New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday August 10, 1850.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 524, 10 August 1850, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday August 10, 1850.

By the Return we have received several numbers of the Otngo News to July 20, but the only local intelligence they contain of any importance is the Sub-Treasurer's quar terly statement of the revenue and expenditure for the quarter ending 30th June, shewing the revenue to be +'989 : 19 : 2, and the expenditure (exclusive of the remittance of £900 to Well ; ngton which has been returned) to £313: 2:11, leaving a surplus revenue for the quarter of £376: 10: 3. The editor of the News is extravagant in the expression of his satisfaction at the appointment of a Judge to ihe district, as affording security that the surplus revenue will be spent in the settlement.

Intelligence has just been received of a melancholy accident at Wairarapa by which four lives have been lost, of which we have learned the following- particulars :—: — It appears that a party consisting of Mr. Donald Drummond of Evans Bay, Mr. J. Drummond of Wairarapa and one of his children, and Mr. Charles Lusford arrived at the Lake at Wairarapa on Wednesday last on their way to Mr. J. Drummond's station. It was arranged that Mr. Chai'les Luxford should cross first with his horse, the horses belonging to Messrs. Drummond being accustomed to the district were turned into the Lake to swim over to the other side. Mr. Charles Luxford passed over in safety, but with some difficulty, and the natives returned for the Messrs. Drummond. When about the middle of the lake, the canoe was caught by a sudden South Easter and upset, and all who were in it were immersed in the water. One of the natives saved himself by swimming to the shore, but we regret to add that Mr. D. Drummond, Mr. J. Drummond, the child, and a native were unfortunately drowned. On seeing the accident Mr. Luxford hastened to the Fa for assistance, when he was attacked by the natives who were highly excited, and desired to take ulu for the native who was drowned, and serious consequences might have ensued but for the interference of the chief. The bodies of the Messrs. Drummond have been recovered, and will be brought into Wellington to-day. They were both greatly respected. Mr D. Drummond has left a widow and a numerous young family to mourn his loss.

The Lady Clarke arrived yesterday from Newcastle with stock, after a passage of fourteen days. The Scotia had sailed from Sydney for this port two days previous.

We understand that Messrs. Munro and Greenwood have resigned their seats in the Council, it is reported from some sudden pique on account of the postponement of the meeting of the Council to October. It does not appear that these New Zealand Doctors, whether of the Council or of the Faction, are likely to cut any great figure as public men, however ardent their aspirations after political distinction :—: — " Strange such a difference there should be, Twixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee!"

On Thursday evening Mr. Marshman delivered a lecture on Astronomy at the Wellington Athenaeum. The lecture, which lasted an hour and a-half, excited great in-

terest, and was ably illustrated by several carefully executed diagrams and drawings. The lecture room was quite full of members and visitors.