Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1997, 17 December 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Meat. — We direct the attention of our readers to the article reprinted in to-day's issue from the Melbourne Argus of 10th ult. It is very much to be feared that the importation that has been so long going on down South, will eventually spread the disease over the whole of that Island. Royal Olympic Theatre. — The performances at this place of amusement on Monday evening last were for the benefit of the proprietoress, Mrs T. Valentine, and were not so well attended as we would wish to hare seen. The first piece represented was " Bob Roy," which we must confess, did not come up to cur previously expressed hope of excellence. The drama was sustained, with one exception, entirely by amateurs, therefore a great many of the short-comings were excusable, and reflected more upon the advisers than the aspirants themselves. The outlawed Rob was played by Mr Marriott very creditably, while the Bailie found a able representative in Mr John Sutherland, . whose performance was greeted with the most unequivocal applause. It is as natural an interpretation as we would wish to see, and would rank high amongst the " Bailies" on the colonial stage. Mr Geordie Spiers looked as hideous as the author intended him to look, and played the character of " The Dougal" most characteristically. Mr Vernon Webster was good as Rashleigh Osbaldiston, and Mr Deane .made a capital Captain Thornton. Mr J. Minifie as " Francis was apparently in dreaa of something descending from the." flys" and crushing him, for we noticed his eyes were always up-turned ; or it might be he was sepretly lnvokingsomesupernatural power to assist him in his worldly affairs. Mrs O'Brien as Helen MacGrregor looked well, but lacked power. Of the fair debutantes we can say nothing, inasmuch as their communications were so strictly " private and confidential" as to defy the possibility of the most acute sense of hearing catching a word. A clever dance by Mr Spiers followed, and the whole concluded with the laughable farce of "The Irish Doctor," in which Mr O'Brien as Dr. O'Toole sent the audience home in a good humour by bis capital acting. The West Coast Coal. — The Nelson Examiner strongly advocates the development of the coal resources of the Middle Island, particularly the carboniferous beds on the West Coast. Our contemporary says the present consumption of coal in New Zealand is not less than 60,000 tons a year, costing the colony something like £150,000, and adds : — " There is no doubt that we can supply a better coal than any imported into New Zealand, and at 25 per cent less cost, and this with a profit sufficiently large to the shareholders to compete with any ordinary investments. At the Grey, the Buller, and at Mokihinui, coal of first-rate quality is abundant; but the Grey and the Buller appear to have the larger fields, while at Mokihinui the coal for a time can the most readily be worked. What is wanted is a company started on a sufficiently broad basis with an active directory, and we feel certain if this be done, that all the necessary capital can be raised, if not in Jfelson, in the other provinces. To a company that represented broad interests in the province, the Government would doubtless lend valuable ■assistance ; but we would urgently caution all who may be disposed to embark in it; against the too common mistake of commencing opera* tions with too limited means." -\ * r

Pahautanui Races.— -These races are advertised to take place on Friday, the Ist of January, when, from the amount of money collected, and the well-known sporting character of the neighbourhood, a capital day's sport may be anticipated, not the least amusing part of which will bethe Cart Herse Race, bare-backed. Saturday, the 2nd, will be set apart for Rural Sports, which, we doubt not will attract a large concourse of New Year's holiday-makers. Hobticultubal Show. — We have much pleaeure in directing attention to an advertisement in another column of to-day's paper, announcing that a Horticultural Show will take place at the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Wednesday the 23rd December. We anticipate that the present show will be the most successful that the Society has held so far as the exhibition of preduets are concerned. It is called at a time when most of the small fruits are ripe ; when vegetables are in perfection, and when Flora reigns in all her beauty ; so that the garden and the field will we have no doubt be well represented. Lyceum Theatre.— On Boxing Night a new Drama and Farce will be produced at this Theatre. The Bullee Gold Fields. — The Nelson Examiner has the following with reference to the Buller G-old Field, situate in that province : — « Such persons as may be sceptical regarding the exceeding richnest in gold of the Buller, and its tributary valleys, we invite to the inspection of the window of our office, where they will see several nuggets of pure gold, all obtained from that district, weighing respectively flfty-two ounces, , twenty-eight ounces, eighteen ounces, seventeen ounces, and a large number of nuggets from fifteen down to three and two ounces each. Such a display of gold was never before seen in New Zealand, but to have rendered it complete, the one hundred and eight ounce nugget, carried away a few days ago by the lucky finder to Australia, should have been present with the others. To everyone but the members of our government, it seems a most remarkable thing that the Buller has never yet been proclaimed a gold field — that neither magistrate, warden, commissioner, nor an authority of any kind, resides on, or even ever visits the district. In consequence of this, a general and deep feeling of disgust towards the government is growing up among the diggers, who complain that, while the Government takes from them a duty of 2s 6d an ounce for all the gold they procure, they get no protection afforded them in return, and as far as they can see, their interests and welfare are utterly and wholly neglected." Fbom Picton to Wellington. — In a late Sydney Empire there is a description of a flying visit paid by a tourist to Cook's Strait, an extract from which gives an illustration of the danger there sometimes is in connection with the entrance to the Sound. The writer says : — " Leaving Picton for Wellington, we made for Tory Channel (named after the ship Tory), and Cook's Straits and Wellington. Our captain had never been through the channel (a memorable one to him and his passengers) or he would not have ventured out: but being perfectly smooth inside '-the Sound, and not knowing the state of the channel until he was too near to turn the ship about, he had to go on, and which was almost a shipwreck ; for the south-east gales were blowing furiously, and the sea was very rough and high, so that the water near the channel boiled with agitation, and the Phoebe could scarcely make headway from the dangerous rocks at our side. There were three men at the wheel, and the captain looked anxious, but like brave men they stuck to their posts, scads »ft«g-faco4i tvnraLhard- trying — againfi£_sea_ and wind, got into the Straits. For half-an hour, when in the channel, the steamer did not make her own length from the rocks, and the men at the wheel could scarcely retain their hold, from the waves and heaving sea. Some had been through the channel before, but never saw it so bad, and all felt thankful when we cleared the danger. I was unable to remain on deck, and went to my berth, as heavy seas came over our decks. The captain tried for five hours to make for Wellington, but was obliged to give up, and hove to for the night, which proved very tempestuous. In the morning we had to run before the wind, and should have taken shelter in Port Hardy, but the glass (which had been very low) began to rise, and the wind somewhat moderating, we made for Port Wellington, and reached at 7 p.m., much^to our comfort and joy." Attacking Maori Riflepits.— We copy the following from the Sydney Morning Herald ;— " Cook's River, Nov. 12." " Sir, — It may be well if General Cameron, commanding the troops in New Zealand, will act with respect to this fortified position of the Maories as a countryman of his successively did during the first Burmese war. In December, 1825, the Burmese appeared in great foree — some 25,000 men — before the town of Rangoon. General Sir Archibald Campbell, coinmandingthe British forces, allowed the Burmese to fortify and intrench themselves within cannon shot of the Great Dragon Pagoda, the principal position of our artillery ; and I question if the New Zealanders are more expert at forming rifle pits than the Burmese were at making what we used to call rabbit holes — where they securely eseonced themselves — so that our shot passed over them harmlessly unless some heedlessly exposed themselves. They were only occasionally favoured with a shot, so as to keep them at a respectful distance, as the General's object was to permit them to bring all their implements of war within their trenches ; when he conceived this was accomplished, he issued one evening an order to all officers commanding regiments to detail all their available men for an attacking force the next morning ; the troops assem- , bled under the walls of the Great Dragon Pagoda, and advanced to the attack in two or three divisions, our Artillery (the Burmese being posted on a hill) covering with their fire our advance, until our men were almost within the enemy's entrenchments. The position was quickly stormed and carried, with considerable loss to the Burmese, leaving all their guns, &c, in our hands." Respectfully yours, "AN OFFICER WHO FOBMED ONE OF THE ATTACKING PARTY."