MISCELLANEOUS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1955, 10 September 1863, Page 5

MISCELLANEOUS.

Fuhebal of Teooper Bolwkli,,— On Monday last the remains of Trooper Bolwell of the Wellington Colonial Defence Force, were consigned to the grave with military honors in the English portion of the public cemetery. It will be remembered thai this young man was found drowned in the harbor on Friday morning: last, and no evidence being brought forward at the inquest, to show how he came into the Water an open verdict was returned. After the inqeust his remains were removed to the CoUnial Hospital . there to await the last sad offices of the Church. At a little", before 11 o'clock the Troopers were inarched in front of the hospital, ahd truly a fine body of men they looked ; after they were halted several of the men went to take a parting look at the comrade they had so suddenly lost. After waiting some time a firing party of the 14th Regiment arrived, and Shortly afterwards, the bearers proceeded to bring forth the body. On the appearance of the coffin, which was borne by six troopers, the soldiers presented arms while it passed tbem, and the order •• slow march " being given, the procession, headed by the military with reversed arms, moved on towards St Paul* Church. As soon as started, the drums, ("which were muffied) and the fifes commenced playing the Dead March, which was continued at intervals till they arrived at the grave. Immediately after the coffin followed two troopera, we presume his more particular friends, then came a horse, with saddle and bridle dressed with crape, and the boots of the deceased reversed in the stirrups, led by two non-commissioned officers, then came the troopers, numbering 120 strong, marching in threes, and each wearing white crape' on his left arm, the whole brought up by the officers of the corps. On arriving near the church, the Bey. Mr. Thatcher met the procession and preceded it into the interior of the building, when after all were seated, he read in an 'impressive manner the 80th Psalm, and the 15th chapter of St Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians. After prayer, the procession re-formed, and proceeded to the cemetery ; Here a large body of townspeople had ass embled, and a very imposing and solemn sight it was. The encouraging words of the Burial Service having teen delivered, and the earth having fallen upon the coffin, the firing party advanced, and discharged three volleys, which was the last act in this melancholy occurrence. We believe the deceased was much respected by his comrades, hence the respeut they have so creditably shown to his remains. His parents reside in Dunedin, the unavoidable absence of whom forcibly reminded us of the words of a poet who says — By foreign hands his dying eyes were closed, By foreign hands Ms dying limbs composed, By strangers to the grave was borne, By strangers honored, and by strangers mourned. ~~Requiescat in pace ! Thb Town Board — The elections of nine commissioners for the city under the new Town Board j Act, have taken place this week. The Commissioners are for the Thorndon Ward, Messrs. W. Allen, C. Boilase, G. Hart; for th» Lambton Ward j Messrs. L. Levy, G. Moore, J, Plimmer ; for the Te Aro Ward Messrs. W Hickson, J* H. Homer, J.Martin. Consequent upon their election the Commissioners for the management of tne city reserve have resigned, having during the brief period they have been in office succeeded in letting away the whole of the town belt in small allotments, for I pastoral purposes. The annual rental thus accruing: for town purposes is upwards of £600.

The Supremb Coukt — The Calendar has this quarter been unusually heavy ; bat of the eighteen prisoners who were tried no le&s than fourteen were soldiers. We have given the charge delivered by the judge complete, as it deserves to be fully read by every settler in this island. The substance of the varions trials will ttlso be found elsewhere. Wairabapa — Fire at Tauherinikau. — A very serious fire occurried in the Wairorapa on Monday, 1 7th August, which resulted in the total destruction of the house at Tauherinikau belonging to Mr. St \ Hill, and in the occupiatiou of Mr. Bunny. The fire originated in the chimney of the sitting room about five o'clock in the afternoon, ami catching the woodwork, soon spread, until ,the whole building 1 became enveloped in flames. So rapid was the progress of the devouring element, that although every effort was used to Rave the building, yet in the course of half an hour it was entirely consumed. By the prompt and timely exertions of the inmates a little of the furniture was saved, but the greater portion, which was of considerable .value, shared the same fate as the building. The loss is estimated at £1500. We have been given to understand that both the premises aud furniture were insured in the Liverpool and London Insurance Company, but we are not aware to what extent.