LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1735, 28 March 1874, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Register! Reg-ister!—Non-electors are reminded that only three days now remain during which they can send in claims for the franchise. Forms of application can be had gratis at the Office of this paper. We are requested to draw attention to the alteration of the day on which the funeral of the late Mr John Fitzgerald takes place at Waimea West. It is flow fixed to takes place at three p.tn to-morrow. The Artillery Company. — Last night, the entertainment in aid of the band fund of the company, was very largely patronised, and on the whole was a very successful affair. In the songs and chorus of the first part the voices were rather uncertain, but tliej improved as they progressed. Tha chorus of " Par!ant pour la Syrii»," being the best, executed i throughout. The preferable subject of this part, was a recitation entitled, " A Lay of Borne,'1 which was delivered with precision and considerable judgment. The melodrama of " The Rovers Bride" was so well performed that we hope it will be repeated, when we shall have a better opportunity of describing the aoting than the late hour at which it terminated last night permits on this occasion. We must content ourselves at present by saying that it wa.9 most pleasingly and successfully given, and that the characters were exceedingly well sustained throughout. The bund played with its usual success Bevei'ul times during the evening, with credit to its members, and with pleasure to I he audience.

The Bishop's School.-The Hon D.M'Lsan visited yesterday the .Bishop's School while the boys were going through their drill under .VI r. (in Montalk, tbe assistant muster, one of tho officers of the Artillery Company of out1 City, and he declared liiraself very well pleased with the result of his inspection. The Ngak await Coal Seams.—The Ino, a steamer of 40 tons register lately built at Hokitika has made several successful trips from Westport to the Albion Chmpany's mine on this river returning with from 42 to 47 tons of coal, on a draft of 4ft lOin forward, and alt 7in aft. Captain Leech, the Harbor-master at Westport, who accompanies the steamer on one of her trips, report 9ft of water on the J&ga&awhau bur going in, and Sf't on ooming out one hour beforo high water. Mr Cross tho Harbor-master of this port on his return from a recent visit to the Coa3t, spoke very favorably of the entrance to this river. It would seem, and we cordially hope it will prove so, that with suitable steamers tjiese splended mines will soon be worked with profit f§ their ovvuers and advantage to the Province and Colony. The Ino leaves Westport shortly for Nelson, to have eccentrics properly fitted, aud other portions of her machinery attended to. She does not go astern well. Richmond Wesleyan Sunday School Anniveusakx. —Sermons in connection with this anniversary were preached last Sunday morning and evening by the Rev Mr Buddie, to large congregations. On tho following Wednesday, a public tea was provided in the Agricultural Hall for children attending the school, and the adults ; after which, a public meeting was held in the Weslejan Church, when the moefing was addressed by Mr Dartuall (chairman) theßdv Mr Buddie, Rev Mr Oantiell, aud Messrs Hodder, Harkuess, Rose, and Croucher. The niuetina was much enlivened by the singing of the children. Pkkseverance Minr.—A correspondent sends us a lout; communication respecting this mine. He behoves there never was a real reef developed in the mine, but thinks one might be, discovered by deep sinking. Indeed, the importance to the district of a trial of deep sinking is so great, that he beiieves Government money might be worse (and not much better) spent in aiding such an experiment. If the experiment proved a payable one to the Company, the Government to be refunded. He further believes, that the majority at tho late meeting in favor of winding-up the Company, waa so small, that the Directors ought not io take action for so doing, until a poll ou the question by all the shareholders has taken place. Our correspondent will fee by an advertisement in another column that the final decision of the shareholders will be taken at an extraordinary meeting on April 23rd. Gkey Vallky in Nelson Provincial Council. —'The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Grey Valley in iho Provincial Council in the room of Mr Guinness, took place on March 21st, when Mr William Henry Lash, of No'.'le's Creelf; Mr John William Jones, of Oallughan Creek; Mr Bernard Maguire; and Mr Michael Henry Hoyden. The show of hands was:—Jones, 9; Hayden, 9 ; Lush, 6; and Miiguire, 4. The polling takes place this day, (.Saturday). The Kennedy Family, in their entertainment " Twn Hours at Hame," are drawing crowdod houses in Christchurch, These Scotch vocalists will shortly visit Nelson. Unclaimed Letters.—The following is a list of the letters received at the Post-office, Nslson, during the month of November, and remaining unclaimed on the 28th February, 1874 : — Alston, F., Clara, Nelson Launed, Elizabeth " A.B" Loulds, James Bain, D., Maid of Otago " M.R" Bronetto, A., Taranaki Mercer, F. H., Charles Blomberg, G. H., Annio Edward Braginton Newtoa, T, and Co Eowden, Jus. C, Waitnea Ohlsen, C. Curr, John L. O'JKeele, T. Dow, C, Collingwood Oxley, Henry Lawson, W. Pinder Piekett, E. W. Davidson, Mrs Parker, R. Davidson, Mrs A. Powell, Mr " Emily" Patterson, C. Egan, D., Nelson Hotel Pear, Alfred Fitzmaurice, James Norris, Susan, Waimea Ford, George West Ford, Mrs E. M. Rowley, R. and Co Fowler, W. H. Saul, H. Fogharty, Captain Savill, S. Gar iner, D. Scott, G. A. Grignan, Annie Shailer T. Harris, Miss I. Shailer, H. Hilmer, F., Kanzau Shilling, W, Ketch XXX Hornby, Miss Stewart, John Hudson, William Spittal, W, Spring Grove Harris, W, Spring Grove Scott, W. I). „ Harvey, Mr, „ Studson, J. „ Hellyer, H. H. Scott, G. „ Jenningß, H., Reefton Scott, Sarah, „ Krahagen, Walter Towndrone, EL T. Lowther, Charles Vallentinsen, 0. Leech, C. D. Whayman, Mrs J, Walker, Q-, Spring Grove

A COIONIAIrBRED HORSE POB THE ASCOT CUP.'h \ horse bred at the Gape of Good Hope has bee it -icnt to England and entered for the Ascot Cup < ■y this year. This, as far as we are aware, will be th >c first occasion on which a Colonial-bred horse b.£ raced in England. A hurdle-racer was sent horn >y from Melbourne two years ago, but he was nc n allowed to start; through some queer practices of hi Colonial owner. Sir Hercules when two years ol tk had a passage taken for him by his breeder, Mr C k Smith, of Sydney, but the sudden death of the gentleman saved the horse to the Colonies, where h proved the most valuable eive they ever possessor d There was a talk at one time of sending home Th Barb, the flying son of Sir Hercules, but it was nc 1, done. It would be exceedingly interesting to se it what, a Colonial-bred horse could do against, th i. craaks in England, Tor however well a horse hiss ra: <i in England, when brought, out and raood in th it Colo ics the result has been invariably a disappoint c mend. . The late Accident at the Moutrre. —M (Tewetson desires us 10 say that in our issue of th t, 21st, describing an accident which caused the deatl ■ of Mrs Bonaeman, we erroneously snid it nccurra c near his houne, whe'eas, it happened a quarter of i »• mile away, and was unknown to Mr Howetson (o g more than an hour afterwards. No pigs were oi s the road fir near the apot to frighten the horse neither did Mr Hewetson send a trap as stated b] our first correspondent. 1 Importation of Thoroughbred Horses. —Twc - exceedingly well-bred stallions were imported tc 3 Canterbury about three weeks ago by Mr E. G i Griffiths, Secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club and both were landed in capital condition. The first whs Blue Boy, a brown colt four years o!d, bj Beadsman,dam Bumb'ekite,by Voltigcur—Sweet hriei by Stockwell—Eglantine, by Flying Dutchman— Azaliii, by Catton. Beadsman, a Derbvwinner, by I Weatherbit, has been a highly successful sire, having ' got Blue Gown, Pero Gomez, and many other turi ' celebrities. Bumblelute was the dam of Khedivej 1 who at one time stood high in the Derby b tting oi 1873. Blue Boy whs a creditable performer on the • turf, and won the Manchester tup last year. The 1 second horse is Albany, seven years old, by Thor--1 manby, dam Griselda, by Toucbstoue —Blameless, by Reveller—Namesake, by Emilius. Thormanby was also a Derby-winner, and Alb my is said to have won several races in England. The importation of these horses is very opportune as a good stallion was much needed in Canterbury, to take the place of Traducer, who is growing old. Provincial Surveys.—Some changes are about to ba made in the Provincial Survey department. Mr Trent will take charge of the Grey Survey District, find will be succeeded at Westport by Mr Sayle, of Nelson. Mr Lewis, at present in charge of the Gray District, will be transferred to Nelson.— Westport Tunes. The Westport Times of March 24th, states: —A dividend has been declared of £150 on each of the twenty shares held in the Break o' D *y Company. Mr Joseph Ivess, M.P.C, has sold the plant of the Greymoulh Star to Messrs Petrie and Bishop, of the Greymouth Mail. Large Fike at the Grey.—The Grey River Argus of March 24th, states : —" Messrs M'Kinlay Bros., of Totava Flat, sustained a serious loss through a fire which occurred at their homestead on Sunday evening. The fire w^is first discovered in the barn, which was filled with proriuc;l, and extended to the barn-yard, consuming several stacks of o.its in sheaf, and destroying the chaff-cutting machinery and other j valuable plant and material. The duelling house i narrowly escaped. There were some ninety tons of j oat-en hay destroyed, together with the newly-erected I bam and other buildings, as well as the cutting machinery and fanning implements, making a total loss of quite £2000 The cause of the fire is not, known wirh certainty, but is supposed to have originated in the barn through the heating of a portion of the produce." Killed.—The Picton Press of March 25th, states: —" We regret <o learn tint Mr Jolin Powick of Tua Marina was, on Saturday evening last, thrown from his horse while riding between the Big Bush and the Fer/y, and was killed on the spot." Coal near Picton.—The Picton Press of March 25th, states: —"On Wednesday las! it was reported in Picton that a seam of coal had teen discovered in dose proximity to the town. Upon making enquiries it was found that the rumor was correct, and that at Shakespeare Bay there really is a scam of coal. Specimens of the article were Bhown and tested, and it was found that the pieces obtained from near the surface presented every indication of true coal. It is raiher friable, due to its exposure to the atmosphere, but breaks with a clean fracture, and is sufficiently hard to be crumbled without unduly soiling the hands, both of these being ch-iraeteristies wanting in lignite. Subject to the test of fire, the sample burnt with a bright flame, showing the presence of gas in large quantity, and burnt cleanly away, leaving a very small quantity of cle-un ash as residue. The simple of coal wa3 not subjected to any more accurate test to determine its evaporating power, but there is no reason to beMeve from its appearance and the trials already made, thai it is deficient in any quality possessed by the best coal in the Colony. Some years since specimens of coal were discovered near the place this seam was found, but it was thought at the time that the presence of the mineral was due to accidental circumstances, and that probably it h id been dropped where it bad been picked up." A Reproof.—lf Nelson can only be aroused from its lediargy and induced to avail itself of the large mineral deposits which lie at its doors it would have less reason to complain in the future than it hss of the past. Speaking of the Para Para Iron-field, \) ing to the eastward and southward of Te Para Para inlet on the shoros of Golden Bay, and four miles south of Collingwood harbor, in the Nelson Province, Mr Thomas Maokay, Civil Engineer, says :—" In the whole course of my experience, and I have seen some of the largest coal and irou fields in Britain, I have never seen anything so extensive of the kind exposed to view, and with such facilities for profitable working." Still, wo learn the Nelson people remain quite apathetic, and shares in a company to work the iron and turn it to profitable nucount are being applied for by strangers.— New Zealand Herald. At Dunedin, tiie opinion of four of the ablest lawyers has been taken as to the legality of opening the Atheutßum on Sunday. All agree that it is perfectly legal The Wanganui Herald states : — The Good Templars and the publicans have coalesced, and are moving the widows and maids of our town to oppose to their la-it, vote, the granting of a license to Mrs Atkinson, who is about having ereclod a first-class hotel at, Taupo Quay. Why rs f* whole brigade of paid canvassers employed to work up votes against Mrs Atkinson's hotel? The reply appears obvious, — that it, is (eared the hotel will be so well conducted as to injure the inferior ones. Thu3 the GooJ Templars are enguged in maintaining a monopoly in a way that will not operate in favor of public morality. The Pariaka Native Parliament bus held its halfyearly session. It was convened by Te Whiti for Tuesday last, and about four uundred natives were in attendance. The pr.ice. dings were opened at eight o'clock, when Te Whiti made a most sensible address, which was devoid of that usual prophetic lore so customary in his speeches. Everything appeared to be going on satisfactorily until Hemi Parai introduced the question of the extension of the telegraph wire across the Pariaka District. This was violently opposed by Ngatairakaunui, who denounced it in strong langu»ge. There is, however, a strong section of natives who are anxious to see the telegraph carried through the district, and if a firm attitude is adopted by t c Government, this important work may be yet surcessfully accomplished. The natives were told by Mr Parris that the Government intended to erect a lighthouse at Cape Egmont, to which they gave no reply. We think the time has now arrived for us to speak to the natives there as we would to Europeans. They may object to this course at, first, but seeing we are determined, will yield to our wishes without let or hindrance. — Taranaki Berald, March 21. Italy has discovered a new musical genius in Signor Gobotti, a young man of 23, who has just produced on opera, "Lee Goths," for which he has recciyod £1400.

— A Novel Plant.—ln Java, we learn that, whei m the ladies are in want of a husband, they have i jf pretty horticultural way of notifying the fact, b; ie hanging an empty flower pot or vase up in the portico is If this be called a " plant" by the unsympathetic, ni ie one can complain of due notice not being given. ?* A Highland Pipes in Yarkand.—The Highlam 18 piper who accompanied the mission to Yarkand seetni * to have been an object of great admiration to thi J' people at large. On one occasion, when Mr Forsytl l" invited the Prime Minister to be present at a perform 16 a nee by the kilted musician, the worthy dignitary *• who appears tn have been greatly pleased with music c persistently kept his face turned from the performer "• Mr Forsyth was at first afraid that something bac c offended him, but on his mentioning his fear, was c assured by the Minister that he only turued away lest n the Highlander should be disconcerted at the though! c that it might be observed that he had forgotten his '" trousers. — Guardian. A Warning to Life Insurers.—A policy holder, r whose life has been for more than 15 years insured ie c an important English company, is just now in narrow '' circumstances, tie wanted to bori^w a few pounds '■' from the company wherewith to pay bis premium, a And although at the time this company was r advertising that it, would, without any further oi v personal responsibility, lend up to surrender value, '« this trifling advance was poai:ively refused! The y reason assigned was that some of the clauses of the now act were so difficult to understand that such had 3 been submitted to counsel. Thus, but for the kind--5 ness of a friend, a valuable interest —worth several • hundred pounds—would have been forfeited through > the want of a £5 note ! — Australasian, March 21. Officialism with a Vengeance.—An inquiring sort of man hus been looking i to the building of thi' new water tunnel in Chicago. He found at each of the three shafts five city inspectors superintending the work of seven workmen. The 15 inspectors were drawing an aggregate of 90dols a day, and the workmen 42d01sThs Moon and the Weather.—The influence exercised by th« moon on meteorological phenomena has been the subject of a communication to the Aeadetnie dcs Sciences of Puris, by M. Marcbaud. From examining the distribution of storms between the years 1785 and 1872 he supposes that he detects some relation betweon the appearance ot storms and the ago of the moon, and he attempts to show by tables that the moon has an appreciable influence on the temperature and pressure of the air, on the state of the sky, and the distribution of rain. Retrenchment. —The Minnesota Legislature has adopted a resolution and cut down the cost of stationary for the session from 4000dols to 500dols. Th 3 last session voted 8000dols for postage stamps, which has also been cut off. It a good thing for a party to be put upon small majorities occasionally. Brigandage in Persia is stated to be increasing. The English mail proceeding to Ispahan and tne Russian mail between Teheran and Risht, have both been plundered by brigands. According to the monthly letter just issued by the Protestant Alliance, the total number of Roman Catholic Bishops and priests in England and Wales at present, is 1662, which shows an increase since 1851 of flight bishops and 167 priests, The total number in Great Britain is 1893 —an increase of 935 since the above date. The total number of churches, chapels, and stations in Great Britain is 1253 (aocording to the Tablet), and 247 chapels of communities in addition, being an increase of 570 places of worship sine.-) 1851. There ai\s 86 religious houses of men being an increase of 69 since the above date. There arj 268 convents, while in 1851 there were but 53. Then there were but 11 colleges, and now there are 20. Relics of Past Ages.—ln excavating earth at Box-hall, Milton, near Sittingboure, some laborers have found a Roman coffin, which was found to contain a few bones, a beautifully twisted wire gold ring and some wooden square-headed nails, quite perfect. The coffin was in tolerably good condition. The field in which it was discovered was formerly a Roman cemetery, and six or eight coffins—some being \ery elaborately ornamented —have been found there. Mr Henry N. Cox writes to the Times that an interesting discovery has been made at Hedhill, about three miles from Bournemouth, on the farm of Mr Robert Scare, of Muscliffe. He states that 86 urns, many of them containing portions of human bones, have been dug up. A portion of the mound where they were found has not yet been removed. The urn* are, in Mr Cox's opinion, Roman, but a few persons who have already visited the spot think they must be ancient British. Mr Cox adds, that only one of the urns has been secured in even tolerable preservation. They are found only Gin or Sin below the surface, and are about 2ft. deep. They quickly tumble to piecesou being removed, but if exposed to the air for a time they become hardened. The ladies of Edinburgh resolved to present to the bride of the Duke of Edinburgh an elegant album, containing views of Scottish scenery, painted by eminent, Scottish artists. Upwards of £300 were subscribed. Mr Washbourne, the American Minister, presented on January 19 to M. Thiers a gold medal struck in his honor by the French citizens resident in Philadelphia. A Gorilla.—For assuming, together with the outward semblance of a gorilla, the playful manners of one, to the great terror of women, children, and nervous people, a soldier, on furlough from the 12t'i Foot, was the other day brought in his monkey dress, complete from head to tail, before Mr Benson, at the Southwark Police Court, London, and was ordered to find security for a month's good behaviour. The sale of pows in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn —the Piev Henry Ward Bseeher's—took place on January 6, in the church. The prices of the pews were marked on each, ranging from $120 to $20. The auction was to secure the privilege of choice. The prices bid for choices ranged from §400 to §11, so that the sums given for both pews and choices ranged from $520 to $31. The aggregate was $59,470 agam.it $60,232 last year. A Strange DEATn.—The other day the washinghoine at Aberdoen prison was found locked, and the key on the inside, and on the door being forced, the body of a young woman was found lying before the furnace, in the position in which she bad evidently kin down to wait till the water boiled. The plaoe was very hot, and smelt strongly of a noxious gas from the furnace, under the effects of which, according to the opinion of the medical men, she had fallen asleep and died. Man's Life.—Some modern philosopher has given in these eleven lines the summary of life: — Age. 7 years in childhood's sport and play ... 7 7 years in school from day to day ... 14 7 yrarß at trade or college life ... ... 21 7 years to find a place and wife 28 7 years to pleasure follies given ... 35 7 years to business hardly driven ... 42 7 years for some wild goose chase ... 49 7 years for wealth and bootless race ... 56 7 yars for hoarding ;or your heir ... 63 7 years in weakness spent and care ... 70 The slowly-starving editor of a paper in Bratleboro, Vt., drops into poetry as follows : — Wp had swee; dreams the other night, When all around was still ; We dreamed we saw a host of folks Pay up their printers' bill. We wish the dream would come to pass, And our empty pocket 3 fill. Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—Outward Infirmities. —Before the discovery of the c remedies, many cases of sores, ulcers, &c, were pronounced to ba hopelessly incurable, because the treatment pursued tended to destroy the strength it was incompetent to preserve, and to exasperate the symptoms it was inadequate to remove. Holloway's Pills oxert the most wholesome powers over unhealthy flesh or skin, without debarring the patient from fresh air and exercise, and thus the constitutional vigor is husbanded; while the most malignant ulcers, abscesses, and skin diseases are in process of cure. Both Oiutment and Pills make the blood richer and purer, instead of permitting it to fall into that poor : and watery state so fatal to many laboring under chronic ulcerfttiom,—^dtrfy^, >: