Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1501, 1 March 1861, Page 5

Local Intelligence.

Death of Mit. Anderson, late Provincial Engineer. — From the following extracts from the Slit/o Journal of the 7th December, the friends of Mr. Anderson will regret to learn that that gentleman died at his brother's residence, Lirkhill, Sligo, on the 28th November last. Mr. Anderson was formerly Assistant Engineer in the Wairarapa, wben many public works were being executed consequent on the immigration from Liverpool in 1857, and on Mr. Roy's resignation 1559 he was appoint ed his successor as Provincial Engineer; the duties of which office he performed with great zeal and to the satisfaction of the Government and public until his return to Ireland, per Zelandia, in the early part of last year. Previous to his departure he devoted some time to a thorough sounding and examination of the neighbourhood of Lambton-quay, with a view to report on the fitness and cost of iron screw piles (now ex tensively used in England), for the construction of a deep water wharf. His illness, after reaching home, prevented his devoting all the attention to the subject he had hoped to have done, and his report remains unwritten.

He made many friends here, who will read the account of his death with feelings of more than ordinary pain : —

At Larkhill, in this neighbourhood, the residence of his brother, Charles Anderson, Esq., on tho 28fch nit., John G. Anderson, Esq., youngest son of the late Alderman Anderson, J.P. Mr. Anderson, though only in his 28th year, was Provincial Engineer in the Province of Wellington, New Zealand. Declining health obliged him to tender his resignation, which was most reluctantly accepted ; and he received on ship-hoard, the thanks of the Secretary of the Province, on behalf of the Government. Tho return to his native country produced a partial rally ; but disease had laid too firm a hold on his constitution, and he steadily, but most gradually declined. His mind was clear and vigorous to tho last— his trust was most Biniple in the Saviour — his end was emphatically peace — a fine specimen of mental capability, combined with high, honorable feeling, and courteous bearing, an affecting illustration of the inspired statement, that " man at his best estate is altogether vanity."

The remains of tho above lamented young gentleman were removed for .interment on' Monday morning last, to the family vault, in St. John's Churchyard, accompanied by almost all £he inhabitants of the town and surrounding districts. Seldom have wo witnessed a larger funeral, and some idea may bo formed of its extent, when those wearing scaifs and hat bands numbered upwards of one hundred and sixty. As Mr. Robert Kane, schoolmaster, was proceeding on hia way to tho funeral of the late Mr. Anderson, ho suddenly dropped down in Ratcliffestreet—every means that medical skill could afford were tried by Dr. Longhead, but life was extinct. It is supposed the cause of death was the rupture of a blood vessel.

Tiie Natives. — During the past few days several of the Native dons from Wairarapa have visited Wellington, en route for Otaki, where there is to be a Korero relative to the King's flag, intended to be hoisted there or in its neighbourhood on the 12th inst, We regret to say that a feeling qf restlessness and uneasiness has pervaded the Natives lately— more so than for many months past. The War and Laud Questions are at its root, and to show their displeasure at Maniher&'s recently selling some laud to the Secretary for Native Affairs;

| Mr. Weld, in order to settle some disputes long pending in the Wairarapa, the Runanga there have fined that chief ,£2OO, and in default of payment, will, it is thought probable, distrain on his horses and stock.

The friendly Natives on the West Coast are in high dudgeon at some advice which Mr. Turton, the Magistrate who itinerates there, is said to have given to the Kiug Natives ; 'remarking that there was no harm in hoisting the King's flag-, if it were not intended as a signal for fighting; just as there was no harm in Europeans hoisting at their own houses any flag they choose. This, and a good deal more like it is said to have encouraged the King party, and to have discouraged the exertions of the loyal natives, who now have no motive to oppose the raising a flag which the Magistrates says is no harm. We sincerely trust that the advice attributed to Mr. Turton is incorrect. We should be loth to publish it, were it not talked about and believed in by the Natives and Settlers in Wellington rendering our publication of it, therefore, comparatively harmless. If incorrect we trust Mr. Turton will at once say so, and take steps to dispel the illusion under which the Natives are labouring. H. M. S. Iris.— This ship now commanded by Captain Vernon, is not to go home yet. The Neiv Zealander says she is to be stationed at Wellington, the Fawn relieving the Cordelia at Manakau, and the Cordelia taking the berth of the Iris at Auckland.

The Victory.— The Prince Alfred after landing mails, &c, at Canterbury and Otago, pro ceeds to Melbourne direct. The new steamer Victory will bring Southern mails on here, and take on our homeward mail via Nelson, aud Taranaki to Sydney as usual. This new route is a preferable one to that hitherto adopted, as it gives all the southern settlements the opportunity of freight and passage both to Melbourne and Sydney, without changing boats. It is, however, only to be adopted occasionally. The Speakership of the Assembly. — The two last Elections at Auckland have materially affected the question as to who is to be Sir Charles Clifford's successor. Colonel Haultain a back-bone Ministerialist was reckoned as certain to be returned for Raglan, and was very gen e'rally spoken of as the gentleman most tilted — a fitness we could not help noticing when he presided over the General Synod held in Wellington- two years ago. The Colonel has, however, been defeated by a large majority. Another gentleman, who, from having hitherto been Chairman of Committees, was t.iought a likely man for the speakership, is Mr. Caiieton ; but of his defeat for the Bay of Islands uo doubt was entertained. Mr. Carleton, the late Editor of the Southern Cross, and a strong opponent of the war and general native policy of the Stafford Ministry, has succeeded in obtaining a majority of " one" over Mr. Busby, and will consequently again be in the House to present his claims for the Speakership. A petition is to be presented agaiust Mr. Curleton's return — two persons, father and son, have voted for tbe same name in the Electoral Roll ; the one fnr Carleton the other for Busby. If the vote given for Mr. Carleton is struck out it will render the numbers even and the Election will be decided, we suppose, by the Returning Officer's casting vote. If the vote given for Mr. Busby is struck out then Mr. Carleton will be returned by a majority of" two."— Great events hanging on^little things. We believe Dr. Monro, the member for Piclon, is the Government favorite now the defeat of Colonel Haultain has re moved him from the House.

Mr. Adam Burnes —Our readers will be surprised to leain that this gentleman, the first Manager of the Oriental Bank here, and subsequently the Manager of one of the branches of the same Corporation in Victoria, has entered the service of the Union Bauk of Australia, as Manager in Sydney. Serious Accident.— On Friday last, as a man named McElroy was 'working at the crane, on Messrs. Turnbulls wharf, his hand was accidentally caught in the cog wheel, aud drawn through, thereby crushing of three of the fingers of the right hand and the top of tbe fourth. The poor man has a wife and four children dependent upou him for his daily earnings, and this unfortunate accident will disable him fora long time, if not for life.

Royal Lyceum Theatre.— The patrons of the drama will observe, by 3n advertisement in another column, that this place of amusement will be opened on Monday next, the 4th inst., when Buckstone's popular Corameditta of " I want my Legacy," selections from Shakespear's historical tragedy of "Julius Cassar," and other novelties will be produced, and we have no doubt, from the attractive Bill of Fare, will attract a large audience.

Odd Fellows' Hall. — On Thursday evening, Mr. Woouldom gave an entertainment for the benefit of the Hall, which however was not so well attended as the exhibition merited ; it consisted of the usual interesting- illustrations and descriptions of wild animals, and a number of Continental and other scenes, with the favorite views of Artie Expedition, the Bombardment of Sweaborg, and the S pithead Review. We must not omit to mention a beautiful representation of the Arms of the Order of Odd Fellows, painted expressly for this occasion by Mr. Hodgson, to whose artistic talent we .are indebted for the amusing and instructive entertainment furnished by Mr. Woouldom's Phantasmagoria. We have been favored with an inspection ofa new series of views, and mechanical effects now in course of preparation, and do not doubt that the attractive bill of fare (including singing" and dancing), which will appear in a future advertisement, will insure a crowded house.