KAIKOURA NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 171, 17 April 1869, Page 5

KAIKOURA NEWS.

We find our contemporary the Herald still continues his lively system of commenting on men and things. We learn, however, that a change has occurred in its latterly fallen fortunes, and that a public-spirited gentleman has advanced to the rescue, and it has become the property of those who cannot be accused of prosecuting the enterprize for mere money gain. We trust they may find it remunerative, Among the various items of of news, we find that Mr, H. Wharton, late of Tiptree, has removed to Starborough Station. Mr. Home, late Government Schoolmaster, has opened a private school, while Dr. J. 33. Williams still continues to teach the young idea how to shoot. Dr. Fletcher has arrived, and permanently located himself at Kaikoura, and, having brought with him a supply of pure.j vaccine lymph, the good folks are strongly urged to’ go in for vaccination wholesale. Governor Bowen has sent for a supply of the “ silver-grey rabbits” for the table of Prince Alfred during his stay. « D r . Williams, who holds some very decided views on the question of the cattle disease, is strongly of opinion that the disease is not infectious, but may be reduced by ordinary means and treatment. The Doctor will soon publish a paper now in | course of preparation on the subject.” Mx-. / C. Evans has imported a threshing-machine and an entire horse, known as “ Prince,”

I and has just started a flower-mill, which he works literally by horse-power. \ jWe give the following extracts from our Southern contempoaary : The Electoral Roll. —We believe that the Electoral Roll for the district of Cheviot, in which this town and district are included, will receive this year a considerable and much needed accession to the names it already contains. No less than fifty or sixty residents, we understand, have entered their claims to be placed upon the roll of voters. This is a step in the right direction, and we trust Cheviot will no longer be a 'pocket-borough for politicians at a distance, who, like Sir David Monro, failing to be -.appreciated in their own locality, get upon the shoulders of unsophisticated country electors to reach that elevation from which

they forget to look after the interests of those who placed them in such exalted po--1 sition, to minister to their self-seeking' ’ views. ' ‘ . Another New Zealand “ cause celebre” is on the tajris, we understand, and will shortly be brought before the cognizance of a learned and well-wigged judge, and a

respectable Jut y. Tbe causus belli is a simple one—difference of opinion as to the merits of some sheepfarming transactions which took place some time ago between a ® merchant of high and well deserved repute, and a gentleman of standing in the squatting world of the colony, brought about strong expressions on the part of the latter. Damages at some thousands are claimed, and the legal profession is consequently alive to the “ merits” of the case, in more senses than one. [We understand this to refer to a question which has arisen in lie Tetley, and that the merchant in the action has sought to withdraw the case for some private reason, but the defendant insists upon its going on to an hearing.] Steam for Kaikoura.— We welcome

again to our port the N.Z.S.N. Co.’s s.s. Ahuriri, which, under the experienced command of our old friend Qaptaixi Flowextlay. cast anfchor in the roadstead yesterday «wening. The Ahuriri will now trade regularly between this port, Lyttelton, and Wellington, when on her down or upward trip froin Auckland to Dunedin, which generally averages a fortnight or three weeks. The important advantages derived from regular steam communication are obvious, and we hope to see every effort made by the people of Kaikoura to support the Company who, in so enterprising a manner, direct their steamers to call here. Singular Freaks of a Public Officer.

any dereliction of duty on the part of any General Government officer located in this town. So many complaints, however, have reached us touching the manner in which the public have been" treated by the officer in charge' of the Post and Telegraphic Departmept, that we cannot but give due ventilation to them. It appears that since Mr. M‘Allister, our Postmaster, left - for a short time, the gentleman who bias temporarily taken His place, has* thought proper to play various practical jokes—as such we cannot.-otherwise denominate them—upon the residents of this district, who may have occasion to call at the Post Office. This officer, it is stated, thought proper within the last few duys, to connect the electric battery used for telegraphic purposes, with the handle of the door, and also with a tin plate which he placed upon the floor of the,

public room, contiguous to the Post Office, an electric shock was communicated to those whose business called them to the office. It may have been thought by the acting Post Master a funny joke, but we think it was a soi'ry one, and not at all likely to be appreciated by the Postmaster-General when he hears of it. We would advise the new tenant of the Post Office to be more careful in future if he values his position in the civil service of New Zeeland. Mr. M Alister made many friends by his courteous demeanor during his long residence in this district, but his tempox-ary successor is not likely to follow in his steps. We trust the warning we now give the latter will prove useful to him, and call the attention of Ms supei'iors to his actions. If the public at any time attempt to trespass on the tabooed precincts of the Post Office room, the x’emedy lies in the hands of the Postmaster, who can keep intruders out by the simple peration of lo eking his. door.