THE Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1868.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 108, 21 March 1868, Page 2

THE Marlborough Express.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1868.

“ Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to rrgne freely according to conscience, above all other liberties." —Milton.

A number of interesting matters and correspondence must stand over this week, to make room for the Council proceedings. A MAN named Frishee was etabbedto death in a brothel in Christchurch on the 7th instant. A communication has been received from Mr. Nelson, stating that he intends coming to settle among ns in the course of a few days. The Falcon, from Wellington, arrived at Duck Island last night. The police cart was despatched for the mails, which were opened and distributed on arrival. The English mails, via Suez, will not be duo at the Bluff this month until the 21st (this day), therefore those by Panama will most likely reach Wellington first. The great scarcity of silver existing for some time past, has induced the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, at Blenheim, to send for £IOO worth, which arrived the other day by the ketch Falcon, from Wellington. . _ Wairau. Valley. —A change has, we learn, been made in the times of departure and arrival of the mails,, which noyv leave Wairau. Valley on Tuesday at 9 a.m., arriving in Blenheim at 3p,m,» and'returning on- at 10 a.m.

Preparations are in progress for holding a Ballon the Queen’s Birthday, under the joint patronage of the Oddfellows and the Blenheim Subdivision of Marlborough Volunteers.

A nkW Synagague is about to be erected near the Church Hill, in Nelson. The site was given by H. DaVis, Esq., and the fundjhas been largely Subscribed to by members of all denominations. Oeorge Barton has had another attack of kleptomania, and was committed to Picton Gaol this week, for stealing money in the residence of Jdr. Williams, brewer, Picton.

S Several drays loaded with wool have arrived from this week, and we understand that the road has been cleared by means of a jmblic subscription got up by Mr. Vine. During the month of February, 80,850 feet of timber were imported into Nelson; the majority of which came from Havelock in the Province of ■Marlborough.— Colonist. Mr. Richmond, the Superintendent of Taraanaki, is to be appointed Resident Magistrate at New Plymouth, vice Mr. Flight, who retires, being over sixty years old. The Town Board of Christchurch have voted i£soo towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s reception,; and the reception committee are also canvassing the town for subscriptions. Export of Grain. —We ( Canterbury Pres*) understand that the Agricultural Export Company have succeeded in making arrangements with one of the Banks in Christchurch for advances on grain shipped by them to England.

ft Wairau Produce. —Mr. M‘Donald, of Blinkbonny, brought a specimen of his produce to our office this week, comprising very fine specimens of grapes of the Black Hamburg and Black Cluster varieties. We congratulate him, on his continued that branch of horticulture ' On the 22nd ult. the river Hunter rose 10 feet in five hours, overflowing its bank. The settlers on low lying grounds were compelled to abandon their homes and seek refuge at Windsor. A vast Juantity of property has been destroyed. Two ams at the waterworks gave way.

learn that the Necromancer, in coming up the Wairau River to the Ferry, on Thursday last, caught against a snag, and sank in a few minutes after. She had 600 bushels of wheat on board belonging to Mr. Henry Redwood, which, it is feared, will be spoiled for the purpose for which it was intended.

At the Launceston Champion Meeting on the 18th February, Mr. Tait’s Fireworks was first, and Tim Whiffler second, for the champion cup, value 500 sovs., with a sweep of 30 sovs added, distance three miles ; first mile, 2 min. 8 secs. ; whole race, 5 min. 48 secs. Fireworks also won the Leger. The trial of Swale for the murder of his partner at Christchurch, by burning the premises while he was asleep in bed, was concluded on, the 7th instant, when a verdict of guilty was given by the jury and concurred in by the Judge, who sentenced him to death without hope of mercy. We understand that Mr. Wastney, M.P.C., left home this week in order to hold meetings in explanation of his political views throughout the electoral district of Golden Bay, where Mr. Gibbs and Mr. A. S. Collins, the other two candidates for the vacant seat in the House of Representatives, have already solicited the “sweet voices” of the electors. — Mail.

The Nelson Coal Company have at last set about in earnest to make the long talked of railway from the mine to Cobden. By the last mail from Melbourne, the manager, Mr. Simpson, received a draft for £IOOO to defray the preliminary expenses of laying out the line, a like sum every month will be placed at his disposal until the line is completed.—Grey River Argus. Discovery of the Skull op a Moa. —The Wettport Star informs us that “ On Friday last a perfect Moa skull in a state of petrification, was discovered near to a prospector s claim on the Caledonian Lead at a depth of twenty-five feet from the surface and imbedded in clay that had no appearance of having ever been disturbed. The men who discovered the skull are driving in the hope of finding the remainder of the skeleton to which the skull belonged.” A man named William Robinson, has been sent to gaol for six months, with hard labor, by the Resident Magistrate at Hokitika, for committing an assault on an infant. The inhuman being, whilst having a quarrel with a Mrs. Gething about the rent of a house, seized her baby, dragged it through a window, and threw it over a fence six feet high. The poor little creature fell on a pile of firewood, and was seriously injured. Pelorus Election.— On Monday morning last, we received a telegram from Havelock, stating that at the close of the poll, the numbers stood thus : Levien, 38 ; Houghton, 28 ; majority for Levien, 10. These numbers have since been verified, and we learn that no undue excitement was manifested. It turned out that the Fenian element sought to be invoked, did not prevail to the extent anticipated. Contemplated Fraud.— Since our last, we have received a copy of a “ memorandum, ’ ’ issued to the Canterbury Provincial Council by Mr. Moorhouse, wherein ho broadly propounds the system of fraud upon the colony, to which we alluded last week. He no longer hints at throwing the Canterbury debt of £830,000 upon the colony, while retaining the land fund for his province. Were all the other provinces as deeply indebted, there would be some shadow of justice in his County scheme. We shall refer to it again. The Wellington Wharf Dispute.— The Kennard case against the Wellington Government in the wharf extension was closed on the 13th, after a trial which lasted five days. As the Attorney-General began addressing the jury, Mr. Travers offered, on behalf of Messrs. Kennard, to take less than the contract price, and waived a claim for extras. This was agreed to. The Judge complimented both sides on the Result. The Wellington Government pays £5,900 instead of £7,900 of a balance claimed. This case has been made the subject of a high bet. Kennard bet John Martin £2OO against £SOO. By the result of the trial, Martin has won his bet. A previous telegram, says ;—“John Martin wins hisbet of £SOO with Kennard, and gets the money," so that it would appear as if Mr. Kennard had given Mr. Martin 5 to 2. —Examiner.

Assault on a Female. —A man named Fern was on Wednesday last sent to prison for two months, with hard labor, by the Resident Magistrate, for committing an assault on a little girl, aged 10 years, and daughter of Mr. S. Nellis, at N elson. — Colonist'.

We learn that at the Amuri Races, which came off on the 20th and 21st inst., the Maiden Plate was won by Mr. G. M‘Rae’s Tussock, the Corinthian Cup by Mr. Mallock’s Backbiter, ridden by F. Gay, the Amuri Plate Handicap and the Duke of Edinburgh Plate being won by Mr. Money’s Rob Roy.— Examiner.

Marina Election. —We are assured 'that Mr. H. Redwood will serve as the member for this district, if elected, and that he will go to the poll on Tuesday, if necessary. It is for the electors to decide whether they will have a resident of fair and unblemished reputation, practical business capacity, and ability, or Mr Western.

,/We understand that the ketch Pearl (built, in Hobart Town) has changed hands, iiaving been purchased for £403 by H.. Redwood, Esq., of Spring Creek, and that she is intended to work as a regular trader between the Wairau and Nelson, Wellington, &c.. This makes a second vessel owned in this district, and we hope the venture will be a fortunate one.

"-Nelson Races. —We are glad to find that two of Mr. Mallock’s horses, Backbiter and Scandal, have arrived from Canterbury, the horses having travelled overland from Amuri. Both these horses ran well at the Canterbury races, and they are only, we believe, an instalment of the horses from the neighboring provinces intended to run at our ensuing meeting.— Examiner.

The girl, Hester Hosken, whose confession of an alleged murder in England, created such a sensation in Christchurch, has been sent to a lunatic asylum for safe custody, there being reason for supposing her to be insane. Several of her fellow passengers who came from the same vicinity as herself, state that they never heard of the alleged murder, and tnat she was always thought to be slightly deranged. A copy of her statement has been sent to the authorities in England.— Examiner, March 17.

Action against Commissioner Kvnnersley. —The Westport Star of March 3rd, says;— “Because of a horse-whipping administered some time ago to Mr. Apted, of the Westport Times, by Mr. Commissioner Kynnersley, Mr. Apted has entered an action in the Supreme Court against the Commissioner for the modest sum of .£IOOO damages. The writ was served on Saturday last, and we understand that the plaintiff has retained two of the most able members of the bar in New Zealand to conduct his case. The trial will take place during the next cavil sittings of the court at Nelson.” f There has been nothing going on in Blenheim but cricketing, for the two last days. On Thursday, a match was begun between Blenheim v. Picton, but owing to some disagreement among the players, it was not played out, We withhold any remarks until we know more of the particulars. At noon, lunch was prepared by Mr. Ewart, and m the evening a dinner was given in James’ rooms, to which all the players were invited. Host Purkiss was the caterer, on the occasion, and the spread did him great credit. H. Dodson, Esq., took the chair, and the usual loyal and professional toasts were given, the party breaking up early. Education Act.— The following notice has been posted to all the school teachers in the province :—“ Sir —I am instructed by the Education Board to inform you that your services will not be required after the 30th day of June, now next. This notice is given you, pending any change which may be made in the Education Act by the Provincial Council, and it must be understood by you that should such arrangements be made by the Education Board as will enable them to retain their present staff of teachers, due intimation will be made to you of the rescinding of the notice of the termination of your services. —Thomas Williams, Secretary to Education Board.” / FataiT Accident. — The Grey River Argus of the 14th instant, gives the following painful B t or y : —“Yesterday afternoon Mr. Butler, a storekeeper at the Ahaura, with his wife and child, a little girl ten years old, left Greymouth to return home. On arriving at the Arnold Fall, Mr. Butler took his daughter on the saddle before him in fording the stream, but before getting across, the horse lost its footing and stumbled, causing the child to fall. The father at once plunged in to rescue his daughter, but the stream swept both away to destruction. The horse was recovered, but the bodies of father and child have not been found. This awful accident has caused great gloom amongst the inhabitants of the Ahaura, by whom Mr. Butler was greatly respected. We are informed that the Government has sent a request that all spare arms at this station should be returned to Wellington. Whether this has any connection with the Fenian alarm or not, we are unable to say, but were our population disposed to be disloyal, they might make a good haul by seizing the powder magazine, seeing that it is placed in such a distant and secluded situation, and consisting as it does of a few frail boards, secured by a common padlock. The party who has drawn our attention to this matter, informs us that did such an event occur, it might not be discovered for four or five weeks after it had been rifled of its contents, owing _to the practice of keeping a quantity of ammunition at the Police Lock-ups for the use of the Volunteers. /We have much pleasure in announcing that a (number of our fellow-settlers intend visiting the Opawa Breach on Tuesday next with the view of examining certain banks which have been lately formed, and which it is said, are; tending to increase the diversion of the water in this direction. Opinions are expressed that a few cuttings involving a very slight outlay would be productive of much good, and as the matter is one of vital importance to this portion of the province, we trust that as • many as possible will avail themselves of this opportunity to examine thejflace, and to form an opinion as to whether something may-not bo done to remedy so serious a disaster as that of having the whole water of the Wairau poured into the narrow channel of the Opawa. We learn that Mr. Hanwright, the skilful contractor of the Opawa ’BridgeT has promised to make one of the party.