Interprovincial News

New Zealand Mail, Issue 177, 21 November 1874, Page 18

Interprovincial News

WELLINGTON.

A young man named "William Lamont Wame, a ° comparatively new arrival, was arrested at Foxton on Wednesday, on a charge of forgery at W anganui. He was forwarded by coach to the latter place y esterday morning. _ Alfred Colson, for stealing a watch, va3 sentenced, at Masterton, to six months imprisonment in the Wellington gaol. He was brought to town yesterday morning. A rate of one half-penny in the pound has been struck by the Education Board of Wanganui for the ensuing yean At the same meeting it was decided to raise the maximum number of pupils at half time schools from 15 to 25. The Pahautanui Rifle Volunteers fired for choice of district representatives at the Tawa Flat Range on Saturday last. The firing was superintended by Lieutenant Thompson, Jvaiwarra Rifle Volunteers. The following scores were made :—Sergeant .Jones, 89 , M!ember W. Edwards, 88 ; Member John Jones, 86 ; Member R. Woodman, 86 ; Member E. Earp, 84 ; Member F. Greer, 79 ; Sergeant G. Carter, 79 ; Corporal Jones, 77 ; Member J. Gardner, 70 ; Member T. Jones, 68 ; Member S. Jones, 65 ; Member G. Jones, 63 ; Corporal Taylor, 54 ; Member H. Morris, 44. MANAWATU DISTRICT. The Board of Wardens held their monthly meeting at the Court-house, Palmerston, on Friday, the 6th inst The members present were Messrs, bnelson (chairman), Dalrymple, Stewart, Farmer, and Hughey. The following business was transacted : ... Letter from His Honor the Superintendent, in answer to one sent by the Chairman of the Board drawing the attention of the Government to the dangerous state of the Foxton and Sandon and Bangitikei roads, through damage done by the late floods. Tenders are to be called for immediately by the Government for all necessary works on the above-named roads and any extra culverts that may be required in the Palmerston and Oroua line are to be proceeded with at once by the workmen at present employed on from the Provincial Secretary, informing the Board that the sum of £393 145., due to them out of the £50,000 voted by the General Assembly to Road Boards, wiU be paid in three equal instalments, viz. on the Ist December, 1874, and Ist February and Ist April 1875, respectively; and further, that the siibsidy to Road Boards voted in the annual Appropriation Act of the Provincial Council of last session, will be payable in five monthly instalments on the 12th November and December, 1874, and January, February, and March, 1875, respectively. Requisitions for payment of instalments enclosed m letter. Letter from Messrs. Kilgour, Linton, and others, residents in Sandon district, asking the Board to undertake certain necessary works required on a line of road leading to their properties, which at the present time is represented as being unfit for dray traffic. Resolved that the matter lie over until next Board from Major Mcßarnett, Messrs. Short, Lethbridge, and Taylor for permission to erect gates across highways adjoining their properties, were allowed to lie over for one month, as is usual with such applications. „ , , , Letter from Mr. Richardson, Palmerston, drawing the attention of the Board to a certain pool of water opposite to his residence, and asking them to take the necessary steps to have the same removed The Inspector of Works was instructed to visit the soot and report to the Board at its next meeting. Letter from Warden McKenzie, stating his inability to attend the meeting, and asking for authority to call for tenders for various works required m his ward. Resolved that it lie over till next meeting. Report from Inspector of Works, showing the various works required on the Jackytown-road, consisting chiefly of bridges and culverts. Resolved that plans and specifications be made out, and tenders called with the least possible delay ; and for falling and clearing eighty chains of bush line leading to Millson and others’ property situated in the Rangitikei line district. The chairman was requested to write to the Provincial Government for assistance in opening up this line of road, as it will be the main line, conecting the Rangitikei-road with the new township, _ which is now being surveyed at the junction of the Palmerston and Foxton tramway with that of the Wellington and Wanganui railway; likewise to -write to the Minister for Public Works, asking assistance from the General Government ia making a road to connect the township of Feilding with the Palmerston and Wanganui line, as at the present time the Feilding people have no available road for traffic, end the Board is most anxious to have the uork finished before the next winter. Mr. Dalrymple was authorised to call for tenders for certain works in ins Application from the Inspector of Works for increase of salary, to be considered at the next meeting of the Board. . Report from the secretary showing an increase of rates from land assessed this year, amounting to £ISJ. The collector was instructed to prepare a statement of his accounts for the past year in order to have the same audited at the next meeting. The Board meets again on Friday, the 4th December next, at 10 a.m. OTAGO. The Clutha Leader states that about seventy school children and two teacher-s in that district are laid up with the measles. An additional clerk has been added to the staff of the Dunedin Town Council, at a salary of £3OO per annum. The proposal to establish a Servants’ Home in Dunedin has been favorably received. A committee of ladies have drawn up the necessary rules. A site has been given at the corner of Lees and Jones-street, by -Mrs. E. Cargill, at a nominal rent. The Laic Wakatip Mail has the following : —We reported a few days ago that we had been informed a number of immigrants were expected at the Queenstown depot ; up to the present, there is no sign of them. Except the excuse—“none at liberty”—Government can make no apology. A married couple have been appointed to take charge of the barracks, and the demand for laborers is great. AVe think the Town Council and our members should communicate with the authorities on the subject.”

Mr. David R. Hay, tailor and clothier, of Princes-street, Dunedin, who had to stop payment in 1870, when considerable commercial depression prevailed, paid to his creditors a few days ago £950, being the balance required to make up the sum of 20s. in the £. Mr. Val. Yose, tl e well-known ventriloquist, gave an entertainment a few nights ago to the inmates of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum. A hundred and twenty of the patients were present, and were highly entertained. _ Mr. V al. Yose deserves great credit for his kindness.

Judo-e Grav, on his trip up this time, says the Lake Wakatip Mail, was unfortunate enough to lose a roll of notes containing £-8. The loss was not discovered until after Clyde had been reached, and the manner of loss is also unknown. It is to be hoped. the finder will have some qualms of conscience, and return the lost treasure.

The case of Calder and Bell v. Brogden and Sons, being an action to recover £IS6O os. lid. for materials supplied and work done on the Clutha Line of Railway, occupied the attention of the Supreme Court for three days. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs . for £650 12s. over and above the amount paid into Court, £786 16s. sd. Several nonsuit points were raised. The case was the last in the civil sittings of the Court. A. curious accident has befallen Dr. Boirovvs equipage in Dunedin. The horse and carriage were in the yard at the rear of Dr. Borrow’s residence, and the groom was sitting in the carriage. The horse took fright and leaped with the carriage and groom into a gully fifteen or twenty feet deep. The groom was not hurt, though he had a narrow escape of having his l e rr broken. Both shafts of the carriage were completely smashed off. The horse did not appear to have been injured, but the doctor would have no more of him, at least for that day. The Otago Daily Times, November 13, says : the fanners have been busily engaged during the late dry weather in putting_ in the crops. The root crops have been put in in a good many places, and a few fanners have commenced the sowing of mangolds and early turnips. Some of the potatoes that were planted early are well through. On the whole the crops look well for this time of year. The grass is still backward. The lambing is now almost over, but the percentage will not be up to that of last year. Shearing has _ been commenced at several places on the plains.” The Dunedin law courts have earned an unenviable notoriety for the intemperance of speech indulged in by “ gentlemen learned in the law,” who assist in the administration of justice for a consideration. The following from the Otago Guardian, Nov. 13th, is a sample of what almost daily transpires in the temples of justice of the Southern capital :—“Yesterday was a field-day at the Police Court, at all events among the sly-grog sellers, who came to very decided grief, being fined in every instance in the penalty of £2O. Mr. Sub-Inspector Mallard had as much as lie could do to hold, his own among the lawyers, and the observations that were made from time to time were, exceedingly warm. Mr. E. Cook characterised the mode in which evidence was allowed to be given in these cases as “ scandalous and disgraceful,” and had to be called to order by the Bench. Frequently throughout the hearing of the case in which he was interested, Mr. Cook gave free expression to his opinion of the way in which such cases were got up, and was very hard upon Mr. Mallard, who bore the attacks with becomino- meekness. But it was not until jMr. Plarris came into the field that the warmth increased to positive lieat, as, for instance,the following:—Mr. Harris: And the Bench must remember that these witnesses have been tutored to do this dirty work. —Mr. Mallard : If that observation is meant for me, or for the police, it is scandalous.—The Bench : I don’t call it dirty work. —Mr. Harris : I do.—The Bench ; I don t think so.—Mr. Harris : Other magistrates have condemned such evidence, and have held that those informers who incite persons to commit such crimes are as bad as those who do them.—The Bench : For the sake of good government, the police must employ such detectives. I hope you were not serious in your inuendo that the police suborn or tutor witnesses what to say.—Mr. Harris : I did not say so.—The Bench : But you inferred as much.—Mr. Harris : Your Worship may know the English language better than I do, but I doubt it.—The Bench ; And allow me to say that such expressions of opinion, unless proved, should not be made.—Mr. Harris : I am not in the witness-box. —Mr. Mallard ; Then you have no right to make such remarks. Mr. Harris : I don’t believe the public will for a moment support the action of the police in this matter.—The Bench : I have to request that no further remarks be made by counsel unless they are to be proved by evidence.—Mr. Harris : I will prove my remarks, and I again repeat what I said about the police and the conduct of these cases.—Mr. Mallard ; And I deny it, and state that I have done nothing unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, or derogatory to the position I hold ; and the remarks of Mr. Harris I look upon as most ungentlemanly.—Mr. Harris ; If you say that outside the court, I will make you repent it.—The Bench ; Although Mr. Mallard may know what his witnesses are going to say, I see nothing wrong in that, and there is no ground for your accusation. Go on with the case.— The case was then proceeded with.” We take the following from the last number of the Otago Daily Times to hand : —A narrow escape from a lingering death happened yesterday in the case of a half-caste named Michael Peacock, one of the Maori Ivaik community. Having business at Waikouaiti, he started to go there at ten o’clock in the morning in a whaleboat, and notwithstanding the objections raised by liis friends, persisted in making the journey alone. Upon leaving the Ivaik he set sail and gained the open water outside til 3 Heads safely enough. Still, as his friends were apprehensive for his safety, a look-out upon him was kept at Taiaroa’s place,

where a number of men were shearing. The boat made very good progress until about eleven o’clock, when she was observed to- capsize, the accident being also noticed from the Look-out Station at the Heads. Boats were at once manned and started in search, and an hour or so afterwards were met by tho tug Geelong, which was returning to port after hairing towed out the barque "VV oodville. George Robinson was in charge of one, and the other had the usual pilot crew on board. They explained their mission to Captain Sinclair, and requested his co-opera-tion in the search, which we need hardly say was readily accorded, and so, with both boats in tow, and Robinson on the look-out at the masthead, the Geelong turned seawards, and steamed for Jones Head, that being in the direction where the capsize occurred. Mile after mile of water was crossed, and yet no skm of the boat, until at last, when the steamer was some seven or eight miles from land, Robinson sighted her on the steamer s port bow, with Peacock standing upright on her bottom. A shout of gladness followed, and very soon the Geelong ranged alongside, and the man’s rescue was accomplished. He must be gifted with no mean powers of endurance, for, although he had been fully three hours in the water and on the boat, lie seemed but little the worse for it. He was taken on board the and having received some comforting administration inwardly, was passed down into the stoke hole to be thoroughly dried. Meantime, the capsized boat was righted and cleared of water, and then taking the three boats in tow the Geelong headed for the shore, and in due time reached the Kaik and landed the party. Peacock stated that the boat was leaking, and having to bale her out he, whilst doing so, left the sheet of the sail fast. Suddenly a squall struck her, and before he could clear the sheet the boat “ turned turtle ” with him. He managed to right her, and then hoisted . a « breaker ” at the masthead as a signal of distress, but ere he could bale her out she capsized again. Again he righted her, again she turned over ; and this process was repeated six times, and then, perceiving that to right and bale the boat was beyond his power, Peacock philosophically resigned himself to the force of circumstances, and, as the next best thing to do, stood upon the boat s bottom, and balancing himself to her movements, maintained his position, and so converted himself into an animated signal of distress. Yery pleased was he when his rescue was assured. To use Captain Sinclair’s words, “ The man s face beamed with smiles.” His narrow escape from a dreadful death is to be attributed to the watchful care of his mates and those at the pilot station, and to the ready assistance rendered hv the tug Geelong ; for hut for the look-out kept upon him he might have drifted away to sea and perished miserably.

CANTERBURY. > A lithographed map of Christchurch and its environs has been published. The plan of the city proper is very minute, and the sites of public buildings are accurately laid down. The single girls by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Canterbury papers report, appear to be of a very superior class. A novelty occurred during the voyage, in tlie form of a sewing com* petition, in the arrangements of which the matron was said to be ably seconded by the surgeon-superintendent, and by the captain and his wife. Twenty prizes were offered, ranging from one pound to ten shillings, and over sixty pieces of work were sent in for competition. In addition to this, prizes were offered for knitting socks and for fancy work. At Christchurch, the Resident Magistrate has given a decision in a rather novel case. An auctioneer had valued some stock at Southbridge at something over £ISOO, and charged five per cent for the valuation. From one of the two parties to the affair he received two and a half per cent., but the other refused to pay his half, and the claim was for the latter’s share. One and a quarter per cent, had been offered, but refused. After a considerable amount of evidence had been elicited, the Magistrate said that he would give judgment for five per cent, for the first thousand, and two and a half per cent afterwards, costs being allowed, and expenses of three professional witnesses, this, as he stated, being the custom in England. Y On its becoming known to tlie French residents of Akaroa, says tlie Lyttelton 1. ivies , that their port was to receive a visit from the French war-sliip Vire,theyat once met to consult as to the manner in which they should receive tlieir countrymen, and how they could best express their affection for the land of their birth. The result of the meeting was that a diamond ring was purchased for presentation to the commander of the ship, the ring being inscribed, “ Souvenir des Francais d’Akaroa. Nov., 1874.” It was arranged that the presentation should be made by Miss Le Lievre, and that Miss Josephine de Malmanche should read an address of welcome from the French residents to their esteemed visitors, Miss Vic* toire de Malmanche also taking part in this portion of the ceremony. The presentation took place on the afternoon of November 5, in the presence of the officers of the ship, His Honor the Superintendent, Mr. W. Montgomery, M.H.R., the Rev. AY. Aylmer, Mr. J. Aylmer, R.M., Dr. Donald, R.M., and others, the majority of tlie French residents being also present. Miss Le Lievre having handed the ring in a handsome bouquet to tlie captain, Miss Josephine then came forward and read the address. At the conclusion, they sang some pretty verses in French, which had been composed for the occasion. Captain Jacquemart, who seemed much moved, replied in suitable terms. At the conclusion of the captain s speech, Dr. Donald, on behalf of the hostess) invited those present to partake of refreshments, and as chairman, proposed in French the health of Captain Jacquemart and hi' officers, the Rev. \V. Aylmer, on behalf of tb English present, doing the same courtesy in j Anglo-Saxon vernacular.

NELSON. The Ross Guardian learns that private advices from Wellington state that the sentence of three years’ imprisonment passed upon S. M. Spiers, late postmaster at Ross, for embezzlement, has been commuted to fifteen months. Mr. James Conolly, of Reef ton, has lost a valuable draught horse through the animal taking fright on the Rnergetic tramway whilst dragging a truck from the mine. The tramway line runs on a steep sideling, and the speed which the trucks attained led to its being upset, and both horse and truck rolled over the bank. The latter was smashed to atoms, and the horse killed instantaneously. Certain facts have recently transpired at the Lyell, says the Inanrjah.ua Herald, tending to show that a system of robbery has been going on at Carroll and Cairns’ machine, and it is supposed by some one employed at the battery. Parcels of amalgamated gold have been disposed of which may or may not represent the entire proceeds of the theft, but looking at the comparatively small returns (about two and ahalf ounces to the ton) from the last Break o’Day crushing, it is reasonably concluded that a considerable quantity of gold has been abstracted. Suspicion attaches to a certain person, but the thief will probably escape conviction, owing to want of direct proof. Referring to Judge Harvey’s offer to interchange hares for specimens of quartz from this district, we have pleasure in extracting the following from the Grey River Argus of the 27th ult. ; —“lt must be interesting to the residents of the Grey Valley and those of the Reefton district to learn that Judge Harvey, during his recent visit to Melbourne, has made arrangements for the supply of twenty brace of hares, to be liberated on Totara Plat, Pern Plat, Devery’s Terrace, and other localities suitable, upon a quid pro quo being afforded by the managers of the reefing companies, by the gift of samples of stone from the various reefs of the Inangahua district. We should think that this offer will be liberally responded to, for, apart from the mere exchange of compliments, the bargain is one likely to be interesting, and as regards the reefing companies a specially profitable one. Judge Harvey assures us that the people of Victoria are more than dubious regarding the richness of the Inangahua reefs ; but probably the contribution of samples from the various claims would help to remove this, and lead to the attention of Victorian capitalists being called to a profitable field of investment. MARLBOROUGH. A building society is about to be commenced at Picton. A serious accident occurred at the ferry at Blenheim on the 4th instant. It appears that Mr. Joseph Rose and George Gibson were going over on the timber waggon, when as they went down the cutting the leading horses swerved, breaking the pole, and throwing both men off. Mr. Rose has severely hurt his ancles, and was unable to move them, and Mr. Gibson was much shaken, two of the horses were severely cut, one having a large gash in the thigh, and the other on the hocks. The waggon lies in various places between Gane’s smithy and the ferry. The result of His Honor the Superintendent’s exploration of the Bui Bui Pass, says the Express, has been communicated to the following effect. It had been arranged that the attempt should be made in company with Mr. Lemon to discover whether a practicable bridle track could be made which would answer the purposes of the telegraph as well. The lastnamed gentleman having been taken ill, Mr. Seymour went alone, and after examination found that the gradients were too steep in several places for general traffic, but that a telegraph line could be taken through it. We believe that the Government contemplate ascertaining what, if any, improvements may be made calculated to improve the present coast line for general traffic. The projected line for telegraph purposes is easily obtainable over the Kekerangu and Woodbank runs, and across the Clarence to the Bui Bui; where the Bui enters the Clarence, is an impracticable gorge, but by taking a small valley a little higher up the Clarence, the line can be carried over a saddle into the upper portion of the Bui, and thence over a succession of low saddles to the head of the southern Bui stream, running into the Hapuka, whence the line would continue through the Kaikoura settlement. This would necessitate the new bridge over the Clarence being placed about the site of the present crossing. WESTLAND. We (Times) learn that at the close of the financial year the Borough Council will have a balance in the Bank to their credit, as well as £SOO to receive from the local Government, as share of lands sold -within the municipality.

The contract for No. 6 section of the Waimea Water Race, the West Coast Times of the 4tli inst. reports, was settled by the Government on the previous day, and the tender of Mr. Wm. Smith, of Xanieri, for the whole of the work, has been accepted at £19,402 13s. This includes the laying of the pipes for the whole distance of the Race, two miles fifty-seven chains in length, also the construction of earthwork, tunnels, culverts, fluming, piping, and the other works specified, together with the furnishing of labor, plant, and materials, the materials being those supplied by the Government. The contractor is bound to complete the work within twelve months from to-day. The Register ceased to exist on the sth instant. In its issue of that day the editor takes farewell of his patrons, observing : “ It is with no ordinary regret that we have in this issue to bid adieu to our readers. Eor many months, we cannot say years, we have had daily communication with hundreds, but at last we have had to succumb to circumstances, and resign the position that we had •oped to attain, through causes that must be vparent. There is not in Hokitika, at pre\t, room for a second morning paper, and attempt that we have made in this direccannot, therefore, be considered altogether -■cessful.”

A township is about to be surveyed in the south of the province for a special settlement. The Hokitika papers report the result of the great Fox expedition, and, it is almost needless to add, that result is failure. Nothing else could be expected from the sending forth of a party of men at the most unsuitable season of the year to prospect a district almost inaccessible except in the most favorable weather. An accident of a very serious nature is reported by the Greymouth Star of the 3rd inst., as having occurred on board the schooner Alma this morning to a seaman named Amor. It appears that for some reason or other the ladder leading into the fore skuttle (an apartment between decks for the accommodation of the crew), was removed, and Amor, in consequence, fell down on the lower deck. Dr. Morice was called in and pronounced the man too much injured for present removal to the Hospital. The exact nature of the injuries cannot be ascertained at present. Housekeepers in Hokitika, remarks the Times, think that the prices of meat are enormous, but they are nothing compared with those ruling in Westport. By an advertisement published in the Westport Times on Friday last, signed by all the butchers there, the following tariff is laid down :—Beef wholesale, lOd. per lb. in the fore-quarter, and 10-ld. the hind ; whole or half sheep, lOd. per lb. To hotels—-Beef and mutton are charged lOd. ; veal, pork, chops, steak, and sausages, Is. Private families are to pay Is. per lb. for all joints ; chops, steaks, and sausages, Is. 3d., do. In spite of the meat famine, these prices certainly seem to us to be preposterous. A criminal prosecutiop which was recently instituted in Hokitika by a Customs’ officer had rather a different termination than the prosecutor bargained for, or perhaps expected. Mr. G. C. Limming, the Customs Landing Surveyor at Hokitika, charged a man named David Davidson -with the indictable offence of obstructing him in the execution of his duty as a Custom-house officer. The obstruction mainly consisted in Davidson threatening to smash Limming’s “brandy nose,” and as that feature of that office!’’s very ruddy countenance is particularly fiery and prominent, the threat was deeply felt. Mr. Limming seized Davidson, and, after striking him, attempted to turn him out of the Customs’ shed. Davidson struggled and a scuffle ensued. The upshot of the matter was that the magistrate dismissed the case against Davidson and fined the Custom-house officer five shillings for striking Davidson.

The people of Greymouth seem thoroughly in earnest in their efforts to carry their coals to a profitable market. From the West Coast Times we take the following on the subject : “ Several of the leading local merchants of Greymouth have united in raising sufficient capital for the purchase of proper vessels, and have empowered Mr. Masters, of the firm of Forsyth and Masters, w r ho lately proceeded to Melbourne, to send the necessary orders home. It has been mentioned, in connection with this subject, that there is a desire to secure the services of Captain Whitwell as superintendent of the building of the steamers to be constructed, and certainly no better selection could have been made, but whether the negotiations or suggestions have come to any definite issue we have not heard. By the same boat by which Mr. Masters proceeded to Melbourne —the s.s. Otago—Captain Williams, of Wellington, who is largely engaged in the coal trade, was a passenger, his purpose being to visit Melbourne, Newcastle, and Sydney, and part of his object in proceeding thither was to inquire as to the possibility of procuring a steamboat suitable for the Greymouth trade, tie was one of those whom the Greymouth deputation consulted when in Wellington, and he has expressed his willingness to take part in any enterprise such as that in which he has already been so extensively engaged.” HAWKE’S BAY. The Native Lands Court has concluded its sitting at Poverty Bay. The cases were not of any great importance, but the next sitting, which will be in March next, will be a very important one. 60,000 acres of the Motu Block were passed, and 40,000 adjourned. The Motu Block is a large bush-clad block of land between Poverty Bay and Opotiki, lately leased for a long term by the Government from the natives. The part which has passed the Court, is that portion nearest to Opotiki. The Tologa Bay township, 500 acres, also passed the Court. In reference to the telegraph line to Poverty Bay, we hear that the chief lhaka Wlianga, of Wairoa, has been exerting his influence actively, and with success, in setting at rest the difficulties raised by the Hapuka natives. The posts are being drawn to their places along the line, so as to facilitate the progress of the work. There seems to be little other reason to apprehend any more difficulties in the matter, unless they arise through the dilatoriness of the Public Works Department. Rather a hard case is reported by the Times: —Police Constable Joyce, Armed Constabulary, had served eleven years in the colonial forces, during the whole of which time he bore an unblemished character. Being desirous of entering the marriage state, he applied for the usual permission, which, in a case of this kind, is a mere matter of form. While waiting- for the reply from Wellington, he made all preparations, and his intended had come to Opotiki, when his application was returned, he having inadvertently omitted to enclose a certificate of character. He immediately repaired the omission; but, everything being in readiness, did not delay his marriage. Result: disgraceful and instant dismissal for “disobedience to the rules of the service.”