Local Intelligence.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 9, Issue 571, 30 December 1865, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Major General Chute left to-day on horseback for Patea, aecompanied by Major Pitt and Capt. Leech, D.A. A.G.

Maillard Noake Esq. lias been appointed deputy to the Returning' Officer for the election of members-to the House of Representatives for the electoral district of Rangitikei.

Wanganui Militia. —Captain Wiliam Blake Graham has been appointed Adjutant and Quarter-master of the Wanganui Militia. Mr. Gudgeon has resigned the latter office.'/

Si eve ns’ Troupe. —These performers continue to cater indefatigably for the public amusement. To-night, they will put forth their whole strength, and the hill of fare promises to be specially attractive.

First Movement. —A party of men went out this morniug towards the Waitotara* consisting of 30 of the Royal Artillery under Lieut. Carre with 2 6-pounder guns, and 100 of the 14th regt. under Capt. Furneaux. The native contingent also proceeded during the day, with a number of Kupapas.

Embezzlement. —John Broughton, lately teller in'the Bank of New South Wales, Wanganui, was brought up in custody before D. S. Durie, Esq., R.M., and T. Waters, Esq., and J. Wilson, Esq., J.P.s, on Friday, charged with embezzling certain moneys, the property of the Bank. Evidence was taken at some length, and the prisoner was remanded until to-day, when additional evidence was adduced, and a further remand took place till Tuesday. We are unable to find room for the evidence today.

Sale oe Land Allotments. Russell Yale estate is situated on the river hank, in the near neighbourhood of Wanganui. On Thursday Mr. Chadwick sold a portion of this property by auction, in quarter and half acre allotments, at prices ranging from £45 to £SO per acre—a rate which the seller must consider satisfactory even in these times when land is so much sought after. Some of the buyers, however, we understand resold their lots at an enhanced value before leaving the auction room. Representation oe Rangitikei. —lt appears a statement had been made in certain quarters that Mr. Robert Pharazyn would offer himself as a candidate for the city of Wellington at the next election, but the ‘ Wellington Independent ’ has that gentleman’s authority for stating that it is not so, and that he intends to stand, again for Rangitikei, the district to which he owes his introduction to political life. Our contemporary believes that Mr. Pliarazyn’s address to the Rangitikei electors will shortly be issued.

Dinner at Rangitikei, —On Christmas

day a large number of the Upper Rangitikei settlers assembled at the pa opposite

the Messrs. Hammond’s station, on the in-

vitation of the natives there, who are hau--1 haus. A very excellent dinner was prepared to which the guests did ample justice, all the delicacies of the season being on the table, which were served by three natives, the only Maoris who were present at the banquet. a great amount of koreroing took place, and good wishes were expressed on all sides. This demonstration of friendly feeling it is pleasant to record, especially as the natives in question believe in the liau hau superstition. Cobb and Co.’s Coaches. —The celebrated Cobb <fc Co. commence running their coaches between Wanganui and Wellington on Monday first. We have much pleasure in making the announcement. Such a mode of conveyance will not only prove a great convenience to an important district of country, but it marks an era in our progress. In postal 'communication especially—correspondence twice a-week both ways—the advantage will be apparent at once. Mr. 0. Cole and Captain Anderson arrived at Wellington by the Lord Asliley, bringing with them four coaches and ten horses, as a first instalment of the plantjrequired for the road. These gentlemen came on to Wanganui on Thursday morning and again for Wellington the same evening. Their arrangements, we understand, are all but completed, although, as a matter of course, they must be more or less of a temporary character, until some experience of the district and its requirements has been gained. Amusing Pecontke. —The other morning as* a respected settler in this place, who is in the habit of rising early, was turning the corner of a street about half-past four o’clock, whom should he meet but MajorGeneral Chute, accompanied by Major Pitt, both in plain clothes ? He was accosted by the General as being an early riser, and was asked how long he had been in the colony. “ Twenty-six years,” was the reply. “ Then you must know something of the natives,” remarked the General. “ I ought to know a little about them.” “And what is your opinion of this war V’ asked the General. “ Well,” said our fellow-townsman, “ I wish I could get the ear of the General, and I would give him a bit of good advice.” “ What would you advise him to do 1” “My advice to him would be to harass the natives day and night, and every morning before eight o’clock to hang all the prisoners he had during the previous 24 hours. If he would do that, the war would be over in less than six months.” Whatever Major-General Chute may have thought of this advice, it is certain that most of the colonists w ill agree in its being a most efficient mode of obtaining a profound peace.

Canoe fired at.— -Yesterday morning, as one of the Commissariat canoes was coming down the river, it was fired at from the right bank, about 800 yards above Rurakia. The canoe contained five soldiers and seven civilians. The thick fern and scrub effectually concealed' the marksmen, who fired.two shots, happily without doing any injury.