Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1744, 24 July 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Extenjeivjs Sale of Jewelry. — We have recently had the pleasure of inspecting a most extensive stock of jewelry, lately imported by Mr. F. H. Lewisson, which at present lies on sale at the Auction Alart of Mr. J. H. Wallace. The collection includes a variety of articles of the most recherche description, Brooches, with Carbuncles, Gainets,jand Sapphires, mounted in English & Colonial Gold ; — Cameo, and Miniature Brooches, of the latest designs ; Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, that for novelty and richness aTe faultless, and a selection of Rings with Diamonds, Cornelians, Gems, and Blood stones, that iv point oi variety andt.ste are till that can be desired. The selection of articles of bijouterie is very extensive, and comprises Seals, Charms, Collar Buttons, aud Sleeve links, while the assortment of Clucks, in Alabaster, Rosewood and Ebony inlaid, together with the Gold aud Silver Watches, leaves nothing to be desired but the money to buy them with. Mr. Lewisson we believe starts shortly for Auckland in the Lord Worsley, and as it is rarely the citizens have an opportunity of selection, from such a stock, we would recommend an early visit.

Geology Pbactically Considered. — A j lecture on the above interesting aud .withal j important, subject, was delivered in the Athen | jeum on Tuesday evening, by the Hon. J. C. Crawford. The attendance though not very numerous, was select, the front seats being occupied by Judge Johnston, Bishop Abrahams, and others, while many of the fair sex graced the Hall with their presence. The lecturer in opening the subject said he would pass over the discoveries of Tasman and Captain Cook — who never did anything for Geology — and come at once to that distinguished ancestor of the Maori race, who practised the lost ait of forming Is-lands — and fished up New Zealand from the depths of the sea. It would be necessary he continued, before touching on the practical Geology, of this country, that he should give a brief sketch of the science itself, and of the general results which have beeu arrived at by observation and reasoningthereupon. He then gave a rapid though comprehensive outline, of the leading features of Geology, glanced at the four great divisions of the rocks, — the igneous, the volcanic, the plutonic, and the metamorphic,— which he aptly illustrated by a description of the various formations existing in England, Scotland and Ireland, Having finished (Li> branch of his subject the lecturer proceeded to give a description of the Geology of this Province, the first grand feature of which was tbe main range of this Island, which he considered consisted of a series of rocks, belonging to the Silurian era, and although he hud found no fossils, by which to determine its age, yet as in the Canterbury Province, he had found similar rocks, there could be no doubt but that the range in question crossed the Stiaits, and then proceeded to the South-West; and as his friend Mr. Haast had found fossils in the Middle Island portion of that range, which had been sent to Professor McCoy of Melbourne, for examination, it was probable that ere long we should know to what age to refer our rocks. Speaking from the knowledge he possessed, he was fully of opinion that our main range faiily answered Murchisou's definition of "auriferous." Indications of gold, sufficient to see, feel and weigh had been found; meantime, time and patience alone could solve the problem of what future^ quantities might be discovered. He wished he could take his audience with him in imagination, over the extremely interesting country he traversed last summer. On this part of his theme the hon, gentleman fired into animation- and life, as he narrated his personal experiences, and the following is no mean specimen Of word-painting. "I wish I had the pencil of au-artisi, and the pen of a poet, to describe to you the ascent and descent of the Wanganui River. : "The scenery is no doubt very much of a shut up description; the journey is through walls, but they are walls of verdure, and that of the most lovely kind. But what particularly enlivened the scene, is the m mber of native villages, the picturesque groups of aboriginees, and the constant movement of canoes, in the

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management of which both by poling and paddling the body is naturally thrown into the most pictuiesque attitudes." We regret that want of space forbids us giving more than the faintest outline of this interesting lecture, we can only further say that the lion, gentleman gave a- very lucid though brief sketch of the geological features of these islands generally, and concluded with the following eloquent peroration. "In glancing the eye over natures' choicest scenes, how much additional interst is given to the view. Instead of a mere analysis iif light and shade, of wood and water, of mountain and shade, the practised geological eye adds to this the mineralogieal character of the whole scene; perceives why one mountain is rounded,? nd another angular; makes out the intrusion of the igueous rocks, and the protrusion of the volcanic ; sees the sharp outline of tbe tilted sedimentary rocks; or the long sweep or wide expanse of the horizontal strata; and in every cliff or exposed section find traces of forms of life and reads its st»r\." The lecturer was repeatedly applauded during the delivery, and at the close of his exposition, had a hearty vote of thauks accorded to him. We trust that tlie merited success of the hon. gentleman, in ibis his first appearance in that capacity, will encourage him in his future efforts. It is no difficult matter to find gentlemen who can talk hy the hour, but it is somewhat rare, to get one who having thoroughly assimilated his subject, can present it to a public audience with originality and freshness. In a purely scientific point of view, this lecture is of considerable value, and we throw out the suggestion, tha the facts, based on personal experience which i contains, should not be lost to the community