INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2020, 26 October 1869, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL NEWS.

By the Airedale, we have our usual files from Auckland, Taranaki, Nelson, Marl* borons'll, and Wellington. The news generally is unimportant. The share market had not improved, and few shares were changing hands, but the belief in the substantial prospects of the goldfields does not seem to be at all lessened. Coromandel was continuing to attract a considerable share of attention, and the reports thence are still favorable. Mr Williamson’s re-election as Superin* tendent was considered certain. This is confirmed by onr latest telegram from Napier. The Taranaki papers are full of congratulations on the improved relations between the Europeans and Natives, which is attributed to Mr M‘Lean’s recent visit. The prepara* tion of flax fibre is being vigorously carried on, and the discovery of a paying goldfield is still thought highly probable. The superin ten lency election is the chief topic of interest in Nelson. It seemed to be the general opinion that Mr Curtis would be re-elected by a largo majority. The V ellington news has been anticipated by our daily telegrams. One of the Wellington papers says that the brilliant hopes entertained of the existence of goldfields at Terawiti and elsewhere have vanished into thin a'r. From the West Coast papers we learn that Dr Kvley, late surgeon-superintendent of the Hokitika Hospital, has become insane. It appears that during his passage to Melbourne by steamer, I)r Ryley attempted to cut bis throat on two different occasions, when, by order of the captain of the vessel, he was confined in o strait jacket. We {Grey River A/yus) have received a sample package of cigars manufactured at the Ahaura township by Mr C. Harville, who has recently started this new industry there. He imports Victorian grown tobacco in the leaf, and by the difference in duty alone is enabled to produce a superior article at a lower price than imported cigars. We are not surprised to hear that they are rapidly gaining in favor up country, for they are really of excellent quality. Their only fault is their newness, which can easily be overcome in time!

A rather novel question, says the Lyttelton Times, has been before the Resident Magistrate at Christchurch. Mr Wynn Williams applied for a summons against a resident of Christchurch, under the 12th Geo. 11. c 23, for keeping a place for disposing of goods by lottery, &e. His Worship was ot opinion that the penalties could only be sued for by the Attorney-General, on behalf of Her Majesty. We understand that the AttorneyGeneral will be applied to on the subject, and that it is probable another prosecution of a similar nature may be instituted. TARANAKI. Kaitake Gold.— We {Taranaki Xews) understand that in spite of the bad weather this wc.-k, several very promising specimens of gold in soft clay or mullock have been brought to town. It is to be hoped that the necessary power to oonc'ude arrangements with the natives and grant prospecting licenses will be forwarded without delay by the General Government.

Gold at Patka.—Mr Harris Ford has received a letter from Patohr, o a of our native mailmen, accompanying a specimen of gold in black sand, which the writer states pvas found at Patea. We understand that Mr Hirst has received a letter from Mr James Hirst of Patea to the s me effect. WELLINGTON. We [Wellington Independent) observe by an advertisement in another column that the General Government invite the settlers in the Waitotara and Patea districts who are desirous of returning to their farms, and of availing themselves of assistance from the Parliamentary grant, to apply to Major Noake, at Wanganui or Patea, from whom forms of application to be filled up can be obtained by ap licants 'this is a favorable si"U of the times, and augurs well for returning peace and prosperity. The Wellington Militia are to be called out for twenty-four days’ training and exercise.

A rather singular trial phenomenon was observed on Thursday morning in the harbor. The usually placid waters of the bay were traversed by currents running in different directions with considerable velocity, but all having a set from the shore. The effect on the vessels at anchor, there being nc> wind, was somewhat singular, causing them to ride “beads and points” in all directions. Tho Airedale, which came up to the wharf unconscious of the tidal influence, was rather sold, being swung off Quite unexpectedly, and forced to do a considerable amount of extra warping In fore she got her berth. ,S,>nic people, who profess to understand such matters, account for the occurrence by the fact that the continued gale blowing in at the Heads has packed an unusual quantity

of water into the bay, which, now that the gale has abated, is running out to Unci its usual level. A Blue Beok sometimes contains information of a novel character, but from the usually dry character of the contents they often remain buried without communicating their valuable knowledge to the pub ic at large. We lately opened some “ Tapers relating to a proposal conference between the Governments of New Zealand and Australia. ” On the 29th October, TS6B, Mr Stafford wrote to all the Australian Governments, except Western Australia, to propose such a conference, and to state its objects. In a second letter of the same date he encloses for their consideration the copy of a report from Mr Balfour, the Colonial Marine Engineer, “on the proposal of erecting a lighthouse on the Snares, at the entrance of Foveaux Straits !” There is no excuse for the cxPremier’s disgraceful ignorance of the geography of the country ho was governing. Mr Balfour’s report correctly lays down the exact position of the group. “ They lie,” he writes, “sixty two miles S.S.W. of the S.W. end of Stewart’s Island.” Mr Stafford must have studied the geography of it in the “ Introduction” to it, written—and, what is worse, printed—by Mr Bowden, late Inspector of Schools for this Province, in which he gravely informs us that the North Cape is so named “on account of its longitude.” On the first announcement on Wednesday by the bellman of Thatcher’s intention to “show up” the Penny Bank, a crowd of children followed the' clamarous official about the streets, and loudly applauded his proclamation on each successive occasion. NELSON. A telegram, dated the 22nd, says Mr Burnett brought to town yesterday, from Wangapeka, specimens containing several pieces of gold embedded in its various parts. There is a hitch amongst the miners in consequence of auriferous laud being purchased after gold was found. The miners protest against it, and with the strongest digging asseverations declare that nothing on or under the earth will induce them to give up their claims. A letter from Blue-Creek, yesterday, says that the writer ‘‘saw in Guileford’s claim quartz glittering like a jeweller’s shop.” The goldfield has not yet been proclaimed. A warden is going up to report on the questions in dispute. The miners have’stopped the survey, and scut a deputation to Nelson.