NATAL ITEMS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 320, 22 June 1875, Page 4

NATAL ITEMS.

[Pan s.s. Hawea.] We (Daily Times) are indebted to the Mercury for the following clippings:— The arrival of some exciting news from the Goldfields has set everyone almost wild with gold fever. It was said, on the 29th April, that a nugget weighing 181bs had teen found, and before noon the public had exaggerated that statement to such a degree that the nugget weighed 841bs. The Natal Bank has shipped, per Zulu, to England 2000ozs of gold from the Caledonian Fields. The amount is valued at upwards of £BOOO. On the 7th of April a Kafir who had been sentenced to death at the Circuit Court for the murder of his brother, was executed at the Borough Gaol, after efforts had been made to get the sentence commuted, but without success. AHottertot performed the unthankful office of execut’oner, the only other persons present being the DeputyGovernor of the gaol, the superintendent of police, the sheriff, and district surgeon. His Excellency Sir Benjamin Pine took his final departure on the 4th of April, when in accordance with his wishes, no formalities attended his embarkation. Several of the principal gentlemen of the town went to the Point to accompany Sir Benjamin, in whose honor the vessels in port were gaily dressed. An hour afterwards the Florence had steamed out of the harbor, taking with her the Governor, who, amid all the abuse and misrepresentations to which he has been subjected, has endeared himself to so many residents.

Mr Froude’s speech in London has been read with great interest here. Much regret is felt that he should have again put forth, in such a manner as to have them accepted as representative facts, so many misleading statements in regard to the prices of provisions here. Old residents of twenty years’ standing have no recollection of any time when butter, milk, forage, and vegetables have been sold at even half the prices he quotes. The latest accounts from the Goldfields to 16th April show a highly satisfactory change to have taken place in the prospects of diggers Some very large finds are reported, in consequence of which claims are going up in value, two of the latter having recently been disposed of for £650. The new find quite upset existing theories as to gold deposits ; the richer ones being taken out of elevated ground, not in the bottoms were diggers usually search for the precious metal. Some startling news has reached here from the Diamond Fields, where many of the diggers are in arms and refuse to submit to the new rules and charges of the proprietors. On the 12th April a digger was convicted of contravening the gunpowder ordinance, and sentenced to pay a fine of £SO, or three months’ imprisonment, A black flag was immediately hoisted on Mount Ararat, where seventy armed Associationists mustered and proceeded to the gaol to prevent the incarceration of the prisoner. The prisoner was released without violence being resorted to, the fine being first paid, as bail, by the chairman of the Association. A letter has been numerously signed by the clergy and merchants to Sir Garnet Wolseley requesting his interference.

On commercial and shipping matters the Mercury observes : “We have still to advise a plethora of vessels loading for London, which has naturally led to 1 cutting’ in the rates of freight, £d and even $d ‘all round’ having been, it is said, accepted. The following are the nearest approximate rates we can quote ; —For London —Sugar, 10s per ton ; wool (washed), £d to §d per lb; do (grease), §d to per lb ; hides, 45s to 55s (dry) per ton ; do (wet), 10s per ton. Capetown—Sugar, 40s per ton per steamer ; 30a per sailing vessel. Algoa Bay—Sugar, 40s per ton per steamer ; 30s per sailing vessel.

On the 16th April a grand banquet was given by the Corporation of Durban to Sir Garnet Wolsley, when upwards of 200 guests, including the principal gentlemen of the neighbourhood, were present. The banquet was held in the Trafalgar Hall, which had been most elaborately and handsomely decorated for the occasion, and in every respect proved the most successful ever given in the colony. Sir Garnet, in reply to Ike toast of his health, thanked those present for the kind reception he had met with in Natal, which he said assured him of their support in the efforts he would make to pro mote social progress and the material prosperity of the colony. In the course of his speech bir Garnet urged those present above all things to give over agitating for responsible Government, and to trust to the English Government in handing over to them the entire control of their own affairs as soon as it was felt that such dangerous responsibilities could be imposed upon them. He also said that in order to secure a strong government he was instructed to propose to the Legislative Council a measure increasing the strength of the Executive in that body. The post-cart from Queen’s Town met with an ugly accident the other night, which fortunately was attended with no serious con sequences to either passengers, driver, horses, or cart, but which might have been attended with the most fatal results. The evening was wet and as dark as pitch, and the drivrr had succeeded in getting to the descent at Stanton’s drift. Here the late flood had narrowed the roadway, rendering caution necessary even in daylight in descending to the river. The horses, it being very dark, got a little off the track, and tumbled over the precipice, about ten feet high in that part, carrying cart and passengers with them. Among the latter were the Hon Mr and. Mrs Brown. Here they lay until assistance arrived, being fearful to make a move. Mr Pope, at much personal discomfort, waded four times through the river, and got lights and help, when it was found that all were safe except a little scratch or two, It was a miraculous escape.