Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1982, 12 November 1863, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

Alleged Breach of the Arms Act. — A man named Moses Whittingham, alias Dennis Murray, has been apprehended in the Wairarapa for an alleged breach of the " Arms Act," by selliug a double barrelled gun to a native. Inspector Atcheson being in receipt of information warranting a strong suspicion of the party, went to the Wairarapa last week, and having ascertained his whereabouts, put a policeman on the track, with the above result. The man was brought before the Resident Magistrate on Monday and remanded mutil to day.

Captain Wilson. — This gentleman bas arrived from Canterbury in the Ph«be and intends making a brief stay here, during which an opportunity will be afforded of consu ng him to those who may wish to avail themselves of his professionnl services as a mesmerist. During bis stay in Canterbury Captain Wilson has been highly successful in the treatment of many cases of acute and chronic disease. la (he former, relief from severe suffering has been afforded, while in the latter, a material alleviation of the worst symptoms, and a general improvement of the patieuts health bas been accomplished. We think Captain Wilson might fittingly celebrate his return by giving a lecture on mesmerism to be followed by .one of those Mesmeric Seances, with which the Wellington public are so familiar. For the convenience of patients Captain Wilson has taken up his residence at Mrs Colquhoun's, Cuba-street, where he may he daily consulted.

The Otago Steam ship Company. — Mr J. Cargill, interim secretary, writes to the Daily Times of the 4th instant, "for ths purpose of denying that the Company has shown aßy anxiety for an amalgamation with the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, and alleges that the advances were all made by the Wellington Directors*." We confess to be somewhat surprised at this statement, inasmuch as several weeks ago a proposal for an amalgamation of interests certainly emanated from the Ota go Directors,

Ancient Ordeb of Foresters. — On Monday the 9th inst, the members of the above order held tfeeir anniversary dinner at Host Dixon's, Karori Road, at 7 o'clock sharp. The assembly room in the rear of the hotel wherein the dinner took place, was well filled by a large body of the members wearing their respective badges and other regalia. The chair was occupied by Dr Jobnstm, the Colonial Surgeon, and who is also -medical officer of the order. We observed a very large number of our merchants ami members of the Provincial Council occupying; seats at ihe upper table, including Messrs Hickson, Dransfield, Pharazyn, Crawford, Bowler, and Borlase. After grace, the company proceeded to do ample justice to one of the most choice and ample spreads we have been fortunate enough to witness for a long time. The cloth removed, and dessert placed upon the table, the Chairman proceeded to gire the usual loyal and patriotic toasts. The Queen was followed by a very ably harmonised arrangement of God s»ve the Queen by members of the order ; the Prince and Princess of Wales by the Fine Old English Gentleman. The royal family, song One Hundred Years Ago by Mr Marriott; the army and navy, including the Militia, Volunteers and Defence Force, was heartily responded to by those present who belonged" to the respective services. The toast of the order of Foresters was replied to by the worthy Secretary, whose report of the financial condition of the order left nothing to be regretted by the brothers who were the means of introducing so useful and praiseworthy an institution into Wellington. Several excellent songs were sung during the ereniug, nor must we forget to gu r e due meed aud praise to the gentlemen who sung the several concerted pieces during the evening. We heartily wish that the several societies which now are established amongst us would adopt the same means of giving pleasure at their several annual gatherings. The. company did not break up until a late hour. Wellington Battalion of Militia. We hare ascertained that during Major Gorton's absence from Wellington on a tour of inspection in the Wairarapa and Castle Point districts, there will be no Battalion drill at Mount j Cook next Saturday, and that until his return \ the different companies will parade as under:— 1 Nos 1 and 4 companys at Thorndon Flat, I every Monday and Thursday at half-past four ', o'clock p.m. Nos 2 and 5 companjs at Te Aro Pah, every Tuesday and Friday, at half-past 4 o'c'ock p.m. Nos 3 and 6 companys at Mount Conk, every Wednesday and Saturday, at halfpast four o'clock p.m. This alteration in the days of drill was intimated to the men who were on parade on Monday and Tuesday by the officers commanding companies. We understand'battalion drill will be resumed whenever Major Gorton comes back.

Band of Hope. — The anniversary procession and soiree of the Wellington Band of Hope, took place last Monday. The juveniles to the number of between three and four hundred formed a procession on Thorndori Flat, and marched with flying banners through the principall s tie as of ibe city, headed by a juvenile baiiii i.f filers and drummers. Towards the afternoon they proceeded to the Odd Fellows' Hall, where they were regaled with tea and cake to their hearts content. A public meeting followed, the president being Mr Lawes, when, the annual report was read, several temperence melodies sung, and addresses delivered by Messrs Pickess, Jacks, Fawcett, Irons, Trueman, Catt, Lowe, Jones and Reonolds. The meeting- concluded with the National Anthem. The Wellington Volunteer Company.— During Major Gorton's approaching absence at Wairarapa for the next fortnight, the Volunteer Company will drill each Thursday, and an advertisement elsewhere notifies that the men are to fall in to-day on the reclaimed land at halfpast 4 o'clock:

The Bank of New Zealand.— -The halfyearly general meeting: of this institution was held at Auckland on the 30th Oct, when the statement of accounts showed that after defraying the whole expenses of the establishment, and providing for all bad and doubtful debts, that the nett profit realised for the half-year ending 30th September last, amounted to £39,523 14s sd, to which is to be added, the sum of £1,668 19s Jd, being the undivided balance of profits for the previous half-year, making a total of £41,192 13s 6d, available for division. A sum of £27,000 was added to the reserve fund making it £60,000 in all. The report and balance sheet were adopted, and a dividend declared of ten per cent per annum on the paid up capital. The following resolution referring to further calls was also carried. " That after the call in January, 1864, the directors of the Bank of New Zealand have the power to call up the remainder of the capital of the Bank at calls of £1 per share, at intervals of no less than three months."

Departure of the Christy's Minstrels —-The Minstiels gave a final performance ia the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Tuesday night, and took their departure iv the Phoßbe last night for Nelsou, where they iutend staying *a, week. From thence they will proceed to Auckland where they intend starring it for a brief season, ere bidding farewell to New Zealand, as we believe it is their intention to proceed homewards via Sydney and India. During theic tour in this Colony they have met with a success commensurate with their merits, and won tributes of admiration from the press of every settlement they have visited. We wish them •very success in their future career, and regret that it will be long ere we have another opportunity of listening to a musical performance of 5 a high class as these gentlemen hate favored the Wellington public with.

Miss Rye.— Among the passengers by the Pheebe from the South, we are glad to find the name of this well known lady. . Her arrangements necessitated her departure by the steamer this morning, but although yesterday was most unpropitious] she visited several of the ladies and authorities likely to interest themselves in female emigration. It is with regret that we find she was unable to stop until something practical could be accomplished towards associating the province with her enterprise, but we hope that those ladies and others whom slid visited will not let the matter drop.

General Assembly of the Fiiee Church. —During the last few dajs, the Ministers of the Free Church of Scotland have been concentrating in Wellington, from various parts 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 from all the provinces. No doubt the public will have several opportunities for the interchange of thought with these gentlemen, as it is probable many oi them will remain in Wellington for a week or ten days.

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 flax. — "We can congratulate our readers on the prospect of the speedy utilisation of that much talked of plant the pfiormium 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 necessary machiuery has arrived from England. This machinery was sent for in August, and we may therefore hope that in a very few months the firm will actually commence operations. The prospect of success is most reassuring, and the subject is ons of such great importance to the whole community that we shall devote our attention to it at some leDgtb in our to-morrow's issue. For the present, we will content ourselves with saying that the head quarters of the firm will bp in Cbristchurcb ; but that it is contemplated to start | branch firms in all the provinces of Near Zen- I land, 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 he wholly suplied in the course of a few years with New Zealand paper, and it may not be improbable that even Engjand herself will be glad to add paper to the number of her imports ) from New Zealand." |

Amalgamation. — A correspondent of the Press, writing from Hawkes Bay is responsible for the following story: — A most excellent story has come to my ears, touching 1 a Civil Commisssioner, I will not say in what district, who was talking as he 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 pie3ent a short time ago, a young and lusty chief rose and, reminding the official of his recent speech, s;>id he would take his advice and marry one of the Commissioner's daughters ! ! ! It is said the official of was utterly dumfoundered 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 humbug in twain.