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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 28, 4 February 1869, Page 2

The following letter has been received from Mr Kynnersley, late Commissioner of the Nelson South-west Goldfields, by the gentlemen who signed the address presented to him on the occasion of his leaving for England: —'Melbourne, Jan, 20, 1869,—Gentlemen—I beg to thank you most sincerely for the address presented to me on board the Gothenburg, at Greymouth, and I regret that the steamer made such a short stay off that port that I had no opportunity of thanking you personally and wishing you farewell. lam unable to express to you as I should wish the pride and satisfaction which I feel in the possession of this testimonial, not only for its intrinsic value as a very tastefully 1 designed and skilfully executed work of art, but as a most gratifying testimony that while acting in my late official capacity, I was fortunate enough to succeed in discharging the duties of my office in such a manner as not to meet with your disapprobation. It is the more gratifying to me that although my duties were (except in a few matters such as the hospital,, and the division of the Customs' duties) confined to the Nelson goldfield. the address is signed by representatives of the inhabitants of both sides of the Grey valley, and I may take this opportunity of stating that it was always a matter of regret to me that while my official position gave me peculiar facilities for forming an opinion on the subject, it at the same time precluded me from expressing the strong opinion which I always held, that it would be most beneficial to the district to readjust the boundaries of this province and county, in order to unite the whole of the Grey valley under one Government. I ara sorry that the unsatisfactory state of my health has rendered it necessary for me to terminate my official connection with the Grey district, in which I have always taken the greatest interest, but I hope that I shall so far succeed in recovering as to enable me at some future time to return to New Zealand. Again heartily thanking you, I remain, gentlemen, yours faithfully, T. A. Sneyd Ktnnerslet.'

The wish is father to the thought, but occasionally the thought j in obedience to its father's instructions, goes a little astray, and, iustead of confining itself to the real, wauders off into the region of the ideal. The Marlborough News tells us that the town of Blenheim was thrown into a state of excitement on Wednesday last, "by a report that upon analysis, gold equal in amount to 53 ounces to the ton had been found in somy quartz sent by Nixon and Sweeney to Dr Hector for examination. Knots of people gathered together discussing the -truth of the report — some doubting, some sanguine, while others were very infidels in theiv disbelief; some were exulting, and 'I told you so — could see gold quite plain with the naked eye — never saw quartz like that that did'nt hold payable gold' — could be heard among other remarks more or less disparaging. Tho gold fever was becoming very prevalent and the epedemic appeared to be spreading with great rapidity, when some oue equal to the occasion proposed a dose of electric telegraph to abate •the symptoms. Acting upon the suggestion, a message was sent to Dr Hector asking for information that would -confirm or deny tho corectness of the rumors. Some time elapsed before an -answer was received, and in the interval : the spirits of shareholders and would be shareholders fluctuated from the temperalure of fever heat down to zero. When the anxiously looked-for message arrived which was to elevate Mariborough into a •flourishing goldfield or let it glide along as a sheep and flour-providing district, the •excitement had iv a slight degree abated. Luckily it was so, or the shock would have been too powerful for a number to have withstood. The answer from Dr Hector said that very little, in fact only traces of gold had been discovered in the Marlborough quartz. This, of course at once dispelled any idea that might have been entertained respecting the payable nature of '* our reefs.' 'A tragi-comic occurrence,' says the "Gipps Land Times ' took place at Rosedale on Christmas Eve. During the evening, the officer iv charge of t.he police station perceived a large fire at the western end of the township. Hurriedly proceeding there, he fouud the hut of a well-known resident in Gipps Land, William Farley — formerly known as Commissioner's Bob — in a blaze, the proprietor coolly standing with his back to the fire, with his hands behind him, enjoying tho warmth, his wife -and children, in a state of puris naturalibus, being located in a water-hole a few yards off. O'Connor, the officer, asked JTarley who had caused the fire, and he replied that he had lit it himself for his own convenience. The man evidently being ■mad, he was taken into custody and removed to the police station, the timehonored bullock chain and staple having to do duty for a lock-up. He was bailed out on Christmas morning, to appear on the 31st. Farley was at one time well-to-do in Gipps Land, but the too ardent love of spirituous stimulants had brought him and his family into a state of destitution.' ' Rather a novel sale was effected a few days ago ' — says the Ararat Advertiser — 'by a speculator who came from the neighborhood of Ballarat, and who of course, .possssses the bargaining 'cuteness which the inhabitants of that district are said to enjoy in a very eminent degree. He strolled up among the Kiora farmers with a reaping-machine and a number of Chinamen, who did their work of binding and attending to the reaper so effectually as to cause bo little su prise amongst European masters and European servants Notwithstanding that the machine was an old one, and might by itself have been regarded as but indifferent for the work. the ability displayed by the Asiatics assisted to render the whole turn-out so m '

complete that our Ballarat friend was enabled to sell the lot, Chinamen and all for a consideration. Accordingly, the machine was duly handed over, and the Chinese informed that they had changed masters. The Johns by no means objected to this summary way of doing business on their accouut, but at once asked for and obtained an interview with their new master, and with him they stipulated for 6s. a day — a slight improvement upon the former agreement — so that all things are going on smoothly, and the 'purchaser is •quite satisfied with his bargain.' Who would not be a candidate for Parliamentary honors, after reading the fol- ; lowing account of a cauvassing tour through the streets of Liverpool ? — Tlie candidates nnd tbeir guides first visited St. John's fruit market, where they were received with mingled hisses aud applause. But the triumph awaited them in the market where the fish is sold. Wheu tidings reached the ladies who preside at the fish stalls that they were to be visited by a live lord and a real member of Parliament they were naturally in a flutter. How were they to receive such distinguished visitors ? Would they present them with an address upon the claims of female fishmongers to be enfranchised, or would they insist on potted shrimps being included in the next commercial treaty ? These were questions of momentous importance, and required to be fully considered. It has been said that in periods of political excitement * the hour briugs the man.' On this occasion the hour brought tho woman, and the difficulty was solved. Wheu the honorable candidates entered the market they were received by a deputation of the most buxom aud comely of the ladies who retail soles, salmon and shrimps. Both the Tory candidates are what the fair sex call 8 handsome men.' This had no doubt great influence with the fisher women, for they gave the Tory gentlemen a most enthusiastic reception. They had no flags or banners to wave over the heads of their constitutional visitors ; but they availed themselves of the means at their disposal, and fish-tails were flaunted about their heads in token of welcome. But this was not enough. Another demonstration was wauting to made the visit truly imposing, and it took place. A buxom vendor of fish linked her arm in that of Viscount Sandon, and insisted upon promenading a part of the market with him. The honorable candidate acceded, and a most imposing procession was formed, led by the fishwife and Lord Sandon, followed by Mr. Graves and their Tory supporters. When the party reached the end of the fish market the climax of the demonstration was reached. A female fishseller — who has not long been married — rushed from behind her stall, embraced first Lord Sandon and kissed him, and then did ditto to Mr. Graves. It has not transpired whether the candidates returned the salutation, but the patriotic kissing of the was applauded to the echo. Some experiments with the Abyssinian tube wells were conducted yesterday in the grounds of Mr Tance, a surgeon, at Plaistow. The water here lies about fifteen feet beneath the surface. The first tube which was driven occupied au unusual length of time, from having to penetrate a hard rock. The exact time occupied in driving this tube to the water, pumping several buckets full for the company present to inspect, and in withdrawing the tube, was one hour and five minutes. A second experiment was, however, carried out in order to enable several gentlemen connected with the Horse Guards, India Board, and other public departments who came down by a later train, to see the working of the apparatus. On this occasion no rock Was struck and j water was drawn in less than a quarter of an hour after the tripod, on which the hand ' monkey' was worked, was raised.

An advertisement appeared in the Times of October 17, which has attracted considerable attention in literary circles* It announces the forthcoming publication of a first-class daily paper, ' same size as the Times,' in which the special feature is to be the abandonment of the anonymous system. All the leading articles are to bear the signatures of their writers. The new undertaking is believed to be a project of the Comtist party, who have an organ at present in the Fortnightly Review. Punch reports the following conversation as having taken place between two canny Scots. Sandy (to townsman who was supposed to be in Londou on a visit). ' Eh, Mac ! ye'ro sune hame again 1' Mac. 'Eh it's just a ruinous place that ! Mon, A had na been there abune twa hoours when — bang — went saxpence ! ! An Irishman being asked on a late trial for a certificate of his marraige, exhibited a large scar on his head, which looked as though it might have been made with a fire-shovel. The evidence was satisfactory.