Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1709, 21 March 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Presentation to Mr. Carter. — Mr. Marriott has shown us a very handsome gold watch about to be presented to Mr. C. B. Carter, by the Odd Fellows of Wellington, as a mark of their appreciation of the value of his professional services rendered by him in connection with the erection of the Hall. Mr. Carter's commission, if charged for, would, we are told,have amounted to something like £150. The following is the inscription on the watcb, very tastefully and artistically engraved by Mr. Marriott. — Presented to Brother G, R. Carter, by the officers and brethren of the Loyal Britannia, Antipodean, ancl Wellington Lodges, 1.0.0. F.,M.1L, for the energy, and professional ability displayed by him in superintending the erection of the Odd Fellow's Hall, Wellington.— February 25, 1802. Death of Cupid. — We hope the young folk will not be alarmed at this heading. It has no reference to the little God of love. He, we are happy to say, is as young and blooming as ever, with a quiver in no way diminished. It relates to a pony well known in this province. His death is thus recorded in the New Zealander, of Ist March : — " We learn with much regret that this beautiful and much admired pony, the property of J. O. Hamley, Esq , died suddenly on Tuesday last, after a few hours illness. He was apparently quite well when the groom took him out for exercise that afternoon, but when near the Graf ton Road, he appeared to be very dull, and the groom found he was iv a severe perspiration, and scarcely able to be led back to his stable. Every assistance was immediately obtained, notwithstanding which he died at twelve o'clock ; his death was caused by sudden and severe inflammation of the bowels, — the liver was likevyise affected. " Cupid" was a docile, beautiful little animal, imported from England to Sydney, purchased there by J. B. Taylor, Esq., and shipped to Wanganui, where he became the property of Mr. Hamley, whom he accompanied to Wellington, and subsequently to Auckland. JFrom his gentle aud tractable disposition, combined with his perfect symmetry of form, he has always been a particular favourite, aud his death may be regarded not merely as a personal and pecuniary loss to his owner, but to the public at large." Royal Lyceum Theatre. — The lovers of the Drama will be glad to hear that Mrs. W. H. Fuley has taken the lloyal Lyceum Theatre for a. shun season, and that pieces of an attractive character are iv course of preparation. The first performance is announced to take place on Monday next, the 24th inst. The pieces selected for the occasion are — " Where's the Governor," and the " Happy Man/ with an interlude of siugiug and Dancing. Mrs. Foley gained golden opinions during her late visit to the south, from crowded audiences ; but was compelled to leave Otago in consequence of ilMiealtb. Mrs. Foley has now recovered, and we have no doubt! there will be a large audience on Monday evening next at the Lyceum, to welcome back this talented actress to Wellington. The " Powder Hoax." — The impudence of the Advertiser is of a first class character. When told that the " fact" of four tons of powder being landed, over which it crowed, is untrue — that its only foundation consisted of a " report" that half & ton had been landed, a report that may he fouud to rest on no truthful fouudatiou, it says. — "The " Powdek Hoax " — This i 9 what a contemporary calls the landing of IL2O lba. of gunpowder at the East Cape because the quantity was only an eighth of what it was reported a.t first to have been. If a half ton or if only a cwt., the fact of gunpowder being landed thus suspiciously is anything but " a hoax," and it proves, moreover, that those who would levy high duties on a- few articles would encourage the contraband to the injury of the honest trade." To take for grouted that 1120 lbs, had been lauded, is just like its impudence! and, if true, though it may prove useful iv relation to tariff questions, certainly does not prove what it said did — a reason for disbelieving the progress of Sir George Grey's policy. The Rirr-E Volunteers, —On Monday evening last, a meeting of Members and persons favourable to this movement, took place at the Athenseum, but it was not very numerously attended. Major Dwyer, the Commanding

Officer, paesided. Capt. Kirwan was also present. The Chairmaa explained the objects for winch the meeting had been convened, and stated that he was prepared to swear in persons desirous of joining the Volunteers. One person then took the oath of allegiauce. Major Dwyer informed the meeting", that the corp now consisted of 20 members, but that it was necessary that 20 more should join" before they could proceed to nominate flieir officers. The first parade was appointed to take place on Wednesday next, when the Rifles and accutrementswill be given out. We regret to see so much apathy displayed by the youth of this place in joining this movement. At the Hutt, a greater number joiued the corps tbe first night of meeting than hud previously belonged to it, aiid the members proceeded to the election of their officers. The movement is also popular in other places, and carried out with great enthusiasm ; and we are really surprised at the want of spirit displayed in Wellington. Porirua Haces.— We hare much pleasure in directing attention to an advertisement in another column of to-day's paper, announcing that the above races will take place on Monday the 24th inst. Nearly £40 has already been subscribed, and we have no doubt, from the interest taken in the affair by the subscribers, that it will be a very successful meeting. There are to be seven events, viz-.— A. Produce Stakes, <i Pony Rnce, a Ladies' Purse, a Maori Race, Mr. Armstrong's whip, a Hurdle Race, and the Consolation Stakes. If the day should prove fine, it will be a good opportunity for persons desirous of visiting Porirua, for they will at once be enabled to witness the races, and of seeing this rapidly improving rural district. 11l Birds. — "I can tell you what, Mr. Newdill when our own people cease to slander the colony, we may fairly complaiu of our detractors in England ; and not before. Our nest has been befouled by ill birds, and all the whitewash in the world won't make it clean, till they are cured of their nasty propensities. — That's my notion." — Atlas (Melbourne) Gazette. [This is as true of Wellington as it can be of Victoria. The prosperity of Wellington would be very much enhanced if it' were not systematically misrepresented by a section of the press, who cares not how much Wellington may be injured, provided its own petty party purposes can be temporarily served.