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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 292, 10 December 1874, Page 4

A late telegram from Adelaide states Ay that trains on tbe Burra railway were delayed by swarms of locusts on the line. The ground all round about Burra is covered with locusts. Wellington Races. — Our telegrams announced that great dissatisfaction was expressed at the postponement of the WeUington races. What occurred is thns related by the Times: —A few minutes after twelve it was whispered tbat a meeting of stewards ; bad been held, at which it was- decided to postpone the events till the (oilp wing day.^ When the decision was announced officially, the disapprobation of all present was most marked, the action of the stewards being denounced as a gross breach of racing roles. Shortly after the postponement had been announced, tbe. jndge (E. Pearce, Esq.) arrived. Messrs Yonng and Martin, and Mr Driver bad taken their seats in a trap with the view of returning home, the crowd expressing intense disgust by hooting and yelling. The tbree stewards, however, descended and proceeded to the grand-stand, where another consultation was held, at wbiob; itiwas understood, their former resolution was rescinded, and a determination arrived at that the events on tbe cards shonld come off that day, the fresh resolution was approved of by all present, the weather jnst then indicating a change for the better. But a new difficulty now presented itself. Wben tbe owners and trainers of the horses had been informed of the postponement, they stabled tbeir nags and gave them corn and water. The horses, therefore, were rendered unfit for racing, and tbe owners refused to rnn them. It was thos evident to the stewards that they would be compelled to abide by the decision first arrived at, wbich was again made known to those assembled. People then became furious. Tbe three stewards named again mounted their trap, and drove off -the course amidst the hooting and hissing of a dense crowd, wbich bad collected around the vehicle. A number of gentlemen present; endeavoured to poiat ont that the stewards had done what tbey had considered best for all parties, bot they were quickly silenced. Considerable inconvenience will be experienced by those who have come from the country. They will either have tc miss to-day's races, or remain in town during Sunday, as no coaches leave for Wairarapa on that day. It may, also, in a measure affect the owners of horses who intend to send tbeir animals to the Auckland races by the Wellington, wbich leaves on Monday next. It was balf past ooe yesterday when the final determination that so races would be held was announced, and, as no train left tba Hutt for Wellington before four o'clock, people were compelled to drown their sorrows in the flowing bowl at the several hotels is the Hutt Several of the booths were almost denuded of tbeir canvas; the groand in places where most trodden was very muddy; and, altogether, the coarse presented a most dilapidated and forlorn appearance. The Post of Friday last says :— The great Stratbnayer salvage case came suddenly to an end yesterday, so far as tbe claim for salvage is concerned, his Honor dismissing the suit with costs, without calling on the counsel for the ship to reply. A further argument will take place this day week, as to the amount of demurrage due on account of the ship's long detention, £40 per diem heing ciaimed. His Honor said that of course it was not tc be supposed that a ship was to be detained for months witboat compensation, and be conld not help remarking tbat it was a very unfortunate tbiog that tbe promoters of the suit should have rushed into the proceedings as they did, and that tbey did not make a greater effort to ascertain the real merit* of the case. However, as they had done so, they must take the consequences, and as they did not appear prepared to go on with that branch of the case then, he wonld adjourn it nntil Friday next, when he would bear the arguments of counsel on both sides as to the sum to he awarded for demurrage. The iV. Z. Times thos refers to the recent Parliamentary muddle: — Some bungling has again occurred in the matter of the prorogation of Parliament. When the late session came to a close the General Assembly was prorogoed to the first instant. No subjsequent proclamation appeared further adjourning tbe time of the meeting of the two Houses. Sir James Fergusson does not appear to bave been asked to discharge tbat duty before he left the colony, and bis successor has not arrived. On Tuesday, at noon— no member appearing — Mr Stevenson, the — Assistant- Clerkrof the Assembly, who was in attendance, formally adjourned the Hoose till next day. Yesterday, at five o'clock, the same ceremony was gone through; and so, we suppose, it wHI go oa from day to day until the arrival of tbe Marquis of Normanby. This is hardly the way business of this kind should be managed.