LATEST NEWS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 390, 16 April 1864, Page 3

LATEST NEWS.

A murder was committed at Nelson on tlie 12th inst. A fireman of the steamer Auckland, named Wm. Birlcett was stabbed in the abdomen with a knife by a cook on board tlie same vessel, named Francis Lock. They had quarreled on hoard the steamer ; and Birkett, meeting Lock on his way to Nelson on Tuesday evening spoke to him with the view of making matters up, when Lock stabbed him with a slieath-knife, and the wound proved mortal in a few hours. Lock was apprehended ; and after an inquest had been held the following day, was committed for trial for murder. A new gold-field has been discovered at Nelson, in the Pelorus valley within 35 miles of the town. Gold has beon found in tlie Walcaniarina, a tributary of the Pelorus. Three inexperienced diggers obtained 19 ounces in two days and a half ; and one or two others had been equally successful. Parties were leaving the town on the 13tli and 14th for the place. The Wakamarina drains a large tract of country ; and it is inferred that that the gold-field may be extensive. At Maungatautari Wm. Naylor has been trying to induce tlie rebels to-proposepeace. They are stationed about three milea’beyond Maungatautari, and would not admit, him into their pa. The Southern Cross of the 11th mentions that three of the Maori prisoners and three of our own had died of their wounds. The rest were recovering. The same paper says tliatthe Government has refused to ratify the contract entered into by Mr. Crosbie Ward for tlie con veyance of mails by the Panama route.