GENERAL NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 914, 16 January 1872, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr Eees, solicitor, writes a long letter to an Auckland contemporary in reference to the case of Crosbie v. Spray, in which he censures the conduct of Mr Beckham, the committing Magistrate, and says that he has made a formal complaint to the Executive against that gentleman, which has yet to be investigated. Te Kooti's " force " is stated by the Maketii correspondent of the " New Zealand Herald," to consist of his two wives, a boy, and a dog. It is stated that some six ladies availed themselves of the privilege of voting at the election for a city councillor for Auckland.

The Hon. Mr Eeeves stated at Leeston, that orders had been sent home to the Agent-General of the colony to send out—provided he can obtain a proper class of immigrants—a number to about 8000 during the year, 1872. This, in addition to the immigrants brought out by Colonel Fielding to the special settlements, and by the Messrs. Brogden, will probably increase the population of the colony by 10,000 during the year.— " Lyttelten Times," December 30.

A most astonishing feat was performed on Thursday by a man and horse from Bundaleer, South Australia (the "Guardian" states). The man was despatched from the station at a quarter to 4 a.m. to go to Dr Bain's house in Clare and procure some instruments, and he was told the case was urgent, and allowed until 9 o'clock to return. To the utter astonishment of every one, including no doubt himself and his horse, he dashed up to the door at 7 o'clock, having ridden the distance there and back, 60 miles, in three hours and a quarter. Fifty miles of this distance was performed with one horse, which is none the worse for his tearing gallop. This is the greatest exploit of the kind we ever heard of, and the truth of the particulars is unquestionable. The " Otago Daily Times " states : "The contracts for the supjly of 40,000 sleepers for the Clutha Railway has been signed, the successful tenderer being Mr Thomas Pollock, of Balclutha. The tenders were for the supply ofjarrah or totara sleepers, but none were received offering to supply jarrah. One half are to be delivered at Dunedin, and the other half at the Clutha. The totara sleepers are to be of heart wood of the best description, 7 feet in length, 8 inches broad, and 4| inches in thickness. Eleven tenders were received for the supply of 20,000 sleepers for the Dunedin end, and six oifering to supply the quantity for the Clutha end. The price of the tenders accepted was 2s lOfd per sleeper for delivery at Dunedin, and 2s 9|d for delivery at Balclutha. We learn from the "Southern Cross " that Ropata, the capturer of Kereopa, had dealt handsomely with his followers in respect to the £IOOO reward. It is usual for the leading chief who may sell land, or otherwise obtain possession of money, to appropriate all of it, or as much as he possibly can, for his own exclusive benefit. Upon receiving the £IOOO however, Eopata, divided it evenly between himself and followers, every member of the party receiving as large a share as their leader.

A skating rink is about being established in Auckland.

Some idea of the State of the labor market in Otago may be formed by the following extiact from the " Otago Witness"—"The invitation by the City Council of applications from candidates for the office of watchman, at the bell tower, at a salary of £BO per annum, was answered by 48 applicants. Many of them were highly recommended ; in fact, the Mayor's desk was piled with testimonials." What might have been a serious accident occurred during the Christmas hollidays on board the schooner Huntress, at the Thames, which had been used as a flagship during the regatta.! When the small cannon which had

been placed ou board ior a signal gun, was fired for the last time Jto wind up the sports, it burst into splinters, which scattered about in all directions, fortunately without inflicting any dangerous bodily injury on any of the large number of people on board, A portion of tbe bulwark was splintered, and one of the splinters struck Mr Davies on the leg, but did not inflict any serious injury. The " Bristol Mercury, " of Oct. 21, has tbe following curious account of a discovery of treasure in a bale of wool: Messrs Miles, merehauts, Bristol, from New Zealand, is very frequently sold to Gorman bouses, A recent cargo was so disposed of, and the wool sent off to the purcbnser. Messrs Miles, however, received a few days ago, a letter from tbe German manufacturer, stating that unpacking the wool he found in the centre of one of the bales a cheque for £SO, a £2O note, some gold and silver, and a purse, which were forwarded to Messrs Miles, who are now endeavouring to find the party from whom the wool was purchased in New Zealand. How the purse containing the cheque and note, the latter upon a good New Zealand bank —came to be in the pack it is difficult to say; whether it was secreted, or fell out of tbe pocket of one of the packers, No doubt, however, some further light will be thrown on the circumstance when Messrs Miles hear from their correspondents in New Zealand.

A novel application was made to the Geelong Bench a few days since. After the conclusion of the usual proceedings a well-known Cheap-John who possesses something more than the ordinary share of volubility with which his class are specially endowed, walked up to the Mayor with a fine little girl of some four months of age perched on his hit shoulder. He stated that although he had a comfortable home, and was a fond and affectionate husband, he had recently been deserted by his wife, and as she had left the child produced behind her, he was placed on the horns of a dilemma. Maternal duties were completely out of his line, and however resigned he might be to the loss of his fair partner, he was both unwilling and unable to become a wet nurse. The Mayor kindly asked him what service he required, when he politely and blandly enquired whether no warrant could be issued to bring his absconding spouse home again. The bench replied in the negative, and having expressed his regret and surprise that although there was a remedy for wife desertion there was none for husband desertion, the unhappy 'parent politely withdrew.