Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1862, 30 April 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Odd Fellows* M. o.— The anniversary of the Loyal Rose of Sharon Lodge was celebrated by a dinner and. ball, on Friday, the 25th' April, at Host McHardie's Highland Home, Upper Hutt. Dinner was placed on the table at 7 o'oloek, wheii about eighty of the fraternity and. their friends, gat down to a most? sumptuous repast,; provided. in. Host McHardie"s best style. After ; justice; had^ heen aone to the good tlilnga ort^l?.life,,»lie,e!lQtli was removed, when the usual loyal; patriotic; ,and fraternal toasts were given and responded to. in the; most hearty manner. Some^spngs.^wlndh^jw^re^. sung by the company in the int.eryal|:vbet#een =,:, : the toasts, added greatly to the pleasures; of 5 the; I:;! entertertainment. ,, At 9 o'clock, jihe ball -rootn^viM^v. tin own open,/ and dancing ooromerioed wjth^^r^;Vg v ! spirit, to the strains of an excellent q«adi§]e=b;apai;/;^C: polkas, schottiches, quadrillesY&ojyfo^ other in rapid; Bucc^ssiohi,unt|ii ear]^^flig^^|||^ the company- MP* Ta^« :>;: '^^''K^liPßi^fey^pS^| themselves to. %'^-^^%^^^*?^|^^S^^^p

The Lady Bird.— Mr Swan has taken a large photograph of this favourite steamer. She is alongside the inner T of the new wharf and shows to advantage.

Mechanic's Institute.— The Annual Meeting of this Society, as will be seen by advertisement, is to be held on Tuesday evening next.

Captain Wilson's Leoture.— This gentlema n last night delivered one of hia interesting lectures on Electro Biology, to a large and respectable audience, who seemed as much interested as ever in in his expositions of this mysterious science. The practical illustrations at its close were highly successful. We shall notice this more fully in our next.

Wesleyan School Services.— Last Sunday, the anniversary sermons on behalf of the Sunday echoola were preached by the Rev J. Crump in the Manners Street Church; the collections amounting to £14 Is 7d. On the Monday the ohildred went out to Mount Victoria, and enjoyed, as children always do when the weather is fine, a pleasant half holiday. In the evening a large number of teachers and friends took tea in the new and commodious school room ; after which a public meeting was held, when addresses of a more or less practical character were delivered, and several anthems &c very delightfully sung by Borne of the children, who are we believe regularly practised in choral singing by Mr Moxham. The pecuniary proceeds amounted to £13 16s lid, making a total of nearly £28 from tho two days services.

Cattle Shipments. — It is. with much regret that we hear of the very serious losses that have been sustained by the shippers of stock, owing to the weather which the ships in this trade have lately experienced. The coming winter will, in all probability, very materially check the shipments to Otago unless steam can be rendered more available for the purpose. We have been informed that one of the largest of the shippers from this port, contemplates at once employing a roomy steamer of about 600 tons with a view to prevent the recurrence of the serious losses to which -he has been subjected, and that he has offered the command of her to a master well known here.

Mr Habbs- Hoodin. — This gentleman who has been very successful in Canterbury, with his poly phonical entertainment, has now arrived amongst us and purposes making his bow on Friday night in the Odd Fellows' Hall, for the first time to a W ellington audience. The Press in a short critique says—" Mr Houdin has a very gentlemanly bearing, and his entertainment is certainly free from the slightest taint of vulgarity or those broad extravagancies which generally abound to the extent of repulsiveness. Several new songs were introduced, and Mr Houdin and his audience have reason to be pleased with each other."

Ceioket.— A match took place at Mr Mitchell's Mbtukaraka, on Saturday the 25th inst., between eleven of the Tawa Flat Club, (most of whom had never played in a match betore), and eleven of the Pahautanui Club. The day was fine, and there were a number of spectators to witness the manly and athletic game, amongst whom we noticed many of the Pahautanui ladies, who graced the field with their presence. The playing was very good on the whole. The bowling of Mr F. Bradey, and th« wicket keeping of Mr D. Brown, were excellent, and a splendid catch was made by Mr T. Teal. The following is the score :-— Tawa Flat, 126 ; Pahautanui, 05.

SwiNBOtJBKB's Whabf.— We should very much like to know whose province it is to see that no impediments to navigation exist in our harbour. At present there are a series of unsightly piles sticking out of the water, and we are led to understand that others, (likewise originally forming the piers of the old wharf), are broken off at the water's edge, and aie still sticking in the sand to the imminent peril of Bmall vessels standing in for the ■wharves. Some night when a small coaster quietly settles down at the base of these piles with her bottom stove in, we may hear of some notice being taken of the matter. But it would be as well in the mean time to know, who are the parties liable for damages in such a case.

Racing at Pahautanui. — A match for L2O came off on the 23vd inst at Pahautanui, between Mr Bromley's horse " Blackbird," and a chestnut mare belonging to Mr Fraser ; the Black being ridden by Mr Harry Bowler, and the chestnut by Mr McKay of the Hutfc. Mr L. Tandy was " Btarter," and Mr Lunn of Trelissick . officiated as "Judge." The distance was 1J miles (heats), or one and a half times round the course, on the beach. Ist heat: both got away well together, and this position was maintained till coming down the straight run, when Blackbird took the lead, which he kept till the finish, winning the heat by three lengths. Time, 2 mm. 10 sees. An interval of half an hour elapsed before the horses were brought to the post for the second heat. A capital start was effected, andjafter a quarter mile's running, the mare was slightly pulled, (her jockey evidently wishing to save her strength for the final heat) and Blackbird rushed to the front. Blackbird's jockey, however, apparently thought it wise to save his horse too, and the chesnut mare again took the lead and . won the heat, Time, 3 mm. 44 seconds, 3rd heat — Aa the horses came up for the final heat, considerable excitement was manifested amongst the spectators, odds being freely offered on Blackbird. Both got away on even terms, and Blackbird shortly took the lead, closely followed by the mare. A splendid race home ensued, till within a very short distance of the winning post, when the mare closed in, passed Blackbird aftera short struggle, and won by nearly a length. Time 2 minutes 1 second.