Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 184, 17 July 1869, Page 3

Local and General News.

Ensigx Frank Cohen is gazetted Captain of the Pelorus Rangers Volunteer^. The Ballot Bill was read a first time in the Legislative Council on the 9th J uly. The second woollen factory at Geelong, now being erectod by Messrs. Gray, Robinson, and Co, is rapidly approaching completion. It is estimated by a South Australian journal that the importation of flour that will be required for next harvest will be 11,518 tons. We learn that the Bishop of Nelson is expected here during the coming week, and that he will preach at the Church of the Nativity to-morrow, Sunday.

Rumour says that the office of Under-Secre-tary rendered vacant by Mr. Gisborne’s tion will be bestowed upon Mr. J ohm Knowles, clerk to the Superintendent of Wellington. Mail.

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint F. J. Litchfield, Esq., the Mayor of Blenheim, to be a Justice of the Peace for the Colony, in accordance with the provisions of section 133 of the Municipal Corporations Act.

Borough Council. —In accordance with the 308th section of the Municipal Corporations Act, the Governor proclaims that the 30th July shall be appointed the day for the first election of Assessors and Auditors in and for the Borough of Blenheim,

We learn that a reply has been received from the Government to an application recently made by his Honor the Superintendent for occasional Sittings of the Supreme Court here. The reply is to the effect that the application cannot be entertained, in consequence of an adverse report from his Honor Judge Richmond. A correspondent informs us that Mr. W. F. Evelyn Liardet to whose good fortune in connection with a reversionary interest in property representing some £300,000. .we alluded in Saturday’s publicationfAs-irot the sole surviving representative of John Evelyn, of Says Court, Deptford, Kent, Mr. John Fortescue Evelyn Wright and his brothers and sisters issuing from the eldest branch of the ancient Evelyn family.— Post. The Commissioner of Crown Lands gives notice of a sale on Thursday, 12th August, of lands situate in Picton Suburban. Sections 84, 85, and 87, Tua Marina Valley ; Section 44 Kaituna Valley, Havelock Suburban ; Section 68 Mahakipawa; Rural section 118, Waikakoho Valley, Kaituna; Sections 41 and 42 Kaiuma, Pelorus Sound ; and Section 78, near Blind River, Awatere. The advertisement reached us too late for insertion this week.

Our Havelock correspondent informs us that ’ Captain Cohen of the JPelorus Rangers has re- ! ceived a handsome present for his Corps from ; Mrs. Percival (late Sickler) of Nelson, namely, a } silk union jack with an embroidered crown in the centre, with the initials “P.R.” and “V.R.”j The silk is of the best description, and the colors \ red, white and blue, are very skilfully arranged, | reflecting the highest credit on the skill and taste j of the fair donor. The present was accompanied / with a very appropriate letter. Essay and Discussion Class.— On Tuesday B evening last, F- J- Litchfield, Escp read one of 1 Mrs. S C. Hall’s beautiful Irish stories, “ the Schoolmaster’s Dream,” and a selection from Scott’s “ Lady of the Lake,” to an unusually large and appreciative audience at the Literary Institute. A vote of thanks was conveyed by acclamation to the reader. At the close it was announced that the first of a series of miscellaneous Readings would be given on Tuesday next, when Messrs. Morley, Johnson and Rae will take part, and Mr. Hoskins has also promised to aid by performing a selection of Irish and Scotch airs with original variations, on the violin. The admission fee is fixed at the low rate of sixpence to non-members of the Idstitute, and the proceeds are to bo given in aid of the library. Several other gentlemen have consented to aid in this attempt to create a means of amusement during the long winter evenings, and from t eir well-known ability, we have reason to believe the undertaking will be financially successful.

Scarcely Likely. — A telegram from Wellington in the Oaraaru 'rimes of Tuesday says : “ Fox oilers the removal of the scat of Government to Auckland, as a bid for Auckland support.”

A very large quantity of flax arrived in town on June 29 by way of the Great South Road, and some of the drays contained prepared material of a very superior quality—the two circumstances proving that this most important branch, of industry is progressing favourably, in spite* of the adverse season of the year.— Weekly News The Wanganui Herald, of Friday, reports an attempt to lire property. It says :“ A serious attempt was made last light to set fire to a house near the river bank, at present occupied by Mr. Middleman, and the property of Mrs. Davidson. Some straw had been placed under the corner of the house and in the middle of the straw was a piece of candle with two or three dead matches lying close by. The wind had evidently blown out the candle, thus saving the house from certain destruction. A similar plot had been meditated about a house in Wicksteed Place, which, fortunately was discovered in time. The candle idea seems to be the adopted course the incendiaries take in accomplishing their purposes. It is not a pleasing reflection that nearly all the fires that have taken place in Wanganui have been supposed to be the work of incendiaries. A fire breaks out at one time in a bowling saloon on Christmas Day, and another breaks out in an empty shop, while a third has its origin in a stable. We do not think it strange that the Insurance Company are charging higher premiums, and threatening to withdraw from Wanganui altogether,” Prospecting. —A party of gentlemen are interesting themselves to raise the small sum of to send out a body of four men to explore the country at the head waters of the Pelorus and Wairoa, and back towards the mountain known as the Devil’s Arm-Chair, which overlooks the Wairau. Several of the streams which flow from these ranges are known to be auriferous—the famous Wakamarina, for instance—while gold in quartz has been found in higher localities. The country can scarcely be said to hare ever been prospected, owing to the great difficulty of getting through it, the hills being covered with timber and exceedingly rugged. It is intended to employ two men. in cutting a track, while the other two prospect, and by this means it is hoped something may be discovered that will lead to further researches. Considering the vast benefit the discovery of gold so contiguous to Nelson would confer upon the city, the scheme for prospecting the district is entitled to encouragement. Every practical digger who has looked over it from the top of the Dun Mountain has expressed himself in favour of its likely-looking appearance for gold, and scientific testimony is not wanting in support of this opinion. The history of the Thames gold-field has taught us not to be readily discouraged when the formation of a country gives reason to expect success in the search for gold. We hope, therefore, the sum asked will readily be obtained ; and although we will not venture to predict success for the explorers, as pioneers for opening the district they cannot but do good service. — Examiner.