WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1565, 15 July 1882, Page 2

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Captaix Fairuhild, of the steamer Stella,which returns to-tlay from a cruise tojthe southern lighthouses, reports that a birdcatcher, named Wheeler, was missing from Perservation Inlet. It is believed he has committed suicide. He had been very strange of late, and complained of seeing blue devils. A thunderstorm passed over Wellington this afternoon, and it is still raining heavily. A company has been formed to lease coal mines at Mokau from the natives. Messrs Grace, Joshua Jones, andanumber of other pei sons have been on a visit to Mokau in order to obtain signatures of natives to certain deeds for leasing land containing coal seams. This land is situate about 35 miles up the river, and is close to the river. Thus coal can be conveyed on trucks from the landing place without any difficulty or expense in hauling. Coal can be traced over a gsuatextent of country, and is of first class quality. Shareholders of the company are at present very sanguine, as these prospects are said to be very good. It is understood that deeds have been signed by all the natives and all arrangements are now completed for taking possession of the land. Horatio De Courcey Martelli, was brought up at the Police Court on remand, charged with having, at Opunake in January last, stolen a breech-loading fo'vling-piece, the property of Her Majesty. Prisoner said he exchanged the gun for one of his own. Prisoner was sentenced to three mouths' imprisonment.