Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 121, 13 June 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

A. W. In&lis, Esq., is a candidate for th f district of Clarence, in the Provincial Council. Saturday’s Lyttelton Times says there is no doubt but that the cattle disease is spreading. The Canterbury annual steeplechases will come off in the middle of July next. We understand that it is intended to erect’a battery at Pipitea point, on which will be mounted two 62-pounders.-— Pott, On to-morrow forenoon, the Eev. W: Lee has kindly consented to fill the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church, when we believe his own Church will, be closed. A collection will be made. and Mrs. Newton. —These well-known and talented artistes are performing, in conjunction with Mr. and Mrs. Hall, at the Princess’ Theatre, Hokitika. Sir James Elphinstone, who formerly represented Portsmouth in the House of Commons,’ has received the appointment of Governor of Tasmania, in succession to Col. T. Gore Browne.

Ir-has 1 beerr "proposed t 5 Tonri'a 1 graving dock at Wellington, and a company is being formed fjttjjhe purpose. . . f Appointment. —J. Alexander, Esq., has been fgazetted as Registrar of Births, Deaths, and : Marriages for the District of Picton, in the place of Captain Mellish, who has resigned.

The New Zealand Advertiser has been resuscitated at Wellington by Mr. E. Bull. Our files . to hand show that it is, as formerly, a supporter “of Mjr Stafford’s Government and policy. Symms (formerly of Picton) has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Mr. Justice Chapman, at the late assizes, held at Dunedin, for obtaining money by fraudulent misrepresentations.

„supposed discovery of gold at Wellington by a Mr. Groves created great excitement, which has since abated, the fact being that he had discovered a site where he hoped to find gold, but such anticipations were not realised.

ft„ K ketch Falcon left the Wairau bar this porning at half-past nine o’clock, and arrived in harbour at half-past three this afternoon, bringing eight passengers. The racehorse, Miss Fidget, was brought over by the Falcon.— Poet.

We learn that an amateur concert, in aid of a local benevolent object, will be given about the _cJose of the mouth. A committee has been formed, "and the proposed performers have already commenced practice. We shall be enabled to give' the particulars in our next. We learn that the Opawa has recently cut itself a new channel on the north side of the river for about 14 miles, thus avoiding a large bend from about Mr. .Robinson’s to Ford’s hole, some distance below the Plough Inn, where it runs into the old bed again.

Rumours have been current this week to the effect that some new and very rich ground had been discovered at the Wakainarina ; but as our -correspondent has not forwarded any information on the subject, we are inclined to think these reports are grossly exaggerated. Novel Visitor. —One day this week, Mr. Dalziel discovered a cock pheasant on his land upon the Renwicktown road. One of his neighbours hearing of the visitor proposed to shoot it, but was prevailed upon to spare its life, in hopes of finding the hen bird. At half-past three o’clock on the Bth instant, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington left the wharf to board the s.s. Kaikoura, en route for Europe A concourse of ladies and gentlemen accompanied him on board, and as the boat pushed off, the multitude cheered, the ladies waving their hankerchiefs.

The Right Rev. Bishop Suter, who has lately been on a visit to Christchurch, preached on Whitsunday morning, at St. Michael’s Church, in that city, and in the evening at St. John’s, to crowded congregations. His Lordship left on Tuesday last, by Cobb’s coach, en route for the Westland diggings.— Mail. In the Supremo Court at Wellington, some jurymen claimed exemption as members of the Borirua Rifle Volunteers, and his Honor informed them that Volunteers should object to serve when .the summons was handed to them, and thus save themselves the trouble of the journey In coming to Court.— Post. ..

Yachting. —We fire informed that there is every likelihood to a match being made up on an early day, between the Hind under Mr. Holmes, and the Emily Clark from Pictou, under Mr. Kennedy, the sailing qualities of whose cutter have not yet been tested in these waters.— Independent. Judge Richmond, in eulogising the late speech of Mr. Ireland, Q.C., said “that after reading the recent trials of the political prisoners in England, whoso defence had been conducted by the most eminent lawyers at the Bar, he must admit that no defence he had met with had equalled the ability or subtleness of argument displayed by Mr. Ireland.” An advertisement appears elsewhere announcing that “ A night with Charles Dickens” will shortly be given at the Odd Fellows’ Hall in Wellington. This will be a representation with several living tableaux of the “ Christmas Carol,” which is generally admitted to be the mast beautiful conception of the favourite living author. — Post.

House of Representatives. —Mr. Robert Graham has resigned hi* seat for the electoral district of Franklyn (Auckland province) in the House of Representatives. The election of his successor will virtually rest with the miners of the Thame* district, and we trust that they will at once set about the selection from amongst themselves of a representative who will be both able and willing to represent them in their very important and peculiar interests in the Assembly. Weekly Neivs. The Wellington patent slip has fallen through in the Provincial Council, who are not satisfied with the project of the Superintendent, who had given a contract to Mr. Owen. The result has een the resignation of the Executive. Mr. Bunny being the leader of the Opposition was sent for, but was unable' to form a Ministry; Mr. Ludlam next made an unsuccessful attempt, and by latest news Mr. Borlase, the late Provincial Secretary, had again been solicited to. return to his position. The anniversary of the Wesleyan Church at Nelson was celebrated on Sunday and Tuesday last, sermons having been preached on the f ormer day by the Rev. W. Lee, of. Blenheim, at which a collection amounting to £lO 11a. was made, and a public meeting having been held last night, Mr. R. Lucas in the chair, at which addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Crump, R. L. Vickers, and W. Lee, Messrs Simmonds, Wagg, and Crisp. A collection had .been made by the ladies of the congregation towards the Trust Fund, which amounted to £l9, and the proceeds . of the tea meeting, with the collection at the subsequent public meeting, last night realised £ll 11s., making a total of £4l 2a. The meeting, was enlivened during the evening with selections of sacred music, sung by the members of the choir, and rendered by them in excellent style, to whom a vote of thanks was given for the services they had rendered during the evening, as also both to the ladies collecting, and to those who kindly provided the tea. The meeting was universally acknowledged to be a great succe«s. —Nelson Evening Mail.

The ketch Alarm tame in yesterday, havin' left Wellington' on Thursday lasi." We are in debted to .Captaiti Butt dor late tiles, from wh cl we learn that Mr. Borlase was a second time uu able to form a-Ministry, upon which Mr. John ston attempted the task and succeeded. Picton Election.— On Thursday last tin nomination took place for a member of the As sembly for Picton, when Captain Kenny was declared elected. Both Dr. Sickler and Air. J. Godfrey declined to go to the poll. The ministerial whip will ere this have learned the result, and there can be little doubt as to which aide of the House the gallant ‘ 1 Connaught Hanger” will be found.

The p.s. Lyttelton arrived on Wednesday last from Nelson, with a large cargo and several passengers, among whom was Air. Pitt, solicitor, of Westport. The Lyttelton left again ou Thursday, with a full cargo of produce, and Air. and Airs. Simmonds and family, as passengers. She is expected to return about Tuesday next, when it is probable she will load with grain at the Ferry, a large quantity being accumulated there. eR Whale Fishery. —Our friends in the d have commenced their harvest, and if the n continues as it has commenced, ,we do not jit Link, they will have much cause of complaint. IWe are informed that Air. James Keenan has j taken the honor of “ first catch” of the season, (and Isaac (a Kanaka) the second; and that several others had been fastened to but lost. I Whales are said to be plentiful in the Sound this fseason ; and on Monday two were seen near the i Island, in the Picton harbour. The fish caught £will yield about four tuns of oil each, — Press.

®'””€rt>LD Discoveries in Auckland. —Gold has been found in Kennedy’s Bay, and the Free Press states- that “there are now between 200 and 300 people at Kennedy’s Bay, and men are arriving every day from Coromandel; and from the sawing stations in the neighbourhood. Gold was being got in all the creeks, and those men who have been longest there say that by present prospects there is room for about 400 men, who would make 12s. per day at sluicing. Other papers announce the finding of quartz with gold visible in it, at Te Arai Point ; at Newton and the Whau, in the suburbs of the city; at the Wade ; and at the Wairoa, Kaipara.

Death of Captain Hayes Contradicted. — Sfary r Auh' Chfistina“”arrived at Lyttelton from the Fiji Islands on the 24th ult. We take the following from the Lyttelton Times of the 25th: —“Captain Simmonds informs us that he does not think there is any truth in the report'of the murder of Captain Hayes. It was stated on the Island that he had bought the wrecked missionary ship John Williams, had got her off the reef, and had taken her to Valparaiso. King Thakombau’s party had been repulsed, but another of the friendly tribes had been victorious, and had burned a large village, killing all the people in it. ” . It appears that some difficulties have arisen | between the master carpenters and their men. I The employers held a meeting the other day,.the | object of which was said to be the prevention of | journeymen from taking contracts on their own | account. The men have called a meeting F for ij this evening, at the Royal Oak Hotel, when | journeymen only will be admitted. We, hope ' ■both parties will ’ well and duly consider what | they are about before any action is taken. Our jf P.D. tells us that the dispute has arisen from the circumstance that the numbers of each are just | equal, and this has brought things to. a dead- \ lock, which cannot be altered till a member of of one party changes his character, and either a | master becomes a man, or a man a master.

The quarterly meeting of the Mutual Improve-"* ment Society was held on Tuesday evening last, when the report was read, showing that 27 persons had joined as members ; the rules • also underwent revision. During the discussion upon these, considerable amusement was caused by the attempt of a member to prohibit the attendance of ladies, and we feel ashamed to acknowledge that the motion found a seconder- ,The rest of the members, after some very interesting speeches and poignant remarks on both sides, indignantly rejected the proposed prohibition ; consequently the ladies will be allowed to attend, should they be so disposed. The subject for debate next Tuesday evening is—“ Was the exexecution of Mary Stuart by Elizabetn justifiable?” Mr. Motley maintains the affirmative, and leads the debate. The occasion will doubtless be an interesting one. Six new members were elected. The meetings are (by permission of the Education Board) held in the Girls’ Schoolroom. We had the pleasure of noticing last season | that Messrs. Hathaway and Withey, of the I Ferry, had obtained a new threshing machine.of an improved description, ISacte'' Tiy* ’Marshall, > Sons, and Go., of Gainsborough. We learn now > that it ha» given great sa'isfaction, and been % fully employed all the season. The increase of \ business has been so encouraging that the owners ■ have ordered a second one from the same makers. ) The kind wills be: similar tothe last, but lighter I in construction, and more adapted to the low : country, whither the other had some difficulty | in getting. It'is expected to arrive in, December i next. This circumstance shows the steady pro- ; gress of the Wairau district, since a very much j larger .quantity nqf grain has been grown this, j than in anj£ fprqibr year. We notice too; that a j Still larger breadth of country is being put down ‘ ih^graihthi* V; : Wk are glad to find that at length the Super- | intendent has been able to gain into | a fitting Asylum for the poor lunatic McKinley, I now in Picton Gaol. It appears that “spuTe'Eimo \ ago, his Honor communicated with the authnri- | ties at both kelson and Wellington, with the \ view of gaining hia admission to one' of their I hospitals, but - without success, owing to their I being already full of their own patients. Failing J these, Auckland was tried, and, on Saturday | last a letter was received from the Superihten- » dent of Auckland, giving the requisite permission, | and the unfortunate man will be removed there ji by the next steamer, in charge of a specigl oon.- f stable This circumstance reminds us of an un- \ called for letter by Bi«hop Suter, which appeared \ in the Press about a month ago, animadverting \ upon the case. Perhaps the rev, gentleman j would have acted more courteously had he made S enquiries from the Provincial authorities before | writing it, to see what, or whether any steps had j been token, . J

„ v ARRIVAL OF THE GeRTKUDK-AT WELLINGTON. —The ship Gertrude, Captain Dewar, arrived in port at 5 p.tn. on the 3rd instant, from London. The pilot left her on the 26th February, off the Isle of Wight. She fell in with a furious gale in latitude 49 deg. 61 miu. South, and 85 deg. 51 min East; ship hove-to for 24 hours ; shipped some heavy seas, lifting the quarter boats and davits out of the sockets, also stoving one of the lifeboats which was on the skids ; stove in the skylight on the poop, flooding the cabin and storeroom. A midshipman of the name of E. Archibald (deranged) jumped overboard on the occasion of the ship crossing the Line; he was immediately rescued by the chief officer and four hands in the ship’s gig ; he died on the 12th May from water on the brain, ascertained by a post mortem made by the surgeon ; on the same day saw a large iceberg about six miles distant. The Gertrude brings 100 passengers, chiefly for Napier, equal to 86 statute adults, and 9 cabin passengers. The passengers consist of 24 single women, 26 single men, and 50 souls married, with children, all of whom have arrived well and in good health ; no births or deaths (with the single exception above mentioned) occurred during the passage There is about 1,000 tons of general cargo, consigned to Messrs. Levin and Co. — Post.