Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1498, 19 February 1861, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Odd Feilow's, M.U. — The Britannia Lodge of Odd Fellows, Wellington District, celebrated its eighteenth anniversary, at the Odd Fellow's Hall on Thursday last, the 140 i inst. The Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and an efficient band was in attendance and played an excellent selection of music. F.D G.M- M'Kenzie, presided, P.P.G.M. Fawcett, and N.G. Riddick acting as Croupiers. The Dinner was provided by Mr. Joseph Scott, and consisted of all the. delicaoies of the season. After ample justice' had been done to the good things of this life, the cloth was drawn, when the usual loyal, patriotio and fraternal (oasts were gi^n, ftud respi/pded to io the mott be*Uy

manner. A few songs, sung by gentlemen present, added greatly to toe enjoyment of the entertainment, which passed off in the most agree, able manner. Mr. J. Scott is deserving of great credit for the liberal manner in which be pro* vided, all present being highly satisfied with the arrangements. The Britannia Lodge was established in this City in 1843. It is the first Lodge of Odd Fellows opened in New Zealand, and has conferred, in conj action with the other Lodges, innumerable benefits upon the community. During the last 12 months about jGIOO has been disbursed by this Lodge in relief of the sick and distressed, and £60 has been advanced foi funeral donations. The number of members good on its books is 150, and its total amount of funds £885. There are ten Lodges in the Wellington District, viz : — 3 in Wellington, 3at the Hutt, 1 at Wairarapa, 1 at Porirua, 1 at Napier, and I at Wanganui. They all exhibit signs of vitality and are actively engaged in carrying out the principles for which they were established, rii., the relief of sick and distressed members, the burial of the dead, and providing for the temporary necessities of widows and orphans. We wish this useful society all the success its objects so richly merit. New Powder Magaztke. — We hear that in consequence of the crowded state of the powder magazine, and the probability of its being occupied by a large supply of Government stores, the military authorities hare been compelled to give notice of their intention to discontinue storing merchants powder ; this will necessitate tho erection of a new magazine. The site has not yet been fixed ; but it is to be hoped that it will be where it can be efficiently guarded.

Royal Olympic Theatre.— Our readers will observe, by an advertisement in another column, that Mrs. W. H. Foley intends giving a farewell entertainment at this Theatre on Monday, the 26th Inst., previous to her leaving for Canterbury. The performance is rather of a novel character, embracing 14 personations by this talented actress, and we doubt not, from the great popularity of this lady, she will have a full house on the occasion. This being her last appearance in Wellington for a time, we trust that the lovers of the drama will rally round her and shew their appreciation of her high talents. Royal Lyceum Theatrr. — Last night, this Theatre was again opened, when the drama of St. Cupid, and a laughable burlesque was played to a respectable audience. Coroker's Inquest — On Saturday last, as Mr. Riddlcr was coining into Town from the Hutt, he observed from the road between Ngahauranga and Kai Warra, a body floating in the water, near the shore, He pulled it on snore, and gave information to the police, who proceeded to the spot, and had tho body conveyed to Mrs. Calder's Rainbow Inn, Kai Warra. On Monday aft Inquest was held at tho above Inn by Mark Kebbell, Esq., and a respectable jury, on view of the body. Two witnesses were examined. The body was identified as being one of tho seamen belonging tofthe brig Fanny A. Garriques, just sailod for Auckland. Tho man was last seen on Wednesday night tho I3th instant. He was then in company with another seaman, belonging to the same brig. The other seaman went on board the brig the following morning, and reported that tho boat had capBized with them in going off to the brig, and he did not know what had become of the other man. The boat was found on Thursday morning, the I4th instant, on the rocks, bottom up, a short distance from Kai Warra. Tho inquest was adjourned until the return of the brig from Auckland, for the purpose of getting the evidence of the other seaman. The body was buried yesterday afternoon in the public cemetarj'.

Government Gazette. — In our present number will bo found a reprint of the last Government Gazette, to the various notices of which we direct the attention of those concerned. It may be as well to inform our readers that in torms of our contract for printing the Government Gazettes, we shall insert their contents continuously, bo that all Government notices which it may be nocossary for the public to become acquainted with, will always bo found in our columns. Militia. — The Militia Act now in force, will b found reprinted from the Statutes of Now Zealand in our present issue. Acc.,'&c,

Proposed Recreation Grounds, —We have much pleasure in publishing the following Memorial to his Honor the Supeiintendeut relative to allowing the Reserve at Te* Aro to be set apart as a public place of amusement and healthful recreation. The memorial fully embodies our sentiments ou the matter, and we trust it will be sigued by every inhabitant in Wellington. We briefly alluded to this subject in our paper of the 12th instant, and we arc glad to see the matter so warmly taken up. We understand that there are upwards of 700 signatures already attached to the memorial, and it promises to be one of the most numerously signed that has yet been presented to the Superintendent.

MEMORIAL. To His Honor Isaac Earl Featherston, Esc/., Superintendent of the Province of Welling" ton, &c, &c, &c. The Memorial of the uudersigned inhabitants

of Wellington Respisctfuiay Sheweth, —

That in the plan of the town of Wellington no suitable plot of ground has been reserved foi the purpose, of public recreation. That, until the last few years, little or no inconvenience has been felt ou this account, in consequence of the large spaces of unenclosed town land, on both Tborndon andTe Aro Flats ; but, as very little level land now remains uu. fenced, the want is becoming every day more urgent for some public square, capable of being used for a public promenade and cricket ground, as well as for a parade ground for the Troops, and for tlic exercise of the Militia and Volunteers.

That your Memorialists believe the Resorve, marked on the plan of the town for a proposed canal and basin, situated in the swamp at Te Aro, could, without any considerable expense, be converted into a suitable site for such pur-

poses. That it must be manifest to your Honor that the said Reserve can never be used for the purpose for which it was originally designed, even were it desirable to do so.

That, as it is contiguous to the Banacks, it would be admirably adapted for a parade ground, and be also available for a cricket ground, aud any other purpose of public recreation.

That it has been ascertained that the Officer Commanding the Garrison will sanction the employment of military labour to prepare the ground in question, as.it would provide an excellent drill ground for the troops under his command.

That your Memorialists therefore pray that your Honor will cause such steps to be taken at once as may be necessary to secure the land in question for the purposes indicated above ; aud also authorize' the expenditure of such Va moderate sum of money from the publio revenue as may be required to secure so inestimable a boon to all classes of tbo inhabitants uf Wei' Ungton, And jour M»ori»J)Kt< will ever pvay f ftg.