Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1910, 22 August 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Califobman Circus.— Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the performance at this place of amusement did not take place last night. If the weather proves favorable the Circus will open this evening. Marine Board:— This Board is now in the " active exercise of its functions, and yesterday granted a certificate of competency to the Storua Bird for a peiiod of si± months. This is the first certificate the Board has granted. Fiee. — Yesterday afternoon, a chimney caught fire, in the tobacconist's shop, opposite Mr Pearee's store, aud caused some alarm. The London aud Liverpool fire engine was brought out, and was ready for use iv about 10 minutes. Fortunately the fire was put out, without the engine being brought into requiai. tion ; but Mr fiilson, the superintendent of the engine, is deserving of great praise for the promptitude he used iv getting the engine ready for any contingency that might have arisen. Steam-ploughs for New Zealand.- Our readers interested in the agricultural progress of our solony will read with pleasure the following paragraph from the Nelson Colonist, iv leference to steam ploughs for New Zealand : —•'Most of our readers are aware that some* time ago Mr Redwood sent home to England for one of the Messrs Fowler's steam ploughs containing all the latest improvements. This* advanced agricultural implement, is we believe, now on its way out to this Province, whence it will be transhipped for the Wairau, where Mr Redwood possesses a fine tract of perfectly flat land, every way adapted for working by the steam plough. This plough of Mr Redwood's. we believe, is the first of the kind which shall cross the line, aud, the enterprising outlay thus made, is not the only instance of steam plqugh purchase for the colony of New Zealand A correspondent in Edinburgh, writes to ussayinir that Mr Holmes, a large landholder in the Pro« vince of Otago, is at present in Scotland buying 1 cattle from our best Scottish breeders; to send out to New Zealand. He has paid high price* for well-bred animals, and we are informed wilt pay a long price per head for the passage money of each animal. The same gentleman intends taking out with him two steamVpitnigbs of Fowler's manufacture," ,n"

Arming the Outsettlebs. — The Hawke Bay Herald makes the following sensible n marks on this subject : — " The policy of amain the out-settlers — at least in those cases wher the population is not too scattered and whei there is a cenlie to which all can resort upo an emergency and where arms and ammu uitinn may be deposited with comparativ safety — is one which must commend itseff t every British heart. We can conceive of n more humiliating position in which British set tiers cau be placed, than to be wholly at th mercy of a marauding band — unarmed, defence less ; and to be obliged, upon any semblanci of danger, to abandon their property and thei homes. We are truly glad to fiud that th< squeamishnes? which would leave the Europeai settlers as defenceless as their own sheep ioi fear of exciting the jealously of the natives, h one of the things of the past ; and that, in it; stead, the true volunteer spirit — identical wilt that which, not long since, was probably the means of checking the sinister designs of Louis Napoleon — has begun to display itself. We are not insensible of the danger there is of arms so distributed being seized by an enemy, should there ever be one in the district ; but the go. verntnent would appear to be fully alive to tbe necessity of using proper measures to guard against such a contingency." Pay fob youß Picture. — The Otngo Daily Times has the following: — " A photographer in George-street has practised a trick for punishing a debtor, which we have heard of, but never before seen. He exposes a full-length portrait of a well-dressed and not bad-looking man, with this writing above it: — " This party is requested to call and pay for bis pottrait.'" Babe New Zeaxand Bibd. — The Melbourne Aryus of 20th July says: — "A living specimen of that very rare New Zealand wingless bird, the Apteryx Auttralis, is now being exhibited alGaskell's museum, in ßourke-street. It is comparatively young, and a broken leg, which was the cause of its capture, one which is fast healing, has so retarded its growth that it has not nearly attained its full-grown height oi two feet ; otherwise it is a perfect specimen of an exceedingly uncommon species, and will naturally excite tbe curiosity of most naturalists in Victoria. Rabe New Zealand Night Bibd. — Tbe Nelson Colonist says : — We understand a good specimen of the Kakapo (male bird) was landed in Nelson very lately from the West Coast. This bird has the appearance of a large green Parrot, and is rarely met with in the day time. At nigbt the bird may be distinguished by its hoarse cry which is frequently heard as it hovers about the huts or tents of travellers. Its wings are short, but it runs with great rapidity when chased, and is frequently caught by dogs. This bird appears to have all the characteristics of the owl, being, fond of living in hollow trees, or dark.holes, and rarely making its appearance before night sets in. The Kakapo is essentially a night bird. The Rev. Mb Tubton.— We extract the following from the Canterbury Press of Aug., 7 : — " The Bishop of New Zealand, has, we are informed, formally pronounced the Rev. Mr Turton to be clear of all charges agaiust him. The Bishop of Nelson had lormally cited Mr Turton before his court, and had invited all persons having any complaints to make them to his Registrar before a staled time. Not a single charge was made. The Metropolitan therefore judges that Mr Turton must be considered as clear of all charges against him." The Last New Thing in "Canards." — The New Zealander says — " Really this "canard nuisance" is unbearable. If tbe imagination of that class of individuals who get up these sort of things would stick to the simple recital of the tales of a " bloody Bhirt," or of a spy "condemned to deatk and afterwarps having his sentence commuted to penal serritnde for life," then we could afford to stnile at such canards. The following, which has been taken from an English paper entitled the Midland Free Press, goes the " entire animal " with a vengeance :- " Destruction of tin Town of Auckland.— A private letter, dated Auckland 31, $ays :— ' We had Auckland burnt down to the ground. Such a sight you never saw in your life. The damage done is said to be about £1,000,000. The fire lasted for ten days, notwithstanding fire engines and all that could be done. . But it is a good thing, for there is an act passed that no more wooden houses are to go up. So people are compelled to put up brick and stone, which will make it look quite a different place.' "