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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 106, 6 May 1868, Page 2

The steamer Stormbird left Wanganui at 7 p.m., on Monday, but on coming down the river, struck upon a snag, breaking the two fans of her screw, and was in consequence immediately beached. Unfortunately, however, she sank so deep in the sand that it was found impossible to get at her screw. Captain Doyle therefore, having the Panama Mail on board, thought it best to attempt to reach Wellington as soon as possible, without waiting to repair the injury done to her, and when she floated with the rise of the tide, he proceeded to sea. Finding, however, that he could not make his course to Wellington against the very heavy sea running at the time, he steered for Picton, but this also proving impracticable, he made for Nelson, which he reached at 6 a.m. to-day. The Stormbird has been under repair, and will probably leave this evening. The Volunteer Band will perform this evening on the Church Hill, at 7 o'clock. A correspondent requests us to inform him whether the trial of William Palmer in May, 1856, took place at the Old Bailey, London, or at Stafford ?' The trial took place at the Old Bailey, the venue having been changed on the application of the prisoner's counsel ; the execution, however, took place at Stafford. Reference was lately made to the chaDge of venue in this case, when the application was made by the Fenian prisoners Burke, Casey, and Shaw, to be tried at London instead of at Warwick, the case of Palmer being pleaded as a precedent. The following mysterious notification appears in the General Government Gazette, bearing date, Treasury, Wellington, 31st March, 1868: — All persons having money to receive from the Government, either as salary or for supplies, are cautioned not to sign receipts without the money having been actually paid. Persons residing at a distance from a paymaster can obtain forms which will empower an agent to receive money on their behalf, so as to obviate the necessity for personal

application to the paymaster. Paymasters are also specially charged not to allow signed vouchers to be forwarded to them previous to the money having been paid. The services of the Westport Volunteer Rifle Corps have been accepted by the Government, and a large number of members have been enrolled. It is stated in the Westport papers that the petition to the House of Representatives praying for an enquiry to be held on the late disturbances aud the Commissioner's report thereon, has been very numerously signed, and that it is the intention of the committee appointed at the public meeting to forward the document to Mr Button of Hokitika, for presentation to the House. The Westport Star of the 4th states that a new daily paper will be established in Hokitika, under the name of the Westland Observer, the first issue of which will be published on the 16th inst. It will be remembered that a weekly newspaper under the same name, now defunct, was established at Okarita, and the new proprieta'y have adopted the same name. G. S. Sale, Esq., lately Commissioner, arid afterwards Under Secretary in Hokitika, is the proprietor, and the size is the sheet will be the usual double news size of 28 columns. The price will be 3d. The Westland Jockey Club have published their programme for an autumn meeting, to be styled ' The Queen's Birthday Races.' and to be holden on the 26th and 27th ot May. There are five races arranged for each day. It is stated that some of the large soft goods houses in Melbourne are about to start an extensive boot factory, where employment will be afforded to about 500 persons. A bon mot was heard the other day in an English court. Two barristers were using very warm words towards each other ; ' Don't be afraid,' said a looker-on ; * they are like a pair of scissors, neither blade cuts the other, but it is dangerous work for any one that gets between.' ■ i