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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 264, 6 November 1868, Page 2

At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Weduesday the following debt cases were heard: — Luclwig v. Maurice Harris. This was an action to recover 201, the amount of loss alleged to have been sustained by the defendant not having given up certain premises in Trafalgar-street, which had been let to the plaintiff for three years from the Ist of June last, the then tenant, Mr J. Drew, not having left the premises until 14 or 15 days after that date. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for

4/ 14s 6d, being the amount of the hotel expenses said to have been incurred by the plaintiff in consequence of this delay, with 1/ 18s costs. — C. Dencker v. C. Wise. Action to recover 141 16s, the value of three boxes of eggs and butter, received by the defendant for carriage by his vessel, the Planet, from Motueka to Nelson, and not delivered to Mr Benson, as agreed upon between the parties. The defeudant swore that he had delivered the boxes to Mr Benson, who was thus responsible for them, and the plaintiff was therefore nonsuited.

Much disappointment was experienced yesterday afternoon, in consequence of the exceedingly cloudy state of the heavens at the time at which it had been announced that the transit of the planet Mercury across the sun's disc would take place. Many were the telescopes and smoked glasses prepared for the purpose of observing this phenomenon, but in vain, for no opportunity was afforded our local astronomers to obtain even a momentary glimpse of it. According to tlie calculations which have been published, we learn that the contact took place on the sun's southern limb, about 101 degrees from the vertex or highest point of the sun's perimeter. The event, as we have already stated, presented some interest, inasmuch as its observation was the object of Captain Cook's visit, when he explored the Hauraki Gulf, after having observed the phenomenon in Whitiangi, which he theuce named Mercury Bay.

The banquet given to Mr Kynnersley, at Brighton, on Wednesday evening, proved a great success. 60 geullemen sat down to a well laid table, at 9 o'clock, in Slatlery's hotel. Mr Home was in the chair, aud the vice chairmen were Messrs Sutherland and Hackett, miners. Mr Donne, M.P.C., and Mr Broad, R.M., were among those present. Mr Kynnersley was presented with a purse containing 50 guineas, and also with a ring with a crest representing local produce and manufactures. A cavalcade of 20 horsemen escorted Mr Kynnersley to Charleston next morning.

It appears that the resignation of Col. M'Dounell has not been accepted by the Government, but he has been allowed three months' leave of absence.

The Westport Times states that the rumor which prevailed relative to the drowning of H. Fry, who formerly kept an hotel in that town, proves to be so -well founded as to leave little doubt of its correctness. It appears that the unfortunate man was engaged as cook on board the John Penu, and was with her at Wanganui on the 14th inst. On that night, between 9 and 10 o'clock, some ladies who were walking on the poop heard a splash in the water on the other side of the vessel to that on which they were walking. They went across, and on looking over, saw something black in the water that they thought was a dog, but the night was dark, and they could not tell certainly what the object was. There was no cry or appareut struggle, and they thought no more of it till next morning, when Fry was missing. Mr G-illon, the purser, immediately communicated with the oolice, aDd a thorough search of the town was made without finding any trace of the missing man. On the return of the John. Perm, though the most active exertions to seek him out had been made, their exertions were attended with no success, and there can be little doubt that the poor fellow is drowned. The idea of his having absconded is very improbable, as he had no reason to do so, and on the contrary had left money and a gold watch in the custody of Mr G-illon.

The New Zealand Advertiser learns from an authentic source that the Hou W. Fitzherbert will not be able to leave London so early as he expected, namely, during the present month. The cause of this delay has arisen, we believe, from the applications to consolidate, consequent on a short notice, not having been so numerous as was expected. Many influential capitalists were out of town, therefore the period chosen was both short and unfavorable. The debentures offered for exchaoge were £500,000 worth of 7, 8, and 10 per cent. Provincial bonds. The applications for conversion only amounted to j6145,000. In consequence of this, we understand that it has been deemed advisable to extend the period during which further application will be received. This may necessitate the detention of Mr Fitzherbert in London to the extent of two or three months longer. It is said, states the Wanganui Chronicle, that Colonel M'Donnell intends to p rint a

correspondence he has had with the Government touching his share in recent militaiy events. The following storj', says the Wanganui Chronicle, -was in circulation in that town: — The first night that Tito Kowaru slept at Okutuku he saw visions and dreamed dreams which induced him to hold a great korero next day. He then told his followers that unless 12 of them consented to sacrifice their lives for their country, the pakeha could not bo driven out of New Zealand. Twelve fanatics stepped forward and declared their determination to 'ruu-a--muck,' killiug all that came before them until killed themselves. It is impossible to say how true this story may be, but we feel disposed to think with the chief Hunia that the sooner these bloodthirsty cannibals are extermiuated the better.