CANTERBURY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 298, 3 December 1862, Page 5

CANTERBURY.

Jsy the arrival of the Geelong we are in possession o Canterbury paper.? to November 27th. The following are the principal items of intelligence :—

Gold fhom Moukt Cook.— In the window of Messrs Simpson «-md Mark?, Christchurch, is exhibited a beautiful specimen of gold, weighing four ounces, and saifl to be found near Mount Cook. We called on Mr Simpson yesterday, and he told us how it came into his possession. On Saturday forenoon a person, who gave Jris name as George Marshall called at the shop and exhibited a piece of quartz, in v/hich was imbedded a mass of gold ; he asked Mr Simpson to buy it if it were gold, about which he hini-elf seemed to be in doubt. Mr Simpson, after conferring with his partner, agreed to purchase the goll if Marshall would baab the quartz out of it. At this time it presented somewhat, the appearance of a tree, having a large mass of gi>ld for the root with, numerous beautiful branches. The man left, and in the afternoon called with the gold freed from quartz, and Air Simpson bought it at lis own price, being a sum much below its real value. From, this circumstance Mr Simpson infers that Marshall was no gold digger, or he would have stood out for the proper price. The latter stated that he had picked it up about twenty miles north of Mount Cook ; that he did not suppose it was gold ? but finding it to be so, he should soon be in town again with more, for in the pla':e from whence ho had brought that piece, there was more than all Christchurch could buy. Such is the story as it reached us ; we can only say that the gold is of a beautiful color, much lighter than that found in Otago, and in a richer mass than any we have yet seen from there.— LytteUon Times, 26th Novpinber.

With reference to this presumed discovery, we find the following in the Canterbury Standard of the aext day:— . Mount Cook Gold Hoax.—Some misapprehension appears to exist relative' to the gold said to bo discovered near Mount Cook. 'Die tacts of the case —and we had them from good authority—appear to be these. An old Australian digger brought the identical specimen to a jeweller in town, and offered it for sale, at the same time stating that it had been fonnd in a quartz reef in Australia. The jeweller in question declined to purchase it, and never saw either tlie intending seller or the gold afterwards, until he saw the latter in Messrs Simpson and Co.'s window, and immediately recognised it—he is positive that it is tbe same specimen which was offered to him. Slip in the Tunnel.—A heavy slip of earth took place on Saturday last, at the Heathcote end of the railway tunnel.' We understand that at one time fears wei'e entertained that the masonry and brickwork at the tace of the tunnel would be forced out of its place and destroyed. We are happy to be able to state tnat these fear 3 have not been realised, and that a few days' work will make all safe again. —Lvttclim Times, Nov. 26. Fire at Fourpeaks Station.—On Saturday evening, the 15th instant, the house of Messrs Lance .and Walker, at Mount Fourpeaks Station was burnt to, the ground.. ;The house, which was a new and substantial building, we regret to say, was uninsured, as also the furniture. No clue has yet been discovered as to the origin of the &tq.—LytteUon Times, Nov. 26. Thk Next Race3.—We gather from an advertisement in the Press, that the races will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of January. The programme of the first day includes the Maiden Stakes, L 6 each, with LIOO added, open for all horses that have never won a sweepstakes or plate; the Lottery Plate, L3, with ISO added; 4he Canterbury Cup, LSO, added to a weep''■ of Lseach; the Criterion Stakes, L 3 each, with L3O added; and tbe Hack Stakes, LI each, L 5 added. The second day will include the Grand Stand Plate/handicap of LSO, L 3 entraneev the Derby Stakes. LlO each, with; LIOO added; Tyro Stakes, L 3 each, with L3O added j the LndiesPurse; and a race for Mr Angus's prize of a saddle, bridle and martingale, with a sweep of LI each. The third day commences with the Towton Cup, given by W. 8. Moorhouse and the late S. Newton, Esqrs., value 100 °-uineas: the Metropolitan Plate, handicap of LSO, L 3 entrance; Queen's Plate, LIOO, for all ages, entrance L 5 each;" a Forced Handicap of LlO each, for winners of LIOO-andover; the Selling Stakes, L 2 each, with L25 added j to conclude with the Consolation Stakes. LytteUon Times. Fatal' Accident.—An accident occurred on Moa day night, to a man named Jamea Murray, of Kaiapoi. The unfortunate man, in climbing a fence, lost his footing and was so severely injured that death ensued on the following bight. An inquest-was held at the Kaikanui Hotelsoa the 19th. November^ i Standard, Ho? 27- ~-..