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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 11, 13 January 1879, Page 2

A Japanese vessel, the Tokuahitna Maru, built to run between Osaka and Awa, left the former place on the 28th October, and the same day was blown to pieces by an explosion of gunpowder which was on board. Eighty-three passengers and a crew of twelve were lost. The explosion occurred off Tsuda, within sight of land, and those who witnessed it say that in a few moments there was not a vestige of anything to be seen on the surface of the water.

The wind can blow in Upper Tuteeni with violence as well as in Wellington (says the A" Z. Time*) One day last week a spring cart was lifted by the force of the gale then blowing, and carried a considerable distance, when it was capsized against a fence and one of the shafts broken.

A Shanghai telegram to the Press Agency of a recent date says : — Great interest is token by the Chinese in the Afghan affair. A telegram which reached here yesterday states that Sir Thomas Wade instead of coming direct to China will proceed to Lahore to confer with the Viceroy as to the attitude of Russia and China with regard to the possession of Kashgar. This telegram is exciting a lively interest amongst the Chinese, and it is believed in vtry high official circles tlia 1 an alliance may be come to between China and England to oppose the advance of Russia in Central Asia. If Russia should openly support Shere AH, and England be in need of outside help, China might prove no insignificant auxilliary. '

The Hon. John Martin, says ihe Chronicle of Wednesday, took possession of the estate recently purchased by him from the Hon. Mr Waterbouse for . £80,000..'. Eighteen months ago Mr Water house was prepared to take £60,000, for this property. Eight years ago he bought the estate for £22,000, but he has made considerable improvements since. Here is conclusive evidence of the wonderful advance which has taken place in the value of New Zealand property within the past few years.

Larrikinism is in a high state of development at Wanganui. On New Year's night the larrikins there removed gates, lifted fences, broke windows, and destroyed a large amount of property. One of them placed a harrow on the footpath at night, and an unfortunate man, who stepped upon it, had his foot and ankle frightfully injured by the spikes. The question arises : Where were the police ? Well, two of them it seems, Seargent Donnelly and Constable Buchanan, had been down at the river-bank having a stand-up fight, on the Sunday previous, and, as the punishment given and taken was pretty heavy, we presume they were not for some time afterwards in a fit state to look after the larrikins. The average Wanganui larrikin is an "unspeakable" ruffian.—Excha> qe.

As a sequence of the removal of the duty timber in this colony," considerable activity," says the Tasmanian Mail, "has been displayed recently in the harbor in loading vessels with timber for various New Zealand pDrts, and no little competition will ensue amongst the ships in endeavoring to reach their destination so as to take the earliest possible advantage of the ports being opened to them. The schooner Laurel got away on Tuesday with a cargo for Wellington. There are nine other vessels which are either laden or loading with timber at HobartTown for New Zealand. They comprise the barques Mary Blair, Huntress, and ('orinna, for Lyttelton ; the barques Acacia, Sea Shell, Free Trader, and the brigantine Dahlia, for Dunedin ; the barque Bella Mary for Auckland ; and the brigantine Annie, fora New Zealand port. In addition to these the barque Wild Wave is loading with timber at Southport for a New Zealand port. As all appear to be equally anxious to arrive in the New Zealand market as near the Ist January aa possible, there will no doubt be quite a rush from this port in the course of a few days." The Inangahua herald of December 23, reports :— A dividend of 3s. per share has been declared in the Welcome Company. The gold was brought into Reef ton on Tuesday, weighing 1118 ozs. 15dwts, from 348 tons, or an average of 3 ozs. 4 dwts. per ton. Some blanketings which remain to be treated will bring the yield np to close upon 3J ozs. The mine looks well. There is everywhere a strong body of reef, showing stone of excellent quality. The Nil Desperandum cleaned up early in the week, and the gold when melted weighed 126 ozs: 13 dwts., the product of 190 tons of stone, showing an average of 13 dwts. 8 gra. per ton. The result is better than was anticipated. The Victoria Company have concluded crushing at the Westland battery, with a result pi something over six pennyweights per ton,, which, under the circumstances, ia of coursenot payable. .' . y i'On the local lines at New York fehey are beginning to use pneumatic engines, which run without noise or smoker One scch engine is already at work and the company has ordered five others,