PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2401, 31 March 1865, Page 4

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

A correspondent, writing from Ngaruawahla, uuder date March 28, says :— "Some excitement was caused here this morning, news haying been reoeived that a party of armed natives numbering about forty had been seeu in the bush, by some men employed surveying near Kaniwhaniwba, «n the Waipa. The commanding officer here immediately despatched tbe interpreterrMr. De Thierry, to mate inquiries respecting their movemeuts The iatives here state that the rebels »te on a visit to a. chief at Raglan, and mostly belong to the Patupoa tribe. We shall probably learn more respecting them on the return of the interpreter." The caset before the Eesident Magistrate's Court yesterday were destitute of general interest. The member* of the Scotch Presbyterian Congregation met in Mr. Dewar's Academy, Newton, yesterday evening, and presented Mr. James Pye, precentor, with a bandsome silver watch, chain, and psalm-book. Nothing of special interest occurred at the Policeoourb yesterday. It was intended that the ' Lord Ashlej' should call At Poverty Bay on her tr>p northward, with despatches from the Colonial Secretaiy's Office, "Wellington, for Bishop William 1 ?, for which purpose she was detained lit Napier until 6 p.m. of her date of sailing (27th), in order to have daylight at Poverty "Bay ; but, on account of a, gala of wind springing up from the south-east, precluding the possibility of landing, the Eev. Samuel Williams, theu at Napier, took charge of the Bishop's despache=i. It was understood that the e.s. • St. Kilda.' lately the property of the Otago Government and at N.ipier when the ' Lord Ashley Ut fc, would b« sent to Poverty Bay on special service when the weather moderated. The funeral of 1M ward Griffiths, carpenter, son of Mr. William Griffiths, Seafield View, Graf ton Road, took place yesterday, in the Wesleyau burial-ground. Deceased was a youn<y man highly respected by a large circle of acquaintances, and from his attendlince with the Volunteers throughout their period of »ctiv<» service last year Ids funeial was largely attended by members of the Volunteer Corps. The Volunteer band was likewise in attendance. A firing party of sixteen men, in charge of Sergeant Leech, assembled in the Albert Barracks, with a goodly muster of No. 1 Company, A.R.V., to which deceased belonged. He was likewise a brother of the Loyal Parnell Lodge of Odd Fellows, M.U . and the brethren met in order to pay a last tribute of respect to Ids memory, at the Lodge-rooms, Parnell, provided with their regalia— covered aprons, black scarfs, itnd white gloves. The Volunteers and brethren of the Odd Fellows then proceeded from their respective places of meeting to tbe residence of the deceased's father, where they were joined by a large number of friends of the deceased. The cortege left the house in the follow ing manuer :— Firing party of sixteen m.n with arms reversed ; band of the A.RV.; the coffin, borne by eight m«n of No. 1 Company ; the chief mnnrnera ; brethren of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., AD.; friends of the deceased, and officers of Volunteers. The funeral service was performed in an impressive manner by the Rev. Thomai Buddie. A seaman of the ship • Mariposa' was given into custody last evening by Captain Barley, charged with ditobedience of lawful commands on board that vessel. A number of the Government immigrants per 'Louisa,' <from London, were yesterday accommodated with temporary lodgings in a marquee, erected near the Council Chambers, at the rear of the Maori Church, An inquest was held at the Hibernia Hotel, on Wednesday, before Dr. Philson, coroner for the dis- , trict, on view of the body of a man found drowned on the beach at Onehunga, on the previous day, by a, person named Ryan. There was no evidence leading to the identity of the body. A comb wirh the letters "" C. S. " was found on hi* person, but nothing beyond. The body was in an advanced stage of decomposition. The jury returned an open Verdict. • A movement ii on foot to have Tuesday and Wed* i nesday next declared public holidays, that all who may feel disposed may have an opportunity of being present at the Otahuhu races. A deputation!ofc;innuential gentlemen intend waiting upon his Honor , the Superintendent to request his co-operation in the movement. The solemn and edifying ceremony of the reception of three postulants of the Sisters of Mercy took place on Sunday last, at 3 o'clock p.m., in Sf. f Patrick 1 ! Cathedral. The Bight Rev. Dr. Pompallier, t /the -venerated Bishop of Auckland, assisted by very \ Bey. Dr. McDonald, , Vicar-General, and Very Rev. Walter McDonald, private secretary, and other mem- * -bers 'of the clergy, conferred the white veil on Miss i^Tyrrell, of Dublin, in religion Sister MaryFranoit i/g Borgia ; Miti Bowes, <of Sydney/fifin religion ] Sister . MaryTScholastica ; and on"*jsli»i Magee, "of ,\ Auckland, in T , religion Sister Justina. •' 'The ~ r ceremonies, which are of a veiy ~V i)ouing character, were weU camedigajij Twenty-

ono<sistere entered tlie^oKurcli Tin -^-5 The -] prettily dressed little cluldren'atteuding onthfe ladies' about to be received gave a graco to the, proceedings. ' 1 he Very Pev.. \Valter McDonald ascended 1 the"pul,ipi Vand delivered a niost affecting and impressive disebnrse 011 the -excellonce of the religious state, addressing himself at some length to the sisters who had determined*. to enter \ipon religions 1 life,, after 'which his Lordship gave his episcopal benediction. A'large concourse of the faithful attended, who appeared to be nrach pleased.— -(Communicated.)