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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 188, 11 October 1866, Page 2

Last evening Mr. La Griff, professor of phrenology gave a lectux*e on the principles of that science, to a large and attentive audience, in the Provincial Hall. The object of the lecturer was to illustrate his subject by means of the heads of several remarkable characters which he had in his possession. Having succeeded in taking a cast of Kelly's head, Mr. La Griff was enabled to dwell at length on the peculiarities of that notorious individual, which he illustrated with great clearness and force. He had taken measurements of the heads of the other crimiuals, whose good and bad qualities he fully exexplained to the audience. The lecturer professes to belong to a new school in phrenology, and whilst agreeing to the principles of the science as laid down by Combe, Gall, Spurzheira, and others, to have made discoveries of important details, which were unknown to the fathers of the science. The lecturea'was listened'to with marked attention, as he descanted on the dangers that threatened society by the presence of a class of persons whose animal organization preponderated over the better part of their nature, and as he showed the importance of training the mind in the habitual exercise of the superior sentiments. By way of varying the subject the lecturer drew attention to the heads of Serjeant-Major Grennan, Volney Beckner, Richard Cobden, and President Lincoln, each of which was a type of a noble character, The first was well known to the public of Otago, as having been the recipient of high honors for his conduct as a soldier in the Crimean war. He received the Cross of the Legion of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and another medal for his distinguished bravery. The noble qualities of the other three characters, which harmonised with their cerebral, development, as illustrated by the lecturer,, were dwelt upon to the great satisfaction of an attentive audience. The lecturer is a native of St. Domingo, speaks remarkably j good English, and illustrates- his subject in a very striking and popular manner: | (~A reliable correspondent states that during the trials of the Maungatapu murderers, several young females who attended the sittings of the Court professed great admirajtion for the gentlemanly manners and elocution /of Burgess. One expressed feelings of affection 'towards him, saying he was a nice young j man, and could not be the murderer he wa3 ':said to be. It is to be hoped that the number

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of such* young females is exceedingly-limited"; nevertheless, says the "writer in ■ question, there is; one that regrets she -could not have a lock- of Burgess's hair, and was not pei'mitted to see his body after; lie was executed. The parents and protectors of such persons ; would have exercised a wise discretion in preventing them from being:present during the late trials, where they became inspired with such generous sentiments for a truly odious character. Among the horses in training for the forth•coming Marlborougb. races, we are informed, Mr. O'Dwyer's Voltigeur and Garryowen, Mr. W. Robinson's Gamester and Fair Nelly, Mr. James Robinson's Flying Buck and Golden Eagle. We (Marlborough Press) refer with pleasure to the seasonable liberality of the ladies in Havelock in behalf of Mrs. Mathieu, amounting to £26.; and regret to find that neither the people of Picton nor Blenheim have yet contributed their mite to the laudable object. <'"" 7 The Defence Estimates for the current ! financial year are £70,000. An effort was ■ made in the House of Representatives to ! reduce them by £20,000, but the proposed I amendment was negatived by a large majority. ' Sir David Monro, Speaker of the House of Representatives, recently announced that the long expected present of a mace from Sir Charles Clifford, his predecessor, arrived from England by the s.s. Ruahine, and trusted that though from a utilitarian point of view it might be regarded as a bauble, it might-, be looked at in a larger sense as a symbol and a memorial of the close connexion existing between the Legislature of New Zealand and the Imperial Parliament. We (E. Post) hope shortly to find additional accommodation in Wellington for the General Assembly, as a sum of £5,000 has been voted by the Legislature for the purpose. The Government Buildings, which were only erected for the use of the Provincial Government, are too small to be convenient for the large staff of General Government officials, but there is 1 room for considerable additions on the plot of ground in rear of the present buildings. It appears, from what fell from the Government in the House of Representatives, that it is not their intention to take any steps at present for the introduction of salmou into this country. They" are watchiug with interest the success of the experiment going on in Tasmania' for the introduction of salmon ova, and imagine that it will be more economical eventually to stock our rivers from that country. In the House of Representatives it was decided that the amounts of fines imposed under the Scab Acts of the provinces of N. Zealand, should be paid over to the Provincial Governments, provided such can be effected on some general principle, to be established by law. ' The swindling system of forged trade marks and labels, which has for a long period existed and flourished in this colony, is likely to be now abolished. A bill has passed the I House of Assembly, which will enable well- \ known firms to proceed in a summary manner ; against everyone indulging in false pretences. The Court of Appeal is now sitting at Wellington, their Honors Justices Richmond, Gresson, Chapman, and Moore having arrived. The W. Evening Post says the stud of thorough-breds in that province was increased by the arrival in the Queen, from Nelson, of Bay Middleton, a large and handsome horse, bred by Mr. Redwood, and purchased by Richard Collins. Esq., of Te-Ore-Ore, Wairarapa. The W. E. Post says— Mrs. Whale, wife of Mr. Whale, junior, of Rangitikei, was drowned last week while crossing one of the numerous rivers in the district, on horseback. The information received in Wangauui of the sad accident, though authentic, is very meagre. The melaucholy story is intensified by the fact that Mrs. Whale had an infant with her, •which shared the sad fate of its mother. A large number of Sydue3"-built spring and tip carts have come into the Wellington market, by the vessels' lately arrived from New South Wales. A few days ago, says the W. E. Post, the

proprietor of -a large grocery --establishment at the Thorndon end of the city failed, his liabilir ties being stated, at between £9000 and £10,000. A meeting of creditors was held, and it is hopedj -from the statement made by the insolvent, that the estate will be able to pay 20s. in the pound. The W. E. Post states that Mr. Beck has left for Invercargill. He will be absent about three weeks, and until his return his son, Mr. George Deck, who. arrived in the Otago, from Nelson, will carry on the usual services. A grand naval theatrical performance lias been given in Auckland, the proceeds of ■which will be applied to the ereetion .of a monument to the memory of the officers and men belonging to the Royal Navy, killed during the New Zealand war. The correspondent of the Southern €ross at Tauranga, writing under date the 19th September, says that when the particulars of the sale at Auckland of the first town allotments reached the town of Te Papa a regular panic ensued. Buildings were pulled down and hastily removed, and the utmost contempt for the rights of the new purchasers exhibited. The most important and exciting scene was the seizure by the owner of an allotment on which was erected a billiard.room, leased to the officers of the 12 th Regiment. The new owner, without notice or ceremony, affixed a padlock to the door, and the orderly was directed to draw the staples of the lock, and take possession. This was done and an affray commenced, which resulted in the matter being brought before Mr. Clarke, R.M., whs authorised the owner to remove. The Waiuku correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross reports that a very great improvement is noticeable in the condition of the Waikato immigrants located at that place, since the Belief Committee begau its labors. We are also very glad to learn, from the same source, that an unusually large breadth of cereal and root crops will be growp this season in the Waiuku district. Two ships have now been laid on at Wellington to sail for London in December with wool. The first of the season is the favorite clipper Asterope, advertised to leave on the 10th December, and the second is the barque Ensign, quite a new ship, which has discharged her outward cargo in splendid condition, and is a most suitable vessel in every way for the wool trade. H.M.S.S. Challenger, Commodore Eochefort Maguire, arrived in Auckland on the 28th September. The Curacoa and Eclipse have left for England. Mr. Dobson, the Provincial Engineer, has completed his course of lectures on foundations, at the Town-hall, Christchurch, and has since had a conversazione, at which his more juvenile auditors attended, when, in addition to Mr. Dobson, Mr. Speechly and the Rev. C. Fraser addressed the assemblage. A bazaar, the proceeds of which are to be devoted towards liquidating the debt on the Manse, has been held in the Presbyterian Chapel, Kaiapoi, and most successfully carried out. . The. stalls were, presided over by Mesdames Barton and Lee, and Misses Bowie and Howard. The receipts amounted to £60. No. 1 Company Canterbury Rifle Volunteers have shot the second match for the Company's Challenge Prize at Hillsborough. Private Whale was the winner, having scored 52 points. He holds the prize till the next competition, which will take place the third Thursday in October. A new Presbyterian church in the Lower Selwyn District, Canterbury was opened for divine worship on Sunday, the 16th of September. The service was performed by the Rev. Charles Fraser, of St. Andrews, Christchurch. The paster of the new church is the Rev. J. Campbell. We understand Mr M'Culloch has made improved arrangements in the Victorian Postoffice department, whereby the delivery of the English mail, which formerly took four hours, will, in future be accomplished in two. Tasmania appears anxious to participate in the advantages of the Panama route, as one of the legislators .of , that colony has moved for the establishment of steam postal communication between Tasmania and England by way of the isthmus, on the same terms as other colonies.

The Wanganui Times complains . of the location of one regiment at Taupo, and says— The Taupo lake, in the centre -of this: island, has located upon its shores, and mot far distant, several powerful and rebellious tribes. The Ngatimaniopotos, with the arch-rebel Hewi at their head, and numbering bver a thousand fighting men, are loeated to the west of it. The Ngatituwharetoa, BTgatimaniopoto, and others occupy the shores of the lake, and altogether it forms the. central stronghold of the most powerful and discontented tribes upon this island. Locate oneregiment of soldiers amongst them, and you at once arouse their hostility. Attempt to cut roads for the conveyance of supplies, and hostilities would at flnee /commence. That spirit of resistance of our authdrity which is now dying out would be revived, and the one •regiment would have to entrench itself and act upon the defensive. What would be the cost of maintaining a regiment so situated, and what benefit could they possibly confer upon the colony? "Will Sir G-eorge Grey send them there to demand unconditional surrender or fight it.out ? "We trow not. "What then ? To overawe and dare to hostilities "the lion in his den.". Whilst those tribes are quiet and peaceably -disposed it would surely be bad policy to throw one regiment into the centre of them, unless thafc regiment could, in case of need, subdue a more powerful foe than ever General Cameron had to contend with in the Waikato. The effect of such a move upon the native mind would be most injurious at the present moment, and unless Sir George Grey determines upon a recommencement of hostilities, and an indefinite protraction of this miserable difficulty, he will never send this one regiment to Taupo.