Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2082, 2 July 1864, Page 3

Local Intelligence.

Sxrebt Lamps. — The frequenters of the beach must have noticed the very handsomo street lamp lately erected by Mr Levy, opposite his shoe store. It does not say much for our progress, that at three and twenty years old a street lamp should still be a novelty in this town sufficient to excite notice — that we should still be dependent on the public-house lights for the only alleviation of our darkness. We dontlookfor great things at the hands of the Town Board just now — no one can expect much for a farthing, but we shall be very glad if the townspeople see the wisdom of laying such a rate on for the next year as will enable the Board to turn its attention to several necessary works of utility and convenience — not the least of which is the effectual lighting of the principal thoroughfareo.

Chubch Meeting at Cheytok. — A meeting of the inhabitants of Grey town was held on Wednesday evening, the 22nd ult., to consider the desirability of building a church. The Rev William Ronaldson was called to the chair. In an opening address which he made, he observed that the building of a church had for a long time been a matter he had greatly desired, but that he had personally refrained from taking steps in the matter, because not being appointed to the English Cure, he had left it to him who should be appointed to that office. Still his heart was in the work, and he came forward to show that it had hig sympathy, and to do what he could to premote it. The Rev Dan Desboia, (the newly appointed curate in the Wairarapa,) said that the meeting had been publicly convened that all might know of it, and that there should be no party spirit or suspicion that it was the work of a clique. Hia notion was that it would bo well for the meeting to nominate a committee, who should consider ways and means, and render an account of their deliberations to a meeting to be subsequently called. An influential committee was then nominated. At a later stage of the proceedings Mr Ticehurst was elected to fill the office of Church Warden, and to arrange for the collection of that part of the clergyman's stipend which is subscribed in this township.

Thb Time Ball.— We were recently shown, by S. Carkeek, Esq., an ingenious piece of mechanism attached to the Time Ball, invented and manufactured by Mr. W. Davidson, gunsmitk, Manners-street. Previous to its being attached to the machinery, there was the danger of the Ball being forced up too high on the mast, and thereby receiving injury, by coming in contact with the top. A great deal of care was also required, to ascertain when the Ball was half mast. This clever piece of mechanism has provided a remedy for these defects. A man can now turn the wheel which raises the Ball without fear of doing any injury. The mechanism consists of a crown wheel, with 21 cogs in it, and a rachet wheel on the back with a spring. There is also a catch and a spring' to bring the catch out of action when required ; and a hook that takes the lever out of action, which prevents the Bell striking. It is mounted on strong pjate iron, with bell attached. It is moved by the axle of the wheel that brings up the rack and raises the Ball, The hammer strikes the bell, when the Ball is half-mast, and again when at the mast head. The whole works very smoothly, and is found to be of the greatest convenience. Mr Woodward conceived the idea that the pin on the axle might be made to turn the wheel, and Mr W. Davidson has successfully carried his idea into effect.

N.Z.S.N, Compaxy (Limited.)— We understand that the time for receiving tenders for building the new offices and stores for this Company, will expire next week.

Diorama. — It will be seen, by an advertisement in another column, that Mr Everesto intends giving another exhibition of the Diorama of Burke and Wills' Exploring Expedition, at the Odd Fellows' Hall', this evening (Saturday) ; and that he has engaged the services of the Sable Operatic Troupe for the occasion. With such an attractive programme, we anticipate there will be a large attendance.

The Thictdna Disease. — Tlic New 'Zealand Herald saj r s : — " We perceive that our respected citizen Dr. Stratford lias sounded aii alarm to his fellow settlers in New Zealand, wliicli if we do not mistake will cause many an honest bush family to quarrel witli its staff of life, pork to wit. Take away the pork from outsettlers and it would be a serious matter to find them animal food enough, in New Zealand generally, and in spite of the awful condition to which gross feeding, sausage and sauerkraut eating Germans, may occasionally be reduced by an over gorge of not over-fresh pork, we think the bushmen and their families in New Zealand, where they feed principally on salt pork, do no discredit to their " diet." According to Dr. Stratford, the peculiar disease in question, named the Trichina, is found in Germany to be caused by minute microscopic auimcalulce, or worms, which are found in the muscles of the animal infected, in vast numbers — according to the Doctor's authorities the same animalcule© are found in the earth worm in vast numbers, 500 or (500 being found in one worm, and the pigs being worm eaters, it is transferred to their bodies and thence to the bodies of pork eaters. It is occasionally communicated to eels and otlier fish which are worm feeders and from this cause arise the symptoms of poisoning which often follow a meal of 6uch fish. The general symptoms when violent ai'e those of an irritant poison. Vomiting, violent purging, and death, sometimes are the symptoms of Typhus Fever, and when more of a low form the disease takes the appearance of muscular disorders, such as rheumatism for which it is often mistaken. This disease has created a panic in Germany and a refusal to make use of pork as an article of food, and therefore Dr. Stratford warns New Zealanders to look out for the exportation of it hither, and hints likewise that the disease is very probably in existence amongst New Zealand pigs already. At any rate there is some comfort in the fact that the animal which causes the disease perishes at 144 degrees Fahrenheit. There can therefore be little danger when the meat is well cooked, and we suspect there is far more danger to the eater from putridity of the meat in Germany than from any insect pest, and " Poaka's" days as a New Zealand source of "profit and article of food, are not yet numbered. We trust that the effect of Dr. Stratford's letter on Trichina will not create such a panic as one from the same source on diptheria did a few years since, when everybody was getting everybody else to look at their throats for them to see if there were any symptoms yet of the dreaded disease."

The New Zealand Chiefs in London. — The N.Z. Examiner, of the 16th April, has the following : — •" A committee has been formed in London for the purpose of enabling the New Zealand chiefs to return to their own country. At a recent meeting, A. F. Hidgway, Esq., in the chair, the following subscriptions were announced : — The Duke of Newcastle, £50; the Duke of Sutherland, £25 ;Mr Henry Christy, £50 ; Lord Shaftesbury, £10 ; Lord Ly veden, £5 ; Lord Lyttelton, £2 ; Mr Gr. Cox, Colonial-office, £5 ; Mr Engloheart, £1 Is: and various smaller sums. The treasurer is authorised to expend the funds in band in engaging passages for as mairy as the amount will allow. Liberal offers as regards rates of passage have been made by the New Zealand shipping firms. Aa a large sum is needed to defray the expense it is hoped that the liberality of the public will speedily enable the committee to release the Maoris from their present position. "

I. R. M. Company. — The New Zealand Examiner of the 16th. April, says: — "At a special general meeeting of the shareholders of the Intercolonial Eoyal Mail Steam Packet Company (Limited) held on March 30, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, for the purpose of confirming the resolutions passed at an extraordinary general meeting held on March 3, the resolutions authorising the name of the company to be changed to that of ' The Ptnama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Company (Limited),' and also abrogating the old articles of association and adopting the new in lieu thereof, were adopted, the change being understood not to affect the identity of the company or interfere with the rights acquired by any person at or previously to the passing of the resolution*, the company taking upon itself all debts and liabilities incurred under its former title. The Chairman stated that the sanction of the Board of Trade to their new name had been obtained, which he hoped and believed would cause a large development of their resources, and prove a corresponding advantage to the shareholders. The shares have since been satisfactorily alloted."