Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1690, 10 January 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Anniversary Begatta. — We have ranch pleasure in directing attention to an advertisement in another column, convening a meeting at Mr. ..Woodgate's, "Coach and Horses" Hotel, this evening, at 8 o'clock, to make arrangements for the Anniversary Regatta. His Honor the Superintendent returned to town on Saturday evening last, after a visit to the East Coast. Coroner's Inquest.— On Monday last, the 6th inst., an Inquest was held at the Waterloo Hotel, Kai Warra, bj M. Kebbell, Esq., M.D., Coroner, and an intelligent Jury, on view of the body of Charles Radford, who was found dead on the Saturday evening previous. From the evidence, it appeared that deceased had been missing for an hour or two on Saturday afternoon, and on search . being made, he was found the same evening in an outhouse belonging to tbe hotel, with his throat cut across, having evidently committed suicide. From the natnre of the wouud, death must have ensued almost immediately. The deceased had been observed to be in a melancholy state of mind for some time previous, caused, it was thought, by bis altered circumstances. The jury, after mature consideration, returned a verdict of temporary insanity. The Prince Alfred.— A considerable number of diggers returned to this Province by this vessel on Tuesday last. She had also a large quantity of gold dust on board, some 21,139 ozs., besides about 1000 ozs. in private hands, not entered in the manifest. The total value 'of the fold on board must have been upwards of £80,000. We haye been requested to draw attention to an advertisement in uur columns, of an important sale of suburban lots near the intended Railway Station- at Christchurcb, on the 20th inst., by Messrs. Aikman & Wilson. Intending purchasers can avail themselves of the mail steamer of the 15th inst., from this port. Wellington Total Abstinence Society. -—A public meeting of this Society was held at the Wellington Mechanic's Institute, on Monday evening last. The Chair was taken by Mr. Keys, who, in an eloquent address, which had great weigbt witb the audience, shewed the fearful effects of Alchohol. Several speakers addressed the meeting, which separated in an orderly manner. We learn that upwards of 30 new members have joined this Society this week. Wellington Mutual Improvement Society.—The usual quarterly Tea Meeting of the members and friends of this Society was held on Tuesday last, the 7th inst., in the large room on the north side of the Odd Fellows' Hall in which their weekly meetings take place- A numerous and highly respectable company partook of " the cup which cheers and not in. ebriates,' after which tbe quarterly report was read by the Secretary, and two veiy able essays delivered by Messrs. Trueman and Johnston, give Satisfactory proof of the great good which has already been effected by this Society. . At 10 p.m. the company dispersed, haviug spent a most delightful aad agreeable evening. Alma Total Abstinence Society.— The usual fortnightly meeting of tbis Society was held at the Lower Barracks, Mount Cook, on Monday evening, Mr. Lawes in the Chair. The speakers were Messrs. Reay, M. Read, Trueman, and Reynolds, all of whom urged most forcibly upon their hearers the desirability of commencing tbe New Year upou the principles of total j abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. There was an unusually large attendance, and fourteen signatures were obtained, making a total of! two hundred and thirteen, who have signed the I pledge since the formation of this Society, in August last, an amount of success far exceeding even the most sanguine expectations of its promoters. May it go on ami prosper. Manawatu Ferry.- The feny man at Manawatu nearly lost his life a few days since, by falling into tbe river as he was attempting to jump into tbe punt from tbe river bank. We regret to hear it stated that he was not in a fit state at the time to discharge his public duties. But it is our pleasing duty to record that a : young Maori named Riko, from Wanganui without waiting to direst himself of his clothes', boots

f bit a heavy pagfe fa. mi .aMy-lfigj plunged into j the stream, and rescued him from certain death. ) /With great difficulty, and only after about half . [an hour's steady application of tbe published I " Rules for the recovery of persons apparentl ; j drowned," did the man exhibit symptoms of . j restored consciousness. We consider some acknowledgment should be given to the Native who acted in such a praiseworthy manner j as , on some future occasion a valuable life might be saved by its becoming known to the Maories 1 and others, that the general public of Wellington do not fail to appreciate and requite such noble conduct.