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Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1171, 15 December 1868, Page 3

Christmas at Westport.— Our Westport friends »re making great preparations for Christmas. They are going to have sports and races, which will occupy four days of the Christmas week. The Committee has published a long programme of the sports and races, and it is stated that they have £500 in han t, towards carrying it out, which is a considerable suai in these needy days ; and shows that the Wosin.rt people cannot complain very bitterly of hard tiui^. George Legge, a woodman, was killed near iio.utika a few days ago, through a large brauch of a tree falling on him. A Fine Go-ahead Township.—lt is stated that n luxuriant crop of grass is growing in the streets of I Mohikinui, which only twelve months since presented a lively appearance, and contained, although it did not. support, a few hundred people. A serious accident has occurred at Okarita, fortunately, however, without causing any loss of life. Upwards of eighty chains iv length of the flume belonging to the Alpine Company fell suddenly to the ground. Some almost miraculous escapes occurred. In one hut two men were seated, and, although some seven or eight heavy spars, about fifty feet in length, and from 6 to 12 inches in thickness, fell across the hut, completely destroying it., the men were left uninjured. It is" calculated that 20,000 feet of sawn timber is destroyed. The company at once commenced to make another flume. Some gold-bearing quartz has recently been got by a native, in a creek of the Kaimanawa range, Hawke's Bay. The natives report that there is plenty of it. Gold in Canterbury.—On the Waiho river, Canterbury, where gold was lately found, sixteen jnen are at work, and are barely making wages. The district, it is stated, bears a strong resemblance to Tuapeka, in Otago, and the men are hopeful, and feel confident gold will be obtained there in payable quantities. The gold that has been got has been found in a kind of sandstone. George Aber, a miner, was drowned a few days ago, in the Ohiki river, Buller district. The accident happened through tho deceased, his brother, and a boatman trying to cross the river in a miserable boat, which at no time was capable of holding two persons with any degree of safety. Jons'Giles, a packer, was drowned on Dec. 3, in the Greenstone creek, Grey river. How the accident occurred is not known, but it is sur posed, that in crossing the creek the fresh carried him away. Deceased leaves a wife and family in Christehurch. How Volunteers are Treated at the Front.— The Grey River Argus of Dec. 5, states:—" How the men who enlisted in the Colonial Forces for three months' service at the Front are being used by the Government is illustrated by the following incident. Lately some men of the Patea force refused duty, as they said tbeir three months' engagement was up. The authorities answered by referring to the last clause of the agreement, which says'or until legally discharged.' The men argued that if this version held good they might be kept for the term of their lives. However they all returned to their except one man, who positively refused to do so, as his three months' agreement was ended. He was tried by Court. Martial for so refusing, and flogged. He received twenty-five lashes. After this it need scarcely be said patriotism at the Front is at a discount. Whitmore is much disliked." The electors of Timaru have again refused to return a member to the Provincial Council, declaring the representation to be valueless. The nomination closed without a candidate being proposed. Coal in Otago.—A new seam of coal, fifteen feet thick, and of superior quality, haß been opened at Green Island, near Dunedin. We lenrn that his Excellency the Governor has received a letter from Prince Alfred, saying he will be here in the Galatea, about Dec. 6, 1869.— Neio Zealand Advertiser, Dec 9. Coach Accident. —An accident occurred on Monday, Dec. 7, to Lewis' coach, while on its way from Picton to Blenheim. The horses took fright beyond the Half-way House and bolted. The driver maintained his seat for some time, but bit and whippletree both giving way, lie was obliged to jump to ihe ground, which ho effected without injury. Father Pezant, who was a passenger, attempting to follow the example, dislocated his ankle. He was conveyed to the Tua Merina Hotel, and obtained the services of Dr. Home. Murder by a Maori.—On tho 20th November, Frederick Korncrop, who had formerly been a lieut. in tho Danish nrmy, was murderously tomahawked on the bank of the "Ohau river, by a Maori highwayman, and has since died of his wounds. The ruffian has been captured, and is safely lodged in Welli) glon gaol. The Wanganui Times states that the deposition of the dying man was taken in the absence of tl <> prisoner who was hurried off to Wellington instead of being confronted with his victim so as to be recognised and sworn to by him. Thus, through the ignorance or Btupidity of the policeman the coldblooded as?a«sin who tomahawked that poor man for the sake of plundering his pack will escape the ends of justice as there is no other witness to swear that he gave the murderous blow. It is said that, at the request of the Superintendent of Nelson, the General Government havo consented to appoint a Commission to enquire into the distribution'of the Customs duties collected at the port of Greytuouth. It is notified in the New Zealand Examiner of Oct. 1, that Mr. &nd Miss Fitzherbert were to bo outward passengers per Eoyal Mail steamer of Nov. 2. Rich Claims on the Nelson Goldfields.—The Westport Times of Dec. 3, in its Charleston mining news, states :—" On Argyle Terrace, Hill and party are continuing to earn good wages. Amateur's party —This claim has yielded £7000 during the last thirteen months, and is expected to produce £2000 more before being worked out. Greaves and party — This claim has taken out £6000 during the last nine months, and will probably yield £1.500 more before being worked out.—Two shares in Gordon and party's claim have been sold for £240 each. —A day or two ago, £250 was refused for a share in Henderson and party's claim." Shipping Case.—At Westport, the other day, the Acting Captain of the Westport Eifle Volunteers, sued N. Edwards and Co., of Nelson, for £39 35., the amount of alleged damage to eighteen suits of uniform, received by the steamer Kennedy on the sth tilt. Captain Whitwell, commander of the steamer, Btated that he was six days coming down on that trip in consequence of the roughness of the weather ; that the sea was so heavy they had to put back twice; and that the decks were leaking, through the straining of the vessel. Mr. Crengh, the chief officer of the Kennedy, said that he stowed the case in question J himself about three feet abaft the fore-hatch, and it was properly stowed as dry goods. After the Capt. told him about the case being damaged, he examined below and found a leak with a mark along the whitewash to where the cases were. The Magistrate considered the plaintiff's caße proved, but thought the damage sustained was rated too high. He gave judgment for the plaintiff at the rate of 30s. (£27) per suit, with expenses of survey and costs. One Year's Export of Gold from Westport. <—The Westport Times, of December 5, giveß the following figures (we omit shillings and pence, and pennyweights and grains) : —The following is a return showing the monthly export of gold, and the duty paid thereon, at the Port of Westport, for tho year ended 30th September, 1868 :—

Gold from the Thames. —Eleven hundred ounces I of gold were brought up to Auckland on Nov. 28 from the Thames, and lodged in the Bank of New Zealand; 1500 oza. for the Bank of Australasia. 2100 oza. of gold were brought up from Sbortlaod on Not. 30, mi on Dec. 3,1714 osb,

Henry Woodham was fatally injured at tho Thames goldfield a few days ago, through a large quantity of earth falling on him. Melancholy Story.—Tha barque Novelty arrived at Auckland from Sydney on Dec. 4. Her chief officer (Mr. Auld) died somowhat suddenly on the i hi.-1 day after leaving Sydney, and was committed to I lit' deep. It appears hi* wife had just been aunt to the Lunatic Asylum at Sydney. She had yone to Sydney for the health of the child, which, however, died, and it is supposed to have affected the mother's rensoii. She was arrested walking in the streets with the di-u'l infant dressed in hor arms. This sad inti'-l----ligiMn-e hud a most deleterious effect upon Mr. Auld's h ■iilth, iiml he seemed ns if lie found it impossible to r.illy (V-uti the shock which the intelligence caused. On ihe arrival of Cobb's coach at Munavvatu on tho Ist Dec, the attention of Constable Purcell was attracted to some kits addressed to some Maoris at Mn mi wai ii, forwarded from Wanganui. On examination o-a was found to contain 180 rounds of Government ammunition. Tho constable instantly took ch.ii'ge of it. and forwarded it to Wellington. Five at Manawatu. —About two o'clock on.Mondn} moiniiii.', Dee. 7, a fire broke out at the accommodation house of Mr. Bennet, formerly of Wellington, situate at Ngaruwhakarou, which resulted in the complete destruction of the premises in about twenty minutes. It is not known howth3 fire originated. Mr. Bennett has not saved anything but what he stood up in, and none of the inmates of the house saved anything. The loss is estimated nt £500. The house wus insured for £200. — Independent. Eecovery of Property at Auckland. —The 4 iicklund Weekly News of December sth, says: —"On the night of the 31st of January Captain J. H. Drabble had stolen from the Bendigo Hotel, of which lie was then landlord, a cash box containing from £2 10s. to £3 in cash, a bundle of bills of exchange, second and third, amounting to about £200, all drawn on Calcutta and Oriental Bank and five promissory notes amounting to about £40, and a number of important private papers. At the time of the robbery every possible search was made for the robber, bnt without avail. The box, with all its contents except the cash, was found yesterday morning by Mr. George Burton, whilst digging in his garden near Captain Butt's private residence, who handed it over to tho police. The box had been broken open and the cash extracted, but the papers remain uninjured save for the stains caused by the damp of their long burial." Daring Robbery at Wanganui.—During the temporary absence of Mr. Walker, tobacconist, from Wanganui, Mr. Villiers was left in charge of his premises, but as he is a member of the Cavalry Volunteers, and that force being stationed at the Front, he was absent about a week. During this time some person or persons had gained admittance to the billiard-room by means of a ialse key, and wrenched off the lock of the door opening from thence into the shop. Having thus gained admission, they plundered everything of value they could lay hands on, carefully sorting out. all the saleable, goods. Amongst the stolen property —valued at £70 —is a valuable gold watch and chain, about £17 in cash, and a quantity of meeischain pipes.— Herald, Dec. 11. Corporation Partiality.-—The Dunedin correspondent of the Grey River Argus, writing on the 21st ult., gives the following : —" At the meeting of the City Council on Wednesday, a nice little cuse was ventilated. Some time age, a poor fellow, a stonebreaker, was brought, before tho Magistrate and fined two pounds and costs for cutting down a small manuka to make n shaft for his hammer. A week or two ago, a Mr. Wilson, residing at the north end, by himself or his servants, broke up and removed a large quantity of timber for firewood. Tho ranger came upon them, and very properly served a summons, but the offending party, being influentiul, goes to the Mayor, and the members of the reserves committee, and succeeds in having the summons withdrawn. However, it becomes talked of, tho timber is valued, and Wilson pays the Corporation £5. At the meeting of the Council on Wednesday, Mr. Dods (Leith Ward) had the subject re-opened, and gave the reserves committee a very well deserved wigging ior thus making fish of one and flesh of another. Eventually the matter was referred back, so it may yet come before the public in another plnce." The Auckland Punch gives insertion, gratis, to tho following advertisement: —" Card —Tito Kowaru & Co., Butchers and Drysalters, The Gorgu—Patea — West Coast. Families waited on in town or country at suprisingly short notice. A largo supply of Cured Constable, Potted Pakeha, and dried Militiaman, always on hand. N.B. —Sole Agents for Stafford & Co.'s Aboriginal Irritant. Place of business in London, Exeter Hall, Strand. W.C." The notorious Garrett, who is 55 years of age, was sentenced at Dunedin, on Dec. 3, to twenty years' imprisonment for house-breaking and robbery. Caution to Captains.—Captain Palmer, of tho p.s Charles Edward, has been fined £10 and costs, for omitting to give notice of his departure, on the 19th November, for Nelson and Auckland tothe Postmaster at Westport. Captain Palmer, in defence, said he had waited for the mails before and had not got them —ou one occasion three-quarters of an hour, and then had to leave without them. He (Captain Palmer) gave no notice at all. He was to have sailed on the 18th, and there was the stamps on his papers for the 19th ult. The notice which was given was only for Nelson, not for the Manukau. On that occasion the steamer was whistling from twenty minutes past two to ten nrnute.s to three o'clock, and that should have intimated to Mr. Winstanley (the Postmaster) that she was going. Two Extremes.—ln the Mount Gambier district, South Australia, there is not a single licensed publichouse. —In one booth at the late National Show at Ballarat, Victoria, there were no fewer than 7540 nobblcra served in one day orer the bar.

1867. October, November, December, 1868. ozs. 7,092 14,540 8,178 DUTY. £886 1,817 1,022 January, February March, April,... May, ... June, ... July, ... August, September, 7,855 15,376 6,590 16,181 10,063 10,645 13,628 8,218 12,435 981 1,922 823 2,022 1,257 1,330 1,703 1.027 1,554 130,805 £16,350