Local and General News.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 791, 28 September 1867, Page 2

Local and General News.

Agricultural Society. — On Satnrday last, a special meeting of this Society was held at the Taranaki Institute, to consider the propriety of alteriug the time of the monthly meeting, it being found that Hie meetings, as before arranged were so/thinly attended that it became a question whether it wag worth while holding them at all. It was decided that the time of the meeting should be changed to 5 o'clock on the evening of the Saturday preceding the full moon in each month. Concert. — A vocal and instrumental oonoert will be given by Mr. McComish, on Tuesday next, Ist proximo, at tho Odd Fellow's Hall. Not so Bab fob Taranaki. — Messrs. Tate and; Dorset sold to the Provincial Meat Company, forty-one half bred wethers (Leicester and Southdown,) grass fed, and bred by themselves at Bell Block, aged twenty months, averaging; when killed, 72$ lbs. nett. Takanaki Rifle Association. — The first, second, and third classes met on Thursday at tho rifle range, Carrington road, to compete for tho prizes offered by the Association. The first and third classes fired in the morning at 7 and had favorable weather, the second, which fired at 4 p.m., were annoyed by a drizzling rain. It will bo seen that Mr T. Humphries was the winner of the prize given to the first class ; Messrs. J. Ellia and W. S. Douglas winners of the second-class prizes ; and Mr C. Stapp (who made a capital score), of the third prize. Subjoined is the, score : —

FIRST CLASS.

300 yds. 400 yds. 500 yds, Total. T. Hamphnes 34442-17 32322-12 22032-D 33 Josias Hoßkin 23 124-15 22023- 9 20302-7 31 L. St. George 23323-13 02323-10 00013-7 30

SECOND CLASS.

200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. Tot&L J.Ellis 33243-1G 32414-17 4022-1-1} 41 W. Douglas ... 34123—16 4'tm— l4 30133—19 43 W. Humphries... 42233—14 4-2134—16 04022- 7 37 A. Douorlas ... 43134—18 02423—11 23002— 7 38 T. Davis 43123— 10 00024—6 22430—11 3i W. B. Daviea ... 33032—11 40242-12 20022— 0 29 R. H. Medland... 34241-17 23230-10. oOoo2— 2 29 G. Stockman ... 33333-14 22223-40 20200-4 2* J. 0. Duvies ... 33232—12 22420—10 02003— 5 27 E. Hoskin ... 2OMO— a 23023— 8 24000— 0 21 J. McComish ... 24322—13 00220— 4 20230— 7 21

THIRD CLASS.

„BL 100 yds. 200 yds, 300 yds. Total. C.Stapp ... 4MH-20 43343-16 32423-14 60 T. K. Skinnor ... 41M1— 20 4335!— 13 42330—12 45 J. Hoskin ... 41231—17 0233J— 11 01032—9 37

Revising Officer.— Wo have been shown a Draft Bill, called tho "Supplementary Electoral Rolls Revision Aot, 1867," forwarded to Mr T. \V. Shnte from the Colonial Secretary's Office, by which tho omission of Judge Moore to appoint a Revising Officer for this ProviDCo will be rectified, by ths appointment of W..Halße, Esq., or in the event of bis declining to act, saoh other person as the Governor may think fit. This Aot will place the disfranchised eleotora on the same footing as they would have been if the4)leotoral Rolls had been duly revised according to tho provisions of tho " Registration of Electors Act, I860. " I Thb Agricultural Statistics Committee have presented their report to the Honse ; they recommend that returns of agricultural produce grown in the settled districts should be collected annually, and published in the Gazette of eaoh Province, with as little to delay atf possible, and that the means to be adopted in the collection of their returns should bo loft to the Executive Government.

The Panama Mail had not arrived at Wellington on the 26th. By the steamers yesterday we deceived the Parliamentary Debates to the 20th inst., extracts from which will be found elsewhore. We also received our files of Middle Island papers, but not one Wellington paper, if ■we except a file of the Evening Post kindly forwarded to us. The Times and Independent deem ns unworthy of their notice. The Select Cqstsirrr.EE on the petition of the Bey. F. C. Simmons, relative to the establishment of University Scholarships, have presented their report. The report is in favor of these exhibitions which the Committee considers would exercise a very perceptible and beneficial influence, direct and indirect, upon the whole course and character of education throughout New Zealand. The foundation of eight exhibitors is recommended, two to be opened for competition every year, subject to regulation by a Council of Legislation as in Tasmania. The establishment of a New ' Zealand University cannot be recommended at present/^ut It is suggested that the Government Bhould set apart portions of the confiscated lands for the endowment of such an institution whenever the proper time for founding one may arrive. Militia and Volunteers. — On Wednesday. Major Atkinson is to move for a Committee of" the whole House to consider the following resolutions :— " 1. That tho Militia and Volunteer services should not be charged provincially. 2. That the appointment of a paid Commanding Officer to any distriot in which war is not actually being carried on,^is objectionable, and should only be made in exceptional cases ; and wheu so made, the officer appointed should also perform the duties of the Adjutant of his district. 3. That all Militia officers should be required, with the least possible delay, to qualify themselves, as far as practicable, for the duties they have undertaken to perform. 4. That a stricter and more ■uniform discipline shonld be introduced into the Volunteer service, by the enforcement of all rules and regulations in all corps alike. 5. That in n<K district (except in case of war or disturbance) should more than three per ceut. of the population be allowed to draw capitation allowance as efficient Volunteers. 6. That In any district in which two per cent, of the population are not enrolled as Volunteers, the First Class Militia should be called out for training and exercise. 7. That resolution six shonld not apply to the districts north of Auckland, or to any gold-field." — New Zealand Times, Sept. 18. [By the mail yesterday we learn that resolution No. 2, 3, and 4 were passed and No. 1 was negatived, 5, 6, and 7 were withdrawu. — Ed. T.H.] Tub Assembly. — Mr. Beyuolds has a notice for the 21st :— That in the opinion of this House, thfi use of offensive language by one member within the precincts of the House — to lead to a breach of the peace — •i^aisorderly, and shonld be treated by Mr. Speaker as if such words were used in debate. This motion has reference to a very unseemly fmcas that ocenrred on Wednesday, in one of the lobbies or committee rooms, between the Premier and the member for Dunedin, in which tho former displayed mnch irritability. The discussion will probably produce one of those scenes of personal recrimination which the House seems to consider such an agreeable relief to the dulness of ordinary debate, and which are generally characterized as " spicy." — Wellington Even ing Post. The 18th Rotal Irish. — His Excellency tho Governor proposed to Ministers that 200 men of this regiment should be stationed at Tauranga ; 200 at Taranaki ; 200 in Auckland ; and the remainder left at Wanganui. He was undecided as to whether head quarters should not be in Wellington. Ministers declined to sanction the proposed movements, but would not oppose the wishes of His Excellency, on the understanding that he assumed the responsiblity. Whether Sir George Grey will assume the responsibity or not we cannot say ; but it is likely that despatches by the present mail will cause tho disposition of Ihe regiment to be left to the discretion of His txcellency's successor. — Wangnnui Times. The New Governor. — The Wellington Times of Monday last, says :— " It is curreutly reported in well-informed ciroles that Lord Lyttleton will be hi 3 Excellency Sir George Grey's successor. Before Colonel Gore Brown, C.8., was removed from the Governorship of New Zealand, Lord Lyttleton applied for the appointment and offered to take it without salary. Hl3 lordship has ever taken & deep interest in the affairs of the colony, is well -acquainted with them, and has ■we understand, invested a considerable amount* of capital in the Middle Island. He has, however, intimated his intention to visit Canterbury some time during the present year on business of a private character." The Executive. — On the 9th instant, the Hon. J. H. Harris was sworn in a member of the Executive, and left for the South, where he will represent the Government. It is reported that Mr. Richmond will reside in Anokland for the same purpose ; and Major Eichardson will succeed Mr. Hall. — Southern- Cross, September 23.