MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR THE JUNE ENGLISH MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1443, 3 July 1868, Page 6

MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR THE JUNE ENGLISH MAIL.

.» LOCAL EPITOME. ■ -# —. MILITAEY AND NAVAL. It is stated in military circles that the 18th Begiment will shortly be removed from New Zealand, and stationed in Australia, owing to the 50th Kegiment being ordered home. On the 13th ultimo, the body of Private Moon of the Koyal Artillery, was interred at the Symonda-street cemetery. Deceased's term of service had nearly expired, when he would have received the usual pension. About 50 of the 18tli Koyal Irish followed the body, which was borne by men of that regiment; preceded by tho band playing the Dead March. The usual voliies were fired over the grave. Wo believo that the cause of death wag consumption.

The Sergeants of the 18th Royal Irish are following in the footsteps of the old 65th. On the 19th ultimo, they gave their first quadrille party, and considering that it was their first attempt in Auckland in this line, it was a decided success. It will be kept up on the first and third Friday in every month and will bo interspersed with an occasional ball. .

The master of the cutter Marwell reports that a man named Charles Lee, formerly of H.M. s.s. Esk, was drowned at Hokianga by the capsizing of a boat. An inquest was held on the body, and a verdict of " Accidentally drowned" returned. VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE. We take the following from the New Zealand Gazette of the 20tb. ultimo :—A.E.C.V. John H. Hooper to be hon. assistant surgeon No. 1 Company A.E.V.; Ensign J. B. Mclntyre to be Lieutenant ; W. H. Skinner to be Ensign. No. 4 Company A.R.V., Ensign H. Morrow to be Lieutenant; Mark Hassan to bo Ensign. No. 3 Company, Ensign D. V. Hunter to be Lieutenant; J. McConnell to be Ensign. The medal won by, Mr. J. M. Hay, solicitor, at the late volunteer rifle shooting, was given to that gentleman at the volunteer parade, on the oth ultimo. Major Tiglie fastened it on the gentleman's coat, and hoped many' Others might be obtained by him. Mr. J. Wilson, of the Garibaldi Store, Shortland, formerly of Freeman's Bay, Auckland, died suddenly, after an illness of twenty-four hours, on the 10th ult. The body of deceased was placed on board the a.s. Tauranga, and brought up to town for interment. Mr. Wilson belonged to the Auckland .Naval Volunteer Corps. A number of the deceased's comrades, together with their band, followed his remains to their last resting place. The party party was under the command of Capt. Guildiag and Liouts. Peaton and LeEoy. The body, which was drawn upon a gun-carriage and covered with a Union Jack, was supported by four members of the corps, and. preceded by the band, playing a selection of sacred music. The annual meeting of the Congregational Church, Hamilton (Waikato), was held_ on the 3rd ult.; the Kev. Mr. Davis occupied the chair. Speeches were delivered by the Kev. Mr. Taylor, Capts. Steele and McPherson, and Messrs. Tanfield and Morris. The choir performed some pleasing musical selections during the evening. There was an excellent attendance.

Major Hunter and Capt. Eoss have gone up to Patea with two companies of the Armed Constabulary.

The men belonging to the Armed Constabulary Force paraded on the 27th ult., on the beach under Britomart. They have been quartered at the old depot in Official Bay. Major Von Tempsky is in command, and witli him at present arc Captain Brown and Sub-Ir.spector .Roberts. On parade the Major commanding read to the men their marching orders received from the Government. They were to go at once to the Patea to join their comrades under Colonel Macdonnell. The troop will consist of 400 men. There will be a Native Contingent to act with them. Most of tliese men are fine, sturdy, well-seasoned fellows, who have plenty of work in them. They left in the p.s. Slurt on the following day, being played out of town "by the drums nnd fifes of the Maval Volunteers. NATIVE INTELLIGENCE. There have been fresh native outrages at Patea. The natives surprised and murdered three settlers, while quietly working in the bush at a sawpit. Their names were: —Sergeant Cahill, late No. 9 Company, Taranaki Military Settler ; Thomas Squires, sawyer, late Middle Island; Wm. Clarke, Wangnnui Ranger. Subsequently two friendly natives were shot and tomahawked; one of them had served in the distinction of an officer in the Native Contingent during General Chute's campaign.

The Government have determined to deal with the Patea difficulty. Col. McDonnell is to have a force of 400 Europeans, and a native contingent at hie disposal, with carte blanche to act a« his'own judgment may dictate. After one or two postponements the Whakatane Compensation Court was opened by Major Mair on the 13th ult., when 99 claims were brought forward for hearing, in addition to 45 claims which the Court refused to receive a» they were dated some two or three days beyond the date, fixed by Government ns the limit. Of the 99, two cases were those of Europeans ; the first by Mr. Kdmonds a claim of £1,280 for the loss of the cutter Kate at the time of the murder of Mr. Pulloon and others at Whakatane. The second claim was that of the Curator of Intestate Estates, on behalf of the estate of Abraham Bennett White, amount of claim, £500. Judgment was deferred in both cases. It is expected that the hearing of tho native cases will occupy somo three or four weeks.

The natives are placing fresh tukatis on the East Coast and Hpper Thames districts. One has recently been proclaimed, having for its object the stoppage of the Waihi and Ohinemuri roads.

Wβ believe that some of the principal King natives are likely shortly to pay a visit to tlie Waikato natives at and about JS garuawahia. The natives resident in that neighbourhood are very anxious to continue to live on terms of peace and friendship with the Jiuropeans. They complain of reports about them, attributing evil intentions to them. These they say have no foundation in fact. A meeting is being held at Hangafciki to consult about the boundary line or aukati. Rewi Maniapoto is supposed to be at Tokangamutu, and will shortly proceed to l\f okau to attend a meeting there. We are also informed that Mata, the wife of King Potatau, died on the 19th of May at Tokangamutu. The natives at the latter place evince nothing at present but a disposition for peace, and those best acquainted with them are entirely of opinion that if left alone and net pestered and annoyed by this party or that, whether Governmental or Otherwise, that they will not only do nothing of a really hostile character toward us, but that they will gradually withdraw from their present isolation, and live, as of old, on terms of full and frank friendship whith the pakcha. This confirms the policy we nave advocated of meddling as little as possible with these King natives, . no matter whether they live as Tokongamutu, at the East Coast or other places. The least they are noticed in any way whatever, the sooner will their present prejudices against intercourse with Europeans be quietely renewed. Recently a large number of natives fromthe Wanganui river, more particularly from below Pipiriki and the Wanganur' side of Waitotara, headed by Kemp, Hori Kingi,

and. other • Chiefs, started overland ;£o "Wellington, ostensibly to pay their respects to the iii-w Governor whom they have, cot yefc seen— and «i;rc to accompany Mete Singi, who parposes starting at once to attend to his Parliamentary duties. They purpose spending some weeks on the road, and doubtless ere they reach the Empire city their numbers will be augmented to fully upwards of 100. They intend to represent the state of the Ngatiruauui country fully to His Excellency, and will tell Jiim what has brought on and led to the barbarous murders recently committed at Patea. The ■ Putiki Chiefs positively state that the small section of a tribe living to the north of us will never allow peaceful occupation of the land lately confiscated from them, and will continue to murder and maraud till they are exterminated. It is their opinion that there is a similar intention en the part of the W"aikato tribes, and that if anything is to be done towards settling the country,peaceably Waikato must be subdued first, and the King movement crushed. The above will all be told to the Governor, and our Maori friends say that unless something is done soon maty of themselves will turn Hauhaus, and lose all confidence in the Government. '.

By the arrival of the schooner Ivanboe : from Mongonui, on the 20th nit., we learn that the Maori who confessed to the murder of the young man Smith was being examined by Mr. White, the Resident Magistrate. The Jcase was not concluded when the Ivanhoe sailed, otherwise the prisoner would have beenbrcaght on to Auckland, to await his trial at the Supieme Court. i

ECCLESIASTICAL. Somewhat unexpectedly the Missiorary schooner Southern Cross, which left Aucklrad only about three weeks since, returned to Eehimarama on the 7th ult. The Southern Cioss had a fine weather passage to Norfolk leliid, arriving there on the 21st of May with a ca:go of timber and stores for Bishop Pattesm. We learn from Captain Tilley_ that Bistop Patteson has abandoned his intention of proceiding to the islands this season in consequence of the severe sickness which has prevailed amongst the settlers of Norfolk Island during the ppt month, sixteen of the inhabitants having ditd from low typhoid fever. We are happy to stab, however, that when the Southern Cross sailed from the island on the 29th ultimo, the diseaie hed almost subsided, and many who hid been great sufferers were gradually health. Bishop Patteson intends to remain at Norfolk Island until the return to Auckland of Bishop Selwyn. The Southern Cross left Norfolk lalaal on the 29th ult., and brings up a large mail fron Norfolk 1 sland and the following passengers :— The Eev. J. Atkin, Bev. C. H. Brook, Mr Gordon (New Caledonia), and Mr. A. Jakins. i

A new Episcopalian Church has been erected at West Hamilton. It is a very neat building, and reflects credit upon Messrs. Hall and Slater of Hamilton. It was opened on the 14th ult,, by the Rev. L. Pritt. '

Wo believe that Aperahama ind some others Lave agreed to grant a piece of ground at the, Waiotahi Flat, on which a church will be' erected in connection with the Wesleyan body. : The Rev. T. Norrie, of Papakura, conducted; service at Shortland on the 14th ult., preaching twice in the new Presbyterian Church, and in the ofternoon in Mrs. Skeen's school-room, Waiotahi. The attendance was very good, and very excellent discourses were delivered.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the erection of a Presbyterian Church at Graham's Town (Thames) was held on the 2nd ult. Mr. R. Graham offered a site free of rent for fourteen years. The thanks of the meeting were given to Mr. Graham, and a committee was appointed to take the necessary steps for carrying out the proposed object. £40 was subscribed on the spot to commence with. The Auckland Prcsbytey met on the lstinafc , for the despatch of ecculesiaetical business. The Presbyterians at the Thames Gold-fields made application for a resident minister, which was acceded to. Kev. Dr. Wallis reigned his charge at St. David's (Newton), and proceeds to the Wangarei district. The third quarterly conference of the Auckland Sunday School Union was held on the 19th ult., in the Wcllesley-street School-room, Mr. S. H. Smith, President, in the chair, when a paper was read by Mr. F. Battley, on " The Want of Success in Our Schools."

A tea meeting was held on the 10th ultimo, in the school - room adjoining the Baptist Chapel, Wellesley-street, at which about one hundred ladies and gentlemen were present; the Bev. P. Ji. Cornford presided. This meeting was held in compliment to the committee of ladies who were appointed for the liquidation of the debts on the Church, and also in celebration of the circumstance of having paid off a debt of £800 arising from the enlargement of the building, leaving the nominal debt still upon the original building. After tea, Mr. Cornford made a few pleasant remarks, chieflv with reference to the successful efforts of the ladies in collecting such, a considerable sum o( money. Mr. Herapath. then stated that the sum actually collected by the Ladies' Committee was £467, and proposed a vote of thanks, which was seconded by Mr. Cartwright, and the meeting separated.

A teachers' and scholars' tea meeting was held at the Wellesley-street School on the 11th ultimo, which was well attended by scholars, vrho did ample justice to the bountiful provision made for them. Tea was placed on the table at half-past sis, after which the JJev. J?. H.. Oornford, who presided, and several teachers, gave appropriate readings and addresses. The whole having thoroughly e "joyed themselves, departed to their homes at about ten oclock, evidently delighted with their evening's entertainment. ' A lecture was delivered on the 12th ultimo, by the Eev. P. H. Cornford, in the Kdwardes - street school - room, on the subject of " Jamaica." The rev. gentleman described in glowing language the gorgeous scenery of the tropics, and said that his own reminiscences of Jamaica were of a most pleasant kind. He glanced at the history, geographical features, and natural productions of the island, and. his audience seemed in the highest degree gratified and entertained. The general meetingof the St. Patrick's Catholic Young Men's Society took place on the lSt ult., when the annual report was read, and the usual election of officers was made. On the 29th May a social tea meeting was held at Port Albert, to celebrate the departure from London six years ago, of the fitst body of 2v onconforniist settiers for New Zealand. The chair was occupied by the i<ev. ivlr. Worker. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. Stevenson, Brooks, Cutler, Turner, and Rushbrook.

POLITICAL. His Excellency the Governor paid a visit to Napier on his way to Wellington, and. was received with every demonstration of loyalty and respect. Dr. Pollen has accepted a seat in the Colonial Executive, and will be summoned to the Legislative CouHcil —an honor which he has held in previous administrations. Dr. Pollen is a man of large administrative ability, and would be a strong addition to any New Zealand Ministry. Mr. G. B. Davy has resigned his seat in the Provincial Council for Marsden.

The nomination and election of a member .to sit in the Council to represent the City of Auckland West took place on the Bth ult, at noon in the old Court House. JV3 r. B. E. Turner proposed Mr. Staines as a fit and proper person to fill the seat, and made a speech at some length, the nomination was seconded by M.r. Brahany. There being no other candidates Mr. Staines was declared duly elected. Mr. Staineß then thanked

the electors for what they had dons, and after a vote : of thanks to the .Returning Officer, the meeting separated. 1 _ On the Hth ult., the elections for the vacancies in the City Board took place, as follows:— Ward (No. 1), Mr. Jas. Harris; (No. 2), Mr. G. Staines; (No. 3), Mr. John Graham.

A public meeting took place at Shortland, Thames, on the Ist nltimo, to take into consideration matters relating to the local self-go-vernment of the Thames Gold-field. The folio-w----ing resolutions were carried : " Ihat a petition bei forwarded to the Legislative Council and Jlouse of Assembly, praying them to accord to the Hauraki .District the management of its ovni revenue. 2. That in the event of their petition not being complied with by the Assemby, tho Grovornor be requested to revoke the delegation of power to the Superintendendent, and to resume the administration of the Thames Goldfields.

Mr. Stafford has appointed a commission to enquire into the facts of the alleged case of assault which it was said occurred in the cloak room of Government House on the morning of the -birthday ball, with a view to determine vrhether a just decision was arrivad at by the magistrates before whom the caso of .Benstoad v. Hull was tried.

We learn that with a view to free action in the Assembly, three months' notice has been given to the steam companies determining mail subsidies.

There are at present three vacant seats in the House of Kepresentatives, Mr. W. Adams having retired from Picton, Mr. Wetts from Uangitikei, and Mr. Eeevus from Avon. The two latter seats, as far as wai can learn, will be uncontested—Mr. 3to!leston, the newly elected Superintendent of Canterbury, will succeed Mr. Reeves; Mr. Fox will succeed "Mr. Watt; but for Picton there promise.) to be a contest. To these may be added Franklin, vhich is being contested by Mr. Wm, T. Buckland and Mr. Swan.

The nomination of candidates for the district of Franklyn took place on the 20th. ultimo, at noon, at the Panmure Bridge Toll-house. There was a considerable number of influential electors present; Mr. Buckland was proposed by Mr. McLean, and seconded by Mr. Farmer, and Mr. H. S Andrews proposed, and Mr. Clarkson seconded the nomination of llr. Swan. A show of hands was taken, and resulted in favour of Mr. Swan. Mr. Buckland demanded a poll, which took place on. tho 2nd July, but several days must elapse before the returns can. be made known at the several outstations, t

We understand that the Government has completed arrangements for expediting the arrival of the Panama boats. The .N.S. Mail Company wili discontinue calling at St. Thomas' and come straight on to Colon, arriving there on the 20th or 21st of tha month. The Panama Company's boats will thus be enabled to leave Panama on the 22nd instead of the 24th of the month as heretofore, and will be due in. Wellington on the 19th or 20th of tho following month, ,and in Sydney on the 24th ot 25th. Aa the same saving of two days will also be made on the outward passage, the homeward boat will leave Sydney on the 2nd of the month instead of the Ist, as formerly, and .New Zea land ports a day later likewise. A Provincial Executive has been formed, in Wellington by the Hon. John Johnston without office—Mr. Halcombe, Secretary and Treasurer ; Mr. Brandon, Solicitor.

The Independent states that sliortly after the arrival of the Wellington from Auckland, a ■.Gazette was issued convening tho Assembly for pusiness on July 9, and that Lady Bowen had (oeen warmly received by the public of Wellington at her landing. i, We learn that a French envoy is expected in [Vellington to endeavour to obtain a branch Seam service between Tahiti and Opara.

\ The Dunedin correspondent of the Dungem Times states that Mr. Julius Vogel his resigned the editorship of the Otago iaily Times, which journal he has so ably condicted since it was first started. Indeed, to Ult. Vogel may be attributed the honor of c&ling into existence in New Zealand, the daily pjess, and inaugurating a new era in colonial journalism. [Ihe Provincial Council election for Newton, cane off on the 23rd ultimo, but did not seun to be a source of any very violent excibment. The number oi electors on t\ie to\\ iaibout 950, of whom 103 voted. Of these, Mr. G-riham obtained 91, and Mr. Wilkee 12, giving Ml Graham a majority of 79. V~e understand that Mr. Carleton is dangerousy ill, and that even if he should ever attend, the Assembly again, he certainly will not make an tppearance there during the earlier part of the coming session.

FIRES. Tie Court House Hotel was burnt to the grovnd on the morning of the 12th ult. The builcing was insured for £600 in the Royal, but we ngret that the proprietor (Mr. H. P. titark) has ltst all his furniture, money, valuables, &c, whicl were not insured. Subsequently -an inquest was held, after hearing the evidence addu<ed, the jury returned a verdict to the effectthat there was nothing; to show whether the fre was accidental or otherwise. Onthe morning of the 11th ult., the flax-mill of M\ E. Constable, on the Waipipi Eoad was burned to the ground, destroying the wlole of the machinery, and about four tons of flax The origin of the fire is unknown; the buildiig was not insured. On ihe morning of the 11th ultimo, Captain. Steele 1 , residing at Hamilton, was awakened about:4 o'clock by cries of "fire," from his daughter. Mr. Steele made his way as quicklj as possible to the kitchen, when lie discovered that one side of the apartment together with the roof were wrapt in a perfect sheet oi flame. Captain Steele, however, acted at oneft with the greatest coolness and presence of mind and with the assistance of his family, .procurel a ladder, by means of which, together vrith a [plentiful supply of water, which waa fortunafelv close at hand, the flames were prevented fiom extending themselves and ultimately extinguished. Considerable damage was done to the hWse, one side being completely burnt through* and the roof much injured, besides a good dotl of household furniture, which was rompletdiy destroyed. Captain Steele believes the fire ti have been caused by a spark lodging on a stuffjd mat, and thence communicating to the wall. . The house is insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company's Offices.

ACCIDENTS. Aa Albertlaud settler, Mr. Jesse Davis, and lad named George Kirk, son of Mr. Kirk, surveyor, 'pi England-street, Freeman's Bay, were receatly drowned between Pahia and. Paparoa, tarougii their boat being swamped ia a squall. '

We rcgiet to have to record the death of Mr. t. B. Gilmore, v»ho accidentally lost his Hfo; on the Gth May. at Tolopja Buy. Hβ was crossing the river iTawn in a canoe on the abWe day, and while standiug up unfortunately overbalanced himself and fell into the wnttr. Jfot being a swimmer he was able to make but little effort to save his life. He sunk almost at once, and was seen no more. Tlie accident was witnessed by the deceased's brother and; two natives, who were unable to render him any assistance until it was too late. About an hour*after the sad event, the body was recovered. Deceased was a steady young man, and greatly esteemed by all who knew him, and who deeply deplore his untimely end.' -V. coroner's iuquest was held on the 9th ultimo, at the Provincial Hospital, before Dr. Goldsboro , , on the body of William Johnson, late a> carpenter in Onehunga. The jury found thai death, resulted from the effects of

auSersion, the evidence showing that deceased W fallen into the "(vater from the old wharf, Oaehunga, on the 6th ultimo. . On the 10th ult., the eldest son of Mr. Solo, fflon Cossey, of Drury, was suddenly seized with ffit and died in a few minutes. An inquest t<7, subsequently held, when the medical en-. denc'Scd tl>at the deceased, Wm. Uossey, fled of disease of the heart (angina pectoris) The young man bore an excellent character, and was universally esteeiaed. An old man named John Fox died suddenlv at the Bay of Islands on the 14th itimo The deceased was a settler at ftus«ll for many years, and had been employed ktelv conveying passengers between Bussell and Sea in a boat. It appears he had been enabv Dr Bendin to convey him to Kussell, g Twhen about half-way across the Bay, comi • An f sickness, and in a few minutes dropped P i am I ,nd died immediately. The doctor i• mth deceased at the time of his death, it asnot thought, necessary to hold an inquest on s Tauranga was steaming up Auckland i .rLiir on the evening of the 20th ult., and whilst ttZ Kngitoto and thoJSorth Head, a most kmeutable accident occurred, by which a young man named Morrison lost his life. It appears Ait the unfortunate man, who was a brother-m-Sγ to Mr. McLeodof the Freeman's Bay Hotel, was a passenger by the, Tauranp on that i™nine He was a shareholder in the Middle Star claim at Shortland. and being a married man and anxious to come up to Auckland Ti ' i,i s wife, he had been during the previous hr o T. : <rhts superintending the crushing of stone fomh'is claim, so that he would be able to get ' r t0 town for a few hours without losing time The deceased was, therefore, suffering from lack of sleep. He was sitting on the foro part of the Tauranga's bridge, on the port side md is supposed to have fallen asleep. Captain Sellars and several of the passengers who were in the bridge at the time saw Mr. Morrison uddenly roll overboard, and before thero was i chance of making any attempt at a rescue, he uad reached the water and was seeu to drift uick\y astern. The engines wero stopped imaediately and it boat was got out, but by the ime that this whj done the unfortunate man was bout half a-Ejiie astern. All due search was iade. and the TAuranga waited about the spot jr half an hour, but no sign of the missing ian could be discovered. When Mr. Morison went overboard, he had slung over his iioulder a haversack, and a carpet bag l>e>Dging to him .vas also on board with a jafedlock. We understand that deceased had ;ft a wife, to whoni he has not long been larr.ed, in Freeman's Bay, to mourn her loss. An inquest was held on" the body of an infant ; Opotiki on the sth ult., before J. Skene, "!'~sq.. .P., and a jury of twelve. Dr. Oliver believed ie child had died from convulsions brought on f diificult dentition. A verdict of death from itural causes was recorded.

An accident of a serious nature occurred to Mr. T. Wliitson, son of K. Whitson, Esq., brewer, of Newmarket, as lie -was riding home along Stanley-street, in the direction of Mechanics' Bay on the 13th ultimo. The horse, which was proceeding at a rapid pace, shied at a pool of water on the road, and struct his chest -with great violence against a dray belonging to Mr. Watts of tin? coal and firewood depot. The force of the blow threw the horse on his haunches, and Mr. Y> 7 hitson to the ground. Mr. "Watt, Mr. Archard, and several neighbours were quickly upon the spot, when Mr. "Whitson was found to be comparatively uninjured. The horse, however, which •was e valuable animal, was frightfully injured, and notwithstanding the efforts of Messrs. Kinlock and Fobkes, who were shortly in attendance, and who tried every remedy, expired abouf three hours after the accident. Mr. Whitsoi was able to walk home, and except a few bruises escaped unhurt. There were no eye-witnesses to the accident, the evening being very dark and considering the circumstances, Mr. Whit son's escape was really miraculous. A painful gun accident occurred on tb< 21st ultimo, by which a boat-builder, namec John Barry, residing- at Shortland, narrow, ly escaped losing his life. It appears thai he was in company with a friend on t shooting excursion on the Piako "Valley The men were hunting ducki together, and ii appears that Barry had fired at one from i stooping position, and was rising, when his com panion, who was behind him, also fired at thi same duck, and the shot ptssed through Barry'i hst, taking with it a. portion of the scalp, but none of the shots lodged in the crown of the head The unfortunate man bled profusely, and wai assisted back to Shortland by his companion, ii order that medical aid might be sought withoui delay. Dr. Lethebridge was called upon t< examine the man, and found a lacerated wound which had laid open the scalp for some sii inches.

The Wellington Journal of the 24th ultinr «ays: —A gentleman by the aame of FraD eis O'Donnell, of the firm of O'Donnel and Byrne, who came as a saloon passeiger from Hokitiki, where he had a clothin; store, in the Egmont, and who had taken ha passage in the Airedale for the Manukau, fel from the wharf as he was trying to get on boad tho latter vessel last night, and, when draggd from the water, life appeared extinct. Dr. Grae was immediately sent for ; but it does not fopear that any of those means were adopted, bfoi;e his arrival, recommended by the Humaie Society in 3uch cases. A valuable gold wabh and chain, some cash, and a cheque for .£250 tos found in his possession. An occurrence which we fear will prove to hrre ended most tragically, has lately taken placrin the neighbourhood of Port Charles. Mr. Villiam Pollard, formerly of Victoria-street, aw sharpener, and late proprietor of the lort Charles Mills, who had been at the Cabhge Bay settlement on business, left Mre. Lolig.n's house at that place on the 27th of May ultino, at 2 p.m., with the intention of proceedin; to Port Charles on foot by the bush track, adistance of sixteen miles. Before leaving hehad aaid to Mrs. Loligan that he would have to nake haste as his wife would be anxious aboutnim. As he did not appear at the Port Charles./lills in the usual course of time, and as it was kiown that he had left Mrs. Loligan'a with the htention of going home, Mr. J. Stancliffe, maiager of the mills, sent out a party in search o the missing man on the 12th of this month. The party instigated a most careful search and fraced Mr. Pollard on the track, which is very -ough and difficult, to within six miles from themills, when they came upon a place where some one had evidently camped for the night. The spot was underneath a nikau tree, the leaves of which had been broken down, evidently with a view to afford a rough shelter for the night, and Mr. Pollard's wilkingstick, (easily recognized by some of theprty as the one he usually walked with) and a match box were found close to some leaves anl twigs which had been piled up with a view to lindling a fire, the attempt having proved ineffectual. IN o other trace of the missing man could be found, and it is to be feared that after leaving his camp he must have t-iken a wrong dTection. The ground is so broken and the bush «o dense in the neighbourhood of Port Charles that aay person getting off the track woild very shortly become exhausted with making his way through the undergrowth of supple-jicks, &c. About ten minutes walk from where ttie walk-UJg-stick was found the Port Charles Mills are distinctly visible. There is a faint lope that JUr. iollard may have struck the bed of a creek and followed it down to tht aea, in which case he might faU in with a Maori camp or perhaps some prospectirg party. The protracted absence of Mr. Polhrd is the -ause of intense anxiety to his wife and one

chad, who, of course, entertain but a faint hope of his recovery. Later intelligence to hand gives no clue to the fate of the missing man, and it is feared there can be no doubt as to his melancholy fate. It will bo remembered that in consequence of a surgical operation the inquest ou the body of the late Major Tighe had to be postponed. We regret to hear that the operation has not resulted favorably, but the surgeons had very little expectation from the beginning of any other than a fatal termination- The facts are as follower —A man, said to to well connected in England, named Weston, about three years ago fell, one dark night, ovu- the Mauku bridge.'and sustained a fracture of the thigh. He became an inmate of the Pro'incial Hospital, where he was latterly employed as night-nurse. Some time siuce he complained of his knee, when it was found that active disease had set in, and at his own pressing request the doctors were induced to try the only po.'sible means—namely, the amputation of the linb near the trunk. He was told of tho danger, but he said that under chloroform ho would n)t feel the pain, and that he might have a chance of recovery. The principal medical men in Auckland were consulted, and were, we believe, present at the operation. We regret, howeve-, to say that the shock, which so difficult an opeation must give to the system, has terminatec fatally.

LEGAL. The' Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court took phce on the 3rd ult., when the following cases came on for trial:—Lachlan H. Hair (cattle stealing) 12 months' imprisonment; John alcComick (burglary) acquitted; Thos. Johnson anl Wm. Costello (burglary), Johnson 12 month;', and Costello two years' imprisonment; JamesKogers (larceny) eighteen months' iroprisonmeit; Joseph Smith (larceny) eighteen •months' imprisonment; Bernard Duffy and Williau Pike (stealing from a dwelling) eighteen nonths' imprisonment; Fred. Marshall, alias Wm. Henry Hawkins (larceny), two years'imprisonment; Henry, alias Wra. Goldsmith Jns. Crane, John Brown, and James Bathirst (stealing from a dwelling), Bathurst 3 yets' penal servitude, and Crane and Brown eighten months' imprisonment with hard labour, Henry Kersting and Joseph Bryant (garotting and robbery), Bryant (highway robbery Bryant and Goldsmith (garotting a warder in tie Stockade); for the above offences, the sentences were as follows : —Kersting, 5 years, to fo whipped once with 25 lashes; Bryant, 8 yeaß. to be whipped twice, with 25 lashes each time Goldsmith, 8 years, to be whipped once witl 25 strokes of the " cat." John Carpenter (staling) twelve months'imprisonment; Catherine Beach (stealing) twelve months' imprisonmejt; Jas. Berry, Bernard, William, and Peter CoLman (sheep stealing) acquitted ; John Join Thomas Berry (stealing) two years' impriomnent; William Heald (forgery and uttering ncquitted; Archibald Campbell (escaping fron gaol) two years' imprisonment; James Larler (stealing) twelve months' imprisonment. Tb Griind Jury ignored the bills in the cases i of Cornelius Cobb (attempting to poison a pig) ; Jan Hand (arson), and J. McAllister.

)n the 6th ult., a most important case came beore the Supremo Court (in banco), viz., McIsacs y. Baillie, being a motion to make absolue a rule nisi that had been obtained in clambers for a mandamus directed to Mr. Billie, the Warden of the Thames Gold-field, conmanding him to tax the costs in a ease (Melaacs y. Mclntosh) heard in his Court on the Ith of May last, and in which judgment waa gven on the 20th of April following. The rulo Tas made absolute with costs against Mr. ]aillie.

THE THAMES GOLD-FIELDS. , A parcel of between 300 and 400 ounces of i ;old was brought up from Sliortland by the ; I teamer Tauranga on the 3rd ult., for tho Bank • )f New Zealand. The steamer Tauranga arrived from'Shortland • 3B the 12th ultimo, with 600 ozs. gold from the I Bank of Australasia, and about 300 ozs. from the Bank of New Zealand. ; A parcel of sixty ounces of gold—the result of i a crushing of eight tons quartz from the Hatter . claim—was brought up by the p.s. Enterprise ; on the 24th nit., and vi as lodged in the Bank of i. New Zealand next day. The s.s. Halcyon brought up on the 27th ult. i 120 ounces from the Candle-light claim, i A parcel of 266 ounces of gold was brought up from the Kapanga claim, Coromandel, by .{the cutter Peter Cracroft, being the result of the i past month's crushing. i Another rich deposit of gold has been opened : in .Hunt's claim recently, during the progress of cutting th; tramway. The ground had been little more than laid bare, when a pocket or blow-up of rich gold, only partially with stone was found, and some twelve or fifteen

bags taken out during the day, which, are estimated to yield some 60 ozs. each. The claim has been Tisited during the week by several speculators from Auckland and the South, who expressed their astonishment at the richness of the ground. About five cwt. specimens, estimated to yield ono and a-half ounces to the lb., were taken out of the opening. The extraordinarily rich leader opened lately in tho Hunt's claim continues to yield a large quantity of the richest stone. On the 29th nit. two very remarkable specimens were found. One of these specimens, the largest yet obtainedupontheThamesGold-field, is estimated to contain from 110 to 120 ounces of gold, and weighs 56 lbs. Weunderstandthatthe 12 stamper battery erected by the proprietors will ba at work in a few days, and a large, return from this splendid claim for tho month of July may be looked for. The Manukau claim is known to be a rich one, yet the crushing which has just taken place is rich beyond expectation. Two tons of stone have been crushed, and the yield has been 1256 ozs. of gold. This claim since it was first opened has been abandoned four if not five times, and on one occasion a full share in it was offered for twenty shillings but no purchaser could be obtained ! £1,250 has been paid for a share in the Dawn of Hope Claim. - I We hear that a rich leader has been opened on the Kurariui Company's ground this week, which is said to have increased tho value of the claim some .£10,00'!. We understand that the large battery of; stampers and amalgamating machinery ordered | by the Thames Quartz Crushing Company | from one of the first firms in Victoria may be expected to arrive in the course of a few days. We also learn that an agent of the firm will come over with the mainery, and having ascertained that there is a fair field for business in Auckland for tho making of first-class quartz crushing machinery, will arrange for the establishment of a branch manufactory in Auckland. Wβ understand that the tenter of Mr. Matthew Frost for constructing a bridle-track between Tapu and Shortland has been accepted by the Provincial Government. This 'work when completed will be a great public convenience. Wβ learn that a petition is being numerouilj signed by a very influential portion of the community who have an interest in the Kuranui Moanatairi, and Waiotahi Creeks, to have a branch bank established at or near Graham's town, the went of which is much felt in that district. Messrs. Fraser & Tinnne are about to erect a machine of fifty head of stampers at Tapu, to bp driven by water power. A site has been given for the purpose on the Golden Point Claim, but it is probable that not more than fifteen stampers will be erected in the meantime.

Tho Kuranui Company have purchased Clarke md Kerstemann's crushing machine for ±2,500. The true character of the Thames district, it ippears, is making itself known at a distance, and figgers and speculators at the West Coast, Mel)ourne, &c, are waking up to the fact that it is ime for them to bestir themselves; we have very ittle doubt that before long we shall have a very arge accession to oiir digging population. Prom >rivate advices just received from the West 3oast and Melbourne, we learn that quite an incitement exists at these places with reference o tho Thames gold-fields. At the West Coast t is said there "are some hundreds of diggers itarting and proparing to str-rt for the Thames, virile at Melbourne there arc not less than eight mndred who intend at once to give the Auckand gold-field a fair trial. Certainly the pros>ects of this Province never looked brighter, md already a change for the better is rapidly making place. A difficulty has arisen out of the case of fold stealing at the Thames, which was tried ecently at the Supreme Court. Tho thief old the gold to the Bank of Australia. The manager of the Bank gave the )olico every assistance when enquiries were nade — and handed over the gold to tho jolice that it might be identified by the prosomtor. The gold was identified, the thief ionvicted, and the gold was restored, we underitand, not to the Bank, but to the original >svner from whom it was stolen. Tho Bank nnnager says this is not the usual custom in tho ither Colonies. If the gold is to be restored to he party from whom it was stolen the Bank nay argue that it will be a great hardship to tself, on tho other hand, if tho gold is to remain vith the Bank the original owner has equal causo )f complaint. Others say the gold being received, ihould go to its owner, and the money paid for t to the thief, if recovered, should be given to he Bank. It is certainly a hardship that either lie original owner or tho Bank should lose tho noney, but no doubt the effect of the decision fill be increased caution in the purchase of jold. Mr. W. J. Dalton, C.R., has made application o His Excellency the Governor of the colony of (few Zealand for a grant of " Letters Patent inder the Seal of the Colony," for. the use, idvantage, and enjoyment, within the said :olony and its dependencies, of a new machine for extracting gold, or other metals or minerals, from quartz or other material, and for crushing, pounding, or pulverising such quartz or other material,'and for the amalgamation or combination thereof, with mercury or other ingredients.

KENNEDY'S BAY GOLD-FIELD. It is satisfactory to find that the gold obtained from the Kennedy's Bay district, like that from some of the Coroinandel creeks, is of superior quality. We gire the following particulars of two assays made of this gold .• —Assay of gold from Kennedy's Bay made by the Bank of New Zealand—Weight before mel ting, 1 oz. ; weight after melting, 1 oz.; fineness, 8670 ; standard* IS 22; value, £3 13s. Bd. Another sample— Weight before melting, 1 oz. ; after melting, 1 oz.; fineness, 8990 ; standard, 21.22 ; valuo, £3 16s. sd.

MISCELLANEOUS. We have been informed that a son of Mr. Isaac Christian was one of tlie latest victims to the epidemic, which hasbeenprevalent in Norfolk Island. It was .supposed that the disease, which appeared on the Ist January last, was introduced by the schooner Pacific, as one of her hands was first to suffer on the island with an attack of the same nature.

There are few of our readers we daresay who know that we have in Auckland so extensive a mosquito steam fleet as now plies upon our waters. Eighteen months ago there was but a single steamer upon the Waitematn. There are now, or very shortly will be, no less than fourteen steam boats of about 500 nominal horso power, belonging to thi3 port. The following are already engaged in a brisk trade: —The Enterprise No. 1, Enterprise No. 2, Gemini, Tauranga, Midge, Halcyon, Clyde, and Maori Chief—while the following are nearly ready for service, the Jane, Captein Casey's new boat; Lady Bowen, Duke of Edinburgh, and The Royal Duke, thirteen in nil. We learn also from the Ilavke's Bay Times that the s.s. Star of the South is once more to be placed in the trade between Napier and Auckland.

The mortal remains of the late Mr. C. Hedgcock ■were consigned to their lost resting-place in the cemetery on the 23rd ult. The respectentortainod for the deceased was manifested by a largo attendance at his funeral cortege. The body was conveyed to the grave in a handsome hearse, and his widow and the chief mourners occnpied two carriages, which were gratuitously supplied by Messrs. Quick. This act of kindness and liberality towards the memory of the deceased by those gentlemen is most praiseworthy, and testifies the high respect which they entertained for their departed friend. The hearse was driven by Mr. P. Quick, and was preceded by the Rev. Mr. Wallis and the undertaker. The number of followers was about 120 adults, including the clergymen, and some of the principal members of the Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist, and Baptist churches, and a considerable number of the children of the school over which Mr. Hedgcock βo long and so ably presided. Those who knew the deceased can speak strongly in favour of his religious and exemplary character, and that he was a man who strove to implant in the minds of the children committed to his care the eeeds of pure morality. He laboured assiduously but unostentatiously as a good shepherd, to guide his flock along the straight path of Christian duty.

By the mail steamer, now due from the South, (says the Tanranga Record of the 29th ult.) are expected the following passengers : —Hon. Mr. Seymour, R. Beaumont, Esq., partner of the hon. J. D. Tetlcy, Captain Corbett.and J.Chaytor, Esq., these gentlemen are opening the inland districts for grazing purposes. Mr. Tetley has very recently put on one of his runs 12,000 sheep, and intends during the summer months running up 40,000 sheep from his southern stations.—

Four hundred cases of kauri gum were shipped on board the brig Dart, for Sydney on the 19th ultimo.

During the month a considerable number of West Coast miners have arrived in order to proceed to the Thames.

Capital is not only being attracted to our goldfield, but as a natural consequence capitalists are beginning to see that, with a prosperous mining population in our midst, our country lands will soon become valuable. Amongst the number of strangers who have visited this Province lately from the South, were two gentlemen from Otago —Mr. McGregor, a squatter of Silver Stream, in that province, and Mr. Charles O'Neil, M.H.It. These gentlemen hired a buggy and pair from Messrs. Quick & Co., of this city, and drove comfortably through the Waikato, visiting Nguaruawahia, and thence to Hamilton, Cambridge, Ohaupo, Tβ Awamutu and Eangiawhia. They also diverged from the road occasionally, visiting Major Jackson and several other settlers. They speak in high terms of the appearance of the Waikato generally, and of the farms which they visited, and desire to express their thanks for the general hospitality and courtesy which they received on their tour. What surprised them not the least, was tho fact that they could drive from settlement to settlement throughout the confiscated territory. The brig Rita recently filled up with coal at the Bay of Islands for Tahiti. This will be the first shipment that has been made from the Bay for a foreign port, and will no doubt be shortly followed by others. The barque Ellesmere and other vessels have proceeded to the Bay, in order to load coal zor the Southern ports.