Local Intelleligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1981, 10 November 1863, Page 3

Local Intelleligence.

The Christy's Minstrels.— The farewell performance of these talented artistes is announced to take place at the Odd Fellows' Hall this evening, under the immediate patronage of the Deputy-Superintendent, Major Dwyer, and the officers of the 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment, Commandant Edwards, and the officers of the Colonial Defence Force, and a number of the principal citizens of Wellington. We understand that the programme has been especially selected, and will include some of the Christy's choicest gems not yet heard in Wellington ; concluding with, for the first time here, the celebrated burlesque of Maritana. We have no doubt that under such patronage, and with such an excellent bill of fare, that the Hall will he crowded on the occasion. We would advise all who hare not yet visited this justly celebrated troupe, to avail themselves of this opportunity, as it may be a long time before an entertainraent possessing such intrinsic merit will be again presented to the inhabitants of Wellington.

The Highland Brigade.— Our readers might have noticed somelittle time ago, thatwe quoted a paragraph from an Tnvercargil paper, stating that a Mr Charles Cameron had been raising a Highland Brigade in the South for service in the Waikato. This gentleman recently arrived in the Rangatira.. with 23 Volunteers, and is now staying here, awaiting her departure for the North. Already, by other vessels, nearly 100 men have been dispatched to Auckland, and the present lery, when it reaches head quarters, will complete the Company's complement Mr Cameron is an old New Zealand settler, and during the last 17 or 18 years, has sojourned in various parts of the Colony. We believe as early as 1848, be resided in Wanganui for a period of two years, and for six years he occupied a farm in the Auckland province, on the Waikato frontier. We wish Mr Cameron every success, and trust that the brigade to be under his command, will reap as many and well earned laurels as Highlanders have at all times secured in the rough arena of the battle field. *

Battalion Dbiix— On Saturday afternooD, the various Companies of Militia, met as usual on Te Aro Flat for Battalion Drill, After the men had assembled, they were wheeled into sections, and five rounds of blank cartridge served out to each. Captain Hunter's and Captain Brown's Companies then advanced in skirmishing order, fired, and afterwards fell back oh the reserve. These two Companies then formed the reserve while the remainder of the force advanced in the same order, and delivered their fire. The order was next given to fix bayonets, which was done and a hollow square formed, when a volley was fired in that position. Finally, the whole force was formed into line, and another volley fifed off. This is the first time the Militia have been exercised at firing, and much satisfaction was expressed by the members of the several Companies, at being enabled to begin this really useful portion of their drill, indeed, we heard many say that it was the most satisfactory day's drill they had ever performed. During the whole time Major Gorton exerted himself to the utmost in showing the uninitiated the proper way of loading &c, and it is satisfactory to be able to state that everything passed off in the best manner.

Akciemt Obdeb of Fobesxebs.~-A goodly number of the brethren of this Order mci last nighty for the anniversary dinner at Host Dixon s, Karori Hotel, when, after enjoyinc a very excellent repast,provided in " mine host's " best style, the remainder of the evening was demoted to social enjoyment. We shall publish a full report of the evening's proceedings in our next issue.

General Assembly ob the Feee Church. —During the last few dajs, the Ministers of the Free Cliurch of Scotland have been coiice-i---trating in Wellington, from various pans of the Province, in connestion with the General Assembly for New Zealand, which will commence its sittings here this week. The Northern steamer due to-morrow, and the Southern steamer due on Wednesday, are expected to | bring very many Ministers fiovn ail die pro vines. No doubt (lie public will have several opportunities for the interchange ot thought with these gentlemen, as it is probable many oi them will remain in Wellington for a week or leu days. Alpacas.— The Melbourne Age, says : — "We regret to stale thiit tue inclement weather, durthe early part of the week, proved fatal to ten of the alpacas lately imported by Mr Duffield. They were, however some of those that had so tar succumbed to the hardships of the sea voyage as to render it evident, on their arrival, that they viere not likely to survive even with the most careful treatment. The rest of the flock have, we understand, greatly improved since their removal to Essendon. They have recently been inspected by a large number of sheep farmers, who seemed to appreciate their valuable qualities; and inquiries regarding them are becoming so frequent as to show that their spirited importer may not, after all, have occasion to regret on the speculation. A few days ago an offer of £600 for two of them, to be selected by the geutleman making the offer, was tefused.

H.M.S. EsK.-^-The Argus says:— " H.M.S. Esk sailed at an early honr on Saturday last for Auckland, to assist in the supression of the Maori rebellion. Her stay in the bay was of the shortest, and the weather on the morning of her departure was such as to preclude visitors from availing themselves of the services of the watermen to see her sailing. If the campaign which at the date of the latest advices General Cameron was about to open should prove short and decisive, the Esk, no doubt, will return to Hobson's Bay.

New Zealand Flax. — Under the head of " A Gold Field for Canterbury," the Press has the following with reference to the practical application of the native u flax. — "We can congratulate our readers on the prospect of the speedy utilisation of that much talked of plant the phommium tenax, or New Zealand Flax. It will be used for the purpose of making paper, and the firm of Cameron, Donaldson and Cameron intend commencing operations as soon as the accessary machinery has arrived from England. This machinery was sent for in August, and we may therefore hope that iv a very few months the firm will actually commence operations. The prospect of success is most reassuring, and the subject is one of such great importance to the whole community that ! we shall devote our attention to it at some length in our to-morrow's issue. For the present, we will content ourselves with saying that the head quarters of the firm will be in Christchurcb ; but that it is contemplated to start branch firms in all the provinces of New Zealand, so that before long we may not unreasonably expect that New Zealand will be the great paper producing settlement of the Southern seas. The demand for paper, even in New Zealand, is large, and will keep continually becoming larger and larger. Australia will be wholly suplied in the course of a few years with New Zealand paper, and it may not be improbable that even England herself will be glad to add paper to the number of her imports from New Zealand."

Amalgamation.— A correspondent of the Press, writing from fJawkes Bay is respousib'e for the following story :— A most excellent story has come to my ears, touching: a Civil Comxnisssioner, I will not say in what district, wh'i was talking as lie was bid to the Natives, and impressing on them that they should "amalgamate" with the English. Amongst other things he said that they should intermarry both with men and women of the English. At a runanga at which the Commissioner was present a short time ago, a young and lusty chief rose and, reminding the official of his recent speech, said he would take his advice and marry one of the Commissioner's daughters!!! It is said the official of was utterly dutnfoundered at this application of his theory, and literally said not a word. An instance of what must always happen to those who talk what they don't believe. The Maori tomahawk clave the bumbug in twain.

Sun-Stroke. — The New York Times of the sth August gives a list of forty-seven inquests, held by coroners on the previous day on persons who liaxl been sun-struck. Most of them were natives of Ireland.

Arrival of English Birds in Nelson. — The Nelson Colonist says:— The Prince Alfred has brought from Sydney a number of canaries, linnets, chaffinches, and skylarks ("blest birds of the wilderness" as the Etlrick Shepherd terms them), and one goldfinch. They have been purchased by the Nelson Acclimatisation Society ; and we believe will be liberated' in some quarters where they may fill the groves with song. It is probable some may be kept to breed in cages.

Soabry Sheep.— The Melbourne Herald of Oct 19, snys:— An action by Silas Harding against Mr Hugh Glass, to recover £2,000 damages for letting scabby sheep run among the plaintiff's flocks, was commenced in the Ballaarat Circuit Court on Friday, and resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £500.

The Tboops from India, for New Zealand.—We find in the Madras Times of Sept. 13, the following extract from the Calcutta Englishman: — " Peace proposes, but war dispose?; and hundreds ef hearts wbose earnest hopes and confident expectations were, a few days ago, directed to old England in the coming cold season, must now direct their aspirations to the southern hemispheres, and the scene of active hostilities in New Zealand. The mail just arrived has brought out orders for the despatch of H.M.s 43rd L.T., now garrisoning Fort William; H M.'s 68th Regiment, at Rangoon ; and' H.M.'s 50th Regiment, in Ceylon, to New Zealand, with the least possible delay and tenders of shipping for the first mentioned regiment will be called for immediately ; the same measures being adopted for the conveyance of the other two corps in Burmah and Ceylon. Colonel Primrose, the senior Lieut.Cnlonel of Hi M.'s 43rd LI, and now AdjutantGeneral at Madras, will come up immediately to assume command of his regiment going: on active service in the field ; and Lieut.-Colonel Booth, now commanding, becomes supernumerary, and goes upon half pay. The 43rd and 68th were, had not this Maori war broke out, the first corps for England, and would have left about the end of the year, but now their term of foreign service is indefinite and may be prolonged for several years."