Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1702, 21 February 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

We have much pleasure in directing attention to an advertisement in another column, convening a publiu meetiog at the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Monday eveuing, the 24th instant, " for the purpose of considering and adopting measures to give a public welcome to His Excellency Sir George Grey on his arrival in Wellington," and we have no doubt there will be full attendance on the occasion.

FISB ON BOABD THE " ARABELLA.- On Tuesday night, the 18th inst., ttie town was thrown into a considerable state of alarm by the ringing of the Fire Bell. The military, with that zeal and proptitude we have so often commended, hurried down with their engine to the heacb, aud the Liverpool & London engine was also brought out ; but there was a difficulty in finding the locality, as no fire was observable on shore. From the particulars we have been enabled to learn, it appears that the fire was lirst discovered by Mr. Mason, custom House officer on board the Arabella. He gare the alarm, and the ship's bell was rung, and lights hoisted. These signals were answered by the ringing of the Fire Bell at the Police station. The crew of the Albemarle, and the Police boat, with Inspector Atchesou, put off immediately to her assistance, as well as several other boats from shore. On going on board, smoke was observed issuing from the hold under the chief cabin. Some sails and New Zealand Mattresses were stowed there, the Mattresses having been shipped for Napier. Every effort was made to arrest the progress of the dames ; and we are happy to say those efforts were crowned with success, as the fire was totally extinguished about half-past 1 o'clock. After the fire had been put out, a soup and bouilli tin was found under the sails containing a piece of canvass, saturated with turpentine, tightly rolled up, and the head of the till closed up. so as to form a slow match. The canvass was partly consumed. No person on board having occasion to use the like in that part of the ship, it is supposed to have been placed there purposely.

An inquest was held on the 19th Inst., at 4 p.m., on board the Arabella, before M. Kebbell, Esq., Coronor, and a respectable jury. Several witnesses were examined, but no evidence as to who the guilty party was, could be elicited. The jury, after a most patient investigation which lasted about three hours, found the followverdict—"That the vessel had been set on fire by some person or persons unknown."

School Geography. — We have received from Taranaki, a small book entitled "An Epitome of the Geography of New Zeiland," intended for the hso of Schools. This little work is the ptoduction of Mr. C. A. 0. Bdardsworth, the master of the High School there, and is just the very thing that is wanted to give our boys a knowledge of the country they were born and bred in. The physical, [ o itical, historical, and descriptive portions of the geography of New Zealand aie all touched upon in a very clear and lucid manner, and the work will find we hope, such an amount of patronage as to induce its author to enlarge it. The Geography used in our schools ought to be one in which other countries are made to bear reference to to New Zealand — thus instead of leaving distances as computed from Lyndon, out of an English Geography, they should be learnt a computed from this country. In all our orJi nary schools the purely practical should be kept as mnoh as possible in mind, and the littl» "Epitome" before us is a step in the right direction.

The Wharf Piles.— The first dray load of piles for the wharf came into town on Tuesday consisting of five 32 feet lengths. They aw from the saw mills at Greytown (late Hall & Terrjs). The supposed difficulties of the Rerautaka and Mungaroa Hills were fouud to be very trifling, the worst point haviag been cut away during the last few months. The want of a bridge over the Pakuratahi was in some measure lessened by a diversion, or rather starighteaing of the road on the Reruutaka side. West Coast Magistrate.— By a late Gazette Mr. Walter Buller has been appointed a Resident Magistrate. His district will be the West Coast, Olaki and Rangitikei. Sib Geo : Grey's Visit.— We are happy to know that the public rejoicings on Sir George Grey's arrival will not be left to hap-hazard, but that preliminary steps are being taken to organize a unity of action, so conductive to success.

Cricket.— The Return Match at Cricket between the married and single, will be played' on Thursday the 27th last:, at the Parade Ground, Mount Cook. The wickets will be pitched at 12 o'clock preceisly. The Lion Foundry.— The workmen at this foundry have been unusually biwy for soine time past, in making castings for the iron work required for the new wharf, besides numerous private orders. A short time since two monkeys were cast for the pile driving machine, weighing upwards of 18 cwt., They are very clean castings and reflect credit upon the workmen. We understand that the pile driving machine is to he worked by steam power ; that a steam eugine has been purchased and that the necessary machinery is now in course of being fitted up. Mr. Stuart.— We are happy to welcome back Mr. James B. Stuart, of the late firm of Stuart, Kinross, and Co. This gentleman proceeded to Eugland last year, and returned with his lady, via, Otago, per Storm Bird on Satur day last.