Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1777, 9 October 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Arrival op Wi Tako in Wellington. - Yesterday afternoon, considerable interest was excited by the arrival of this Chief, accompanied by his wife and child, and a retinue of 22 followers on horseback. The cavalcade started from Waikanae on Tuesday afternoon, arrived at Wareroa the same evening, and put up for the night there- On the following morning, at an eaily hour, the party started for Wellington, and arrived in town about 5 p.m. We understand that this visit has been made in accor dance with a desire expressed to that effect by his Excellency Sir George Grey, who wished; ere proceeding to Auckland ou Friday next, to have a personal interview with Wi Tako. The party first proceeded to the Criterion Hotel, where, by his Excellency's instructions, rooms had been provided ; but there being insufficient accommodation for tbe whole of his retinue, he preferred proceeding to the Te Aro Pah, where himself and followers accordingly lodged for the night. The proposed interview will take place to-day at the Governor's offices in the Supreme Court buildings. Rev. J. D. Whittaker. — This gentleman, a minister of the Primitive Methodist Church, whose name appeared recently in our obituary, was buried on Tuesday, but we cannot allow a minister of religion — especially as this is the first instance of the death of such a person in this City — to pass away without at least some notice. Mr. Whittaker had not long been a resident here, having arrived from South Australia rather less than a year ago. His health had broken down under the weight of an amount of labor, such as it falls to the lot of few men to perform. He had been in South Australia about seven years, during the first four of which he travelled on horseback 25,000 miles, preached on the average one sermon on every day, visited about 1500 families, aud wrote nearly as many letters on the business of the mission, besides causing the erection of fifty chapels, the plans and specifications of which were all prepared by his own hands. It is nut wonderful that at length his over-tasked strength gave way, and he removed to New Zealand iv the hope thai his health might be recruited. This hope, we regret to say, has proved fallacious, and after gradually sinking, he became insensible about noon on Friday last, and died a little before eleven o'clock on that evening, leaving a widow and three children to mourn his loss. The funeral was very numerously attended, the body having been taken into the Chapel in "which he formerly officiated. The burial service was read by his colleague, the Rev. J. Smith, assisted by various other ministers, and the signs of deep and genuine feeling that were manifested, showed how much he had won the esteem of the people in the bhort time ha bud been among them.

New Buildings. — We observe with great pleasure that building operations in Wellington are not confined to the Provincial Government's erections, to which we referre-1 a short time ago, but that private enterprise is also being I , shown to a considerable extent in the same I way. As instances of this, we may allude to a large building of two flats, which is now nearly completed on Lunbton-quay, and is intended for a shop, bakery and dwelling-house to be occupied by Mr. Robert Miller. The premises are both complete and extensive, and bid fair to equal any others of the kind in Wellington. Immediately opposite, Mr. C. W. Schultze is erecting a brick building for use as a store, and we are given to understand that further erections will shortly be made in that locality. On Lambton Quay a very large store has been erected by Mr. L. Levy intruded for the boot and shoe trade. - Departure of the Governor. — It is generally understood that the Governor will take his departure not later than to-morrow, the journey to the Wairarapa being postponed until the next time his Excellency visits us which we need not say, will not, we hope, be very long. Laying the Foundation Stone of the Supreme Court. — This was to have taken place duriag the Governor's stay, His Excellency having promised to perform the ceremony. It is very much to be feared, that the numerous engagements which press upon the Governor's time, will reluctantly oblige the postponement of the ceremony, as up to a late hour last night we could not learn that arrangements had been made. It will be a great disappointment if it should uot take place, and we trust his Excellency will yet be able to find time to comply with the wish so generally felt that he should la> the foundation stone of the buildings ; more especially as he was detained from being present to drive the first wharf pile some months ago.