Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1824, 31 January 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Crowded Odt. — We have an article in type on •• the Boundary Case," which the pressure of English and Auckland news compels us to defer inserting till next issue. The Attorney-General.— rThe N.Z. Gazette contains the resignation of Mr Sewell as Attorney General, and the appointment of Mr Whittaker to that office. Mr Whittaker is, however, to hay© no seat in the cabinet, the Governor directing it to - be notified that the Attorney General will not be required to act in any political capacity, but will perfor m only the duty of law officer of the Government. •* The Hon. Mn Manteia.— This gentleman returned from his visit to Aupkland on Wedhea- , day, and has entered upon the duties of his office, the locale of which is that formerly occupied.by the Provincial Secretary in the Provincial Goyefnimentbuildings. We have to express biir thanks to this gentleman for kindly favouring us, with a copy of the November Home ATews, from* which we nave copiously extracted elsewhere. . Important Sale. — We have been requested to i call attention to Messrs. Duncan &. VenneMs iniportant sale at.Capt Carlypn>, ; which; takes place at the Hutt on Tuesday, and Wedneßtiay; ; ne&, :■,_• the 3rd and 4th February. A van will leav^towii ; about half-past n}ne o'clock on Tuesday mbrniiig. ; ; We may add that the house and, land will.^pld first, on Tuesday, and beforetlii;loto\m|}fitj|«^|iV; ? ":-\ '•the. catalogue.' ";• : •'' ' ■■• .'' ■• ■'"'■■ ', ;^:^r ; : .^.v-.:;'

UtrotrfSß Opera Company.— There was a capital attendance at the Odd Fellows' Hall last evening, to be present at the debut of ' the first Operatic Company who have favored us with a visit since the foundation of the Province ; and if we may judge from the deafening applause which greeted the various artistes, and the numerous encores demanded, their success is unequivocally established. Madame Carandini's voice appears to be peculiarly suited to the acoustic capabilities of the Hall. Her rendering " Molly Asthore" and " The Last Rose of Summer," was marked with such a sweet pathos and touching simplicity that fairly took the audience by storm. The selection from 41 11 Trovatore" was magnificently rendered— was listened to with breathless attention, and applauded to the echo at its termination. Mr W. Sherwin, with a fine tenor voice, sang •' Come into the Garden Maude," atid the " Red Cross Banner," with excellent taste, and received well merited encores. Of Mr Kohler, the Prince of Musicians, we scarcely can find words to express our admiration, a feeling which we are conviuced will be shared by all present. His bolos on the cornet and other instruments are perfect masterpieces, while his duetts with Mr Salaman (a thorough master of the piano forte) were listened to with rapture. As "all good things are left to the last," so is our notice of Mr. Small's performances who is par excellence in his particular •' line." This gentleman possesses the rare quality of genuine humour without buffoonery, and the most fastidious may listen to his pleasing and mirth provoking ditties. He was enthusiastically received, and loudly encored, and has. we think fairly established himself as a favorite. Never has a concert gone off with so much eclat ; everything went as " merry as a marriage ball," and everybody deemed delighted. The lateness of the hour prevents us from giving a more detailed criticism ; but we would remind our readers, that this Company give another Concert this evening, and we hops .to be able to record the Hall being crowded on that occasion, as such entertainments deserve to be patronised most liberally, bo that it may induce the Company to extend their visit in Wellington. When the Cats away, &o.— This adage is not alwayß true, as the proceedings in the Wellington Post Office last Wednesday evening abundantly proved. Mr Hoggard, the chief postmaster, after a close application to business for some fabulous number of years, has availed himsolf of the efficiency into which he has educated his subordinates to take a few months leave of absence. On the Queen's arrival last Wednesday evening, the public so greatly disappointed at her not bringing the English mail, were the more anxious to obtain their letters and papers from the South, and with much promptness their anixiety was gratified. Later still, the Airedale arrived, with the news that the Northern English mail had reached Auckland, aud of course the desire for Auckland and Nelson newspapers was very great. With much courtesy that desire was also gratified by the Airedale's mail being at once sorted and distributed. While other provinces have so often to complain of Post Office inattention, we, in this province, have had much to commend ; and it is only fair that when an opportunity offers, we should do all parties justice by commending . accordingly. Godbt op Appeal. — Among the passengers to Canterbury ou Thursday were His Honor Sir G. Arney, Chief Justice, and Mr Justice Johnston, both of whom are on their way to attend the Court of Appeal to be holden at Christchurch early in February. In consequence of the Governor having on the 20th instant dissolved the Provincial Council of Marlborough, the appeal intended to be made against the recent decisions of Judge Johnston will not be carried into Court. Lo3B op the Thames City/. — We heard a rumour some time ago that this vessel had been lost, but were not satisfied of its authenticity. Now. however, we regret to have further confirmation of the fact from one of the crew of the Wild Duck, vrho was taken off the ill-fated vessel by an American whaler when she foundered at sea, 500 miles West of Fyall, one of the Azores or Western Islands. It will be remembered that this vessel left here for Auckland about 18 months ago and thence to Valparaiso. She proceeded to Pikeki very deeply laden with guan6, and afterwards to the Mauritius. On her passage to the Mauritius, in a heavy gale of wind, a sea dashed in a part of her stern, but the crew contrived to avert further danger, by filling the gap with old sails and other things. It was while homeward bound from the Mauritius to London, with a cargo of rum and sngar, that she was discovered to be making water at the rate of two feet per hour. The crew worked hours at the pumps, but could do nothing to keep down the leakage, and just as they had, abandoned 'the hopeless task, another vessel, the American whaler alluded to, hove in ' sight and boarded her. The crew were all taken off in safety. We understand that the crew of Thames City, weie taken to Fyall by the whaler in July last, 1862. The sB. Cobio. — We are informed from a private source that the s.s Corio, which has recently entered into the cattle trade between Wanganui and Otago, left the latter place on the 21th inst,, with 60 bullocks and 250 sheep on board, shipped by Messrs. Taylor, Watt, and Co. The Export trade in stock produce from Wanganui to the South appears from the letters of our correspondent to continue very brisk. Provincial Council Election. — Several names have been mentioned within the last few days as likely to come forward to fill the vacancy for the city, caused by Mr George Turnbull's departure to Otago. We are glad to perceive that there is a very strong disinclination to foster the attempt which a few rabid politicians have been desirous of making to revive the old party cries of a few years back. When Mr Wakefield waslately here he was requested to stand, but refused on account of hia intention to visit Europe, if for no other reason. Whoever comes forward with the desire to regulate his conduct in the Council on the merits of the matters brought before it,, will, if he be a fit man in other respects, receive the support of the right minded of all classes. The spirit which has actuated the present Council during its two sessions has been that of strict independence without factious opposition, and, a Candidate with similar . principles is the right one for the present vacancy. The name which wo have heard generally spoken of as likely to meet with public support, is that of Mr Dransfield. Mb Shand; — This gentleman, known to old residents 'here, and at present stationed at the Chatham Islands, is about to be appointed to the sub-eollectorship at Akaroa, vice Capt. Greaves, whose duties in connexion with the Chief Marine Board are said to require his undivided attention. Extended Jouisdiotion op R. M. Courts. — The recent extension of the Resident Magistrate's Court to £50, has by aproclamation just received, been further increased to £100 at Wellington and Wanganui. The proclamation takes effect from Ist February. Appoiwtmbnt. — Mr Borlase has been appointed Revising Officer under the Friendly Societies Act 1856. This appointment has remained in abeyance since Mr Dudley Ward left the Colony a couple of years ago, and was only brought to mind by the want of the services of such an officer - on a recent n occasion . An Ilt,ustbious Lady. — The i ntunded marriage of the Prince of Wales next April causes the portrait of the illustrious lady who is to become England's future Queen to be the centre of much interest. Our readers will be glad to learn that in the case exhibited outside Mr Swan's gallery, there is ft very excellent photograph of the Princess Alexandria, where those who wish to satisfy their curiosity on the point of her personal appearance can do so, and, as we think, much to their satisfaction.