News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 986, 22 October 1870, Page 15

News of the Week.

Mr Robert Mitchell has resigned his seat in the Provincial Council for Waikouaiti.

600,000 feet of timber were shipped at Havelock, Marlborough, last month.

A pawnbroker at the Thames has been fined L2O for receiving a pledge from a girl under fourteen years of age.

The meeting of the Gaa Company, which was called for Monday last, lapsed for want of a quorum.

A thief broke into the house of Mr Webb, Balclutha, the other night, and stole some M.S. Bermons, a photographic album, and an old saddle.

The contractors for the Port Chalmers Railway have decided to alcer the gauge of the line from 4ft. 8& inches, as originally intended, to 3ft. 6in.

A bankrupt named Joseph Graham has been committed for trial at Greymouth on a charge of omitting property to the value of L 25 from his statement of affairs.

A French watchmaker, named Charpoit, has died at Dunolly, Victoria, from a fit of apoplexy occasioned by hearing the news of the French reverses.

The proclamation announcing the meeting of the session of the Provincial Council to be held next month, appears in last week's issue of the Provincial Government Gazette.

It is no doubt a significant fact, as alleged, that the last San Francisco mails were delivered in forty-nine days from Auckland to London ; but it is a still more significant fact that they ought to have been delivered in forty-two days.

A small whale was captured a few days ago by the boats belonging to Mr Buchanan's fishing station at Ikolaki, near Akaroa. This is the firßt whale caught by these boats this season, whioh has so far beea an unsuccessful one.

The house of Mr Samuel Green, at Balclutha, was broken into the other evening, and several articles of body clothing carried away by the burglars. No trace of the thieves has ss yet been found by the constable in charge of the town.

The Investment Society recently started at Balclutha is in a very flourishing condition, upwards of 400 shares at L 25 having been already taken up. At the last sale of money, four shares' at L 4 15s, and two at L 4 10s were disposed of.

We understand thst the opening cruise of the Otago Yacht Club, postponed on Saturday, the Bth inst., on account of the weather, is arranged to take place on Saturday. The start will be from Pelichet Bay jetty,|at half-paat two o'clock, and a large number of yachts will take part in the proceedings.

On Thursday last an entertainment on behalf of the funds of the Otago Benevolent Asylum took place in the Athenaeum at Waitahuna. It comprised songs, readings, and recitations, followed by a ball, which lasted till morning. The attendance was good, there being a full house, and the event passed off well.

The following characteristic anecdote of Mr Heller is related by the Wellington correspondent of the Oamaru Times :—"I: — "I went into a • pub ' with him to have a liquor, and after we were served he held on the open palm of his hand a half-crown for the barmaid to take. She put out her hand to take it, and almost shrieked with astonishment to find that the half-crown had disappeared. It certainly was neatly done."

A Sydney telegram in the Argus says :—: — Mr Collie, agent for Mr Webb, the wellknown shipowner, has sailed for Brisbane for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Queensland Government respecting the Californian mail route, and what support they would be disposed to give to a line of large steamers capable of performing the service between Australia and California in 30 days.

We notice that an illustrated map of Dunedin and Port Chalmers willsbortly be brought out by Messrs Hiscocks and Co., who have already published similar maps of several of the principal towns of the colony. Judging from the favourable terms in which these maps have been spoken of by the press of the several towns in which they have been issued, we may expect that full justice will be done to Dunedin and Port Chalmers.

A meeting, having for its object the promotion of total abstinence, was held in the school- room at Waitahuna, on the evening of the 12th inst. Mr D. Dorm presided, and the attendance was very fair. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr Copland, Rev. Mr Menzies, and Messrs M'Lelland and Barr At the close of the proceedings upwards of twenty-five persons signed their names in the pledge-book, thus making the number of the members at Waitahuna over forty.

The Bench of Magistrates at Auckland found themselves in a very novel dilemma a few days ago. A Maori was brought into court on a charge of drunkenness, when it was found that he was both deaf and dumb. It was suggested to the Bench that the defendant could not be regularly charged, and, in fact, that he could not defend himself. As there was no interpreter at hand the Bench got out of the difficulty by discharging the prisoner.

It is expected that by the end of next -week the first and second sections of the Port Chalmers railway embankment, extending from Stuart; street to Pelicheb-Bay, will , ft) completed, Pitching has bees com.

menced on No. 2 section, and Mr Paokham is now carting rook stuff from private property on Bell Bill, for section No. 1 ; so that there will soon be no further danger of damage from the effects of a heavy gale at high water.

Mr Dillon Bell having been absent for two successive sessions of the Provincial Council, his seat for Dunedin in that body has, in conformity with section 10 of the Constitution Act, become void. There are two candidates now ii the field, viz., Mr Bathgate and Mr H. S. Fish, jnnr. The nomination is appointed to take place on Wednesday next, the 26th inst., and the poll, if necessary, on the following Wednesday, the 2nd November.

A dejeuner was given by Captain M'Lean on board the s.s. Alhambra on Tuesday, prior to her departure, to a number of Dunedm friends. Captain M'Lean's health was proposed by Mr Tolmie in an appropriate speech, and was enthusiastically responded to. Captain M'Lean duly acknowledged the compliment. A presentation also took place of a handsome gold chain and locket, suitably inscribed, to the stewardess. On Ihe visitors leaving in the Golden Age, they cheered Cap'ain M'Lean heartily, those on board the Alhambra replying with equal good wilL

On the morning of the 11th inst., Mr John Bower, who was travelling from Dunedin to the Benmore Station, was seen approaching the Otematata river. About one hour afterwards four swagmen, who were crossing the river at the proper ford, observed a swag floating down the stream. A search was then made, and Bower'B body was found on a shingle beach. No property was found upon the body, nor were there any marks of violence upon it, save slight discolouration upon the head and face, and which was probably caused by contact with the boulders in the river. Constable Keligher subsequently had the body interred.

Not a bad anecdote about the excitement occasioned in Victoria by the receipt of the war news is told by the Chiltern correspondent of the Ovens Spectator, who says :—: — " The telegrams received for your Chiltern contemporary were read as received at the bar of Ruppin's Hotel de Paris. From the way in which some of the crowd could hear the reading of the news, it was very difficult to ohtain its sense. This was. however, somewhat obviated by a celebrated German storekeeper, who condensed the intelligence by giving the following explanation to his friends: — 'Veil, you see, Napoleon is in de schtone yug, and de Prussians has yumped his klaim.' "

Any person who has attended late sales of town allotments at reduced upset prices, cannot fail to have observed that a class of men took advantage of the reduction in price to become freeholders, who did not buy on previous occasions. We allude more particularly to young men in the country towns. Too much importance cannot be attached to this circumstance, and we believe that the facilities given by the Government to purchase a homestead at a price within the means of the younger members of the community will have a most beneficial effect in encouraging men to form, and in attaching them to, a home of their own.

A lecture was delivered in the Waikouaiti Schoolroom, on Wednesday evening, the 12th iustant, by the Key. Mr Blake, Maori Missionary, on " India, the manners and customs of the people, their modes and objects of worship," &c. From the lecturer's long residence in that country, together with the great variety of diagrams, pantings, and other curiosities of Indian manufacture, which he exhibited, he was enabled to engross the attention of his hearers for nearly two hours. At the conclusion of the lecture the chairman, Mr Smith, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was enthusiastically responded to. There was a very fair attendance, and the proceeds were handed over to the school fund.

Our East Taieri correspondent writes as follows :— " The genial showers that fell last week were a welcome sight to the settlers generally, as rain was much wanted to refresh the grass, which is not springing well. The drought; fol'owing on the previous wet weather, bratted the gr.mnd and stinted the growsh of the grass. Sowing is still heing pushed on with, but the labour of putting in the seed is increasing every day that this dry weather lasts. The foaling season, I must also mention, has begun. The fine weather has permitted the contractors to resume work at the job at Milne's Hill. The stonebreaking machine is again at work, breaking metal for the road, the settlers doing the carting."

From Kaitangata we learn that the crops favoured by the late fine weather, are looking well, and give promise of a good harvest. Messrs Beattie and Co. have started their flax-mill at Wangaloa, and as soon as the remainder of the machinery arrives, and their buildings are completed, it is anticipated that they 'will be able to produce fibre equal to any dressed elsewhere. Mr J. P. Maitland has heen appointed captain of the Volunteer Company, the members of which meet twice a week. A petition to His Honour the Superintendent is in course of signature, praying that he will cause a Board of Conservators to be appointed, for the purpose of taking steps to prevent damage being done by the overflowing of the rivers, streams, and water- courses in the district.

Two valuable cows have lately died in the Dunstan district from eating tutu. In the case of one of them, belonging to Mr Elliott of the Half-way House, ft ludicrous incident occurred, which.

the Dunstan Times relates as follows : —The cow was grazing on the side of the range. On the flat immediately below some Chinese are residing, and to their utmost alarm the cow rolled down on to one of the tents, whioh was fortunately empty, the owner being in one of the tenta adjoining. "John" appeared to be perfectly astounded, but immediately set to work, and removed the carcase, at the same time ejaculating, with much emphasis, "No good !"

Mr Robert Mitchell, late M.P.C. for Waikouaiti district, having resolved to leave the colony on account of bad health, his friends and neighbours entertained him to a complimentary and farewell dinner at James's Golden Fleece Hotel, on Friday evening, the 14th inst. During the evening the chairman, iv a very complimentary speech, in the name of the people of Waikouaiti, presented Mr Mitchell with a very handsome silver watch, gold Albert chain and appendages, as a token of the esteem and respect in which he is held by the people in tne district, and their appreciation of his services both in the Provincial Council and House of Representatives. Mr Mitchell replied in very feeling and suitable terms.

The Waka Maori newspaper, which was recently heard of as about to be revived, appears to be a Government enterprise. Under the head of General Contingencies in the Appropriation Act, the sum of L2OO is appropriated for a "Maori newspaper." As the item is classified under the Native Department, we presume that the head of that Department will act as Editor. Another sum of L2OOO is appropriated as an " aid to settlement of surrendered rebels." Surely their " settlement" might be provided for at something less than that. In connection with these items, LBOOO is appropriated for "food, clothing, travelling expenses, medical comforts, &c, in aid of Civil List ;" and lastly L3OO for the " expenses attending sitting of Native Lands Courts, Chatham Islands."

The following prisoners were received into the Gaol on Monday afternoon from the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lawrence :— James Patterson, seaman, sentenced on the 4th inst. to find sureties to keep the peace, himself in LSO, and one sufficient surety in a similar sum, in default of which he is to undergo six months' imprisonment, for that he, on the 3rd day of October, did threaten one Edwin Leg^e, in the following words : * ' If you do not give me more money, I will burn down your place ;" and similar expressions ; and Edward Still, shoemaker, sentenced on the 12th inst. to six months' imprisonment withhard labour, forthathe, on the 6th day of October, did feloniously steal, take, and carry away four Ll-notes of moneys the property of one Peter Lee.

The revenue returns of the colony of Victoria for the quarter, nine months, and year, ending the 30th of September last, are not, says the Argus of the Sth inst., of a remarkably encouraging character. In fact, they are worse than was expected. That trade has been wretched in the extreme for months past has been no secret, but it was scarcely anticipated that the dulnesa in commercial circles would have produced such a marked effect; on the revenue of the country as is shown in the Treasurer's balance-sheet. The revenue for the quarter which expired on the 30th of last month, was L 845.941, for the nine months L 2.292 072, and for the twelve months L 3,116,274,, 116,274, showing a deficiency on the quarter, as compared with the corresponding .period of lasc year, of L 86.505, on the three quarters of L 94.630, and on the year of L 186.924.

The annual show of entire horse stock was held last week at Mr Duncan's Commercial Yards, under the management of Mr Milner. Amongst the horses shown were Mr Kettle's Clydesdale draught entire, Sir William Walace, a fine specimen of the heavy class of horses ; the imported horse, England Still, winner of nine first- class prizes, and of the first prize in Southland against all comers ; Mr Pritohard's celebrated thoroughbreds, Bungaribee and Prince Alfred, and his pony Chevy Chase; Mr Nimmo's splendid Clydesdale entire Comet, a magnificent yo«'ng horse, rising three years old, and well worthy the attention of breeders; Mr Christie's "Young Garry owen by the celebrated Old Garryowen tbat won a sweep at Longford, Tasmania, of two miles in 3tnin. 44seo. ; Mr Beeoher'd beautiful chestnut roan horse Quicksand; Mr Dodson's Clontarf ; Mr Smellie's Young Otago, and several others. The show was well patronised, and much interest taken in the stock exhibited.

A number of the friends of Captain John M'Lean, of the s s. Alhambra, entertained him at dinner, at Wain's Hotel, on Monday on the ocoasion of bis last visit to this port. There was a large attendance, and, had time permitted, a great many more would have been present to testify their respect for Captain M'Lean during the many years he has been connected with the steam traffic between New Zealand and Australia. After dinner, an elegant silver tea service for Mrs M'Lean, and a handsome Aneroid for himself were presented to Capt. M'Lean, who acknowledged the gifts in a few well chosen remarks expressive of the kindness he had reoeived during a long intercourse with this community, and his regret that such was to terminate for the present. We heartily join with those present on the above occasion, in wishing Captain M'Lean every happiness and prosperity after he leaves our shores, and trust that he may at some future time return to Otago.

During the last session of the Supreme Court in Nelson, » man named Daniel Latham, was found, guilty upon two separate

indictment of bestiality, and sentenced by Mr Justice Richmond to penal servitude for the term of ten ye«rs for each offence, the sentences to be cumulative. The Nelson Executive, probably because of the better security, discipline, and surveillance, decided to send him to Dunedin gael, where he wag laab week received, having b een sent down under proper escort in the Tararua in charge of Sergeant Major Edwards, of the Nelson police. The authority for receiving him is a warrant under the hand of His Excellency the Governer. It commands , that " the said Daniel Lathim be conveyed to the Dunedin gaol, and there employed on the roads or public works, or otherwise to be kept at hard labour, and either in irons or under such other restraint, and subject to such correction for his safe custody and strict discipline respectively, and subject to such regulations and dispositions in all respects as if he had been convicted at a sittings of the Supreme Court held at Dunedin, and had there been sentenced to penal servitude."

Our Waitahuna correspondent writes as follows: — "During the past fortnight there have been some fiae showers, which have quite refreshed the crops and grass. Tne supply of water for miaing, however, is greatly reduced, and sluicing is much interrupted. A short supply the next six months is anticipated. The number of men employed at the Manuka Creek is about 60. The greatest number ever there was 140. Some were offered 4s 6d per day and consequently left. Others were discharged, but the greater number left voluntarily, and have passed on up country, where, if steady, they will be at least as well, if not better, off. It will be remembered that, during the height of the gold fever days, there were hundreds employed on the public roads, and that mainly because they had no knowledge of mining. Many have since become miners, and, when prudent, have good cause to congratulate themselves on the change. The goldfields are still productive, and miners still make headway. To judge by the numerous water-races and reservoirs projected, there is some drift to wash yet."

The Port Chalmers terminus proposal is discussed in the Evening Post, of course from a Wellington point of view, but its remarks on the subject are nevertheless very much tq the purpose. We take the following from it: - If Mr Hall does not T ake the new contract, who will ? Certainly Mr Webb will not do so ; nor will any American or other contnctorwho has boats suited for the work. If Mr Hall can continue his arrangements with the A.S.N. Co., it is possible he may attempt the new route, but we very much question whether that company will care about doing anything to assist ia a purely New Zealand service, or allow its vessels to be used as coasters, especially as it must perceive that those vesseis are altogether too small for the main part of the work ; and that the subsidy offered, and on which alone Mr Hall would have to depend, is insufficient even to pay for the necessary coal. Neither America nor Australia will subsidise the service, and if Mr Hall and Mr Vogel cannot devise some clever scheme for making a silk purse out of a sow's ear, the probability is thit we shall soon be left without a San Francisco mail service at aIL Had the L 40,000 been voted for the. service without restriction as to the torminus, and the arrangement of the contract been entrusted to other "hands than Mr Vogel's, we believe that, with the aid of the Sydney Government, a contract might have been made with Mr Webb for the immediate establishment of a thoroughly efficient service.

A good deal of speculation prevails as to the actual amount of the losses of the French during the late battles. Tiie information to hand does not enable us to determine with any degree of certainty the extent of these losses, inasmuch as no details have yet reached us regarding most of the engagements. From the particulars published, however, we are able to form a fair estimate of the French losses in the battles of Forbach, Weissenburg, and" Worth ; and we think we shall not be materially "Sxong when we set down the number of killed and wounded in these battles afe about 10,000, hesdes 6000 prisoners. la the battles before Metz we learn that the total French loss was eatim.ited at about 50,000, of whom some 4000 may be set down as prisoners. We have do details, however, of the battles at Pont- aMousson, Buzancy, and Sedan, but we may put down the French loss in killed and wounded at 30,000 ; it is impossible to say if prisoners were taken in sufficient number to render them worth counting separately. Accordingly, taking into account also the 90,000' prisoners who capitulated at Sedan, we find the total French loss to be, according tothis estimate, as follows : — Killed and wounded, 86,000 ; prisoners, 100,000 ; total, 186,000. That this is not very far from the mark will be seen from the following calculation : — The French Army of the .Rhine numbered at the beginning of the war 250,000; M'Mahon was afterwards reinforced by 50,000 men from 1 Paris, making the total French force in the ' field 300, 000. The balance, after the 186, 000' a ove accounted for are deducted, is 104,000, which is a little more than the estimated strength of the only French army at last accounts in the field — Bazaine's at Metz. The discrepancy, however, is to be accounted for by the fact that some 12,000 men were withdrawn by M'Mahon from the garrison of Strasburg. We give the foregoing for what it is worth, as purely an estimate, but we think it will be found to be pretty near the J»*rk,