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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 166, 11 July 1873, Page 2

A Resident of Okehu near Wanganui* bas invented an implement by which ten acres of fern may be cut in a day. It has been tried, and found to work admirably. The Melbourne Hotel, Grey mouth, is advertised for sale by auction, " in the assigned estate of James Johnston." The Westland Register says : — Our columns are positively getting unctuous with prime fat meats Another Hokitika butcher this week enters the lists and challenges his rivals on the score of cheapness, combined with quality. In the Christchurch market, both beef and mutton are falling in prices, beef selling at 17s 6d per 100lb3, and mutton at 2£d to 2|-d. Several mobs of cittle havo been sent to the preserving establishment in preference to risking the West Coast markets. Wellington's new public ball, or theatre, cost in erection £4538. It is let to Mr Bennett, at £60 per month. There is land attached which is let on a building lease, of which 98ft is let for twenty-one years, at £l 10s, and £2 per foot per annum for respective periods of seven years each. New Zealand Bradshaw. — Ao effort ia beiug made in Chriatchurch to float a small company for the purpose of publisha Bradshaw's guide for the Colony. The intention is to havo about four hundred pages, ono hundred of which would bo devoted to- postal, railway, shipping, and telegraphic information for the various Provinces, illustrated by maps. A most creditable piece of workmanship has just been turned out by Mr E. W. Mills, lrom the Lion Foundry, in the shape of a new steam winch for the Paterson, the first ever yet constructed in Wellington. Every portion of this machine, from boiler to cogwheels and rivets, has been made at the foundry, and the work has been completed in a manner not to be surpassed anywhere, either for strength or solidity, or for neatness and finish. It was tested yesterday with most satisfactory results. — Post. Mk Holly, of the Magnet Variety Troupe, has had a considerable stroke of luck. While down South some four or five weeks ago, he purchased a scarf ring for thirty shillings. It contained what appeared to be a white shell in an old" fashioned gold-setting. He was, however, informed a few days ago that it was a pear pearl of large size aud great value. He at once took it to a jeweller, who informed him, after examination, that the, pearl was worth a hundred pounds. This statement was confirmed by several other jewellers, to whom Mr. Holly applied. But although all were agreed that it was worth this sum, they wero not prepared themselves to buy at such a price, as there would be small demand for such a stone in Auckland. Mr Holly has, therefore, taken it witb him to Sydney, where he expects to receive its full value — Auckland Herald. Extraordinary Escape. — The most singular aud p.ovidential escape from a fatal accident we have heard of for some time, was reported at Ross a few days since. Robert Kiddie, a miner, had been working as a " hatter " in the left-hand branch of the Totara, about two miles above the Forks, and while at work on Saturday week last, a land-slip came down and buried him up to the neck. Fortunately there was a heavy flood running down the creek, whieh gradually washed away the large body of earth around the poor fellow, and, after being kept prisoner for fully four hours, he was enabled to release himself, and crawl on his hands and knees to his hut, between 200 and 300 yards from his claim. No assistance was at hand, and towards evening, finding that he had lost the use of one leg, he again crawled on his hands and knees down a steep spur, to another digger's habitation. A difficulty was experienced for two days iu getting anything suitable to apply to the injured limb, but eventually some "farmersfriend " was procured and applied. The most extraordinary thing in connection with this escape ..was that, although the earth struck the poor fellow on his head .in its fali, he waß only stunned for a time and was enabled to release himself after

the water had done its good work." — Westport Times. It has come to our knowledge (says the Waikato Times) that some Natives have left for Melbourne with a considerable amount of cash. It ie, of course difficultto surmise their * object, but we would suggest the advisability of putting the Australasian Governments on their guard to prevent the exportation of arms and ammunition for the use of the Natives in this Colony. Nothing would be easier thau to charter a small vessel and run her into Kawhia haibour with contraband goods. The Westport Times says : — "A man named John Stone was taken into custody on Wednesday morning for being unlawfully on the premises of the Rev A. C. Soutnr, at the parsonage, Westport. j Stone, who formerly worked at the Nile Creek, Charleston as a hatter, had in his solitary life become a confirmed monomaniac on religious subjects, and was for some time confined in the Nelson Lunatic J Asylum, but becoming more sane he was discharged, and thereupon returned to his old haunts and usual avocation as a miner. Of late his mind had gone astray, and od Tuesday he came up from Charleston and slept that right at the Oddfellows' Hotel. On Wednesday morning, about six o'clock, he left the house, went up the tramway, divested himself of every stitch of his clothing, and then breaking a pane of glass in one of the windows of the parsonage, entered the bouse, much to the alarm of the inmates. On being interrogated os to bis errand he gave incoherent answers, but Beemed anxious to discuss religious topics. The police wero sent for, and Stone was taken into custody, and since being locked up in his cell has spent the greater part of his time in fancied devotions. He has been committed again to the Neison Asylum." Stone was missed from his dwelling ou Tuesday last, and on Wednesday the police opened his hut, and found therein a quantity of gold and some £40 in money. The following somewhat exciting .altercation is reported in the Auckland Herald as having occurred there recently between his Worship the Resident Magistrate and Mr W. L. Rees, barrister, who appeared for Mr Machattie, in the case Maebattie against Thomas Macffarlane, for conspiring to prove a false debt. Mr Machattie was under crossexamination by Mr Hesketh, when his Worship said he wished the witness would give his answers without causing so much difficulty to the examining counsel. . He should give his answers more direct. Mr Rees : The witness gives his -answers correctly — it is the counsel's fault. The Bench : The witness does not give his. answers correctly. Mr Rees : He does ! The Bench : I will not be contradicted in that coarse matter. If you do not conduct yourself properly I shall not permit you to appear. I will not be spoken to iu that way; no gentleman would do so. Mr Rees : I shall not come to your Worship for an opinion of a gentleman. The Bench : Remember, sir, you are only here on sufferance, and I shall not allow you to insult the Bench. I shall commit you if you continue tbat conduct. You havo several times insulted the opposing counsel. Mr Rees : I did not contradict your Worship. You may commit ire if you think proper. You are judge, and I must bow to your decision. I do not wish to enter into an altercation with the Bench. Mr Hesketh : I say that Mr Rees did distinctly contradict the Bench. Mr Rees : I did not. The Bench : It ie not the first time Mr Rees has done it, but it is not worthy of further notice.