The Press. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1863.

Press, Volume III, Issue 347, 10 December 1863, Page 2

The Press. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1863.

In* consequence of the news by the Storm Bird and the pressure of matter in our Shipping Intelligence, we arc compelled to omit our leading article. SrPKEME COCKT. We avo compelled to omit our report of the proceedings in the Supreme Court yesterday. The only case tried was that of Turton v. Rogerson and another for damages on account of loss sustained for non-fulfilment of contract to deliver sixty-four head of cattle. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages one shilling. The Court then adjourned to this day at 10 a.m. FKEIGHT OF WOOL. In a recent article we pointed out the loss which was sustained by the Province through the fact that ships wei'o brought here in ballast to take away our staple export, while those which brought our merchandise had to go away in ballast seeking employment. We are happy to hear that certain of the leading shcepfarmers of the province are taking the matter lip ; and, although we fear that it is too late in the season to effect much this year, we have had it on good authority that this is the last wool , season in which this practice, so prejudicial to our harbor, will be continued. ME SESSION* OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLr. The Auckland correspondent of the Wellington Independent, in a letter dated 25th ult., says :— "The Session is not likely to be over for a fortnight yet." STEAM FIBE EXGIXE. In our report of the proceedings of the City Council j'esterclay, our readers will remember that Mr. F. Thompson, agent of the Northern Assurance Company, is reported to have stated, by letter, that the Melbourne Board of Directors had placed in his hands £30 for Fire Brigade purposes, but that they threw cold water on the project of getting a steam fire engine, as being au useless and an expensive one: they also considered that it was likely to be disastrous to the Assurance Companies and the public, by leading the Brigade to place an undue amount of confidence in it. We cannot see the point of this objection : it would seem to us that this would apply almost equally well against having any fire-engine at all: why not argue against fire engines in general, as tending to promote carelessness about lire ? Surely if the steam ire engine be a more powerful and certain pieeo of machinery than the hand engines now in use, we had better have it: the expense in a matter of this sort is ji thing hardly worth thinking of. THE WOIXDED AT RAXGTRrRI. The Independent of the sth instant, says :— "We are glad to learn th-.it Lieut. Talbot is progressing favourably, notwithstanding the severe wounds he received at R.ingiriri. We regret to hear that privates Brown and C.iin, of the 65th regiment, have since died of their wounds.—lt is reported that the wound received by Captain G-resson in the arm is so severe, that amputation will be necessary." sutmrssrox of w. thompsox. The Nelson Examiner saye:—We learn from James Mackay, Esq., Assistant Native Secretary, that the presentation of the mere by William Thompson, at the recent engagement at Rangiriri, is generally regarded by the Natives as a sign of submission ; as an admission, in fact, that he has been beaten. Mr. Mackay says that, when Native chiefs are at war, if one present to the other a mere, a whalebone club, a mat, or such like article, it is done as a token that he admits himself to have been defeated, and requires to fight no more.