Local Intelligence.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 10, Issue 618, 13 June 1866, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Surveyors. —ln a General Government Gazette, of date June 8, we observe that Mr. Henry Clayland Field and Mr. George Frederick Allen have been appointed surveyors under the “Native Lands Act, 1865.” Sable Operatic Harmonists. —These amateurs gave a second performance on Saturday evening, which was by no means so well patronised as might have been expected, considering the’ talents of the performers, who exerted themselves to please even the limited audience who attended. Statistics of New Zealand. — Wo have to acknowledge, with thanks to tho Regis-trar-General, receipt of the above, forming a bulky blue-book, to which we shall take the opportunity of referring at length at an early date. Tho statistics appear to have been compiled with much care, and reflect great credit upon the painstaking zeal of Mr. Beimet and his assistants.

The Garrick Club. —The second performance of the members of this club is fixed for to-morrow evening, when a bill of fare is provided which, judging from their last very successful appearance, will be sure to bring out a full house, and call forth the undoubted talent of our amateurs. One of the leading members, wo are sorry to say, is indisposed, -and this circumstance, has necessitated a change of the pieces very recently, but despite of this drawback we do nob doubt the Club will be equal and more than equal to the occasion.

Turakina’ Rifle Volunteers. —His Excellency tbe Governor having accepted the services of the above Company, under the new Volunteer Act, a meeting was called by Mr. J. H. Hurst, Chairman of Committee, for forming the Turakina Rilie Volunteers, at the Ben Nevis Hotel, on Wednesday, May 30, for the purpose of appointing two officers—a captain and lieutenant. The meeting was well attended, nearly 50 of the members being present. The following gentlemen were proposed, and there being no opposition, they were elected : Mr. John Hunt Hurst, Captain ; Mr, Robert John Knox, Lieutenant.

Ornamental and Fruit Trees. —Mr. Epps, the well-known and celebrated nurseryman of Nelson, lias visited Wanganui with an assortment of the above, from his collection at the Grove. They will be disposed of by Mr. Finnimore on Saturday, and we have pleasure in directing the attention of settlers to the sale, as it is not often an opportunity so favourable for obtaining healthy shrubs and trees occurs. “Ee aye .stick in’ in a tree, Jock; it will grow when you’re slecpin',” was the advice of the Scottish laird to his son—an advice we reiterate to our settlers here. Than trees and shrubs there is nothing more beautiful,, and Mr. Epps supplies them of the lirst quality.

Wanganui Literary 'Society. —At a second meeting of gentlemen favourable to the promotion of a Literary Association, held in tho Grammar School on. Monday evening, tho Society was duly constituted. The sub-committee brought up a draft of the proposed rules, which, after discussion and einandation, were agreed to, and thereafter the office bearers were .appointed, as follows : —Rev. John Hall, President; Messrs. David Bell and George M’Call, Vice-Presidents ; Mr. J. 'Waters, jun., Treasurer ; and Mr. George Hutchison, Secretary ; together with the following committee—Messrs. George Beavan, P. Bell, Andrew Chrislie, A. Ca3S, James Anderson, and J. Bertram. No less than the names of forty members are already enrolled, and the Society bids fair to bo a great success. It is very gratifying to find so many anxious to devote their leisure time in a manner so pleasant and profitable. The next meeting of the'.Society,—the first, for business proper,—takes place on the evening of Monday next, when an essay will be read, followed by r discussion upon its merits.

THE WAXTOTARA ROAD. (from a correspondent) Wellington, June 8. There was a groat rumpus tho other night in the Provincial Council on the question of voting £IOOO for the Trunk Road north of 'Wanganui. Mr. Watt was prevented by sickness from being present, and Mr. Pharazyn, in his absence, and at his roquest, proposed the grant. 1 believe it has been the custom of the Council hithcA'to to allow such propositions to pass the first stage without discussion, but on tho night in question it was determined not to do so, but to pass to tho consideration of the proposal on its merits. . Mr. Fitaherberfc made a most intemperate speech in his usual bow-wow style. . The debate is but poorly reported in the 'Wellington papers. In neither of them is there any reference to Mr Bryce’s remarks on Separation. Your member said, in effect, it was believed by many that tho reason of tho neglect of this important road was that, the settlers in tho district laid sought Separation from Wellington and nail wished a new province—tho punishment was no road. Tho Government, however, had mafic a mistake. They had only promoted the. feeling they wished to check. Mr. Bryce also gave tho Wellington members a word of advice touching what lie called a most ungenerous and very absurd debate which took place at the end of last session in the absence of the Wanganui members. The vote for the £IOOO passed on the voices, but it is not likely it will bo granted after ail. But enough. Wellington is all alive just now, and wi'l create a sensation some of these days.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. Saturday, June 9. [Before D. S. Durie, Esq., R.M.] HOUSEBREAKING. Daniel Harding charged Edward Lawler, a private in the 14th regiment, with smashing in his front windows. Nothing was taken. John Tanner, waiter at the Rutland, who saw prisoner break the windows, corroborated prosecutor’s evidenco. .Found guilty and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment with hard labour. ASSAULT. Constable McGuire charged James Burch, another private of the 14th regiment, with assaulting him in the execution of his duty. Prisoner was quarrelling at the Rutland, but did not appear to bo drunk. Fined 20s. and costs or 48 hours’ imprisonment. CIVIL CASE.. W. R. Boyle v. J. Catjiro. Claim £ls. Mr. Roberts for defendant. This was a case of some interest to the commercial public, being a charge by plaintiff of commission on a loan of £6OO negotiated by him for defendant. Mr. Boyle, being sworn, deposed—l seek to recover £ls the amount of my commission on money borrowed by defendant. I have always charged the borrower with the commission. 1 belive it is customary in Wanganui for the borrower to pay it. Defendant objected and said the lender ought to pay. .1 have not known an instance where the lender ought to pay. My experience dates from *a period of 12 months in Wanganui. I have not asked Mr. Powell, Mr. Lewis, or Mr. Finnimoro, as to tho custom. I have asked Mr. Gudgeon. I had been employed by the lender to invest and published advertisement produced, £SOO to lend* Defendant came to mo afterwards but had seen mo before on the subject of borrowing money. I told defendant he would have to pay commission and he did demur.

T. W. Gudgeon, deposed—l have been in the habit of lending money at Wanganui. I have always charged commission to the borrower, having been employed to obtain money for tho borrower. In the ordinary course the auctioneer would charge the employer. The borrower is generally charged here, when he employs a party to borrow for him.

E. Lewis deposed that he had considerable experience in lending money, it was an important part of his business. Supposing tbe advertisement to be his should charge tbe commission to the party lending, not to the borrower. It is the custom of lenders to pay the agent’s commission for investing, the same custom exists in Wellington. He had never charged a borrower but with one trifling exception, several years ago. In answer to the plaintiff—l should look to the borrower for commission if the lender bad said he would not pay commission, but only after explaining such terms to the borrower and his agreeing to it. I should

hesitate to take a lender’s money if ho said he should not pay commission. Judgment for defendant, costs 16s.

Monday, June 11. [Before D. S. Durie, Esq., R.M., and Tlios. Harper, Esq., J.P.] W. Kells v. W. Morrow and H. E. Mor' row. Claim for £3O, amount of defendants’ promissoiy note, payable to J. F. Kells and endorsed to plaintiff. Mr. Roberts appeared for the plaintiff. Defendants filed an affidavit, praying that the case be heard at Wellington, as all defendants’ witnesses resided there. Tbe case was accordingly struck out of tbe list, tho plaintiff, under the circumstances, consenting to withdraw,liis claim as at present made. W. M. M‘Elarney—Drunkenness. Reprimanded. Bett and Robertson v. F. Dowling. Claim £34 9s 2d. Case adjourned till. Monday next.

Tuesday, June 12. [Before D. S. Dario, Esq., B.M.] CIVIL CASE. Stephen Bulvue v. William Davies. — Claim £1 9s. for board and lodging from Gth to 10th January, 1808. The case was defended, and a witness was heard who deposed that "the plaintiff was 10 miles away during the time lie was charged with consuming victuals in the Melbourne Restaur uit. Decision was made in favour of the defendant with costs. DRUNKENNESS. Ope Raoriko and John Conroy were charged with the above offence, and fined respectively ss. and 10s.