Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1734, 24 June 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

The English Ma.il. — Not having yet become used to the new steam arrangements, some persons were much surprised at the arrival of the English Mail on Saturday evening. According to those arrangements the mail was, however, two days behind its time; unexpected as was the Queen's arrival, she ought to huve arrived nearly if not quite two days previously. The Aldinga with the mail on board reached Otagu on Tuesday the 17th, and the Queen should therefore have arrived at Lyitehou ou the 18th and here on the 19th. The Queen was not so quick as she ought to have been last month ; but there was then the rery good t excuse of her having only just arrived from Melbourne, besides which the mail was sent on by the Wonga. We trust that next month the Queen will show herself a little smarter, as by the time tables she ought to be ready to sail from Otago at any moment alter the 17th at which the mail may arrive there, and as a rule only stop on the road long enough to receive and deliver mails. The Assembly. — Tha Storm Bird, brought Dr. Monroe, the Speaker of.the House of Representatives, and by late steamers several other members of Assembly more particularly from Taranaki have Arrived, as well as the Hod. Mr. Bartley, Speaker of the Upper House. Mr. ' Fox and the Northern members are expected by the WhileSwau, and the Southern members by the Lord Worsley, both arriving here within a week. • Presbyterian Missions. — A service was held last night at the Free Church, Willis ; Street, to create a stronger interest in the Presbyterian Missions of the New Hebrides. The meeting, although not a very large one, com- | prised members of all the Churches, and was I warm in its tone. Several speakers urged the claims of Missions, and a Committee of Ladies was nominated to collect subscriptions for providing a larger vessel for Missionary purposes, thau the one (the John Knox) employed for some years past. Hanseaxic Consul. — Mr. Krull, of the Wellington firm of Krull & Co., has at length been gazetted (in the London Gazette of the 19th April) Hanseatic Consul for New Zeaand. He was informed of this appointment a year since, but some red tape technicalities ; have prevented its being gazetted until now. Removal of the Provincial Government Offices. — Nearly the whole of the building now used for Provincial offices being required for Assembly purposes, th% Departments of the Provincial Secretary, Treasurer, Engineer, and Rouds, will remove during t'ne present week to the premises known as the " old Land Offices" near the Hospital. Amusements. — We bid fair to have plenty of amusement this winter. Pleasure seekers must have been somewhat puzzled last night to know which entertaintertainraent to patronise. At the Olympic, the San Franciscj Minstrels, always good, promised to excel last night iv the Virginian Mummy ; and their promises were fully realised. At the Lyceum Mrs. Foley's company had provided an extra bill of fare; and the entertainment boie out the expectations excited, At the Odd Fellows Hall Miss Harriet Gordon's company performed for the first time, and the audience there were charmed by " the rich soprano, full and resonant of the Queen of Song. Those who are fond of petit comedy and vaudeville will experience much pleasure from the acting of this small but really excellent company.

The Chairman of Committees. — As much dissatisfaction has been expressed at the abseuce of Mr. J. H. Wallace from the Council last week, we deem it due to that gentleman to say that he has satisfactorily explained to various members how the apparent discourtesy arose. On the Friday Evening previously, he intended to ask leave of absence, but on mentioning this intention to Mr. Fitzherbert, that gentleman assured him that no inconvenience would be caused, as tbe Council would temporarily appoint a substitute. Under these circumstances Mr. Wallace like Christian of old, left with a goou conscience and went on his way r«joieiHg. The Officebs of the 14 Regt. — We notice at Mr. Swansgallery a very excellent photograph group of nearly all the officers in this Regt. — all who could escape from actual duty at one time. Capt. Edwards occupies the fore ground reclining on the grass ; behind him is Ensign Patton, whose features insensibly suggest the time when George the third was king ; and to tbe right and left are Dr. Bennett, ana Lieut Johnsou The back ground is filled by the tall forms of Capts. Furneauxand Russell, Ensigns Willis and Me Mahon, A.D.C. Neil! and the Musketry Instructor Lieut Anderson. Sevelai changes being contemplated in the Regtthe officers ha^e had this photograph taken "in meraoriam" and it speaks weil for the good feeling existing in tbe Regt. that the officers thus desire to keep up iv each others re me abrances their companionship inarms. The photograph will, we are sure, find its way into many a Civilians house ia Wellington where the originals have long been welcomed for their many social qualities. Last Saturday, the 21st instant, being the day appointed for the Prize shooting by thß Wellington Rifle Volunteers, 9 only of the members availed themselves of the opportunity, and under the command of Captain Kirwan, the Adjutant, proceeded to the Butts at Lyall'a Bay, and tried their skill with the following result. Fob Hibbebts' Rifles. 5 Rounds at each distance.

! 135 Considering the drawbacks this unfortunate i Corps have to contend against the result is not so

lai as might be ftnticipated-««A very strong N.W, wind blowing directly across the line of fire, the thermometer a few degrees above freezing point, was anything but favourable to the competitors — especially after a walk of five miles through mud ankle deep. The trial for the Government Prizes shew better shooting than for the rifles, which is only to bo accounted for by the member firing being partly sheltered by his companions closing rouud him for a breakwind. We hope that the next time any prizes are offered to »cc a large number of competitors. The Government have given to their employes time for drill, it would be as Well if the merchants and others of Wellington would follow the example bo laudably set them, and not let the Volunteer movement here be a laughing stock for other provinces. Miss. Harriet Gordon's Entebtainment. — It is one of the most pleasing duties that has devolved upon us for Borne time, to give a passing remark or two upon the performance of this talented young artiste, who appeared " like a meteor " suddenly in our midst last evening at the Odd Fellows' Hall. We in common with the audience found ourselves applauding continually the efforts of Miss Gordon and leaving off suddenly to stop our cacchinatory powers at the comic extravagancies of Mr. J. P. Hyde. They are the most talented couple we have yet had in Wellington. Miss Gordon's superb pure mezzo soprano voice sounds with thrilling effect through this splendid hall,— her brilliant execution and power is positively beautiful— -whilst the compass is heard to a great, advantage in Bishops '• Echo " and " Gentle Lark." The Italian '• Di Piacer '• being indeed a master piece of the true operatic school, whilst the gentle " Ever of Thee " brings to our recollection the palmy days of Miss Stephen the English Balladist. Mias G's., ilne musical education bespeaks itself in every cadence, and her piano forte playing ia another theme of pleasure and delight to all • fortunate enough to hear it. Miss G. will appear each evening during this week, when we hear the lady departs, for the North, the success she has met with and the many warm recommendations she brings us from Canterbury and Otago, induces us to hope that her Wellingtonian frienda will have as kind a remernembrance of her Bijou Theatre aa those she has left behind. We earnestly recommend this entertainment to all lovers of music and patronizers of true dramatic talent.

Royal Lyceum Theatre. — The above Theatre was opened last evening under the management of Mrs. Foley, for a short season and judging from the crowded state of the house prior to the rising of the curtain, notwithstanding the host of attraction elsewhere, that lady must feel gratified at the compliment paid to her. The performance commenced with " Delicate Ground," in which Mrs. Foley,& Messrs. Webster and Swan sustained the principal parts with their usual ability, and were warmly applauded. The play was succeeded by a dance, in which Mr. Mauuel appeared to great advantage, and was redemanded. The song " One Hundred Years Ago," by Mr. Marriott, richly deserved the well merited, the unanimous encore it elicited. The quarrel scene from Julius Csesar, which terminated this part of the performance was most ably rendered by Mr. Webster and an amateur (Mr: Lewisson), the audience listening with breathless attention during its delivery and warmly applauding the efforts of both gentlemen. It is gratifying to find that in these remote regions the words of the great bard have so powerful an influence, The performance terminated with the inimitable farce, " The Four Sisters," which for risible effect surpasses most of the pieces hitherto produced. The personation of the "Four Sisters " by Mrs. Foley, so separate and distinct, must be seen, it cannot be described, suffice it to say, on the present occasion that lady excelled herself, neither can wo award sufficient praise to Messrs. Webster and Swan, for the spirit with which they sustained their parts. We compliment the management on the success of the evening, and trust the season will be a profitable one.

The West Coast Natives. — The body of King Natives who last month started to go to Waitara, with a view to recommence the opening of the road between Wanganui and Taranaki have returned unsuccessful in their mission. They only reached the Ngatiruanui country and there found that the feeling of the natives was entirely opposed to moving in the matter until the investigation into the Waitara claims, promised by Governor Browne when they laid dowu arms, had first been entered upon.

100 y. 900 y. 300 y. Pointa. Cheeaman, W.F. 8 8 3 19 Widdop, W. 7 7 1 15 Shaw, W. 8 5 1 14 Holmes, W. H. ft 5 2 12 Logan, H. 5 2 3 10 Buck, L. 6 2 19 Pilcher, T. W. 8 0 2 5 Levy, S. 3 0 0 3 O'Connor,— 9 3 1 13 110 For Government Phizes. 0 Rounds at each distance, 100 y. 200 y. 300 y. Points. Logan 10 10 4 24 Cheesman 6 10 4 20 Pilcher 8 4 5 17 Widdop 0 7 0 16 Buck 9 7 0 16 Levy 4 7 3 14 Shaw 6 12 9 Holmes 4 4 1 9 O'Connor 7 3 0 10