Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 126, 18 July 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

The barque Island City, we learn from the Auckland papers, is shortly to sail from that city for London, being engaged on the new line of vessels started between Auckland and London. The Hew Zealand Herald of June 27th, states that Mr. Carleton is dangerously ill, and that even if he should ever attend the Assembly again, he certainly will hot make an appearance there during the earlier part of the coming session. The Rev. C. L. Maclean, late head master of the Nelson College, has been appointed Registrar of the Supreme Court in Nelson, in room of Mr. Sharp, who vacates the office for that of Resident Magistrate. — Colonist. Two men, named Stephen J. Mackley and James Green, were drowned in a tail-race, on the South Beach, at Grey mouth, on Friday, June 26th. The funeral of the unfortunate men took place on Sunday, when over 250 persons were present. — Colonist. The Auckland Members of the General Assembly met the electors on July 2nd, in the Mechanics Institute, Auckland, when a large number were present. Questions were put to the hon. gentlemen as to the course of action they intend to pursue during the coming session. The members declined to pledge as delegates to any particular course of action ; but, one and all, stated that they would go in for economy and retrenchment so far as possible. Some of them were in favor of insular separation. Scene in a Police Court. —On June 23rd, as a batch of vagrants were being removed from the Thames (Auckland) Police Court, one of them seized an inkstand, which lay on the table in front of the clerk of the Court, and aimed it at the Bench (Commissioner Naughton and Mr. Robert Graham) with great determination. Sergeant Lipsey, observing the prisoner, was successful in diverting his aim, and the missile struck against the seat, not, however, before it had come in contact with Mr. Young’s (clerk of the Court) head. The Court papers, the sergeant, and other persons near were bespattered with ink. The Bench ordered him to undergo two months and 14 days additional imprisonment for this offence. — Colonist. Mutual Improvement Society.— The usual meeting of this society was held on Tuesday evening last, when the attendance of members and friends was far in excess of any former occasion, upwards of forty being present. Mr. J. B. Williams read an original essay on “Marriage,” The subject was an attractive one, and the essay, displaying as it did, refined expression, and keenness of research, was deservedly listened to with marked attention. At the conclusion, the debate was opened in a humourous speech by Mr. C. J- Rae, followed by Messrs, Falconer, Morley, R. and W. Parker, Johnson, Rush, &c. In consequence of the inability of many of the members to be present at the last meeting, when only eight attended, Mr. Morley was requested and agreed to re-introdnce the debate on the subject, “ That the execution of Mary Stuart by Queen Elizabeth was Justifiable.” Mr. Johnson agreed' to maintain the negative. The date to be fixed at a future meeting. The subject announced for the next meeting is an essay on “The Conduct of a Gentleman,” by Mr. Rae.

Mr.. Win. of Havelock, is gazetted as a Justice of the peace for the Colony.- , Capt. Mellish, late of Picton, is gazetted as Resident Magistrate for the district of -Kaiapoi, to act during the absence on leave of W. B. 'Pauli, Esq. The following persons have been appointed Harbour-masters by the Governor :—Jas. Bailiff, Wairan; Thomas Philpotts, Picton; and J H. Smith, Havelock.

Havelock, the seat of the proposed Pelorus County Council Government, is, by a Gazette dated the 7th inst., no longer a port of entry under the Customs Act.

The Public Reserves Act passed by the Provincial Council last session, having been laid before the Governor, he has been pleased to withhold his absent.

The Marlborough Appropriation Act, 1868-9, has been assented to by the Governor, notwithstanding the dire prophecies of some of onr Picton friends, who insisted that because an overdraft due to the Bank was included, it would be returned to its framers.

About 20 men are engaged in stopping the breach in the Opawa banks on Mr. Myers’ land, near Nicholl’s cottage, at the Bush. They are wattling the side nearest the water, and making a most substantial bank about 9 feet wide at the base.

Under the rather ominous title of “ The Light Brigade,” (says the Lyttelton Times) a ship is to bring us out 100 single women. We hear from private sources that Mr. Cass, our temporary agent, has taken very great pains to secure immigrants of unimpeachable character, and suitable for colonists’ life. The vessel was to sail on the 15th of May. A good and much-needed footpath has been made along that part of Alfred-street extending from Nosworthy Bros’, to the Church. The contractor was Mr. H Pritchard, assisted by others who contributed labor, among whom were Mr. Earll, 3 chains of gravelling, Messrs. T. and W. Jeffreys, a similar quantity, Mr. J. Howard, and others whose names have not yet reaached us. Renwick School. —On Wednesday last a meeting of householders was held at Renwicktown, for the purpose of determining whether the school should be continued or not. Mr. A. Monro occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. A report from the committee appointed last week was handed in, from which it appeared that the number of householders liable for the rate are 62 ; with this and other minor sources it was considered advisable and competent that a school should be maintained in the district. The meeting adopted the report, and determined to continue the school as heretofore. The following gentlemen being appointed a committee to “manage and control” it:—Messrs. R. M'Iver, R. M‘lsaac, R. Watson, G. Watson, and T. O’Sullivan.

Meeting of Taranaki Natives. —The Taranaki Herald of June 27th, states:—“We have just received intelligence that a well-attended meeting of the Taranaki natives inland of Warea, it was fully agreed that the Taranaki tribe would render no assistance to Tiko Kowara and his people. Te Witi, the most influential chief present, after saying that the understanding came to in March, that there was to be an end of bloodshed had been broken by Tito Kowara, gave those to understand that if any went to assist Tito they would not be allowed to come back. He further declared that if he heard of any interference with travellers on the road, he would give up the offenders to justice. This meeting was also attended by a small section of the Ngatiruanui, belonging to Keteonetea, whose disposition in this matter might otherwise be thought doubtful.

Entertainment. — We are requested to state that an entertainment of a miscellaneous character, in aid of a second benevolent purpose, is in course of preparation. It is to consist, as at present arranged, of three portions ; the first will be a concert in which a number of local amateurs will assist by singing a variety of songs, sentimental and otherwise; the second part will be a series of readings, by a well-known gentleman who has kindly tendered his aid ; while the last part will be a performance by the Christy Minstrels. Altogether the bill of fare is most ample, and, considering the object of the promoters, we trust the affair will need no urging on our part to be as successful as the recent concert. We have the assurance of several persons that the claim is a really deserving and legitimate one.

A trial of speed took place on Wednesday last between the John Penn and the Charles Edward, on the run from Hokitika to Greymonth. They crossed the Hokitika bar within few minutes of each other, the John Penn being moored before the Charles Edward passed on her way to the wharf. The Grey River Argus of 2nd instant, reports that the Charles Edward was two-miles ahead when the John Penn crossed the Hokitika bar, but was heavily laden, having about 50 tons cargo on board. The distance was accomplished by the John Penn in two hours and five minutes. On the return trip to Nelson the John Penn left Westport wharf at 11'30 a.m. on Friday, half-an-hour after the Charles Edward, and arrived here at 5 a m- on Saturday, and the Charles Edward about half-an-hour afterwards, — Colonist .

Another Breach.— We are informed that bad enough as the danger is with respect to the Breach, that is not the only one Mr. Joseph Ward tells us that upon going over to inspect the site a few days ago, he discovered that at a place about one mile higher up the river, towards the Waihopai, on Dr. Renwick’s land, the set of the current was against the south bank, which was falling in fast, at a place where the head of a small creek comes towards it from the south, and again turning inland a little, passes Renwicktown, and enters the Opawa about a mile above Mr. Adam Jackson’s. At present the creek is only a small one, but at the place indicated, the soil dividing it from the actual current of the Wairau is only three yards wide, and daily decreasing. A small present expenditure will remedy this evil, but if allowed to remain unattended to, possibly the next fresh will open it. The attention of the committee appointed the other day ought, we think, to be given to this mischief, even before the old Breach itself, otherwise the evil will remain uncured whatever plan be adopted.

We learn that more changes have occurred in the General Government departments in Blenheim. Mr. John Barleyman is promoted to the Collectorship of the Customs, while Dr. Muller, who hitherto held the office, is appointed Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court, and Sheriff of Marlborough. Master W. Eyes is also promoted to be Clerk to the Beach. We understand that the salary of the first-named gentleman will, notwithstanding his promotion, be little affected by it, while we regret to hear that the duties fulfilled by Dr. Muller will be largely increased, without a correspoudiug advantagein the amount of remuneration.

Mr. T. Bain, Clerk to the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch, has been arrested owing to the unsatisfactory condition of his public accounts. On June 18th (says the Westand' Observer), he obtained leave of absence for a few days from the Resident Magistrate, ostensibly to take his wife up the country. Instead of this, he took his passage in a steamer to Dunedin the same night. When he reached Dunedin, the authorities here received a telegram announcing his arrival, and an answer was immediately sent back to have him arrested. He was abont to take his passage in the ship Bouverie, to London, which sailed on Sunday. He had apparently formed a disreputable liaison with a notorious character, for some time a resident in Christchurch, and they had agreed to take the homeward trip together. When he was arrested the scene was said to be very touching. His “friend” has sailed without him. He was brought over the first opportunity, and appeared at Christchurch Police Court on June 25th, and was remanded until June 27th. Discrepancies are said to appear as far back as two years ago.

The Breach Committee. —The Committee appointed at the late public meeting met yesterday afternoon, when only two persons were absent. We are happy to state that the gentlemen present took a liberal and united view of the matter. At the suggestion of Messrs. Hathaway and Busch, the boundaries as originally contemplated were very much enlarged, so as to include any works that might be necessary to the Taylor and Omaka rivers. We are inclined to think this proposal one sf considerable future importance, although at the outset some of the parties may object to be included in the consequent taxation. The boundary is proposed to run from the Waihopai river along a line of road eastward to include Beuwicktown, which would however be assessed at the country acreage rate, part of the Omaka to the hills ; thence to Morgan’s creek; and on the north by the Wairau river. The district to be in two wards, Blenheim and Wairau; the first-named to elect three, and the latter, (which includes all country lands), six members or commissioners. The rating was fixed at a maximum of Is. per acre on country lands, and of Is. on every £5 worth of town land, exclusive of improvements. The boundary of the town to include Fell’s two sections, the outside sections along Maxwell-road to Moffitt’s corner; the Grove-road sections; and 30 acres of Bomford’s land. These details will be submitted to a public meeting called for Monday next.