INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 265, 6 December 1876, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

. " Wellington, Tuesday. At the Licensing Court to-day all the applications were refused, some on the ground that the premises were not yet completed, others that further hotel accommodation was not required in the neighborhood. Christchurch, Tuesday. An article in this morning's L iteHon 7Vmes^argues, with apparent truth, that the prorogation of the Assembly in October last, by Commissioner«; under' a Royal Commission issued and .witnessed by the Government, was not legal or in accordance with the Constitution Act. It is shown that if prorogation was illegal, the session is not ended, and the Abolition Act of 1875 is not in force, and therefore, Provinces and Superintendents still legally exist. If the Abolition • Act is not in force, the Counties Act also isnot in operation, and any steps taken under it up to the present time are null and void. At a meeting this afternoon of the committee appointed to select a crew to attend the Nelson regatta, only three names of men willing to row were received. The committee adjourned till l'riday. Efforts are being made in the meantime to obtain more names. Dunedin, Tuesday. At; the Licensing Court, to-day, all new licenses except one were refused. The Bench cautioned publicans against building expensive premises, . and then coming to the Court for a license on that ground, • The City Council has determined to tax hotels for baths— £2 per annum for first, and £1 for each subsequent one. Complaiuts are rife about the appointment of the number of members for Ridings. The proposal of the Canterbury and Dunedin Race Ciub3— the one to have a St. Leger, the other a Derby of 250 sovs, with a sweep of 20 sovs— has given great satisfaction. Auckland, Tuesday. At Mr Bucklaud's wool sale to-day 600 bales were offered, principally washed. fngwoolled in grease, 7d to 13d; half-bred, 7£d to 8d: locks audpieces, 4|d. Thomas Henderson jun , and C. Darke will represent the Auckland Rowing Club in the pairoared race at the forthcoming Interproviucial Regatta. ' ■' • There is some probability of a white crew going from Mercury Bay to compete in the champion four-oared race at Nelson. Blenheim, Wednesday. Woodgate's trial .for the murder, of his illegitimate children lasted all day. Mr Rogers for the defence and Mr Connolly for the 1 Crowlbj' each spoke about half a hour. The Judge summed up for an hour and three quarters in favor of the minor charge, concealment of birth, or secret disposition of the . body. The Jury after an hour's deliberation' gave a verdict of wilful muder. Sentence of death was passed without holding out any hope, bat points were reserved for Court of Appeal, Whether prisoner's admissions required corroboration. Prisoner was quite unconcerned. Port Chalmers Wednesday. The steamer Express arrived with the passengers, engineers, firemen,, and stewards' of the ill-fated Otago. She struck on the rock3 off Cbasland's Mistake at 2*20 a.m. on the 4th inst., and remained about an hour, (luring which time full steam was kept up in the endeavor to get her off. This failed and she rapidly filled. A man -was despatched from Aildens. Beach at 6-30 p.m. for Edendale, a distance of sixty miles, and crossing three rivers. Thence he telegraphed to Danedin. . Tents were erected on the shore,- and ample provisions and bedding were landed. Captain Calder displayed great coolness under the trying circumstances, and the whole of the passengers and crew . were- safely lauded.- The lixpress reached Chasland's at 5-30 p.m. yesterday, and instantly commenced taking the passengers aud luggage on board, and left at 9 p.m. with 150 people. Many of the poorer passengers are in a pitiable state, partly clad, and have lost much of tbeir goods. Captain Calder remains behind with, the officers and seamen to save the property. It is said there were SOOQozs gold on board. The passengers are highly pleased with Captain Calder and the officers. *. The sailors are said to have behaved very badly, forcing themselves into t'ue ladies tent, from which they were ejected by the captain. ,. A meeting of passengers is to be held this afternoon at Dunedin to frame a testimonial to the capfaiu. Several gentlemen passengers behaved nobly, rendering all the assistance in their power, Mr Holder, a traveller f or J. Harris and Co., boot , importers, Melbourne, working, manfully. Some doubts' exist as to the safety of one of the steerage passengers from Lyttelton to the Bluff. The mate states that he has not seen him since the vessel struck. The following is a statement made by one of tbe'Otago's passengers .-—The Otago went . ashore in the second mate's watch, the captain having gone below at 1-45. Before going he told the second mate to call him if thick weather came on. At 2-30, the captain hearing the mate run aft and giving instructions to the man at the wheel to put the vessel hard starboard, he rushed on deck,, and was no sooner there than the vessel struck heavily bow on, her bowsprit going - amongst the scrub and trees. There is no chance of getting her off. There are a number of holes in her bottom, and she continues rolling and grinding on -the sharp rocks. Some, but not much, of the cargo may be rescued. The passengers luggage was saved. Should it come on to blow from the northeast or southwards the heavy swell will break up the ship fast. At the time of striking, the fog was so dense that the passengers when they came on deck could not see the rocks, though the vessel was right amongst them. [FROM OUR OWN COaitESPONDENT.] Wednesday. The passengers ex Otago have just arrived. They report a very narrow escape from destruction of all on board. The ship struck on a shelf of a rock with a perpendicular rock rising out of the sea on the starboard side, and deep water fore aud aft. Had she been able to back astern she must have sunk, One of the boats was capsized when engaged in conveying the passengers on shore. The passengers baggage was damaged bv water, and they baye landed in their night clothes.