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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 248, 30 April 1866, Page 2

By proclamation in the JVeto Zealand Gatetie, under date, April 10th, all former proclamations constituting Hundreda in Southland: are, revoked, tod fresh Hundreds are proclaimed. They are named :— Forest Hill, Lindhurst, Waimmnu, Campbelltovra, Inrcrcargill, New Stiver, Jacob's River, Oteramika, Mataura, Aparima, 3l»hel, Lothian, Wmton. »nd Oreti. The boundaries we gir«a m the Gasstfa el Tuesday, April 17,

Mr M'Millan, of Auckland, who discovered the process of preparing flax by boiling it in a mixture of cow dung, has since discovered that common salt, or salt water taken from the sea, is an equally efficient substitute. The Southern Cross, speaking of Borne samples of -flax prepared in this way, says : — "The samples may be seen at our office. Sample No. 1 was boiled in a saucepan; with a close-lid, for about an hour, when it was taken out and rubbed between the » hands in cold water. The gum came off quite easily, and left a clean white fibre," unimpaired in any way. The leaf of green flax, and about an ounce of common salt, were put into the water before it reached the boiling point ; and altogether the flax was not more than an hour in the saucepan. The sample will sufficiently attest the value ot the discovery." Sample No. 2 was boiled in water taken from the harbor, and the result appears to have been equally successful. The three processes whereby New Zealand flax may be prepared, either for export or domestic manufacture, so far as Mr M'Millan is concerned, are now before .the public of Auckland and the colony at large. ..We trust they may be taken advantage of to the utmost, and that the source of wealth which nature has so profusely distributed throughout these islands may be made the most of* These processes are : — 1. Boiling in cow-dung lor two or three hours", ana then washing in cold water. 2. Boning for an hour with a small proportion of common salt, arid-washing as before stated. 3. Boiling for an hour in salt (sea) water, and washing in cold water as in Nos. 1 and 2. By either plan an industrious person can earn fair wages, and add considerably to the prosperity of the country. We may add, in conclusion, that the samples prepared by salt and sea water are purer colored than flax prepared by cow dung ; and the fibre appears to be about equal. Possibly it would be an improvementwere flax prepared in sea water kept in steep in fresh water for twenty-four hours, and thoroughly and dried before being put in bundles or bales, But this is a matter of detail which experience will soon determine." An inquest was held on Friday, 27th April, at the Clarendon Hotel, on the body of a man named Thomas Christie, who had been found suspended from the roof of a stable in the rear of Mr M'Pherson'a store on that morning. From the evidence adduced, it appears that Mr D. Boss photographer, went that morning to an unused stable at the back of Mr M'Pherson's stores for some manure to use for fiowers. On looking through the window he saw the body hanging from a rafter. He did not touch the body or look at the face — which was turned from him, but went immediately for assistance. He gave information to Sergeant O'Eeefe, who returned with him to the place. Had seen' deceased before, and believed he was in the habit of drinking to exceaß. The last time he saw deceased was the previous day when he was passing round the corner leading to the place where he was found. He did not appear to be carrying anything then. Had seen deceased at Biverton about six months ago. Sergeant O'Keefe gave evidence, stated that the body was quite cold and stiff when he first saw it, and that he at once recognised 5 as that of Thomas Christie, havieg arrested him about six months since on a charge of perjury. He described how deceased was hanging by a rope, which was produced. It had evidently been recently spliced by. a person accustomed to the work, in such a manner as to make the most effective running noose to accomplish the fatal purpose. From the position of the body when found their could be no reasonable doubt on the mind of an observer of determined and persistent .suicidal intention. He had seen deceased about town for a week past, generally under the influence of liquor, but not incapable of taking care of himself. Removed the body to the police station, and found, on searching the clothing of deceased, a handkerchief, a pipe, a bit of tobacco, and an empty purse. Deceased was a shipwright by trade. The evidence of Messrs J. D. Hatch and 6k M. K. Clarke, chemists, proved the deceased to have, a day or two since, attempted to obtain laudanum in quantity sufficient to have produced fatal effect. They both declined to supply him, being under the impression that he was laboring under incipient delirium tremens. Mr Hatch, at his urgent entreaty, /gave him a small dose of laudanum to procure rest. The jury returned a verdict " that deceased committed suicide while laboring under temporary insanity, caused by excessive indulgence in intoxicating drink." We clip the following from the Daily Times, 23rd April :— " It is pleasing to have to record the establishment of a new industry in Suneiin, by Messrs Wilcox and Coventry, who have commenced preserving tha various excellent fish which abound on our coast, in such form as to be suitable for export or for consumption in the interior of the country. We have had an iopportunity of testing some of the cod prepared by the peculiar process adopted, by this firm. The flavor is quite equal to that of the fresh, fish, and there is added to it a very agreeable sauce, which is capable of such varieties of flavoring being added as may suit the palates of the consumers. The preserved fish is packed in tins hermetically olosed, from which the air has been expelled, by which process the fish will be kept fresh for any length of time, and being sufficiently cooked, it can be eaten cold or made hot according to the directions on the tins, at pleasured- We understand the prices at which the preserved fish can be supplied, are exceeding reasonable^and we do not doubt that it will form a welcome addition to that not over abnndant variety of food on the Goldfields. We ought not to omit the neatness of the packages, which are got up in a style that would be creditable in » iy country* — ■ The Grey Eiver Argus of the 14th ult., records a melancholy accident, by which four lives were lost in the River Grey. On tho previous Tlmreday afternoon, Mr Gregory, storekeeper, of Noble's Gully, started in a boat loaded with about a toil and a half of cargo and a crew of five persons, viz :— Peter Blair, owner of tho boat j A. Gh Steele, George Williams, Frederick Jaokaon, and a man-knownas /" Bill." There was aheavy fresh in the river, which caused the crew to hesitate about starting * but Mr Gregory being urgent, they made the attempt, and prooeeded safely up the j stream until they reached the rapids know as Snag Falls. Here the men pulled across the river-in order to get into still water, but while doing bo tho boat sheered towards tho Canterbury side,' caught a snag with her stern, and heeling over she capsized. Steele and Williams, being ex« 'pert swimmers, left the boat and endeavored to reach the Cobden wharf, but were drowned in tha attempt, Iredwiefe Jftckeos *«&eks<i the

Canterbury side in safety, Peter Blair left the goat about the same time, but was not seen afterwards, Mr Gregory and Bill clung to the. boat, and by means of an oar placed -across the_ bottom they managed to maitain their hold until when nearly opposite the rocks above the Cobden . wharf, Bill saw a chance of reaching the shore, and his hold, swimming frantically for the rocks, which he luckily reached. He called out to Mr Gregory to keep hold of the oar and do the best he could ; and it was afterwards noticed that he had left the oar and clutched a gin case, with which he was partially supported as he approached the wharf. His critical position had been observed from the shore, and a boat containing Mr Wilkie, Mr Dutton, and others, pulled out rapidly to his rescue, he being shouted to, urging him to hold on and they would save him. But when within, a few yards of the exhausted man, and when another minute would have saved him,- his head suddenly disappeared, and no further trace of him could be seen. Two of the bodies— one supposed to Mr Gregory and the other Williams— had been picked up. Hone of the sufferers were married, though Mr Gregory s said to have been a widower, with~a son living. The boat's crew were all steady sober men, and much respected by all who knew them. The Hokifcika correspondent of the Press, waiting thence, under date April 16th, says: — "Our bars "has, 1 am sorry to nay, changed, not for the better. The north spit has grown out to southward and westward, and the south spit to the northward. Vessels have therefore to take the channel further to the northward, and contend against a sea rolling broadside for some distance. There is no lack of water on the bar, and at high tides there are about six feefc. We are not in so bad a position as the good people at Okarita, who have received the consoling information that during the winter 'months the bar there frequently closes up altogether. This is a Maori tradition, and on that account the interested are trying not to believe it. I hope they may succeed, though I fancy, from my little experience, they will find the natives right. Okarita continues to send up about 3000 ounces of gold weekly, not at all a bad return for the .short existence it has enjoyed." The difference between the two Houses of Legislature in Victoria appear likely to be healed. The Argus of the 14th instant, gives the following information of the proceedings in Conference : — " The two Houses of Parliament met yesterday inconference, by committee, as agreed upon. All the members were present. The subject was discussed from one o'clock till half-past four o'clock, and again from a quarter-past five till about seven p.m. We believe we may state that Mr M'Cullock and Mr Fraser, at the commencement of the discussion, urged moderation on the members, with a hope that their proceedings might have substantial results. The preamble was then discussed at some lenjth, and it was agreed, on the part of the Assembly, to meet the wishes of the Council on that item of their objections, by altering the preamble to some extent. The second point— the gold export duty being incorporated with the tariff — was debated for a considerable time, but ultimately the representatives of the Council abandoned that point. They insisted, however, on the abandonment of the three years' clause, and the point was conceded on the part of the "Lower House. The Assembly, therefore, will be asked to initiate a new bill on Tuesday, altered so as to meet the wishes of the Council on the two substantial points referred to, and both Houses will, no doubt, pass the bill so amended through all its stages in one sitting. An appropriation bill will probably follow at once, and. thus the country will be released in a very few days from the uuhappy predicament in which it has been so long placed. A knowledge of this fact will, we hope, help the public creditors to wait with patience the passage of the short interval which must elapse before their claims can be satisfied. It was reported last night, pn the Ministerial side of the House, that the adoption by the Assembly of the report of the joint committee would probably lead to the immediate resignation of Mr Higinbotham, and the retirement of Mr Sullivan." A meeting .for the purpose of forming a Literar Society was held on Friday evening 27th Jpriv in the large room in the rear of the Newmarket Hotel, Dee Street. The weather was unfavorable to a large attendance, still a fair number of gentlemen were present. Mr T. Perkins occupied the chair and stated the object for which they had assembled. Consider,ableinterestin the project was manifested in the discussion which ensue! as to the constitution of the Society. It was decided that the name should be the Literary Institute. All the gentlemen present enrolled themselves as members. A committee, consisting of the following gentlemen, who consented to act, was appointed to draw up rules, ascertain the best place of meeting, etc , viz. : — Messrs Lakeman, J. G. Smith, Macarthur, Reid, M'Ewan, Trew, and T. Perkins, with power to add to their number. The Dramatic Society have decided upon giving in the course of the next fortnight, an entertainment on behalf of some of the local charities. It is expecteE|that this will be the greatest success they have ;®t achieved, inasmuch as careful preparation # being made and we understand that MisssTanor and Miss Cassey Matthews, have consentedvlo take part in the performance. The assistance:- of these talented ladies will give an attractiveness of no ordinary character. As a large number of up-country settlers will be in town we bespeak for the entertainment a complete suocess. We have received a short communication from our "special correspondent", to the Biverton goldfields. He had not reached the Paihi at the time of writing, but from the information he had collected there can be no question that Southland has goldfields. of considerable value. He was shown one parcel of over 200 onnces of gold purchased by one of our local bank?, and was assured that considerable quantities were held by the miners, who refused to sell at the price now offered.' He. cousider3 that the Biverton district is auriferous to an extent which cannot be known until it has been declared a goldfield, and the prospectors and pioneer- workers secured the -ground they have tested. The population is steadily increasing. Mr Albert Hunt, the explorer" of the West Coast, with his party of veteran miners, hare arrived, determined to give this field a thorough and fair trial. The population now on the two workings — the Long wood and Paihi — is estimated at between two and three hundred, and few complain of a want of success. He considers that, as soon as the district is declared a goldfield, many leases will be taken up, adequate machinery provided, and large quantities of gold obtained. As in a few days we may expect a full report, we shall in the meantime refrain from further comments. i In the course of our random readings we fell across the following item of Sydney Smith's humor. When Bishop Selwyn was for the first time leaving England on his mission to New Zealand, Sydney Smith was among the friends who accoiripanied Jiira to the ship, and in taking leave of him did so in the following characteristic manner :— " Good-bye my dear Selwyn : I hope you will not disagree with the man who eats you." . / The # akatip Mail) of the 25th April, says ;-— " At the conclusion of Divine servioe ol ta Pree« byteriau denomination, held ia the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening, a public meeting was held for the purpose of taking steps to seoure tho ministration of a resident clergyman. Tho Rev. Mr Alexander having pointed out the necessity for this step, those present formed themselves into a committee, of which Dr Douglas was appointed convener, The primiary question being one of funds, it was unanimously .agreed to canvass the town and. district, and ascertain how much could be raised before the formal application was xnade to the Presbytery. The rev. gentleman gave it as his opinion that the Presbytery would send a minister if about £200 per annum was sub* scribed or guaranteed, and the meeting considered $h»t could be mty done, &wa suggested that

the Arrow district should— as it is • quite ablesupport a minister ■for' "itself . but after some consideration the meeting was of opinion that the Arrow should be included in the Late district, at , all evdnts for the present. Mtßosb was then elected treasurer and a sub-committee appointed to canvass the outlying districts, including Skipper's and Kingßton-^r 'Having agreed to meet on Friday and report progress, the meeting broke up/ ~ - The quartz reefs' in the Lake District appear to be unlimited. The Wakatvp Mail, 25th Aprils notes a " rush to two newly discovered reefs. It says:—" We were favored last evening by Mr Snlvlnspcctor Percy, who had just arrived from the locality, with information of the discovery of two gold-bearing quaotz^reefs on the Shortbver — one on the west, and the other on the east "side of the river. The first named is situated in a gully about two miles above the junction of Skipper's with the Shortover. Mr Percy states that, in K . ascending the range on the river side of the gully, the reef was distinctly traceable in many places, and aeveJal specimens were picked up. The reef or leader in the prospector's claim seemed about eight feet thick. The place was completely rushed for claims, and one in dispute, at least, is likely to be takon into, the Warden's Court, for adjudication. The reef is supposed to run east ; ; and west j and the story of its discovery-is singular. The prospectors informing a water-race had actually cut through the crown of the vjreefj and '. were then not aware of the treasure beneath till gold was washed down the cut channelV Of the second-named reef we have fewer particulars, as Mr Percy states he was unable to visit it. It was reported to be richer than the one previously mentioned, and is sitnated on the east side of the river, near to the spot where those poor fellows were smothered at the Sandhills, nearly three years ago. The reef was said to be distinctly visible for 200 yards, snd it was stated that gold conld be seen in the stone on the surface all along that distance."