GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 10 July 1873, Page 5

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

The amount of Customs revenue received on imports at the Custom House, Dunedin, for the year ending yesterday i5L238,855 19s Bd, as against L 212.923 10s for the previous year, being an 'increase of L 25.932 9s Bd. A gentleman who came over the Carrick Range on Saturday (says the Cromwell Argus) describes the Nevis as being completely frost-bound, and states that on the road thither the snow lies in many places to the depth of two feet and upwards. In concluding his annual report, the Governor of the Gaol repeats the warning he has so frequently given — that it is highly impolitic to have a badly-paid staff of officials, and observes that, "to prevent the officers leaving as they do at present, whenever opportunity serves, there ought to be a graduated increase of pay, and something held out to them like a moderate provision for their old age, when they should have devoted a certain number of years to their arduous service." The usual quarterly meeting of the Otago Schoolmasters' Association was held on Saturday. There was a very full attendance of members. It was resolved to present a respectful memorial to the Provincial Council, to the effect that schoolmasters should be placed on the same footing in regard to retiring allowance as other employees in the service. The librarian stated that he had received official notice that the application, forwarded through his Honor the Superintendent, for the use of a room in the University building for the library, had been declined. It was resolved to give some public recognition to Mr Gardner, Milton Hall School, on the occasion of his leaving the Province for the Home Country, after a professional residence of fifteen years, and a Committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The land fever is stronger in Canterbury than here. The Lyttelton Times of Saturday says : — The applications were so numerous on Thursday last that the Waste Land Board ■was compelled to adjourn till 11 a.m. yesterday, when the business was completed. Up to that date, the amount realised for the month of June was L 73.182 16s lOd. There is still another Board day in the month. Monday next, and it is believed that the sales for the month will most probably realise about LBO.OOO. In delivering judgment in the Wanganui Education Rate case, the Chief Justice laid down a most important ruling. It was to the effect that when certain portions of a Provincial Act are ultra vires, such portions may be severed from the remainder ef the Act, and that the Act itself is not ipso facto void in consequence of its containing clauses which proves to be ultra vires. This dictum from so high an authority appears to open the door to a great deal of careless and reckless legislation, there being some check against the insertion of illegal sections, in the apprehension lest the whole Act be thus rendered void. The Provincial Council of Canterbury has passed a resolution to ask the Superintendent to place a sum of L 5.000 on the estimates to aid in establishing new,' and assisting existing public libraries, book clubs, and institutes in the country districts. During the discussion on the motion, Colonel Brett made a somewhat remarkable statement. He said it was of no use passing the rote to give books to the country districts, as fifty per cent, of the residents in the outlying portions of the Province were unable to read or write, and that the books would, therefore, only be used by what he called the higher classes. In an article on the proceedings of the Dunedin Presbytery, in reference to Mr Logan's case, the Post says :—": — " In passing the resolution of expulsion, the Presbytery were probably acting in accordance with the rules of their Church, but nevertheless to the lay mind it is painful to reflect that a body of clergymen and elders of a religious domination should have met together in these days to expel from their midst a man who, by a process of ordinary inquiry, had been led to a belief differing in certain respects from that held by themselves, even if his new light were but a poor imposture. At all events, if such actions be necessary, they should be done in secret, lest religion itself be brought into disrepute." A Wanganui paper says that Lottie seems to have regularly won the affections of her dirk-skinned admirers. The ladies of Putiki are keeping up a regular correspondence with her, and occasionally, when urgency requires, have recourse to the wire The land sold at Patea has realised the sum of L 30,000, and forms part of the confiscated lands on the West Coast, which are from time to time to be put up to auction. It will be remembered that until within the last few months it had been found not practicable to place those in the market ; but the affairs of the West Coast have been taken in hand, and the first result was the sale of the Whenuaknra block last April, at prices ranging from LI 12s 6d to L 3 15s per acre, and that for about 7,000 acres. We (Independent) have now another instance in point that some value can be found for our confiscated territory. The lands disposed of this time are what are styled the railway reserve, a strip of land extending from the Waitotara and Waingongoro, consisting of about 12,000 acres, and comprised of the very richest soil. We are not at all astonished at the numerous attendance or at the prices obtained, and we look confidently forward to the occupation by enterprising settlers of a tract of country which has hitherto been looked upon as the white elephant of the Northern Island ef New Zealand. We (North Olago Times) have to record another life lost in the Waitaki. It appears that on Friday evening last, after crossing the northern mails, three ot the ferrymen, the lessee (Mr Miller) Theodore Smith, deceased, a Scandinavian, only some six months arrived in the Colony, and another man also employed on the ferry, were returning to the Canterbury side. The southern branch of the stream was safely crossed by boat, but in wading along the shingle spit to the northern branch where the second boat was lying, Smith, who was leading, missed his way: Miller called to him that he was too far to the right, and Smith then attempted to diverge to the proper track, but it was too late, for in a step or two he •was in deep water, and was swept away by the current. It was nearly dark, and no assistance could be rendered. Up to the time of our going to press there was no news of the recovery of the body. Lovers of cricket will be glad to learn that in all quarters of this Colony interest in their noble game is extending, and that preparations for next season's play are being already made in the various Provinces. From the Auckland News we copy in another column. It will be seen that a very influential association there, including Mayors, M.L.A.'s, and M.P.C.'s, has been formed to foster cricket, with the object of sending a team to the Southern Island this coming summer, if possible. From Christchurch, we learn that a leading Canterbury cricketer, about to visit Melbourne, will endeavor when there to arrange for an eleven of Victorian gentlemenplayers, to visit Dunedin and Christchurch in January or February next, to try conclusions with eleven or more, probably fifteen New Zealanders at these places. The Dunedin clubs, we observe, are also stirring : a private subscription list having for its motive to make the South Dunedin Cricket Oval a ground thoroughly fit for the game, and second to so ground in the Colony, is getting

extensively patronised this week by the admirers of manly recreation. The work has been in progress for some time, and will be quite finished two months before the playing season commences. We understand, also that the premier Dunedin Dlub sent home three months ago an engagement and a prepaid passage warrant, for an able professional coach, who may be expected out in November. During 1872-73 there were sold in the Province 140,371 acres of rural land, 48,140 acres ot land within hundreds, and 1,035 town sections, besides which 22,227 acres were sold by auction. There are now in existence 198 pastoral leases, covering an area of 6,404,498 acres, and one pastoral license covering 20,000 acres. The revenue from transactions completed during the year ending 31st December, 1872, is shown to be L 185.362 19s 2d, being L79.337 16s lid in excess of last year. The total amount of land revenue received during the financial year— lst April, 1872, to 31st March, 1873— has been L 195.376 5s lOd. During 1871-72 the amount for the same period was L 100.723 Is 7d, being less than 1872-73 by L 94.653 4s 3d. This includes the revenue from Invercargill land district. The following items of mining intelligence are from the Cromwell Argus : — The Star of the East Company finished a crushing of 200 tons on Thursday last. The quantity of gold obtained was 67 ozs. The Heart of Oak and Star of the East Companies allowed the men on strike three days to make up their minds as to accepting the reduced rats of wages offered them — namely, L3ss — and the men unanimously refused to resume work except at th<j old figure. From the Caledonian claim (Mr G. T. Stephenson's) we learn that a crushing of 427 tons was finished on Saturday, at the Royal Standard battery, Quartzville. The yield of gold obtained was | 429 oza. 13 dwts. Owing to the bad state of | the road between the claim and the battery, no more stone can be sent down for crushing until the commencement of spring ; but Mr Stephenson intends keeping on his full complement of hands (seven men) throughout the winter. These are all employed in getting out stone, prospecting for new leaders, and otherwise opening up the claim. The Caledonian occupies the premier position among the Carrick reefs. The following somewhat extraordinary case is reported in the Auckland papers :—lt: — It appears that Sarah Ann Bell, a married woman, residing in Parnell, was brought up ia custody of Detective Ternahan, at the Police Court, Auckland, charged with stealing a letter containing a document valued at Ll2l 5s sd. The particulars of the case, as stated by Mr Inspector Broham, are as follows: — Letters have been frequently sent from England addressed to a Mrs A. Bell, who resides at Tapu. These letters have been delirered by the Post Office authorities to the accused, under the belief that she was the proper party to receive them. She has on each occasion opened the letters, and finding they were not intended for her, Iha 3 returned them te the Post Office. The mail before last brought a letter stating that a remittance would be sent next mail. This letter she opened, and in due course forwarded it on as usual to its proper destination. Last mail brought the promised remittance, consisting of a draft on the Union Bank of Australia for Ll2l 5s sd, contained in a post letter. This was, as usual, delivered to the wrong person, namely, the accused. In this instance she failed and omitted to forward the letter on, but converted the draft into cash and retained it for her own use and benefit. The expected remittance not coming to hand to Mrs Sarah A. Bell of Tapu, inquiries were instituted, and it was discovered that Mrs fearah A. Bell, of Parnell, had appropriated it. She was consequently arrested. A sum of LlOl odd was found in her possession. A remand was now asked for, for the purpose of bringing up the witness — who is in bad health — from Tapu. The prosecution is instituted at the instance of the Post Office authorities. A remand was granted. At the Christchurch Police Court on Friday last, Charles Hill, John Parker, Mary Hill, and Mary Ann Elliott, who had been committed for trial at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court, on the charge of manslaughter, were brought up before a Bench of Magistrates, for the purp >ac of being fully committed for trial by the Bench also. The Bench stated that they had carefully considered the matter, and did not think the defendants ought to have been brought before them, or, at all events, the Crown Prosecutor should first have obtained a writ of habeas corpus. Long arguments were used between the Bench and Mr Joynt, Dr Foster, and Mr Thomas, counsel for the accused, in regard to the course of procedure ; and ultimately, after an adjournment of one hour, Mr Duncan, the Crown Prosecutor, attended, and, after a lengthy discussion, he stated he would not press the application for a committal by that Court, the committal by the Coroner being deemed sufficient, without a committal from the Resident Magistrate's Court ; although in all cases hitherto where an inquest had been held, resulting in the committal of an accused person, such had been the custom. The New Zealand Herald, commenting on the Maori difficulty, remarks :—": — " We are not of those, however, who think that the Government are at all to blame. On the contrary, we think that the steps already taken have been most prudent. It is easy to be wise after the event, and to aver, as many do, that Purukutu might have been captured any day for a week after the murder of Sullivan. This may be strictly true ; but if the Governmeat had sent out a small force to effect his capture, and they had met with a repulse, what would, have been said if the authorities were not in a position to enforce obedience ? Why, the very men who are now loudest in their censure would have been most clamorous in condemnation. The present position of affairs is, after all, most favorable for the authorities. If there is to be fighting, we have had time to make preparation, and cannot, therefore, be taken by surprise ; and as we have all along pointed out, the moral sense of the British pnblic will be with us. The Maori King will have forfeited all claim to respect and consideration, even by the most sentimental of British politicians ; and it will be the imperative duty of the New Zealand Government to suppress him altogether. We have no fear now for the Waikato settlements Steps have been taken to ensure their safety ; and if force is used to prevent the capture of Purukutu, on Tawhiao and his supporters be the blame. The shadow of Maori nationality must disappear for ever, and the country be thrown open for settlement and occupation* ' During the past few weeks the proposed line of railway between Moeraki and Dunedin has been under sHrvey, with a view, we presume, of its submission for approval- at the next session of the General Assembly. We (Herald) believe the direction which the line is intended to take after leaving the Maori Kaik is not as was originally recommended by Mr Blair— across the Sandhills, over the Lagoon, and through the upper end of the Government township— owing to the ground crossing the Waikouaiti River near its mouth being unsuitable for the purpose. From the Kaik, we understand, the line will make a sharp curve and run parallel with the Waikouaiti River, crossing it and the main road near Cherry Farm, and then ascending the small saddle, and following the flat in the Hawksbury paddocks, between the main road and the bush. Should the line as now suryeyed between Palmereton and Waikouaiti

> be adopted, considerable loss will be entailed '■ upon own-rs from the manner in wh eh their i land will be cut up, of which the cotns pensation allowed will not cover even a tithe. ■ We might instance one case which has been . mentioned to us, and that is Brooklands, the 1 property of Mr J. P. Hepburn, which the • line of railway as at present surveyed will i injure to the extent of upwards of a thousand pounds, for which Mr Hepburn will probably . receive one or two hundreds as compensation, i The desirability— indeed, necessity— of hay- ; ing this railway completed at the earliest i possible date no one will deny ; but in laying off the line care should be taken to avoid as much as possible the cutting tip or injuring the land of those it has to pass through ; i and we think it would be to the interests \ ■ and safety of travellers by the main roads if the line was kept as far from them as possible. Of course, in many instances, we are quite aware that it would be impossible to do so, but except near centres of population we do not see any advantage in keeping near the road. In a matter of this kind, however, we have no doubt Mr Blair will be guided entirely by the exigencies of the case in the adoption of the easiest and most practicable gradients. The suspension bridge over the Kawarau, three miles above Cromwell, was opened with considerable ceremony last week. The bridge is suspended on twenty-eight wire cables — fourteen on either side, — each cable being composed of six smaller ones, with seven wires in each. The cables average 4^ inches circumference. The dimensions of the bridge are as follow : — Span, from pier to pier, 148 ft. ; breadth between the wires, 18ft. 6in. ; clear width of roadway between rail and rail, 12ft. The total weight of the ironwork in the bridge is sixteen tons. Each of the twenty-eight wire cables used in I the construction of the bridge is capable of | sustaining a weight of fifty tons ; so that the carrying capacity of the whole is equal to 1,400 tons. It was estimated that during the christening ceremony the aggregate weight of humanity on the bridge was between forty and forty-five tons ; yeb so effectively had the work of "stiffening" been performed that there was no greater vibration perceptible than would be caused by a horse walking across from end to end. The cost of the bridge is said to be from L 6.000 to L 7.000 ; and the contracts for the approaches (which were constructed at Government expense) amounted to something near L 2.500. An inquest was held at Otepopo on the 27th ult , on the remains that were found in the bush there a few days before. The medical evidence was that the bones had been exposed for at least ten years. There were not any indications of fractures on the skull, or any other part of the skeleton. They were the bonea of a man about forty years of age, sft 7in or sft Sin in height, and of a slight build. There were a pair of watertight Cookham boots found near the remains, containing the small bones of the feet. It appears, about eleven years ago, one John Andrews and seven others went pighunting in this bush. Early in the day Andrews complained of being knocked up, his feet being cut from wearing new boots. Upon killing the first pig, it was given to Andrews to carry home, and after crossing the range near Government hill, he was net afterwards seen, althaugh a careful search was kept up for several days. The missing man Andrews, whose skeleton it is believed to be, was a married man, and his widow is supposed to be residing in the vicinity of Portobello. The North Otago Twits says the boots of deceased have been forwarded to her for identification. Victoria has not been successful in her first efforts in the whaling business. The first whaler sent out from the port of Melbourne was the Victoria, which was equipped some three or four years ago by Messrs Osborn, Cusliing and Co., and was placed under the command of an experienced master. She went on her way. In due time a quantity of oil was received from her, and she voyaged on to those far-north seas where the American arctic fleet usually fish. Luck was against her. She had taken several whales, and would hare returned to Victoria after a successful trip but that she was embayed during a storm in Behring's Straits, and wrecked. The master and a number of the crew escaped, and wintered with the natives. The spring released them, and they were able to return to Melbourne. Then the same firm which owned the Victoria resolved to repeat the adventure. They bought the barque Mary Hamilton, of Sydney, and fitted her out in Hobson's Bay in the best manner. She was placed in command of the master of the wrecked Victoria, and great hope was entertained that her voyage would be successful, and would lead to the establishment of a whaling fleet from the port of Melbourne. These expectations, unfortunately, have not been realised. The Mary Hamilton went to sea, and was not heard of for some months, when a Hobart Town whaler, returning to harbor, spoke of her as having been signalled "clean." Weeks afterwards she was reported as with only one whale. This was bad enough, but worse remained behind. On Saturday the news from New Zealand, telegraphed from Sydney, reported the Mary Hamiltoa as having been wrecked at Norfolk Island, of all places under the sun ! It was understood when the ship sailed that the dangers of the Arctic Seas were not again to be tempted, and Colonial Swhaling men do not seem to think that the Antartic Ocean is worth visiting. The Mary Hamilton was upon what is known as the middle grounds, which Americans, Tasmanians, and Frenchmen alike visit in search of the sperm whale. No other catastrophe has been reported by the whalers in thoße seas for many years. Only one of the Hobart Town fleet, now numbering some thirty-eight or forty vessels, has been wrecked for years past ; and then it arose from the vessel being driven from her anchors during a gale in Queen Charlotte Sound. It is strange, therefore, as well as a matter of regret, that tie first efforts of Victorian whalers should have been so unsuccessful.