Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1346, 15 July 1859, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

LecTCtiie at Karori. — Last Wednesday Evening an interesting lecture was delivered in the School House, Karori, by the Rev. H. W. Scott,'.on "popular proverbs." The lecturer illustrated and applied such (common sayings as Take care of number one, Turning over a _ew leaf, Neversay die till you are dead, Little pitchers have large ears, &c, and at its close : was unanimously requested by the audience to give them another lecture at the full moon next , month. Last month Mr. Scott lectured on Bun- ' yan, aiid it would be gratifying to us to report that similar attempts to interest aud instruct the rarious' villages in the neighbourhood of Weill igton, were more frequent than they are. Mb..MoLe_i,.—- We learn that Mr. McLean's Btay in Ahuriri is likely to be prolonged to a much greater extent than was anticipated. The barque Queen of the Avon, Capt, Gilbert, from London, arrived in this harbour on Wednesday last, after a passage of 110 days. She [ sailed from Graresend on Wednesday the 23rd : March, and anchored off Deal to land the pilot, after which she sailed again; out was compelled ] tv putinto Torquay, in consequence of contrary ! winds,'and after a detention of two days, proceeded .on her voyage. Experienced rough ■weather until passing Madeira, when it became fine.and light, until rounding the Cape of Good Hope! After rounding the Cape she encountered.a severe gale of .wind, which eairied away _er maintopsail yard; she also shipped several heavy seas, which did considerable damage, washing away a part of tbe port bulwarks, poop ladder, hencoop, &c. Shortly after crossing the line, a seaman named Painter, fell off the foretopsail-yard and was unfortunately drowned. ' Every assistance was rendered, the ship was immediately rounded to, the life buoy let go, a boat lowered, and every exertion made to save the,unfortunate man, but Unhappily without success. It was thought that he struck some portion ofthe bulwarks in bis fall, which must have stunned him, as he was never seen to rise to the surface of the water. There was a very heavy sea on at the time, and the boat being •absent for two hours fears were entertained for h«r safety, and her return was therefore hailed ■with great delight, notwithstanding the gallant •efforts ofthe crew were unsuccessful. During the' search tbe boat shipped a sea, aud if it had not been for one of the men wearing sea boots, which were used as bailers, the boat would have swamped, and probably all bauds in her been drowned. The Quien of the Avon brings 8 cabin, 13 second cabin, and about 110 steerage passengers, half of whom are bound for Nelson. Four births, and two deaths, (that of an adult and a child) occurred on board during the voyage. Cape Farewell was sighted on. the 10th inst., and she'came to ber anchorage in this '.port on Wednesday afternoon. The Queen of the Avon is one'of Messcrs. Shaw, Saville, & Co.'s Hne'of New Zealand packets, appears to be a very fine vessel, and would have made a remarkably quick passage, if -she had not lost "Ler foretbpsail yard, which was not replaced for 13 days, and consequently considerably.retarded -her progress. We understand thatshe proceeds to Nelson as soon as she has landed her passengers for this place, her cargo being all for .Nelson. , The barque Minerva, Captain ; Metryman, ,*from London, tbe 4th March,;: and Gravesend, the 6th, arrived in this harbour bn Tuesday last. :-She was detained for upwards of a fortnight in' tbe Channel by contrary winds,'arid did notleavc the.Land's End until the 20th March. After that she experienced light and variable winds until south of tbe line; was becalmed there three weeks, and was drifted considerably to the westward by the currents.: After getting sotith of the line, strong winds prevailed; and when "off the Cape she encountered a severe gale. The passage has been a remarkably pleasant one, and from the testimonials presented to the Captain nnd Officers, an account of which appears 1 in another column, it would appear that they have gained the high esteem of the pasaengers. She brings 15 cabin, 32 second cabin, and 23 | steerage passengers. On the list we notice the names of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts of Wanganui, .and Mr. and Mrs. Bragg, formerly of the Engineer Department, whom we cordially welcome back to the land of their adoption.' One death occurred on board; that of: a-cabin passenger, named J. G. Rossiter, who was about to proceed to Canterbury.- Mr. Rossiter was subject to epileptic fits, and on the evening of the 30th June, was attacked, severely, 12 following each other in succession, and after a period of two hours he expired, nature having become so completely exhausted, that he.never rallied. Deceased was a gentleman of very temperate habits, and highly respected by nllon, board, and his death was deeply lamented by his fellow passengers. The Minerva is consigned - to Messrs. Bowler, Son, & Co. W-BKOK OF THE VALENTINE HIS£XrC.AR..— . Yestcrdny, information reached town of the total wreck of |the schooner Valentine Hetlicar, at Otaki. The followiug particulars havo been

kindly furnished us by one of the passengers ofthe ill-fated vessel. The Varenline' Hellieat 5!) tons, Captain McPhcarsmi, sailed from Melbourne on the 23id June, for Lyttelton, with n small cargo, consisting often, sugar, oolfoe, j spirits, tobacco, &c, iScc, and 12 cabin and) four steerage passengers. She eiieoutitmetl ( strong contrary winds in Bass' Straits, which detained.her some clays. Sighted Cape Fure- ( well on Saturday last, the olh liistuut, tun! entered the Straits with a strong westerly gule. About 2 o'clock on. Sunday morning, during « gale of wind, audit heavy storm of thunder, lighting and hail,and very dark, the vessel run tin to the Otaki bench, to the noithwsrd of Kapiti. Immediately on hearing of. the'disaster, the Venerable Archdeacon Hadfield, accompanied hy the natives residing at Otaki, proceeded to the scene of tbe disaster, and the natives under his direction renderdd every assistance in say. iug the cargo and passengers luggage. The whole of tbe passengers and crew were safely landed and lodged at Mr. 6. Bevan's accommodation House; and the cargo deposited in tbe barn on the Mission Station, which was kindly lent for the purpose. Great credit is also due td the European residents, at Otaki, who rendered all the assistance in their power. The .vessel lies high and dry at low water on tbe Otaki beach, with her foremast cut awa\, and "may possibly be got off again. The following are the names of the passengers:— Cabin.—-Mr. VV. Davis and lady, Mr. T. Barrett, lady and four children, Mr. Joseph Barrett and lady, Mr. John Barrett, Mr. Charles Barrett, and four steerage passengers whose names we have been unable to learn. It will be remembered that the Valentine Ilellicar, when last here, brought a cargo of flour from Adelaide, she' was theu commanded. Captain VVishart, and although only 59 tons register, could carry 120 tons cargo. We understand that both the vessel and cargo are insured. Accident jo this Horr" Van.—Yesterday morning as one of the Hutt Vans was on its way to town, it stopped at Ngahurango, when the'driver and passengers got down. Suddenly the horse* took fright, and started off full speed for Wellington. On passing the first point the van came in contact with a timber dray laden with firewood aud capsized it over the hank. The van also overturned on the road and the shafts having broken the horses got disengaged and started off with the shafts at their heels. Fortunately no female passengers were in the ran, or undoubtedly they would eitlier been killed or seriously injured. We deprecate the plan of leaving three restive horses without any person in charge of them, and if itis persisted in, it will possibly end iv serious consequences. Loyal Independent OitDEti or' Odd Fellows, M.U—On Tuesday last the Brethren of the Loyal Kinapoura Lodge celebrated their third Anniversary, by a Dinner and Ball ut their Lodge Boom, Host Floyd's, 'lrivellers Porirua. Dinuer having been placed on the the chair was taken at 6 o'clock by brother C. D. de Castro, the Vice-chair being occupied by Brother L. Lowten. There was no lack of good things, and ample duty was done .o the excellent prevision ofthe host. We noticed a good sprinkling of visitors, and were exceedingly gratified at the good feeling and unanimity which prevailed. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed in order by the Chairman and heartily responded to; several other toasts were proposed by brethren of the order-, aud equally well received ; amongst these miiy he particularly noticed " the health of the Host and Hostess," which was drank most enthusiastically. We were also glad to. hear from the Chairman that the Kinnpnura Lodee is improving and increasing- bothns regards i'uiidi, -and members. Dancing commenced at 0 o'clock and was, kept up with great spirit till nearly daybreak.