LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 73, 24 June 1846, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

The chief Te Rauparaha arrived in town on Monday from Porirua.

On Saturday morning, a fatal accident occurred on the Hutt, involving the loss of another valuable life. The deceased, John Swan, was lying on the tipper flooring of the Stockade in the Taita, when the musket of one of the men below accidentally went off. The ball, passing through the floor, entered the back of poor Swan, who died almost instantaneously. We trust the Ralph Bernal will speedily arrive, so that the authorities will be enabled to arm the militia and volunteers with good pieces in lieu of the present muskets. This is the second life lost in this way, and we do trust that for the future the greatest possible caution will be used by the men in handling their firearms, many of which, from the slightest shock, will go off.

The remains of the murdered Richard Rush were interred in the Cemetry, on Thursday last, the Kev.R. Cole performing the funeral service. The unfortunate deceased was followed to the grave by a number of the eetilera.

Last week, a right wliale and a humpback were caught at Kapiti. The whales were setting in very fast, and the boais from the stations were in chase on Monday and Tuesday last, It is said th*t the right whale is the largest which lias been taken for some seasons by the whalers at Kapiti.

The schooner Sabah Jane arrived in port on Sunday last, from the East Coast. She spoke no vessel, and brings no in:elligence from the North. The master and passengers had a narrow escape from drowning whilst the vessel was lying at anchor, on Whit-Monday. They had left the vessel, for the shore, when owing to ihe heavy surf, the boat capsized, and it was only by dint of the greatest labour and perseverance that the party managed to reach the shore in- safety. •

Zillwood, one of the armed police,* sailed for Akaroa in the Mana, from whence he was to proceed to Otagq, for the purpose of apprehending a man named Martin, on a charge of being concerned in the robbery at Mr. Wajtt's . store, in January last. Zillwood is likewise instructed to look after the Spaniard, Emanuel, who robbed Tommy Rauparaha of eiihiy-three sovereigns some six months back.

Mr.Burohara.an.lopnrlyofmer.ao employed repairing the road from WeI?KJ toihe HStt. Most of the res,Ss in that district have come forward f vry spirited manner to aid 'in then,dertakincr, so that we trust soon to be tabled to state that what has hitherto dwiucr wet weather been a canal of mud, may It length, without joking, deserve u/name of% road. We know of one carter who h.e volunteered to draw the loers required f-r the formation of bndg.e between the Koro Koro and the btotk • ade.

Flour,—This aniole is becoming very scarce, and we believe h is up to i>3o per lon, with a likelihood of a still further advance. We trust the Missionaries and others who have influence with the natives, will urge them to sow as much wheat as possible this season, as the colony will otherwise suffer greatly from the extravagant price of flour. The settlers of New Plymouth and Nelson are vigorously at work, so that there is every probability of the di'ficienees being made good by the increased crops in those places. > In the meantime, however, we. think an importation from any of the sister colonies, though it would necessarily lower the price, would meet a profit.

The prisoners have commenced repairing the beach, and it is to be hoped they will be kept at work till the whole line of road is rendered in a state fit for pedestrians.

Our attention has been called to the fact of muskets being fired by persons, at inconvenient hours. About a week ago, before daylight, three guns were fired, crusing unnecessary alarm. We trust all having guns, will for the future be more cautious.

Last week, the military stationed at Poririia broke out into open mutiny. It appears that the commanding officer, Major Arney, would not allow the meu time for breakfast, and that they had been compelled to submit to many annoyances. The whole of the detachment was under arras for three hours, and to such an extent had discontent been exhibited, that the day previous, the officer commanding ordere<l the corporal of the guard to shool the first man who spoke, and likewise ordered him to plant the muz2le of his gnn against the breast of one of the men. After the men retired to their quarters, fifteen were picked out as ringleaders, and sent into town. The others returned to their duty.

It has been stated that the armpd police . and militia at Karori exercise themselves by firing at a mark. However useful this maybe, there is some danger that the settlers may become so aeeestomed to the firing, as to disregard and fail to take the alarm in tima on the occurence of an attack by, the rebels, and reasonable notice to the settlers of the intention of these parties to exercise on every occasion of this nature wi>u!d prevent such an accident.

At the recent cattle sale by Messrs. Bethune & Hunter, of those imported by the Kestrel, the following prices were realized:—Of twenty cow*, the highest price was £9, the lowest £3 15a., average £5 10s 9d. Of seven calves, the lii.'hest price was £3 7s. 6d., the lowest £1 17s. 6d., the average £2 19*. Sixty ewes realized 19*. each, sixty-five ewes realized 17s. 6J. One mare, slightly'injured, realized £23. Twelve bullocks sold privately at eight pounds each, 130 good wethers were bought in at 15*. each, and two superior draught marcs were bought in at £30 each. -—#~