Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1994, 10 December 1863, Page 8

Local Intelligence.

Escape and He capture. — On Tuesday last, tlic Sfcli inst, a prisoner named Ximble Bent, made his escape from tlie gang at work oti tlio Terrace. The Wavdon of the gaol, Mr Head, was iramediatoly made acquainted with tlie fact, and measures were instantly set ou foot by him to recapture the prisoner. He was found concealed in some furze, near the spot where he had made his escape, and the whole time from the escape to recaptm^e of Bent did not exceed an hour. Wo have been requested to correct a misfcatemont which appears in the Spectator of yesterday, relative to the escape of Kimble Bent ii ,na the hard labor gang. No shots whatever were fired at the prisoner, and therefore the sympathy of our contemporary which seems to have been aroused on the occasion, is entirely uncalled for.

Olympic Theatre. — There was a performance at this house on Monday evening last which was not so well patronised as it probably would have been had the weather been more favorable. A drama of decidedly the " sensation" school was the first piece represented, entitled " The Pirates of the Savannah," which was excellently well mounted, and did great credit to Mr C. O'Brien who evidently thoroughly understands the business of " mounting" a play and if he cannot, with the resources at his command, so appropriately cast some of the characters represented as he might wish, the will should be taken for the deed, and theselittleincongruitiescharitably overlooked. We believe the scenery incidental to this piece was painted by Mr O'Brien, assisted by the valuable aid of an old friend of the drama residing in Wellington. The laughable farce of the "Artful Dodge," in which Messrs O'Brien, Webster, and Wilson kept the house in roars of laughterjconcluded the entertainment. Mrs C. O'Brien, played with a piquancy we scarcely gave her credit for, and was well received. Before concluding tliis notice, we must express regret that a song entitled " Billy Barlow," containing some ill-judged and wretched attempts at local hits, was allowed to be sung. I Removal of the Engine Station. — We notice that the Provincial Government !Pire Engine Station has been shifted from Thorndon Flat to adjoining the Post Office, so as fco be handy for the police. The Wairarapa Rifle Volunteers. — A Grand field day of the different companies is to take place on the Caterton drill ground, Taratahi Plain, upon the 18th instant. Considerable interest emulates each corps to display its efficiency on the occasion, and it is a step in the right direction. And none will dispute but that a citizen and settler defence force is the sort of people to protect the interest and progress of the colony. Public Buildings. — We notice a very excellent photograph of the new Supreme Court Buildings, just out by Mr Swan. It will convey to folk at a distance a very good idea of the solid and imposing appearance of this latest addition to our public edifices. Those who delight to be perpetually finding I fault with what they choose to call the backwardness of Wellington and will not believe that we are in advance of other provinces in anything, will find nowhere else such public buildings as we can boast of. The following extract from the Postmaster General's report just issued, is extremely apropos : — The great obstacle in the way of a thorough and complete organisation of the Postal Service in jNew Zealand is tho want of adequate and well arranged buildings. Each settlement has sprung from very small beginnings. In the first instance one or at most two rooms answered the purpose well ; as population increased and Inland Townships weie formed the Office accommodation, when it became cramped, was increased by the addition of " another room," and still another, till tho Post Offices in the most important towns, instead of being as they ought to be. large, commodious, and well arranged buildings, are nothing but labyrinths of rooms in which order, arrangement and complete classification are impossible. This is eminently the case ac Auckland and Dunedin. At Lyttelton. Christchurch, arid Nelson, the Post Offices are altogether too small for the business to be done. The time has come for a new order of things At Dunedin a very carefully considered and well arranged plan of a Post Office has been determined on, and steps have been taknn for its immediate erection. ; At Wellington a new Post Office has been very 1 recently erected by the Provincial Government. It stands on the land lately reclaimed from" the sea near Lambton Quay, it is centrally situated, and from its proximity to the new deep water wharf and Custom House, it affords every facility for the landing and shipment of mails. The building is of wood, it is conveniently arranged and affords all the accommodation that will be required for several yeara. It contrasts strongly with the collection of small low ill-ventilated rooms called Post Offices elsewhere. In every other Chief Post Town in New Zealand it is most desirable that steps should be taken without delay for the erection of proper buildings. There is no department under the control of the Governmental which accuracy, precision, punctuality, and despatch are so much required as in the Post Office, and it is clear that these cannot be attained without room and well arranged accommodation.