Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1798, 29 November 1862, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The English Mail.— The longriooked for English Mail arrived on Thursday forenoon ia the Queen via Otago, the Prince Alfred arriving from Sydney, via Nelson about half an hour afterwards. The cause of the detention was the Omeo being on the slip for nearly a week after the mails arrived at Melbourne. When matters are at their worst they must mend, and we don't think it possible that they can be worse than they have" been lately. We are aware that before Mr. Ward improved the time table, the due date of the mail via Sydney was only the day before tliat on which the mail did actually arrive ; yet having experienced for several months the advantage of receiving it a week earlier, we cannot afford to go back* With the New Year, we may hope that the terras of the new contract will lead to a more punctual adherence to the advertised dates. All (he services, but that between Otago and Melbourne, and vice versa, have for some months been performed with a most remarkable punctu* ality. Return op Mn, Turnboll.— We are glad to see that Mr. Walter Turnbull has returned from the old country in good health. Although only absent nine months he has been able to speud five of them in Britain, thanks to the speedy travelling of the present day. Liquids. — Cozeu's circular for September reports the liquids on board the Wild Duck for this port, as follows:— 80 gallons red wine, 1398 white wive, 1405 brandy, 641 rum, 2745 geneva, and 3196 British spirits. ■ The Kangatira. — We see this vessel is advertised in the Sydney papers to leave Sydney on Monday next for Cook's Straits and the. South, as usual. We we/c afraid .that the loss of the City of Sydney so soon after that of the Prince of Wales, might have caused her removal from the New Zealand line. Rev. H. W. Scott's Lecture.— The lee« ture at the Athenaeum on Tuesday evening was but indifferently attended, and was tbelast this season. The reverend lecturer toot for his subject several of the more prominent of the self-made men of the present century, and exhibited them as examples of what many {young men' in this province might, in a greater or' less degree, attain to by a diligent use of their time and brains, .•

Mr. James Kelham — This old and re-, spected colonist is now on his return to this Province, having sailed in the Wild Duck. His arrival will be cordially greeted by tbe many friends he is fortunate enough to have made. The Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell.— lt is with much satisfaction that we learn that the information circulated here a fortnight since, relative to the stnte of this gentleman's health, is incorrect. Beyond a temporary weakness in the eyes, arising from over much application, the "honorable gentlemen is in his usual health. Imports and Exports. — A gazette issued yesterday gives the following totals of the Imports of British and foreign goods coastwise, for the quarters euded last June £22,290 and September £36,846 125., and Exports of ditto coastwise, for June Quarter £66,285 19s. 7d., and for September quarter £62,508 6s. 6d, The Imports of New Zealand produce coastwise amounted during the same quarters to £22,877 9s. 6d., and £15,157 6s. 9d. and the Exports coastioise to £12,773 10s. and £15,405 16s. 7d. As the returns will be published in our columns in extenso, we need only here add that the import*? of New Zealand produce for the June quarter comprises £8000 for wool, subsequently exported beyond sea. The West Coast Native Districts. — Tiie Ouki district which, throug'i some inadvertence, was sliced out of Mr. W. L. Bulier's district and included in that to which Lieut. Edwards was appointed, has been restored, and Mr. Duller again takes charge of that *' centre ofKingism"; Lieut. Edwards taking Porirua and Waikanae. Greytown and Hutt. — The Gazette of tbe 22nd inst., contaius a notification from the Governor that the Sessions of the District Court will be held at the Lower Hutt on the third Monday iv January and every alternate month thereafter ; and at Greytown on the Thursday following the Lower Hutt sitting. Money Orders. — Wilh the new year money orders will be isssued payable at any of the Chief Post-offices in all the Provinces, at a charge of one shilling not exceeding £5, and ol two shillings not exceeding £10. Serious Affbay, — Early yesterday morning, a serious affray took place in tbe neighborhood of the Te Aro Hotel. A policeman going his rounds discovered, and was turning out of the yard, a soldier and a woman named Henry, when her husband, who was on the watch, stabbed the soldier in the thigh so seriously that he is considered to be in danger. On being arrested Henry stabbed the policeman twice,, but though severely hurt was not seriously so Henry has been remanded to the sth. The Land Sale.— The auction Sale at the Land Office yesterday realised £3245, consisting of five shilling land in the T upupuru Block. The Chief Marine Board.— Only three of the members having been able to attend the opening silling- of the Boarr], tbe proceedings bare been confined to business of apurely formal nature. Steps bave beeu taken to procure all necessary information and tbe Board will sit again at Auckland next January. The Attorney-Generalship.— Seeing Mr. Sewell's natna in the list of passengers from Auckland, on a visit to Canterbury, we are reminded that the Attorney-Generalship was not filled up at the latest date*. From Mr. Sewell and the Attorney-Generalship it is but one step to Mr. James Crowe Richmond and the memorable scene on tbe closing day of the Assembly, when that gentleman did yeoman's service for the Domett Ministry by speaking against time ; and it is but one more step to the announcement in Saturday's Gazette, that the same J, C Richmond, Esq , has been appointed a commissioner of Crown Lands at Nelson. The Outs always rail at kissing going by favor, but the Ins of all parties generally adopt the rule nevertheless. " Filling the public offices with his favorites and creatures" is a charge invariably brought against every holder of patronage ; but, so far from oar following in tbe vulgar wake and upbraiding the Domett ministry, we congratulate them on their wisdom, and tbink Mr. .Richmond fnlly entitled to all be has obtained considering the amount of not over pleasant work he did for it. We are not aware whether Mr. Richmond continues the editorship of tbe Nelson Examiner. j Ensign Fitzherbert. — The " Gazette" annouuees the resignation of Ensign Fitzherbeit of the Hutt Militia, that gentleman having been elected Ensigu of the Hutt Rifle Volunteers.