LOCAL SUMMARY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2115, 13 October 1864, Page 5

LOCAL SUMMARY.

TUB SEPARATION QUESTION. The anticipation we expressed in our last Monthly Summary that this Province would escape the evils attendant on disruption appears likely to be realised. A movement against Separation has sprung up in the districts whose settlers desired to secede, and a protest against the petition of the Wanganui Committee has been numerously signed in Itangitikei and Turakina. By the latest intelligence we learn that Dr Allison and Mr Hulke had finished their tour through those districts, the result being that upwards of 200 signatures have been obtained to the protest against Separation. Such being the feeling of the settlers, we trust the members of the Separation League in Wanganui will reconsider their somewhat hasty proceedings. The new Province, if ever constituted, will probably have the Wangaehu River for its Southern boundaiy. In connection with this the following circumstances may be mentioned. A largo block of land, called the Waitotara, situated to the north of Wanganui, was purchased a year ago from the natives by his .Honor the Superintendent, out of funds belonging to the Provinceof Wellington. The negotiations for the purchase had extended over many years, and were only brought to a successful issue, by the tact and ability displayed by Dr Feai therston. The Wanganui Separationists expected that if the new Province were constituted the Waitotai'a block would be included within its boundaries, and gleefully anticipated that a large revenue would accrue from it. For a time the movement flagged, and when in Wanganui, the Superintendent was assured that it would not be carried further, whereupon he stated that the block of land would not be sold, but as immediately afterwards the separatiouists advertised their petition as required by the Act, it was thought necessary to delay no longer, and the land was accordingly proclaimed to be sold on the 17th of October. The Separation Committee jn'ofesscd to be extremely indignant at this, and two of their number went up to Auckland as a deputation, to remonstrate with the General Government and oppose tho sale. Nothing, however, came of it, and the deputation alter an interview with the Colonial Secretary, found that the General Government had no power to interfere, and so having been bowed out, they returned home with their mission unaccomplished. This deputation was a very foolish business, and tho local paper wisely says very little about it. The sale of tho hind will lake place as advertised on tho 17th inst. It is likely now that Ihe separation movement will end in smoke. Deprived of the Waitotara ou the North, and with the certainty that the Manawatu would not bo included within j the boundaries of the Now Province, Wanganui has everything to lose, and nothing to gain hy Separation. THE SITPERINTENDKNCy. A Local paper has boon gulling the credulous lately by troting out Mr W. Jlickson, an old settlor and a merchant of some standing in tho city, as a candidate for the Superintendency. We only notice this because the paper in question, has fallen into a habit of putting forward people for this oftico, who never dreamt of aspiring to the honor, or who if they did, had not tho remotest chance of attaining it. As yet, we can assure our readers, both here and at homo, that the present holder of the office is not threatened with any serious opposition, and till we hear something more tangible of intending candidates, and from a better source than a paper notorious for its inventions and canards, we may be fairly excused discussing possibilities that may never occur.

LOCAL r-EOGRESS. A glance at any part of the city or a walk round its outskirts, would show that at no former period has Wellington afforded so many indications of progress as at present. In every direction new buildings are springing up, while shops and warehouses heretofore considered as sufficient for the business of their owners, are either being enlarged, Or altogether rebuilt. Willis-street is rapidly improving in appearance, To Aro has numerous dwelling-houses, from the humble cottage to the stately mansion, springing up on every vacant space, Lambton-quay and Clay Point are flic site of numerous handsome warehouses, while on the " Beach," the march of improvement has also sot in, and weekly, new building contracts arc entered into. Real property has been very materially enhanced in value, and with an increasing population, Hocking in, chiefly from the neighboring provinces, very great difficulty is experienced in finding house accommodation. In truth, though a financial crisis is impending over the colony through the fatuous action of theGovernor; though a collapse is anticipated in Auckland when the commissariat expenditure is withdrawn, and great commercial distress exists in Otago. the result of over speculation | and a falling off in the yield from the gold fields, yet in this province trade is in a perfectly sound condition, andour present prosperity is as gratifying as it is sure. We have not over speculated, we have not embarked on undertakings beyond our moans, avc have not experienced tho flush of an immense military expenditure, or the fever of gold rushes, but we have nevertheless slowly but surely been developing the resources of the countiy. We say this apart from the prospect that the Province may be selected as the Seat of Government. That circumstance has doubtless stimulated the enterprise of the settlers, but even putting it aside, there is no question but that Wellington is fairly embarked on what promises to be a happy and prosperous career. The recent acquisition of territory, the prospect of more ere long accruing, the opening up of fresh markets in our immediate vicinity, through the devclopeinent of the Cook's Straits gold fields, — all afford a solid basis on which to rest the anticipations we have expressed. AMUSEMENTS. During the month there has been no lack of amusements. " Thatcher," the inimitable local vocalist, concluded a highly successful season about a fortnight ago, and now, like a bird of passage, has taken flight for " fresh fields and pastures new." It will be long ere his memory is forgotten here, or the abundant and never failing mirth which his entertainments furnished. The wit and humor, the delicate raillery and keen satire displayed in his local songs, never failed to awaken a feeling of intense gratification in his listeners, while his fertility of invention, and intuitive appreciation of the humorous points of a subject, were only equalled by the rapidity with which he embodied his ideas in verse. Thatcher, indeed, carried his fortune under his hat ; he could, unaided, sustain the attention of an audience unflagging for a whole evening, but wisely, he did. not trust too much to this, and enhanced tho atti'action of his concerts by the aid of that charming artiste, Madame Vitclli, whose excellent singing, contrasted by the comicalities of Small, and increased in effect by the instrumental accompaniments of Mr Oakey, made an evening passed in the Odd Fellows' Hall, a treat such as we do .not often experience. During the past week he has been " doing" Wanganui, where, what between " Separation," the doings of Major llookcs, a militia commandant, who cauuot understand the difference between settlers aud soldiers, and the approaching " bloodless" campaign, he will find abundant scope for the exercise of his talents. Simultaneously with his departure, that celebrated tragedienne Miss Aitken, arrived from the South, accompanied by MrShiels, the best delineator of Scottish character we have yet listened to in the Colonies. Mr Bat. son and Mr Itussell have also assisted at this lady's entertainment which has boon highly successful, and thoroughly appreciated by all classes of the community. A visit from the Lyster Opera troupe is also shortly expected, several lectiu'cs under the auspices of the Odd Fellows' Hall Committee are on the tapis, and lastly, a Bazaar on a very extensive scale is at present being held for the praiseworthy object of providing a new residence for the Weslc3 r an minister. THE PfiOSECUTION AGAINST A NEWSPAPER I'ItOPUIETOU FOR LIBEL. In our last summary, we narrated the circumstances of a case in which Mr Joseph Bull, the proprietor of a local paper, the New Zealand Advertiser, had been subjected to a criminal prosecution, " for a false, malicious, and scandalous libel" against Mr Charles William Schultze, the Speaker of the Wellington Provincial Council. The article which constituted the grou'nd of action was simply a scim'ilous attack on the prosecutor, by munc, ridiculing his personal appearance, assailing him with vituperative epithets, and broadly attributing to him partiality in the discharge of the duties of his oflice. At the trial, which took place on the 13th ult, Mr Bull, through his counsel, advanced several picas in defence, amounting to this — that he was not guilty ; that the alleged libel had been inserted without actual malice and without gross negligence ; that it was a fair comment on the acts of a public man ; that there was no imputation of corrupt motives ; and generally, that the libel was justified. None of those pleas could, however, be 'admitted, except the first and last : the learned Judge stating the rest to be clearly bud. The defence therefore rested on the pleas of ' Not Guilty' and 'Justification,' the latter of which was soon afterwards abandoned. The jury found Mr Bull guilty but expressed regret that the action had been brought criminally, an opinion advanced with the object of saving the accused from a sentence iuvolving'nnprisonment. His Honor in passingscntence,said "hedidnot feel quite sure that he could agree with the expression of regret made by the jury, because he thought it was important that the public should be made aware that the publication of such libels was a punishable offence. But probably the course which ho proposed to adopt would be such as to diminish the regret of the jury, although he thought tho libel was a very vulgar and foolish production ; and the pleading a plea of justification was a circumstance iu aggravation, ycl he was of opinion that the interests of society might be protected, without any substantial punishment being inflicted upon the defendant. Having ascertained that no previous charge of libel had been preferred against the publisher of tho newspaper, he said he would permit the defendant to bo discharged on ' his entering into recognizances himself for

£200 and three sureties for £100 each. ; and c with the condition to come up for judgment j when called upon, it being understood j that he would not be brought up, un- . less, he directly, or indirectly, aided in r the repetition of such offence, as against \ Mr Schultze, or any one else." In the -. justice of the verdict most persons here . are agreed, though a good deal of sympathy . was expressed at the time for the accused, . | who was simply the publisher of the journal, . and very possibly knew nothing of the article r , before it appeared in the paper. Unfortu- ; nately of late a species of journalism, worse . even than the lowest American type, has 1 sprung lip in the Colony, and the Adoertiser r j for a time became au example of it. A low [ j publication in Dunedin styled the Saturday [ JRcview^as another, but as one of its eontributors got publicly horsewhipped the other day in Dunedin by one victim, and is at pre- [ sent subjected to a criminal prosecution at p the instance of another, it is to be hoped that . these severe, yet wholesome measures, may . stop a practice, which had become a crying . evil and a public nuisance. The recent legal i proceedings here to which we have alluded, i have, without in the slightest trenching on j the liberty of the Press, apparently achieved a similar good result — and we are glad to say , that the Advertiscrhas with equal good sense and taste, refrained from publishing any fur- , ther contributions of the same vilo class, as that which brought its proprietor to the bar , of the Supreme Court. THE NEW ZEALAND STEAM NAVIGATION company. — (Limited,) The New Zealand Steam Navigation Company (Limited), will hold their half-yearly ' General Mcctiug at the Wellington Athenoonum, (This day week), Thursday the 20th inst. We understand that the accounts are being printed, and will be circulated , amongst the shareholders as the act directs. We are of course precluded from anticipatiug any information which the Directors ; may consider advisablp to lay before the 1 public, but we are happy to be able to inform our English and other readers, that i the accounts will exhibit satisfactory results, i that the position of this New Zealand . undertaking may be stated as one firmly and permanently established: and that its future prospects are of a highly encouraging nature to its shareholders. The benefits this steam company has, in conjunction with the I.K.M. 1 Company, conferred on the Colony are noticeable by the most cursory oberver, of the 1 progress New Zealand is so rapidly making. What has already been accomplished b} r the existence of steam for the trade of the country, although great, is but trifling to what we hope to see it shortly become. : THE WELLINGTON NATIVES. There is no native news whatever. Within this Province, the natives are perfectly quiet, and it is only from the country north of | Wanganui that anything is heard of the na- | tive difficulty.

The following are the minor local events of the month : — Uoi'D- — About the 13th Sept tinner, a party of three men sold 15dwts. of gold to Mr Selig, watchmaker, Lninbton Quay. The men had several ounces with them. They stated that it had been procured in this Province hut declined to state the locality. The gold is exhibited in Mr Selig's window. Gold — We understand (says the Wanganui Chronicle.) that some of the men working at the Waitotara, who are experienced diggers, consider that there is gold in the neighborhood, for which they think deep sinking may ho required. Th'\v havo fallen in with a quartz < - eef on one of the native reserves; and if they could prospect on native ground would do so. They have a strong impression that there is coal as well an excellent limestone, an>l that, if of good quality, will be more valuable than gold. ArroiNTMKNT. — George Frederick S.vairwm, Esquire, of Wellington, lias been appointed a Commissioner under thu Intestate Act. 18(51. Natuk.Wj Cuhiosity. — Th-'re is at pres.:nt on view, at the oHioo* of Messrs Bethune & Hunter, a nalur.il curiosity of great interest, which has bijen kindly placed there for exhibition l.y Mr KylVe, of the Kai Ivoras. It is a Moa's egg, found Wy a "workman in Mr Fy tie's employ, while excavaling|for the foundaiion of a house, but unfortunately wis broken by a blow fiom his pick. As it is exhibited uow, it looks quite perfect being placed in a box, made of New Zealand wood, and so arranged that the broken part is hidden, but the fragments may be seen by opening a small drawer. To make the curiosity still moro interesting, the position in which it was found adds much to it. It appears that it was discovered in the hands of a Maoii, who had been buried, apparently, for some years. The Maori was in a sitting posture with his elbows on his knees, and the egg resting on his two hands, which were placed perpendicularly. '.Die egg id of a dirty white color, slightly pencilled, and resembles tbat of a goose; it is about 10 inches long and 7 inches broad; the thickness of the shell being about l-10th of an inoh ; and it is the nearest approach to a perfect one that has yet been discovered. It is a pity that the fragments of the shell have not been joined to the original, which could easily bo done ; but as it is, it is an object of much interest, and will well ropay a visit. Hawke's Bay. — The Herald of the 2-lth ulfc, says: — "News reached town on Thursday of a tragical occurrence having taken place in the Wairoa district. Our readers will remember that a native died some time ago, whose death was attributed by his relatives to his having been bewitched by an old native named Mita Para. A native fend was imminent inconsequence, and the peace of the district was sciiously threatened. The ditpute, however, was hushed up — if we remember rightly, thiough the intervention of the Bishop of Waiupu and others. The intelligence to hand is, however, to the effect that Mi if Para has been shot dead by two natives of the opposite party — after, it i-s said, a form of trial lor witchcraft, and that upon Mr Hunter Brown demanding that the two natives should be given up to justice, he was told, if not in so many words, yet in effect, to take them if he cauld, Surely wo are not again to sec in this case the utter powerlessness of the law to punish native offenders." Alpacas. — We. understand that his Honor the Superintendent, (in accordance with the voto of tho Provincial Council), has succeeded in purchasing for this Piovinco ten Alpaca?, eight females and two males, and that tliey may shortly bo expected from Sydney by one of tho I.R.M. Com pany's steamers. This will bo a groat boon to the Province; and as the climate and nature of tho country arc said to bo peculiarly adapted for Alpacas, wo have no doubt they will thrive well, and that in the course of a few years, the wool of the Alpaca will form a considerable item in our exports. Cuami-iox Belt.— Tho Wanganui Chronicle says :— We believe this prize will como to Wangantii this year. It will bo remembered that Mr 1-lumfries of Taranaki and Lieut Owen made each a sco)'o of 40 at the General Government Priza Firing. Mr Humfries then made a score of S — l outers and a miss out of his five shots. Lieut Owen fired on Thursday, and had 1 centre, 3 outcis and a mis.", making 9 points, or one above his opponent. We do not know what tho measurements were at Taranaki, so that we cannot give tho exact result of tho firing.

Colonel Dwveii. — This gallant officer was a passenger by tiie Lord Ashley from Napier, on the 7th inst, liaving come here to assume the command of the detachment °f second battalion 14th Regiment, stationed in Wellington. Captain Buck and ii number of friends were on the wharf, waiting to welcome him back. Town Sukveyoh. — Mr U. M. Skeet has been appointed Town Surveyor. There wer<9 four upplieants for the office, viz., Messrs Cohhatn lira Ilcy. B. Wallace, and R. M. Skeet Mr Skeet for nearly eighteen months has acted as surveyor to the Commissioner o( t ho New Z«.iland Company ; I and t lie local knowledge he has thus acquired ' will bo of much value in his new position We congratulate Mr Skeet on his appointment, and the Commissioners on the judicious choice they have made. It is to li ( j hop"d now that wu have a thoroughly qualified Town survevor, tho public monry for public improvements will be expended in the best manner. Storting. — Wellington will !>•• well represented at the forthcoming Champion lla-'e in Oiiri-sr church, as we understand Mr ILuli-.-ld of I'relissic. has entered one of his fillies and iho colt to contend for t lie "blue ri"l>on'' of tlieColoni.il tin I" To the uninitiated, we in.iy mention thai thi-se horses were imported in the Alfi'iuce. Cap'ain Simpson, some twvlvc mouths a^o to rhi-< province from England, and are li!;<dy looking. Of eouisthis will be their inaidoi fling, and l>aning aeii dent, we predict a good Inn ling for ihe^e novices. We lieaitilv wish Mr Ilatii -Id su.'co-s. New Zealand Exhibition — Dv Hector w 10 has recently visited th<j tavern 1 l J rovinc--s, to an certain their resources and what can be contributed towards the approaching New Zealand Inhibition has issued a very full report on tin: .subject. e quote two paragraphs from it. as being of local interest: — " In Wellington, his Honor the Sup"iintendent has appointed an influential local committee, and as great interest- is taken there in the success of the Exhibition, the co'innissioii'-rs ma feel assured that the. resources of the province will be represented It embraces the pastoial district of the Wair.irapa valley and the .Coa^t ranges, and the fertile and hilly grounds in th<> neiglibourhool of Port Nicholson, and the expensive and wooded plains of whioii Wanganui is the centre. This indicates that the pii;ici|ial exhibitswill be of wool timber, and agricultural pro lucts I A valuable collection of avtieL-s fiom the New Zealand Society will also be sent — mnps. plans of proposed harbour improvements lLhtliou9es, and other engineering works, water-colnur and other sketches illustrating New Zealand scenery, and articles of native manufacture and curiosities. 'J he cxhii>ition of a New Zealand built steam engine, will probably be a unique and most interesting contribution from thU province The most important subject of the analysis of the vital statistics of Mew Zetland has been undertaken by Mr Hocken, and the gold mining statistics by Mr Pyke. The geology and mineralogy will be dealt with in time e.-says by MrCoutts Crawford. Dr Haast and myself; but to avoid confusion of colours and nomenclature, I propose with these gentlemen's consent, to combine the information in one small scale geological map ot the whole of New Zealand to Ui referred to as the joint work of the three authors. A short account ot the copper and other mines in New Zealand will be contributed by Mr T. H. Hackett. Mr Lndlam, of Wellington, has uudui taken to write an account of his experiments in horticulture, to give his experience of what introduced plants thrive be?t, and to suggest what shall bo introduced for gardens, kg. The essays will be written in such a manner as to show the present state of our knowledge on these va:ious subjects so as to seive as an intro luciion and guile to the Juries' Reports. The. whole will form a volume of about OUO to 800 pages, and if the funds will admit of it, several of the authors are desirous of illustrating the essays freely with woo leuts or lithographs. The time I have suggested for th.s transmission of the MSS is the end of October, but the required plans, sections and maps, and many of the proposed illustrative sketches are to beputintothe hands of workmen wi.uout delay." Sale of Property. — We are glad to observe that Cipiain Melntyte, who has been a resident amongst us for several^nvinths, will now become, a permanent settler. On the 4th iust., ho becatni the purchaser at auction of (ho premises known as the White Swan Hotel in Cuba Street. The h"tel itself was knocked down for .£SOO. An allotment of land adjoining it, with n frontage to Cuba Street sold for 4." 3 10s per foot, and another allotment in rear of the hotel, with a frontage of 77 feet to Swan Street, futchel 33s per foot, Capt. Mclntyre being the purchaser of the whole. Daintx Ariel — The Southern Cross of the 2Sth ult. has the following paragraph: — "The I'o.-.seniskie Race Cup. won by Lieut. St. Hill's Dainty Aiicl. may be s.-en to-day at Mr Pulman's shortLind-stieet. It is very handsomely chased in tho French style, and is \ alued at over £59. There is a panel on each side of the cup, which bears the followsng engraved inscriptions, execur.d by Mr Pulman in a very creditable manner:— 'Presented by Mr l'osseniskie, to be run for at the Auckland Military Races, on tho 2 1st September. IBG4 ;' and on the opposite panel, ' Won by Dainty Ariel, Ihe pioperty of Lieut. St. Hill, A.D G., beating eight others.' " The Empire City — This first-class hotel changed hands la>t week, J. Martin, Esq , having sold it to Mr Osnood of Otago for a good round sum — -L'3,200 is the amount reported. Wi Tako. — This chief came into town on the Ist inst.. in company with Commandant Ed wards, of tho C 1). Force, and has been here till lately, lie was not accompanied by a body guard, as on a former occasion, but perambulates tho streets alone ; and seems anxious to cultivate the friendship of old acquaintances. Tun Postmaster GisNFD'.t.u. — The hon. T. B. Gillies, was a passenger per Lord Ashley, which arrived in this harbor on tho 7th instant from Auckland, en route for Duuedin. Annual Horse Show. — This show, which is always looked forward to with much interest bj' the fanning population of the province, was held on the sth instant at the llutt, a circumstance which lent additional attraction to the usual market. The weather being very fine, every trap plying for hire botweeu Wellington and the Valley, was loaded to overflowing, and the settlers round contributing' their quota to tho throng, a goodly attendance wag tho result. After discussing a capital dinner, provided by host Valentinu, the stock was " paraded" before the visitors. Tho horses exhibited were seven in number, and comprised " England's Hope," five years old, the property of Mr W. Buick. " Victor" rising five years the property of Mr Knight. " Tatton," three years old, owned by Mr Sykes. " Jlero," three years old, belonging to Mr Death. "Hercules" five years old, tho property of Mr Welch. " Sir Watkin," four years old, tho property of MiBrown, and Mr Gascoigne's " Solomon," eight years old (as reported). Tho first worthy of notice was the thorough bred entire Sir Watkin, he was the " observed of all observers." He is a dark brown horse, stands 15 § hands high, well formed, good points, and looks calculated to get good stock. Of the cart horses, Mr Death's ch; h. " Hero" attracted the most attention, Ho is a compact Suffolk, a perfect typo of his class, and was imported some months ago into this province by Mr Lucena. Ho measuieswell at every point, and his appearance altogether should make him a favorite. The capital all color horse (bay). 11 Hercules" found many admirers, while "Solomon 1 ' seemed to excite sonic curiosity as to the reason for his exhibition, a curiosity which was not satisfied until after the show, when Mr J. H. Wallace, offered him for sale, when he was knocked down at the first bid (£39) to a gentleman whose company was desired at the lock-up by the Inspector of Police to answer a charge of cruelty, to animals, so " Solomon in all his glory," did not change hands. The exhibition was most satisfactory on tho whole, and tho prices fetched for the stock submitted to the hammer by Mr Homer and Mr Wallace were very good.

The Diocesan Synod — Tho second seseioa ©F the third Synod of the Diocese of Wellington was held "luring- the month at the Provincial' Council Chamher. The following members woie present :— Clergy: Ven. Archdeacon of Karati r . Uev F. Thatcher. A. Stock, W. Konaldsop, I. E, IlHiring, A Knoll, and T) c s Boi.s. Laity: Messrs*. Buter.,bee. B.dcer, J. Carter, Brail hwaite, Hart,. Hunter Ln.llim, Robinson, J. V. Smith, IL Stokes. The Bishop of Wellington, as President* opened tli- session with the usual annual address,, alter which the members proceeded to tb&ilespatch of business, which included a proposal toalter t.he present Diocesan scale, making tl» consnienciiig point M2OO, instead of £150, and in» creasing the maximum from 4.'3J0 to £350, together with other matters referring exclusively ts> Church affaiis Thk Uanqitikei Land Dispute. — Our readers will remenii •«.'!■ that n land dispute existed amongst the lian-iiik.'i natives lust J a uary, which mighthave ha I serious results but for the prompt and:-ju.li.-ious proceedings of Hid Honor the Superiutendi'iit. who visited the district, and arranged for its ultimate settlement. Very recently, the opposing triln-s have expressed their willingne&s to> hiv.- it adjusted at once, and Dr. Festhcrstoo-. Mailed a day or so a, r o on a journey up tho West Co.isf (o fiutei the native.> at, Kangitikei for tliat pui-|ios..'. It is satisfactory to note, that throughout tlie w >ole lVuvince the natives <iro in a stace--of the most commcn'iable (juie.-cence. Chambkr ok CoMMEiiCE. — Tho usual montlily" meeting of the Chamber took place on tho 10:h . inst., l>ut. lusvoiiil the pio'iuction of cor: ospondenca lvferring to •• late letters, mcasuiement of liquids, and salt-s of damaged wool," no business of importance was tr.ini-aete I. Town- Boakd Rate.— A meeting of fhe Katepayers of the city of Wellington, was held at theOil . Fellows.' Hall, on the L9th ult., at noon, foi the purpoH- of fixing the amount of rate to bo l-vied for the ending year. There was a largoat t<Mi' lance of rate, payers. All the Commissioners, weie present. E. J^arce. Esq., occupied tho chair. Vaiious rates of a farthing, a half-penny, and a-. penny, were proposed, and on a poll being taken, the half-penny rate was carried by a majority of votes. The Condemned Convict Thick kb.— lt reflectsbut lit do credit on the Attorney-General, that this man should still be lying under sentence of death, and that after a lapse oi several monthsnothing should have been clone in his case. We shall shortly allude further to this subject. Majok Lei-pur. — This gentleman, till recently; in command of the 2nd battalion 14th Regiment,. stationed here, left on the. 29th ult. per s s. Auckland for Taranaki, to assume the command of the Militia .uitt Volunteer.^ in that Piovince. We heartily congratulate that gallant officer on having, received tiiis appointment, though we equally re— yret his departure from Wellington.