Untitled

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 38, 3 February 1864, Page 2

On Monday) a little after daylight, we were visited by one of tlie Heaviest gales, of wind ever experienced in the Province. On Sunday the rapid falling of the barometer gave every indication of tKe coming ckange; and dui'hig tlie storm of Monday it had fallen, lower than ever it has been known to do in this Province. On Sunday night a few preparatory heavy gusts, and smart showers, were succeeded by a slight change for the better, but about six o'clock on Monday morning the gale re-commenced,, and befoi'e mid-day it had increased to a perfect hurricane, the wind driving the rain so pelting and pitilessly that at last all traffic in the streets was at an end, except in cases of urgent necessity. The wind, which was from the west and west-south-west, continued its furious career, in some instances loosening the roofs of houses, and in many instances carrying the frail tents of numbers of poor fellows, camped in the viciniiy of the town, completely away, leaving their owners, without shelter during the remainder of the severe weather. We have not yet received any authentic accounts of the. damage done to the sliipping, but we learn that in Bluff Harbor — usually so well sheltered — considerable loss has been sustained. The Electric, a fine large ship, was di'iven from her moorings, and narrowly escaped going ashore. The crew had to cut away her masts to save the ship. The brig Grecian also dragged her anchors, and was driving out to sea, when fortunately her anchors brought her up. Two or three vessels — amongst them the Alexandra we hear — wore driven from their moorings in the Lower Pool, but were beached without much damage. Shortly before daylight yesterday morning, the wind had abated very considerably. Yesterday we were informed that on last Wednesday the Shotover was again devastated by one of the highest floods on record. Prior to this, the river hod fallen, and for ten days operations could bo -carried on. Our informant, an intelligent digger, had just returned from it, having shared the fate of many others. When, on the eve of reaping a golden harvest, ho states that paddocks were sunk, and men working up to their waists in water were enabled to taste the rewards of their patience and industry. The largest yield during the ten days, out of one paddock, was 2300 ounces, the others varying from one hundred to five hundred ounces. He stated that ho was going to Melbourne, but would return in the winter, the general belief being that it would he a severe one, and that the rivers would be workable. It seemed to him to be a work of time, but he was confident. that onco tlie opportunity obtainad, the yield would be something, as it was the richest goldfield he had ever seen. He himself was determined to see it put, even if i,t took him five years. Should it prove a severe winter, and instead of the rains of last year we have had frost and snow, enabling the rich tribu^ taries of the Lake to be worked, there is every probability of a considerable influx of people through this province ;as it. will be impossible to ge.tfvoia.tlxe JDunstan to the Lake at that season of the year. From the TValcaiip Mail of 'tlie 30th hist., Aye learn that "the Qubenstown Hospital is at present crowded with a number of severe cases,, and that the resources of the institution are heavily faxed. The/ amount received^ frosi tho pationts tlioDisolves is very trifling, and. already, a very largo, inroad has been, iiwdc upon tlio £1,200 collected from thcpubUc. mid the £2,000 added by the Provincial G-ovorii-nicnt. The institution to progress satisfactorily miifist rcceivo general support} and a^ a new collector lias been appointed, we trust that the rosidenfa of tlio district will respond, to the call that is nocossavily nwdo upon thoifl) as nearly foilr hundred ftufFovova from the ills nun Is lwii' to have received awistiirtfcti fleam tho resources of this noble iußtitutlotij but its welfare and means of alleviating suffering humanity defends, not upon tho Government, ; but up/m the community at largo, „ It would , ba ft) 4 .otoji'ual dissgvftcd to a wealthy district liko this should the Jtospital be notably supported} ita {Igqv3 we aye afraid have only bc?v. too iV'jclj? op3n<i(Vto any ftppesvV $rom the Wakaitp M&ll of Wodneudny we Joavii that " Cojisidoftible, though momentary aluwft Vt'as tsxi)&\l<3jK;cd yesterday Wornlug itt edueoqucaeo oh slight shock of ait carthepttter that startled tho wajatfty «?£ tho inl»btoat« 4 of Q«w«wtowu out .of tjiefo gropri«iy» aftd "3|* ' steoyed \H tiquilibxittai o£ stiudvy n&vaUeain , thoii' xttTfeatif c d&atioilof. - h ot;curt, ( ed ckse j to ten d'elcok, dncl ednSistod o^ftsUgUfr tmtfo* Ungt tHi't miglifc )tog]\4s* H4*o lasted W£ * miuute, Tljougli \Mi\^y Mi m Q«ccnjto*u h? tlte %K*l*t >iub»*w «f the snhuWtowts, m , mio 1 ' Urn $$m iMt sttWdtntl* flm&i *'«

/Tftovo. some ' unexplained oiuseNJur report from our reporter'at the Bluff did/ not arrive last'eycning. \ "We, understand -that the' Gtenefal Government lias decided in no 6 appointing s second judge to'this Province.and that, as heretofore, we can only have the visit of a judge on circuit twice every year, Such a delay amounts almost in many cases to a denial of justice. As regards the committal of a prisoner, he may, although perfectly innocent, ,be cerated for half a year, and, -in other cases,* criminal may entirely escape the law, from the great difficulty that 'exists' in keeping witnesses in the place for so -long a period. In cases of civil action.great public inconvenience must also necessarily be the consequence of the infrequency of a judge visiting here. Many cases of great importance to the'commercial community have to be taken into the Resident Magistrate's Court, which, if the Circuit Court was held oftener, would „b& decided by a jury. We are not for a moment reflecting on tho impartiality or judicial experience of the Kcsident Magistrate ; but are only echoing the frequent expression of the opinion of the bar, and the occasional admission of the Resident Magistrate himself in stating that the majority of such"cases i which arc brought* before the Magistrates' extended jurisdiction, would be better decided on by a jury. The Otago Telegraph of the Bth instant states : — " The watei'men at the Port having expressed great anxiety to participate actively in the festivities now in process of organ--1 ization for the public reception of the All England Eleven on their arrival on" Saturday next, a meeting was held at Dodsoh's 'Port Chalmers Hotel, on Monday night, when the following programme was drawn up." Ifc'wtfs arranged that a large boat should be gaily decorated for the reception of t the Eleven, which will be towed- by about thirty watermen from the Alha7nbra to the head of the jetty. Each waterman will be dressed in correct nautical " rig," two in each wherry, ;■ which win be ranged. ' in - a.bu.i>ie line. TKe wlialeboat in the harbor, conveying the Provincial Band, will head the procession, arid the boat containing the , Cricketere^yill be flanked on each side by a^ wieUgnanned galley, as ; their nautical escort. ' : This demon-stration-will be at dnee ndyel arid effectiv^';" and tlieir anxiety to do .honour to our gallant guests docs much credit to the worthy watermen of Port Chalmers, where we understand that preparations on a ; very extensive scale arc rapidly being made for the auspicious occasion." , . . . .We,, • understand that Detective Thomson and Acting-Sergeant Shurey, who arrested the twomori for ; the 'attempted robbery :of|sMr v Berrick, have each received a reward; of, £5 from the Police Reward. Fund, for 'the appre-' heusion of the men, : . and .: : ., that,.; Sergeant; Shui'ey lias also been probationarily promoted to the next grade for' his ' conduct. ; Oii "'the Occasion of . the recent visit of His^ Honor tire; - Superintendent I- ; of; T Qtagd to Quecnstown, ho informed a deputation that waited on hini-'that the local roads ■■wpuld.soon receive the attention, of the Grovernmerit/ ' He* woiild recommend .the extension of thejuriadiction of ; thcliosident. Magistrate o£,Que?«n3town to the sum> jof ;£IOO, iand^algo lan additional' magistrate arid warden.;-: - ! -3pie question of education was a most vital- "\e, f~" and he would do his best towards estMiblishiJßg J a scliool in Queenstpwn. The erection of a public 'jetty was; also. ve r y- necessary, and so soon as the Grovernment were put into;pos3ession of the riccossai ; y details, a sum would be placed on the. (Estimates, for,^. -that purpose, j With regard] to, their, last request;; the affairs of the town would be placed in the hands of a properly-consfcitutipned miinieipal body. He also remarked that the Provincial possessed aii earnest dcsife| to further the advancement of the district; SaHe also informed a deputation .of;, the , Jopkev, Club Gomniittec in reference to their request for a grant of the race-course at •EVanktorij that it was hot advisaDleJto devote'the ground exclusively : to, that purpose,: but he had no doubt the Government would willingly grant :it for the general recreation of the inhabitants and would most likely- vote a sum of- money to fence it in. : . .