Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 138, 3 October 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

*** The English Mail, via Panama and Suez, will close on Tuesday next at noon. Road Boards Bill. —The Select Committee have at length reported upon this measure. A a'ery valuable discovery of gold has been made at Rapa, one of the Society Islands. Coal deposits have also been found. We may remind members of the Mutual Improvement Society that, on Tuesday evening next, Mr. Kiernan will give a lecture on Phrenology. By an Order in Council dated the 16th instant, six hundred acres of land have been reserved at the extremity of Farewell Spit, in the Province of Nelson, as a site for a lighthouse.

'/'InTK! .licence reached Wellington by the /schooner Ruby, which arrived at that port on J Wednesday last from Kaikoura, that the widow I of that well known old colonist, Mr. George I Fyffo, had died at the township a few days \before her departure.— Mail. Petty Sessions Act. —On the 23rd ultimo, in the Legislative Council, the hon. Ur. Pollen said that it was the desire of the Government to bring this Act into operation as far as practicable throughout the colony, and that any district that expressed its desire for sessions of the peace to be held there would have their wishes complied with. The Canterbury Rivers Bill was stripped of that portion which rendered it applicable to other provinces who might wish to call it into force, while passing through the Legislative Council, and made to apply to Canterbury only. A general measure applicable to the whole of the Colony is now undergoing discussion in the Assembly. Among the non-commissioned officers and men reported by Lieut.-Colonel M‘Donnell, as deserving especial notice in the sad defeat at Ngutu-o-te-manu; is Sergeant Fleurs, of the Wellington Rangers, and late of Blenheim, where he worked as a painter a few months ago. Inspector Roberts also reports him as being conspicuous with others named for the assistance rendered. Our m P. D.,” evidently jealous of the Express, writes the following:—“An excellent idea has just flitted across my mind of overcoming the educational difficulty. Let the Board impose a ‘ Poll ’ tax upon all bachelors above the age of 25 years, of whom there are not a few in Kaikoura. It would have a double effect, and be a good way of providing for the teaching of married folks’ children ” —Kaikoura Herald. At the Kaiapoi Court, Benjamin Packwood was charged with having carried a piece of beef over the boundary of the infected districts contrary to the Cattle Act, and fined £SO, or, in default, three months’ imprisonment. Geo. H. Moore was fined £7OO for being the owner of 20,000 sheep infected with scab ; but the fine to be remitted if a clean certificate be produced by th 15th of February next. / On Saturday last, Mr. John Smith, in the /employ of Mr. Bulled, had a narrow escape of his life. It seems that he was driving a bullock • \ team, and in attempting to get up into the dray he missed his hold and fell, the wheel passing over his right arm, breaking the bone between the elbow and wrist Mr. C. Clemett set and bound up the arm, under whose care, we are happy to state, he is progressing favorably. —Kaikoura Herald.

The pseado Editor of the News is, we learn from enquiries he has been making, anxious to know the position held by our Wellington Telegraphic Correspondent, having, as he fancies, discovered his name. We shall be happy to enlighten him on this and a few other matters, wherein he has shown an “innate love of meddlesome and impertinent interference,” if he will address his enquiries direct to ourselves. We learn from a contemporary that the Lunatics’ Bill contains a clause authorising the confinement in lunatic asylums of person who are habitual drunkards, and providing for saving the property of such persons for the use of their wives aiid families. Some such provision as this is absolutely necessary as a check against the evil results of the fearful propensity to drink, to which many persons are complete slaves.— Oamaru Times,

A laughable attempt at “bribery, corruption, and intimidation” was made on Thursday evening, on the editor of this journal. A friend of one of our public officials, probably thinking he was in la helle France instead of in New Zealand, waited on the Editor of the Evening News and proceeded, in due form, to go through the ceremony of ,*? warning” the press. Mr. Besemeres, however, did not seem to “see it,” and the ambassador had ultimately to depart in sorrow, and confide to his superior officer that he “ had taken nothing by his motion.” —Otago News.

Accident. —Mr. Roderick M‘Rae, of Richmond, while rabbit-shooting,; on Thursday afternoon, on Mr Best’s island, met with a serious accident, his gun bursting in his hand while discharging it. Mr. M ‘Rae had his left hand dreadfully 1 lacerated, but it is hoped he will not lose the use'-pf it. The gun was completely blown to bices' and a part of the barrel, about a foot long, M'Rae’s hat, which was knocked off Hishpacl!' The gun had been used by Mr. M‘Rae ! fblf‘Several years, and he can give no explanation as to how the accident was caused. Examiner.

' The new Catholic Church at Havelock, dedicated to St. Patrick, is to be opened on the 14th instant by Father Sauzeau. The Church at Kaikoura is also completed, and is to be opened about the 4th November. On Dit. —A rumour has reached Blenheim that his Honor Mr. Eyes has obtained the appointment of Resident Magistrate at the Chathams. In the absence of any direct authority,- vre cannot make such remarks as such an event will surely call forth. In addition to the many previous munificent gifts to the Catholic Church of St. Mary, Blenheim, we have now to record that of a fine-toned bell weighing 300 lbs, from a famous manufactory in Lyons. The donor being a relation of the Rev. F, Sauzeau. A subscription list is on foot for the purpose of erecting a substantial belfry. A Wellington telegram, dated Wednesday at noon, in the Press says :—-“Threatened general rising of Hauhaus in October. The Maori King has declared for war. Stafford declares that the Ministry will retain office disregarding adverse vote in M‘Lean’s motion. Remainder of the session to be devoted to routine. Political and financial policy shelved. Opposition will press for a dissolution.”

Pxcton Rangers. —The members of the above company paraded for inspection of arms and new uniform, by order of Lieutenant Philpotts, at the ex-Council Chamber, when much satisfaction was felt respecting the clothing supplied by Mr. Bergin, who was highly complimented upon the quality and fit. Mr. Bergin returned thanks to the Clothing Committee for giving him the opportunity of furnishing the Volunteers with a suit of which he feels justly proud. The universal satisfaction given is made public by the express desire of this company.—Communicated.

Harry Yant. —We received a note from our Renwicktown correspondent last evening stating that, yesterday afternoon, Mr. George Watson saw an object on the other side of the Wairau river, about two miles above Renwicktown, and which on closer inspection proved to be the body of a man—supposed to be that of the unfortunate Harry Yant, who has so long been missing. The body was lying high and dry. Information was forwarded to the police last night, and we understand Dr. Williams, Coroner, will hold an inquest at the Oddfellows Arms, at 3 o’clock this afternoon.

Quartz Reef at Wakamarxna.—Since the. publication of the notice in our last, a variety of conflicting stories have been current here. It appears that its existence has been known for several weeks. The Colonist says, “ the locality has been prospected by a pretty numerous party, who have come across the leaders of a veritable quartz reef exhibiting considerable richness.” The specimens exhibited to the late Warden showed about 30 ozs. to the ton. Mr. Arthur Hill and party came through to Blenheim this week for the purpose of registering their claims a difficulty having arisen in consequence of Dr Sickler’s death. In all probability his successor will be appointed by the next mail. William Douslin, Esq., J, P,, will be most likely to

be .appointed. The Fijis. —The Otago News gives the following interesting particulars concerning the Fiji Islands:—“The Fijis are divided into nine Islands, all governed by King Thakambau and a Council of British and American colonists. The various islands are governed by chiefs. Chief Tonga aspires to be King of all Fiji, and he disputes the sovereignty of King Thakambau. The Wesleyans are very strong at Fiji, especially in Chief Tonga’s island, and the Catholics are said to be very weak. The Americans were formerly very strong, but they are withdrawing from the scene. Captain Stanley, the American Commodore, settles disputes between the natives and the colonists. Captain Stanley lately deprived an American of all his property, because the Yankee endeavored to cheat a Fiji. Mr. James Turner, lately of Dunedin, has erected a splendid hotel at the Fijis.” VDeath of Dr. A. J. Sickler.— We have now to announce that we have received intelligence of the death of Dr. A. J. Sickler, J.P., and Warden of our goldfields, who died on Friday last, ,at Havelock. The deceased gentleman was so well known in the province, that the mention of the fact of his death will call forth as much sympathy as would be evinced for any person residing in Marlborough. Not alone in this province will the loss be felt; but in parts of Australia, where he was well known, his loss will be mourned. Dr. Sickler was born in Gotha, Saxe Coburg Gotha, Gernu ny, and, when quite a young man, arrived in Australia during the height of the “gold fever.” He practiced his profession most successfully for some time on Ballarat; but society and everything else at the time being in a state of transition, he was prevented from making the place his future home. After experiencing the vicissitudes of goldfields life for some time, he left Australia, and in the year 1864 settled in Havelock, in this province. For nearly five years Dr. Sickler remained among the people who well knew and respected him for the sterling qualities he possessed. Of his abilities as a medical practitioner it is not for us to speak ; but those who have witnessed his unremitting kindness and solicitude for his patients, award him great praise for his skill and attention. A short time since, when it was announced that he was about to leave the province and return to Germany, the people among whom he had ministered so long were sorry to lose his services, and their importunities induced him to remain.

“ That life is long which answers life’s great end." And it can be said of the gentleman whose death we are recording, that he lived to a good old age, if judged by this standard. Though young in years, he was old in good acts and deeds, and his memory will be held in remembrance by those who benefited by his assistance. His death leaves a void it will be difficult to fill, for, apart from his great popularity as a medical practitioner, his manner endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, if it be any gratification to those left behind to know that relatives who have “gone before” have left a legacy in the shape of a good name, the immediate friends. of the late Doctor will have a full measure of consolation in the knowledge that, throughout the province, all unite in expressions of regret at the sadden death of one so universally esteemed, — Press. ,

Fhb Bishop of New Zealand and Lichfield in•nds to return to England by the October mail i& Suez, according to the Auckland papers. Lex Talionis. —‘ ‘ Small minds in little places’’ the motto adopted by one of the numerous iditors of the News in last week’s issue, and he roves by the lines which follow that he is quite iosible of his own attributes, and the position e holds in public estimation. We have often arned him Deforetimes, but foolishly dissatisfied ecause we take no notice of him, he cannot rest, ml in the remarks we shall feel it our duty to ake, we shall use his own phraseology as noted from the paragraph in question. His impertinent interference” in trying to “getup barney” with us respecting a matter which oes not concern that erudite production, is only quailed by hisi want of candour and truthfulness i his remarks upon the Express ; and the “Paul ’ry ” line of conduct pursued not occasionally in is search for news. We are not anxious to articularise as to the way he does this, or we light instance how he haunts the Telegraph and ther departments, in order to worm news out f the clerks “ on the cheap,” instead of paying >r it as we do. Were it not for his “ well-known entility,” we might “admire the energy dislayed ” by him in sending his employes to filch he Express from under the doors of our subcfibers in the early morning, m order to get a nowledge of our telegrams, and so detract from 1 the credit of the paper”—a course which has aused us to defer the delivery of our issue until later hour on the morning of publication, and finch is only on a par with that pursued by the entry, who in some parts of the world are regarded with Government appointments at Botany lay and elsewhere. Instead of this sneaking ystem of obtaining “ news in holes and corners,” r e would advise him to pay for it like a man, nd by the exercise of a more laudable spirit of idustry, dispense with the aid of his confreres, r hom he is constantly pestering to write articles >r him ; but above all, to mind his own business, nd keep his fingers out of the fire, lest they et burnt. >— ——' .*** —

A Brave Man. —Private William O’Brien, of lie Armed Constabulary, arrived in Wellington n Saturday morning by the Sturt, having been ’ounded in the recent engagement at Ngutuotelanu. Mr. O’Brien was one of the rear guard nder Lieut. Hastings, and we believe was one f the few brave men, out of sixty, persistently liowed fight during the retreat. O’Brien tells a that after the force had retreated about a lile, the Maoris pressed so hotly upon them, lat it became absolutely necessary to make a :and behind some fallen trees. It was here that le gallant Lieut. Hastings, while encouraging is men, was shot through the bowels, and cryig, “ Oh ! God, pray” ! fell flat on his face lortally wounded. When he thus fell, O’Brien r aa close by him. The position was held for ve minutes longer, when the fire became so hot lat the few brave defenders were obliged to (treat without the opportunity of carrying off ither Lieut. Hastings or Corporal Bussell, the ktter having been wounded in the back. Had » rest of the men shewed fight, it would have een perfectly practicable to have carried off the ounded. The painful fact, however, is, that le bulk of the force were panic-stricken and (fused even to fire on the enemy. Thus it hapsned that Hastings, while still alive, was left to xe brutality of a merciless foe. It is not true, i previously stated by some correspondents, »t Hastings was carried by the men until he ied. At the moment when O’Brien and the at few of the force were compelled to retreat, [astings • lay groaning on the ground, and Cororal Russell who was shot, vainly called upon is fellow-countrymen to carry him off, adjuring lem to do so, because he had a wife and helpless unily depending upon him for support. Private ’Brien could not single-handed do anything for ther of them, and was unable to obtain a single tan to assist him. It will be remembered that ’Brien was one of the four brave men who held

i angle of the redoubt at Turoturomokai when tat place was surprised. He and his three tmrades for more than half-an-hour held their

vn against a mob of infuriated Maoris, who iving hilled Captain Ross and nine of the garri>n attempted in vain to dislodge them. The mduct of O’Brien and his companions completely ideemed the cowardice of those who on that session became panic-stricken and fled,— Wel%gton Independent,