Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 147, 5 December 1868, Page 3

Local and General News.

The English mail will close this day (Saturday) at 5 p.m. Captain Spieler, with 40 men from Nelson and Hokitika, has gone to the front. On the 24th ult. a shock of earthquake was experienced at Oamaru.

Anew telegraph station is now opened at Masterton, Wellington. Province— .

A proclamation has been issued placing all the Volunteer Corps of the North Island on actual service.— Post.

Two slight shocks of earthquake was discernible on Sunday night, one at ten o’clock, and the other a few minutes before that hour.— Colonist . We learn from the Wellington papers that Mr. '• Wi.JT. Talbott, is so far recovering his health as* to be able to take out-door exercise. r J

The ladies of Wanganui are getting up a petition to the Queen, praying that Her Majesty will send them some protection.

Messrs. N. Edwards, Barnicoat, Luckie, and Shephard are named as candidates for the representation of Nelson City. The latter is about to issue an address.

An advertisement elsewhere announces that Mr. Eyes, the member for the Wairau will meet the electors at the Council Chamber on Saturday evening, January 2nd. THEFalcon arrived from Wellington yesterday, in charge of the mate, bringing files to Wednesnesday evening. The steamer Osprey not being ready, is expected to leave on Monday or Tuesday next. The John Banyan arrived at Nelson on Tuesday last from London We understand that this fine vessel will most probably be placed on the berth as our second wool-ship of the season from Port Underwood.

More Volunteers. —Captain Stack, who left Dunedin for Melbourne, on the 25th ult., in the Omeo, to obtain recruits there, has been authpriaed to raise, if possible, 200 men, and to obtain a supply of Sneider rifles. His Honor Dr. Featherston, in reply to a requisition, convened a public meeting for Thursday last, at Wellington, to take into consideration the present state of affairs, but it was afterwards postponed. The third-class Militiamen of the city of Wel-

lington were sworn in yesterday at Thorndon Barracks, to the number of 330 men, making a total, in round numbers, of 1,500 militiamen for the city of Wellington alone. — Independent , lot. Ax Otaki Maori made an attempt upon the life of a pedlar, named Korncrop, at the Oban river, for the purpose of robbery, last week. _ He was afterwards captured by his tribe and given up to the police. His victim has since died of injuries received. A meeting of the P.N Z. & A.H.M. Co. was held in London, on October 8, when the proposition to wind up the Company was unanimously rejected by the Directors, who expressed their determination to carry ou the line with their individual means if necessary.

Singular Accident. —Recently, as Mr. A. Mansell was walking at the foot of the Taipos, Paikaiwai, a large stone (detached by a fire running up the hill) struck him on the elbow, break - ing the bone in two places. He had to ride 50 miles for assistance, and is fast recovering. The Advertiser states that an agent of the Pacific Mail Company arrived at Wellington by the Mataura, and went on to Sydney, his object being, it is asserted, to see Captain Vine Hall and Captain Plane, the Directors of the P.N.Z. and A.if M. Co., with a view for negotiating for the purchase of the Panama line.

Wairarapa Hauhaus —Te Hiko, a Hauhau chief, from Tuhiterata (M‘Masters’ station), arrived at the Hutt yesterday afternoon in Mr. M‘Masters’ trap, with 15 mounted men bound to the West Coast. He was joined at the Hutt by about 40 more Maoris, who were proceeding on horseback to the same destination. Blenheim Carets, —The following notice appears in a Gazette of the 23rd ult. :—“ In the Blenheim Rifle Volunteer Cadet Corps, Frederick George Downes to be honorary Lieutenant (Picton Sub-Division). Date of commission, Nov. 4.” Our Picton contamporary’has taken the liberty of correcting the notice by substituting the word “ Marborongh” for “ Blenheim.”

By telegrams received yesterday we are informed that in the appeal case, Jeffrey v. Hutcheson, judgment was given for appellant—Mr. Jeffery—with costs Mr. Conolly appeared for the appellant. The decision of the Judge, on the application of the Picton Board of Works for an order to sell land for the non-payment of rates, has been deferred until Friday uext.-Pr««. The Murray. —This smart little steamer put in at Picton on Tuesday evening last, under the charge of Mr. Paul, one of her spirited owners. Our informant states that she has capital passenger accommodation, and extremely civil officers. There appears to be some probability of her trading with Picton regularly. We are indebted to her steward for Wellington files to the Ist inst. i A telegram was received on Monday last by Captain Bythell, requesting him to forward to Wellington all the carbines and revolvers here. The former being in the hands of the Cadets, some of these promising youths felt disposed to get up a small mutiny, but, better counsels prevailing, we believe the order has been generally obeyed. A similar message was sent to Nelson. We presume the arms are wanted for the use of Constabulary at' the Front. V* ■/ We received a letter on last from Messrs. Peel and Connor, requesting us to advertise that they were to have a concert and grand ball at Mahakipawa on Thursday evening, and at the Grove on Friday. They request that we will give them a local, as they have been doing very well, and will be at Picton on Saturday next (this day). To this we have to add that we are pleased to hear they are doing well, and trust they will bear in mind the account of printer, left unsettled when they were hereJ^ The steamer Murray, the property of the Messrs. Paul, of Nelson, which has been laid up at Wellington for some time past for the purpose of undergoing a thorough overhaul, will be ready for sea in a few days. A new boiler, manufactured by Mr. William has been fitted, and the machinery has been improved and repaired by Mr. Charles Seagar, the well known engineer of that city. Mr. Borthwick had placed in his hands the painting and decorating of the vessel, and it is unnecessary to say that he has most satisfactorily accomplished the task. The entire work reflects the highest credit on. all con-cerned.-—Advertiser.

A man named Steinraitz was charged at Dunedin the other day with selling a loaf of bread to a customer which was seven ounces short in weight. He was tiued £6 and costs. The English mail via Suez arrived at the Bluff on Tuesday last, the 2nd inst., punctually to time. Another will be due on the 30th of this month.

A shark, 10 feet long, more than 4 feet in girth, and weighing 4001b5., was caught on Monday last, near the Arrow rocks, Nelson, by Mr. T. Astle, while out fishing for moki. & Assistance for the Settlers. —The Southern Cross, of Nov. 16th, says The s.s. Tauranga sailed on Saturday last for Tauranga and Poverty Bay. She took a considerable quantity of stores for the supply of the settlers and friendly natives, who are probably cooped up in the redoubt at Turanganui. Besides Mr.Mackay, Capt. Wright, American consul, was a passenger by the Taurauga, and several gentlemen connected with Tauranga and Opotiki. Te Moananui Marake, Te Kuka, and Te Puru, of Tauranga, were also

taken down, and several of the Ngatipoa, of Hauriki. 100 stand of arras and a supply of ammunition were also put on board, to be stored at|Opotiki. Late Gleanings. —The troops are being removed from Wanganui to the East Coast.—The trial of ex-Commissioner Kynnersley, for assault oa Mr. Apted, at Westport, resulted in a verdict for £7 25., the sum paid into Court by defendant. —Mr. Josiah Kempthorne, teller in the Bank of New South Wales, at Dunedin, (brother-in-law of Mr. J. Kissling, Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim), was drowned with two others, on Monday last, while boating in the harbor.—Smythies, of Dunedin, has been fined 500 fora breach of the Suprene Court Practice Amendment Act, 1866. —Lieut.-Colonel Gorton is promoted to be Inspector of Government Stores, Wellington. Salary, £6OO. Provincial Accounts. —A Gazette, issued on Friday last, contains the Provincial accounts for the year ending June last. The receipts were Land sales, 2,510?, rent of reserves, 191?, gold duty, 31, other goldfield receipts, 115?, Customs, fths 551?, public revenue, 1,000?, publican’s, special, and bottle licenses, 867?, auctioneers’, 50?, incidental, 393?. The expenditure was as follows :—Superintendent’s department, 953?, Crown lands, 775?, Treasury, 100?, Council, 100?, public works, 300?, harbour, 171?, goldfields, 29?, gaols and police, 1,576', interpreters, 37?, expenses of Supreme and District'Courts, &c , 31?, medical and charitable aid, 712?, legal advice, 27?, returning officers, 9?, books and stationery, 56?, fuel and lights, B', printing and advertising, 140?, postage and telegrams, 13?, bonus to Lewis, 25?, contingencies, 30?, alteration of roads, 41?, pounds, 9?, road commissioners, 28?, interest on overdraft,

126/, public works and purposes (including immigration, 529/, and education, 5270, 5,427/, leaving a debt to next year of 4,982/. The Late Rev. A. Rtjssecl.— The Presby-| terian General Assembly met on Wednesday week, \ when the Rev the Moderator; in his opening ad-1 dress, referred to the late Mr; Russell thus : \ One that took an active part in our last assembly, | and who laboured ‘ abundantly in the work of | the Lord,’ has been called to a higher and nobler | assembly of the church in heaven,-there to re- | ceive the welcome of our Heavenly Master, and j the reward of his devoted labors ; and while we £ mourn the loss of his help, and sympathise with - his sorrowing family in their sore bereavement, f yet we rejoice that for him ‘to die was gain,’ * and we also learn a lesson of gratitude to God for | what was done through him, and for prolonging | the days of our ministers through so many diffi- j culties and dangers. Still we have here a lesson | of our frailty, and of onr dependence on the great | head of the church, by the first and sudden re- | moval from the midst of us of one in the meri- •: dian of his strength and in the midst of his labors, | as has been exemplified in the death of the devoted Mr. Russell, of Blenheim. Let us hear ? this*voice of warning to ‘ work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work.’ | It was afterwards moved by the Rev. P. Calder, |

and unanimously agreed to —“ That a Committee f be appointed to draw up a minute which will | express the sense of the loss sustained by this | Church in the removal of the late Rev. Archibald | Russell, and that it be remitted to the same com- * mittee to consider what steps should be taken to | aid his widow and family ; the committee to £ consist of Revs. Alex. C. Souter, James Paterson, | and Patrick Calder, the Rev Mr. Souter to be Convener.” On the following day the report was brought up, read, and adopted.

Good News. —Common sense measures have been taken at last for the suppression of the Native Rebellion. A body, of Bushranging Volunteers have been formed, the members of which will be under the Volunteer Regulations. They are to be enrolled for three months only, and the men will receive Is. per day in addition to Militia pay. They are to be under the command of Colonel Whitmore, and their duties will be to act as scouts, to harass the enemy, cut off stragglers, destroying provisions and crops, and generally obtaining information of . the whereabouts of the enemy, and keeping, the front of the field force clear of the enemy’s scouts, forag-

ing parties, and spies. Each man will be armed with a breach-loader and, revolver. A premium will be given by the Government of £5 for every man or lad belonging to the enemy brought in alive by the B.Vs., whether such prisoners be wounded or not. A special reward of £IOOO ia offered for the person of Tito Kowaru, The corps may be divided into parties of not less than 20 men each, and the usual proportion of F.C. officers will be allowed for every such party. By

the remlations volunteers'or their families are entitled to the benefits of the Military Pensions Act. We learn from the Wanganui Chronicle of the 24th instant that a good number of volunteers, enrolled themselves, and an opportunity would be afforded to others to do so on Tuesday last. The Chronicle “ regards the formation of this corps as very important., Properly officered, as we have little doubt it will be, the corps will speedily make this part of the country too hot for rebels, who will at least take themselves to remoter haunts. The Defence Minister has

agreed to pay the undermentioned sums for arms captured from the rebels:—For a Government rifle or breach-loader, £1 ; for a double-barrelled gun or revolver, in serviceable condition, 10s. ; for a single-barrelled gun, in good condition, ss*

Thb Advertiser , in reference to the authority vested in the Governor to send the Wellington Militia to a distance from that city,, says that the Act of 1865 would really empower his Excellency to proclaim.the head-quarters of. any regiment of Militia at any part of ths Colony, and would then enable him to compel the attendance and service of the men almost at any place where they were required. This Act, however, has not yet been proclaimed, and is not now-in operation, although it appears in the Statute Book. The Militia will continue to serve, as they did when their services were last required, under the Act of 1858. . ... State op Affairs in, the Waikato.— We are able to publish the following from a reliable source There is considerable anxiety as to the Waikato at the present time. Louis Hettit, some time since, has been warned to leave his place,, and there is a strong- impression among the residents in Waikato that an attack is intended. Some of the settlers have expressed their intention of removing their stock for fear of an attack. Fifteen hundred fighting men are said to be at Tokangamutu, and the more turbulent chiefs are having great influence over the people, and rendering the king powerless. Kihi Kihi, Te Awamutu, and Rangiawihia, are the most exposed places, A native chief, at Cambridge, has received a message to leave the place, together with his people, for the war will soon commence. The, friendly, natives are prepared to, defend Cambridge if attacked; Steps have been already taken to call out the militia in the Waikato, and to take volunteers. The redoubts also will be put in order, and provisioned ; and, in case of immediate danger necessitating such a step, the women and children will be sept to a place of safety,—W. Z. Herald, Nov. 20. Where our Danger Lies.— The Canterbury Press says ; —Our danger does not lie in the tomahawk of the savage. We do not dread. the crack of the rifle from the forest. We dread the disorganisation,, the anarchy,, the imbecility,..the national prostration, which results from a Government which is paralysed by the want of popular sympathy, and a people whose energies are crippled by a Government which it does not trust. Men stop at the corners of every street and speak of the horrid massacre of Turanga with moistened eye and broken utterance ; and every sentence ends with the same question, “What in God’s name can we do ?” Which of us does not feel a sort of suppressed shame at having to stand by with folded arms, while the wails of our tortured countrywomen, and the shrieks of our dying infants are borne to us upon the tainted breeze ? It was not so in the last war. The colony was then full of British troops, and its coast surrounded by British cruisers ; and we all felt that, somehow, the honor of our name and race, and the safety of our lives and properties, were in custody of a higher power. Is it so now ? Did we not consciously, knowingly, proudly assert our power and determination to hold these, islands against the savage ; to protect the civilisation and faith which we came here to found by our right arms and our own hereditary courage ?

- Flood at Opotiki.— The Southern Cross, of the 20th instant, says :—“ On Tuesday the Tauranga proceeded to Opotiki, and on landing it was found that the settlement had been visited by a disastrous flood on the previous Sunday. The Ohiwa river had suddenly risen, and overflowing the country on its banks, had broken over the bank dividing it from the Waioeka. The whole flat, which extends a distance of twelve miles, was covered with water. There had been no heavy rain on the coast, and it was surmised that the flood must have been caused by rains in the interior, or by the sudden bursting of a dam formed by the accumulation of logs and debris in the river. The water on the flat had risen to a depth of six or ■ seven feet, carrying away the bridges, and completely destroying the : cultivations. The settlers’ crops have been washed up from the ground and carried away. The settlers have suffered severe loss, and the work of years has been swept off. Many of them took refuge on the tops of houses and on fences, whence they were removed in boats and canoes. The houses still considerably injured were not swept away, and happily no lives were lost. Mr Mackay’jdaced twenty men on pay to repair the bridges, one part of the settlement being completely separated from the other. The natives were all quiet, and there appeared to be no indication of immediate danger in this locality.

Mutual Improvement Society.— The usual meeting of .this society was held on Wednesday evening last, when Mr, Augustus initiated a debate under the title “Of what religion was Shakespere?” He argued from several passages in his works that Shakespere was a materialist. ■.lt was laid.down by Lord Brougham that a person uttering blasphemy was not a blasphemer, although he used such language, if he did not believe in the existence of a God ; therefore, the .-essayist considered as Shakespere did use language ; of that character, it was an agument in favor of his peculiar view. Mr. Rush followed, and urged ithat as Shakespere wrote for his living, too much stress should not be laid upon the language of his plays, especially considering the times in which he lived. Rat the passage in his Will placed the fact beyond doubt that he was at least a professing-christian, for he therein gaV© his soul to God, and relied for mercy on ..‘the . merits of his Saviour Christ. The speaker quoted largely from his writings in support of his views. Mr. Bae followed, and stated that, from .various ; passages in his plays, he believed Shakespere to .. have been a materialist. Mr. Gorrie followed on the opposition, and considered Mr. Rush; had j made “ a bull’s-eye” in his reply to the opener, -in respect to the will. Mr. Augustus replied, , stating that' many authorities. agreed with him tin the views he held, especially Birch* Johnson, - Warburton, and Steeveps, and doubted the auI thenticity of the will, ; , The Chairman. then ■ .summed up, and put the. subject to the Vote, . when the numbers werein favor of the opener’s views, Ir, ton the opposition, 9. It is only- fair itoetate that a .misunderstanding existed as to ,the subject, and few expected that it was,to be I treated as a debate, otherwise several others uwould have taken part in it.. We regret that a misprint occurred in our last, when noticing the debate on the Permissive Bill. The sentence ought to have been thus “ The result was, 5 , for, and 4 against. This decision was protested ..against, on the ground that two who voted m I favor of it, confessed they had done so for fun, .or other unsatisfactory:reasons.”