INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 348, 7 April 1868, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The Marlborough Express of March 14 says : — Great excitement prevails in Havelock with respect to the election, owing, we believe, to a large extent, to the di£~ -covery of a peculiar letter which will ba found in our correspondence column, said to be written by one of the candidates. The nomination took place on Thursday^ when the show of hands was declared to be in favor of Mr Levien. A poll was. demanded on behalf of Mr Houghton. The following is a copy of the said letter : —"To the Editor of the Marlboroxigh. JSxpi-ess. Sir — The following true and correct copy of a letter, addressed by one of the candidates for the "Pelorus to a. digger at the Wakamarina, will show tha spread of Fenianism in our province ; but coming from whence it does, I refrain making any further comments, and' leave your readers to judge for themselves ;-— 'Havelock, March 3, 1868. Dear Pat— Such a letter as this coming from me mayappear strange to you, but I can assure you that lam sincere. I want you and all good Christians of the Faith to subscribe some cash, as much as you conve--1 niently can, for the relief of the families of those brave men who died for their I county on the gallows in Manchester. The money will also be for the* relief of the families of Fenian prisoners ; it will be forwarded by next mail (three weeks hence) to some great folks in. ; Dublin, who are connections of my wife. Though I am an Englishman and once a Protestant, yet I cannot but feel a horror and disgust at the political murder lately committed by the English Government. Be good enough to keep this letter from the sight of the Protestant party, or it might do. me some harm in the coming election. I remain, yours faithfully (Signed), Allan Houghton. Mr P. O'Connor, Wakamarina.' The original can be produced at any time if it is wanted. I remain, yours faithfully, Anti-Fenian, Havelock, March f. 1868.'" . The Wangantii Times of March 14 says : —" An accident has occurred to the Wellington and Wairarapa coach near Ngahauranga, somehat similar to the mishap that lately occurred in our own district. It was caused by coming into collision with a heavy cart in charge of two men who had been indulging too freely in drink and would not see their way, out of the middle of the- road.. The coachman tried to pass them, but ineffectually, and the coach and passengers were upsetr Mr Smith, of Taratahi, a witness in a Supreme Court case, had two ribs broken. The.

Rev. Mr Muir and Mr Wallace, auctioneer* were both injured. A correspondent of the Southland Times reports as follows concerning the Orepuki Diggings near Riverton :— I have just returned from the above gold -workings, and have to report that there is not much apparent change siuce I was last there. The population at present consists of about seventy workers, most of whom pvirpose washing up at the end of the month. One parcel of gold sent down this week (Smithson's and party) weighed forty- seven ounces, and was the produce of two men's work since the commencement of the year. The prospects of this gold field are healthy. Much ground is being taken up under the *• Mining Leasing Regulations," and when operations are fairly commenced, it will give profitable employment to a number of wages men. The pay for working-men is L 3 per week and found, which is equal to about 14s. per day. Provisions are almost as cheap here as in town, notwithstanding that owing to the prevalence of westerly winds, the boats with fresh supplies have not been able to reach Orepuki for six or seven weeks. Although in some instances, the claims do not a<; present give the miner satisfactory returns, generally speaking they are doing well, and when more perfect appliances are ob tamed, I believe that the returns will be greatly increased, and a profitable field for Che industrious opened up. Aconsiderable number of Chinese have, it is said, located themselves on the Switzers diggings. An important discovery of coiil of good quality is rumored to have been made in Southland recently by Mr. Thomson, who has been engaged ' prospecting 1 for some time past. The locality of the seam which i 9 said to be of great thickmess (18 feet at the outcrop) is, we believe, about 12 or 15 miles from the Lime Hills, Winton. From tho-Nothern papers we learn that the Provincial Council of Auckland has been prorogued. Amongst the measures passed was an act empowering the Sup erintendent to sell or mortgage the railway works and lands to any Company willing to complete it to Onehunga, or other terminus to be determined upon by the Superintendent. " We regret," says the Wanganui Times, " having to record an accident by which Mr Bull, of Rangitikei, has lost two valuable horses, and the driver narrowly escaped with his life. On Tuesday last, Mr Bull's four-horse team came to town with a load of shingles, delivered, and when re-crossing in the punt the horses became restive, suddenly backed, broke the stop behind the wheels, the waggon went over about the centre of the river, daagging the horses after it. The driver courageously dived under water, succeeded in freeing two of the horses from the waggon and thus saved them. During his efforts to save his horses he received several kicks, and became so exhausted that Mr M'Donough, postmaster, immediately jumped over, dived, and succeeded in extricating the driver from under the waggon, but could not save the other two horses. Were it not for the prompt assistance rendered by Mr M'Donough, the brave conduct of the driver might have cost him his life. The loss to Mr Bull will be very serious, but even the loss of a pair of valuable horses is not so bad as it might be were either the driver or Mr M'Donongh less fortunate in the task which each so bravely undertook to perform.'' ___^_^^_^_.