The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 213, 11 September 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1867.

f~ Intelligence reached us by the Keunedy, which arrived this morning, from the West Coast, of the discovery, at Deadmau's Creek, distant about four miles from the Buller, of the body of a mau, name unknown, who had evidently been murdered. It appears that the body was discovered by two miners who were prospecting iv the creek, and was lying in about 18 inches of water, caught iv the limbs of a tree, which had been cut with an axe, and in the immediate vicinity of a camping-place which had been occupied within the last six weeks. The men immediately sent information to the police at Westport, and the body was takeu down to that pla.e. On examination it was found that there were three large wounds on the head, evidently caused by a very sharp instrument, which could not have been inflicted by the deceased himself ; and the absence of water in tbe stomach and lungs proved that death had not resulted from drowning. The body was that of a male of 30 or 35 years of age, and was partially decomposed. Every exertion is being made by the police to discover the perpetrators of this atrocious deed, but although 300 persons have viewed tho body, which was, moreover, exhumed on the following day, for the purpose of inspection by some persons from the Mokihinui, who thought from the description forwarded to thera that they knew the man, the whole affair is at present shrouded in mystery. It was extensively rumored iv town this morning, upon the arrival of the Kennedy, that no less than four persons had been murdered, a report which probably had its origin in the fact that the body of another man had been brought down to Westport on Monday morning. Iv this latter instance, however, although the body bore several suspicious marks, it was proved on medical investigation that the deceased had met his death by drowning. The arrival of the Kennedy this morning placed us in possession of mbst cheerin<* news from the Buller. The Westport Times of Saturday says that at the Pakihis wash-ng has fairly commenced on many claims, and the returns exceed the expectations even ofthe sanguine, whilst at the Caledonian Lead things are also going on smoothly, and profitable work is the order of the day. But the chief news is the recent discovery of gold near the Mokihinui, which is distant about 2o miles from Westport, north of the Buller. It seems that the news arrived in Westport on Wednesday last that an excellent yield had been discovered on a terrace about half a mile from the present township at Mokihinui, close to the beach, and only a few hundred yards from high-water mark. The gold is stated to be coarse aud heavy, yielding fully 3 dwts to the dish, and already more than half a mile of claims had been pegged out, and more than 1000 were on the ground. A vast number of business meu are said to have gone up from the Buller to establish branches there; and the fact that the township is easily approachable by steamers, for there is a good land-ing-place, is much in its favor. We are informed that the Murray steamer made her first trip thither from Westport on Wednesday, the day following the arrival of the news, and took up 80 passengers, on Friday she. took between 50 and 60, and on Monday, 70. The Waipara also

left on the last mentioned day, conveying about 20 passengers, in company with the Kennedy, which also left about 20 on her way to Nelson. On Sunday last a large number of persons trudged overland along the beach from Westport, and when the Kennedy arrived at Mokihinui on Monday evening she found about 500 persons who had just arrived there. The rush promises to be one of the most remarkable which has yet taken place. We may observe that the Keunedy was prevented lauding passengers at the Karamea, beiug quite unable to ero-*s the bar, where a tremendous surf was running. A meeting of flockowners was held at the Royal Hotel, Blenheim, on the 28th ult., at which the owners of the largest flocks in the province were present. Mr. A. Monro occupied the chair. A deputation of shearers waited on the meeting, and stated their determination not to shear for less than 20s. per 100. After they had retired, the parties present considered the subject, and ultimately determined to give 17s. 6d. with rations. The delegates were then called in aud asked if they would accept this offer, but they declined to accept any reduction whatever, and retired. It was then resolved that advertisements calling for shearers at 17e. 6d. should be inserted in the local newspapers, and also iv those circulating in the neighboring provinces. Ageut were also appointed to give the requisite information to applicants. Captain Hunter, Instructor in Musketry, arrived from Wellington by the Airedale, yesterday, and will, we understand, make a sojourn of some duration in this city. A public meeting was held in the Schoolroom, Stoke, yesterday evening, in connection with the Band of Hope. The evening being fine, a goodly number were present. Mr I. M. Hill was called to the chair, and, after a few introductory remarks, called oo no less than eighteen of the juveniles present to recite pieces, which were, one and all, given in very creditable style. Some of them in praise of temperance, which were of a rather humorous cast, created no little amusement, and the audience evinced their gratification by frequent applause. The meeting was also addressed by Mr J. T. Smith, and the Chairman, in closiug the proceedings, mentioned several cases of premature death through drunkenness. A vote of thanks was warmly accorded to the chairman, and also to the children, for the evening's amusement. The trial of John William Carr, for stealing a sextant and other articles, the property of James Moir, took place on the 2nd inst., at the criminal sittings of the Marlborough District Court, and the prisoner was sentenced to penal servitude for 18 months. It will be remembered that the prisoner, who had deserted from the Laughing Water at Picton, aud had stolen the articles in question from one of his mates, a sailor on board thafc vessel, was arrested on the Beach-road on the 25th May last, by Sergeant Nash, soon after the prisoner's arrival here in the Taranaki. At the civil sittings of the same Court, the case Strachan v. Ponsonby was heard. This was an action to recover £91 3s. Bd., the value of two promissory notes, to which the defendant pleaded '•not indebted." The particulars of this case, which has been more than once before the public in the reports of our own Resident Magistrate's Court, are familiar to our readers. After an absence of nearly an hour, the jury returned into Court with a verdict for the defendant, costs being fixed at £5 13s. 6d. Mr. Moffitt appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. Conolly for the defendant. Mr. Moffitt applied for a uew trial, on the grounds that the verdict was contrary to evidence. &c, but his Honor declined to grant the request. The Marlborough News states that a

laud sale took place in the Crown Lands Office, Blenheim, on Wednesday week, at which a considerable quantity of land was put up, but ouly a small portion sold. Amongst that disposed of, we may mention sections ou Fernyhurst Run, Flaxbourne, Keneperu, Mahakipawa, Kaikoura suburban, Havelock and Picton suburban. The licenses" of Ramshead and Benhopai Run were also put up to auction, the former falling to A. P. Seymour, Esq., at a bonus of £45, and the latter to Messrs M'Rae aud Lovegrove, without opposition. The total amouut realised by the sales, was over £1000. We learn from Mr Huddleston, the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, that he has received a communication from the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society in Melbourne in reply to an enquiry as to whether they had any Angora goats for sale, to the effect that at present none were obtainable. The goats imported from the Cape were only halfbred, but in spite of this, they sold at from £8 to £10 each, yet as they were not full-bred, the Secretary of the Melbourne Society did not think it advisable to purchase any for our Society. We learn that there is a probability that a small private company will be formed in Melbourne for the purpose of importing a large number of Angora goats, and in that case we may still be enabled to obtain possession of some of these valuable animals.