PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 75, 1 April 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Canterbury. — The Press says—" The grain season may now be said to be fairly set in. The goods sheds and stores at the railway statiou are literally teeming with grain for export, and the heavily laden trucks from the south Hoe, and the carts and drays of all descriptions that are continually arriving from the country with the same produce, together present a most animated appearance." The Front.—- The " Front " is in the bush beyond Keteonetea, and nothing worthy of note has yet occurred there. The men are described as in capital spirits and becoming efficient bush soldiers, being accustomed to the intricacies, and the mode of travelling and fighting in the bush, not by an occasional visit, but being kept for days iu it, accustomed to rely on themselves there, and allowed to become thoroughly acquainted with its protection as well as its danger, All is quiet along the Waitotara. The Natives of that district if they have remained {as believed) on their own territory, , are certainly desirous of keeping quiet and retired} every effort of Captain Hawes, of the Wairoa Volunteers, and his coadjutors Captain Kells, of the Veterans, and Captain Bryce, of the Cavalry, having been, so far fruitless iu discovering their retreat. — Wanganui Chronicle.

Hokitika. Races. — The •Greymouth Evening Star of 30th March has received the following telegraphic intelligence of these races : — Trial of 30 sovs. One mile and a half ; Nebula, (1) Cossack, (2). Flying Jib drew up before the conclusion of the race. Hurdle Eace of 50 sovs. One mile and a half ; Don Pedro, (1) Gamester, (2). Blink Bonny ran off the course. The Don was run hard by Gamester. Town Plate of 75 sovs. Two miles.; Flying Jib, (1) Backbiter, (2) Nebula (3). Napoleon Diggings. — The Hokitika Daily News of the 15th iust. states: — The Napoleon diggings in Noble's Gully, are turning out first rate. Sixteen holes have been bottomed on gold with excellent prospects. The value of the lead is now fully proved, and new claims are being opened up along the range. Canterbury Meat Export Company. — The Lyttelton Times of March 25, in speaking of a public meeting of this -Company held iu Christchurch. says: — Seventy additional shares were taken up in the room, making a total of 770. The Chairman said there would be no difficulty in disposing of the other 30. 'The Westport Times learns that the new ground which has been opened up the Buller is situated about a mile above Christie's store. It is on a low terrace on the Westport side of the river, and the gold was struck by tunnelling into the terrace. Thirty claims, representing about 240 men, have already been taken up, and that is said to be as many as there is at present l'oom for. The same ground has been frequently prospected before, but previous parties had not gone in -sufficiently" far to strike the lead of gold. There is good reason to suppose that all along the same side of the Buller, and below the Lyell, payable gold may be got, but the extreme denseness of the bush has hitherto prevented this portion of country being more than very slightly prospected. Some new ground has also been lately opened in the neighborhood of the Inangahua. The Wanganui Chronicle thus speaks of the Duke's visit to Wellington: — The Galatea is expected to arrive in Wellington harbor on Monday next. It appears that a few transparancies lighted up by kerosine, and depicting various scenes of which the explanation will be necessary to be painted in legible letters below, are to be displayed, and several dignitaries of Wellington are in a fever at the prospect of the tame reception the royal guest is to receive. There are, besides the above immense preparations in the way of transparancies, a couple of triumphal arches to be erected — which it is to be hoped the wind won't blow down — and the imposing structure built a year ago for the ball to the Duke of Edinburgh is just being demolished before His Royal -Highness's arrival. The Government also intend to provide some little surprise in their own way after a most approved fashion. Tenders are required at the Native office for the supply of rations to Maoris during Prince Alfred's visit, the nations to consist of lib of fresh meat, lib of bread, 2lbs of potatoes, 2ozs of sugar, and of tea. There is something sadly .unromantic in all this. The Government expect that they will get 200 natives a day, and most probably they will and more, for what Maori ever refused rations ? It is to be hoped a few starving Hau-haus will be included in the ruck, and lend a little excitement to the •scene, and assist in helping the natives, after their beef and potatoes, to cheer well. We feel certain that all this tinsel show -will compare badly with the genuine article, -which should be spontaneous, and that Prince Alfred will cany away but a poor .impression of the Empire City.