GENERAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1815, 10 January 1863, Page 3

GENERAL.

Geological Discoveries. — During the past month, chrome, cobalt, and antimony have been found in tbe neighbourhood of the town, Panama. — The Lyttelfvn Times states that Mr Ward ba3 met witb consideiable success in securing the co-operation of the Sydney Go- , vernment. Sydney has decided on co-operating with New Zealand to the fullest extent, and will instruct its English agent to do all in bis power to assist the efforts Mr Ward proposes to make. Militaby Inspection. — Lieut.-General Cameron, C. 8., Commanding the Forces in New Zealand, made his inspection of the Detachment 2nd Battalion. 14th Regt., under the command of Brevet Major Lepper,- at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 12tb. The troops were put through a variety of movements, to the satisfactiou of the General, who afterwards inspected the books, hospital, prison &c, and expressed himself well satisfied with the healthy and good appearance of the men under arms, as well as the regular and correct manner in which the different duties &c, were carried on. The Presbytebian Genebbl Assembly.— • We learn that the' Conference, recently held at Auckland has decided on holding its first General Assembly in Wellington, about this time next year. Lyceum Theatbe.— Mrs W. H. Foley opened this theatre on the 15th Dec, for a fortnight. The pieces presented, were chiefly of the melo-drarua and light comedy cast. The attendance on the whole was very fair, aud the acting of the usual character. Nepta Taratoa. — This old ohief, who has long been iv a sickly condition, appears to be railing fast, and il is questionable whether he will outlive the present summer. There is no doubt now about his having set bis back oo " Kingism," and returned lo his former loyalty. On the 3rd of this month Mr Buller, R M., administered to him the oath of allegiance, and he is now in harness again as a " Queen's Assessor,'; or Native Magistrate under Sir George Grey's uew system. Gold Discoveries. — 'lhe recent gold discoveries in the Lake District and elsewhere on the border of Southland bave already had tbe effect of increasing the value of property in that province. The Southland News of 20th December says :—" A significant proof of the increased value of town sections is to be found in the announcement, in the Provincial Government notices of this day. that the Waste Land Board has raised the upset price of sections in Inveroargill, Riverton, and Camp-, belltown to £50, in Gore and Dacre to £25. Tbis step is warrauted by the prices fetched by almost all available sections in tbese towns, as tbe buying season sets in, and more particularly so by the improved prospects for the coming quarter, consequent upon the steady extension of our gold fields." The Court op Appeal. — As intimated by the Judge in his charge to the Grand Jury last week, the Court of Appeal has been fixed to be holden at Christchurch on the lOib February. Tbe many duties pressing on tbe Judges of Otago and Canterbury, is said to be the reason wby Christchurch bas been selected.

The New Bank Building.— We understand that three tenders have been sent in from Wellington and one from Otago. The one from Otago is considerably the lowest, and will, we presume, be accepted, unless a more favorable tender was sent in at Auckland ; the next mail from whence will bring full particulars. In round numbers, the Wellington tenders were C. BU Carter, £4,200, S. Jacka, £4,600, and J. (Gill, something considerably above £5,000. /SChobal Society.— The first concert of this teeasfcn was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall on the 'evening of the 18th, and was attended by a full and fashionable audience. The concert was in every way a success— the cborusses were excellently sung, and tbe part pieces efficiently rendered ; while the solo " I know that my Redeemer liveth," the duett "0 lovely peace" aud "The young May Moon" were perfect triumphs. We must not forget to mention the pianoforte solo " Where tbe bee sucks," in the second part, which was charmingly executed by a lady member. The Amateur Band also contributed much to the amusement of the evening. His Honor the Judge who takes a great interest ia the society, was, we are sorry to say, unable to attend through ill-health. Land Sale.— At the Government auction sale on the 19th instant, the land in the Pabau and Warehama blocks realised £1964 12s 6d. Deserter Captured, — For some months past our worthy Resident Magistrate has had a handy man in his employ, who a week or two ago was pounced upon by one of the 57tb, and marched oil as a deserter. Our readers may fancy tbe surprise of Mr St Hill on being informed of the occurrence, the deserter having no doubt being ready enough to believe that the safest concealment was under the wings of justice. The Te Aro Pound.— This much wanted erection was contracted for on tbe 24tb Dec. The Gazette gives the tender of Mr Nicholas as £45, and that of Mr Wallis as £50. Communication with Napieb. — A steamer will leave Wellington for Napier on the 14lb of each month, returning on the 16th. The Superintendent. — His Honor left town onthe 24th, for the Wairarapa and East Coast, in connexion with his duties as Land Purchase Commissioner. He hopes to meet Mr McLean, who has promised{to visit the East Coast if possible, in order to close up many of the incompleted purchases. He has not yet returned. Flowering) Aloes. — This summer seems peculiarly favorable for the Aloe, as we notice there are several in tbe town about to flower. Thoss in the gardens of Mr Harding, Webb Street, Mr Hickson, Abel Smith Street, and Mr Wilkinson's Oriental Bay, have particularly attracted our attention. City Reserves Commissioners.— A Gazette issued on tbe 24th Dec, contains the appointment of the following six gentlemen as Commissioners for the management of the City Reserves, viz : Hon. Mr Mantell, Messn C. R. Carter, J. H. Wallace, Stokes, Lyon, and Fitzherbert. Custom House Agents. — The Gazette of 20th Dec, announces that tbe following persons have been licensed Custom House Agents, viz., Edward Owen, Edward Pearce, R, S. Ledger W. Hickson, all ofWellington, and J. Broughton of Wanganui. j Resident Magistrate's Court. — Cases of Debt, to the extent of fifty pounds, may now be tried in the Wellington Court, under a procla- j mation received by last mail from Aucklaud. j Shark. — A shark 5 feet long was captured on tbe 2nd iust., in tbe harbor, near the breastwork. Whales.— Mr Edward France who keeps I the signal station at Mount Albert, recently > saw three large whales spouting close in shore. What a source of wealth whale fisheries present for enterprise and capital in this' Province. Drowning. — A child of Mr Henry Burgess j was found drowned in a well near his parents house, on the 27th Dec, a coroner's inques* was held, and thejury returned a ver. diet of "Accidental Death by Drowning." Accidental to Mr St. Hill. — As this gen. tleman was riding along Lambton Quay, on Tuesday, when near the shop of Mr E. W. Mills, a sheet of galvanised iron was blown across the street by the force of tbe wind, striking bis hoise and making it sby so sudd enly as to throw its rider, who was a good deal bruised by the fall. We understand that Mr St. Hill is still con fied to his room from the effects of tbis accident. Shakespearian Reading.— His Honor Mr Justice Johnston delivered a Reading at the j A then scum, on Tuesday, with his usual success ! from Shakespeare's Kiug Henry the Eighth.