NATAL ITEMS.
(Per s.s. Hawea, at Dunedin.) The value of Colonial produce and other goods exported from the colony during the three months ending 31st March shows an increase of no less than £54,761 on the goods exported in the corresponding months last year. Things appear to be looking up at the goldfields, where there have been some pretty good finds lately. Several new rushes have broken out, the most important of these being near the Crocodile River, where the diggers are said to be doing moderately well. The arrival of some exciting news from the goldfields has set everyone almost wild with gold fever. It was said, on the 29th April, that a nugget weighing ISlbs. had been found, and before noon the public had exaggerated that statement to such a degree that the nugget weighed 841bs. The National Bank has shipped, per Zulu, to England, 2000ozs. of gold from the Caledonian field. The shipment is valued at upwards of £BOOO. On the 7th of April a Kafir who had been sentenced to death at the Circuit Court for the murder of Ids brother, was executed at the Borough Gaol, after efforts had been made to getthe sentence commuted, but without success. A Hottentot performed the unthankful office of executioner, the only other persons present being the Deputy-Governor of the gaol, the Superintendent of Police, the Sheriff, and the District Surgeon. Mr. Eroude’s speech in London has been read with great interest here. Much regret is felt that he should have again put forth, in such a manner as to have been accepted as representative facts, so many misleading statements in regard to the prices of provisions here. Old residents of twenty years’ standing have no recollection of any time when butter, milk, forage, and vegetables have been sold at. even half the prices he quotes. The latest accounts from the goldfields to 16th April show a highly satisfactory change to have taken place in the prospects of diggers. Some very large finds are reported, in consequence of which claims are going up in value, two of the latter having recently been disposed of for £650. The new finds quite upset existing theories as to gold deposits ; the richer ones being taken out of elevated ground, not from the bottoms where diggers usually search for the precious metal. Some startling news has reached here from the diamond fields, where many of the diggers are in arms, and refuse to submit to the new rules and charges of the proprietors. On the 12th April a digger was convicted of contravening the gunpowder ordinance, and sentenced to pay a fine of £SO, or three months’ imprisonment. A black flag was immediately hoisted on Mount Ararat, where seventy armed Associationists mustered and proceeded to the gaol to prevent the incarceration of the prisoner. The prisoner: was released -without violence being resorted to, the fine being first paid, as bail, by the chairman of the Association. A letter has been numerously signed by the clergy and merchants to Sir Garnet Wolseley, requesting his interference. On commercial and shipping matters the Mercury observes : —“We have still to advise a plethora of vessels loading for London, which had naturally led to ‘ cutting’ in the rates of freight, 4d., and even gd. ‘ all round’ having been, it is said, accepted. The following are the nearest approximate rates we can quote : —Eor London —Sugar, 10s. per ton ; wool (washed), id. to gd. per lb ; do (grease), gd. to id. per lb.; hides, 455. to 555. dry, per ton ; do (wet), 10s. per ton. Capetown—Sugar, 40s. per ton per steamer ; 30s. per sailing vessel. Algoa Bay—Sugar, 40s. per ton per steamer ; 30s. per sailing vessel. The postcart from Queen’s Town met with an ugly accident the other night, which fortunately was attended with no serious consequences to either passengers, driver, horses, or cart, but which might have been attended with the most fatal results. The evening was wet and as dark as pitch, and the driver had succeeded in getting to the descent at Stanton s drift. Here the late flood had narrowed the roadway, rendering caution necessary even in daylight in descending to the river. The horses, it being very dark, got a little off the track, and tumbled over the precipice, about ten feet high in that part, carrying cart and passengers with them. Among the latter were the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Here they lay until assistance arrived, being fearful to make a move. Mr. Pope, at much personal discontent, waded four times through the river, and got lights and help, when it was found that all were safe except a little scratch or two. It was a miraculous escape.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18750622.2.23
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4448, 22 June 1875, Page 3
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786NATAL ITEMS. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4448, 22 June 1875, Page 3
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