Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1782, 23 October 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Thk English Mail. — At the hour of our going to press this morning, the English Mail was not signalled. An impression prevails thi:t our portion is not coming via Otago this month, but there is no foundation for it. Our mail is to come as usual by the Queen from Otago, those only whicli belong lo Nelson Taracaki, and Piclon will come via Sydney by the Claude Hamilton. We shall issue ao extra immediately after the mail's arrival. Accident.— Yesterday afternoon, an accident occured to a little girl the daughter of Mr. N. Gooder, which, we regret to say, may possibly be attended with serious consequences. The children attending Mrs. Mudgway's school in Ingestre Sireet, on leaving her gate are supposed to have startled some horses grazing them by the road side, causing one of to kick little Gooder ou the head. The child was conveyed home, and medical assistance sent for, but on making enquiries last night, we were sorry to learn that she continued insensible. Fire. — On Monday afternoon the neighbourhood of Woodward-street, was somewhat alarmed by the report of fire, at the old brewery, near the bridge. It turned out to be only some gorze, which a parcel of hoys had thotighlessly set alight, to the great danger, however, of Mr. Capper's house adjoining. Some of Mr. Toomath's school boys, aided by two or thiee soldieis, and other passers by for tun a tely quenched the fire before any harm had been done. As the summer comes on, very trival causes are sufficient to cause serious injury, and every care should be taken to prevent lhe possibility of danger in this respect. Funeral Services. — Death has recently beim busy amongst us, as within a very brie and recent period two valuable and useful members of society, each esteemed and icspected wiihin a wide circle of social life, we allude to the late Mr. Blyth, and the Rer. J. D. Whittaker, have been snatched away from our midst. On Sunday forenoon the Rev. J. Moir, delivered an impressive discourse in the Free Church here, having special reference to the recent decease of Air. Blyth ; and in the evening of the same day, the Rev. Mr. Smith, at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, preached a sermon of a similar character in memory of the late Rev. J. D. Whittaker. At ths close of the discourse, a brief yet interesting sketch was givea of the latter life, and labours of the deceased — both here and in South Australia. Both services were well attended, the latter indeed being crowded to tbe door.

Mr. Thatcher. — What shall we say of this racy humorist, this incorrigible punster, and inimitable local songster, who, on Tnesday night, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, kept bis audience in perfect shrieks of laughter throughout the whole evening ? It was a source of infinite mirth to note the interest and excitement whicli succeeded the ariival of this gentleman here, how some folks wondered who and what he would be at first, how others quaked in their shoes lest they might become the butt of his wit, and how all united in a determination to see and heir him. Tuesday night came, and despite a succession of he ivy showers of rain, a tolerably numerous audience, comprising several of onr local celebrities, mustered in the Hall at the appointed time. The programme comprised several capital comic songs, executed with a gesture and manner quite indiscribable^by Mr. Thatcher, amongst which may be mentioned the" Race between the Aldinga and the City of Hobart," and "The Dunedin Gaol," both of which were exceedingly well received. A duet on the flute and piano was tolerably well cxc cuted, but the great hits of the evening were three new local songs, written expressly for the occasion, all of which were received with perfect scream? of laughter and thunders of applause. The first sung was " The Prison Van," which was an excellent specimen ofjthat particular variety of broad humour of whicli chief Baron Nicholson, of the Coal Hole, is the most able exponent extant ; lhe " Wellington Celebrities" was a capital bit of satire, and abounded in i jocular allu-dons to well known citizens which | were in many cases enjoyed hy the victims as much as their friends. Of tke amenities ot journalism of tlie '* Advertiser versus the Independent," it becomes us not to speak, suffice it then to say that it was full of hits, which were thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Mr. Thatcher posesses keen perceptions, great powers of wit, is a capital punster, and contrives to give his origina! songs a force and expiession peculiarly his own. It is imp -ssible to adequately describe lhis, no one can appreciate it without hearing it for themselves, and if an evening of capital fun is wanted, we would advise all of our citizens to go. The singing of Madame Vitelli was received with rapturous applause throughout the evening. Added to the possession of a rich soprano voice, there is in this lady's singing a species of charm which strikes the ear with delight. Asa ballad singer, Madame Vitelli stands unrivalled in Wellington, hut lacks power iv operatic music. The rendering of " Auld Rabin Giay" was a complete triumph ; imbued wilh much feeling and touching earnestness, which told electrically upou the audience. " Jessies Dream" was beautifully sung, but we thought the accompaniment a liltle too boisterous ; this was a pity, as much of the pathos of this exquisite ballad was lost. Madame Vitelli also favored the audience with a comic song " The Captain with his Whiskers," which although not a local " hit," was still heartily enjoyed by all, as was also the comic duets " The Servant Girl" and " Yankee Travels" which were admirably .«ung by Madame Vitelli and Mr. Thatcher.. The rep'etitio.i of this entertainment last night, was also very sucessful, some impromptu hits made in the local songs told with wonderful effect, while a new song the "Sign Boards of Wellington" was a decided success. Bread-making Machine. — It always affords us pleasure to notice tiie introduction of improved methods for producing the articles required for our home consumption or for export. The latest is a Stevens' bread-making machine imported in the Asterope by Mr. Lning. It is not yet landed, but when erected we hope to he able to give a description of it in detail. The great advantage of the machine is that it dispenses altogether with the handling of the dough by thebaker, and is as great a boon to the journeyman by doing away with unheal thy labour, as it is to the consumer by doing away with so much that i's unclean (or supposed to be so) in the process of kneading, &c. We hope the enterprise will meet with a due reward. Local Improvements.— We think it was the immortal "Sam Weller" who once said, "that taking to building" was only a mild term for insanity, and if the distinguished valet's opinion be a correct one, then certainly a large number of our most worthy citzens must he non compos menlis,\ns erections of every shape, size, and description are either now iv progress or have recently been completed. First in size and importance ranks Mr. Levy's new warehouse, on Limbton-quay, next comes Mr. Robert Miller's hous?, shop, and bakery; immediately opposite Mr. Schultze's new wooden store, -villi brick foundation, is advancing rapidly; and ftiithei up Willis-st., a till lately unocupied buil. ling flourishes with all the glare and dash of a fresh painted sign-board, as. the offices of the New Zealand Steam Navagation Company. Shrewd though our fiiend '" Sam " gonerally was— we don't quite agree with hira in his assertion about the insanity of building, as there is every prospect that recent erections will not only prove great improvements to the city, but will also return in time a rich harvest to tlieir enterprising owners. Street Obstructions. — A correspondent calls our attention lo a case ol'lhis kind in thealleged fact lhat" that a large quanlity of timber at present hlocks up the continuation of Willisstreet towards the Wharf," and indignantly asks '* why limber is thus allowed to make another " Glen Till" of the passage. ?" Wo really don't know who arc the offenders, or whether there may not be some ve*ted right in the matler - but, perhaps, some other correspondent would enlighten us on those points. The Last Thing in Head dresses. — Our milliner's windows are now full of the latest fashions received ex Princess and Asterope, aud We are particularly great iv ladies head-dresses, have no lady correspondent to describe the fashions for the edification of our couutry leaders ; but give them instead an account of the very last head- dress that has appeared in Paris — " Tiie Princess Charles Bonaparte has been among the number of Parisians who have given euterlaiumeiiis to tlieir friends, and the other evening gave a grand ball. It would not have been in very good taste for her masculine visitors to remark in her salons what she wore. But when they got out they did not fail to do so, and were in raptures at the taste displayed in a head-dress, which consisted of a black arid yellow butterfly above the forehead, and two blue ones at lhe back of the head. Kai-Whakawa. — This humorous and brilliant little sketch, from the pen of Thos. Moser, Esq, appears to-day in another part of our columns, and will certainly repay perusal. It refers to proceedings of very icceut occurrence.