Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1844, 19 March 1863, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Miss Neville's Entgktainment. — It appears that our remarks in Tuesday's issue have given great offence to Mr Loder. We are Borry that this should have been the case, for, as therein stated, we have a high appreciation of the ability with which tho ordinary entertainments of Mr Loder and Miss Neville have been sustained. We had visited them more than once, and it was because we found tbem so perfectly comme il faut, that we induced several, who are not generally in the habit of frequenting that class of public enter, tainments, to do so on the evening in question. Finding tho entertainment to be different to the previous ones,— -a song in which the Governor and somo provincial notabilities wore admittedly held up to ridicule— we naturally endeavoured to write strong' ly in condemnation of the introduction of local politics into an entertainment, which, the announcement led us to believe, would be of the same unobjectionable and rational character as the previous ones. While we wrote strongly, we thought we had carefully avoided transgressing tho bounds of legitimate criticism. We are perfectly aware of what is due to a lady, and [ we are quito sure that Mr Lodor would have felt that he had been altogether misled as to what was I due to some ladi«s in his audience, had he seen how instinctively the eyes of a large part of it glanced uneasily towards them, while tho local : allusions were being sung. It was a mistake to l have introduced local politics at all; but the mistake was rendered greater, by doing so without letting the public previously j know it, — and we are greatly misinformed if the Judge and many others who attended, would have done so had they known what was to take place. Remembering, for instance, how scrupulously careful the Judge has always been to avoid mixing himself up with provincial politics, we must express our doubt as to Mr Loder having rightly understood his Honor to include the song in question as " so calculated to elevate the tastes of a community like that of tin's city." His Honor was, no doubt, delighted at the entertainment, as every one else would havo been, but Mr Loder must not confound the appreciation of Mis 9 Neville's and his own inimitable personations, with an appreciation of the song in question. Having said all that wo think can be deemed necessary in explanation to Mr Loder, we may be excused further noticing the subject ; although, perhaps, we ought not to lot " the author of the verses" go scot free — — but it is uo matter Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew and dog will havo his day. Small Craft. — During tho last fortnight, we have witnessed the arrival of quite a little fleet of small craft, some of thorn for timber freights southward. Many of these vessels aro of Auckland build, ono of them, tho Sea Breeze, being owned and almost entirely manned by natives, her captain being thewell-known James Tautari. The very smart appearance, strength of build and sailing qualities of the Auckland craft, are highly creditable to that province, and place it in the front rank, not only of this, but of the other colonies, for the practical building of coasting vessels.

The Wai-niu-o-mata. — Tho widening of the roadway over the Hill to thi9 district, has now been completed to the Hutt side of the Saddle, and contracts are in hand to widen it to the bottom on the Valley side • This valley is not so generally known as it might bo. and all who want a change of ride or drive, will find ample repayment by turning their horses heads in that direction.