OTAGO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 643, 5 January 1859, Page 3

OTAGO.

Our papers by the White Swan are to the 25th instant.

There was no candidate forward to supply Mr. M'Andrew's place in the House of Representatives of the colony ; and the papers find it necessary to urge the public to shake off their apathy in the matter.

We extract the following paragraphs :— The following tenders have been accepted for, the conveyance of the local mails :—Between Dunedin and Waitangi, D. Hutchison, at £372 per annum ; Dunedin and Clutha Ferry, James M'lntosh, at £220 per annum; Clutha Ferry Invercargill, Charles Mills, at £230 per annum.— Colonist, Dec. 24 The collection at the Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, on Sunday last, was on behalf of the Colonial Scheme of the Free Church, and amounted to upwards of £40. — Ibid. The new Episcopal Church at Waikouati was opened for divine service on Sunday last. The church is a very neat gothic building, and capable of affording accommodation for about a hundred and fifty worshippers. Both the church and parsonage have been erected at the sole cost of Mr. John Jones. . A sale of town lands look piano on Monday. Eighty lots were disposed of, at an aggregate price of £1303, or at the rate of £17 o*. 9d.-iforf. Coal Fncr.ns.-It appears that 115 tons of coal have been obtained from the Clutha coal held, at a cost, including all preliminary expenses, of £230, or £2 ss. 2d. per ton. It is said that the coal could now be shipped at about 15a. per ton. Iho

nous, but the timber in that d strict is of „ ««,.» superior description.-.^. W , ft Vor> I'atvl AcaiDKNT.-Tho most melancholy amdent that has vet occurred i.i tin. provffi a »>} which at least six persons have found a walen grave. It appears that a Miss Gricvo a, 1 A t m WilHon.both ol'New Biver, were proceeding to uapuko for the purpose of getting married, accompany! by four-other individuals. Although warned of the dangerous state of tho bar, they determined to proceed; and in crossing tho bar tho H\. 5, lr. uok tI,CS sand-bank and filled. TI.o bride Miss Gnovo, was,the first who was swept away by the billows while the others dung to tho boat (of some 8 or 10 tons burthen) for nearly three hours, but wore gradually swept away by the advaneiii" tide, bcveral persons on shoro witnessed the heart" rending scone, but wcro unable to render them any assistance. Tho names of those known to have been on board aro as follows, viz,:—Adam Wilson, and Miss Grieve (tho bridegroom and bride); Mr. Hunt, owner of tho boat, who leaves a widow and arge young family; " Bob Smith," a seaman, well! known about Dunedin ; John Jakoways ("-enerally known, as " Alf,") and his wife Ann, a daughter of the late James Kelly, formerly of tho Bluff, lately of Invercargill, an old settler. Such a sad affair Avill surely urgo, tho Government to: make immediate, provison for enabling persons in tho southern; part of the province to get married without tempting tho perils of the deep,1 as they aro now compelled to' do.' We are informed-that under the circumstances no boat could have been of any possible, avail in rescuing the unfortunate party.—: Witness, Dec. 18. .

Wo regret to learn that a young girl, daughter of. the dairyman. at Cherry Farm, Waikouaiti, was lately drowned in the river there, her foot having caught the rope while stepping out out of tho punt. — Ibid.