Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1799, 2 December 1862, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

City Improvements — The New Bank. \\ ithoutrWishing to over-estimate the great iinpi jkvements now taking place at Wellington B jach, and with no desire to undervalue tbe gijat, — we might say the gigantic undertakings in the shape of public works, now in progress at Canterbury and Otago, and perhaps also at Auckland, we may be allowed to say that wejcannot help believing, that though Wellington, shorn of the Ahuriri, has not, at. present, either the natural resources or wealth of Canterbury, Otago, or Auckland with its enormous commissariat expenditure, yet we cannot help believing that any candid stranger, from any of tbe Provinces, when he lands in this port and sees a substantial, spacious, and durable Deep Water Jetty, a Custom House, Post Office, Supreme Court, Resident Magistrate's Court, Police Station, and a Queen's Warehouse three stories high, and perhaps the largest building in the Colony— he will at least admit, that no other port in the Colony offers greater, if equal facilities for commerce and everything else connected with shipping, and for becoming the centre of steam navigation for the Colony. The latter we believe is nuw admitted on all hands, and the Wellington Provincial Government has left no stone unturned, to deserve the favorable consideration of the General Government and the Colony on this head. In close proximity to these improvements, will stand the Sioposert New Zealand Bank, designed by W. lason,Esq,'of Auckland, and in every way worthy of the high proffessional ability of that architect. Tbe Bank is to stand on a triangular piece of the Reclaimed Lauds and will present a two storied front to Lambton Quay. Facing up Willis Street, will be the principal entrance having in the centre a handsome portico supported by two square and two circular columns, with the angles of the main building, on each side of it, circular. The other front will be opposite Custom House Quay, which is here 60 feet wide. The building is designed in the Corinthian style, purely and chastely carried out. 'There will be four Corinthian columns, and fourteen pilasters with the cornicing richly., ornamented with carved trusses ; the two-storied part will be about 27 feet in height to the top of blocking course. The windows are to be plate glass in two squares. The principal office will be 26 ft x24 ft, and ahout 18 ft in height. A large eliptical brick and cement strocg room is to be constructed. The building will be mostly of wood with brick foundations, and tbe roof slated. The side next Custom House quay, will perhaps (like the Custom House and Post Office), not look so well as the jother portions of tbe building, being partly

one, and partly two stories in height. The cost of the building is likely to be between £4 and £5000 and it is expected tobecompleted in about a year, if the Directors accept any of the tenders. We believe three tenders have been sent in from Wellington, and we understand one from Dunedin. Important Geological Discoveries. — It is our gratifying task to record the recent discovery of some carboniferous rocks, by Mr Coutts Crawford, on Porirua Harbor, consisting of san> stones, shales and fossil plant beds, the series having a thickness of at least eight hundred feet. It is more than probable ihat this is the first link in the chain of discovery of workable seams of coal, but from the nature of the country much time aud patience may be at first required. Dr Levy, an eminent French geologist, now in Wellington, proposes to i accompany Mr Crawford with a view to the further examination of the caiboniferous district. On the Belmont line Mr Crawford , hasalso succeeded in finding fossils, which with those of the Carboniferous strata, are probably the first Paljezoic fossils yet fou nd in the North Island. Fish Lakes. — It is known to most of our renders that Sir George" Grey has a small island near to Auckland, where he is endeavouring to acclimatize birds and animals from the Cape and elsewhere. Sir George is equally anxious to introduce fish, and we understand i that while recently in Wangauui, he visited several lakes in that neighbourhood with a view to purchase. It is generally thought that j Lake Alice in the Rangitikei district most approved itself to His Excellency's views. Wanganci Pilot. — Captain Linklater : of the Tyne being about to proceed to England in connection with the Wanganui S. N. Co., the present pilot at Wanganui, Mr John McLaren, has been appointed to the command- of the Tyne. The permanent appointment of a new pilot rests with the chief Marine Boaid, under the Act of last Session, Lancashire Relief Fund. — As will be observed by an advertisement in another column, it is the intention of the recently appointed Committee to collect subscriptions in aid of our suffening countrymen in the olton districts at home, on Thursday first, the 4ih instant. This is a matter which has alreadj had our hearty and earnest advocacy and we need not s>iy how much we trust and believe that our citizens, of every class, as well as our country friends, will come forward liberally, with their contributions to this blessed work of charity. ImpoktantSai.e, — Several of our commercial constituents have requested us to call attention to the sale of tke whole oargo of the Trader, consisting of sugars and rice which is advertised to take place on Thursday, the 4th inst., *»t the stores of Messrs. Johnston and Co.