution of the object originally contemplated.

Circumstances, says the Wairoa correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald, have placed at the disposal of the Government a great opportunity. As I before stated, in the slaughter of Karaitiana and the scouting party, the enemy made an egregious blunder. They have roused the indignation of the friendly natives to the highest pitch; all that is needed is to direct the storm. The silver cradle recently manufactured hy Messrs Coates & Co. to the order of the Borough Councillors of Christchurch, and intended to commemorate the birth of twins during the mayoralty of Mr W. Wilson, has been presented to Mrs Wilson, with a complimentary addi ess. The lady having replied in suitable terms, the Mayor invited the members of the Council, together with the Town Clerk and Surveyor, to an elegant repast. The Oddfellows of Canterbury held high festival at Christchurch on the 23rd ult., when the annual dinner was given' in the new hall attached to Messrs Cother and Heath's Hotel in Gloucesterstreet, of which 160 guests partook, Dr Donald, P.P.G.M., presiding, supported hy the Mayor and Deputy-Superintendent. The whole affair seems to have passed off most successfully. The news from the North received by the Charles Edward contains little fresh intelligence. There seems too good reason to fear that, in spite of the glowing accounts published in the Auckland and Shortland papers, the Thames goldfields bid fair to bring about great destitution in that province. A correspondent of the Hawke'e Bay Herald nays:— Share

buying appears to have reached its limit— =■ in homely terms, the leilgth of its tether, and shareholders soon tire of paying wage3 and 'reading glowing accounts of the Thames gold-fields, ' unaccompanied by divideuds paid to the owners ; now the general feeling is, that some alteration in the style of working the ground is necessary. During the share buyiug mania purchasers appeared to have cast aside all ideas of caution aud judgment j a claim with a high sounding name, or in the neighborhood of some noted 'claimp, was saleable, and there appeared no limit to the credulity of the speculators. There is no doubt many of them have, in vulgar terms, 'burnt their fingers.' Now it is difficult to sell any claim, except one yielding gold. Wages have been gradually lowered during the last fortnight, tho average reduction probably 7s. to 10s. per week. Men out of work are plenteous ami a notice, 'Men wanted,' would speedily attract a swarm of ready men.

Notice has been given in the Victorian Government Gazette that claims against ihe Roj'al Commissioners appointed to conduct the reception of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh are now in course of payment.

Messrs Lenton and Smith's celebrated Japanese troupe, who have been astonishing Australian audiences for some time past with their marvellous feats, have arrived by the Otago at luvercargill, where they are now performing, on their way to Dunedin. It is stated that, after leaviug Wellington, tbey purpose making a short visit to Nelson.

The latest Tasmanian papers are to the 15th inst. A movement has been set on foot for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Col. Thos. Gore Browne, on the occasion of his relinquishing the Govern norship of the colony.

A proposal is under the consideration of* the Home Government for the appointment of a bishop for the army, instead of a Chaplaiu- General, as at present. The bishop would have episcopal powers at all stations to which our soldiers are liable to be sent where there is now no bishop.

The personality in the will of the latß Sir B. Guinness, of Dublin, has been sworn under £1,100,000. This is the largest amount which has been left by will during at least the last 50 years, and perhaps ever left in Ireland. The stamp duty, exclusive of legacy duties, amounted to £18,500.