WELLINGTON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 630, 19 February 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This Day. Private letters from England say Miss Eva Carmichael, the survivor of the Loch Ard, has gone mad at home. A largely attended meeting of the members of the Athenaeum last night, resolved, by a considerable majority, that the institution be opened on Sundays. It has been left to the Committee to arrange the hours. A local sculptor is ' executing to the order of Mr. Sheehan, a bust in Carrara marble of the famous friendly chief Hapuku. The marble is of the finest quality. A son of Hapuku called at the studio with his wife, and expressed his delight at the faithfulness of the likeness displayed in a plaster cast of his father's features from which the sculptor was copying. The annual District Council of the New Zealand Central District of Independent Order of Rechabites, opened proceedings in the the Rechabite , Hall last night. Representatives were present from Tents in Wellington, Hawke'a Bay, Taranaki, Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago, and Southland. The business as yet has been only formal. February 18. The annual district council of the Independent Order of Rechabites opened yestrrday morning, G. Levy, D.C.R., in the chair. The business transacted was principally formal. The reports of

special committees were read and adopted. The meeting adjourned at noon till 9 a.m. to day. A conversazione in connection with the Order was held last evening > In consequence of the arrears which have accumulated of cases in the Native Lands Courts* it has been decided to make a large increase in the number of judges of the said Court, and several fresh appointments will be'made shortly. The brig Jane was formally attached by the Marshal of the Vice-Admiralfcy Court yesterday^ afternoon, in consequence of an execution against the owners. Mr. Bryce, M.H.R., left for Auckland yesterday afternoon to inquire into the alleged roll stuffing at the Bay of Islands. At the farewell levee on Saturday, Sir George Grey was again conspicuous by his absence, so, yesterday afternoon, when Ministers and other high officials, the Mayor and citizens of Wellington, were present on the wharf to wish His Excellency and Lady Normanby God speed on their embarking aboard the Ringarooma for Melbourne, and it is understood that no leave taking whatever passed between the Governor and the Premier on the occasion of the former leaving the Colony. The Clwonicle is informed that the Government have received further correspondence from the Agent-General, enclosing correspondence from Galbraith and Denny, the well-known ship owners, re the proposed direct steam service. /They suggest a two-monthly service as .sufficient for present requirements, and they propose to supply three steamers of a superior class, with an average speed of 12£ knots. The outward voyage, via the Cape of Good Hope, is to occupy 42 days, and the homeward passage, via the Suez Canal, 40 days. They want an eight years contract, and ask for a subsidy of £80,000 annually. Sir J. Vpgel urges the Government to accept the service.