Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 183, 10 July 1869, Page 3

Local and General News.

The Marlborough Reserves Sales Bill has been read a second time in the Legislative Council. A specimen design of the New Zealand medal has been submitted to and approved by her Majesty. The inhabitants of Timaru are once more making strenuous efforts to obtain the separation of that district from Canterbury. A Whale fifty feet long, has been caught near Port Chalmers by the new whaling company. It is expected to yield ten tuns of oil. The Amateur arrived in Wellington at 8 p m. on Thursday week, having reached the wharf in four and a-half hours from the Bluff, with a S.E. gale, which prevailed in the Straits. f A General Government Gazette, to hand by I the mail, notifies that his Excellency the GoverI nor has been pleased to appoint James Edmund iHodson, Esq., of Blenheim, to be a Justice of Ithe Peace for the Colony. We may remind our readers that the quarterly concert of the Philharmonic Society comes off on Wednesday Evening next, when a capital programme is announced. It is probable that the Band will assist. It is stated by the Wairarapa Mercury that through Mr.". Warden’s influence the disaffection shown by the Maoris at Otaraia has been allayed. The natives have agreed to defer their disputes to the next sitting of the Land Court. We understand that Mr. P. Lawrence has resigned the appointment of Agent for Mr. Pollock, Provisional (not “Provincial,” as stated in the News) Trustee in Bankruptcy, and that another gentleman in Blenheim is to be appointed in his place. We are requested to call the attention of the Cemetery Trustees, to the fact that horses have been placed within the cemetery by some persons. On three several occasions within the last fortnight, parties have found fresh traces of their feet, and some slight damage is done to the graves; that it is wilfully done is evident from the fact that the fence is perfect all round. How any person can be guilty of such a wanton out- | rage to the feelings of others, to say nothing of j the desecration, we cannot tell, but should their names reach us, we shall have no hesitation in publishing them. - :

j The curious may inspect a singular automato rat-trap at Messrs. Robinson’s store, which can scarcely fail to catch the vermin, if they but toucl it. The slightest motion of the bait causes a far to revolve, which sweeps the animal into the trap, which again sots itself until filled.

Those who are interested in examining ancient, I relics, upon calling at our office can inspect nf rgreenstone adze, found near the .Bush School, by 1 Messrs Gorrie and others. We learn that several similar native implements and other remains have been found in the same neighborhood before, i The Magisterial sittings on last Monday should lhave been under the Petty Sessions Act, but in ’consequence of the absence of the Justices whose rota it was to attend, viz., Messrs. Ward, Coulter, and Mcßae, the cases, six in number, were adjourned till the first Monday in next month. The Committee of the Literary Institute have added about 20 new hooks to the library this week, and have sent an order to England for a collection of works by standard authors. We may remind our readers that on I’uesday evening next, E. J. Litchfield, Esq, will read a selection from Scott’s “Lady of the Lake,” &c. We received a telegram from Nelson on Saturday evening last, stating that in the case \Ra Ward, the trial had lasted all day, and that Judge Richmond summed up hard against VV ard. After an absence oTTilibuf'uirco“ quarters “of an hour, the jury returned a verdict of NotGjfilty, to the evident surprise of those preseiif. Ihe Judge made no comment, but ordered the discharge of the prisoner. A Ministerial caucus was held on Friday afternoon, when, we are informed, 29 members formed themselves into a party under the leadership of Mr. Stafford, a committee being also appointed to consult with him upon matters of policy. They have agreed to nlfor no factious opposition to'the now Ministry, and will be prepared to consider all questions of policy upon their merits. —Exa miner.

Carbolic Acid is coining into use for .in infinity of purposes of late, among others, for scab in sheep, and for dstroyiug the aphis blight on fruit trees. It is considered a specific for insect life in every form, when largely diluted with water. Mr. Dobson has just imported some preparations of this acid, and among others, soap, both in bars and tablets, which from actual experience, we can recommend as being extremely pleasant for use, and highly detergent. lx the House of Representatives this afternoon, the Defence Minister laid on the table a despatch from General Chute to his Excellency, announcing that, according to instructions from England, he”was about to take immediate steps, in conjunction with the senior naval officer on the station, for removing the ISth Regiment from New Zealand, and distributing it in the Australian Colonies.— Post. Flax Dressing. — A machine invented by Mr. ■Howland; ofCaiitbrbury, which dresses the phormium tenax far better than any machine at present in use, is about to be erected or Mr IT Redwood’s farm in the Wairau. The machine will be worked by water-power on Spring Creek equal to twenty horses, and be calculated to turn out six tons of dressed flax a week, employing eighteen hands. It would be difficult to imagine a better site for a flax-mill than that possessed by Mr. Redwood, with the advantage of a large quantity of flax growing quite--at-hand- T«-41hs must be added facility of shipment, the land conveyance being less than half-a-mile. Samples of flax- sent to England by Mr. Howland have been valued as high as £45 a ton, the fibre being perfectly free of all gummy or extraneous matter. ■— Examiner.

Our Havelock Correspondent, writing on 7th July says :—“The schooner Canterbury arrived here last week, and reports that on the passage from Hobart Town to Wanganui, laden witli a general cargo, when about seven days out, a heavy gale came on with a high sea, and washed one of the crew overboard. It was nearly dark at the time, and the man being clothed with heavy oilskins, caused him to sink immediately. He was seen to lift up his hands above the water, and disappear. Captain York wore the ship, and stood across several times, but without avail, as the poor follow was never seen again.”

Telegrams in the Post dated Dunedin, July 3, say :—Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Mr. Henningham, proprietor of the Echo, for the publication of an article relative to Mr. Driver—An influential public meeting has resolved to establish a branch New Zealand Institute. —Advices received from Melbourne to June 28th. —Levinger has been rearrested, charged with the murder of the second Polynesian native.—An association has been es tablished of contractors and builders for mutual protection.—Justice Williams goes homo.—Mr. Higginbotham to bo appointed Judge,—lt is rumored that Mr. Dunne is to receive the County Court Judgeship.—The reserved arguments on the Judges order for liberating Hugh Glass have been heard.—The counsel for the defence argued that the Court possessed no jurisdiction, and urged a review of their decision in Chambers. — Judgment in the Habeas Corpus cases reserved. —The Tasmanian telegraph cable is out of order. Breadstuff's firmer; £l3 to £l3 15s ; wheat, 6s Od to 6s 2d ; New Zealand oats, large sale at 4s 2d ; maize 4s 3d ; barley, 4s 9d. 5 CnucATiON g,LpCTXQNW-A Provincial Gazette, "issue’cTon Thursday, contains a proclamation appointing that a meeting of ratepayers shall be held in the Council Chamber, Blenheim, on Saturday next, July 17th, for the purpose of electing a qualified person to fill the vacancy in the Education Board, the mode of proceedure to be the election in February last. It further contains a proclamation bringing into force certain Acts which have been assented to, and notifications that the Waste Lands Board has given a decision in favor of Francis Matthews, for a pastoral lease in the Pelorus district ; that Constable J, Paap is appointed Collector of Edncatiofr'“Rfttcs‘for Kaikoura ; and that a Crown Grant in favor of S. R. Buck man is ready for delivery. The Southern Gross of June 23rd says that Major Wily’s residenceand outbuildings at Mauku were totally destroyed by fire on the morning of Tuesday last, though most happily no lives were lost. The damage is estimated at nearly £3,000, .£7OO of which is secured by insurance in the New Zealand Insurance Company, and £2OO in the Royal Insurance Company. The fire was discovered about midnight, and spread with such rapidity that the family had only time to escape in their night clothes.

The Westland Debt. —Mr. Fitzgerald who it will be remembered, was appointed umpire between Canterbury and Westland in respect of the indebtedness of each, has adjudged Westland to pay £207,000 as her share of the debt.

The Hon. J. D. Tetley, of Marlborough, who sonKTfune ago leftM'haFp’rovinco rather abruptly, and under rather peculiar circumstances, has, we observe forwarded to the Legislative Council his resignation as a member of the Legislative Council. We don’t know where the resignation came from, but it has been accepted. it was Mr. Tetley’s vote which ho came from Marlborough to give, which saved the Government from defeat in the Legislative Council on the Public Debts Dill at the close of the session of 18(57.—Independent,

Mr. E. W. Puckey who has for many years past held the olhces of interpreter in the native office, and interpreter to Parliament, has, we learn, been appointed to succeed Mr. Mackay as Civil Commissioner at the Thames. It will be remembered that Mr. Mackay tendered his resignation last year, but on the Government refusing to receive it, lie consented to retain office for a certain period, which has now expired. Mr. Puckoy’s great experience in native matters, and intimate acquaintance with the natives in the neighborhood of Auckland, fully justifies the choice which the Government have made of him as'Mr, Mackay’s successor. — Independent.

The Parliamentary correspondent of the New Zealand Herald writes :—The business of the House of Representatives on Friday c nnmence I with a “joke.” After prayers, the Speaker observed that some hon. member had left his personal property on (he table, near to the mace, and suggested the advisability of its removal Several members staried to their feet to sec what the “property” was that had been alluded to. It was a meerschaum pipe which some hon. member had laid on the table after enjoying his whiff of the fragrant weed. The Sergeant-at-arms had the offensive dudheen removed, and the House settled down to business.

True late intelligence from the East Coast is of an unsatisfactory clmractcr. To Ivooti, or some chief who lias assumed Ids name, is at the head of about 300 rebels near Taupe, and from his commanding position, is able to make successful attacks on weak parties of friendly natives, and cut off small escort parties of our troops engaged in keeping open our lines of communication. The last accounts received speak of some successes of the enemy against parties of friendly natives, and the loss of two or throe of our own men, but the statements are so confused that it is difficult to clearly understand them. The season of the year is very unfavorable to military operations.- Examine i'. A sot uncommon incident in colonial life was made public in the case of Grant v. Sullivan, tried in the Supreme Comt, Melbourne, on Saturday, dune 5. Grant was formerly a squatter at the Gonlhouru. He came to town in the early part of the year, and incontinently went on the “ spree,” after the manner of Imshmen. In his peregrinations, lie came to the Hummnms Hotel, kept by the defendant Sullivan. Here he was detained four weeks, during which time the process technically known as “lambing down ” was carried on Grant who seems to have been more or less intoxicated throughout his visit, at different intervals gave three cheques amounting in the whole to .£220, £216 of which Mrs. Sullivan obtained possession. When Grant came to his senses lie was told that all his money'was spent; the account being made up of board and lodging at the rate of £5 ss. per week, drink, cash paid, breakages of crockery, and damages to beds He was not satisfied with the account rendered, and brought an action to recover the £216. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for ,^£l4o.

The Carandini family have been paying a professional visit to the Northern districts of Queensland, and the Rockhampton Argus has penned a critique upon the vocalists, which outgushes the most gushing composition of the kind we ever read. Madame Carandini is described as “ standing like Belinda, armed with a golden bodkin, daring Time to come on, and it is evident the old man with the hour-glass is afraid to touch her.” As to Miss Fanny Carandini, we are told that her voice is “ full,'rich, and fruity, which, added to her espieglcrie, and that provocative style of physique, which the French call heauto dn diable, surrounds her with a charm which, we think, fully warrants the advice she gives in the piquet duet of ‘ Trust her not ; alms fooling thee,’ not that it will he followed, if we are any judges of appearances, for we observed, ‘She has two eyes, so soft and brown—take care, take care, doing their work very efficiently and very expeditiously in our neighborhood, and, so far as we could observe, both ladies and gentlemen were under the spell of the young enchantress. We arc in perfect despair as regards Miss Rosina Carandini, for a writer is nothing now-a-days unless critical, and we are obliged to confess we can find no fault with her. She is the soul of song, the incarnation of a lovely sound, a breathing harmony ; her voice as the flight of the eagle, with the warble of the nightingale, &c.,” ad libitum. — Argus. A late Argus says Some time ago we copied from the Reeds j.ifcvcur>/ a statement with respect to the claimant of the lichborne estates, which certainly was not complimentary to him and his pretention. We take from the same journal, however, the contradiction signed by Mr. S Harwood, of Leamington “I am astonished to see an extraordinary report relative to the Tichbornc case, in the Marcunj. It alleges that a brother of Sir Roger Tichborne has made some revelation to damage the baronet, and the rightful owner to his estates. I know him full well, and was with him to the eve of his sailing for South America in September to establish his interests in his property. lam as satisfied of his identity as I am of my own existence. No impostor would or could bo recognised as he has been by every gentleman of Hampshire —by every tenant of the Tichborne estates in existence fourteen years ago, when he first went abroad. He has no brother ; his last surviving brother died two years since. Pray send me the paper containing the unfounded and mischievous statement. I hope you will be now able to peremptorily contradict it.'

It is rumoured, but we know not with what truth, that the appointment o£ Under Secretary, in the Colonial Secretary’s Office, recently filled by Mr. Gisborne, is likely to be made a political appointment, and to bo tilled by a well-known member of the Lower Mouse, the representative of a northern constituency, and a consistent though not a talkative supporter of the party now in power. It is added that the appointment is not likely to be made until the end of the session. — lndependent.

\Vf. have reason to believe that the new Ministry will at once appoint Colonel M‘Donnell to an important command on the East Coast. He will now have an opportunity of showing to the Colony whether he is able to turn the tide of war, or not He is intimately acquainted with our native allies there, and they have full confidence in him. He has also a thorough knowledge of the country and the men with whom he has to contend This time he will be untrammelled by Civil Commissioners, and wo earnestly hope will be the right man in the right place. We shall see.—Wanganui Times.

Tim Wanganui Citron Ida has been favoured with the perusal of a private letter—written just before the despatch of the mail from England which states on good authority that the GOtli .Rules had received orders from the War Office to raise their complement of men, and hold themselves in readiness to form part of a brigade of four or live regiments, about to be despatched to Now Zealand, it is besides reported in military circles that Lord Napier of Magdala was to take command and engage in a campaign in New Zealand similar to that of Abyssinia. By the mail intelligence has been received of Lord Napier having left India for England, probably to undertake the organisation of the expedition.

M Ki.r.orriNE Crr.—We learn from the A <jf. of June ISuh, that the number of entries for tho Melbourne Cup of ISG'J is GS. The publication of the weights caused a considerable improvement in the betting market on the 18th, and a large amount of business was transacted. The horse that met with the most support was Sheet Anchor, about win sj chance many people appear to be enthusiastic. lie was backed to win something like £IO.OOO, at prices ranging from 1000 to MO to 1000 to 50. Detective was backed at 100 to a : Tho Earl at 100 to 5 ; Marksman and Manuka at 100 to 4 each ; Barbelle at 100 to 3 Freetrader at 100 to 3 ; Barwon and Shenandoah at 1000 to -0 each ; and Strop, Gymba, Phosphorous, and Salem Scudder at 500 to 10 each.

We (Wairarapa Mercury) understand that machines for making llax, this hitherto useless incumbrance of the soil, a profitable article of \ export from the Wairarapa. will very shortly be \ at work in this district. We hope that in time \ wo shall bo able to chronicle the annual export of as many bales of llax, as there are now bales of wool. Wo have now lying on our table four specimens of dressed flax, kindly forwarded to | us by Mr. Hooker, of Carterton. One sample I was prepared in 1557, twelve years ago, and was I sent by Messrs Levion to Australia, and received 1 back again. The other sample vary in the quality and color of the fibre. Together with the samples, the same gentleman has forwarded us an approximate estimate of the cost of machinery necessary /%,o convert the llax—now a useless weed—into a i profitable article of exportation. He estimates qho cost of machinery, buildings, engine of 6 Morse power at £7OO, which ho calculates would produce 24 owt of dressed llax per week.

The Thames Advertiser, speaking of the Upper Thames, from whence advices had been received up to the 23rd instant, says nothing of importance has occurred in this district since the last communication. The natives generally are anxious to open up, and get money, as in Shortland. The chiefs are now receiving some excellent advice, and arc acting upon it; that is, they are individualising their respective blocks, and making arrangements for survey. They do not seem to recognise the right of mana of one chief over a supposed auriferous cyuntry. lam given to understand that Te Hira tacitly consents to leasing, but not selling. In this, other chiefs of notoriety are following. This is wise, as it is the only way to keep the benefit, ere it be too late. Apparently too, they arc waiting to learn, will the present Civil Commissioner go out of office on the 30th June? It is dawning on their minds that he cannot well bo agent for them and the Government too.

Princely Presents. — The Melbourne Age has published an article reflecting upon the Prince’s parsimony and fondness of pleasure. It says : “ Even a princely fortune has limits on shore, and a yacht is an expensive thing when commissioned by its owner ; but to be paid for making a yachting voyage, and to be relieved from all expenses in every port touched at alter the case entirely. After a few years of such voyaging, the Prince can hardly fail to become a millionaire. 11 is munificent allowance accumulates, Ins pay accumulates, and his presents received accu, initiate. There is nothing morally wrong—on the contrary, there is something which has almost the appearance of virtue in the management of the Prince ; but when the Government of England is asked to apply the public property and the publ c purse to such an object, its attainment cannot be looked upon as anything else than a job. We would not be justified, perhaps, in inquiring so curiously into a whichquestion does not concern us, or in prying into the private concerns of the Prince, were it not that he himself has invited criticism. He sends in his bills to be paid by the Colonial and Imperial Governments. The peculiarity of the case is that the Prince keeps his accounts by a now system of double entry. Presents made by him are charged to the English Government. Presents made to him are charged to the Colonial Governments. This may sound like an incongruity, but it is capable of explana ion. Presents received by him were of two classes— t ose which were free gifts from his admirers, and those which were levied in the style of the royal “benevolences” which the Petition of Rights protested against. If our thrifty young Prince took a fancy to anything unusually nice, he forthwith made himself a present of it.” It also alludes to the disgraceful way in which the officers of the Galatea made themselves presents of half the amount due to their Wellington washerwomen, who had to follow them to Auckland to obtain even that portion.

A private letter lias been received by the mail, ■which states that our late Governor, Colonel Core I’rov.'n, lias been created a Knight of the Order of St. .Michael as id. tit. George. Mr. Fox has given notice that ho will move on Tuesday for leave to introduce a bill for the suppression of rebellion and custody of prisoners, and if leave were given ho would move the suspension of the Standing Orders, in order that the bill in< y be passed through its several stages in one day. A Handsome Present.—A very splendid testimonial, says the .Melbourne of the value of about £SOO for presentation to Mr. T. .Russell, late Defence Minister of New Zealand, lias been on exhibition to the initiated at the rooms of Mr. Stephen Smith, of Co vent-garden, by whom it has been designed and manufactured, at the request of a body' of Provincial bondholders. The testimonial consists of a centrepiece on a plateau, two end pieces, and four lower pieces in silver. The centre is a magnilieent fern tree on a rock base, surrounded by .Maori chief, his wife, and child. The whole is placed on a handsome plateau, with three arms carryingglasses for fruit or flowers. The two end pieces represent smaller fern trees with models of native birds on their base. The four corner pieces are models of New Zealand flora, flax, cabbage palm, &c. The whole tr atment of device is frosted silver, relieved with burnished parts.

Raid by Friendly Natives.— The Cones" pondent of the Southern Cron--:, writing from Taranaki on June 20 says :—lhai and a party of friendly natives in the Government pay, who have been stationed at the White Cliffs, went last week into the district of the Mokau rebels, and destroyed several whares, &c. They made a raid over five miles of that country, but saw no natives. As Ihaia did this act on his own responsibility without orders, or even the Europeans knowing his intentions, he was sent for by the authorities and reprimanded. Ho was told that the orders were to be on the offensive only ; and, therefore, it was wrong to take upon himself the aggressive movement he had. Ihaia was very sulky at this, and replied to the effect that his men were sitting doing nothing for the Government pay they received. He ’was told that he must not in future act according to his own judgment, but must do as the Government told him, which, at present, was to act on the defensive only'. He shrugged iiis shoulders, and said he did not understand paying for doing nothing. Ho did not like this snubbing, and insinuated that the pakehas were a queer lot.

The skeleton of what is supposed to have been a moa, was discovered by a labouring man in the Makerewa Bush the other day. On one of the recent wet days, when the railway works were stopped, the man alluded to, who was employed on the line, took a stroll through the bush, and accidentally came upon a collection of bones which, from their size and shape, attracted his attention. In spite of the jeers of his mates about “carrying home the remains of an old bullock,” he gathered up the fragments carefully and took them to his tent. Yesterday, Tuesday, the 18th he brought one of the bones into town apparently the thigh, and showed it about, it is certainly a bone of no ordinary animal, with which we are acquainted, and it is quite likely wdiat the finder supposes it is. lie says he has all the larger bones of the body, including the head, and they arc those of a gigantic bird ; the bone shown us yesterday, must have been over three feet in length. What seems most remarkable is the fact of the remains having been found on the surface. They must, however, have lain for a very long time, as they are, to a certain extent, petrified. The fortunate finder proposes to place them somewhere for exhibition, and then to have them put together as well as possible, and sold.—Christchurch Mail. Earthquake Story.— The Lyttelton Times , of a late date, has the following about the late earthquake :—“ Shortly after the last earthquake, three men rather fond of their nip, from which they had been disturbed, were standing together. One said : ‘ I say, Bill, did you hear that ?’ ‘Yes, I did, and no mistake.’ A minute or so passed, when Tom again spoke. I say, Bill, do you smell the sulphur ?’ ‘ Well, 1 do smell summat queer, and no mistake ; don’t you, Jack ?’ Jack admitted he also smelt the sulphur. They stood staring at each other in the greatest fear, and gave the impression, as one told a friend afterwards, that the nethermost pit had suddenly opened, and they had nothing to look forward to but an instantaneous rush into it, and among its inhabitants. Suddenly Jack clapped his hand to his breeches pocket, and connecting his feelings with the earthquake, screamed : ‘My word, I’m burning,’ and he undoubtedly was, for in his fear-he had put his lighted pipe in his pocket, and ignited his wooden matches which accounted for the smell of sulphur. Bill and Tom expressed great comfort when they found that their sojourn in the pit was delayed for some time, and that Jack was the only one who had a foretaste of its quality.”