LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 304, 26 September 1857, Page 5

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Naebow Escape of the Bishop or Chsistchubch. — We understand that the Bishop of Christchurch, who has just returned from visiting the Southern portion of this Province, had a narrow escape of his life in crossing the Mataura Kiver. It appears that his lordship, (being without a guide), in attempting to ford the river, had not kept to the proper ford. His horse was washed down the stream, and had not his lordship been an expert swimmer, he would in all probability have been drowned. Mr. Harper, who accompanied his father, assisted in his rescue. His lordship's horse was with considerable difficulty got out of the river. Additional Ministers for Otago. — Letters, dated 11th June, have been received from the Convener of the Free Church of Scotland, intimating that he fully expected to be able by August to despatch two additional Ministers (one of them having the Gaelic language) for Otago. Registered Letters. — We have been requested to draw attention to an. alteration ■which has lately been made in the Postal arrangements relating to Registered Letters.

In the Gazette of the 26th June it is " notified that the fee to be charged on all letters registered for transmission to the United Kingdom will for the present be One Shilling, a double fee being charged in the case of letters sent through Great Britain to any other Colony." Destructive Fire. — We learn with regret that a fire broke out in the house of Mr. Kirkland of the Green Island Bush on Friday the 18th inst. The fire originated in the chimney, and spread to the roof, which being thatched with reeds, burned so quickly that the house and the whole of the contents were' consumed before any effective efforts could be made to save the property. Mrs. Kirkland, who was the only person present when the fire commenced, was burned in her endeavours to save some of the moveables ; but We are happy to say that she is not seriously hurt. In the vicinity of the house were seyeraLstacks of grain which were for some time in great danger, but fortunately the wind was blowing in an opposite direction, or the loss might have been more serious than it has been. Gunpowder, &c. — The General Government Gazette contains a notification authorising Mr. John Gillies to grant licenses for the importation of firearms, gunpowder, &c, into this Province.