Local and General News.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2121, 29 October 1864, Page 3

Local and General News.

The Superintendent. — His Honor the Superintendent returned to Wellington on Thursday evening, from his visit to the West Coast. While proceeding to the Waitotara the Superintendent and party, through taking the wrong track, got on to one of the native reserves, and were turned back by the natives, who, in that locality, but not in the purchased block, had strengthened an old pah. The coast natives from Wanganui to Taranaki are all greaty excited, having almost to a»man become converts to the Hauhau faith. It was a most unjustifiable proceeding to turn a party back, but after the imbecility displayed by Governor Grey in refusing to prosecute the Wanganui-Tara-naki Campaign, there is little wonder that the natives should be again bounciblo. The " Coming^ Man."— -A " gentleman from the country" — Mr Joseph Masters — announces by placard his intention of meeting the public of Wellington — or rather that portion of it who will assemble at the Lyceum Theatre — on Saturday evening to expound his views on the election of Suprintendent question. We trust there will be a full muster as we doubt not the " views" will be most entertaining. Theatrical. — Anadveriisement in another column announces that Mr and Mrs B. H. Cox — old Wellington favorites — intend giving a performance at the Odd Fellows' Hafl, on Mlonday evening, for which a most attractive '• bill" is offered. We doubt not a good house will welcome these artistes back to this city. I Mu. Skirls' Benefit.-— This gentleman took his benefit at the Odd Fellows' Hall last evening, and we were sorry to see so thin a house. We will notice the pieces in our next. Gahdinee]s House. — Gardiner's horse was sold by auction the other day at Sydney, aud fetched £125 ; since then it has again j changed hands, for the sum of £172, to go to Melbourne. The Victoria Cross. — An event of considerable interest, says the Sydney correspondent of the Southern Cross, took place in the Domain on Saturday, September 24. Samuel Mitchell, an able seaman of H.M. s.s. Harrier, was presented by his Excellency Sir John Young wifch the viefco ria Cross, for his gallant conduct in carrying the wounded body of Commander Hay from the Gate Pa, i while under a heady fire. The particulars, however, of his brave conduct must be too well know in New Zealand ; it is therefore unnecessary to repeat them now. That his behavour was duly appreciated is evidenced not only by the mark of honor which the Queen has bestowed upon him, but also by the crowds that witnessed the presentation. To give due importance to the bestowal, all branches of the two services were on the ground : the weather being very favorable for the spectacle. After a rathor lengthy speech from the Governor the hero stopped forward to receivo the badge of honor, but so impatient were the spectators to get a sight of him and it, that he stood a fair chance of losing it altogether. He was literally stormed by the mob, and had to make a tour amongst the crowd, exhibiting his trophy as he went. But he was not done with yet. So far thc peoplo had had the benefit ; it was now Jack's turn to enjoy himself. Such an occasion is a fine holiday for Jack, and he or I might say they were determined to make tho most of it. At a little distance from the scene of presentation was a white horse ; to this was Mitchell carried, and, mounting it, was escorted by his mates and a crowd of small fry through the principal streets of the city. A subscription is about to be raised for him. This evening an amateur theatrical performance, by the officers of the Harrier, takes place at tho Prince of Wales Theatre. The proceeds are to be given to the fund for the relief of the widows of those who fell in ; the New Zealand war. Between the acts, Samuel Mitchell, the recipient of the Victoria Cross, is to bo presented with a gold watoh and chain.

Land Sale. — It will be seen by our ad- | vertising columns that Mr J. H. Wallace's extensive sale of town and country lands I takes place on Thursday next, 3rd November, lat his Land Mart, Lambton Quay, when a large amount of valuable town and country I land will be oifered for sale. Road to Lyall's Bay. — The Town Board Commissioners, accompanied by their Chairman (Mr Pearce) and Surveyor, in accordance with a resolution of the Board introduced by Mr J. H. Wallace, proceeded on Thursday last to examine and report upon the best line of road to be constructed from the head of the Canal and Basin Beserve (now the public cricket ground) to the Southern boundary of the city. We understand that the lower road affords the greatest facilities, and that line will be adopted. The subscription which is being raised by Mr Hunter and other gentlemen interested in this very desirable undertaking now amounts to a considerable sum. We need not point out to our fellow citizens that this road leads ' to Lyall's Bay on^t&e shores of Cook's Strait, and in reality js"_he *' Brighton" of the province; and being within two hours walk of the centtrS^of the city, affords a pleasant walk or drive to a watering place. Militaey. — In an article in the Army and Navy Gazette on the distribution of the army, the following particulars of the New Zealand regiments are given: — The regiments now employed in New Zealand went on foreign service as follow :— The 65th in May, 1846 ; the 70th in January, 1849 : the 43rd Light Infantry iu October, 1851 ; the 68th Light Infantry in December, 1857 ; the 40th in July, 1852 ; the 57th in February, 1853 ; the Ist battalion 14th in September, 1860 ; and the 2nd battalion 18th Boyal Irish in April, 1863. The period at whioh these battalions may be relieved depends upon the progress of the war. Should, it be brought to a termination all will be brought home, except the 50th, 2nd battalion 14th, and 2nd battalion 18th. Although the 68th has only been abroad since 1857, it is well entitled to relief, from the fact that it was been sent out to India after being at homa but a few months from foreign service. In fact it was like the 43rd — under orders for England when the increased demands of the New Zealand war compelled the authorities to divert it from Rangoon on that service.