WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2221, 20 June 1865, Page 5

WANGANUI.

We are in receipt of our usual Wangnnui files by tho overland mail. They do not contain any war news. THE RANGITIKEI NOMINATION. The latest paper, f hat of the llth inst., gives the following account of the Rangitikei nomination. Tl says : — • Yesterday, at 12 o'clock, the nomination of candidates for the scat in the Provincial Council rendered vacant by lbe acceptance by Mr Halcombe of the oflice "of Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, took place ut Mr D. Eraser's. Tbe usual formalities having been gone through by Major Durie, (he Returning Ofiicer, Mr Ilaleombe was proposed by Mr Thomas Scott, and his nomination was seconded by Mr < Duncan Fraser. Mr Joseph Willcox of Ashted was proposed by 1 Mr Mcßeth, and Mr R. Hammond seconded his nomination. | The Returning Officer, having called for a show of hands, declared it to be in favor of Mr Willcox. Whereupon Mr Halcombe demanded a poll. [Mr Halcombe, as will be seen elsewhere, has been elected Ed. W.IJ] We extract the following items of news from the Chronicle of the Tlth : — Matap»at;a Road Board. — A meeting of the Ratepayers of the Mataraua district was held at the Lion Inn agreeably to notice, on Thursday last, tlune 8. There was a largo attendance, and the proceedings of the meeting were characterized by a cordial ancl liberal tone. The following i business was transacted. 11. S. Harrison, Esq, took tho chair. The Auditor laid on the table an j abstract of the last year's receipts, and reported I the same as having been examined and found correct. Tbe following persons were elected a j Board of Wardens : Dr Allison, Messrs Mc William, Robert Campbell, John Old, F. Symes, J. Howie, 11. S. Harrison. A rate of three-pence per acre was then voted, and Messrs Gregor McGregor and J. Somerville were elected Auditors for the ensuing year. Saw Mill ATRAxarriKEr. — We learn that Mr Bull of Rangitikei has just imported a steam engine and saw mill which he intends to erect in his neighborhood, for the purpose of cutting totara principally, for which the demand has been gradually growing until ho has found that he cannot well meet it by hand labor. The engine is a low pressure one of 15 horse power, with a cylinder 11 J- inches in diameter, and having a 30 inch stroke ; the boiler is a Cornish one ; and ib is intended in t.he first place to put up ono circular and one vertical saw. With these it is calculated there will be 30,000 feet of timber cut up in a week. The demand in the immediate neighborhood is considerable, and should it decrease, Mr Bull can be afc no loss for a market as he can bring a vessel up the Rangitikei to the neighborhood of his mill large enough to load 25,000 feet of timber. We have na doubt tbat the enterprising proprietor of this mill will find his reward in so promptly meeting the requirements of the district. Nuktjmartt. — On Friday lust the troops observed some Maoris passing across au open space between two pieces of bush above the camp, and nearer to the Wereroa pa. A constant stream of natives, many of them on horseback, continued to pass along for some time, ancl ifc appeared as if the holders of the Wereroa pa were receiving or had received large reinforcements. On more attentive examination, however, it was found that a number of horses not exceeding a dozen, of the same color, were constantly reappearing ; and it became evident that the army of horse and foot which was defiling before the spectators, was similar to those that astonish the young folks nt pantomimes by the great numbers that continue trooping across the stage. Tbe actors in this ense made a circle behind and came back across Ihe open srmce. Our Maori enemies eerlainly deserve some credit for taking up Sir George Grey's idea of the moral effect that can be produced by the appearance of overwhelming numbers and reducing ifc to practice so adoitfy. Three shells thrown into the open space nt short intervals put a stop to tho procession ; and on Saturday evening Major Von Tempsky's force marched up and camped on this open ground. Wanganui Steam Navigation Compact. — Mr Lewis late manager having resigned, the Directors have appointed as his successor Mr W. F. Boyle, laf c Manager of the Bank of New Zealand here. We understand that there wero only fchree applicants, and that the Directors have resolved to build a store for themselves the site of which will most likely be a section of ground * belonging to Mr Lcthbridge and next his new store, which he has offered to them, fenced, afc a yearly rent of £10 for seven years. We believe thafc Mr Boyle's salary is the same as fche late Manager's but he docs not provide office and store room as Mr Lewis did. New Zealand Exhibition. — We observe that honorary certificates have been awarded by the jurors to Mr J". Cummins here for soap of good quality ; and to the Rev R. Taylor for a geological collection. There has been awarded a medal to Mr W. L. Buller, for specimens illustrative of the native flax manufactures, and one to Mr W. F. .Tones, for having built the first large organ in the colony.