The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2865, 1 October 1866, Page 4

The Daily Southern Cross.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1.

LTXOEO, NON TTRO. " If I ham b«n •xtlniuiih»d,|y«t tliere riia ▲ thonuad btkooni from th« ipuk I bor«."

The arrival of the ' Bangatira ' yesterdayputs us in possession of one day's later news from Wellington. The Government managed to postpone an awkward motion by Mr. Burns, in favour of making Auckland and Otago the ports of oall for the Panama steamers, and we suppose it will be shelved for the session. A debate of very considerable interest came off on a series of resolutions proposed by Mr. FitzGerald, enforcing the desirability of the immediate withdrawal of the Imperial troops. This proposal was not relished by the Government, who urged that its adoption would hasten the removal of the troops, and might encourage the natives to a fresh outbreak. The Premier assured the House, however, that "the Government " would certainly never advise the location of " a regiment at Taupo." This announcement must disconcert; other arrangements ; but we think, on the whole, that Cambridge or Te Awamutu would be a more desirable post for a regiment than Taupo. Mr. FitzGerald does not like to see a soldier in the country. The Government have other views, and do not care to send the military away with unseemly haste. Consequently the resolutions were negatived. What Lord Derby's Government will think of New Zealand aflairs remains to be seen.

By the arrival of the ' Rangatira in the Manukau - yesterday, we leara that; the Manama mail stf amer had not put in an appearance at Wellington on the 25th ult. It will be, therefore, apparent that as a mail ■ervice the Panama line of steamers are of no advantage, at leasbto this portion of the colony. The Provincial- Government having taken over from the military .authorities the entire control of the electrio telegraph department in this province, the head office has been removed from the Albert Barracks to ttie building iv Princes-street formerly used as the offices of the Auckland' and Drury Railway. Our Hokianga correspondent intimates that the ' Eli Whitney' was daily expected at that port to load timber for Melbourne. He likewise gives particulars of the sale of the wreck of the ' Culgoa,' and complains s t)iat *. there is not a propsr pilotage establishment. From the letters which appear on the same subject' elsewhere, it would appear that theinisbap was not altogether occasioned by the of boats. However, a* there is to be an official inquiry into the cause of the wreck, we will offer no opinion. We have little to add to the report of the fires in Symonds and White-streets given . in our Saturday's iisue. The flames were first observable in the unfinished two-itorey dwelling-houses owned by Mr. Revell, aud quickly spread to the ad* jacent premises, without any hope of arresting their progress in the absence of an adequate supply of water. A young man, named jTohn Barron, sustained a compound fracture of the right arm, in consequence of falling off one of the houses, which he had ascended in order to fix the grappling for its removal. The wound was dressed by Dr. Merrett. The fire at t&s cottage- in White-street is found, to have been attended .with oirokmstances involving great mystery. The home was untenanted, and the flames were first observed, by a neighbour, on the oeiling of the house. On going to the place he found the back door partially opened and a large blanket; hung over the inside of the window. A good supply of water being at hand, the flames were speedily subdued. An inquiry into the circumstances attending the fires has been demanded by the insurances offices, and the police are busily engaged in procuring evidence to be adduced at the inquiry. We have been requested to contradiot the statement of our contemporary that the insurance upon RevellY houses expired on Saturday, and to state thao the policy does not lapse until January next. The following is a correct list of insurances effected upon the properties destroyed :—: — Revell's four houses, not completed, £600, Auckland Insurance Company ; Carson and McColsky's workshop, the property of H. Hill, £400, Liverpool, London, and Globe; three houses, lately the pro* pert? of Eric Craig, £600, Liverpool, London, and Globe; Mrs. Creamer's furniture (all saved), £80, New Zealand ; Mrs. Williamsons house, £400, Northern; Pon tin's cottage, £250, Imperial. Ot way's house was uninsured. The shareholders of the Auckland Insurance Company held their half-yearly general meeting on September 19 at their offices, Queen-street. In the absence of the Chairman of the Company, Mr. S. Hague Smith was called upon to preside. The third report; and statement of accounts were read and adopted. They are of a satisfactory character as indicating the success obtained by the Company. Mr. S. Hague Smith was re-elected a director, and Messrs. J, L. Tole and C, Arthur, auditors for the •nsuing year. The' thanks of the shareholders of accorded to the Chairman of the Company, the Directors, and office-bearers, for the zeal and energy they had displayed in conducting the affairs of the Company. Our own correspondent, writing from Opotiki, states that on the night of the 18th September the Catholic Chapel at that place was totally destroyed by fire. An amateur dramatic company had been holding a rehearsal during the same night in the* chapel, but left at half-past seven o'olook, and the fire was discovered at about half-past nine o'clock. The origin of the fire had not been ascertained up to the closing of the mail. We have been desired to direct the attention of the City Board of Commissioners to the very dangerous condition of the footpath in Edwardesstreet, at the rear of the Fitzroy Hotel. It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns that Mr. Crombie announces another novelty in the photographic art. The portraits are prepared of a size admirably adapted for lockets, , and are procurable at a rate which must come ! within the reach of all. It must be said, also, of 1 those we have seen, that they are finished in the i highest style of art. Writing on tbe 24th September, our Patea correspondent supplies us with the following particulars regarding the murder of a mounted orderly by the ! natives, to which reference is made elsewhere :—"I: — "I I have to announce, for the information of the numerous treaders of the SooTaißN Cross,, that another (barbarous murder was committed yesterday by {the rebels between Waingongoro and Ketemarai. Tho victim in, this case was a.■ mounted orderly named Michael Hegarty, of,, Major McDonnells forces, and had lately been discharged from the 40th Regiment, having put in his time in that corps, in which, I understand, he held the rank of sergeant. From the information I hare received, it appears he was riding along on duty from Waingongoro to Major McDonnells advanced camp near Ketemarai, when he; was fired on by a party of rebels who lay in ambush. The poor' fellow fell, after, receiving the rebelrbu^ts, and was {hen pounced on and frightfully tomahawked, in ' the most barbarous manner imaginable. I understand his horse was shot dead also. This event has caused great ,' consternation in the district, as poor Hegarty was very well liked by •very one ; and it is very, probable it will be the means of , causing an immediate advance towards the rebel hiding-places, to inflict a just retaliation on those cold-blooded murderers."* ' ' • The admirers of the many handsome architectural structures whioh adorn the oity and suburbs of Auckland will no doubt be glad to learn that the new Wesleyan Church, in Pitt-street, having now so nearly approached, completion, it has been-dot«r-mined by .Messrs. Harding andi Vercoe, engineers, 4c, of Shortland-street, to publish a sketch of the present appearance of > the building. Proof sheets have already been issued, whioh, for general accuracy of outline and beautiful finish, have rarely been previously excelled in Auckland.

We learn by the cutter ' Alabama,' which arrived yesterday from the 'I hamen, that a, large native meeting had been held in that district within the last few days, at which, besides the Thames natives, William Thompson and a number of Waikato chiefs were present. One burden of the speeches was that the natives were tired of the Pai Marire faith, or the modification of it that they have lately professed. Thompson was, we regret to hear, looking very ill. $i The whole of the ltoyal Artillery corps being under orders for England, the men stxtioned here will leave for Auckland most probably about the 10th of next month.— Wanganui Times. The band of the 60th Regiment played in front of Government House on Saturday afternoon. There was a larger attendance than on the previous Saturday/as it was more generally known that the band was to play ; but unhappily the musicians were, stopped in the middle of the programme, and the audience dispersed, by a pelting nho wer. Our Pate* correspondent, writing on the 21sfc, sends \\s a detailed report of the garrison races, which came off with great success at that post. The stewards were, Captain Bithopp, R. 1.; Captain Stone, M.T.j Captain Daubeny, H.L The annual services in connection with the Baptist Church, Wellesley-street, were held yeaterday, and were attended by large congregations. The Rev. P. ET. Cornford preached in the morning from the text contained in Romans, viii., 12 — "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the fle^h, t<» Jive after the flesh." The rev. gentleman preached an excellent discourse from these words. He showed howwe were built up of debtors as being under an obligation ' to God — first, for our being ; second, . for our redemption ; and that the conflict vrhioh we had to encounter mainly arose from, the- flesb, not merely in its low and carnal aspects, but in all the relationships of life — the habits and tendencies of life, and the general business of life. Nothing else would do as a substitute for the battle that had to be fought with the flesh but the Spirit. No forms of worship could eyer be a substitute for that spiritual conflict in which every j Christian should be engaged. 5e concluded by reference to their obligations, as members of the church, to further the cause of Christ, and to practise self-denial for that object. The collection taken up, amounted to £10 12s. Id. Ihe portion of Scripture which formed the basis of the rev. gentleman's sermon at the even* ing service was that contained in 2 Peter iii., 14, "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye. look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blumeless." The rev. gentleman contrasted the diligence which is manifested in regard to worldly objects and the affairs of this life, with that diligenc& which should be exercised in matters, pertaining to our spiritual welfare here, and our eternal happiness hereafter; and concluded by an earnest anil eloquent exhortation to his hearers. The collection raised was £6 Is. Id., making a total collection. £}Q 13s. 2d. The anniversary soiree will ba held to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, commencing at half-oast 6 o'clock. A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a cricket club in Onehunga is convened for tomorrow evening, at seven o'clock, at Sb. Peter's School-room. The following scene occurred in the Wanganui Police Court on Friday, the 21st ultimo : — Thomas Conroy, H.M. 18th E. 1., and John Durant, of the Royal Artillery, were brought before T. 'Waters and J. Wilson, Esqs., J. P.r, charged wi,th being deserters. Constable McLean, of Turakina, proved the arrest of the prisoners at Scott's, Lower liangitikei. Both men denied the charge, and Durant, on being asked what he had to say in defence, secretly took off his boot in the dock, and threw it at Mr. .Waters. The force of the throw was fortunately broken by Sergeant Kinsella catching the man's arm from behind, and the boot, which was aimed at Mr. Waters's head, struck him on the hand without injuring him. The two men then made a rush to get out of the dock, but were prevented by the police, and, after considerable resistance, were overpowered, taken to the cells, and handcuffed. They were then brought into Court, and Durant was remanded till Monday, the 24 til. Conroy, on being asked for his defence, insolently told the Magistrate to "find out." The apprehending constable's evidence was then taken, on hearing which Conroy admitted that he was a deserter. When asked to sign the statement acknowledging it, he said he could not do so unless the handcuffs were taken off ; on their being removed by the magistrate's order, he signed and immediately made a rush at the bench, apparently with the intention of striking one of the justices. The police were at hand, and he was fortunately ! prevented from doing* mischief. After- a severe struggle he was again handcuffed and taken back to the cell. He has since been handed over to the military authorities for punishment. Such characters as these should be severely dealt with, and we trust their punishment will be oommensurate with their orimes. — Wanganui Times. We have been requested to state that a praotice of the vooalists and instrumentalists who are intending to take part in the Ladies' Benevolent \ Society's concert will be held to-morrow evening, in the Brunswick Hall. Vocalists to meet at a quarter to seven o'clock, and instrumentalists at a quarter to eight. The Newton Penny Headings were held on Friday evening last. The attendance, considering the drenching rain which fell, was very good, Mr. Colbourne occupied the chair, and expressed his pleasure in hearing how these cheap and pleasing entertainments had proved a success wherever es tablished, and hailed with pleasure their introduction into the land of our adoption. Be hoped that before long every settlement iv the proviuce would have its penny readings. " The following programme was then gone through: — Heading, Mr. Paine, " Freaks of a Bull ;" recitation, Mr. Leeson, " The Indian's Defence ;" reading, Mr. Ellis, "Daniel O'Kourkej" song, Mr. Jones and daughter, " Minute Gun at Sea;" reading, Mr. Ellyett, "Contradiction;" recitation, Mr. Featheratone, "Bashful Man;" reading, Mr. A. Graham, "The Sea Kings ;" reading, Mr. Brame, " How many -Fins has a Cod?" concluding by singing the JSational Anthem. — [Communicated. ] Messrs. Hidings and Perston have received instructions to sell by public auction to-day, at 11 o'clock, at their mart, a large hand-org id, playing 21 tunes. A meeting of the electors of the Mount Wellington Highway District will be held to-morrow evening, at six o'clock, for the purpose of levying a rate and appointing trustees for the ensuing year. The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society takes place to-moirow afternoon, at three o'clock.