WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 474, 6 March 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(trom our own correspondent ) Col. flaultain, who was just visiting Wanganui when the last news came down, went immediately on to Taranaki, and ordered 100 of the Armed Constabulary up. Instructions have been issued to enlist in Auckland 100 more men for service in Taranaki. Some time since subscriptions were collected towards the expense of a memorial to Buck, Hastings, Von Tempsky, and others who fell at Te Nguto-o-te-manu. A very respectable sum was obtained, and it has just been decided that the memorial should be a stained glass window, to be placed in St Paul's Cathedral here. The design is by Mr Barrand, of this city, and the window will be proceeded with immediately. Yesterday, a meeting of gentlemen was held for the purpose of deciding what reception shall be given to His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh on his visit here in March. It was arranged that one address from the whole Province shall be presentel by His Honor the Superintendent, that a procession of all the public bodies should be formed, and a ball and supper given. This is, I believe, all that will be done, and, considering the depressed state of j matters here, it is enough, and quits as I much iis we can afford.

A clergyman of the name of Inglis lectured here on Thursday last, or, rather, gave some interesting facts connected with the New Hebrides Mission, commenced (and carried on for ten years) by the London Missionary Society about 30 years ago. The subject has been brought much into notice here lately in consequence of the visit to our port of the mission schooner Day Spring. A young boy of the name of Laing was bathing on Saturday in the Kaiwarra Stream, about a mile out of Wellington, when he suddenly sank without any apparent cause. When dragged out by some persons who saw him sink he was found to be quite dead. An inquest will be held on the body to-day. By the mail just arrived the Government has been informed that a further conversion of New Zealand bonds has been effected to the amount of £111,250, as follows :—General Government Bond £53,500; Auckland, £3750 ; Taranaki, £250; Canterbury, £43,600; Otago, £10,150. Total, £111,250. The wreck of the St. Vincent, as

she now lies in Palliser Bay, was put up for sale by auction yesterday, but the only bid being 10s, it was bought in for £l. The Provincial Council is at last convened for the 18th of March. A most humiliating session is expected, and if his Honor in his address find anything to say beyond a most mortifying admission of deceptions last session, and blunders then and since, he will deserve his reputation for ability. The estimates last session were so far in excess of what, under the most favorable circumstances, the revenue could bo, that their preparation is certainly a proof of the most utter incompetency or worse on the part of the Executive. Salaries and payments were voted, which, of course, are in arrears, and as far as the Province is benefited by the favorite institution of our Superintendent, that institution might as well be abolished. The Choral Society gave its last concert for this season last night. It passed off very well, and the attendance was pretty good.