Local Intelligence.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 391, 20 April 1864, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Legal Quays.— Tlie following announcement in the Hew Zealand Gazette of April 6 speaks for itself: —In exercise of tlie power in me for this purpose vested by the “ Customs Regulation Act, 1858,” I, Sir George Grey, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby appoint that on and from the day of the date hereof, the Jetty extending from Taupo Quay, opposite Taylor and Watts’ Stores, know as Taylor and Watts’ Wharf, and the Jettjr extending from Taupo Quay, opposite the Commercial Hotel, and known as Gerse’s Wharf, shall be deemed and taken to be the legal landingplaces for the landing and unlanding of Goods at the Port of Wanganui under the “ Customs Reguhiiion Act, 1858.” Provincial Prize Firing. —The following is a report of the firing for the Provincial prizes by members of the Wanganui Militia and Volunteers :—the latter consisting of the Victoria, Prince of Wales, and Union Companies, the Caledonian Rangers, and the Wanganui Cavalry. The various Companies are distinguished by their initials in the subjoiiiec£list. The firing took place on March 28, and April 5,8, 9; 12, and 14. It was in a Standing position throughout, the distances being 100, 200, and 300 yards, with 5 shots at each distance.

The ties w'ere shot at 300 yards, standing, 5 rounds, the score being:— Private James Signall, 2 centres, —6 points. Lieutenant Owen, 2 outers, —4 ~ Sergeant Parkes, 2 „ —4 ~ Ensign Peake, 1 ~ —2 ~ The second and third competitors again fired for their places, when Lieutenant Owen scored 5 points and Sergeant Parkes 4. The three first were thus the winners, as officially reported in another part of our columns.

Reward of Humanity.— On Monday morning all the troops in the garrison were turned out on parade, to be present at tlie presentation of two bronze medals, sent by the Humane Society to two men of the 57th now here, in acknowledgment, of their bravery in saving two lives from being lost in the' river. These men were Private Thomas Carre, who it will be remembered saved Mr. Newland’s boy from being .drowned in the river in March last year, and Private John Smith, who saved Mrs. Adamson about the same time, at great risk to his own life as the tide was running out with a strong current. Lieut. Colonel Logan spoke to them in his usual kindly manner, in presenting to them the medals ; his remarks being also addressed to the men in general, to the effect that the fact of these n\edals being sent, showed that though far from home they were not forgotten there, where true courage was always appreciated ; and that though in certain circumstances it was an honourable thing for a soldier to take away life, it was still more honourable for him to be tlie agent in saving it, especially if at the risk of his own. The Natives. —Several rumours have been current during the past week in connection with the disaster at Taranaki, in which there is no truth. The only head brought . down the coast is that of Captain Lloyd, which was this morning at a pa on the Waitotara some miles up trom the sea. The native policemen have done what they can to obtain it peaceably, but without effect. They are ready to bring it by force ; but the Magistrates hesitate to sanction such a measure, looking at the- probable results.

A prophet has risen up among the Maories in this neighbourhood, who is in communication, according to his own account, with the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary ; both of whom informed him the other evening, that Maungatautiriwas taken on Saturday "by the natives, who had killed 1000 soldiers, and two friendly natives from this neigbourliood, Rio and Kemp ; and eaten 19" soldier’s bodies. He advises that Wanganui should be attacked, and at . his •instigation the mission ground at Piperiki has "been reclaimed. We mention this to shew what absurdities the poor creatures are ready to believe. Ruka, a Ngatiruanui chief, whom a few weeks ago, we mentioned as having agreed to surrender himself, on going home"'for his family, was seized by the Natives, deprived of all his cattle and horses, and is now kept a close prisoner under the care of ten men.

Pleasure Excursion to Kelson. —-All the circumstances connected with this trip have left an agreeable impression on. the memories of the passengers, as nothing could have been more favourable, whether as regards tlie weather, or the manner in which their wants and wishes were provided for both at sea and ashore. On hoard the arrangements were admirable, thanks to the indefatigable steward, whose unremitting attention to the comfort of the passengers was much appreciated. In Nelson, the authorities kindly threw open the Government Buildings; the Museum, the College &c. to the inspection of the visitors, and all were much gratified by these sights, as well as with the snug and pleasant aspect of the city itself. Those who drove into the country had an agreeable employment in comparing the comparatively rough and sterile country around them with the smiling and fertile "district of Wanganui, and returned well pleased that they had pitched their tents in this more inviting country. The following expression of their mutual feelings passed between the passengers and Captain Linklater, and furnishes an appropriate conclusion to this brief account of the excursion. S. S. “ Wanganui,” 15th April, 1864. Dear Sir, —We the undersigned, passengers on board the “ Wanganui,” on this her maiden excursion trip to Nelson, desire to express our complete confidence in your abilities as a seaman, and our warmest adiniration of your extreme kindness and courtesy towards us all during the voyage. We beg also that you will convey to your officers and the steward our entire saiisfaefaction with the arrangements which have been made for our convenience and comfort.

We congratulate the Company on the possession of so fine a vessel, and trusting that your valuable services may long be seen, ed as commander, in conclusion can only wish yourself and the Wanganui Steam Navigation Company every success, and are, Dear Sir, Yours Sincerely, ( Signed ) Thomas B. Taylor John Nixon Charles W. Broughton Andrew Tod Alex. Williamson John Handley James Alexander William Kells John Cummins W. S. Rusesll Alfred Ross Alexander Grant David Peat B. K. Taylor Wiiliam Paterson David Bell Charles Nicol Thomas Tufiin T. Handley • Henry Wilton Janies Stevenson A. Murray J. Townsend Thomas Trice G. Gower This letter was also signed by ten ladies. Capt. Link later’s reply was as follows : April 15, 1864. Gentlemen,-—I beg to ackhowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, and to thank you on behalf of myself and the officers of the Steamer Wanganui for the kind expressions contained therein. I am very pleased to find that your trip to Nelson and back has been an agreeable one, and that you are satisfied with the accommodation on board the vessel which I have the honour to command. I can assure you I will always endeavour to make those comfortable who take a passage with me, and I trust it will not be the last time I shall have the pleasure of your company. I remain, « - Gentlemen, Your very Obedt. Servt. John Linklater. To T. B. Taylor Esq. John Nixon Esq.and others. The “ Wanganui.” —We understand that the Directors have resolved to run this vessel between Wellington and Manukau, calling at all the intervening ports ; and we are sure that her superior accommodations and fastness will make her the favourite boat for passengers. We are not aware if the fares and rates of freight arc to be lowered ; bu t

think that instead of a needless running down of rates in a proiitiess competition, it would be well if the two bodies of directors would agree upon a scale of charges, somewhat lower than the present, but such as would be fair and reasonable. We suppose that the directors of our local Company will apply for the subsidy for the conveyance of the English mail from Wellington, to which, from local as well as other circumstances, they have certainly the best right, as will no doubt be admitted in the proper quarter, when application is made. We should suppose that a subsidy might also be obtain eel,, from the Post-office for the conveyance of provincial mails ; blit the directors will no doubt have had this matter under consideration. We believe there is every prospect of the Wanganui getting good freights northwards for some time ; and as Messrs. Taylor and Watt give her all their goods from Wellington, and the other storekeepers have also an interest in doing so, full cargoes may be expected thence. We have observed it stated that the Wanganui, is, exactly similar to the Rangatira. This is not the case, as the former is six inches broader in the beam and draws six inches less water than the latter ; and the Wanganui is also fitted out in a superior manner, not only as regards what may be called luxurious accommodation for passengers, but also and more particularly, as respects her sailing appliances. For instance, her steering apparatus is on the newest and most improved plan, and the self regulating action of the screw is an improvement conducing much to steadiness of motion.

Hits. Pts. Total. Private James Signall V.R. 15 28 43 Lieut. W. T. Owen W.C. 15 28 43 Sergeant Frank Parkes V. R. 15 28 43 Ensign J. W. Peake V.R. 15 28 43 Private James Cathro ,, 15 27 42 Lieut. Charles Hulke P.W. 15 26 41 Private Vm. Crozier V.R. 12 25 40 ,, A- McFarlane ,, 14 25 39 Trooper A. Campbell W.C. 14 25 39 ,, Daniel Hurley ,, 15 23 38 Private W. C. Wright V.R. 15 22 37 F. Williamson Jun.P.W. 14 23 37 Sergeant Robert Gray V. R. 13 24 37 Trooper W. Handley W.C. 14 22 36 Lieut. A. McGregor C.R. 14 22 36 Private Peter Bell T.R. 13 22 35 ,, George Wright ,, 13 21 34 ,, J. McDonald ,, 13 21 34 ,, Fred. Parkes W.M. 14 20 34 Trooper John Hurley W. C. 14 20 34 Sergeant J. Mathieson. C. R. 13 21 34 Corporal W. ArmstrongV.R. 14 19 33. ' Private James Gaitt V.R. 13 19 32 ,, H. I. Jones ,, 13 19 32 Sergeant F. Newing P.W. 13 19 32 Private W. H. Roberts ,, 13 19 32 ,, Charles Freeth U.R. 14 17 31 Trooper E. Liffiton W.C. 13 18 31 Corporal H. C. Field V.R. 13 18 31 Sergeant T. Garner ,, 13 17 30 Private J. Armstrong „ 11 19 30 Trooper J ohn Bryce W. C. 13 17 30 Private W. Mclvor U.R. 12 18 30 ,, F. Williamson P.W. 11 17 28 Captain J. Cameron W.C. 12 15 27 Sergt. Major W. Pawson ,, 10 16 26 Trooper James Day ,, 10 14 24 ,, Richard Day ,, 10 .14 24 Private T. Bamber V. R. 11 13 24 ,, T. W. Gudgeon ,, 11 13 24 ,, Daniel Hogg C.R. 11 12 23 Ensign A, Lees ,, 10 12 22 Private H. Serjeant ,, 8 11 19 Lieut, J. Hurst U.R. 9 10 19 Sergeant J. Davidson V.R. 8 10 18 Private Wm. Stewart U.R. 8 10 18 ,, Peter Piny on V.R. 7 8 15 ,, E. Snellgrove U.R. 5 5 10