TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 September 1867, Page 3

TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

The most interesting item of news is that relrt ng to the accident to the wharf extension by the s.s Otago on Sunday evening, which is tuns graphically described by the “ Independent,” —“ The evening was calm and fine, but cloudy and dark, and crowds of pedestrians were walking up and down watching the steamer’s approach. Ahead she came, stem on at the rate of full five knots an hour, and to the astonishment of every one, kept steadily on, dead for the centre of the end of the wharf. The assembled crowd rushed from the spot, and the assistant pilot seeing that a collision was inevitable unless the vessel’s way was stopped, called out, “Full speed astern.” There was no reply, and on the steamer came There was a moment’s breathless anxiety and then a crash. On drove the vessel, snapping the strong wooden fender like a twig, severing the cross timbers, breaking two of the large cylinders, renting open a wide chasm, and almost severing the southern T from the rest of the structure,” The damage is estimated at several thousand pounds and the accident is said to have been occasioned by the lights on the wharf not being in their proper position. It d ues not appear that the vessel sustained any injury.

The next most noteworthy event is the appearance of a daily morning twopenny paper called the “ New Zealand Times,” whicn the editor says is a new journal, but which has a remarkable resemblance to the defunct “ Advertiser,” not only in looks but in every other respect. The present “Times" and the late “Advertiser" are as “like as two peas," and it bears within it the same seeds of an early dissolution. A journal which depends on Government officials for its leading articles cannot become popular, and as “ the man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client,” so a Government which undertakes to defend itself in the editorial columns of a newspaper is in the same predicament. A Minister cannot so far forget his position as to be able to advocate the policy of the Government from a popular standing point. There is a room for a daily morning paper in Wellington, but it requires a large literary staff and large capital to render it successful. Whether the “New Zealand Times ” has both these requirements and whether it will prove worthy of the name it has assumed, remains to be seen. Judging from the first two numbers neither the editors nor the sub-editors appear to be conversant with matters of local interest. This would not be a fault in a journal depending upon the colonists at large for support; but if, from the circumstances of the case, and the operation of the postage tax, its circulation is to a great extent local, it must possess a greater knowledge of subjects of local interests, ami know better how to discuss them than at present before it can attain the support which was once accorded to its predecessor.

A number of lads between the ages of 12 and 17 have formed themselves into a Cadet Corps, under distinguished auspices, and intend “ to play at soldiers.” The Mayor of Dunedin, Mr J. H. Harris, is to be appointed Solicitor-General, so there is another thousand a year to be extracted out of the pockets of the people. There are to be Quarterly Sessions of the Peace at Wanganui under the Chairmanship of the District Judge. Mr P. A. Buckley has been gazetted Captain of the new Volunteer Artillery Company. The “Nelson Examiner" of the 14th inst., learns that the greatest excitement prevails at Gollingwood, through the discovery of a gold-field of unusual richness between Bedstead Gully and Slate River. Many of the miners in the district have abandoned their claims for the new ground. The gold is obtained by deep sinking, but the returns are said to be something fabulous. Sir George Grey will proceed to England immediately on the arrival of his successor, and afterwards return to this colony and take up his residence at Kawau. A petition with 2500 signatures has been presented from Westland in favor of the district being constituted a separate province. The “ N.Z. Times " says,—“ The inhabitants of the West Coast have again been thrown into a state of excitement by the discovery near the Buller of two dead bodies, bearing evident traces of the men having been murdered. Both the victims were comparative strangers. Inquests have been held, and verdicts of wilful murder returned. The police have, it is reported, obtained a clue likely to lead to the identification of the murderers. It was at first feared that another gang of ruffians like Burgess, Sullivan, Kelly and Levy existed in the neighborhood. Trade continues dull, and importers cannot quit goods at a profit.