SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2081, 28 June 1875, Page 3

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

(pes pbess agency.) — : — '•& . Jlokitika, Saturday, 7.15 p m. A seam of coal has been found near tho township of the special settlement at Bay, but tho quantity is not ascertained. Tho settlement ia progressing satisfactorily.

Nahee, Saturday, 7 p.m. .Tho Hon. H. Russell has petitioned tho Council praying for redress of grievances ro purchase of land at Motuotiua, He wants to recover costs in Eussell v. Sealey. The question was referred to a select committee to report on •Wednesday. Mr Sheehan is engaged by tho Provincial Council to watch proceedings. •

CHBisTCHUicff, Saturday, 7 p.m. . The total value of tho city property this year is £150,626. With the usual rate of Is in tho pound, this will yield for general purposes is, £7,531. The increase in the value of property during tho past twelve months has been £37,621.— The Collector of Customs has held inquiries in tho case of three vessels which had sustained damage at sea. The captain of the barque' Speedwell' stated that tho vessel on tho voyage from NewcpsQe to lyttelton had sustained damage through stress of weather to the amount of £300. In the case of tho barque 'Flour do Marie,' tho captain stated that on tho voyago from Newcastle to Lyttelton tho vessel had sustained damage through stress-of weather to the amount of £40. In tho case of tho barque 'William Gifford,' the captain stated that when the gale commenced on Juno 5, the vessel was lying at Oamiuu, and -• was obliged to put to aoa. She ran before the gale to Lyttolton. The damage sustained amounted to £120. The members, of tho Jewish persuasion intend forming a local committee to obtain a subscription towards the memorial to Sir Moses Montcfiore, originated ro. England. Tho Press this morning has a coarse article on the knighthood of Sir Julius Vogcl, It says tho order of Bt. Michael and St. George was originally invontedto distinguish people for doing nothing in particular,- and has recently been furbished up for tho colonies' uso, and being cheap and nasty, may be awarded to colonials, without apprehension, and in a quantity that may atono for its deficiencies. It says Sir Julius Vogel long hankered after this flimsy distinction, and has perpetually pestered the Colonial office to get it. From first to last ho has secured the services of journalistic touts and cluquers. 'ihe article concludes as follows :-"Thore are some who will be disposed to think that if in tho future it .should bo necessary to scud to England a public representative, tho colony* will bo represented by a man of education and a gentleman, rather than by a travelling tufthuntcr, with the tastes and hnbita of au itinerant showman, and wo do not hesitate to say that wo should heartily agree with them,"

DEATH OF THE REV. J, DAVIS. The Rev. John Davis, pastor of the Baptist Church in. Shortland, ..died on Saturday at noon, after a short illness. 'A few weeks ago ho'was in full health and strength, but soon after becoming ill it became evident that he was in a pro-1 carious condition. Ho suffered severe pain internally, and all the doctors in tho district met in consultation on the case. He obtained relief from pain only on the administration of opiates. On Thursday last, he appeared to rally somewhat, and his many friends begau to cherish hopes that they might see him again in his wonted h' alth, good spirits, and kindly cheerfulness. But on Saturday morning it was evident that hope could no longer be cherished, and that only a few hours of life remained. These were passed calmly, in apparent consciousness of the chaugo approaching. A post-mortem examination was hold, when it was found that death had been caused by disease of the kidneys. John Davis was born in London in March, 1823, and was brought to mike full confession of Christian belief by the preaching of Dr ildis, minister of Maze Pond Chapel, London. He was baptized by Mr Knibb, the missionary, immediately before his return to Jamaica. Mr Davis felt an earnest desire to be engaged in mission work, and immediately commenced his education 'for the ministry, being then 18 years of age, under -the tuition of tho fiev, Mr Daniol, of Melksham, England, at the same time preaching on tho Sabbath in the villages round about, In his 22nd year he become pastor of a ohuroh in Winchester, whoro he remained for three or four years. Bis inclination for missionary labour indnced him to accept an offer to go to Ceylon, whither he went in company with his wife, under tho auspices of the London Baptist Missionary Society, in 1851. Thero ho laboured With zeal and success until the effeots of a tropical climate compelled him to return to England, Where he anticipated that he Would reoruit and be able to return to his Work at Ceylon. But the result of a medical examination was that ho wa3 forbidden to return, and thefofore as soon as his health permitted ho travelled through England on deputation work for the Baptist Missionary Society. He came out to this colony about thirteon years ago, and accompanied the few first settlers to Matakohe, laipara. At length, an accidental firo consumed his house and furniture, with a valuable library which ho had collected, and he was compelled to return to Auckland. Ho was recommended by the Rev P. H. Cornford to a church in jyelson,the members of which were seeking for a pastor, There ho remained for about four, years, labouring with success, until differences in theological riows with some of tho congregation seemed to rendor separation desirable. Ho then returned- to i uekland, where he was attacked by severo illness in the same form as that which has now terminated in death. After recovery, he returned to Matakolie, where ho was actively employed in preaching tho Gospel, in teaching the young, and in relieving tho sufferings of his followcreatures, as his knowledge of medicine onabled him' to do. In the month of April, 187'Ji, tho Baptist Chnrch at the Thames invited Mr Davis to undertake its pastoral charge, consequent on the resignation of tho Rev. W, Jones, who was leaving for change of climate, Air Davis accepted the invitation, and commenced his labours on April 26th, and soon endeared himself not only to the members of his own Church, but also to a very largo and constantly widoning' circle of friends of all denominations, by his earnest and unassuming zeal in the prosecution of tho one supreme object of his life, the proclamation of tho Gospel. His pulpit labours woro but a small portion of his work, for whereyer tho opportuuity presented itself of doing good, and carrying tho messago of tho Gospel, there ho was soon found, and his cheerful face was as familiar in the homes of miners and others up tho creeks as in the town, He appeared to bo constantly seoking for more work, and in no compauy did he seem moro happy than among thoso who had the welfare of their friends and neighbours at heart,

Mr Davis leaves a widow and a family of four, three daughters and one son, Gne of his' daughters is married at Picton, one at Matakohe, and one resides hero with her mother. Tho sou is the youugest, and is aged fourteen.

Tho pulpit ot the Baptist Church yesterday was occupied by the ftev. J, Hill, who preached from the text, " And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, blessed are tho dead which dio in the Lordfromhenceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."* At the conclusion of,an eloquent sermon, rendered doubly impressive by the circumstances in which the congregation were met, tho preacher expressed sympathy with them in their loss. He said thoy would meet with their lato pastor at tho Great Judgment, and he hoped that none of them would bo ashamed to meet, him there.

Tbo funeral will take place on Tuesday, and besides the frionda of deceasod, there will be a largo attendance of the Good Templars, of which order deceased was a prominent member.