OTAGO.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 375, 28 May 1861, Page 2

OTAGO.

{From th?. Colonist.)

THE LATE. ACCIDENT AT THE TAIERI

RIVER.

LAn inquest was held on the 2nd instant, before H. Howoith, Esq., coroner, on the body of Agnes Henderson, who \»as drowned at the entrance of the Taieri river on the previous Monday, as reported last week. Peter Campbell, mate of the Pioneer, schooner, stated thai on the day mentioned Captain Simpson proceeded, with witness, a man named Ellis, and deceased, in a boat outside the bar, for the purpose of sounding the channel. It was quite calm atthe time. They bad made the soundings, and vyere rretuning, when,. as they were coming in over the Bar, a heavy sea struck the boat and half filled her. Deceased stood up, and witness got up to induce her to resume her seat, when wwthtt m% •Uuok. Ihe boat vA

filled her: Simpson and, ' Ellis jumped overboard, but deceased clung to witness/ and their weight capsized tbeboat.,.. Ellis swam ashore, but Capt. Simpson remained cose to tke boat* Witness and deceased sank together, arid on rising to.the surface he was much exhausted, and clung to the boat, but deceased relaxed ber hold of him, and the body floated atfay apparently lifeless. Capt. Simpson told witness..to remain on one side of the boat, whith.had agaih righted', and he would keep on. the other, and endeavour to paddle to the shore. V Captain Simpson had succeeded in getting the body.of deceased into the boat, which was full of water. He said if the body Was out of the- 'boat, she would float with both of them, bat he did' bdt like to abandon it, as he hoped their, situation wculi be seen from the Oberon.ind they would get assistance from her. Ellis ran along the beach towards where the «« Oberon '■ was lying, to get-some help. Witness then, at Simpson's request, got into the boat, and the latter ittempted to swim ashore.' After proceeding for about 20 yards, however, witness saw him turn back towards the boat but shortly after this he sank. He rose once to the surface, but aftsr taking a few strokes he again sank, and witness saw him no more. After witness had been on the boat about three hours, the " Oberon " came out, and sent a boat, which took him and the body of the deceased on board, and brought them on to Dunedin. By this time it was quite dark, and it was impossible to make any search for the body, of Capt. Simpson. The above evidence having been corroborated by the ( captain and mate of the " Oberon," so far as i regards,the close of tbe catastrophe, the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death." The deceased had it appears, been a servant with Mr. Perkins, of* South Molyneux, and had taken her passage to Dunedin in the "Pioneer.** The body of Captain Simpson has not yet beep recovered. '

Gold ; Fields.—-The discovery of gold on Mr. Feren's run, on the Eakanui, about 20 miles from Oamaru, is reported. Arid it is also said that the precious metal has been found on the run of Mr. Fraser, near Moeraki. . ... > r >j Another discovery of gold has, we Understaiis been made in the north of this province, upon Mr. Hopkinson's run, in a small stream which flows near the township of Hampden. We have seen a small specimen, which appears to be of a very fine description, and it is said that considerable quantities can be clearly seen at the bottom of the stream. ■■">'■ .

In oonsequence of the influx of population fe Oamaru, the Government have requested A v Gi Strode, Esq., to act as Resident Magistrate there, which that gentleman has contented to do temporarily. Three policemeo, armed and mounted, are to be despatched .forthwith, and instructioDS have beep given for additions to the lock-up, and the erection of other buildings, for the administration of justice and- the mu^ ten anoe of order. •." -. Province of Southland.—lmmediately on (be proclamation of the New Province reaching Dunedin, the Acting Superintendent dispatched special messengers to the south to stop the expenditure on public works. Fresh arrangements were however made for tbe continuance of the surveys as would put the.authorities of the new Province to as little inconvenience as possible. About 150 men who were engaged oq tbe piiblnJ works have been discharged, and it is to.be hoped that tlie influx of labour in the .market will not be pfrbduifctive of inconvenience, f -d-.

Otago Prope&ty Investment Company.— The quarterly meeting for the sale of cash, wis held on May 7 in the usual place in Dunedin, on Tuesday last, when the cash on hand was disposed of asfollows:"-— ' '". :;

sura sold. premium per £2Q. . . total pramium. £40 ...... 13s. ....fa £1 6 0 IQo ...... 7s 1 15 0. 60 ...... 5s .. 0 15 0' .200 — , — ,*• £400 £3 16 0 Sum m hand when sale commenced, 371 9 1 Sum sold in excess 24 14 11 £400 0 0

The annual meeting was held on the same evening, when the retiring members of com!" mittee, &c, were re-elected for the current: year.

SOUTHLAND.

The " Oberon" has furnished us with the last four numbevs of the Southern News, to the 11th instant. . :"

The News is so indignant at the name and boundaries of the new province as actually to chuckle over the probability that the Stafford Ministry will not again have the opportunity of extending " the benefits " of tbe New Provinces Act to communities similarly circumstanced. It says— :_-.j ,■::..19

"We cannot say that anything like satisfaction is felt in the New Province, either with the name or the boundaries assigned to it by the General Government: in both respects Ministers have been . singularly unfortunate. The ' name : "Southland " is inaccurate e.fiwell as inexpressive for Stewart's Island is the '".Southland "ofNew,-; Zealand. WtiQ tb at Islan d purchased from the natives aud aonexed to the New Province ia compensation for lopping- off the country "to the east of the Mataura, then there would have been-« something like a show of reason for the enforce^ ment of so indefinate a name upon us; but an the case now stands, tbe name."Southland" is; an utter absurdity—an Urimeaning;piece of/nomenclature, almost sufficient tomakeone thankful that the Ministry are not likely to have to' stand sponsors to many more;'new; provinces^' We are aware that the Colonial Secretary has certain scruples against the retention of nativenames', in consequ'riseof some being far more,-' descriptive than decant; tut we cannot learn that any objebtu 11 „-'- of that. kind; applies to . " Murihiku,'' which we hejieve, signifies ;" the :L latter joint of the tail," or the lower portion OJ9 the mainland. - The objection^ certainly would i not apply to «VWallace," the desigiMition of our Electoral District, and the name of a patriot and warrior venerated by every, branch, of theBritish nation.. . Qr r if Ministers think' thf» 7 Colony is already sufficiently bespattered witlr the names of soldiers and sailors, what appella-..'. tion .would have been more euphonious aufl/ appropriatethan" Zeaiandla?" (!) But*' Souths ... knd"—-the word is as ugly as it is unmeaning', 7 There is one «onsoktion in the matter: we must; 7 go fo-fhe General Assembly for an Aot to change^ the name and at the same time to obtain a readjustmfint of tbg boundaries, which, «b they; now stand, are a violation of the .geographical features and commercial requirements of the r district." '- •'-.-'-■- : .'fa-y ■

Tho public woiks, we are glad to hear, will not be stopped through the interregnum thai, must occur before the new Provincial Government is fairly set agoing. Messrs.. Menziea,: White, Stuart, Blaoklock, Stirling, Mitchell, Dwwlhj, Stnoos* tn4 fttntotv (Lpfei CJoiU

The Secretary of the Treasurer of the Federal States has asked for a loan of eigtit millions of dollars to meet pressing claims.

Anderson, the fugitive slave, has been released from custody, by the Canadian Courts, on technical grounds.

The Convocation of Bishops has decided that in baptism the parents shall, in future, be allowed to stand as two of the sponsors, and a friend to act as a third.

Certain members of the Oxford doctrine have published " Essays and Reviews " — which have caused a great sensation— which deny the authenticity of the inspiration of the Bible.

The Great Eastern will make another voyage to America in April next.

London, Saturday, March 9. _ Her Majesty has this week signed Sir John Young's appointment as the new Governor of New South Wales. His antecedents are good. A select Committee of the House of Commons has been appointed to enquire into the present system of transportation and its effect upon colonisation, and to report whether any improvement can be made. An amendment to the address of the French Senate, in favor of the temporal power of the Pope, has been negatived by^ 79 to 61. The Spanish Ministry have pronounced; in favor of the temporal power of the Pope. Count Cavour has urgtd the settlement of the Roman question. The Governors of Mesiina and Civitella del Tronto (Sicily) will not surrender to the Sardinians, by order, it is believed, of the King Francis 11., and inconsequence, hostilities have commenced. Spain is about to dispatch cruisers to the coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave trade. The King of Denmark proposes a Constitution, to be valid for the whole monarchy —an Upper and Lower Chamber, a distinct position for the army of Holstein, and Holstein to contribute two millions towards the expenses of the State. The King of Prussia has been invested with the English Order of the Garter. The new Austrian Constitution has not given satisfaction to the Austrians or Hungarians, but has satisfied the Bohemians, Moravians, Silesians, and Styrians. Austria leaves it entirely to the Western Powers to come to an understanding on the question of the prolongation of the French occupation in Syria. The emancipation of the serfs of Russia will, it is declared, take place in Lent r after which the Emperor will grant-a constitution. Revolution in Poland.-—A revolutionary outbveak tuuk place at Warsaw, on the ''25"th February, upon the interference of the Russian soldiers and police. The people desired to celebrate the victory gained by the Poles over the Russians in 1831 by the battle of Grochow. The people were unarmed, and therefore all would have ended quietly but for the interference of the soldiers and police. The troops fired on the people, killed six, and wounded others. The city immediately went into mourning, and a national funeral took place of the unfortunate victims of the soldiers, who were, it appears, women and children, whilst praying on the steps of the cathedral. The whole population turned out, 100,000 men alone being present in deep mourning. On this occasion the troops and police were confined to the barracks, The municipality of Warsaw have since agreed to send an address to the Emperor, soliciting the reestablishment of the Polish constitution. It has been signed by 60,000 persons. It is said that the insurrectionary party in Poland is small, who feel that without foreign intervention their cause would be hopeless. All Polish noblemen and gentlemen holdin office in the kingdom of Poland have resigned, and all the Poles in the Russian service have followed their example. Rome still continues in an excited state, ready at any moment to welcome the entry of the Sardinians when the French troops are withdrawn, as soon they will be. Placards are constantly appearing with " Long live Victor Emmanuel." President Lincoln has made his entry into Washington. In a speech to -the Legislature at New Jersey, he said he should do all in his power to promote a peaceful settlement of difficulties, but added it might be necessary to put the foot down firmly. The inference to be drawn from this is that he will propose fair terms of arrangement, which, if rejected, he is prepared to enforce obedience. This looks bad. Mr. Jefferson Davis, one of the most belligerent men of all America, President of the Southern confederation, in his inaugural address, says that the will of the people has decided that union with the Northern States is neither practical nor desirable; and, if necessary, they must maintain by the arbitrament of the sword the position they have assumed. All this seems to denote the approach of a civil war. From India there are advices of a severe famine in the north-west provinces, greater than any ever before known. The Inter-national Exhibition of 1862 is making great progress. The industrial department will be divided into three great sections —of raw materials, machinery, and manufacture. A gross fraud has been discovered at Portsmouth in the construction of the new lines of defence. A great number of piles have been found to be six feet short of the contract length, and devoid of the iron shoe/ London, Saturday 16th. The Bill to prevent the fraudulent copying of trade marks, &c, has passed through Committee.

A x bill has been introduced to remove the anomaly under which a marriage, between a

Roman Catholic and a Protestant, if performed by a Roman Catholic clergyman in Ireland, is void. A bill is to be introduced to decide whd are and who are not the parties entitled to sue in the Divorce Court of England, and in the Court of Sessions in Scotland for a dissolution of marriage, with a view to extend the English lator to Ireland. AngloIndians are also to be entitled to. its benefits. The bill for the abolition of Church rates is postponed to the sth June. The Red Sea Telegraph bill has been passed. The French Senate has delivered its address in reply to the speech from the throne, and his Majesty opened the Senate; that his policy would always be firm, loyal, and straightforward. The discussion in the address in Ithe other House progresses slowly—in fact every one speaks, and each paragraph is the cause of a most lengthened debate, which promises not be concluded for a " month of Sundays." The speeches are, in some cases, in fact, nearly all, remarkable for their candor and opposition to many of the acts of the Emperor and his Government. The project of law for the assumption of the title of the Kingdom of Italy by Victor Emmanuel has been unanimously adopted by the Turin Chamber of Deputies. Messina cupitulated on Wednesday evening, after four days' hard firing; but Civitella del Tronto hangs out firmly. Warsaw is now quiet. The Emperor has granted all the demands of the Polish citizens. A separate Council of State has been granted to Poland. All official acts are to be executed in the name of the Emperor, as King of Poland. The municipalities are to be elected by the citizens, and reforms in all branches of the public administration are to be carried out.

Switzerland has opened negotiations with France for a treaty of commerce.

Generals Turr and Klapka have addressed a letter to the Hungarians, exhorting them not to compromise the deliverance of Hungary by a premature movement. A deputation from Venetia has waited upon the Emperor of Austria, in reference to reforms, and was most graciously re-

ceived

The Queen of Spain has offered His Holiness the Pope her Royal Palace at Madrid. .-

The accounts from are very bad; all hope of ail adjustment being all but givfifi-sp: The Peace Conference had come'to a decision, and adopted a plan of adjustment, but which, it is not expected, will be accepted by either side. President Davis, of the Southern Confederation, was making every preparation for a war.

The Amended Tariff Bill had passed both Houses. Its great feature is its progressive character. The Eisays and Reviews, by the seven members of the Oxford University, have been the subject of debate in both Houses of Convocation; but the Archbishop of Canterbury thinks that the best reply will be in the individual sermons and lectures of the clergy.

The designs of the Great Exhibition building are completed. It will be 1200 feet long and 700 feet wide, average height 100 feet, nearly 60 of which brickwork. The centre will have a dome of glass and iron of 250 feet in height with a base of 160 feet diameter. The nave will be 1200 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 100 feet high. The transepts at each end will be 700 feet long by 85 feet broad. The guarantee fund now amounts to £250,000. The time of the Exhibition will be from the Ist May to the 15th October.

The Yelverton case will be carried into the Court of Session in Scotland, and to the House of Lords.

London, Saturday, March 23.

H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, mother of her Majesty the Queen, died at Frogmore last Saturday, from cancer. The Queen, her daughter, and the Prince Consort, and the Princess Alice were present. Her Royal Highness was in here 76th year. She was a most estimable lady. There is some chance of hostilities between Prussia and Denmark being avoided, as the King of Denmark, at the recommendation of England, France, and Russia, has consented to refer the whole budget to the deliberate vote of the Estate* of Holstein. I his agreeable information was communicated by Lord Woodhouse last Monday. The French occupation of Syria has been definitely prolonged to the sth June next.

Count Cavour has formed a new Ministry, according to the " new elements " of the kingdom.

After four days' bombardment, Civitella del Tronto has surrendered to the Sardinians, and so ends all fighting in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. A conference has been held at Vienna, between the Emperor and the Hungarian nobles, at which his Majesty declared that he would respect Hungarian rights to the fullest extent, but will never tolerate any infringement of the rights of the Crown. It is settled that the Emperor will be crowned King of Hungary in the Garrison Church of Buda.

There have been some popular demonstrations in several Venetian towns, in honor of the birthday of King Victor Emmanuel.

The Porte has completed commercial treaties for twenty-eight years with France and England, by which the Turkish import duties are increased from 5 to 8, and the export duties reduced from 12 to 8 per cent., with an annual reduction on the latter of 1 until the rate is down to 1 per cent. This will give an impulse to Turkish industry, and the national resources.

Bosnia is in a state ot revolution, supported by the Montenegrins. Several Turkish villages have been pillaged and burnt.

The emancipation of the Russian serfs was ordered to take place on the 3rd inst. but there is a delay in the execution of the Imperial manifesto. The programme is thus:—The Emperor of Russia has addressed a letter to Prince Gortschakoff on the late di<|irbance at Warsaw, in reply to the petijfron of the people, which is so indifferent to the request made, that a very painful feeling has been produced. The Prince has been obliged to issue a proclamation warning the people in a most serious manner agfinst any demonstration. The American advices are anything but satisfactory, and a civil war looks inevitable; both sides, seemingly, courting the catastrophe. Jefferson Davis, the President of the Southern Gonfederation, 6ays that the secession is accomplished, and that it will be supported, if necessary, by the sword. He is levying an army ot 50,000 men and making every preparation for war. President Lincoln, in his inauguraladdress, of the 4th inst., declares that no cause for secession exists; that the Union is unbroken, and he will not recognise any secession; that he will respect the rights of the Southern States, but that he will " hold, occupy, and possess" the property and places belonging to the Federal' Government ; he will collect the revenue and run the mails, no matter what opposition he may meet with. This is considered all but a declaration of war. The Federal Go-1 vernment has recalled the troops from Mexico and Texas, and has ordered the U. S. ships of war in the Mediterranean and Pacific, to return to the Northern ports.

The news from India is most distressing, the famine in the N.W. Provinces being frightful; but I regret to say that there is no efforts made here to open subscriptions for relief.

H.R.H. the Crown Princes of Prussia (late the Princess Royal) arrired on Monday at Dover, and proceeded to Windsor to join tbe Royal family. The Bank of England rate of discount was lowered on Thursday, from 8 to 7 per cent., and the Bank of France further reduced its rate from 6to 5 per cent. The money market is improving generally, and a further reduction is looked for.

The building trade .are agitating for a reduction of the hours of labor, and refuse an increase wages. - An iron-cased mail-clad steamer, to be called the Achilles, has been ordered to be laid down at Chatham Dockyard, of 1250 horse-power, pierced for forty Armstrong guns; and several screw-frigates, &c, two of which are to be of 4250 and 4300 horsepower each. The Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend at the rate of six per cent, or 245. per share, and a bonus at the rate of four per cent, per annum or 16s. per share.

London, Tuesday, March 26th. The Legislative Corps have at length concluded the discussion on the Address which was delivered to the Emperor on Saturday afternoon. It applauds his Majesty and his Government. The Emperor's reply was brief, but to the purpose

The Porte has consented to the prolongation of the French occupation in Syria. Prussia and Austria have addressed letters to the Porte, urging the necessity of reforms.

The latest American news comes down to the 13th instant. No hostile movement had been made by either side, and there is some hope that an amicable adjustment of differences may yet take place. The Southern Confederation threaten to issue hundreds of letters of marque for privateering in the result of an attack. Count Cavour has reformed his Cabinet, and the policy of the Cabinet remains as before. In reply to a question in the Chamber of Deputies, yesterday evening, Count Cavour said:—" We have a right to have Rome as the capital of Italy. But we must go to Rome with the consent of France."

London Wool Report.—March 21.

The first sales of the year commenced on the 28th February, the arrivals to that date consisting of—Australian, 6201 bales; New Zealand, 1129 bales; Port Phillip, 24,431 bales; Adelaide, 8454 bales; Van Diemen's Land, 459 bales; Cape, 14,693 bales. Total, 55,367 baits.

The inactivity which had existed from the opening of the new year and the difficulty experienced in placing wool at a profit, had prepared holders for a moderate decline, to which they were ready to submit; and although the attendance of home buyers was good, with a moderate sprinkle of foreign operators, prices opened at a greater decline than was generally anticipated, particularly on scoured wools, of which the first day's sale largely consisted;, hence about 500 bales of this description were withdrawn. The declension in price as compared with November on all descriptions may now be quoted—-on Port Phillip, 3d to 3Jd, scoured 3d to 4d; Sydney l|d to 2d; grease 2d to 2£d; Cape fleece, 2d to 1\ ; scoured and hand 3d to 3|d per lb.

Although the above decline at the first view appears very large, it should be borne in mind that the rates established in November were extremely high, particularly on all stapled wools, both in fleece and scoured; and looking to the serious aspect of American affairs and their suicidal tariff which may be considered prohibitory of woollen goods, and the high rate of money which has- existed for a considerable time, it is a matter of gratulation to the trade that 55,000 bales should find willing buyers, even at the declension in price noted, for in Six weeks from the 28th of March there is every probability of fully 75,000 bales arriving here for May—June sales, and it augurs well for the flock owners' interests that our market should maintain the* present good prices in the face of reduced trade, and general feeling of uneasiness which actuates the commercial

classes; the probability of civil war in America must considerably affect our trade with that country, even if the Morrill tariff had not passed. Wools from Port Phillip have very much improved both in quantity and condition, which hare been duly appreciated* and the prices paid for the bright plump combing qualities from Port Phillip, ranging from 2s 3d to 2s 7d, must be very gratifying to growers. Operations on the other side have, taking an average, left a loss, confirming the views we have so often advanced, that no fair margin is left for contingencies, a wish to secure wool and ship it to this country seemingly being the only object; in some instances the losses will be very severe.

missioner,) have become guarantee to the Oriental Bank for the advance of such suras as will be necessary to carry on the roads now "in process of formation:

On Monday night a meeting was held in the Court-house, tv consider who were fit and proper persons to be nominated to represent the town of Invercargill in the first Council of our new province. Nobody convened the meeting; at least, uo name was signed to the advertisement: still, everybody appeared to have a cooviefcion that the affair was genuine, for the attendance was uncomfortably crowded. It waa admitted on all hands that Invercargill or Waiopai must have a commodious Town Hall erected with all convenient despatch. Mr. Tarlton, of Woodlands, was called to the chair, and his task was a light one, for a more genial political meeting never assembled. Everybody present left with the conviction. " Well, these Murihikians seem likely to select a tolerably decent lot of candidates for legislatoral honours." The following were the parties named a3 eligible candidates : T. J. White, Grant, Lind, Blacklook, Cakler, Thomson, and Tarlton.

Fatal Accident.—We regret ■to have to announce .the untimely death of Mr. John Holmes, of this town, who was engaged in the lightering service with Messrs. Cheyue and Co. Deceased was aiding in getting the boat out of the Puni Creek, about half-past three on Thursday morning, when he fell forward from the boat, upon his head, —it is supposed through his oar slipping. On being picked up he wag found to be insensible. He was promptly attended to by Drs. Grigor and M'Clure, but though he recovered his sensibility, he died early yesterday morning, within , twenty-four hours after the occurrence of the acoident, of fracture of the spioe. The deceased was an intelligent and steady man, and very generally respected. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, J. Soloanon and W. Stevens were charged with viola<tion of tbe Customs Ordinance, at Stewart's Island. Two breaches were proved against.the former, and one agaiost the latter. The penal-, ties of the Act—namely, £100 for eaoh offence -—were enforced in each case; and we under-; stand that they have been paid. The General Government have hitherto beeu, not only.some-' what, but very remiss in this matter; but the Native war in Taranaki appears at hngth to have aroused them to a sense of their duty. %c and bye we will hope to see a proper Custtoms Corps established. Till this is done, Shore can be no fair protection for the fair trader; neither can the Colonial Government be very much surprised if laws which are not enforced are not observed.

We have before now had to speak of tbe want of accommodation for the Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches of this town. Positive eteps are now, we are glad to hear, being taken to supply the want so long felt. Before lobg the shells of both churches will be in course of erection.