Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 170, 10 April 1869, Page 3

Local and General News.

Out.—A letter on the distillation case, and the report of the meeting of members of the Church of the Nativity, and other matters must stand over till our next. Thatcher, the noted comic vocalist, accompanied by Mrs. Thatcher, is giving entertainments in Nelson. The " Malay,” in Port Underwood, is loading wool rapidly, and will clear out for London during the ensuing week, Messrs. Hodson and Litchfield were elected Church Officers for the ensuing year in connection with the Church of the Nativity. The Register,—The names of 44 claimants for the Electoral Roll in the District of Wairau, are in view in the lobby abjaiuing the IJost Office Extraordinary Births. —We (Westport Times) hear of a wonderful instance of prolificness at Brighton. A few days ago a woman living in that township, and usually known as “Nelly the Washerwoman,” gave birth to four children! Of this “family party,", however, only one survives, three having since died.

A pew years ago the ladies wore a kind of hood called “ kiss-me-if-you-dare.” The present style of bonnet might be called, with equal propriety, “ kiss-me-if-you-want-to.” Fiji Islands. —Caution by the Government. —A proclamation has been issued by the New South Wales Government cautioning British subjects against taking military service under Thakombau, styled King of Ban. The Tuapeka Times says that a new water-race, 30 miles in length, has been made by Green and party from the Waikaka to the Winding Creek. The ground to be washed is estimated to yield £8 to £9 per week per man. By a notice in the New Zealand Gazette, the interest on sum S-deposited at the Post Office Savings’ Bank will, after the 31st March, be reduced to 4 per cent, per annum for sums under £2OO ; and 3 per cent, per annum for sums over that, and up to £SOO. ■' The sale of Mr. Tetley’s sheep took place at Maketu on March 25th ; they averaged 2s. per head, the value of the wool on their backs. Messrs. Harington, Douglas, Wrigley, Foley, Morsom, and Campney, were the purchasers. Mr. Warbrick was the auctioneer. The minimum price was Is. 6d euch, for 300.

N Grandsire Meacham, delegate from the American Unity of the Ancient Order of Oddfellows, was to meet the Brethren of the Loyal Alfred Lodge, Oamaru, for the purpose of instructing them in the new ritual, that Lodge having decided to come under the American constitution, —Timaru Herald.

We learn that the crew of the Customs cutter ‘ Ringleader’ have been successful in obtaining possession of facts sufficient to bring the crime of selling ammunition to natives home to certain parties who trade on this coast. _ln order to prevent the ends of justice from being thwarted we withhold the names of those -who are implicated.— Weekly News.

Lyttelton.— This steamer has now been taken up by the General Government to run between Wanganui and Patea, and we observe by the telegraphic intelligence that she sailed from Nelson on the 6th inst. The trade between this and Nelson will, we understand, be carried on for the present by sailing vessels, the first of which, the “Mary Louisa,” arrived here on the 7th inst.

v The “Sun.”—The Sun of New Zealand has set ! In other words, the New Zealand Sun, a daily newspaper, published in Otago, has gone out of existence ; or in the hopeful phrase which is used on such occurrences of diminished light, “publication is suspended.” When the sun had stood still over Jordan, it went on again. May the Sun of New Zealand do likewise.—Christchurch livening Mail. Fiue in Auckland. —On Friday, April 2, a very extensive fire broke out in the Wharf Hotel, which with the Orpheus Hotel, Weir’s Delf Warehouse, Taylor’s Chop-house, and an adjacent store, was entirely consumed. No lives were lost, although several persons had to escape in their night dresses. The value of property destroyed was about .£‘3,000. Cause not known, but supposed to be a spark from a foundry falling on some straw packing.

The Melbourne police have received information that Mr. Alex. Johnstone, a clerk in the service of Messrs. Nath. Edwards and Co., Greymouth, New Zealand, had absconded, having embezzled moneys to the amount of .£‘2oo. He is° supposed to have left New Zealand for Melbourne by the Rangitoto, and is described as a smart business man, and about twenty-five years of age.—Wellington Post.

Overcrowding a Steamer.—The charge of John M'Laren against the master of the steamer Murray, for overcrowding his vessel on her departure from Nelson about a fortnight ago, was heard on the 25th ult. After stating his case, M'Laren called upon Mr. Lowe, the pilot, to corroborate his statement. Mr. Lowe admitted that M'Laren had called his attention to the pigs and sheep on board, but said nothing to him about passengers. This was all the evidence, and the case was dismissed. — Examiner. f Nelson Races.—The. folio wing entries have 'been made for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Plate, and weights fixed Mr. Redwood’s bk g Blackboy, aged, 9st. 121 b. ; Mr. Stafford’s ch g Magenta, 5 years, 9st. 81b.; Mr. Sellon’s br g Robin Hood, 4 years, Bst. 21b. ; Mr. Redwood’s ch f Peeress, 3 years, 7st. 71b. ; Mr. Stafford’s b f Lancefeed, 3 years, 7st. 71b. The following are the stewards The Hon. Major Morse, A. J. Richmond, Esq., A. Greenfield Esq., and R. Richardson, Esq.— Colonist. The following incredible story appears in the Southern Cross of the 20bh ult. We trust the Government will order an enquiry to be made, f as, if true, the sooner Captain Fox’s services are -, dispensed with the better “ While the St.. Kilda was on her way. to Napier, Mr. Hawthorne, a Poverty Bay refugee, it is alleged, was put in irons on board by Captain Fox, who threatened to land him at Cape Kidnappers, on the alleged ground that, as correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald , he had written certain objectionable matter.

A CORRESPONDENT, signing himself “Homo,” writes strongly in condemnation of the proposal to expend a large sum of money in the reception of the Duke of Edinburgh in this Colony. He concludes as follows “ I for one say. receive the Queen’s son as a private gentleman, as the captain of a man-of-war, and let him see the country in its nakedness—the burnt homesteads of the ruined sellers, where years of toil have been wasted, and many a manly heart crushed and broken. Let him see and inform our mother, as she is called, of the truth : let no flimsy veil be drawn over the unsightly picture,”—Southern Cross.

“Express” Signals. —Owing to the great loss of time resulting from the house to house distribution of Extras, the proprietor of the Express has determined upon adopting a different course in future. Thus, when an Extra is in course of preparation, a white signal will be displayed on the Express flagstaff half-mast high, which will be hoisted to the top when the Extra is published. All subscribers can have Extras on application, or by sending for them. This does not apply to regular issues of the Express, or even Extraordinaries.

A man named Weeks, 50 years of age, who resided alone on the island of Waiheki, Auckland Harbor, was burned to death in his whare while the worse for liquor, last week.

Fire Brigade.—A public meeting was held m the frovincuii Ball, on Monday evening last, when it was resolved to form a Fire Brigade, and a portion of the rules were considered. At a late hour, their further consideration was deferred until Wednesday evening when they were completed.' STi\ TlaTiaglian was appointed Secretary pro. tem. “"TlttreTeoETon of officers, consisting of captain, lieutenant, foreman of the hook and ladder company, foreman of the lire company, secretary, and treasurer, was left over until Monday evening next. In the meantime, members may jofn and pay their subscriptions of 6d. par mouth to Mr. Flauaghan. "

Holloway’s Pills.—Mothers and Daughters. —How many suffer from disease, for which, through bashfulness, no relief is sought till their strength is sapped ! The headache, deranged digestion, and dull pains in the back and loins, attendant on these maladies, may be safely and permanently cured if the system be regulated by these celebrated pills. All diseases affecting the lower bowels, which are so troublesome and so weakening to the system, may thus be qured_ without consultation, and without vexing explanations. The pills are equally suitable to the young, the middle aged, and the old—at all times, and in any climate. Full instructions for their use accompany each packet of these medicaments.

Consumption of Spirits.— From the returns lately issued of the Customs revenue collected at the various ports in the colony during , the quarter ending on the 31st December last weiind that the total quantity of spirits on which duty was paid was 139,133 gallons. Taking the population of the colony at the last census, exclusive of the Maoris, to whom drink is not allowed to be sold, 220,092, we find that the average amount per head is .632 gallons. In like manner'we find the total amount of wine per head to be .214 gallons ; making the total amount of alcholic liquors per herd consumed during the period referred to, 1.379 gallons. The total amount of revenue derived from those three sources was .£99,856.

The news from the Middle Darling is still very disastrous. There are frightful losses in sheep and cattle—the water in the river' had become salt from the salt springs descending into the river, engendering great mortality among stock, and much sickness among the people there. The Hon. James M'Culloch’s sheep were brought to the frontage and turned loose, and a great quantity of them had died, and others were dying. 10.000 of Mr. Jennings’ sheep have arrived at Deniliquin from the Darling at a loss of only 200. 80.000 sheep are coming up the Murray, mostly from the Darling. Some rain had fallen there, and the stock had been temporarily relieved, but unless more rain falls forthwith, it is expected that not less.than one-third of the stock will be lost. —Pastoral Times.

In the Auckland Bankruptcy Court, on March 20th, Hugh Kirkwood appeared for final examination and discharge. Mr. Ritchie, for bankrupt, said he was unopposed. The creditors were mostly residing at Wellington, Nelson, . and Picton, near which latter place he was in business as a partner, under the name of Denham and Co. Copies of the orders of the Court were posted and addressed to the publishers of newspapers in the various places. Sir George Arney said ifdid not appear by the affidavits that the money had been sent to pay for the advertisements As the creditors were from the South, and the liabilities several thousands of pounds, he felt he should hardly be justified in granting a discharge under the circumstances. The case was therefore postponed till next sitting-day. •

A Rush for Land. —The Otago Times, of March 22, says The whole of the block oC.land recently thrown open for agricultural settlement at the Teviot, is said to he taken up. The'-scene at the Court-house, when it was made known that applications for land in the block would be received, is described as follows in the Tuapeka Times : —Long before the hour for opening theoffice, crowds of would-be cockatoos assembled at the door, and an exciting struggle ensued for places. When Mr. Borton made his appearance, he could hardly gain admission ; and no sooner had he opened the door than, in spite of his remonstrances, the office was rushed. A large pile of applications soon littered the counter ; and as each applicant got his receipt, he made a bolt for. the door, and, mounting his horse, hurried off to affix his notice. .-n--

Rich Gold Discoveries at Carpentaria! Private letters have reached Sydney- from the Gulf of Carpentaria, announcing the discovery there of a very rich and extensive goldfield. The locality is on the Cloncurry river, near where the copper mine was found, and about Isu .miles .jfr&m Burke Town.; - The ' &4j#^a»t.ed,, Have amongst other nuggets --secured jipd a 40oz. lump ; and. there ha.vh-already ■ been brought,into Burke Town 3Qoez., although' 1 there are but thirty diggers at the place. It has been long known that the ranges for 300 miles around the Gulf are auriferous, but this is by far - the richest yield on record in that region. We shall look with considerable interest for the public confirmation of what is here stated on the . authority of a private letter. The letter, we may state, is from a reliable source. —Sydney Empire, March 22.

Small-pox. —The occurrence, says the Melbourne Argun, of two fresh cases of small-pox in Melbourne but'too surely proves that as yet the disease is not stamped out. Indeed instead of this being the case there is sufficient reason to induce the apprehension that, unless very prompt and energetic action are taken, the spread of the epidemic may become rapid. It is a singular fact that the two persons who were yesterday_ attacked were brother and sister, but they have had no communication with each other forsi considerable period, the one residing ’in street. North Melbourne, and the other in hatrobe street. If it be true, as is alleged by the relatives of the patients, that they have, not seen each other for some time, then the coincidence, extraordinary as it undoubtedly is, points to the fact that already the germs of the disease are widely distributed, and that the necessity for the adoption of stringent precautionary measures is greatly intensified.

Caution. —Michael Organ has been fined £ 5 , at Westport, under the Juries Act, for refusing to give his name, and to answer certain questions in connection with the jury list. The failure of Mr. Tetley, who had taken a run in the interior, has caused no little excitement among the natives, who are not yet so civilised as complacently to like the role of a creditor receiving his Is. 4d. in the pound.—Auckland i Herald.

On the 31st ult., in the Wellington Provincial Council, Mr. Halcombe went largely into the question of estimated revenue, intimating the great expectations they had from the number of applications they had from flax-dressing apeculat irs in connection with the Manawatu land which abounds with this product. Amongst the passengers who left Wellington in the Ruahine was Mr. 0. De Sauty, who has resigned his position as electrician in the Telegraph Department, for the purpose of returning to England. Mr. De Sauty is a man of European celebrity in electrical science, and was one of the most prominent of the scientific professional men employed in constructing and laying the first Atlantic cable. We cannot but regret that the colony is losing the services of a man who cannot easily be replaced.— lndependent. The Prince. —The fluttering hearts of the fair expectant ones, who for a time feared that the Duke would leave New Zealand with Nelson unvisited,” again rejoice over the later announcements. Galatea and Acis will both be in Nelaon, the “smaller Provinces” which are not likely to behold him being understood to be Marlborough, Southland, and Taranaki. His Royal Highness will also visit Hokitika, where preparations are being made. He is likely to arrive in Nelson on Tuesday, the 13th instant, and remain until the 16th.— Colonist.

Taranaki Iron-Sand. —The Taranaki Herald, of the 20th ult., contains an advertisement inviting tenders for the erection of a blast furnace ; for a supply of 200 bushels of charcoal; for the transit of Urenui clay ; and the carting of iron sand to the Mission Station. Mr. Henochsberg, who represents the firm, arrived here in the Phoebe on Wednesday last, bringing with him the plant (besides fire bricks and plumbago) necessary to build a proper blast furnace. Mr. E. M. Smith accompanied him, who, with Mr. D. Atkinson, will superintend the working and smelting the Band into steel. The place Mr. Henochsberg has fixed upon for the erection of the blast furnace is at the old Mission Station, which is near the beach, besides having the advantage of water power, which is so necessary to drive the fan. Should the experiment prove successful, and the steel be run, a firm in Wellington, we believe, have given a guarantee to take any quantity at £37 per ton. Imperial Generosity. —Granted thatamighty parade of some 10,000 troops took place some four or five years ago ; but in what spirit ? With what judgment was the enterprise conducted ? The civil and the military leaders flew at each others’ throats, and the arbiters of. : ;colonial weal or woe were far more hotly engaged in strife with each other, than united as they should have been, in vigorous suppression of the rebellion. With the Governor and the Commander of the Eorces at mortal feud, did England say this shall not be, and remove them both to place unfettered power in more competent hands ?—such, for example, as gave lustre to her Abyssinian enterprise. Not ahe ! She counted the cost, and found it more economical to recal her legions than to redress colonial wrongs, or to restore the honor of her tarnished flag. In imitation of the old adage, her 10,000 men, for all of colonial protection, merely marched up the hill and then marched back again, thereby entailing upon us the hapless victims of gross Imperial misrule—debt, death, and massacre. —Wellington Independent. The Buller.— The Westport Times of March 27th says:—“We learn that the new ground which has been opened up the Buller, is situated about a mile above Christie’s store. It is .on a low terrace on the Westport side of the river, and the gold was struck by tunnelling into the terrace. Thirty claims, representing about 240 men, have already been taken up, and that is said to be as many as there is at present room for. The same ground has been frequently prospected before, but previous parties had never gone in sufficiently far to strike the lead of gold. There is good reason to suppose that all along the same side of the Buller, and below the Lyell, payable gold may be got, but the extreme denseness of the bush has prevented this portion of country being more than very slightly prospected. Some new ground has also been lately opened in the neighborhood of the Inangahua.” The same paper of the 30th states :—“ There has been a rush since Saturday <o Christmas Terrace, the first terrace beyond M'Gowan’s, or Hatter’s Terrace, and another section of what is now known as the Great North Lead. One or two parties have been sinking and tnnelling in search of the lead, and on Saturday or Sunday/Baker and party struck the wash, which is similar character and richness to that of the average claims on the Caledonian and Giles Terraces. There are apparently two leads of gold, one perpendicular, the other horizontal, and both capable of paying good wages. The terrace is an extensive one, and there is every prospect of gold being got still further north, as the lead, instead of running out, as was supposed, seams to go farther into the terrace.”