Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 202, 6 November 1869, Page 4

Local and General News.

We learn that final arrangements have been made for the reception and employment of the native prisoners at Dunedin. They will be removed thither in a few days.— lndependent. The Anniversary Dinner of the Loyal Marlborough Lodge was postponed in consequence of the unsuitable weather until Monday evening next, when we expect the chair will be supported by a numerous company, representing every class in the Province. The last Home News, speaking of the arrival of the Malay from this port (Wairau), where she got her clearance, describes her as of Nelson ! The N.Z. Examiner quotes her as *• from Port,” whatever that may mean ; while the European Mail describes her as from Port Underwood. Why cannot captains of English-bound vessels report according to their clearances where they are from. Nelson Superintendency. —By a telegram received on Tuesday we learned that the Nelson election had terminated as we expected it would. The polling was as follows :

—with a probable increase when final returns come in. We can only remark that the opposition showed themselves not only weak but unwise in ever entering the lists with such men. Miraculous Escape. —On Sunday forenoon last, a horse and dray, containing Mrs. Craig with four children, and Mrs. Smart, was crossing a creek on their way from Wairau Valley to the Waihopai, at a place about two miles from the latter river, where, owing partly to the badness of the road, and partly to the heavy current flowing at the time, the dray turned over, precipitating the whole party, including an infant, into the water. The horse fell and was drowned. It is stated that one of the children, a little fellow only 3ft. 6in. high, ventured across the stream —which was running very strongly, and in this part 3ft. deep—in some miraculous manner, and gave the alarm. On help arriving, Mrs. Craig was discovered actually underneath the overturned dray, where she had been at least three-quarters of an hour. Singular to say, that beyond the fright, and consequent wetting, none of the party are much the worse for the accident. In a despatch received a short time since from E irl Granville, the Governor was instructed to offer the Order of St. Michael and St. George to Colonel Whitmore and to Mr. Stafford, and to any third gentleman who was entitled to the distinction. Colonel Whitmore accepted the offer, which, however, was declined by Mr. Stafford. The Order we believe, will be conferred upon Mr. Fitzherbert. The Order of St. Michael and St. George bears about the same relation to higher honours, as “ digggers’ champagne ” does to the real artice. It is a title manufactured specially for the colonies just as are cheap furniture and inferior clothing. Mr. Stafford was qxite right in refusing to wear an inferior article. Auckland. —The excitement, respecting the Auckland Superintendency is abating somewhat and Mr. Williamson’s election appears to be certain. Mr. Ellis is still stumping it in the North where be will get some support, while Dr. Pollen is nowhere. The Herald says :—ln plain words, Mr. Williamson is the favorite, and we should not feel at all suprised if one, at least, of his opponents were scratched at the last moment. The Dr. has no chance whatever, and his supporters know and feel it. Brought out in the interests of a clique, the voice of the public is dead against him. He was not civilly listened to at the Thames. At Papakura, his friends (?) gave him so qualified and lukewarm a support that it damned him with faint praise. Mr. Ellis, we believe, will fight it out; but Mr. Ellis, while he may obtain a few votes in the North, will take but very few elsewhere.. He is politically an unknown and untried man. He has served no political apprenticeship in the Provincial Council or General Assembly, but aims at vaulting at one leap into the highest seat of honor. He is that “vaulting ambition which overleaps itself and falls on the other side. ”

The Flax Commissioner have prepared a series of 17 question relative to the growth and cultivation, and 35 relative to the manufacture of flax, which are to be circulated with, the view of obtaining the fullest information.

The next Mails for England, &c., will close on November 29th, which will |be the last of subsidised steamers. How we are to fare after that date is a doubtful matter. Latest from Napier.— No further information has been received of Col. M‘Donnell. He is still after Te Kooti, and it is known that an ample supply of potatoes is availible where he was going, no fears are entertained of his running short of supplies. Intelligence is however hourly expected at Napier. —lndependent 30.

Bank of New Zealand. —At the half yearly general meeting of the Proprietors, held at Auckland on the 27th October, the sixteenth report was presented by the Directors, from which it appears that notwithstanding the stagnant condition of business in several Provinces, the Net Profit at 30th September, after making liberal provision for all bad or doubtful debts, and the usual appropriations in reduction of Bank Premises and Furniture Accounts, amounts to £33,725 17s. 2d., to which has to be added the Balance of undivided Profit at 31st March last £8,313 6s. 3d., leaving available for division £42,039, 3s. 5d., of which the following sis recommended :—To payment of Dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, £25,000 os. Od ; Bonus of ss. per share, equal to 5 per cent, per annum, £12,500, os. Od ; Balance carried to Profit and Loss New Account, A’4,529 3s. sd. The Dividend and Bonus is payable at Branches on reciept of advice. The West Coast Railway.— The following letter has been received by the Superintendent of Nelson from the Colonial Secretary :—Wellington, October 26, 1869. “Sir, —The Government have observed with regret a statement in the Nelson newspapers to the effect that the negociations for the construction of the Nelson and West Coast Railway, authorised by the Provincial Government of Nelson, to be entered upon in England, have not been successful. It has occurred to the Colonial Government that the Commissioners who are about to be sent to England on behalf of the Colony, may be in a position to assist in promoting your railway. Recognising, as the Colonial Government do, its importance, both from a Provincial and also a Colonial point of view, the Government have great pleasure in offering to instruct the Commissioners, should you desire it, to ascertain whether anything could he done in the matter. Should difficulties exist at present, it is probable that the Commissioners may be able to come to some arrangement by which, with the approval and aid of the General Assembly, such difficulties may be overcome. — l have, &c., W. Gisborne.” The warm rain which fell on Friday evening and Saturday last, caused the unusually large quantity of snow on the ranges to melt, and flooded our rivers beyond their carrying capacity, especially was this the case with the Opawa, which overflowed the bank across the Renwick Road near Sinclair’s Bridge, and flooded the lowlying lands on the north side. In the evening a son of Mr. Wratt was crossing the foot-bridge, driving bis horse in front of him, when a portion, about 100 feet long, and connected with the approaches to the Opawa Bridge, under which the current was running stronger than in the riverbed itself, gave way beneath the horse’s feet, and it was carried away by the raging torrent, the youth narrowly escaping a similar fate. The bridge has since been impassable in consequence, and two men have ferried passengers over by boat. The traffic is consequently stopped, together with our supplies of timber, firewood, all of vvbich are drawn from that direction. The question of Roads and Bridges will therefore be forcibly pressed' [ on the attention of our Provincial legislators when they meet, as it appears evident that nothing less than lengthening the bridge to the cottage of Old Billy Smith will be of any use. Thejhorse above named has since been found alive, down the river-bank. We learn that his Honor the Superintendent has determined to calkfor tenders immediately. barque Ballarat, Capt. Allen, from Newcastle, N.S.W., [chartered by Mr. Dodson of Blenheim,] arrived in this harbor on Friday morning, after a passage of twelve days. She brings a cargo of 800 tons coals for the Circular Saw Company. After discharging her cargo into the hulk European she will proceed to Port Underwood to load wool for London direct. The Ballarat left Newcastle on the 17th inst., and experienced N.E. winds the whole passage across until reaching the entrance of the Strait, when she encountered a heavy N. W, gale with rain. Round Terawiti at half-past 8 o’clock, but was blown off by the gale and lost some canvas. She came up three times to the entrance and was blown off each time. On the last occasion she went under Cape Campbell and lay there until the weather moderated. On Tuesday last, at 5 a.m., whilst in the centre of Cooks Strait, it blew so strong that Capt. Allen thought the masts were going over the side. The arrival of our old friend will be noticed by some of our readers with interest. A large quantity of wool we hear awaits shipment already, so that probably she will have quick despatch. By the Osprey we learn that Messrs. Edwards and Co., had purchased a brig which they intend to load also at Port Underwood for London. The latter will probably take about 800 bales, and the Ballarat about 3500 pressed.— lndependent, 30th. / Jr

C 4~> U J5 £ a M O Town and country districts except Massacre Bay, not o < o w yet in 780 107 103 6 West Coast 50 193 26 0 Majority for Curtis 830 539 ! 300 189 6