Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1326, 23 February 1859, Page 6

Local Intelligence.

Wellington presents a mors than usual bustling mid gay appearance, tliere being no less than four steamers, three ships, three barques, two brigs, six briguutincs, and nine schooners, at anchor in the harbour.

CllUltOII OP BNOLA.ND ISUUCATIO.V.U, SocrETV. —We are glad to find that the Schoolmaster so long expected from England has arrived in tho Midlothian. Mr. Mowbray is from the St. Marks Training Institution, Chelsea—a sufficient guarantee for his ellicicucy. The school at Thoriidun, which has forsonie time been but poorly attended, will now probably be restored to the high position it took during the successive marsterships of Messrs. Wadsworth and Tooniath. The course of instruction, though not exactly comprising:

Arithmetic, history, joined wi li chronology, Ilcrnldiy, boumy, writing, couchology,

Gnimmnr nnd Latin, French, drawing, geology Tho classics, the use of tho globes, and zojlogy, was nevertheless ouc of sound and varied information, and the reconstruction of the school on the old basis will be of considerable advantage tothe Thorndon endof the town, where Mr. lugpen's well conducted private school is we believe, the only one adapted for the bigger class of boys.

Declaimed LiND.—Among the many great, improvements effected in Wellington, during the lust few years, has been the reclaiming of laud covered at high water, and forming a portion of Lambton Harbour; the first portion of it was reclaimed oy Mr. Carter, under Sir Grt-onrc Grey's Government, and measured about 500 ft. in frontage, having a depth of 100 ft.. The sea wall to this, was constructed of wood, the whole of the frontage being dry at low water. The reclaiming of the second portion has beeu undertaken hjf the present Provincial Government, anil has a frontage to the water of 7A7 feet by a depth of 150 feet, Mr, Carter being the Contractor. It is now completed, and forms one of the most valuable building blocks, for commercial purposes, in Wellington. The sea wall is of a very permanent character, being built with brick and lloinnn coiuent, having a kerb and waling piece of wood. Along a large portion of the wall the water does not recede, the wall' being here.built under water, there bein" at low water 3ft. in depth at one part, the tide rising about 5 ft. makes a total depth ofabout S ft. at high water. Great dilliciiky wits expe rienced in laying the foundation under water, but this has been safely accomplished, not the slightest crack or subsidence being visible. Two large sewers intersect this plot of land, ami the m>l tli end of it forme; the lo.timaiicomcnt of a Boat Harbour, and a Quay—tho latter being 00 fuet wide and in the lino of Willis street. The land thus reclaimed, would sell at a very high figure if the Provincial Government had the power to do so ;as it is, ihoie is a sum of not loss than £10,000 locked up, which could be taken to reclaim the next piece, thus securing a good Boat harbour for the use of the Watermen, —a lino spacious Quay for public business and promenade,—a solid Pier fur small craft to discharge and take in ear«o at, and lull employment for -10 or 50 labourers and Mechanics.

The AUxawatu Tntr.—About midnight the iVuiiga Wanga returned from the Mauawalu, having boon detained two days iv coiisequeiusc of gelling ashore at Hid cutanea. She loft here at cluck on Saturday iifioruuon mid arrived oil' the river on Sunday at 11, entered at throe-quarter flood and anchored live miles tip at To Awahoc. Thu natives appeared dolighted beyond measure and crowded the blinks as she passed up. On Monday moruing, after discharging outgo, she proceeded on a"v excursion trip up the river, between eighty ami ninety of the settlers and natives proceeding in her. As she passed tho various pas the natives turned out ami welcomed her with dauce uml song, and on arriving nt Mr. Hartley's house, which is about 27 miles from the mouth, she brought up and landed her passengers, who wore invited to make themselves at hunie and partake of tho best his orchard could produce. She took in a few tons of cargo and returned to To Awahoe by 10 o'clock at night. On Tuesday she completed her cargo and proceeded to sea, when she grounded on the Northern Spit which delayed her until Friday when nt 10. 30 a.m., she again started and reached port as above mentioned. The passengers speak in high terms of the trip, the beauty of the scenery, the character of the country, and last but not least of the skill and admirable behaviour of Captain Kennedy, to whom no blame can be attached for the accident which happened.

Extract of a Idler dated Manawatu, February 1 7th, addressed to the Agents of the Wonga Wonga : —

* * * I embarked in the Wong a on Tuesday. We were steaming out, and the bar appeared to be quite smooth without any break, Oapt. Ardley, of the Mary Jane, was on the shore directing our movements, and were all right with 12 or 13 feet water close to, or on the bar, when suddenly a heavy breaker appeared and struck her on the l«rbo»rd bow, throwing

her head oil'towards the north spit; finding .the steam unable to put her head round the anchor was let go ; then followed a succession of rollers and notwithstanding every exertion by the captain and crew, she struck im the North Spit and drove up towards the bench, — she is now off without an;/ damage. I was on the bridge, near tbo captain, all the time, and could not discover that the slightest error was committed in any way. It was one of those unavoidable occurrences in crossing a bar which may happen to the most wary and skillful seaimm, even with a good knowledge of the bar. My opinion of Capt. Kennedy is rather big!-: tened than otherwise by his conduct on the occasion. I suppose we shall start again to-morrow ISth instant.