Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 555, 27 February 1858, Page 5

Colonial.

' .. . ' NELSON. From this province we have papers of the 17th and 20th instant, but the dates of the previous week have not come to hand. The Supreme Court was sitting. The calendar was heavy and the business was leugthy. On the criminal side there were two indictments for capital offence, on one (the alleged murder of Mrs. Pratt by her husband) a verdict of not guilty was found; on the other the crime, was proved and sentence of death passed, but the criminal was recommended to mercy. No mention is made in the papers of the time when the Assizes were to close; but we have private information that his Honor Mr. Gresson left kelson, overland, for this province, on Saturday last the 20th inst. The Wizard Jacobs was delighting crowds of the inhabitants with his magical and. comical performances. The papers speak"of his great success. The following paragraphs are from the columns of the ' Examiner' of the above dates :— The Wizard Jacobs.—Our second and third visits to this entertainment served only to increase the wonder and astonishment with which we have regarded the amazing dexterity of Mr. Jacobs. His sleight-of-hand is so perfect that, did we not know to the contrary, one would almost be tempted to think him the one unmentionable. The watch flying from a box in the hands of a lady to a stand on the stage—numbers whispered by the audience repeated by the JU<»gK.' toll-i-tWo glaoo «f-wUio and-kloskr Of WOOCT' ■which* change places, apparently by passing through, the crown of a hat—rhalf-crowns flitting from one place to another, and eventually depositing themselves in a suspended glass box— Sprightly vanishing from beneath the extinguisher, and leaving a goose behind him—the inexhaustible bottle, which amazed all, pleased all, and satisfied all. These are among the tricks most wonderful, but, in addition, we had the improvised songs of the Wizard, which. caused much laughter, as did two songs from Sprightly. The Wizard has been fortunate in his discovery of this genius, for we have rarely seen one who could act the fool better than he does—his comical face and queer sayings, and antics, would make the most bilious laugh. We may say that this visit of the Wizard Jacobs is indeed a treat, and we do hope that, before leaving New Zealand, he will again visit us. To our townsfolk and neighbours we would say go, and take your children, or 3 rou and they will indeed miss a great treat. Wool Ships.—We observe that the fine clipper barque Acasta is to be laid onto load with wool in Port Underwood, and, like the Duchess of Leinster, will clear out for London direct. The Duchess of Leinster is expected in Nelson from Port Underwood next week, and will sail for England on the Ist of March. Both of these vessels, in addition to their cargoes of wool, the exclusive produce of the Wairau, will take home with them a quantity of Nelson gold, and, for their tonnage, will be the most richly laden ships which have ever sailed from New Zealand. Takaka, February Ist. We have had nothing of any note for some timife past save two severe freshes, which have nearly annihilated the Anatoki diggings ; carrying away dams, tools, toms, sluices, and everything in the shape of implements before it. Maine's dam, the work of nine weeks, was swept away, leaving "not a wreck behind." Large boulders, weighing a ton each, were carried away as if mere pebbles. Sevei-al of this party have left, being thoroughly broken in spirit and pocket; this mishap occurred just on the eve of their completing the dam. Garrick's dam had one of the ends taken away, which occupied them a week to put right. Their race is completely riddled, and of little or no use. Nash's dam has been carried away, Brook's and Lovell's is half gone, and their race choked up. Such unlooked-for things have nearly " used up " the. miners and their means. However, many are repairing damages; and " setting in " pluckily to work again. Mason, the native, and others, have been several miles up the river, and found some gold of a rounder description than wo have seen here before. But the country which the Upper Anatoki passes through is a series of gorges and frightful cataracts. At all events, Mason is off with provisions and ropes to haul the toms over the falls:

Every one hero is looking forward for the long promised road being cut through the Motupipi bush up to the Takaka. This would be conferring a great boon upon the settlers and diggers generally, especially all that may be out of employment, so as to enable them to get a fresh start. AUCKLAND. Our files from Auckland extend to the 6th instant. There is not any important news except what comes under the head of ' Gazettes,' which we give elsewhere. The October and November mails arrived in Auckland on the 29th January j four days later than they were received here via Wellington. On the Auckland Anniversary, the 29th of January, there was the usual regatta, comprising several good races. The weather proved exceedingly bad, so much so to destroy anything like enjoyment, and several' events' were omitted in consequence. The regatta is said, therefore, to have proved a comparative failure. Chief Justice Arney had not arrived in Auckland. The Native Question. —In a long and " carefully-guarded " article in the " Southern Cross," an attempt is made to induce apprehensions in the public mind^that the Native King Movement in the Waikato District is again assuming a serious aspect. The statements in the article are said to be based upon personal knowledge—the writer of the article, in fact, has just returned from the disturbed Districts If those statements be correct, in the actual common-sense interpretation of that adjective, the military detachments now on their way to, if they have not arrived at, the chief town of the East Coast, have been despatched thither in the nick of time, to protect the settlers of that District from being made tributaries of the" Maori Monarch that is to be. The carefullyguarded references to the supineness of the Native Department—(to the heads of which the writer will not for the world "impute intention") —the inuendo that "idleness, or the smothering through official jealousies promising efforts made by the more active few "—the praise awarded to the Responsible Ministry " and the Governor likewise " as being in favour of " an energetic policy," but prevented from carrying out that policy by some " unseen impediment" and by "reluctant agents" with whom "it is impossible for the Governor to work effectively;" all these little things lead the public to the general conclusion that " the mo c active few" are making use of the " Maori King Movement" as a lever wherewith to oust "the unseen impediment" and seat themselves in the easy chairs of the " reluctant agents."— -New Zealander, Feb. 6. The Provincial Council have this week again made good progress, notwithstanding the tendeuo) of some ot the members todiscuss.detailsand words with as-much earnestness and pertinacity as they would fundamental principles, —rand notwithstanding the interruption caused by what may be but too'truly termed the painful inquiry that has arisen out of the Provincial Accountant's memorandum relative to the'report of the Select Committee on the claims of the officers of the City Council. This inquiry we have reported as fully as possible ; for though there can be no doubt that, even as matters now stand, two members of the Provincial Council are virtually on their trial, not only as to their veracity but as to their honest administration of the public funds, —no party or personal considerations shall induce us to swerve from the -■impartial discharge of our duty as public journalists. As the inquiry is not yet fully completed, we make no comment on the matter; and we think we need hardly urge our readers to suspend their final judgment until the investigation in the Council is brought to a termination.—Nmo Zealander, Feb. 6. Captain Childs, of the William Watson, reports that there is a probability of a larger number of whalers visiting New Zealand this season than there has been for several years.— ■ S. Gross, Feb, 6. his excellency's yisit to the bat of ISLANDS. (From the " Southern Cross," Jan. 22.) H. M. S. Iris arrived at'Kororareka on the 7th, after a very favourable passage of 22 hours. On the Bth the Governor landed under a salute from the frigate, and held a Levee, which was attended by all the European inhabitants. Shortly afterwards he attended a meeting of the natives, at which many loyal speeches were made, and much good feeling evinced. His Excellency was informed that the Ngapihu tribe had determined upon replacing the flagstaff (which was thrown down in the last war,) and desired to live in perfect amity with the Europeans, under the shadow of H.M. Government, like good subjects. The Governor replied, through the interpretation of Mr. Smith, in terms which appeared to give full satisfaction. On Saturday, the 9th, a much larger number of natives assembled at Mr. Busby's house, and greeted the Governor (who was attended by his Private Secretary, Captain Loring, C. 8., of H. M.S. Iris, Colonel Mould, R.E., and the At-torney-General) with a war dance. After this followed the usual speeches (all in tho most loyal terms) and a reply from his Excellency through the interpreter (Mr. Smith); after which the natives retired to their respective homes. On Monday, the 11th, the Governor and his suite, accompanied by a large number of natives on horseback, proceeded to Waimate. About half way they were met by a party consisting of 100 horsemen, composed of the principal European and Native inhabitants of the district, who accompanied him to the settlement. A Levee, numerously attended, at which

an address frem the European inhabitants was presented ; a war dance, Native speeches, the usual reply, and a present of food closed the proceedings. At five o'clock, the Governor and the gentlemen who accompanied him partook of a collation to which they were invited by the European inhabitants. An excellent repast, the most friendly feeling, and loyal and kindly expresued sentiments, concluded a day which must have been most gratifying both to the guests and the hosts. We hear that the Governor and his party expressed their satisfaction in the warmest terms, both in public and private. On the 12th, the Governor, accompanied by the private secretary, two officers of the Iris, Mr, Clendon, the; Resident Magistrate, and Mr. Smith, proceeded to Hokianga, where he was received with a salute of seventeen guns by Mr. Webster.' , t " On the 13th the Governor visited the Mission Settlement at Mangungu, where an immense I number of natives received him with a war dance and a salute of musketry. Some hours' were occupied in" listening and replying to speeches, all of the most loyal description ; and we learn that a native address of an unusually gratifying character was presented to his Excellency. The proceedings closed with the offer of a present consisting of five bullocks and a quantity of potatoes, which, after being returned by the Governor, were consumed by the party assembled. On the 14th, the party returned to the Waimate, and on the 15th, we learn that the Governor, Colonel Mould, the Attorney-General, Capt. Loring. and several gentlemen (including Messrs. Williams, &c, &c.,) inspected the banks of the Kiri Kiri, where, in accordance with the wishes of a large number of the inhabitants of these districts, it is proposed to open a new township. On the following day, the proposed road was also carefully inspected. What decision has been arrived at we have not yet ascertained. In the afternoon, the party re-embarked in the frigate, and were greeted from the shore by the erection of the flag staff and the hoisting of the Union Jack. On the morning of the 17th, the frigate weighed, and sailed for Coromandel, where she anchored on the morning of the 18th. In the course of that day and the next, the party, accompanied'by Mr. Preece, inspected the Wynyard Diggings, and conversed with persons who had been employed there for some time past. -We learn that, although there can. be no doubt of the existence of gold in various places, the impression left on the minds of those present was that it will not be found in sufficient quantities to prove remunerative. On the 20th, the frigate left Coromandel, witli a very light breeze, and anchored during the night. She reached Auckland about 9 a.m., on the 21st.