Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1781, 21 October 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Glasgow Art Union. — Mr. Stuart has favored us with a view of the photographs intended for distribution to the subscribers of next year. Those on show ar«, however, of a reduced size to those intended fur distribution, and scarcely convey an impression of their value. The presentation of mounted photographs is a novelty which will be more appreciated in the colonies than elsewhere, and the Society will in consequence probably receive a large' addition of colonial subscribers. Of the three subjects, " the death barge of King Arthur" is the most to our taste, though " the white cockade " will fiud favor with a large number of the Scotch whose ears have from childhood been attuned to the praises of " bonnie piince Chiulie," which still form the theme of so many a favorite song ; while " the better land" will have numerous admirers, if for no other reason than the verses which it illustrates. An advertisement elsewhere, will give particulars of terms and date of subscription. Rev. W. Kirton. — We are' sorry to learn that Mr. Kirtou, after having officiated in the Scots Church here for about thirteen years, is intending to remove to Canterbury on tbe arrival of a successor toward* Christmas next. The pupils of Mr. Tootnath's Grammar School, where Mr. Kirtou has long been the Classical and Mathematical master, have preseuted him with a handsome Pencil Case on his retirement — being the second presentation they have made him during the pabt year. Photography. — This h.is now become suoh i a necessary, ttial we are glad to find that the town is not, even temporarily, without a professional artist. Mr. Richards has succeeded Mr. Duvis, and wisely, as we think, gone back to the old premises on the beach. Fancy Cabinet Work. — Some of our townspeople may have noticed last week two very elegant card table tops in Mr- Barraud's window. The elegance of design, the excellency of workmanship, and marvellous cheapness, rendered them unique. They were the work of a German named Seufert at Auckland, and intended as specimens of what are being made by him for presents in Europe. Messrs. Krull & Co. will be happy to give further intormalion. It is matter for regret tli.-.t our own Cabinet Makers do not turn their attention t<j something of this kind ; scarcely anything of Native woods and suitable for presents being kept by them. Mr. Thatcher. — We observed this clever and ingenious gentleman, sauniering leisurely through town on Satin day, note book in hand, glancing curiously at the signboards,and though everything as yet is a profound mystery, we shrewdly suspect tliat the material thus gathered will be presented to his audience tonight in a pleasant lyrical form. The Scottish " Peasant Poet" has said — " O that quid the gift wad gie us, " To see ourselves as others see us." And possibly our citizens will be nil the better for the presence of this satirist " to hold the mirror up to nature," and in his genial way tell us a few home truths. The Ministry. —A correspondent asks us whether Mr. Maiitell is still a member of tbe Ministry, directing our attention to the fact that the resignation nf his seat in the Executive has never been gazetted. All we can say is that we should be very glad if ho did possess an unofficial seat in the Ministry; hut we do not think there is any reason for supposing such to !" c the case. On referring to the Gazette of 23rd August, it is quite true that Mr. Mantell's resignation of the Postmaster Generalship only is notified, while in Mr. Gillies case, his resignation of the office of Attorney General and seat in the Executive are both' announced ; yet the difference is, we presume, a purely technical one, in con sequence of a seat in the Executive uot now necessarily attaching to the At torney Genoraiship as it dues to the office held by Mr. Mantell. Aboriginal Poetry. — We direct attention to an article whioh appears in our columns of to-day on this subject, from the pen of the author of the humourous sketches of New Zealand life and manners, being confident that, it will interest not only Maori linguists but also general readers. To those who have read the previous articles on kindred topics, we allude to " The Pah," " JRunanga," and " Parnapa," it will doubtless be a source of heartfelt delight to learn that "Jeremiah " has been created a Magistrate. Not only is this the C'ise, but the worthy old copper coloured gentlem vi has been realizing the truth of" the old adage that new " brooms sweep clean," by fining every man woman and child within his jurisdiction, to the tune of several thousand pounds ! ! ! Or the profound legal j acumen, and vigorous measures of this lunctionary, we propose to give a full true and particular account in our next issue — so let our readers be on the aleit for the appeuwice of Te Ktiwhakawa. The Duke op Wellington's Opinion op the English Cavalry. — A day or two ago after our arrival in Paris from Waterloo, Colonel Felton Hervey having entered the dining room with the dispatches which had come from London, the Duke asked what news have you, Hervey ? upon which Colonel Felton Hervey, answered. " I observed by the Gazette that tno Prince Regent has made himself Captain General of the Life Guards and Blues, for their brilliant conduct at Waterloo." "Ah!" replied the Duke, "his Royal Highness is our Sovereign, and can do what he pleases ; but this 1 will »ay, the cavalry of other European armies have won victories for their generals, but mine hrtve invarialdy got me into scrapes. It is true that they have always fought gallantly and bravely, and have generally got themselves out of their difficulties by sheer pluck." The justice of this observation has since been confirmeJ by the charge ao Balaklava, where our cavalry undauntedly rushed into the face of death under the command of that intrepid, officer, Lord Cardigan, j