Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1964, 1 October 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Presentation.— On Monday evening a select party of gentleman gave a dinner at Mi Downs', " Crown and Anchor Tavern," to Mr W. H. Foley, prior to his departure South by the s.s. Airedale. The dinner was not only intended as a farewell compliment, but as a means of presenting that gentleman with some tangible mark of their respect. Mr Marriott having been appointed chairman, the guests proceeded to discuss the merits of a most sump, tuous and splendid spread. Ample justice having been rendered, the business of the evening commenced. After tbe usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were responded to as Englishmen in tbeir happiest moods can respond, the chairman called tbe attentiou o the assembled guests to the immediate cause of the gathering. Tbe chairman, after a few opening remarks, observed that, either by accident or design, it happened rather singularly that he as the first, and consequently the oldest manager and director of the theatrs in Wellington, be might with justice say in New. Zealand, should have been selected to present to Mr Foley, the first gentleman who had introduced equestrian performances in our goodly city, tbe testimonial. The testimonial, was with *a few more remarks introduced in form. It consisted of tbe complete costume of a Highland chieftain, most elaborately ornameuted with silver oi tbe highest finish and ornamentation. After tbe applause had subsided, Mr Foley acknowledged in the most grateful terms his high sense ot the houor so elegantly aad substantially conferred upon him ; and begged to assure them he would ever feel grateful for the support, kindness and never ending hospitality of his Wellington friends. Tbe reply was listened to in proJound silence, and at its termination applauded to tne echo. Song and sentiment succeeded, and the company did not break up uoiil a late hour. Californian Circus. — Mr Foley and bis Equestrian Troupe lelt yesteiday in the Airedale for Lyttelton. Supply of Hifles.— We understand that 13 casts of Medium KnfieWJ rifles arrived by tbe Lady Bird for the use of the Volunteers and Militia in this Province. We trust shortly to see our Volunteer Company ouinmenc* ball practice. Wellington Volunteers.-- The officers of this Company, viz., Captain Pilmer, Lieut/ Mills, and Ensign Holmes received their Commissions from Aucklaud by the present mail. Rangitikei Volunteers.— The following appoiutuienis appear in the Gazette of Sept., 12th :— r In the " Rangitxkei Rangers " Volunteebs. Cornelius Campion, to be Captain. Date of Commission, 4th September, 1863. Alexander Winks, to be Lieutenant' Date of Commission, 4th September, 1863. George Wheeler, to be Ensign. Date of Commission, 4th September, 1863. In the " Royal Ranqitikbi Volunteers." Frederick Ross, to be Captain. Date of Commission, sth September, 1b63. John Lambert,, to be Lieutenant. Date of. Com. mission, sth September, 1863. •' John Rokel, to be Ensign. Date of Commission, sth September, 1863. In the •• Victoria Troop, Rangitucei Cavalry ' Volunteers." Hugh Alexander George Ross, to be Captain. Date of Commission, 7th September,' 1863. Arthur William Follet Halcome, to be Lieutenant, Date of Commission, 7th September, 1863. Herbert St. George Southey, to be Cornet. Date of Commission, 7th September, 1863, .

Militia Shirkers. — We are glad to say there are but few of this class amongst us, unless perhaps a certain person designated in the police reports as v Edward Bull," who was recently convicted before Mr St. Hill, for evading Militia duty, and fined 30s and costs for the offence, comes within that designation. Some people who profess to be acquainted with the mysteries of t lie pvess, identify this gentleman with the correspondent of the Southern Cross ; but this can scarcely be the case, because that writer condemns such an offence very severely. Here for instance, is what he recently says on the subject: — " The Independent, of the 29th ultimo, honors me with two distinct notices on two different subjects. First, it is said that I have not stated what is in accordance with fact, when, in alluding to the seventy gallant volunteers possessed by the " Empire City," I said that grumbling commenced after the election of officers, and that there was every probability of a number of the " Militia shirkers," — as Major Dwyer, the Inte commander, very properly termed them — becoming militia-men. I can , only say that I made the statement advisedly, and I again reiterate the opinion that the vo lunteer corps — now in a most discontented and unsatisfactory state — will soon be numbered amongst the things that were. If the learned editor of the Independent makes a different statement to tbis, why, all T can say is that he must be blest with the ears of a Midas, and the eye of a Cyclops I might, however, have slightly over-stepped the mark, when I attribitted the failure of the movement to the one cause, for I believe there is yet another which urges the gallant 70lh to dissolution. The more aristocratic members of the corps do not think they nave been treated with due consideration. Will the people of Auckland believe that this noble band of " braves " had made arrangements to be drilled in a nice large store, which had been courteously placed at their disposal by an honorary member, and that they made up their minds that this would obviate the necessity of their appearing where the eyes of the vulgar crowd could gaze upon their graceful dilutions. But when Major Gorton arrived, he bundled the " blanket patriots" out of doors, and hence was created anothercauseof dissatisfaction." Major Dwyer, Major Gorton, and the members of the Wellington Volunteer Company, will doubtltss be very much surprised at the information convejed in the above paragraph, the writer of which, if what everybody says be true, to quote his own phrase, is the only " Militia shirker " in the province. Alpacas. — We learn from the Sydney Morning Herald of the sth September, that the Julia Farmer arrived the preceeding day from Tocopilla, on the east coast of South America, with two hundred and fifteen alpacas on board. The Herald says : — " We believe that this is only the first instalment of fifteen hundred which Farmer and Co., of Lima have engaged to send to Melbourne. We understand that on their arrival at that port they aie to be sold by auction. They are all in good condition, and do not appear to have suffered from the voyage. The difficulties of this undertaking have been very great, tlie animals having been purchased faraway in the interior of Bolivia, and, being of a very delicate nature, do not stand much fatigue; in fact, the number now in the port is all that remains of six hundred." The Chiusty Minstrels. — We are informed this talented company intend visiting Wellington shortly. The Otayo Daily Times of the 21st inst says : — " The Christy Minstrels have concluded their six weeks' engagement at the Princess Theatre. There was a capital house to see and hear the last performance on Saturday evening ; and as the Mkistrels exerted themselves to the utmost, their success was unequivocal. The programme comprised some of the best things done by the troupe during their stay here; but perhaps nothing told better than Mr Leslie's Shaksperian readings, which were the perfection of comic ex aggeration. We sincerely hope that, to the managers, the pecuniary result of this engagement may be more nearly a success, thau at first appeared likely. To the puhlic, it seemed evident that a mistake was made in engaging the Minstrels for so long a time, and also in attempting to regain the great amount expended by charging increased rates of admission. We d»ubt not that the facts are thsse : the Minstrels would not accept an engagement for a shorter period — or rather, perhaps, would not come down at all for a less sum than £1700, which the managers have publicly announced , an the amount actually paid ; and then the managen were almost forced to assume that the public would pay enhanced rates of admission to hear an entertainment the securing of which had been so costly. Then again, the managers have been somewhat unfortunate as to weather during these important six weeks ; but, taken as a whole, we doubt whether, under any circumstance, a larger number of people could have been expected to pay, daring the period named, for attendance at what has essentially been the same entertainment, than has paid to be present at that of the Christy Minstrels. The troupe proceeds to Canterbury by the first steamer, and we wish them the most complete success. The dramatic season at the Princess's commences tbis evening ; the piece selected being " The Duke's Motto."