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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 36, 13 February 1869, Page 2

Up to the time of our going to press no intimation had been received at the telegraph office of the sailing of the Egmonfc from Wellington. The Egmont is not one of the fastest boats on the coast, and should her departure be delayed much longer, she will run the chance of missing the homeward mail which leaves Sydney on 27th iast. A race between the steamers John Perm and Charles Edward, the result i of which was looked forward to with much anxiety by those interested in the rival boats, commenced yesterday morning. The two boats left Nelson together at 11 a.m. and arrived at the winning post, Westport, this morning as follows: — John Perm. 4.30; Charles Edward, 4.50, the former thus winning a well-contested race by 20 minutes. We would remind our readers of the meeting to be held ou Monday eveniug next, for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken with reference to the approaching visit of the Duke of Edinburgh. A circular has been received from the Judicial Branch of the Colonial Secretary's Office, intimating that Coroners are by the Bth Section of the • Coroners, Act, 1867/ authorised to sit with other Justices, and to discharge the general duties of Justices of the Peace. We are requested to remind our readers that the town rates are payable on Monday next, at the office of the Board of Works. The Banks of New Zealand and New South Wales have lately closed their agencies in Brighton, and the agents were bringing to Charleston, on pack-horses, the books and papers of the two offices, their gold and cash. After their arrival in Charleston (says the Westport Times) it became known that between that place and Brighton some travellers had been picking up bran new sovereigns or half sovereigns in situations where current coin of the realms is not usually to be found. It is nothing unusual in that particular district to find gold in among shingle and sand, but it was a phenomenon even to old diggers to find it bearing her Majesty's image and the mark of the mint. Suspicions were excited, and the bank agents wisely counted their cash. The Bank of New Zealand agent found his correct. The agent of the Bank of NewSouth Wales did not, and it is said that a deficiency of about £150 was discovered, and it was further discovered that what had happened at Hokitika had happened here. A nail in the pack saddle had penetrated one of the saddle-bags containing gold coin, and, by the jolting of the horse, the money had been shaken out along the road by which the party had come. An immediate and diligent search was made, of course, on behalf of the Bank, but we believe it resulted in the recovery of only £3 10s. It is not recorded that, as yet, anyone has discovered more than a iew half-sovereigns, or has thought of delivering the same to the Bank. It is insinuated, however, that there was for one night a considerable amount of spare cash among some people at Charleston, and that there was more

liberality in the matter of 'shoutiTog* than is usual at the present dry season and dull times. Some are said to have recognised the occurrence as a 'special providence,' happening as it has done, when money is rather scarce, and when, for want of water, the metal in its pure state is not procurable. Mr Walmsley is said to have been the agent in whose charge the money nominally was at the time of its loss, and if this is the case, Mr Walmsley has certainly very bad luclc, for it is not the first or the second occasion on which he has been associated with similarly purely accidental but unfortunate circumstances. — Grey River Argus.