MISCELLANEOUS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1327, 26 February 1859, Page 6

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE HUTT VAN.—On the 4th January, one of the passenger vans from Wellington to the Hutt, capsised in consequence of one of the horses shying. The driver and several of the passengers were more or less hurt, but prompt medical assistance being rendered, all of them have since recovered.

ACCIDENT TO THE WAIRARAPA BOAT.— On Friday, the, 14th ult., as the boat belong to Mr. Giles was coming to Wellington with a cargo of wool, she was run ashore in Palliser Bay, and became a complete wreck. It appears that the boat was enveloped in a dense fog, shortly after starting; when it came on to blow stiff from S.W., and not blowing their whereabouts, (having no compass on board,) the person in charge thought it advisable to bunch her, finding it quite impossible either to reach Wellington or Te Kopi. There were three sailors in the boat at the time of the accident, and a passenger named Isaac Bishop, the latter of whom we regret to state, was unfortunately drowned, being washed off the boat by a sea that struck her previously to her being beached. Deceased had been for some time in the employ of Mr. Giles at Wairarapa, and was much respected by all who knew him.

FIRE AT PAHAUTANUI. — Messrs Bolton and Wilson's accommodation house and adjoining premises situated at Pahautanui have been destroyed by fire. The following are the particulars of the catastrophe, as furnished to us by an eye witness . On Monday night the 7th inst., the family retired to rest about half-past 9 o'clock, after seeing that the fires and candles wore all safely out. About half-past 11 o'clock, Mr Bolton was awakened by a crackling noise, and on jumping out of bed, he observed flames bursting through a hole in his bed-room, immediately over where his child was sleeping. He at once gave the alarm of fire, and aroused Mr. Wilson who was sleeping in the adjoining room. The lire had made such rapid progress that on Mr. Wilson attempting to get out by the door, he found it impossible to do so ; and was obliged to escape through the window, which he fortunately did without injury to himself or child. He immediately proceeded to the front door and rushed up stairs to save his daughter and a little girl who was sleeping with her. His daughter sprang out of the window a height of eighteen feet without injury, and the other girl was with difficulty carried through the fire and smoke now filling the room. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton with their two infant children also escaped by means of a window. Every effort was made by the neighbours to extinguish the flames but without success, for in less than fifteen minutes after the inmates had quitted the premises the whole were burnt to the ground. Everything belonging to Messrs Bolton and Wilson, was, we are deeply grieved to say, destroyed, and they were indebted to their neighbours for clothing. The premises, &c, destroyed, were of the value of £1200, and wore partly insured in the Liverpool and London.

RACE CUT.—The chief prize at the Auckland races were this year carried off by a Wellington horse, " Meleager" belonging to Mr. St. Hill R.M. A very handsome silver cup and the £100 stakes were both won by this horse, which was bred in Wellington by his owner. THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. —This Society closed for the season last evening by giving its fifth concert. The absence of the Military Band, removed to Auckland last year has shorn the concerts of some of their attractions. The Society has been very successful in its endeavours to create a good musical taste, and will, no doubt, continue lo be well supported by all who feel how important is the musical element in humanising the character.

ODD FELLOWS' HALL.— The design for the new Odd Fellows' Hall has been determined. The successful competitors are Messrs. Williamson & Bailey, the former of whom recently belonged to the Provincial Engineer's office and whose design for the Waiwaikaiho bridge at New Plymouth, though unsuccessful was so highly praised by Colonel Mould. The design for the Hall is in the lonic style, very highly approved, and will be the finest building of the kind in Wellington. The Society of Odd Fellows is a largely iucreasing one, and when its lodges are held apart from public houses as they will he shorl.y, a considerable increase in their numbers is expected. SUPPOSED MURDER.- We have gleaned the following particulars relative in the supposed murder at Rangitikei : — On the 15th June last James Clarke left that place in company with a German named Peter Osteen. Clarke had when he left Scott's, about £30 in his possession, and has been missing ever since. On the evening of the 28th December last, some natives arrived at Rangitikei, and reported to the authorities there, that they had discovered on the sand hills a little way back from the beach at Manawatu, the skeleton of a man and a dog. From the properly which they brought, and which they found on the body, there is every reson to be perfectly satisfied that it is the body of the missing man. An inventory of the things found by the natives was taken and left in charge of the native assessor. The natives said that they found the head severed from the body. There are some suspicious circumstances connected with the discovery.

An inquest on the body was held at the Ferry House Manawatu, before Francis Robinson, Esq., J. P., on the 1st January, 1859, several witnesses were examined, when the above facts were elicited, and the Jury, after mature deliberation, returned the following verdict:— " It is our unanimous opinion that the skeleton found on the beach between Manawatu and Rangitikei, is the body of James Clarke, and that be was murdered by some person or persons unknown: and that strong suspicion attaches to Peter Osteon who was the last person seen in his company." The skull, together with the articles found on tbe body were forwarded to the Police at Wellington, and a warrant was forthwith issued for the apprehension of the suspected party, and an officer sent in pursuit. Last week the supposed murderer was brought into town and his examination will take place as soon as the witnesses can be summoned from the country It is worthy of remark that the officer sent in pursuit was a Native Corporal of the Armed Police, named E. Hope, who has frequently been sent in pursuit of runaways and suspected persons, and with pretty uniform success. THE MANAWATU TRIP.— About midnight on the 18th inst, the Wonga Wonga returned from the Manawatu. having been detained two days in consequence of getting ashore at the entrance. She left here at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon the 12th inst and arrived off the river on Sun-

day at 5, entered at- three-quarter flood and anchored five miles up at Te Awahoe. The natives appeared delighted beyond measure and crowded the banks as she passed up. On Monday morning, after discharging cargo, she proceeded on an excursion up the river, between eighty and ninety of the settlers and natives proceeding in her. As she passed the various pahs the natives turned out and welcomed her with dance and song, and on arriving at Mr. Hartley's house, which is about 27 miles from the mouth, she brought up and landed her passengers, who were invited to make themselves at home and partake of the best his orchard could produce. She took in a few tons of cargo and returned, to Te 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 at 10. 30 am., 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 not least of the skill and admirable behaviour of Captain Kennedy, to whom no blame can be attached for the accident which happened.

THE LIGHTHOUSE.—On New Years day, the first Lighthouse in New Zealand was lit by the Superintendent of Wellington. It is situated on Pencarrow Head, at the Entrance of Wellington Harbour. It is an iron structure from the manufactory of Messrs Cochrane & Co nflor designs of Mr. Edward Roberts of the Royal Engineers, and erected under the able superintendence of Mr. Wright, a gentleman engaged by the Contractors and sent out for that purpose. It is on on the Catadioptic principle, of the second order, and can he seen in clear weather at a distance of 30 English miles. The light is at present subjected to eclipses every two minutes, but as it might prove a false guide to vessels in the event of the revolving machinery getting out of order and the possible inability of its being able to be repaired in the Colony, the eclipses will be done away with after the 1st. of September next. In calling it the first Lighthouse we must not omit to mention that a temporary light has been in existence on the same site for some years, but the growing requirements of our shipping, more especially of steamers, necessiated the establishment of a thoroughly efficient one. Its total cost is about £5,000 and the expense has been borne entirely by the Province of Wellington. We need not recall the calamities which, years ago, impressed upon this community the necessity of establishing a light at the heads of Wellington harbor, even at such a heavy cost. More than one or two ill-fated vessels have buried their timbers between Capes Terawite and Palliser, and we cannot speak of those of our fellow settlers who then perished without awakening the most painful associations. Nor need we do more than allude lo tlie efforts that have been made, year after year, to prevent the recurrence of similar calamities. When in deference to public opinion, Sir George Grey promised to order an efficient light from England and the legislature cheerfully consented to pay for it by an additional Customs duty, it was thought the end was attained ; but though the extra duty was levied the lighthouse never arrived. It was left for this community to dis cover that if they wanted the thing done they must do it themselves. They lost no time in doing this when they obtained the power, for on the first House of Representatives assembling in the year 1854, Captain Rhodes moved for a Committee to enquire into the best mode of establishing lights and beacons in various parts of the New Zealand Coast. The sessions of 1854 aud 1856 passed away without any steps being taken by the General Government, to whom alone the Constitution remits action relative to Coast lights. At the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Provincial Council voted in 1857 the necessary funds, and calling it a harbour light, resolved on its election forthwith. The General. Government considered their prerogative invaded, and disallowed the Act raising a loan for this and other objects. That disallowance came however too late ; the Superintendent and his Government went on with the work and the light-house stands at the entrance of our harbour, not only as a friendly beacon to the mariner showing him the light track, but also to stimulate every settler arriving in the province to avoid the cramping policy of " Centralism," and be ready to assist in the struggle, that has yet to take place ere "Provincialism" will enable every portion uf the colony to go ahead as fast as the energy of its settlers will allow.

LAND SALE.— The Government Sale of Town Acres, advertised for the 3rd instant, took place at the Land Office. The land offered for sale consisted of 42 acres in various portions of the Town, principally in the neighbourhood of the swamp and Flag Staff, and thrown up some time since by their original purchasers under the New Zealand Company. Five only were sold, and all at the upset price. 188 Dixon-street, for £200, Mr. Hunter. 294 Brougham-street, £100, Rev. J. Moir. 581 Molesworth-street, £350, Mr. Bowler. 806 Coromandel-street, £50, Mr. Howe. 1014 Britomart-street, £80, Mr. G. H. Luxford. New Zealand Company's Scrip was available in payment and about £50 was received in cash. Since the sale nearly the whole have been taken up.

RECLAIMED LAND.— Among the many great improvements effected in Wellington, during the last, few years, has been the reclaiming of land covered at high water, and forming a por tion of Lambton Harbour; the first portion of it was reclaimed by Mr. Carter, under Sir George Grey's Government, and measured about 500 feet in frontage, having a depth of 100 feet. 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 ban been undertaken by lhe present Provincial Government, and has a frontage to the water of 747 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 cement, having a curb 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 being at low water 3ft. in depth at one part, the tide rising about 5ft. makes a total depth of about 8ft. at high water. Great difficulty was experienced in lying 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, and the north end of it forms the commencement of a Boat Harbour, and a Quay —t he latter being 90 feet wide and in the line 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, there is a sum of not less 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 fine spacious Quay for public business and promenade —a solid Pier

for small craft to discharge at, and full employment for 40 or 50 laborers and Mechanics. THE FORTHCOMING SYNOD.—By an .advertisement in the Wanganui Chronicle of the 10th inst. we learn that the Bishop of New Zealand would hold a confirmation there last Sunday. Very shortly his Lordship is expected at Wellington lo attend the first General Synod of the Branch of the United Church of England and Ireland existing in this Colony, which commences on the 1st March next. From a pastoral letter, dated Auckland, 6th August, 1858, we take the following extract, as giving an authorised exposition of the objects of the forthcoming Synod:— " On the 3rd July, 1858, an Act passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand, and shortly after received the assent of his Excellency the Governor, " to authorise the Bishop of New Zealand to convoy certain hereditaments and premises to Trustees to be appointed in that behalf by the General of the Church of England in New Zealand."

" Pursuant to the powers vested in me by this Act. I am now preparing to resign into the hands of Trustees, to be appointed by the General Synod, various properties now held by me in Trust for religious, charitable, and educational purposes, in the Provinces of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, and New Plymouth ; to he held and administered by the New Trustees, in conformity with the Constitution, already agreed upon, nnd subject to all the Trusts for which they are now held by me."

"The duties of the first General Synod will not be confined to the mere appointment of Trustees, but will include also the far more important work of framing regulations for the Management of the affairs of the Church in all those places, where the Church property is vested in the General Synod." THE SWAMP ROAD.- An effort is being made to drain the swamp occupying so large a portion of the town at Te Aro. At the request of several of the settlers interested, the " Streets and Sewerage Act" was proclaimed in force over the neighbourhood of the swamp, but the majority of those who would be affected by the rates lo be levied under the Act, have protested against it, and it will not, therefore, be acted upon. All parties are, however, desirous to see a road made through the swamp, and at a public meeting the other night, a Committee was formed, to see what could be done by Voluntary Subscriptions. The Government, it is understood, are prepared to assist, by supplementing the subscription by a grant in aid of equal amount.

LOCAL COURTS. — Very great complaints are being made because of the non-introduction of the District Courts Act. Just after the Local Court had got into working order and people were beginning to appreciate the advantage of having it, it is taken away and the community left absolutely without the means of recovering debts between £20 and £100. It is true we may take the case into the Supreme Courtbut that is like telling a hungry pauper that there is an excellent dinner to be had at the Clarendon Hotel. To go into the Supreme Court to recover a debt of £30 or £40 there to run all the risk of petty attorneys' pleadings, the certainty of a month or two's delay, and the probability of a ruinous bill of costs, is a simple absurdity. No man in his senses will do it. We knew of a case recently of a workingman who hud been engaged three months on a contract job, and had somewhere about £35 due to him, which he could'ut get paid. He had to leave Wellington for a station 100 miles off were he was going to live. If he sued his debtor in the Resident Magistrate's Court he must abandon £15 of his hard earned money, in order to reduce the amount to a sum within the jurisdiction of that Court. If he sued in the Supreme Court he is simply a ruined man for the rest of his days, with nothing to live on but the recollections of a law suit. The District Courts Act can he brought into operation whenever desired, and several memorials have been forwarded to the General Government, but hitherto without effect. MAORI DINNER AT THE HUTT.- Our Maori friends of the lower Hutt gave a public dinner on Friday the 11th Inst. A large and convenient booth was erected for this purpose near the native village at Waiwetu. It was capable of accommodating about 400 persons at table, and was very tastefully decorated with the various shrubs and flowers of the season. We understand that Wiremu Tako, Te Ropiha (Hobbs), and Moturua were the principal movers in the matter, but that many others contributed to the expense which could have been little if anything, less than £400. About 800 natives were present— the large tent being nearly filled a second time. The various tribes from Waitotara, to the North of Wanganui, all along the the Western coast, and from Wairarapa were represented. We have seen many native feasts but this occasion was unique in its character, partaking far more of the aspect of a well regulated dinner in English style, than of the rude, wasteful, and obstreperous mode of maori gormandizing A number of temporary tables covered with clean white cloths were provided ; stewards with white sleeves and aprons were in attendance and acquitted themselves well : doorkeepers were appointed and order and regularity prevailed throughout all the arrangements. The tables were abundantly supplied with the requisite earthenware, knives and forks decanters and glasses, &c. A capacious larder was attached to the tent and the provisions were on an extensive scale. Baked fowls, joints of beef and pork, rolls, loaves of bread, potatoes, plumpuddings, wine, cordials, confectionery and cake, constituted the bill of fare. A private door of entrance was provided for such English ladies and gentlemen as might honour them with their presence. It was because it was not very generally known, that a larger number of these was not present. Among the English guests we noticed the Revd. Messrs. Buller, Minchin and Rowse Mr. and Mrs. Riddiford, Mr. and Mrs. Cheyne, Mesdames Fitzherbert, Swainson, Innes, Beetham, Williams, Minchin, and many others. When the dinner was about to be announced, the Revd. Mr. Buller was desired by the master of the ceremonies, befors he said grace, to inform the English ladies and gentlemen that accommodation was provided for all of them : that he would feel honoured by their company to dinner: but if any were not disposed to accept his invitation he would esteem it a favor for them to withdraw until after dinner should be over, as they (the natives) did not wish to be a mere exhibition. We were equally pleased and surprised at this indication of self respect and delicate sense of propriety; and were glad to find that nearly if not all the visitors, very cordially sat down to the repast. Throughout the whole, we observed most commendable order and the conversation, though lively, was generally in a tone of moderation very unusual among a large concourse of natives. The speeches had reference to the King movement at the North, the native speakers reasoning that they could not better show their appreciation of the Whites than by immitaing them. The latter had a Queen the former should have a King. The meeting ended in talk as they generally do. Tea was served at

11 o'clock, and stimulated by the " cup that cheers but not inebriates" the speeches were maintained until the approach of morning, when all separated in good spirits and with equally good order. VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY.— Governor Browne is shortly expected on a visit to the South in H.M.S. Iris. Since His Excellency's arrival in 1855, he has only visited the various provinces once, and as the policy of his ministry has been a centralising one, it is much to be regretted that with a view to ascertain the peculiar circumstances and requirements of each province, more of His Excellency's presence has not been enjoyed by those of the South. The necessity of greater activity in the Land Purchasing Department, to which we have elsewhere alluded, would then doubtless have become more apparent to His Excellency's mind, —the natives being a responsibility which Governor Browne has specially reserved to himself. The long looked for presence of the Governor will be heartily welcomed by the Natives and Europeans.

SIR CHARLES CLIFFORD.— The Melbourne route has uow become a favorite with colonists visiting Europe, and since the invariable effect of punctuality and speed, is to increase the desire for travelling, we have no doubt a trip "HOME" will ere long become fashionable with those of us who can afford both the money and time. We look with no little satisfaction on the advantages to he derived by these voyageurs, from the experience of even a few days transit through Australia, where, while everything is colonial, it is on so much larger a scale than anything which they can conceive of in New Zealand. Among the passengers for Europe in January were Mr. Clifford, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and family. By the mail just received, we perceive that the Queen has been pleased to confer on Mr. Clifford the honor of Knighthood; an honor which had already been conferred on the Speakers of the various Australian Colonies. Sir Charles Clifford is expected to return early next year. WELLINGTON SAVINGS' BANK.— The annual meeting of the Managers of the above Institution, was held on Monday week. From the questions put by the chairman at the meeting, it appeared that the amount of deposits had steadily advanced for about the first nine years, then for two years it decreased, but during the last year had slightly increased again. This variation was accounted for by a circumstance mentioned in the Report of 1858, that during the two years immediately preceding that date, a second Building Society had been commenced whose receipts exceeded £3.000 per annum, and which also received sums on interest, giving for six months six per cent, interest, while the Savings Bank only gives three per cent. It was further stated that an expression, used also in that Report, had been confirmed by another year's experience, namely, that the Savings Bank still offerred facilities for small and temporary deposits, and thus assisted in the accumulation of sums which were afterwards more advantageously employed by their respective owners. Another beneficial feature in the Savings Bank which was referred to, is the use the Natives make of it. Twenty-one Native accounts were stated to be open, one of them for a sum of nearly £200, an amount that is understood to be accumulating for the erection of a mill.

It is a matter for congratulation to the settlers of Wellington that while public confidence in Savings' Banks in England and Ireland has been so greviously shaken, during the last three or four years, the Savings' Bank here has all its deposits safely invested; has paid all its own expenses ; has added interest, however small, to all the accounts that have been opened ; and has accumulated a "rest," or " building fund," of over £600. The present amount of deposits also — £3179 19s. -although it may seem small to those accustomed to the amounts deposited in the neighbouring colonies or the mother country—is really a large one for this community, in which if a man has but a single hundred pounds, he may find ways of profitable investment, or still move profitable use. Circumstances must greatly alter, and that too unfavourably, before any very large sum will he al lowed to lie comparatively unproductive; and while between £4,000 and £5,000 per annum is being invested in real property through the agency of the two Building societies, we cannot regard it as other than a gratifying fact, that still an amount of upwards of £3,000 lies in the coffers of the Savings' Bank.

LAND ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS SOCIETY.—An investment society under this head commenced operations during the present year, for the purpose of making advances on a principle somewhat similar to the Building Societies, by means of monthly subscriptions of 5s. A large number of shares have been taken up.