INTER-PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 741, 6 December 1869, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

EAIMANAWA. SECOND ASSAY OE QUARTZ.— loz. Biwts, 18grs. oj? GOLD to the TON. We learn from the Wanganui Evening Herald that a second lot of specimens of Kaimanawa quartz, brought down by Mr Liddell, one of the prospectors, and broken off the reef close to the land slip, was forwarded to Auckland by the Storm Bird ou her last trip. The folioving communication respecting it has been received ; Bank of New Zealand, 26th, November, 1860. Gentlemen, —T have the pleasure to enclose a say report by the Hank's assayer of a sample of quartz from the Kumanawn Ranges, forwarded by you for analysis, showing loz Bgrs lSdwts to the ton. Yours, &c., W. F. Russell, Manager. Messrs. T. F. M'Donough and J. W. Liddell. Assay report of a sample of quartz from Wanganui: — Fine gold ... loz SJwls lfigra per ton -Silver 9dwts 19gra " S. S. Rapson, Assayer.

NEW ZEALAND STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY. (Evening Post, Ist December,)

An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company was held yesterday afternoon in the Athensoum, W. Bishop, Etq ,in the chair. About 50 were present. The chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting in pursuance ,f a resolution passed on the 28th ult., to consider the following resolution—- " That the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company (Limited) be wo;.;nd up voluntarily." He said there was another matter to be brought forward: the appointment of liquidators, and the amount of remuneration they ought to receive. It had been suggested by Mr Hart that this subject ought to bo brought forward at the pesent meet' iug, although any appointment made would require to be confirmed at a subsequent meeting as much as any oilier resolution. With regard to the appointment of liquidators, the I resent directory had along managed as cheaply as possible, and they wished to carry it out to the end ; therefore if the present directors were appointed liquidators, they would require no remuneration. Few would object to hi resolut'o.l brought forward, as all the shareholders had now agreed that the time f< r winding up had arrived. At the last meeting it had been intimated that there was a prospect of an offer to purchase being made by au Australian Company, but that company (the A.S.N. Co.) had, on being applied to, declined to purchase into a line on which there was such opposition. It only remained for him to propose the resolution that the N.Z. Co. wind up voluntarily.

Mr Allen seconded the resolution. It was no new thing fur him to support winding up, although his fellowdirectors had not supported it. The reason why the directors as a body did not favor it before was, that they entertained the idea, of resuscitating the company by reducing its capital, but this had fallen through. He now believed that, whatever subsequent steps might be taken, winding up was the first, aud he hoped shareholders would believe that the directors were in earnest in endeavoring to accomplish it. As the company could not be made to pay, the best plan would be to wind it up as cheaply as possible. The directors were quite willing to wind up without payment.

Mr Mantell said that he was no more in favor of winding up than he had formerly been, but if converting the assets of the company into money could be done as cheaply as converting the directors into liquidators, it would be well for the shareholders. He observed that the desire to wind up had spread. He had heard recently that it had been said that the act of last session aftecting joint stock companies, and this company in particular, had been passed through some collusion between the branches of the Legislature. This he denied, and, as a member of the Upper House, explained how that objectionable bill had passed, and he expressed his belief, from what he had heard, that the law officers ui {he Crown in England would ad\is§

her Majesty to disallow it. The Governor in this Colony, and in all other Colonies, had instructions for tin ir guidance, and he believed the Governor had power to grant his assent to bills affecting -the treaty obligations of the mother country, which he considered this till did. It might be thai alter the company had been wound up on the vote of such a majority as was sanctioned by this extraordinary act, the act itself might turn out to be waste paper, and a serious imbroglio occur, which, however pleasing to the gentlemen of the long robe, would be anything but profitable to the shareholders. If any of the shareholders were opposed to winding up, let them say so ; if there was no serious wish to oppose the measure, he would not persist in factious opposition. Mr Waring Taylor said that the less discussion that took place the better. The general opinion was in favor cf winding up, and the director? ouodit to have brought the matter forward earlier. He had no wish to blame the directors ; as he had often said before, he considered they had done their very best; he only blamed their want of discretion. He would not allude to Mr Mantell's remarks on the bill, as no matter what bill was brought into the Legislature, those opposed to it were sure to say that they were right, and the Legislature wrong.

The Chairman then put the resolution, wh'ch was carried by a majority of thr. e-fourths of th< se present.

The Chairman then aihided to the appointment of liquidators; a mattei which he said rested in the hands of the meeting. Mr Mantell moved that the present directors should be appointed liquida tois. Without wishing to reflect at all on their predecess srs, he must say that they had done their utmost for the interests of the company, and it would be ungrateful to cast any shadow of want of confidence on them. LUiring their term of office thy had to contend wiih great difli cullies ; they had all up-hill work, an i had not been favored with any Ol the sunshine of pr>speii y. Mr Quin seconded the motion as heha 1 learned that, certulu people had been g'hig about the liutt trying to make iidlu-nee to get the old direc tory appointed. The speaker weni on for some little lime relLcting on what he c< nsidered the opposite party, until assured by the Chairman thai bis remarks would only tend to raise a feeling against those he wished to support.

A rather lengthened discussion then toi.k place, iii which Mr Taylor, Mr Hunter, Mr Hart, and the Chairman took part, as to the appointment of liquidators being competent to be brought forward at the present meet ing, or whether such a motion did not require seven days' clear notice. Mr Bishop and Mr Hart thought the opinion of the meeting might be taksn on it, and the resolution arrived at be confirmed at a subsequent meeting, as a means of saving time. Mr Hunter and Mr Taylor thought it best to deal with it, what they considered to be the manner enjoined by the Act —after the resolution in favor of winding up had been confirmed —and the resolution was accordingly withdrawn. This concluded the business of the meeting.

DEPARTURE OF DR. EEITIIERSTON. The Tararua was advertised to start punctually at 1 o'clock yesterdav, (says the Wellington Independent, 30th November) and long before that time the wharf in the neighborhood of the steamer's berth was densely crowded. The General Government had given a holid »y to its employees, the Banks had closed for a portion of the day, and most of the business firms were content to permit a temporary suspension of business. All the ships at the wharf and in harbor were gaily dressed in flags, while a good deal of bunting was displayed from various buildings in the town, and the wharf flagstaff bore all the flags which it could accomodate. The Volunteer Artillery Band wer,e stationed on the wharf, and enlivened the proceedings by discoursing some excellent music. Shortly after 1 o'clock his Honor, accompanied by Mr Brandon and other friends, arrived, and at once went on board. There was an immediate rush after him, and the

[amount of hand shaking which he had :to perform during the few minutes which e!apsed*before the steamer cas! off, was something astonishing, and must have proved rattier fatiguing to his Honor, who however, appeared deeply affected by the universal feeling of respect and attachment which was 'displayed. As the Tararua left the wharf, Mr Borlase called for three cheers for his Honor, which were given, with most hearty good will, and as heartily renewed when Dr appeared on the poop and waved his farewell acknowledgments. A large number of persons went on board the Lady Bird, and accompanied the Tararua beyond Point Halsewell, where three parting cheers were given, the band at the same time playing " Auld Lang Syne." The Tararua then put up steam, and soon left the Lady Bird behind. The latter vessel then turned round and made a tour round Soames' Island.

Mr John Knowles also left Wellington in the Tararua for Melbourne en route for England. He goes home in the capacity of Secretary to the Commissioners.

LATEST FROM WANGANUI. The lion. Mr Fox arrived at Wanganui on the 2Gth November, and on (lie 27th went up the river as far as Ranana i;i the p.s. Stint to meet the natives. On the way up the Sturt met with an accident, a rock or snag making a hole in her bjttom. While in Wanganui, a deputation waited on Mr Fox fur the pur pose of ascertaining his views regarding the opening up of the main military line of road to Taupo and also the road from Wanganui to Patea. " The interview [says rhe Wanganui Times] was conversational, and the result highly satisfactory. Mr Woon assured Mr Fox that rhe natives were not only willing but anxious to have a road between Wanganui and Taupo constructed as soon as possible, and that some of them were willing to work upon it Mr Field said that when he was out exploring •he track, natives voluntarily left other work, and went to assist him. After further conversation, Mr Fox said :

• D> your work, and I will do mine. Discover the nearest and most practicable route, and the Government will at once lay on men to construct a good bridle road for pack and saddle horses until we discover the best cart road.' He also expressed his willingness to add a further sum to the JHQ already >•tiered towards exploring the track ; aid intimated that he had received from Mr Booth a most favorable report of the great meeting recently held to inaugurate the opening of Pelii's grand building. Upon that occasion both Pehi and Topia expressed their willingness to assist in capturing Te Kooti ; their desire that prospecting for gold should be carried on, and that the road to Taupo should be opened up. He also informed the deputation that the inland route between Wanganui and Patea was now being examined with a view to put it in order for the running of Cobb's coaches between these two places as soon as possible ; that the p.s. Sturt would leave for Wellington on Saturday for the purpose of conveying from there to Patea a supply of telegraph posts and wire, part of which would, most likely, be left at the Waitotara. The posts from this end, he believed, would be supplied by Mr Bull, the Kangitikei contractor."

The Sturt has landed at Patea the materials of three block-houses, which are to be immediately erected between Patea and Waihi. Each block-house will form the centre of the ten-acre allotments of bona fide settlers. In reference to Mr Fox's visit to Wanganui, the Herald says :—" A friendly disposition seems to be growing up among the hitherto * neutral' natives, and the Government are leaving no stone unturned to arrive at a common agreement by which a permanent peace may be established."

GOLD IN WELLINGTON. The following paragraphs are from the Evening Post, of the 30th Nov. and Ist December respectively :

"We hear that some very promising specimens of auriferous quartz have been brought into town to-day from Oliariu, not picked up on the surface, but obtained by sinking at a considerable depth. This intelligence has given a fillip to our languid " mining

interest," and it is proposed to held a meeting of parties.interested in claims at Terawiti, Makara, and Ohariu to consult on the best means to be adop ted for procuring a crushing machine, and so obviate the necessity of sending quartz to Auckland to be tested. It is considered, and with justice, that the general public, who would derive a very great benefit from the opening of a gold-field in our vicinity, ought to bear a shire of the costs of the efforts which are being made for this purpose, and not allow it all to fall on the shoulders of those who have fitted out prospecting parties and done so much already. With the exception of Messrs Bethune & Hunter, none of our leading merchants have as yet taken a great interest in the endeavors made to fiud payable reefs, and it is to be hoped that the call about to be made upon the public to subscribe for the purchase of a crushing machine will not be made in vain.

Rumors have been current in town to-day of fresh discoveries of auriferous quartz at Terawiti. Some stone brought in has been subjected to a testing process with, as it is said, satisfactory |results, but no reliable information as to the mode of testing, or the quantity of gold procured, has as yet reached us. Several people have gone out to Terawiti to-day, to see for themselves if there is any foundation for the rumors flying about.

FIRES IN WELLINGTON. I'iiis morning about half-past 1, an old unoccupied house at the corner of Willis and Ghuznee streets, the property of Mr George Crawford, was discovered to be on lire. The ularoi was at once given, and the lire bridades turned out. From the scarcity ol water on the spot, they were unable to be of any service until the Central had, by the aid of their two engines, laid hose to tlie creek by the Express Hotel ; but by that time the fire had got such a hold that all efforts to put put it out were useless until the buildin or was consumed. The Centrals had' to bring one engine all the way from the Government Buildings. As usual, the origin of the lire is utterly unknown. The premises were insured. —Evening Post, Nov. 30. About 4 (/clock this morning, the Cricketer's Arms, at the corner ol To y and Vivian streets, in the occu pation of Mr Jesse Milner, was discovered to be on fire. Mrs Milner put the lights out late last night when everything appeared safe and nothing further was known till at the hour uamed, when she and the other inmates were awoke by a stilling smoke which had filled the house, and fire was discovered to have broken out in a cupboard near the fire-place in one of the rooms. The alarm wat given, and the Wellington Fire Brigade very shortly after arrived —first on the spot this time at all events — they broke down a portion of the wail, and very promptly procured a supply of water, extinguishing the fire before it had time to spread further than the one room where it commenced. Had the brigade not arrived when they did, the whole building must have been destroyed, The Central Brigade were on the ground also, but the fire was extinguished mainly by the Wellington. The house, which belongs to Mrs Kennedy, and is insured, is considerably damaged, so much so that the occupants had to move out with all their goods and chattels saved. The stock and furniture belonging to the tenant were not insured. —Evening Post, Ist December.

MANAWATU SURVUY. We take the following from the Wellington Independent, 30th Nov uur last advices the opposition offered by the natives to the progress of the survey had not been withdrawn. The chief reason advanced for preventing the work was, that the natives had applied for a fresh trial, and no answer to that request had been given. Mr Buller, who is acting as Deputy Land Purchase Commissioner by the consent of the General Government, went out to Rangitikei on Saturday last from Wanganui, and he will probably be able to convince the natives of the impossibility of prolonging litigation upon the subject." The Evening Post, Nov. 30, also hears that the Maori opposition to the

survey of the Manawatu Block still continues. A trigonometrical station has been thrown down, and trees felled to obstruct the line.

Among new industries which might with advantage be inaugurated in the Colony, the Southern Cross mentions the manufacture of paper, the quantity of which consumed in the Colony is constantly increasing. This fact (says the Cross) together with the circum stances that the material lies at our very doors, and can be procured infi. niiely cheaper than any other at present used in the European manufactories, will, we trust, be sufficient to induce some of our moneyed men to embark in a speculation' which has been eminently successful in the neighboring Colonies even under the disad vantages of being compelled to import the greater part of the raw material.

The funeral of the late Mrs Marion Reynolds, mother of Mr W. H. Reynolds, M.H.R., and Macandrew, took place on the 15th ult. The deceased, who came to the Colony about 19 years ago, had attained the advanced age of 85 years. The funeral was largely attended.

Some amusement (says the Mercury) was created in the Police Court in 'Greytown on Thursday, by an appli cation made by the police constable fur the price of some meals served to a prisoner when in the lock-up. It appears they were procured from an adjoining public-house, and the amount of 4s 6d per diem was asked for threemeals at. Is 6d each. Mr Wardell said that the law allowed lOd a-day only, and the idea of providing hot dinners was preposterous. If th. Government were to provide banquets of this kind for prisoners we imagine that the lock up would be seldom vacant. The picture of a prisoner having choice dinners conveyed to him by the hands „of fair damsels, is, we should imagine, singular to the Wairarapa.

A special session of the Provincial Council of Otago is convened for the Bth December. It is well known that watercress has, for a long time, been a serious nuisance in the rivers near Christ church impeding the navigation, and interfering with the proper flow of the water. Various schemes have been suggested and tried for their destruction, and if we mistake not, a number of swans were at one time imported, in the hope that they would consume the cress and prevent its spread. A Canterbury gentleman seems, however, to have hit on a plan of turning the now worse than useless cress to a very useful purpose. This gentleman, a Mr Florence, jun., writes to the Lyttelton Times stating that he has succeeded in manufacturing fine speci. mens of paper from watercress. At half-past 2 o'clock on the morn ing of the 20th November a smart shock of earthquake was felt at Wanganui.

A telegram from Nelson dated 27th November, says : —" There was a whirlwind here at 9 o'clock this morning. It has blown down a timber shed and warehouse belonging to Messrs Curtis Bros. —damage .£3OO ; unroofed stables, blown in windows ; and in various places done a good deal of damage. There was a smart shock of earthquake at 1.28 a.m. on Friday, 26th November."

We (Southern Cross) have been given to understand that it is in contemplation to make a series of experiments with regard to the wasting of iron submitted to the influence of New Zealand coal. The extraordinary amount of sulphur contained our coal is said to have a deleterious effect on the iron of steam-boilers, &c, under its influence; and it is to be hoped that some measures may be adopted to remedy or obviate the evil, Seventeen pounds of stone from the claim of the Perseverance Company at Collingwood (Nelsoi)) which was crushed recently ut the office of Messrs Curtis Brothers, yielded more than half-a-pennyweight of gold, or at the rate of about 3| ounces to the ton.

John Curliss, charged before Mr Justice Richmond, at Nelson, with an act of piracy in stealing the cutter Sandfly, was acquitted, the jury, after a short deliberation, having returned la verdict of not guilty of taking the 'vessel with any felonious inteut=