NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Issue 1567, 27 September 1872, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

FIRE BRIGADE DINNER. . Last night, the annual dinner of the Nelson Eire Brigade, took place at the Trafalgar Hotel, when upwards of fifty persons sat down to a very excellent repast, furnished by Mr. R Disher in irreproachable style. The Deputy-Superintendent (Mr. H. Adams) occupied the chair, and Mr. Percy the vice-chair. The usual loyal toasts having been heartily drunk, Mr. C. Elliott proposed " the Superintendent and the Provincial Council." The Chairman, the only Provincial Councillor present, acknowledged the toast. 7 The Deputy-Superintendent proposed "the Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade." He was sure too much praise couldnot be given to the Brigade; the fact that the Insurance offices had reduced th**ir premiums 25 percent, was, in itself, arecognition of their services, but he thought that there was a necessity for more hoses than the Brigade had at present, especially, at the back of the Church, and the, Waimea-road, somewhere near the Golden Fleece. Captain WijissTT responded to the toast, and suggesied that the inhabitants of Nelson should form a corps of Fire Police, as one of their greatest difficulties when actively engaged at a fire was that the populace thronged to the place, and would not allow them room to do their work so well and efficiently as they might if there were a Police corps to keep them in order. Mr. Cooksey then proposed tho health of their Secre'ary, Mr. J. W. Wigzell, and on behalf of the Brigade presented him with a beautiful marble French clock, purchased from Mr. Hunter, which bore the following inscription : — " Presented to J. W. Wigzell by tbe Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade, as a token of their respect and esteem for having f-uthfully fulfilled the duties of honorary Secretary for sis years. -* September 26, 1872." Mr. WiazELL sincerely thanked the members of the Brigade for the testimonial, and especialty as it had come from a fund called the members' fund, which was composed entirely of subscriptions out of the members own pockets Captain Wimsett proposed the " Health and prosperity of the Auxiliary Brigade," to which Mr. Joseph Garrard responded. Mr. Pitt proposed "the Insurance Company's," which was responded to by Mr. Bullick, who referred to the suggestion of Captain Wimsett as to a Fire Police, and read the rules of a similar corps that was in existence at Christchureh, and of which he was formerly a member. He also said that, the South British Insurance office, which he represented, would gladly meet the other Insurance Offices in the City, and pay its quota to any subscription to the Brigade that might be agreed upon. Mr. W. Akersten proposed " the City and Tra*le of Nelson," which was responded to by Mr. J. R. Dodson. Mr. Maclean proposed, and Mr. Percy responded to " the Board of Works." Several other toasts were given. The toasts were throughout interspersed with some excellent songs, which Mr. Oakey accompanied on the pianoforte, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent. Artizans' Entertainment. —We remind our readers of this entertainment, which takes place to-night, at the Oddfellows' Hall. The object for which it is given should be sufficient to draw a crowded house. A carpenter named James Fieldes, while moving the fire-bell on Wednesday last, was injured by a bolt falling from the top of the old scaffold upon hia head, which inflicted a severe cut two or three inches in length. He has not yet been able to resume work. Crushing was commenced last week at the Alpine Company's battery, Lyell, upon stone from the Little Wonder, owned by Caroll and Cairns. One 100 tons is expected to yield at least 1500 ounces of gold, or a dividend from the first crushing of between £2000 md £3000 per sikoxe,—lnangahua Herald_ Sept. IS.

SSbudA.tM't OdtettttT-G.— Thii election of two inp tubers of the Nelson Local Education Committee took place on Tuesday last. Mr. H. D. Jackson, who occupied the chair, stated that the vacancies were caused by the non-attendance of Dr. Irvine and Mr. R Burn at three successive monthly meetings. Mr. Burn made an explana ion to the ratepayers, and stated the reason of his absence on one occasion was that at the time he was not in Nelson, and on another, that he had mistaken the day on which the Committee met, and that during the three months he had attended two special meetings, and therefore did not think that his seat waa vacant. After some discussion, the Chairman said that it. was not their Province to decide whether Mr. Burn had or had not forfeited his seat,; it had bpen declared that he had done so, and all they had to do was to fill the vacancies caused by such forfeiture. Messrs. R. Burn, P. Cooke, J. Hooper, C. L. Maclean, D. Grant, and J. Henry were proposed, and the two first gentlemen elected. Mr. P. Cooke will hold his seat until June 1873, and Mr. Burn till June, 1874. A vote of thanks was then accorded to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. The Australian Mutual Provident Society. —Those of our readers who aro interested in the above mentioned society are requested to read an article on the eighth pago. Crime at Reefton. —The correspondent of the Westport Times writes frora Reefton on September 19th:—"In the criminal jurisdiction ou the same day, Andrew M-Shane and William Roberts were brought up charged with shooting with intent. Roberts was discharged, M'Shane was remanded till this morning, when he was duly committed to take his trial at tbe next sitting of the District Court, to be holden at Westport. John Williams was charged with shooting with intent, &c, at Daniel Quadri. A Tery bad feature in this case is that Quadri was endeavoring to turn the prisoner out of his wife's bed-room at the time when he fired off the gun, which was so heavily loaded that the boards of the door were actually punctured, and were produced in Court. Charles Sibree and George Barton were again brought up, charged with the wil ul murder of Thomas Costello, no further evidence being forthcoming, his Worship ordered the discharge of Sibree, and remanded Burton for another week." We (Greymouth Star, September 20) understand that a requisition is in course of signature in the Grey Valley district to Mr. D. M. Luckie of Nelson, to stand as a candidate for the Superintendency of Nelson. Sea Encroachment at Westport.—The everencroaching sea has taken yet another slice off Glad-stone-street, Westport; the only habitable dwellings therein remaining, except the Camp buildings and gaol, being the Post-office Hotel and Mr. West's bakery store. All the other houses, says the Times, have been pulled down or are in course of removal; as also from the end of Kennedy-street, and each succeeding tide for the last three or lour days has made rapid encroachments. The new township site at tho upper end of Palmerston-street is gradually presenting the outlines of its future somblauce, Rintoul and Wakefield-streets are drained, ballasted, and metalled to the contract width, and a tramway having been laid along Palmerston-street, that thoroughfare also is now nearly completed.— Grey River Argus, September 21. The farmers in the Grey Valley are having splendid weather for their operations. The annual ploughing match was a great success, and so was the banquet.— Argus, September 19. A CRUSHING of four cwt. of stone from Rainy Creek, half of which was tested at Hokitika and half at Greymouth, has yielded at the rate of one and a-half ounces to the ton. Weakness of the Present Government.—The Hawke's Bay Herald is informed by a telegram received from its special correspondent that a number of those who voted against the late Ministry already repent the steps they have taken. Misled by false representations, they pledged themselves before they heard the other side of the story, and, aB in honor bound, they felt compelled to fulfil those pledges. Dr. Hector has been instructed' by the Government to proceed to Hokitika, for the purpose of inspecting the Kanieri (Westland) coal-field, and reporting thereon. He may be expected to arrive iv a few days.— Greymouth Star, September 21. The Waikato railway works are proceeding. Another section has been commenced, and a number of the navvies lately arrived set to work. A man, while burning furze at Taranaki last week, had a fit, and fell into the fire, and was dreadfully burnt. Pabiaka Native Meeting.—Another of these half yearly native meetings has terminated as many a previous one has done before, iv nothing being said or accomplished worth recording. There were over 1200 natives present, and the kai not being so plentiful as usual, the meeting oaine to a termination gui ker than on former occasions. The korero was of the same description as we have so of!en reported. Te Whiti still considers himself a god, aud tried to impress upon the other natives to look upon him as such. Tliere were no political quostions mooted. Mr. Parris, who attei.ded the meeting, returned to town on Thursday evening.— Taranaki Herald. September 21. Under tho heading "An Old Acquaintance," the Dunedin Star says : —The Chinese giant Chang has returned to China, where he carries on the business of a merchant. He took with him a wife he had found in Australia. It is said that the lady's head just reaches the lowest button of Changs waistcoat, The petition in favor of the Permissive Bill sent from the Thames contained 1584 names, was 50ft. long, and weighed three-quarters of a pound. Of these signatures only 63 were signed with a cross. The Reefton and Black's Point tramway is proceeding. The contractors are engaged preparing the line for the reception of sleepers and rails, and are progressing at the rate of about three chains per diem. Between six and seven hundred shares of the twelve hundred forming the capital of the company, have been applied for. A most perfect specimen of a fossil oyster has been found at a depth of about eighty feet below the surface, embedded in grey sandstone rock. It was discovered during ihe sinking of a new shaft at Mr. Pollock's coal pit at Green island, Otago. Mr. Mackay.—We (Bay of Plenty Times, September 18) learn by a private telegram that Mr. James Mackay has been appointed Native Commissioner for the North Island, under the present Native Minister, Mr. Stafford. We heartily congratulate Mr. Mackay on the appointment and believe we could not have got a better man. A 620z. nugget was found the other day at Humbug Hill, Inglewood, Victoria. The place ought to be re-named. — Greymouth Star. Me. Stafford's Pahty —A Southern paper says —" Mr. Stafford has carried his resolutions solely by the aid of men of whom, without attributing to them any personal motives, beyond those by which average human nature ib actuated, it may be fairly said they have been battling for interests with which they are ad personally identified, and on which they are all personally dependent. These interests aro antagonistic to, and destructive of, tho interests represented by the minority. Tlie former are either purely local or purely personal • the latter are colonial, general, and of vital importance." A coroner's inquest whs held before C. Whiteford, Esq., Coroner at Hines' Hotel No Town, on the remains of a man named Michael M'Numara, who was killed on the previous day at Tunnel Gully, a branch of Rough and Tumble Creek. A jury having been sworn, of which Mr. Samuel Haisty was chosen foreman, they proceeded to view the body, which was lying at Hines' Hotel. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased and his mate were fossicking about tbe locality, and the deceased at the time the accident occurred, was working alone, gouging under an overhanging bank. The earth slipped, burying him up to the middle, and his cries attracted the attention of his mate, T. Hines, and M'Kenzie's party, who are ground sluicing in tho "vicinity. The unfortunate roun was extricated and conveyed to his hut. Such medical assistance as was available on the spot was procured for him, hut although there were not any visible external injuries to account for the agony thn poor man evidently suffered, he died on Saturday evening.— Grey River Argus*

W«? learn from the Dt>niitl,l Times thpt Andoso and Go's dredgfe on the Kawar-au river, near Roarin Me" Creek, has obtaiued 40o2&. of coarse gold as th result of a week's work. Catholic Cathedral at Auckland.—On Sunda afternoon a meeting of the Roman Catholics c Auckland was held for the purpose of considerin what steps should be taken in respect to the cathedrc fund. Bishop Croke presided. It was stated tha £1200 had already been received and placed in th bank at interest, and that £200 more had bee promised but not yet paid. This statement of th state of the fund gave general satisfaction, and a; were resolved to swell the fund as rapidly as possiblt — Southern Cross September 24. The Superintendency of Auckland.—Messrs Vogel, John Williamson, Lusk, O'Rorke, and Sheehai are mentioned as probable candidates <br the Super intendency of Auckland on the retirement of Mi Gillis. The Thames Advertiser states that Mi Williamson either has been, or is about to be, offerei an appointment of a permanent nature, but whethe he will accept Ihe office is not known. On Sunday afternoon last, whiie Mr. Daniel Brown of Roslyn. Ota^o, an old settler, was removing a bul which had been tethered in one of his paddocks, th animal suddenly rushed him, goring him in the back and trampling upon him. Fortunately, a neighbor Mr. Livingston, who heard Mr. Brown's cries obtained assistance and rescued him from his perilcui situation. Dr. Borrows, who was sent for, ascortainec that one of Mr Brown's ribs was broken, aud tha' he had sustain ed 0 her severe injuries, but ho is nol apprehensive tf any dangerous results from th< accident. Thb Natives and Railway Works.—We learr that Mr. Owen Jones has obtained the contract, undei Messrs. Brogden and Son, for the construction of 18-] miles of tho Auckland and Mercer Railway, beyonc Mangere. It is intended to place at least 40 Eingite natives at work on the Mercer end of the line. The anxiety for employment amongst the Hauhaus is sc great that, it is said 400 of them could be induced to commence work upon the railway. By inducing the Hauhau natives to serve under European masters, and so become associated in their interests with the pakeha, much good is likely to be effected.— Southern Cross, Sept. 24. The Rev. Father Nivard has been presented at the Thames, with a handso-ne silver snuff-box, accompanied by a suitable address, expressing the high esteem he was held in by all classes. Latest Ministerial Intelligence.—A correspondent transmits us (Taranaki Herald) the following extract from a letter from Wellington, dated 21st September .—" Mr. Stafford is not strong enough to carry any measut-e. Fate of Ministry depends on Egmont election. If Mr. Moorhouse is returned, Ministerial defeat certain, and Messrs. Waterhouse, M'Lean, and Vogel will form a new Ministry. If Major Atkinson is returned ho will go in as Defence Minister, with Colonel Whitmor-e in command of the forces. Mr. J. C. Richmond is to be called to the Upper House, and take Native Department; Mr. Stafford, Premier, without department, and the other offices unchanged. Te Whiti and Parata are mentioned as the two Maoris who are to be called to the Cabinet. Waingongoro and Waitotara Natives to return to their land, and compensated for being kept off it by the late Ministry." Soap and' Candle Manufactories in Auckland. —The Southern Cross of September 19r,h gives an article on the above-name*! industries, from which wo extract tbe following information :—The amount of soap manufactured by Mr. Allender, at Pamell, is about six tons per week. After seeing everything connected with the soap-makiug, we proceeded to the candle department. Although it is impossible to moke as many candles in hot weather as in cold, Mr. Allender hopes shortly to produce as many in the midst of summer as in the depth of winter. Ho intends trying a process at present known to nobody but himself. He has also obtained a machine for rendering tallow by steam. —Messrs. Warnock Brothers' manufactory, although of less imposing appearance than Mr. Allender's, has the credit of doing as large a trade, and there are more men employed about the place. In the matter of soap, Messrs. Warnock Brothers are reported to turn out about 35 tons per month. They make a large quantity of mottled soap, which, judging from the sales, seems to be preferred to the imported articles. Their candles also find a ready sale.—The Freeman's Bay establishment, owned by Mr. G. Jkers (late J. Geddes and Co.), is not a very large affair, but it must not be overlooked on that acconnt. Mr. Akers makes about two tons of mottled and yellow soap weekly, and about 60 boxes of candles per year. Fatal Accident. —A very sad occurrence formed the subject of an enquiry at Panmure on Wednesday, before the coroner for the district, and a respectable jury. The deceased was a son of Mr. Evans, tollkesper at the Tamaki Bridge. The child was playing about unobserved by his father, when it became neccessary to open the bridge, and the little boy gbt jammed between two sections of the structure, and was crushed to death, Evidence adduced at the inquest showed that no blame could be attached to Mr. Evans, and a verdictof "Accidental death " was returned.— Southern Cross, September 20. What the Late Ministry Accomplished.—They have succeeded in rectifying Mr. Stafford's blunders, in reviving the energies of the Colony and placing il —as is not denied —in a prosperous condition, in restoring peace after he had misguided us iuto a state of things when he considered the conquest of a permanent peace—a war of extermination that is — absolutely unavoidable, and in so consolidating oui satisfactory relations with the natives that they are able to propose a general amnesty. These are undeniable facts, and Mr. Stafford has nothing to show, in a long and chequred public career but unfulfilled promises of retrenchment and reform, broken pledges, a succession of grave administrative mistakes, and consequent additions to our burdens, — Taranaki Herald September 21. Mr. M'Lean and Mr. Stafford.—lt has been said, with something which very much resembles a threat, that Mr. M'Lean " dare not" refuse the country his services if they are demanded, and if the maintenance of peace depends upon him. That the maintenance of peace and, consequently, the success of the Public Works and Immigration policy depends upon Mr. M'Lean in a very large degree, if not altogether, we have nc manner of doubt. There is no other man that we have ever heard of who possesses to anything like the same extent the respeot and confidence of all the natives—Kingites, neutrals, and friendlies alike—the absolute devotion of a very large section. It if absurd to cay that Mr. M'Lean is refusing his services to " the country." He is doing nothing oi the sort, but simply asserting the right, which everj man possesses, to choose his own colleagues. Hi may have—and it would appear that he does have— an indestructable conviction that any Governmen which includes Mr. Stafford and the men he would dray around him must inevitably, directly or indirectly prevent the full and complete realisation of his nativi policy, no matter what pledges they are prepared t< give. With this conviction, it is his duty, in tlii interests of the country, which wo believe he hai thoroughly at heart, to make the stand he has made — Lyttleton Times.