Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1700, 14 February 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

The Hutt Bridge. —By a placard issued by the Government, we learn that the Hutt bridge is closed against traffic for a few days, in conquence of repairs. Britannia Lodge, M. U., I. 0., O. F.— The nineteenth anniversary of the Loyal Britannia Lodge was celebrated by a dinner on Tuesday last, at the Odd Fellows' Hall. At six o'clock, about 40 of the fraternity sat down to a sumptuous dinner, consisting of all the delicacies of the season, and to which ample justice was done by all present. P. G. M. M'Keuzie acted as Chairman, and D. P. G. M. Bell as Vice. After the cloth was drawn, the usual loyal and "fraternal toasts were given and responded to in the most hearty manner; and some excellent songs, sung by the company, contributed greatly to the hilarity of the entertainment, which passed off in the most, agreeable manner possible. We cannot conclude this notice, without complimenting P. P. G. M. Diehl for the liberal way in which he provided the dinner, which did him infinite credit.

Ground for Public Recreation.-— On Tuesday last, His Honor the Superintendent met the Members of the Wellington Cricket Club, and others interested in this movement, on the Parade Ground, Mo u nt Cook, _to ascertain what was required to make a portion of the Bason Reserve at Te Aro available for a Cricket Ground. His Honor listened attentively to the suggestions of the Cricketers, and promised to do all in his power to forwaid the object they had in view. We understand that, while a Cricket Ground will be provided without delay, the other portion. of the public will not be forgotten. It is intended, we believe, to fence in and drain the whole of the land, (when the sanction of the Provincial Council has been obtained,) and to plant trees in the enclosure. Two rows of oaks from the beach, up either side of the Canal to the Basin, and the basin judiciously laid out with trees, (not forgetting our New Zealand folliage) would form a most agreeable place for public recreation. The 1 public would then be at no loss for a place to celebrate the Anniversary of the colony, nor the Sunday school children circumscribed to the small patch of land, pu, the Karon Road. Caution to Bathers.— A large shark has lately been seen cruisfiig about the coal hulke India, and a small one was caught by the sailors of the Albemarle. Some time since a very large one seized one of the oars belonging to the Pilot boat on its way from the station. It is likely these creatures are more numerous than usual, owing to ihe attractiveness of the sheep and cattle thrown overboard from stock vessels outside the heads and on the coast; without wishing to alarm persons in the habit of enjoying the luxury of sea bathing, we, nevertheless feel it necessary to caution those who are in the habit of doing so in the neighbourhood of Pljmmer's and other wharves. A shatk is as dangerous in 6 or 7 feet water as in the open sea.

Presentation to the Rev. H. W. Scott, j — Towards the end of last month, after the close of a lecture in the Pahautanui Chapel; a purse was presented to the Re*. 11. W. Scott Congregational minister, in acknowledgment of" the benefits he has been in the habit of render, ing that district, in the shape of Sunday se'r- ! vices and week day lectures. The amount contained in the purse had been collected by some of the ladies in the district, who particu larly desired it to be stated that no person who had been asked refused but gave cheerfully. Mr; Scott was taken by surprise at this substan I tial appreciation of his services, and feelingly' I expressed the pleasure he experienced in receiving it. Pahautanui is a district about 22

miles from Wellington, and celebrated for its timber mill, one of the best in the province. A very commodious Building was erected there long since for purposes of Divine worship, but we regret to say it is very seldom occupied, there being no minister of any denomination near that district, aud the inhabitants are wholly dependant on the occasional visits of ministers from town, which are necessarily very infrequent.

Debating Society. — We have been requested to direct attention to an advertisement in another column, announcing that a first aud second prize for the best- essays on the " Advantages and disadvantages attending Debating Societies," will be awarded by the Society; the essays to bo delivered at the Athenaeum, on Wednesday evening, the 26th March. Serious Accident.— About 9 o'clock this morning, as a workmen named Turner was excavating the hill at the back of Mr. Lipman Levy's, a mass of earth fell upon him, and carried him down the hill. When he was picked up, he was quite insensible, and had sustained severe injuries. He was immediately conveyed to the Colonial Hospital, where he now lays in very precarious condition. Alma. Total Abstinence Society. — A meeting of this Society was held at the Odd Fellows Hall on Monday evening last, Mr, Trueman in the Chair. Mr. Faweett M.P.C., and Messrs. Rice and M. Bead delivered some very effective and interesting addresses, and at the close of the meeting several additional signatures were obtained.

Another meeting of this Society was held at the school room, Kavori, on Wednesday evening, Mr. Pickering in the chair. This was certainly one of the most interesting and agreeable meetings that have yet been held in connection with the temperance movement in this town and so fully were the efforts of the various speakers (Rev. H. W. Scott, H. Trueman and M. Bead) appreciated by the crowded audience, that no less. than twenty five signatures were obtained. " Well done Karori."

Ouit Mails. — We observe by the Time Table, that the mail steamer will leave Wellington with the European and Australian Mails on Sunday, the 9th March. As so much inconvenience was experienced by the last steamer sailing on a Sunday, an effort should be made to get the time of sailing altered, now that the Postmaster-General is in this Province.