THE SOUTH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 710, 19 August 1869, Page 3

THE SOUTH.

By the 8.8. Wellington, which arrived from Wellington and Southern ports at 4 p.m. on Tuesday last, we are in possession of full files, from which the following summary of news is compiled : A fire took phce in Mr Russell's music and fancy warehouse, Lambton Quay, Wellington, on the Bth inst., causing damage to the extent of £5.000. It was insured for £I,BOO. An inquiry into the cause ol the fire resulted in an open verdict; being returned. The Colonial Treasurer has given notice that he intends asking leave to introduce a Bill providing for the uuioa of .Nelson and Marlborough. Mr Stafford has obtained leave to introduce a Bill for erecting Gladstone iuto a county. Scab has broken out among two flocks of sheep in the Wairarapa district. At the Moonlight Creek diggings, province of .Nelson, n nugget of gold, weighing 360z8. lSdwto. 19grs., has been found. A most beautiful igneous meteor was seen in Wellington on the night of the 12th August to burst in the north-west corner of ihe sky, and take a south-easterly course until it was lost sight of behind Mount Victoria. The explosion revealed two globes of fire, but one soon disappeared ; the other, with a luminous comet like tail, crossed the heavens until lost sight of.

The Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives have brought up a report to the effect that Mr Fox's letter to Major Brown was not a breach.of privilege. One of (he Maori prisoners on board the hulk Oity of Newcastle, in Wellington harbor died on the llth inst, causing a most dreadful howling on the part of the remainder. Beapeoting these prisoners, tho Independent, of the 14th inet, has the following : —" What is going to be done with rebel prisoners is a question which is now very often asked, and yesterday evening' several people answered the inquiry by asserting that the City of Newcastle with, her living freight, prisoners and guard, is under orders for Auckland, and likely tc» sail for that port in a few days. We are notaware whether there is any foundation for the rumor."

The raising of the s.s. Taranaki seems to be progressing favorably. A telegram,: from Picton, dated August 13, 12.30 p.m., says:—" We have made the fourth life of the Taranaki. She was lifted five feet, and drawn about 15 feet inshore. At low tide her masthead is 3 feet 7 inches above the water." Mr James O'Shea, sharebroker, reports the share market in Wellington, from 28th. ult., to the 7th instant, as pretty brisk, the sales effected by him amounting to £7,700,. chiefly comprising Thames Gold Mining; Company, City of Glasgow, Golden Crown, Pnriri, and Royal Alfreds The fluctuating state of the market in. Auckland has caused several intending; sellers here to withhold for the present. L'he Golden Crown Gold Mining Company*. Puriri, will bo withdrawn after Mondaynext. A description of diamond has been found in the Malvern district, Canterbury. Velocipedes adapted for water are in vogue in Canterbury. We observe that a* race is announced. In Wellington on the 13th inst., a man named Johnston, formerly a soldier, and employed at Mr Dransfield's coal yard, made an attempt at self-destruction. Ho procured, as it is said, two pounds of gunpowder, which he placed in a nail-can, which had bean perforated at the bottom to be used as a sort of stove; on the top ha put a board, on which he laid his head, and then ignited the powder. The explosion threw him a considerable distance backward, and wounded his head severely. Under the direction of Dr France, he was removed to the hospital. It is stated that he was suffering from the effects of excessive drinking. The following reductions are to be mada in the local forces at Wanganui: —Tho Kai Iwi Cavalry to be struck off pay, with the exception of five men, three of whom will be stationed at Wanganui and two attached to the Wereroa garrison. The Veteran, Wairoa, and Carlyle Volunteers to be reduced to forty men of all ranks, exelusive of officers.

The Evening Post learns with much regret that Mr Henry Anderson, of the Independent, has resigned his editorial post at least for a time—the reason alleged being a temporary inflammation of the eyes, which renders reading and writing both painful and dangerous. Mr Anderson has been foi more than eight years the editor of our contemporary, and during that tim© has acquired a very high reputation as a journalist and a business man. It will be remembered that the Independent, which, up till a week ago, was a staunch advocate of Ihe self-reliant policy, has completely changed its views, and now condemns what it formerly approved. We merely mention this fact for the purpose of explaining that Mir Anderson, who for many years had defended self-reliance both in the Press and on the platform, was not in any way responsible for this change of policy, having left before it was made. The Stewart's Island Gold field seem* to be oausing great excitement in the " far South." Specimens of quartz have been found yielding from sozs, to 25ozs. to the tonv One brig and twelve boats left the Bluff on the 13th inst., and the s.s. Phoebe was laid on.