Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1732, 17 June 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Sittings is* Banco. — Yesterday a motion was made for a new trial in the late case of Bowler v. Pearee. The Judge considered that sufficient canse was not shown to support the motion, and therefore refused it. Featberston v. Martin (a question as to payment of interest on the reclaimed land sold in 1858, to giveja title to which the Superintendent has only recently been legally qualified) was argued ; judgment to be given ou Ist August.

The Otago tba.dk. — The Storm Bird from Otago,on Sunday morning brings a full cargo and some five ana twenty passengers. She was obliged to shut out a large quantity of merchandise belonging to Mr. John Martin. It is very satisfactory to find that the W.S.N Co.'s boats are in no danger of lying, idle, for if plenty of trade can thus be found for them in the winter there is no fear of their not doing well in the summer. The Wonga Wonga and Storm Bird possesse the very great advantage of being able to load and discharge at Dunedin wharf, thereby saving the cost of lighterage between Port Chalmers and Dunedin — about 30s. a ton. This ensures a preference over larger boats, very beneficial to the shareholders. The Wonga..— This steamer is expected in to-morrow from Auckland via Wanganui. The severe weather she encountered on her upward trip having delayed her considerably. She will probably bring a few days later news, especially as to tbe correctness or incorrectness of the very doubtful rumour of Tirarau — one of the two contending Kaipara chiefs — having been shot. The Lord Worsley. True to her lime, this vessel started on Sunday afternoon for Lyttelton and Otago, with supplementary mails for England. She will probably arrive at Otago sometime to-night, the Otago steamer being detained for her until 2 o'clock p.m. to-morrow (the 18tb) if need be. As she wag detained at Manakau heads for two days, unable to cross the bar, and was very nearly detained here by strong southerly winds, our merchants and others will in future do well to forward as much of their fcor e<pondenca, as possible, by the Queen, which, sailing about the lllh, is certaii. to be in ample time for the Otago steamer With every exertion to keep to the exact dates of the published time table, we must bear in mind that their sailing is subject to the proviso '■ wind and weather permitting"; a proviso which though only of serious importance in tbe case of the supplementary mail steamer, is in that case most seriously so. Provincial Council Dinner.— On Friday evening, immediately after business was concluded, the Council tables were laid out for a member's dinner, ih pursuance of an idea (started some time since) that it would be both pleasant and useful to have a friendly dinnei before parting. Mr. Schultze presided with Mr. Wallace as his Vice. The dinner was strictly confined to the members, His Honor the Superintendent being the only guest. The i evening passed off most pleasantly, several honorable gentlemen imitating tbe proceeding at Maori Runungas, by interlarding theii speeches with songs ; and it was quite refresh ing to find what excellent songs some of them could sing. It was not until one o'clock thai the- company broke up, some, few evidently imagining that it was by no means so late as ii was, as they vociferously shouted a determina tion not to go home till morning. Mr. Freeman, the providore of "Bellamy's," was tbe caterer, and gave every satisfaction. It is thought probable that the Council will be prorogued to-morrow. We have noticed this dinner," contrary to our rule which is to refer to no dinner where" the promoters have not had the courtesy to send us a ticket; but we feel sure that in the present case it resulted from oversight, aud not from any pre-determined intention to exclude the press. Vine Hall,— This gentleman has proceeded to Canterbury for the purpose ol secuiing the co-operation of that Province with regard to a direct steamer from Sydney via Cook's Strait. Nelson and Marlborough are now, it is understood, both willing to contribute towards this object. Steam Signal Guns. — It has been often suggested that the plan followed by the Wellington Steam Navigation Company of firing a gun some definite period before starting, might be advantageously copied by the mail steamers. They generally fire a gun as soon as they " turu-a-head," which for shore convenience is useless. If they would do so an hour before

starting, the convenience to the letter-writing public would be very great. All letters too late for the post and sent to the offices of the Agents should be stamped, just as though they were intended for the post. Election of Mr. Fitzgerald. It gives us much pleasure to record that the election to the House of Representatives, for the district of ' Ellesmere, Canterbury, of Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald. The opinions of this gentleman on the great questions of the day are pretty well known through the Press on which paper his pen is most freely employed, and are on the main parallel with those of the present Ministry. He is an orator, and his presence will be a great attraction to the Stranger's Gallery. Volunteer Firing. The Wellington Volunteers fire for the Government and other prizes on Saturday next at 11 o'clock. The ground is the same as that used last year. Incendtarism. — Between 2 and 3 o'clock this morning the town was affrighted out of sleep by the ringing of the fire alarm bell. The cause turned out to be the hull of the Mary Merrill on the beach at Ngahauranga. It is scarcely possible that the vessel could have caught fire accidentally, and must be ascribed, according to present information, to the act of an incendiary. Judge Johnstons reading. — We beg to remind our readers that His Honor's reading from Shakespeare takes place at the Athenaeum to-night. Wellington Choral Society. — The rules of this society are now printed in a unique form, ' price 6d., and may be purchased at Mr. W. Lyon's, Mr. Bishop's and Owen Brothers, who have kindly volunteered to dispose of them. New Bird. — A hitherto unknown species of ! duck has recently been seen on the Manawatu river, about 20 miles from the mouth. It was seen by a party of several and fired at, but missed, from a distance of twenty yards. Our j informant describes it as follows : — In size it is equal to a full grown turkey; its wings are long and powerful ; and its general contour not unlike a shag. The ground color is a variable ash grey, beautifully marked and spotted with white. The bill is small, broad, almost vermillion, and having a fleshy membrane as in the Blue Mountain duck of the South. When disturbed it produces a loud note between a quack and a scream, and not unlike the low cry of the Kaka. New Zealand is rich in anaiidce. We have already described in our fauna seven distinct species- There is said to be a pintailed duck iv the rivers of the extreme north, and this duck of the Manawatu (about which there seems to be little doubt) will swell our list to nine. There is a general impression that New Zealand is poor in ornithology: Some of our readers will be surprised to learn that there are at least one hundred species of birds found in New Zealand. Some of these (procellarida $c.J are only occasional visitants on our shores ; but most of them are permanent residents with us. Some are local in their range, othurs are found in all parts of both islands, and it must not be forgotten that our fauna contains more representations of the struthionidat (dodo and kindred) than that of any other country. We may hereafter tell the reader something about our beautiful Notornis ! Mantelli) our three (perhaps four) species of axteryx, our rare found parrots, rails and mountain thrushes. We shall hope at least to prove to our readers that the ornithology of these islands is neither so scanty nor so uninteresting as most townsfolk are apt to think. The San Francisco Minstrels. We have pleasure in announcing the return of this very capital company, whose performances last year gave such unmixed satisfaction. The Company have lost some of its former members, and have been added to by others whose abilities will sustain the old reputation. They gave their first performance at the Royal Olympic Theatre last evening, and notwithstanding the shortness of the notice, there was a crowded audience on the occasion. We have neither time nor space to give a lengthened critique of their performances ; they must be seen and heard to be thoroughly appreciated ; and we would advise all who wish to enjoy a first-rate evening's entertainment, not to fail to pay th?m a visit.