Local Intelligence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 94, 24 November 1858, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Dun Mountain Copper Mine.— The report of the meeting of the London Shareholders of the Dun Mountain Copper Mining Company, which we print in another column, will, no doubt, be read here with interest. We understand that instructions have been sent out to Nelson to the effect, that the expenditure of the Company is to be reduced to the smallest possible amount, and that all mining operations and explorations are to be stopped until the value of the chrome (now on its way to England) had been accurately ascertained. We perceive, also, that the committee is to consist of only Messrs. Wells, Monro, aud Hacket ; and the latter gentleman will, in future, j act as Secretary at Nelson. The reduction of the expenditure of the Company is no doubt a wise precaution ; and the gratuitous services of the new committee will be a saving of £200 a-year. And we may remark, that, in spite of the "moonshine" character of the copper said to exist at the Duu Mountain, we do not yet despair of the ore being found in considerable quantity : and we are borne out in this view by the fact that some of the miners have recently discovered traces of ore sixty or seventy feet in width, and extending from one-third to one-half a mile in length. We have heard it remarked, that the affairs of the Company would probably be managed none the worse, if the principle of local representation were adopted in the appointment of the committee ; and that, while the London shareholders have the privilege of appointing the directors, the Nelson shareholders should have the privilege of electing a portion of the local committee of management. We are inclined to support this view of the question, and think that its justice will be generally conceded.

Motueka.— We have been favoured by "a member of the committee " with the following account of an entertainment that recently took place in that village: — On Tuesday, the 16th instant, the village of Motueka assumed a gayer and more cheerful scene than it his been our lot to witness for many years. A tea-meeting was held, for the purpose of obtaining funds for completing the purchase of a harmonium for the church. ' The meeting was held at the Institution, and the kind and liberal support given by all parties obtained a success far exceeding the most sanguine expectations. We cannot speak too warmly of the kind and disinterested way in which Mrs. Ma3on and Mrs. Greenwood, at so short a notice, joined in the evening's entertainment ; and the Rev. Mr. Tudor exerted himself to the very utmost to promote the success of the evening.

Town Clock.— The list of subscriptions for the purchase of this clock has progressed so well, that but a few pounds only of the required amount remain to be made up. The clock is now being fixed in the church tower, and is expected to be in working order in a day or two.

The Fire Engine — the arrival of which was briefly noticed in our laßt issue, was put into working, order on Monday last, and a trial made of it by some of the members of the Fire Brigade, the result of which was successful.

Nelson Coal Company. — We are happy to learn that the operations at this Company's mine have been resumed, and that another shaft is to be sunk immediately. We hope shortly to chronicle the raising of coal superior to any yet discovered. Fire.— The dwelling house of Mr. W. Gaukroger, of the Wai-iti valley, was completely destroyed by fire on Monday last. About eleven o'clock in the forenoon, Mrs. G-aukroger, who was alone on the premises, perceived the thatched roof to be in a blaze ; and before a man, who was at work in the wood adjoining, could reach the spot, the house and its contents, save a few articles rescued by Mrs. Gaukroger, had fallen a prey to the flames. The fire is supposed to have reached the roof through a crack in the mud chimney.

Earthquake. — About half-past ten o'clock on Monday morning, a slight shock of an earthquake was felt in town. Although the shake was generally felt, it was not severe enough to cause any alarm ; and we trust that it will have been felt equally Blight in the neighbouring'provinces. Fraudulent Insolvency. — In the estate of Moees Joseph (of the late firm of Joseph and Weil, of Nelson), a certificate meeting was held yesterday. In this case, insolvent and other witnesses had been examined at' great length, and two informations had been filed in this court charging the insolvent with the' crime of fraudulent insolvency, and to answer which he was held to bail. Nothing further, however, was done by the creditors; and when insolvent applied for hiß certificate, no caveat was filed, nor was any opposition offered. It appeared to his Honour the Chief Commissioner, however, upon consideration of the dejjositions taken before him in the progress of the insolvency, that on several gronnds insolvent ought not to obtain a certificate of discharge :— First, that he has not made a full and fair disclosure of his estate ; secondly, that he disposed of the property of

the estate otherwise than bonafide, and for a valuable consideration; thirdly, that he has not rendered to his assignee such assistance and information as it was in his power to afford ; fourthly, that he concealed from his assignee the fact of his having remitted from New Zealand, shortly before he left that colony, the sum of £1,750, which sum he received from the Union Bank of Australia shortly after he arrived in Sydney, and remitted to his father at 3ingleton ; and fifthly, that having reference to the conduct of insolvent, as disclosed by the depositions, as well before as since the sequestration, he is not entitled to a certificate of discharge. For these several reasons, his Honour said he considered it to be his duty to refuse the cerj tificate. Refused accordingly.— Sydney Herald, Nov. 3. The Lord Worsley.— This fine steamer arrived in our harbour early on Monday morning, having left Wellington on the previous day. She left Nelson yesterday for Taranaki and Manukau, from which ports she will return to Nelson, and then proceed to Sydney direct. The Lord Worsley is a very fine looking vessel, and is capable of maintaining a great rate of speed ; but the passenger accommodation did not appear (at a hasty glance) to be quite so comfortable as that of the White Swan.

University Intelligence. — Oxford, July l. — In a Convocation liolden this morning, at ten o'clock, William Martin, Esq., M.A., St John's, Cambridge, late Chief Justice of New Zealand, was admitted to the honorary degree of D.C.L. In the absence of the Regius Professor of Civil Law, he was presented by E.l£owden, D.C.L., the Registrar.— English Paper. The Government Wharf. — We are glad to learn that the Provincial Government are about to take immediate steps either to lengthen the present wharf or to build a new one in a more suitable position. We sincerely hope that no delay will take place in this matter, for it will be to a great extent our own fault if we lose the advantages accruing from the fact of Nelson being made the chief port for the New Zealand Mail Company's steamers.