LOCAL AND GENERAL.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 359, 30 October 1868, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A contemporary says that Sir Geo. Grey delivered a very touching speech in returning thanks at the banquet in Wellington in honor of his departure. After some preliminary remarks, Sir G-eorge said : — " I feel when I reflect on this that Providence has blessed mo almost beyond any other man of the present day, that I should have seen communities rise up in several parts of the world — that I should see thriving populations in places that I myself discovered — that I should see great wealth and great prosperity and intellect existing in countries which were, a few years since, almost wastes — that I should see individuals who had come to the Colony without a home, and with little prospect in life, now become possessors of estates, living in competence and ease — that I should know that there are in many lands thousands of houses which I can enter as a welcome guest — (loud and continued •cheering) — that I should know that over great districts of territory in several counti ies not a marriage takes place but* I know the parties or their parents and enjoy the sense of satisfaction which is inspired by the knowledge of the happincsB of others — that I should see legislatures as well as communities, and I may say Governors of Provinces — that I should see boys whom I petted in their youth grow up to be warriors, who come forward when required to the service of their country in times of danger, and that I should know that all these men look upon me as a friend. One gets overwhelmed when these thoughts j burst upon the mind. Nay, I know that there is scarcely a churchyard I could enter in which, looking round "upon the" tombstones, I could not see the names of those whom I knew and respected while | living, and fot whom I could weep as I stood there. I say that a man surrounded with such affectionate regard, seeing whole generations rising to wealth and opulence, seeing so many new countries springing up almost under his own hand, becoming the germs of important nations — (cheers) — I Bay that the man who sees and contributed least to these results, has been blessed beyond almost any other man of his age. — (Cheers.) A correspondent of the " Nelson Evening Mail " gives the following description of the mode in which the Hau-haus get their information : — " The way they obtain information of all that is going on in an enemy's camp is simply by rigging up one or more spies in the form of the ti-tree, which grows abundantly amongst the fern and toi-toi j these in the night take their stations sufficiently near the enomy to be able to observe all that is passing in and about the camp, whilst other scouts are wriggling underneath the fern and scrub just like so many rats, always careful not to disturb the tops of the fern and scrub, in order to get information from the ti-tree spy or spies, and continually carrying back to their warriors news of all that is going on. If an immediate attack is intended, their own party are at once ~ lllIUrDieiX Of it ; if a uiglllT uxroayly-raoieicx attnelc, tKfi same ; or if an attack is not to be made, their people are so advised." On the 9th instant, Hokitika was visited by a flood heavier than any pi*eviously known there since tho first arrival of the white man. During the previous night, very heavy rain fell, and the rivers and creeks were swollen in consequence to a size far exceeding their usual dimensions, until the former overflowed its banks and flooded the town. At length, however cuttings were made through the sand, and the river, enabled to pursue its course unchecked, gradually subsided. About four o'clock on the morning of the 9tb, the river, still further swollen by the continued heavy rain, and the rising tide, again rose till it overflowed the wharf and roads, and gradually entered the houses. The inhabitants awoke in terror, and tho scene which followed is said to have been most distressing. Numbers took refuge on the roofs of their houses from the still rising waters, while boats plied along tho streets rescuing those in danger, but no attempt was made to save property. At seven o'clock the tide having turned, the waters began to fall, and by two in the afternoon the Btreets were once more passable. Steps were at once taken to cm a channel through the spit, and in half an hour the stream burst through, tearing away hundreds of tons of sand, and forming for itself a channel from seventy to a hundred yards in width. Great damage was occasioned in many parts of the town by tho flood. The mooring ropes on Gibson's Quay were entirely swept away, and the storos situated upon it were flooded to the depth of several feet. Parties having business at the Courts were compelled to proceed thither in boats or drays, and the Post Office, Telegraph Office, and Court House, were also flooded. Tancred-street, Sewell-street, and Weld-street, were all flooded to a considerable depth. In Sewell-street, a boy standing in front of the Telegraph Office slipped into the water and was Bwept away and drowned ; and in Weldstreet the water entered the machine-room of tho " West Coast Times'" though fortunately no damage was done. The water on this occasion is said to have risen eight inohes higher than in the great flood of 1866, and the damage occasioned is great in proportion. — Daily Times. One of the largest nuggets found in New Zealand has been unearthed at Moonlight Diggings, up the Grey River. It weighs 78 oz. 18 dwts., and was found last week by a minor named George Fox, in his claim under Smythe's Terrace. It is stated by our correspondent to bo a splendid speohnen of gold, nearly solid metal, with very little quartz. We suppose thiB is the nugget which we mentioned a few days ago, the fame of which had travelled and magnified its proportions to 120 ozs. — Grey River Argus. A party of five miners at Hokitika went down their ■haft as usual one morning, but by some means or other the rope got off the windlass. The hole was so deep that although the men roared and bellowed for assistance, nobody could hear them, and consequently nobody came. There they remained all day, and would have remained all night, had it not been for an active-minded baker, who happened to observe in the evening, that the loaves supplied in the morning were untouched. Suspecting that some accident had occurred, he mentioned his fears to several miners. A party at once proceeded to the shaft, and hauled the captives from their cell. At a recent meeting of tho Auckland Institute, a discussion arose regarding tho hot springs to be found throughout the Province of Auckland. Captain Hutton gave a description of" a large one near Wnngape, which was so hot that a pig cast into it had been brought out with its hair scalded off. He was of opinion that, in proportion to its size, there are more hot springs in the North Island than in any other part of the world ; and he had no doubt that some day these springs would prove as attractive as those of Germany at tho present time. — Daily Times. Mr Cox, the menibe'r for Timaru. in the General Assembly has resigned his seat. The first Episcopalian Church on the Nelson southwest Goldfields, was opened at Charleston on the 10th instant. The " South Australian Register" is credibly informed that a large area of country is looking bad, and literally black with cateipillars, eating graBs, salt-bush, &c, to the earth. Shocks of earthquake, more or less severe, were felt at Cbristchurch, Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, Nelson, Wellington and Hokitika about midnight of the 19th instant. At Wellington, one gentleman was thrown out of his bed, and at Hokitika the shocks were so violent sus to .cause considerable alarm.

The recent rains having caused the creek to rise considerably, the landing-place was overflowed, and the shipment and landing of goods brought to a standstill. An emergency meeting of the Municipal Council waa held with great promptitude, and it waa determined as a temporary measure of relief to open a direct course for the creek through the shingle bank, and to dam up the old bed. This decision was come to at half-past four in in the atfernoon, and within an hour the contractors, Messrs Hunt Brothers, had got their men at work, and by noon next day a dam formed of bags filled with shingle had been built across the creek, and lined with clay, and the new channel opened. There were upwards of 50 men employed upon the work, which was done with an expedition that reflects great credit on those by whom it was undertaken. It is anticipated that the Government will indemnify the Council in the cost, and it is to be hoped that ere long they will commence a work of a more permanent nature, which will havo the effect of giving us a safe dock, and of largely increasing the trade of the place. His Honor the Superintendent, and Mr G. Duncan, the Secretary for Land and Works, paid a visit to Oamaru on the 22nd instant, and, accompanied by His 'Worship the Mayor, Mr France, M.P.C. j and other gentlemen, inspected the localities of the works proposed by Mr Thompson for turning the creek and forming a harbor for coasting vessels. His Honor and Mr Duncan also proceeded to the mouth of the Kakanui, to inspect the works in progress, and afterwards to the Waitaki river. The members of the Garrick Club who took part in the recent performance have had their photographs in character taken by Mr Hes, photographer Tees-street. Tlio photographs represent Mr Luke as " Baron Billy Bell," Mr fcSteavenson as "Rumtifoozle."' Mr Rowlatt as. "Lady Nancy Bell," Mr Taylor and Mr Payne as "Brigands," and Mr Farr aa "Lord Lovel." Tho photographs are all excellent, and are sold in sets' of six, at 15s. The photographs of other of the characters are in course of preparation. There has been a large sale of these, and we - believe it is intended regularly to publish a similar set after each of the Club's performances. The sale of the photographs has already realised the sum of L13 10s. towards the objects of the Club. Copies may be obtained of Mr R. L. Livingston, stationei, Tyne-street. The nomination of a. Councillor for Thames "Ward took place yesterday at the Council Chambers. There was only one nomination,- viz., that of Mr Robert Shanks*; Mr Aitken being the nominator, and Mr Headland seconder. Mr Shanks was, therefore, declared duly elected by His Worship the Mayor who presided. A meeting of the Committee of No. 8 Company O.R.V. took place at the Northern Hotel after drill on the 23rd instant, when the consideration of tenders tor flooring the new drillshed was resumed. Five tenders were sent in, viz. :— R. M 'Donald, L88, or without certain excavation, L83 ; T. Meek, L97 15s • w C Baudinet, L89 17s. 5d. ; John Clegg, Lfi4 10s. ; 'and B. Hewat, L74 18s. The tender of R. Hewat was accepted. The " Timaru Herald," of the 21st instant, reports that the first wool of the season arrived at Messrs Miles and Co.'s store during the previous week. It waa shorn from a small lot of wethers belonging to Messrs M'Pher8on Brothers, Lake Tekapo, shorn at Temuka. The limits of the Otago Goldfields have been extended. A recent proclamation under the hand of His Honor the Superintendent, published in the " Provincial Government Gazette," includes— " All that area in the Province of Otago, comprising 983,080 acres, more or less, bounded by a line proceeding due north from Fox Peak to the Province of Canterbury; thence in an easterly direction along the boundary of Canterbury to a point due north of Mt. St. Bathan's ; thence due south to Mt. St. Bathan's ; and thence in a westerly direction along the present boundary of the Otago Goldfields to Fox Peak, the starting point." The usual monthly Commanding Officer's parade of the Oamaru Rifle Rangers took place on the 8th inst. The Company fell-in in Messrs Royse, Mudie and Miller's wool-ptore and were inspected, after which they were put through a number of evolutions. The attendance was good, there being about 40 of all ranks present. The Company's band was in attendance and played at intervals several quicksteps in excellent style. We understand that during the recent visit to Oamaru of Mr Thomson, Provincial Engineer, that gentleman suggested the desirability of the employment of prison labor ia the construction of the proposed harbor works, which by this means could be gradnally constructed without any serious cost to the Province. This is not the first time the suggestion has been thrown out, Mr Clendinnen, while in the Municipal Council, 'having warmly advocated the employment of convict labor. Coming from the official quarter from which the hint la now given, there is some hope that it may be acted upon. During the visit recently paid to Oamaru by Mr Thompson, the Provincial Engineer, to this district, that gentleman, in accordance with instructions from the Provincial Government, and under commission from tho Governor, formally opened a. road through, preemptive right No. 2293, situated at Waikori, between Papakaio and Awamoko- This will be a great convenience to the settlers in the neighborhood, giving them the advantage of a second and much better road. In the execution of his commission Mr Thompson had to cut through wire fences and cause certain gates to be removed — an awkward matter both for himself and the owners of the lands through which the road passes ; but owing to the conciliatory manner in which Mr Thompson performed his duty, and the forbearance of the proprietors, the proceedings passed off without any unpleasantness. Mr Barnett, who very kindly undertook the collection of subscriptions for the Von Tempsky Fund, in this town, has remitted to the Dunedin Committee the sum of L22 as the result of his labors. Mr Barnett deserves credit for hi& energy in the matter, which has re suited, considering tho present depression, in a very satisfactory manner. It may not be generally known that rooks have been successfully introduced into this Colony. Such, however, is the case, as will appear from the following paragraph extracted from the " Marlborough Express : — " We have received information this week that our old friends, the rooks, are at Flaxbourne, and show a disposition to remain there. A correspondent from the Wairau Valley informs us that a pair of rooks have located themselves there also, and requests us, in making known the circumstances, to request that persons will abstain from molesting these interesting and useful visitors." On the 17th instant, between 8 and 9.30 p.m., we, in common with many other persons, observed a very extraordinary appearance in the south-western horizon. The sky which was bright with stars and perfectly cloudless, waa iu the direction referred to, marked by two patches of the most intense blackness which changed their contour into several fantastic forms, the smaller patch now appealing like a large black bar and now like two round balls. The larger, first took the form of a gigantic bull with lowered horns and raised fore-foot in the act of charging, then gradually changing into the resemblance of an enormous pig with open jaws, and last, to a giant hand with the index finger extended. But the singularity did not consist in the fanciful shapes assumed by these patches, but in the fact that they did not travel aci oss the sky, as had they been clouds "they must have done, there being a stiff gale blowiug, and thai, although they were most intensely black, they did nof; obscure the stars which shone through them in most vivid co itiasfc. About half an hour after they were fiist observed they died out, leaving the sky in the space of a few seconds as brilliant as in other parts of the heavens. They did not move from their place but died out. A few minutes afterwards they reappeared in precisely the same spot growing blacker and blacker, and again in a few minutes faded entirely away. This successive appearance and disappearance continued for an hour and a-half, each time the blackness being less intense, until at half-past nine it finally died out. To our knowledge some twenty persons witnessed the phenomenon, not one of whom remembered to have seen the like before or could give any explanation of it. A. public meeting vras held on tlie 2nd instant, at the Town Hall, Christohurch, " to take into consideration the present unsatisfactory position of the Colony, and to take into consideration what steps should be taken to protect the interests of the Middle Island." The Mayor of Christchurch presided. The following resolutions were carried unanimously : — Proposed by Mr Harman, seconded by Mr Hawkes - " That this meeting has no confidence in the Ministry, and is of opinion that the present Parliament should be dissolved immediately after the session." Proposed by Mr Wynn Williams, seconded by Mr J. S. Williams : — " That it is necessary that an association should be formed for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Middle Island against injurious legislation." The Chinese pheasants and Californian quail turned out upon Mr Mason's property, are, we hear, doing well. Mr Mason informs us that the quail are, he believes, breeding, and that a pair of the pheasants were flushed a day or two ago near the Kakanui mouth. We hope that the surrounding settlers will use their utmost endeavors for the protection of these valuable birds, and for the destruction of their natural enemies — the hawks. We have received tli9 prospectus of "The Evangelist" a religious periodical, to be published monthly, which is intended "to express the views generally held by Presbyterians." The publishers are Messrs Matthews and Fenwick, Lawrence, and the first number is announced for the 1st of January next. A township has been laid out at the mouth of the Kakanui River, on the south side. Sections will be offered for sale by public auction at the rooms of Messrs Gillies and Street, Dunedin, on the 3rd of November next.

Great improvements have recently been made at the, cemetery. A broad belt of ground all round the fence has been ploughed up and planted with forest trees, and flowering and evergreen shrubs. Among the former we notice sycamores, birch, poplars, willows, ash, Australian lightwood, and many other kinds. Some thousands of trees have been planted, large numbers having been, we understand, very liberally given by Messrs M'Mastor, Hassell, Filleul, Falconer, Gifford!, and others. The ploughing was very kindly done by the Hon. M. Holmes. In strolling through the Grounds we noticed that several new monuments have been erected, some of which are really ornaments to the cemetery. We are, however, sorry to perceive in one or two instances that a bad quality or stone appears to have been used, which is chipping away under the influence of the weather. Among the most noticeable of the new monuments is an unpretending headstone, in the form of a Greek cross, bearing the following inscription : — In memory of Malcolm West Baker, aged 3 years ; and of James 1 Elphinstone Baker, aged 5 years; who were drowned in their mother's presence, during the break-ing-up of the ship Star of Tasmania, which stranded at Oamaru, on the evening of February 3, 1868. At foot of the cross appear the following very appropriate texts :- " He cometh to them walking upon the sea." " Those that Thou gavest me I have kept ; not one of them is lost." On the rising ground on the western side of the cemeterv stands the large monument erected to the memory of several persons, who perished by flood at Totara. It stands upon a triangular base, and' is in the early English Gothic style. It is about eighteen feet in height, and has at each angle a buttress, surmounted by a pinnacle, ornamented with appropriate crochets. The monument ir finished with a spire enriched with carvings, in which the lily is conspicuous. On each of the three sides of the monument is a panel, flanked by Gothic pilasters, detached, with floriated capitals, t The tabletscontain the following inscription — on the side facing the footpath : — Erected bypublic subscription, in memory of the following parties, who were drowned by flood at Totara, February 3, 1868, viz., Robert Young, ageq 60 years, native of Lanarkshire, Scotland ; Peter Dunn, aged 35 years, native of Crieff, Scotland ; Thomas Richardson, aged 26 years, native of England ; James Glass, aged 22 years, native of Forf arshire, Scotland ; James Waddell, aged 22 years, native of Stirling, Scotland. " Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the House cometh ; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly he find yon sleeping." The other two panels arealso respectively inscribed with appropriate texts of Scriptiire. We notice that one of the pinnacles has been displaced by the wind, 'and requires attention. Of all the extraordinary attempts at robbeiy we have ever_ read, the following takes the first place. The "Daily Times" of the 15th inst. gives an account of an attempt to "rob the hatching-boxes at Captain Boyd's Creek of the trout ova which they contained. That journal writes : — " If appears that Mr Clifford, the Acclimatisation Society's manager, rose between one and two in the morning, and proceeded, according to habit, towards the hatching boxes, which were about thirty or forty yards off. On seeing a light in that direction, his supicions were aroused, and on reaching the boxes he saw two men bending down to them. He seized one of them, grappled with him, and by holding a stone to his ear pretending it was a pi3tol, Mr Clifford succeeded in leading him by the collar fbr a distance of about 40 yards in the direction of Captain Boyd's house, when the other man came behind him and struck him, and between the two he was severeljhandled. The would-be thieves then made their escape, and Mr Clifford returned to his house, whore he was found in the moraine; by the men employed upon the Society's grounds almost senseless, with his face and body much brised. On visiting the boxes it was found that the intention of the robbers was to have removed the ova in two bottles and a tin, carefully prepared for the purpose, two of these when examined, containing about the whole of the ova. It is impossible to say yet what damage has been done to the ova, which were in a forward state, a number being on the point of being hatched out, but some that were removed are entirely destroyed. One of the robbers is described by Mr Clifford as having been well dressed, and to all appearance a gentleman. Mr Clifford states that he believes he can identify one of the men,, and as the police have the matter in hand, it is to be hoped it will not be long before the offenders are brought to justice.— Since the above occurrence took place, our reporter has visited Captain Boyd's Creek, and counted above 100 young fish in one of the hatching boxes. The ova appear healthy, and the probability is that in the course of this week some 600 or 700 young trout will be visible." A substance very closely resembling magnesia has been discovered in the neighborhood of Oamaru, samples of which are, we understand, to be forwarded to Dr Hector for analysis. Report also reaches us of the discovery of chalybeate springs, which would seem to indicate the possibility of adding erelong a spa to the attractions of the place. Mr Reid, of Messrs Reid and Bathgate, has recently imported a very choice selection of English grass seeds, and some 93 acres are now being sown with the different kinds, upon their run, with a view to the ascertainment of the sorts best suited for permanent pasture in this district. The seeds were selected by Mr Reid at the repository of Messrs Lawson and Sons, of Edinburgh, and comprises a large! number of varieties, to all of which a fair trial will be afforded. Mr Held has sown ten acres with Cocksfoot and Timothy, respectively ; five acres with each of the following varieties, viz., Hard Fescue, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Italian Ryegrass, Alsyke Clover, White Clover, Giant Sainfoin, Lucerne, and Midsummer Rye ; three acres with each of the following, viz., Yellow Clover, Red English Perennial Clover, Tall Meadow Grass, Crested Dogstail, Sheeps' Parsley, and Festuca Kubra ; two acres with each of the following, viz., Rough-stalked Meadow Grass, and Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass ; and one acre with each of the following, viz., Cowgrass, Yarrow, Sweet Scented Vernal, Poa Nemoralis" Sempervirens, Lotus Corniculatus, Erisetum Flavescery. We may add here that it is Mr Reid's intention to raise his own seed for sowing a large breadth of land with the most suitable of these grasses. This is the first local effort that we have heard of to raise grass seeds upon a large scale, and we trust that the enterprising gentleman who has led the way, will be rewarded with the most satisfactory results. A house-warming dinner, to celebrate the openinar of the Kukanui Hotel by the new landlord, Mr H. Newey, late of the Marewhenua, took place on the 7tli instant. It was a great success. The chair was taken by Mr Payne, and the vice-chair by Mr Steward. A. very elegant and abundant repast was provided, and after full justice had been done to the viands, " The Queen," was given by the chair. Then followed, " The Volunteers," responded to by Capt. Steward, and the toast of the evening, " The Host and Hostess," proposed in very graceful terms by the chair, and humorously acknowledged by Mr Newey. Some very excellent songs were sung during the evening, everybody "toasted" everybody, and the party broke up just before the dawn, each well-pleased with the good cheer provided, and the manner in which the whole proceedings had gone off. We cannot but congratulate Mr Newey upon tho" great impiovements which he has made at the Kakanui, the hotel being now one of the most comfortable on the road between this and Dunedin, and we trust that the worthy landlord will meet with that success which his enterprise deserves. The new code of harbor signals was broughifinto use for the first time at this port on the 18th instant, ■when two balls horizontal on the yard of the mast were hoisted by Captain Sewell as a signal for the brig" Union to " put to sea." Considerable uncertainty still exists with regard to the reported discovery of gold near Waimate. The correspondent of the " Timaru Herald," writing from that place on the 20th, says : — "There is really nothing to rely on. Specs of gold have been found by individuals. I shall know more in a week, as a few persons are goine r up with sluicing boxes." I During the month we have had unusually high winds. The force of some of the gusis may be inferred by the fact that a lady was twice blown down -while -walking through the cutting in Itchen-street. We have received a copy of the " Ballarat Evening News," published for the proprietor by Mr Frank Pinkerton, late of this office.