NOTES AND NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 9, 14 March 1866, Page 3

NOTES AND NEWS.

HICKEY AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF England. — A number of gentlemen interested in the aquatic sports, met at Tattersail's, at 8 o'clock last evening, to take steps to enable W. Hickey, the champion sculler

of New South Wales, to proceed to England and row for the championship. Amongst those present were Messrs. G. Thornton, W. B. Dalley, R. Driver, jun., M.L.A., A. A. Tighe, M.L.A., aud Captaiu Eldred. Mr. Thornton took the chair, explained the object of the meeting, and expressed his regret that it was not more largely attended, but attributed it to the* inclemency of the weather, the departure of the mail, etc. In order to obtain a large attendance, and to promote a wider interest in the object of the meeting, it was resolved to adjourn until 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, when those desiring to aid in sending. Hickey home by the March mail are requested to attend at Tattersall's, so that a committee may be formed and subscriptions obtained as early as possible.— S. M. Herald. The Lyttelton and Christchurch Tunnel,. — The Canterbury Press, of March 6, informs us that " From the Provincial Engineer's return of the progress made to the Lytteltou tunnel, during the month of February, it appears that it amounted to sixtysix feet at the Heathcote end aud forty feet at the Port end, or one chain aud forty feet in all. The total amount driven, up to the end of February, was fifty-four chains sixteen feet at the former, aud fifty-one chaius seventeen feet at the latter, or 2,321 yards, which, as the total leagth of the tunnel is 2,838 yards, leaves 517 yards still to be driven." Several Corroberees have been held lately, close to Echuca, by the blacks, who to the number of about 200 have assembled here from all quarters. There are a large number of fine, strapping, and even handsome, young men among them. Ooe fellow in particular is notable for his height, standiug in his bare soles over six feet. A young lubra struck everyone with her height and erect carriage. She stand over five feet eight inches. We are told that it has been their custom to assemble at Echuca, which in their lauguage means the meeting of the rivers. The occasion is considered one of great festival. — Riverine Herald. The Central India Times has an account of a curious natural phenomenon which was observed some short time back at Pertabgurh, in the Chindvvarra district of the Central Provinces. A hill of considerable size ''melted down iu one night into a lake, and the natives are discribed as being, naturally enough 'lost in amazement.'" The probable volcanic origin of the hill, our contempoary thinks, accounts for its subsidence. Wharf Extension. — The extension of the new wharf 100 feet eastward, towards the breakwater, under the contract taken by Mr. David Ross, of Honeysuckle Point, was commenced yesterday moruing. Two piles were driven and firmly fixed iu the bed of the harbor, and every preparation made for carrying on the work as speedily as possible. The extension of the wharf to the east will cease when the present contract is completed, as it will be useless to carry it any further, on account of the water beiug too shoal for vessels of any depth to load alongside. — Newcastle Chroniole, March 3. Fruitless Attempt to Stick up the Bathurst Mail. — The Times of last Saturday reports that, on last Wednesday night, about 12 o'clock, an attempt was made to stick up the down mail from Bathurst, at a place called Blackraau's Gully, between Hartley aud Peurith. Two men, masked, and armed with revolvers, started out from the side of the road aud each seizing one of the leaders, called upon the driver to bail up. Being so suddenly stopped the horses were restive, and the coachman, determined not to surrender easily, commenced to flog the horses, and in doing so, the thong of the whip lapped suddeuly round one of the bushranger's necks. On feeling the lash, the scoundrel started off in terror, aud this with such velocity as jerked the whip out of the coachman's hand. The horses went off at a gallop, audsoou distanced the remainiug ruffians and gob clear off. There were three passeugers in the vehicle, one of whom, -hiukiug discretion the best part of valor, threw himself flat upon the bottom of the coach, so as to be out of the way of any fly-

ing bullets. The coachman, who deserves praise for his pluck, recovered his whip next day not far from the . scene of the encounter. — lb. Husband Beating. — At the West Maitland police court, Alice Walter appeared before the Bench, charged with violently assaulting her husband. The evidence of the complainant was to the effect that on au evening of last week his wife came home in liquor, and used language calculated to irritate any man. She threatened. to murder him. He went to bed, and whilst lying down his wife came into the room, which was dark at the time, and struck him across the mouth with a horse pistol. She then took up a pocket containing a flask of powder and other things and beat him with it. He was almost senseless from the first blow — it came .so unexpectedly. She said she often intended to kill him, aud thought she had done so now. They had lived very unhappily together for some years past. They were married in 1860. When she ceased striking him, she went outside the house and called very loudly. Constable Harris came to the house, aud found Walter lying on a sofa bleeding very freely, and much exhausted. He gave his wife into cusody for the assault, and she was brought before the Bench, but discharged, on the ground that she was illegally in custody. She was now brought up on summons. In her defence, she stated that her husband was not home when she went Lome, but had gone round the creek scandalising her, aud that he had called her very foul names. The Bench convicted her of assault, and sentenced her to be imprisoned for two mouths. — Maitland Mercury. Brisbane. — The experiment of running a mail steamer by this route has proved highly satisfactory. The ' Souehays' arrived at Batavia on the 30th of January, in time to answer the mail steamer from Singapore, the passage only occupying 18 days. Captain Black was feted, and received the most flattering attention at Batavia. The vessel was exempted from port dues, and coal is to be supplied to her at cost price, which will be equal to Newcastle prices. It is a remarkable fact that, although common sheep delight in verdant fields, religious flocks are not anxious for green pastors. A victim of sea-sickness describes the sensation thus : — " The first hour I was afraid I should die ; and the second hour I was afraid I should'nt." A lady of somewhat dignified demeanour, having lost lier way, said to an urchin in the street, "Boy, I want to go to Dover-street." " Weil, marra," replied the boy, coolly walking on, " why don't you go there then." A jockey, who incautiously burned his finger by taking up his toast from the fire, aud broke the plate by letting it fall, observed that it was too bad to lose the plate after having won the heat. The captain of a trading vessel was very much disliked by his crew, and one day as he was passing the caboose, he heard the cabin-boy who, talking with the cook, give his opinion of the officers of the ship, which was not at all complimentary. He entered the caboose, and, after inflicting severe chastisemeut on the delinquent, which was administered with the toe of his boot, he toid the boy that the next time he said anything agaiust any one on board of his boat he must always 'except' the captian. The boy promised implicit obedience, and subsequent event will prove how he kept his word. The next day the captain was standing on deck in full view of the caboose door, when he saw the cabin-boy coming out with a roast leg of pork on a large platter, which was intended for the cabin table. He was so intent upon keeping his leg of pork " right side up with care," that he did not see a half-grown pig that was standing in his path, and the result was lhat he suddenly found himself and the pork landed ou the floor. Ha was soon upon hia feet again, and shaking his fist at the pig, he thus addressed the cause of his misfortune: " You are the vilest, meatiest hog I ever did see !" and seeing the captain watchiug him he thought of his promise, aad fiuishojd with, except ' the captain !" v j^