Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 424, 26 November 1856, Page 8

Colonial.

The schooner Uira arrived in otir harbour yesterday evening from Auckland. There is little or no regular mail by'her, but we have been favoured by Capt, Toomey with a number of the New Zealander, of Nov. 12th. The official declaration of the poll took place on the 1 lth, when Mr. Williamson was declared elected by a majority of 162, the later returns from the more distant polling places having been very much in favour of Mr. Gilfillan. The totals were : Williamson, 1449 ; Giifillan, 1287. The New Zealander in its editorial remarks, points to the result of this election as indicative of no personal triumph, but of a total change in the policy of the Provincial Government. As an earnest of this result, we find that Mr. C&rleton has resigned, not only his Provincial Secretaryship, but also his seat in the Provincial Council; so f also have Messrs. Beckham, Henderson, May, and Turner ; making with Mr. Williamson's necessary resignation, six seats vacant in the Council. In the Vame paper, we notice some changes in the officers of the General Government.

Mr. Sewell has resigned the office of Colonial Treasurer, and has been sworn in a member of the Executive Council. He is succeeded in his office by Mr. Richmond, who resigns the Secretaryship, and Mr. Stafford takes the vacant post. Mr. Me Lean is appointed native Secretary, and (he Native Department is put under the charge of the Qolonial Treasurer. Another notice directs that all memorials and communications to the General Government are henceforth tc be forwarded unsealed through the Superintendent of the Province. Proclamation is also made, that the "Resident Magistrates' Court Extension of Jurisdiction Act, 1856,' will be brought into operation in Auckland from and after the I2lh November, inst.; in New Plymouth, from and after the 12th December, proximo: and in Lyttelton, from and after the 31st December, proximo. The 'Joseph Fletcher,'hence the Ist inst., arrived in Auckland on the Bth. The passengers had unanimously presented a testimonial to Capl. Pook, -in" acknowledgement of his services, and aMention throughout the passage. Victorian Nugget. On Saturday forenoon last, there was exhibited in the window of Messis. Brush and Macdonald, a nuffget. of pure gold weighing 94 ounces. "The nugget which is of a flat shape was received by the Bank of Australasia from Melbourne. It is stated to have been found at Ballaarat, but whether recently or not we are unable to say.— Empire, Oct. 27. The Admiralty will receive tenders on the slh August for the conveyance, from the river Thames, of two officers'and 51 men of the lltli Foot to Sydney (New South Wales), and 89 men of the 58th foot, and ordinance stores (ball, animation, & c .) to Auckland (New Zealand). The Emigration Commissioners have advertised for tenders to be nent in on August 7lh for two ships to convey I'mi^ianls to Morcton Bay, New South Wales, and Geelong, Victoria, respectively. Th« vessels will be required to he ready for tin; reception of the passengciK between the 15th and 22nd September.

Thk Auckland Militia.—ln our last issue, we stated that there was a probability of the embodiment of tho Militia. The force, it is said, is to be assimilated to that of Great Britain ; that is to say, an Adjutant, Sergeant, and one or two Corporals are to be appointed who shall constitute a stall', and all persons liable to serve (without being enrolled) to be told oft" in divisions, or companies, according to their respective places of residence, so that in tho event of any emergency, the authorities may bo able to act with pronptitudo and without confusion. The modest stall' proposed is said to be required were it for no other purpose than to look to the efficient condition of the arms, a large quantity of which wo believe are disposable, and need to be kept in a serviceable state. — New Zcalandcr, Oct. 3.

Victokia.—The first number of a new weekly illustrated periodical lias appeared, which promises to be a valuable contribution to our current literature. The publishers arc the Messrs Calvert Brothers, who ai'e well known to be our most successful engrav rers; the best talent among artists and writers has been secured for the publication. The capital nec^a-. sary to give it a fair start is not wanting, and the disposition of the people of these colonies to support a serial calculated to be to all classes a " Home Companion" will be fairly tested, A newspaper is also promised for the beginning of November, entitled the Australian JSews for Home. The projectors announce their intention of publishing on the eve of the departure of each mail for England, a newspaper somewhat similar to the Rome Ncicsfor Australia. The political, social, and commercial history of the Australian colonies during the period which has intervened since the departure of the preceding mail will be summarised, and all the paragraphs however brief, illustrative of their condition will be carefully collected from the whole circle of colonial journals and submitted to home readers. The ''Summaries" which Sydney and Melbourne Newspapers present on the departure of mail ships are too general, however instructive,- to prove interesting to the mass of readers; and this project, if well carried out, will convey to English readers a mass of Australian news more detailed, and consequently move universally interesting than they have had hitherto laid before them in accessible form. To read the files of Australian papers is a task which the most ardent lovei's of news could hardly be expected to undertake, even if they could indulge themselves with these newspapers in regular files. The most of the existing weekly are little other than reprints of the dailies, and the newspapers which reach home are Sydney, Victoria, Tasmanian, or otherwise local in the range of their information. The proposed " Australian News' is intended to be an epitome of intelligence from all the colonies, such as will bring their condition at the date of publication most clearly before the view of English readers. Some speculation^ exists as to the time of meeting of the Legislature, and the course to be then pursued. As Sir Henry Bai-kly is expected in a few months it is said the Government intend to defer the commencement of business till his arrival, and -that Parliament at its meeting will be prorogued. This course has much to recommend it, but is also open to grave objections. A very great degree of excitement was caused yesterday afternoon by the report of a tragedy which had occurred at"the Prince's Bridge Barracks. The real circumstances of the case are reported in this morning's newspapers. Ensign Pennefather, of the 40th Kcgiment, who had been lor some time suffering from hypochondria, suddenly rushed from the room of J)r. MAuley, yesterday afternoon, with a six-'uarrclicu revolver hi Lis hand. He was met by Ensign Veith, who asked him what he was going to do with the pistol. Penncfather answered,' " Wait till Lucas comes round," and, hearing his footstep, he discharged one of the barrels at Veilh ; and, turning round, fired the other at Lucas. He then exclaimed, " Now for MAuley," and ran to the place where he was nitiing in a chair on the grasK. MAuley had broken his thigh-bone by a fall from the upper saloon of the Theatre Ivoyal, some time ago, and was tit 111 an invalid. Pennefather shot him in the mouth, and thou discharged another barrel into his own head. MAuley expired in a few minutes. Pi nnefather remained insensible fill midnight, ami then died. Veith and Lucas are severely wounded, but hopes are entertained of their recovery.—-Octo-ber 23.

I' The New Peek. —Mr. Strutt issued an address to the electors of Nottingham, on retiring from the representation, preparatory to his elevation to the peerage, in the course of it lie states that in the communication informing him of the honour, it was stated that the "Queen was desirous of marking the interest which she takes in the great manufacturing industry of the country, and her desire that this important ele7nent of our national wealth should be represented in the Upper House of Parliament. Lord Belper is the title chosen by the right honorable gentleman.