PROVINCIAL NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 738, 18 October 1867, Page 5

PROVINCIAL NEWS

The " Otago Daily Times" has the following : — It will be recollected that some timo ago the Bank of Otago (Limited) sued the Commercial Bank of New Zealand (Limited) for a balance due at the time of the suspension ofthe latter. An application was made by the official liquidator of the New Zealand Banking Corporation (limited) to stay the proceedings in that action. The main grounds relied upon were that the New Zealand Banking Corporation (Limited) — which was identical with the Commercial Bank — was being wound up at Home, under the Companies Act, in pursuance of an order made by the Master of the Rolls, and that no creditor, under the circumstances, could, under the Act, bring such an action without the leave of the Court of Chancery. The Supreme Court made an order staying the proceedings in the action, holding that the winding up order rendered all the real and personal estate of the Commercial Bank amenable to the disposing power of the official liquidator. The question thus determined by the Supreme Court excited a great deal of attention, as it largely affected the interests of many residing in and out of this Province. By the Panama Mail, which has just arrived, the opinions of Mr Roxburgh, Q.C., and Mr Mellish, Q.C., (of the English Bar), upon the same matter have come to hand. As they probably will possess an interest for some of our readers, we append the ' Queries," and "Answers" of Counsel. — Questions : "1. Whether, by the proceedings for the winding up of the New Zealand Banking Corporation (Limited) the real and personal assets of the Commercial Bank of New Zealand (Limited) were rendered amenable to the disposing power of the official liquidator of the New Zealand Banking Corporation (Limited) ? — 2. Assuming a debt to be contracted in New Zealand, is a subsequent discharge by a competent Court of Bankruptcy in England (in the absence of express Colonial legislation upon the subject), a good answer to an action in the Colony for the debt? — 3. Was the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of the Bank of Otago (Limited) v. Commercial Bank of New Zealand (Limited) right ?" Answers : "1. We are of opinion that they were. — 2. We are of opinion that a valid discharge in Bankruptcy would be an answer to such an action. Such a discharge would be co in any Court in the Colonies. — 2. In our opinion the judgment was correct."

A recent letter from the Fiji Islands states that " A tract of land on the N.E. point of the Islaqd of Yauna Levu has lately been sold for a sheep run. The gentleman who purchased it ha 3 left for New Zealand, to make arrangements for sending down 20,000 sheep as soon as possible."

The Blue Spur correspjndent of the " Tuapeka Press" writes, " The fine weather which we have had lately has melted most of the snow on the ranges, and the water races are well supplied with water. The " Waipori Water" Company are cutting a race from the Beaumont Creek, which will be about four miles in length, and will join their main water race from the Waipori. This enterprising company have constructed nearly fifty miles of race. The British American Company have made a tail-race at the head of the Victoria Gully, and are driving a tunnel for a blast. F'enton and Company washed up a short time a go — the result was about 20oz of gold. They have suspended operations for a short time. Fiffe and party had a first-rate blast last week, and they are busily employed washiug. All the other Companies on the Monro's side are busily employed. On the Gabriel's side of the Spur, Morrison and Co. are washing dirt from both faces. The Perseverance Company's blast has proved a good one, and they are washing away a large quantity of cement. Keppel and party are washing up ; and all the other claims are in full work." The "Wakatip Mail" says: — "We understand that things are looking very cheering at Switzer's diggings, and the population numbers about 500. Miners are making from £3 to £20 per week. Skene's race, which is nearly completed, will be eight miles long, and is intended to carry 24 heads of water. Several parties are piling up washdirt, in preparation for the race when completed, and they expect good results. A lar^e amount of business has been transacted in the Warden's Court, and we hear Mr Warden Stratford gives general satisfaction.

The " Wellington Independent" states that an arrangement made by a number of charitable ladies and gentlemen in that city to supply the poor with bread at the rate of 2£d the two pound loaf had been tried for three months and had proved most satisfactory, no less than 59,462 loaves having been purchased during that period. A Nelson contemporary states that on the 19th uit. letters were received there from Wellington, stating that the Governor and tho Ministry desired that from 50 to 100 of the Nelson Cadet Volunteers should be sent over to Wellington to form a body guard for his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh during his stay. The expenses of the Cadets to be borne by the Government. The "Examiner" cannot help characterising this as a piece of folly and useless parade, and hopes that it will not bs oarried out.

We learn from a contemporary that " Bishop Suter arrived at Nelsou on the 26th uit., in the ship Cissy, after a very pleasant voyage. Besides a large number of passengers — immigrants specially selected under the eye of Bishop Suter — there are accompanying his Lordßhip four clergymen — the Rev Mr Ewald, Chaplain to the Bishop j the Rev Mr Harvey, the Rer Mr Thorpa

Mr Warden Beetham, writing from the Queenstown and Upper Shotover districts, under date 30th September, says :— " The progress and prospects of this goldfield, at the end of last month, may be considered as most satisfactory, both from a mining and agricultural point of view. Plenty of water has been available, and sluicing operations have been carried on with great vigor. . The returns of gold during the past fortnight have been very good ; and they will, I think, continue to improve. Some very good ground has been opened at the Upper Shotover. The prospects of the various reef claims in that portion of the district appear also to be somewhat improving. Several applications for mining leases and extended claims have been made during the month, and the population is decidedly on the increase. lam happy, also, to be able to report that Johnson's claim, on the shore of the lake, near Queenstown, is .yielding very good returns. Payable gold has been found, and water applied for, at Picnic Bay, about four miles distant from Queenstown. Mr Johnson, who is perhaps one of the best and most practical sluicers in the Province, is engaged in perse veringly prospecting between this place and Bucklerburn, and is sanguine of success. I believe I may state that it is an ascertained fact that gold exists on the south shore of the lake ; ahd I hope ere long to see extensive workings in that locality. Our great want is population, to develope these and other workings. The great event of the month has been the opening of the Morven Punt, a ceremony which 1 regret I was too unwell to attend. Some repairs are most urgently required .to the siding leading out of the Shotover River to Franklin's Elat, preparatory to the construction of the bridge on the Shotover. The crops throughout the entire field look very well, and a large breadth of land will be nnder crop this season. In the Arrow district the Cardrona is fast increasing in size and importance. It is to be regretted that nearly all the gold from that locality goes to swell the Cromwell escort, while the work is done from the arrow ; and is no small item either in the engagements of the Warden and Magistrate of that district, as the road is a long and dangerous one to travel. The population of the district is— Queenstown, miners, 300 ; otherwise employed, 500 : Upper Shotover, miners, 375 ; otherwise employed, 75 ; Chinese, 5 ; total 1255. The current rates of wages are — Miners, £3 10s per week ; farm servants, 30s to 40s a-week and found ; day labor, 12s per day ; female servants, £1 per week." — Otago Daily Times, llth Oct.

The manager of the Table Hill (formerly Canada) Quartz Mining Company, under date October sth, reports : — "Crushing operations have been suspended during the last week to permit the carpenters to finish the covering in of the wheel. I had expected to have been able to go on crushing at night ; but found the labor of taking down and putting up of scaffolding too great. Taking advantage of this stoppage of crushing, I started a shaft on Monday afternoon, and by working three shifts, by Saturday evening L cut the reef at a depth of fifty feet, showing a fine body of stone 4 ft. 3 in. thick. From general appearance, I should say this stone ought to turn out at least as well, if not better than what has been worked. The shaft now sunk will be a permanent one, having sank it in solid ground thirty feet from the reef, and then put in a drive twentynine feet before meeting the reef, showing an underlie of about seven feet in fifty. I may also mention that I opened a small piece of ground further along the line of reef, and found it 3 ft. 6 in. thick, with gold visible in the stone, and a fair prospect from the casing. I expect to start crushing on Tuesday, as also to have the tramway finished this week ; so that, in another fortnight, our heavy preliminary expenses, I hope, will be at an end, at least for some time. Preparations are being made by a party to test another claim. If 'they prove successful, it will establish the permanency and value of mining property here, and the surrounding • districts will soon find th benefit."— lbid.

From the Westport Times we learn that the man Robert Wilson, charged with having committed the murder at Deadman's Creek, has been arrested and brought up before the Resident Magistrate. Evidence to prove the connection of the accused with the deceased waa produced, and a good many circumstances of a suspicious nature were proved against him. Our contemporary says : — " He does not look at all like one capable of such an atrocious deed, and did not appear to be at all disconcerted at his position j but we believe there is some very damning evidence in the posses-ion of the police that has yet to come. The tent in wliich he was living has several blood stains on it, and one corner of the flap has evidently been washed, hut a red fringe, clearly blood, borders the washed part. The police have sent for a microscope, when the stains will be subjected to scientific examination, and their character positively ascertained. The investigation ia likely to occupy a very considerable time, but it is intended to conclude it if possible at the next examination.

Melbourne papers state that a party is being formed for the exploration of New Guinea. It is intended that the expedition should consist of from 100 to 150 men, well armed, to charter a vessel of 300 or 400 tons, carrying cannon, and to establish a regular organisation, with leaders and officers.

The Waikouaiti Mer aid writes :— ; ' We learn that most excellent stone exists in large quantities at Tumai— pronounced by. competent judges to be second to noiie in the Province, and for general purposes e^uitf, $ Jiot juperipri & thQ QH&SSH item "

'. The "Nelson Evening Mail" says:— We learn that private letters heve been received by the las fc >mail; stating that rumors were prevalent in circles likely to be well informed on 6uch subjects, to the effect that Mr Pope Hennessy would probably be tho new Governor of New Zealand. It is a matter of notoriety that Mr Hennessy, who has recently been appojp^g Q-overnor of Labuan and Consul-Q-eneral of gorneo, has had six' months' leave of absence extended to him, on the understanding that, should any vacancy in the Colonial Department of a more eligible character or nearer home occur before the expiration of that period, Mr Hennessy's strong claims on the consideration of the party with wliich he co-operated in Parliament will receive more satisfactory recognition from Lord Derby's Q-o---vernment. Although Mr Hennessy has not filled any appointment of a similar character, he is acknowledged on all hands to be possessed of abilities of the highest order, and the rumor scsrns f o have some substantial foundation, if only in the terms on which he has accepted his appointment as Q-overnor of Labuan.

There was a meeting of members of the Roman Catholic Church, held at the Imperial Hotel, Dunedin, on the Ist inst. (says the " Daily Times :" — The object of the meeting was to initiate steps towards the procuring of a British Bishop and priests for the Middle Island of New Zealand. It was explained by the several gentlemen who addressed the meeting that, by the British Roman Catholics, who formed the majority of the adherents of that Church in this Province, as well as in the other Provinces in the Middle Island, a great want was felt, through the almost entire absence of any other priests. except those connected with the French Mission. It was stated that it was now estimated that there were 80,000 Roman Catholics in New Zealand, yet the proportion of that number resident in the Middle Island had only the services of three British priests — The Rev. Mr Williams in Otago, and two clergymen on the West Coast. Bishop Viard, it was stated' had been petitioned on the subject, but no steps were known to have been taken to remedy the present position of matters, and it was considered that it was high time, especially in the interests of the children of the members of the Church, that British priests should be provided. Testimony was borne to the pious and zealous character of the French missionaries, and reference was made to the Rev. Mr Moreau as a worthy type of his brethren ; but it was considered that there was now necessity for priests being procured for those districts in which there is none at present, or for the presence of British priests, who could discharge their duties and communicate instruction more satisfactorily than priests speaking only a foreign tongue, or defective English. It was suggested that a meeting should be held at wliich more definite or regular steps should be taken — such as the appointment of a committee to communicate with tlie members of the Church in other parts of the Middle Island ; and it was agreed that such a meeting should be called for Friday evening next. For the purpose of arranging the necessary preliminaries a number of gentlemen present were appointed as a committee, and it was agreed that they should wait upon the Rev. Mr Moreau to solicit the use of the school house for the meeting, or that they should select such other place of meeting as it might be necessary or desirable to appoint.

A very curious circumstance recently occurred at a "digger's wedding," at Ballarat. The bridegroom, on arriving at church, waited for some time, but all in vain, for the coming of his bride, upon whom he had liberally lavished some Ll5O or L2OO, in jewelry, dresses, &c. ; and it at last became evident to him that she had no intention of keeping her appointment. This being the case, and being desirous of not having his journey and trouble to no purpose, he proposed to one of the bridesmaids — to whom he had previously made a tender of his hand and heart, but who had rejected him — that she should reconsider her refusal. Admiring, probably, the philosophical spirit displayed by our friend, the young lady did reconsider, and retracted her refusal, and, apparently very much to the satisfaction of both, and certainly to the amusement of those present, they were made man and wife.

The extent to which kangaroos increase on some of the Australian sheep stations, thus occasioning a serious nuisance to the sheepowners, is very remarkable. The "Argus'' says : — " On some of the. Riverina stations, the squatters offer 6d a head for their extermination, and it is said they are so numerous that the work of killing them could be made to pay well. Then it is stated that on some runs iv the western parts of Victoria these animals are so plentiful as to keep the sheep in low condition, by eating the best of the grass, kangaroos heing as numerous as sheep on several of the runs. Hunts on a very large scale, in which the*je animals are driven in by hundreds, and sometimes by thousands, into yards, and there slaughtered, are often undertaken with a view of thinning their numbers, but apparently with little effect"

It is stated that in a few weeks the whole distance between Westport and Nelson will be able to he travelled on horseback, as there are now only a few rock-cuttings to finish so. as to open the whole road.

The " Daily Times" has the following :—" The Public Works Committee ol the Melbourne City Council has agreed to recommend for the Council's acceptance the tender of Messrs Cain and Lawrence, for the ereotion of the new townhall. The stone to be used will be obtained from Oamaru, in thia province, It is expected thst

It appears that flockowners in Napier are seriously setting to work at boiling down. Two companies are now in existence, and the plant for the last established is on its way from Melbourne. The New Zealand Times remarks : — ■" We can hardly understand how there can be sufficient quantity of employment for both the works, when up to a very short time ago, the necessity for boiling down was not spoken of at all. Their success, however, is confidently predicted."

The news from the Karaka goldfield, in the Province of Auckland, chiefly relates to a false alarm as to a threatened attack by the Natives. The particulars are given elsewhere. Favorable reports have been received as to the quality of the quartz reefs prospected ; but the Southern Cross emphatically states that nothing h'ke an alluvial goldfield has been discovered. Our contemporary says •• — " We say now distinctly that nothing has as yet been discovered to warrant a rush, or even to justify the least excitement. That gold has been found in the quartz already tested is true ; that the stone crushed has proved eminently paying is likewise true ; but as yet there has not been an ounce of water-worn gold taken out of the district open to the prospectors. We regret this as much as anyone, because nothing could be more fortunate for this Province at the present time than a payable goldfield. Richly-loaded quartz has been discovered, which will, no doubt, pay to work with proper machinery ; but this is not what is known as a payable goldfield." ** For the quartz reefs, machinery is about to be introduced, and, in most cases, their qualities are well spoken of. Tho gold is in close proximity to a ferruginous quartz, partaking of the favorite color, whereas the white spongy stone has not as yet shown a speck of gold. Up to the 24th uit. 400 miners' rights had been issued, and Kauaeranga was progressing steadily.

We find the following in the West Coast Times of the 25th uit.: — During the sittings in Banco yesterday, Mr Justice Richmond remarked — " That some of the members were going in for the concentration of the judicial power of the Colony. There was no doubt the Bench and the Bar in New Zealand would never rank as high without such concentration as was adopted in other Colonies ; but, on the other hand, the present system was a great convenience, and gave great facilities for the transaction of business. The proposition, of course, had no reference whatever to the trial of issue of fact, whether of a civil or criminal character, but referred solely to

sittings in Banco."

A large store in Hokitika, erected by Messrs Stevenson and Co. nearly eighteen months ago, and latterly used as a warehouse by Messrs James Chesney and Co., has met with an untimely end a few days ago by falling off the piles that supported it. Unable to withstand the pressure of nearly four hundred tons of goods (chiefly bran and flour) wliich had been crammed into the store, the piles gave way, and down came the building with a crash, one of the sides being burst out, and so much damage inflicted upon every part of the edifice that it was reduced to a perfect wreck. Hamilton-street was strewed with bales of chaff and bags of flour and bran ; and but for the late lovely weather which has converted that usually swampy thoroughfare into solid dry land, the loss through damage must have been considerable. As it is, says the West Coast Times, Mr Chesney will be a heavy looser, the reconstruction of the store being unavoidable ; and where its contents will find shelter iv the meantime is a question not easily answered, as storeage-room is one of the scarcest commodities in town just now.

We have it on the hest authority (says the Nelson Evening Mail, Oct. 5), that the programme which Governor Sir George Grey will propose to be adopted by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, on his arrival in this colony, provides for a sojourn of thee days at Auckland and one at Kawau ; tint the Prince shall then ride from Auckland, shou d it be found practicable to obtain a sufficient'y strong escort, down the East Coast to Wellington, so as to enable H.R.H. to see something of thoso portions of the Upper Island which are inhabitattd by the Maori population. At Wellington he would he met by the Galatea, and after remaining in the ' Empire City' for three days, would, after visiting on his way Ship Cove and other spots connected with the memory of Captain Cook, proceed to Nelson for two days, one of which would be devoted to holding a levee and to visitimg the various points of interest in this locality, and on the second Sir George Grey proposes that a monster ball should be given to the Duke. He would then proceed on horseback overland to Canterbury, visiting en route the magnificent soenery of Lakes Rotoroa, Rotoiti, and Tennyson j and from Christchurch he would proceed to Dunedin, the inhabitants of which city have already commenced active preparations for his reception. It will be evident that these proposed arrangements must depend entirely on the time which the Prince may have left at his disposal for his visit to New Zealand, and may possibly receive very material modification ; but we may also state that Sir George Grey has been honored with an autograph letter from Her Majesty, requesting kirn to make such arrangements as may enable the Prince to see this portion of the Queen's dominions to the best effect; and in view of Sir George Grey's well-known predilection for Nelson, we may feel tolerably confident that a visit to the pretiest city in New Zealand will not: be omitted from the programme.

Mr Edward Hammond Hargreaves has commenced an action against Messrs Wilson and MftokiniMWi the proprietor* . of the Argus, to rewire** the Bum of #3000 stemftge* fo? & libel

• The municipal elections in Hokitika are at present the cause of some 10-al— excitement. Our contemporary, the West Coast . Times, of Tuesday week states that a public meeting was held in the Prince of Wales Opera House on the previous evening-, for the purpose ; of. considering tho propriety Of requesting the whole* of tte members of the present Municipal Council to resign. Messrs Cassius, Mcc, Rees, James Browne, Bartlett, and Klein were on the stage. Mr Cassius in the chair. Resolutions were passed affirming that the conduct of the members of the present Municipal Council wj.s reprehensible, and deserving of severe censure for persisting in retaining their seats in opposition to the long expressed wishes of the ratepayers. Also, that the meeting requested the whole of the Council to resign before the 9th October next ; and further, that the chairman be requested to communicate the wishes ofthe meeting to tho Municipal Council. The meeting was addressed. by Messrs Mcc, Browne, Rees, and Klein ; also by Cr. Anderson, who said if he was not ballotted out he should resign. Mr Mowat, who stated that he believed the whole of the present Council would resign, and Cr. Ecclesfield, who also stated that if parties had allowed forty-eight hours to elapse before calling the meeting, he thought there would have been no occasion for convening it.

An illicit still has been seized by the police. The Wakatip Mail states that, acting upon information received, Sergeant Naden, on Saturday, succeeded in discovering a forty -gallon private still and part of the piping concealed in the bush, near Frankton. The police have scarcely sufficient clue to the ownership of the contraband articles, but expect to obtain it before long.

There have lately been some heavy hauls of fish gofc by boats and fishing smacks off Hokitika. Last week, the cutter Hope, after a few hours stay outside, brought in 500 fine codfish, from 31bs to lOlbs weight, for which there was a ready

demand

We (Qamaru Times) are glad to notice that it is in contemplation to endeavor to give some practical effect to the general feeling that something should be done towards starting a Grain Export Company in Oamaru— a meeting haying . been called for Saturday, the 19th inst., at th© Northern Hotel, for the purpose of inauguratingthe enterprise. We trust that there will be a large attendance of our merchants and agriculturists and others interested in the matter.

A question of considerable importance to OddFellows and the medical officers of their lodges was decided in the Daylesford .Police Court lately. The doctor sued a member for attendance on his niece living in the family with him, contending that under the rules attendance on the member and his family meant only himself, his wife and children. The defendant maintained that the obligation extended to all members : of 7 his family, not servants ; and this interpretation was given effect to by the magistrate, who dismissed the action with costs.

Mr Anderson has played Coriolanus, at the Victoria Theatre, Sydney, and his impersonation of that character is gonerally pronounced to be a brilliant success.

Madame Celeste had an immense benefit on Sept. 13, at Sydney. The Governor and Lady Young were present.

The inhabitants of New South Wales are rather tired of the present name" of the Colony j they *■ want something more euphonius, and think tlie visit of H.B.H. Prince Alfred affords a good opportunity for making the change, the Prince' standing sponsor. Alfreda, Alfredland, Albert- • land, and Edina, have all been proposed; and,,, one correspondent of the Empire asks — " What more appropriate name for the fairest of - Australia's lands — for the brightest gem in the southern seas, than ' Albion ?' "

The Adelaide papers teem with paragraph» having reference to the preparations heing made for the reception of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. The great question in connection with, the subject is whether the Prince shall land at Glenelg or Port Adelaide. Thiß has, we believe, been finally settled in favor of the former place, the reason being that there, iB not enough water near the Semaphore, Lefevre's Peninsula, for the Galatea to come to her anchor, while the Glenelg jetty offers every convenience for disembarkation: We append an anecdote of the Prince, extracted from Echoes of the Clubs. The correspondent of the Cologne Gazette, who has chronicled the bashfullness of the Duke of Edinburgh towards the fair sex, was probably in ignorance of the fact which is by no means generally known here, as to the engagement of his Royal Highness's affections. Some two or three years ago, his Royal HighneßS had an opportunity of making acquaintance with one of his second cousins, a daughter of the King of Hanover, and conceived a strong attachment to the Princess, who is as ' captivating in manner and disposition as in appearance. The pretensions of the Young Prince, were by no means discouraged by his Hanoverian Majesty, who gave his youthful relative (at that time pursuing his studies at Bon) a general invitation to come at will to Herreuhausen. But this romance of cousinship was brought toanun*' timely and unsatisfactory conclnsion by the opposition of an irresistible authority, who could not be b ought to look with favor on a matrimonial alliance between the two branches of the family j and the Prince ia consequently at liberty to devote" himself heart and soul to the career which he has' chosen.