Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 95, 4 January 1868, Page 4

Local and General News.

On Monday night last, we were visited with a very heavy thunderstorm, accompanied with unusually vivid flashes of lightning. A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Blenheim about 4 a.m. on Sunday last; the undulations lasting several seconds. On Dit. —That a vacancy does, or shortly will exist, in the representation of one of the Northern Districts of this province, occasioned by the operation of the new Bankruptcy Act.

The ship Queen Bee, bound to Nelson, N.Z., from London, was spoken by the Macduff, which arrived at Melbourne on the 13th, in 5'27 north and 22 52 west. !

We understand that Mr. Bulliff, late of the Falcon, has been appointed pilot at Wairau river mouth, in the room of Mr. Shaw, who has resigned, with the view of opening an hotel in Blenheim.

A Telegram was received on Monday last by Mr. Gorrie, stating that the Alarm, which left this port on Christmas Eve, had reached Wellington. Her time of sailing again for Blenheim has not yet been reported.

Flour. —The latest quotations at Nelson are, Jan. 2, Rod and Houndsell for fine, and Redwood’s best Wairau, ~£22 per ton. Bread has been raised in Nelson to 11d, and in Blenheim to 1s. the 4 lb. loaf.

A Proclamation dated the 20th December, prorogues the .meeting of the General Assembly from the 31st ultimo to the 31st January, then “ to take into consideration the state and welfare of the. colony,. and therein do as may seem necessary.”’

. It may be as well to remind our sporting friends that by the Protection of Animals Act, passed during the last session of the General Assembly it is forbidden to shoot pigeons and wild duck in any months but April, May, June, arid July of each year ; and that it expressly prohibits, persons hunting or shooting any native bird on Sundays, under a penalty of £10. The schedule attached to the Act does not include kakas in the list of protected birds.— Mail.

A Trotting Match against time came off on Thursday, with the grey horse “ Nothing thought of,” which ran in the trotting match on Wednesday. The terms were £5 a side for three miles, in twelve minutes. —The match was performed satisfactorily in 9 (and a half) minutes. Tenders for the erection of a cottage in High Street to replace the one recently burnt down, were opened on Thursday. Six tenders were received, varying from -£185 17s. to £213. Nixon and Sweeney’s tender being the lowest, was accepted. We were shown the other day a very good photographic view of the new school at Mahakipawa, taken by Mr. Currie, of Blenheim. The picture includes upwards of twenty portraits of scholars, who are grouped in front of the school. The view is very well executed, and the figures brought out very plain and distinct. We are glad to notice that some persons in Blenheim have initiated a subscription list on behalf of Mr. Bergin, whose house and premises were burnt down at Picton on the 24th ult., during his absence. The case is, we believe, one which commends itself strongly to the benevolence of our townsmen.

A return of the exports of the colony for the June quarter of‘1867, states that—Prom Picton was exported 18 packages dried fish, value £48 ; 3,000 sheep, value £2,000 ; miscellaneous goods, £10 ; 19,360 lbs. wool, value £993- Total produce of the colony, £3,051 ; other Colonial and British produce, ;£67 in all, -£‘3,118; against £11 in the corresponding quarter of 1866.

The paddle-steamer Lyttelton,- Captain Scott, arrived at the Blenheim Wharf yesterday at two p.m. She left Nelson at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the 31st December, but owing to a strong head wind and sea was, after making two attemps, obliged to run back to port again. She took her dual departure on Thursday last, and arrived as above. She brings the following passengers ;—Mr. and Mrs. Bishop and child, Mr. and Mrs. Day and child, Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie and two children, Mrs. Dumble and three children; Messrs, Williams, Thompson, Gledhill, and Lawson.

Resident Magistrate’s Courts. —A proclamation in the Gazette fixes the limits of the “ District of Marlborough ” under the Resident Magistrate’s Court Act, 1867, as comprising “all that area included within the boundaries of the Province of Marlborough. A notification in the same Gazette appoints S. L. Muller, Esq., and G. L. Mellish, Esq., Resident Magistrates for the Marlborough District; and a second extends the jurisdiction of such Courts to £50. These alterations came in force with the Act on the 1st January.

Nelson- Trust Fund. —Yesterday was the polling day appointed for the Wairau district in. respect of the election of governors of Nelson College. The entire absence of any notice to the Marlborough electors as to when or where the polling was to take place, prevented any great number from voting. Mr. J. Sinclair however exerted himself very assiduously to make up for the neglect. The following were the numbers when the poll closed at the Court-house ; D. Sinclair 55, N. Edwards 54, J. Sharp 45, T. Brunner 34, C. L. M‘Lean 13, S. A. Cusack 7. Narrow Escapes from Fire. —On Monday last, the Telegraph Station at White’s Bay had a narrow escape from fire. It appears that the cook had thrown out some hot embers, which the wind gradually fanned into a glow, and igniting the grass adjoining the operating room, quickly caught the building. One of the clerks perceived the smoke making its way through the end of the office, and summoning help, succeeded in extinguishing the flames before any very serious damage was done. —Another instance occurred at Mr. Ockley’s, Wairau Valley, where some persons who had called in for refreshments sat near the open door smoking. A lighted match thrown by one of the party, fell upon an old sack placed outside the door as a mat, which being dried by the sun, speedily ignited, and the fire had burnt a considerable portion of the step ere it was noticed. Had the wind been in any other direction, the fire would have been carried under the house and nothing could have saved it. Both of these instances show how necessary it is to be careful in dealing with fire in or near wooden houses.

Presentation to Mr. Kissling. —On Monday evening a number of gentlemen, comprising all the most influential residents and tradesmen of Greymouth assembled at the Albion Hotel, for the purpose of doing honor to Mr. John Kissling, late Manager of the Branch Bank of New Zealand in this towu, prior to his departure for Marlborough. The chair was taken by T. A. S. Kynnersley, Esq., Commissioner of the Nelson Gold Fields, and W. H. Revell. Esq., R.M., was also present. The proceedings were opened by the Chairman, who, in the most flattering terms, bore testimony to the courtesy, industry, and efficiency with which Mr. Kissling had discharged the various duties which had devolved upon him, not only in his capacity as manager of an important banking institution, but as secretary to the hospital, and other offices which he had accepted in the furtherance of the public interests of the community. He was sure that Mr. Kissling’s departure was a general source of regret, but he trusted—and he was interpreting the sentiments of all present, in expressing the wish—that Mr. Kissling’s future career would be marked by honor and prosperity. A few of his friends had subscribed a purse of--sovereigns, which he (the chairman) was deputed to present to him, with which Mr. Kissling might purchase something that would serve as a memento of the respect and esteem which his Greymouth friends bore towards him. Mr. Kissling, who was considerably affected, feelingly expressed his thanks for the kindness exhibited towards him, and his regret at leaving a community with the members of which he had preserved such cordial relations. He assured .them that he;. should, never forget them nor the pleasant time he had spent in Greymouth. The healths of Mr, Kissling and the members of his family were most enthusiastically drank, and after other toasts had been honored and several i: songs sung, the party separated. Mr. Kissling took his departure in the Phoebe on Tuesday, and was accompanied to the wharf by a goodly number of friends, who loudly cheered him as the tug-steamer dropped down the river. We understand that Mr, Kissling proceeds to Blenheim to take management ■ of the Branch Bank of New Zealand there. —Grey River Argus,

The schooner Pioneer, supposed to have been lost on her passage from Dunedin to Okarita, was spoken by the Kennedy off Gillispie Beach, on the recent trip of the latter to relieve'the suffering at Jackson’s Bay. The Pioneer had been out seventy-seven days !— Colonist. The Duke of Edinburgh. —Despatches have been received announcing that His Royal Highness is to arrive in the colony on the Bth .March, accompanied by the Commodore, and will remain two months. The Duke will visit several places, which are to be decided on by the Commodore. — lndependent. It is with no common regret that we announce the death of ore of our most attractive entertainers, Miss Emma Neville (Mrs. George Loder) which took place suddenly in Adelaide. Her life was not passed, we believe, without some dark shadows failing upon her path. “ May the earth lie lightly upon her breast.” —livening News.

False Alarm —Judge Johnston stated at Wellington the other day “ much misapprehension and unnecessary alarm existed in reference to the Coinage Offences Act. It had been brought to his notice that the popular view of the subject matter of this Act had given considerable fear and annoyance to certain tradesmen and others, therefore he might, for their comfort, remark that there was quite an erroneous impression, quite a mistaken notion about the Act prevalent, the law was in no way changed, and there was no danger whatsoever in passing tradesmen’s tokens and those other copper coins common to the country. In fact, the Coinage Offences Act was of but little importance ”

The Late Cake Lottery.— Messrs. Brown and Sutherland have requested us to publish the following list of persons who obtained prizes : First prize, value £lO 10s, Mr. Joshua Rayner. Second prize, value £5 ss, Mr. F. Bensly. Third prizes, valued at three guineas, drawn by N. Macaulay for G. Bartlett, and by Mr. John Ewart for Miss Jane Kennedy. Four prizes, value two guineas each, 11. Redwood, Esq.; Mr. Eyes, junr., Mr. Jermyn; Miss Clark, Picton, by Mr G James. Six prizes at one guinea : A. Williamson, J. Ewart, Blick, Boddington, O’Sullivan, and Mofhtt. Twenty prizes at half a guinea :—F. Busley, Mason, Macaulay, H. Redwood (2J; Robinson, Miss Parkes, F. Rush, Lifford, Mrs. xUoffitt (3), J. Ewart (2), Robert Robinson, Miss Tattou. The names of the remainder could not be furnished.

Mr. Fitzherbert did not resign the Commissionership of Crown Lands, as was generally expected, but obtained from the General Government a twelve months’leave of absence. The choice of a deputy appears to have been a matter of some difficulty, principally on account of the shortness of the tenure and the desire of the Government to save expenditure. We hear that the choice of the Government has fallen on Mr. Holdsworth, who has been requested to combine the duties of the Deputy-Commissionership with those he has hitherto performed. This combination of duties is only possible in consequence of Mr. Holdsworth being already compelled to spend more than naif his time in the saddle—the journeys which he takes in his present capacity, being made available for the duties of the Commissionership. — lndependent.

Arrivals. —Mr. and Mrs. W. Fox and Mr Morrison, the Loudon agent of the General Government, arrived by the Kaikoura. While at the island of St. Thomas, all three had narrow escapes of losing their lives. They were putting off to the steamer La Plata, when a vast tidal wave, caused by one of the shocks of earthquake which were then devastating the island, yvas seen coming in from the sea. The negro boatmen as once turned the boat’s head to the nearest land, but before it could be reached, the wave overtook them, overwhelmed the boat, which it turned over upon the passengers, who were, however. immediately after brought to the surface of the water by the reflux of the wave, and were finally washed ashore We believe it is Mr. Fox’s intention to remain in town for about ten days, and then to proceed to Rangitikei. Mr. Morrison’s visit is partly on public, partly on private grounds. Sir Robert Douglas was also a passenger by the Kaikoura.— lndependent.

Ridiculous. —In a recent issue, the Independent staked. that “the larger part of the butter and eggs produced at the Lowry Bay estate found its way not to the table of the Governor, but to that of Mr. Stafford.” Thereupon a correspondence ensued, the Premier asking for the authority for the statement, and denying its accuracy. The Editor replied that “it was unusual for journals to name their authorities,” but as the story was declared untrue, he would say that it emanated from a gentleman connected with the ■Governor’s establishment. Mr. Stafford rejoins, requesting that the letter might be published next day, together with the informant’s name. The Editor’s reply was characteristic, declining to give the name of his informant, until he had communicated with him, as he was at present absent at Auckland; but in the meantime he publishes the whole of the correspondence, which has the effect of making the whole matter perfectly ridiculous in the extreme. The St Kilda Accident.— An inquiry into the late accident to the Government steamer St. TGIHn v was held in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday, before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., and Captain Johnston, Nautical Assessor. Captain Fox, in command of the vessel, stated that the accident occurred at 9 30 a.m. on the 16th instant, when the weather was fine, the wind light, and the tide “first quarter ebb” The vessel was then at anchor about half a mile from the landing placo at Kaikouras, when she drifted on to a rock, not marked' in the chart, and damaged one or two, iron plates. Mr. McDonald, second officer, was in charge at the time. Mr. Chapman and Mr. McDonald, Ist and 2nd officers of the vessel, gave corroborative evidence, and stated that the vessel made so much water after the casualty that she was at once put about and returned to Wellington, where she was put on the slip in Evans’ Bay. The Court was of opinion that there was insufficient length of chain, and that the vessel was anchored on a rocky bottom ; further, that the disaster; was caused by the inattention of the officer in charge of the deck at the time the vessel drifted on to the rock.— Post.

The Taranaki will leave Nelson on the Gtli, for Picton, carrying the English mail. We are requested to call the attention of our readers to the extensive series of sales advertised by Mr. Dodson for Tuesday next, comprising upwards of 1,000 sheep and rams, two mares and filly, straining posts, fencing tools, two draught mares, a reaping machine, tobacco, bacon, &c. A claim, recently christened ‘ the Hibernian,’ on the Addison’s Flat diggings, Nelson province, is estimated to give its fortunate owners A‘so per week per man. The depth of washdirt is 6 feet 6 inches, and several prospects taken promiscuously from the heap went a quarter of a pennyweight to the shovel. Another claim adjoining is yielding between A‘2o and .£3O per week per man. On the north end of the lead a paddock claim has struck a very rich patch of wash, said to go two dwts. to the shovel. —Grey Elver Argus.

Sporting.— The Phoebe, on Saturday morning, took to Canterbury six horses to run at the Metropolitan Meeting, which commences on the second Tuesday in January. The animals put on board were Magenta, IN ebula. Omen, and a three-year old filly, we believe a sister to Omen, belonging to Mr. Stafford. The remaining two animals were Blackboy and Ake Ake, belonging to Mr. Redwood, but in charge of Mr. Stafford, for the Canterbury meeting. If nothing goes wrong, Mr. Stafford will possess a strong team, and we heartily wish him success. — Examiner.

State of Auckland. —The Provincial Council has met, and its sittings have been very important. The whole burthen of its deliberations has been upon the finances. The accountant came back from Wellington with the intelligence that we were as bad as we could lie ; that instead of money being due to us we are in debt to the General Government upon the account stated. The consequence has been that all the Gove.nimeut employees have got notice that they cannot be retained after the 31st of this month. Even the police are included in this notice. Mr; Carleton has put a notice on the table of the Provincial Council, recommending a total change in the form of government. He rings the death knell, according to some, of Provincial Councils. Mr. Carle on’s suggestion is to appoint a LieutenantGovernor —the province to be administered directly from Wellington. There is to be a call of the Council to discuss his very important propositions.—Herald. Trip to Port Underwood. —The following extract from the Evening Post gives the reason why the Wanganui did not pay the promised visit:—“Boxing Day was too blustering to be altogether pleasant, and the strong N.W. wind had the effect of preventing persons availing themselves of the opportunity offered by the Wanganui of visiting Port Underwood. Indeed, so few were the numbers of those who felt inclined to. attempt the passage of the Straits, that Mr. Pilcher determined to abandon the trip and run the steamer over to Lowrie Bay. When making the second trip, the Wanganui’s charterer, observing the Kaikoura coming into harbour, went to meet her, and gave directions to the band to play, in compliment to Mr. and Mrs. Fox, on their return to the colony, ‘ 1 Auld Lang Syne the compliment was acknowledged by the ladies waving their handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen cheering. The Wanganui then proceeded to Lowry Bay, dipping her ensign as she moved off.— Post.

Fire at Nelson. — On Saturday afternoon, the 14th inst., at one o’clock, smoke was discovered issuing from the roof of Mrs. Taylor’s eating-house in Selwyn-place. The fire-bells were both rung, and the engines were shortly on the ground, the smaller engine arriving first; but the shingle roof had firmly caught, and was in a full flame. The woodwork of the house, which had brick walls, was completely burnt in the upper storey, except a few charred rafters and uprights, and the remains of two bedsteads ; the engines succeeding in pouring in water, which prevented the flooring from being consumed. A large portion of Mrs Taylor’s household goods were saved, but much was destroyed by fire and water. The origin of the fire, which is believed to be accidental, is not properly known, but no doubt the inquest into its cause will produce information on the subject. Neither the building, which belongs to Sir David Monro, nor the furniture or stock was insured. This is the second time Mrs. 'l’aylor’s premises has been on fire ; an adjoining stable having been burnt on a previous occasion, causing a partial burning of the place. — Colonist. Westland County Act. —The notification which was issued by his Excellency just prior to his leaving, bringing the Westland County Act into operation, has in some measure taken the colony by surprise. The flaw in the Act .was supposed to be fatal. It declared that the Westland Council should consist of seven members, but it made provisions for the sitting of nine. To ordinary minds there was no way of getting out of the difficulty but by fresh legislation. Had the error been purely clerical, the Clerk of Parliament might have stepped out of the strict line of his duty and altered it but it is a question on which opinion is by ho means single, whether the word “ seven” is the error, or whether four members have, been given to a particular district instead of two. The question as to what alteration is to be made, is one which the Legislature can alone constitutionally determine. But doing things constitutionally is not the Premier’s/orie. He has little patience for unravelling the knot, he likes to cut it. He has done so now. The Act is to he brought into force, and the Legislature asked to convey the illegality next session. Every step taken unde? the direction of the shortly-to-be-elected Council will be illegal, and will require an act ,of indemnity. Mr. Stafford has Been most unfortunate in his “ tinkering” of the Constitution. After he passed the New Provinces Act through a thin , house at the close of the Session of 1858, he acted unconstitutionally in' bringing', it into existence, and the Imperial Parliament had to be appealed, to for an expost facto sanction. In the case of the New Provinces Act, Mr. Stafford could, however, plead ignorance qf its- > Being illegal; but,no such plea can be 1 urged in that of the Westland County Act. It is known that the introduction of the Act is intrinsically illegal; even if Mr. Brandon’s argument as to its being ultra vires like the New Provinces Act, should prove valueless. Its introduction is a precedent which ought strongly to bo condemned.— lndependent.

Wreck.— A ship’s company has been arrested in San Francisco, on suspicion of having wrecked their vessel, in order to obtain the insurance, and to smuggle her cargo, consisting of 25,000 dollars worth of alchohol, into the country. A Pretty Quarrel. —A very petty quarrel has taken place in Wanganui between two clergymen, both of whom we know and respect. “ It appears,” says the Times, “that in August last the Rev. C. H. S. Nicholls, Incumbent of Christ Church, addressed a letter to ‘ Mr. Harding, Wesleyan Minister,’ in which he said he had been informed that he (Mr. Harding) had attempted to lead away members of his church by offering his ministrations to them unasked, &c. Mr. Harding, in reply, asked Mr. Nicholls’ reason for addressing him in a manner quite unusual, and said—“lt may be that you do not respect my ordination to the office and work of the Christian ministry, and yet I think you will not take such unusual action from that stand point.” Mr. Nicholls, in his reply, said—“ You claim to be addressed as ‘reverend,’ according to the ‘OOOllllOll usages of society,’ i.e., the world. This I,cannot conscientiously do, and I will tell you why, &c.” Thus commenced a correspondence, which the Rev. Mr. Harding has had published, but which the booksellers of Wanganui refuse to sell ! For what reason we know not, for the letters in themselves are harmless enough. We may some day find room for the whole of them ; meantime the Rev. Mr. Harding must act as his own bookseller.— lndependent.

The Falcon’.— This smart little vessel took her departure from Blenheim Wharf on Sunday, December 22nd, at 7 a.m., and came to an anchor inside the Boulder Bank on iM onday, the wind being unfavourable for crossing the bar. She got over at 4 a.m on Tuesday, and arrived at Port Underwood by 11 o’clock, when she commenced discharging wool into the ship Cissy. After taking in a few tons of ballast, she sailed for Wellington at 1 o’clock, same day, with a strong N.W. wind ; and when abreast of Cape Terewiti, was obliged to close reef the mainsail the sea running high at the time. She arrived in Wellington at 9 o’clock the same evening, after a quick but stormy passage. —The Falcon left Wellington for Blenheim on Sunday night at half-past 8 with a strong gale blowing (a crowd having assembled to witness her departure), and arrived inside the Boulder Bank at 9 a.m. on Monday. When off Sinclair’s Head, she carried away her mizen boom close to the throat, which caused some little delay in replacing. Sighted a brigantine off Port Underwood at daylight on Monday, supposed to be the Despatch from the Chathams for Taranaki, with a cargo of Maoris. We may here mention that the Panama Mail was put on board the Falcon, and removed into the s.s. Wanganui—which did not leave Wellington until half-past 7 a.m. on Monday—by order of the Postmaster-General. The Falcon reached Morgan’s creek at 10 a.m. on Monday, while the mail per Wanganui did not arrive till Tuesday morning. The Falcon left for the Woolshed, to load for Wellington, on Thursday evening last.