LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2222, 22 June 1865, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

His Excklt/ency tue Governor. — By the s.s llangatira, we learn that His Excellency the Governor, left Auckland on the 13th instant ia the h.s. Eclipse, for the Kawau, from whence it mis believed he would come on to Wellington. The Governor's coming has ho often been prophesied, that we do not know whether to report him as en toule or not. As his presence is greatly needed, we trust (.hat the rumour brought by the Rungatira will be supported by the appearance at no distant date of ilis Excellency and Suite. Wellington A'l'HENJßior. — We have great pleasure in announcing that two cases of new books have arrived per Chapman for the above institution. These additions to the library comprise most of the works of the day, and will be issued to subscribers at the beginning of tlio week. Mh Robertson's Sale oi? Plants. — The above sale of Wellington grown plants was held at Mr W. Robertson's stock and sale yards, Willisstreet, at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. There was a very large attendance, and the plants were all sold after much competition at very satisfactory prices. Proposed Tkkatrk. — We are requested to notice that the meeting of gcntlemi n in' crested in the erection of a suitable building to b.i used as a theatre, will not take place, as announced, this evening, but will be postponed till some day next week. The lessees of the present Theatre Royal are anxious to have the matter considered in a public meeting, and wo sincerely trust that the people of Wellington will meet "them half way in their endeavors, and not allow such a laudable undertaking as the erection of a handsome Theatro to fall to the ground.

Theatre Rotal.— Last night the grand operatic spectacleof Rob Roy wa9 again produced and received with much applause. Mr Tom Faweett is undoubtedly an actor of the highest merit, and one who evidently has deeply studied the characters generally taken by Charles Iveim Feebler, and the leading stars ofthe day. In addition to the nonchalance, and natural nianutv, Mr Faweett possesses a very line voice, and lias an excellent delivery, which is perhaps the greatest mark of an actor, and an accomplishment not, generally met with. Rob Roy was followed by the " Rough Diamond,' 7 an amusing farce; which sent the audience away in roars of laughter. St. Peteh's Church. — We notice by an ad-' vortisemont, which will be found elsewhere, that tha churchwardens of St. Peter's are calling for tenders for the enlargement of the church. Monday next is the last day upon which they will be received, and the lowest or any other will not necessarily be accepted. We have lately observed that the Te Aro Churchhas been densely crowded, and that many persons have been unable to obtain a seat either for the morning or evening services consequently an enlargement was absolutely necessary. The great increase to the population will soon occasion the erection of another Episcopalian place of Worship, and wo sincerely trust ere long to hear that steps are being taken for the building of a handsome and imposing place of ' worship in a central part of the city. Wellington Fike Brigade. — At the usual monthly meeting of the Brigade held on Monday evening, in the Mechanics' Institute, Messrs. Hobbs, lugleman, Lawrence, Prince, and Millward were elected members. We also regret to notice that Mr Boardman, a gentleman, who since the raising of the corps has held the ap- j pointment of Lieutenant, tendered a resignation' of his rank, without assigning any reason for so' doing. The members, however, loth to lose such an esteemed and valuable officer, unanimously j begged that he would either withdraw his resig- . nation, or take time to reconsider the matt or, bo- ■ for definitely determining on a step which met ! with such strong and universal disapprobation. I Cheap Meat. — Any one partial to corned beef ] lias now an opportunity of purchasing it at the i low rate of -Id per lb. Mr W. Robertson, has a j quantity of .Sydney cured beef, mutton and j bacon for sale, in small lots, and will sell it by i the cask at the above rate. The meat appears of! excellent quality, mid well cured, so ifc will probably be greatly sought after by housekeepers. Fatal Accident. — -Wo regret to announce that a fatal accident occurred about eight o'clock ! on Tuesday cvcuiiig. The deceased, Mr Stephen Stockbridge, a nursery gardener, in this city left his house with the intention of proceeding on a visit to Christ church, in the s.s. Rangatira. He was accompanied on to the Queen's wharf by a friend of the name of Mason, who wished to sec him off. While feeling his way along the wharf i during the darkness ofthe night,, the unfortunate deceased missed his footing and was precipitated into the water. The alarm was at once given, a crowd of waterman's boats lying at the steps were manned, and a search instituted but without avail. Until tho last hope was gone, a number of persons wci-c engaged in dragging for the unfortunate man, and at a late hour, no traces being found the search was discontinued. Yesterday morning however, the body was found lying on the beach a short distance beyond Kai Warra Warm, and an inquest was held at the '• Crown and Anchor." A report of which appears elsewhere. Mr Stockbridge leaves a widow and a large family to lament his loss. Chamber, of Commerce. — The adjourned special meeting of the members of the above chamber, will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon, when the committee appointed on Thursday la>t, will prosent their draft reply to the lion, tho Attorney General's circular relative to the "Debtor and Creditor's Act. The Market Hall. — This building of which cr> Yrmoli linrl Vx^r. onirl „«,! vrrif-ti-n for ftnclnpnhl.-st is now one of the established institutions of the city. Poor Te Aro cramped and landlocked has long suffered under the misfortune of having no country vent. The pi'oducc of the fertile valley ofthe llnLt, and the good things from Porirua and Karori always reached that unfortunate quarter of tho city after being hawked through Thorndon, and to its inhabitants fell the remnants that, were left by the business housewives on its sister flat. Now, however, To Aro affairs are looking up. The Market Hall has superseded the hawkers' carts, and tho various stalls groan under a gooclby show of choice vegetables, and prime joints. On entering the building, one sees line upon line of tables covered with garden produce, and stalls laden with meat, of all descriptions. Here hangs the appetizing haunch, or tempting loin of lamb, there lies the lordly baron and the round of beef. Everything looks clean and fresh, and the Wellington market we doubt not will soon become (he Corn Exchange of the City, where all country business will be transacted, and gossip heard. Menj> youu Ways. — This is not an original saying, but a very appropriate one. If any city in any corner of the globe can boast of worse streets we should not, visit (hem, to test the degree. The Auckland journalls are chronically imploring the authorities to fill up their pitfalls, and the authorities like deaf adders apparently will not answer the. voice of the charmers. In Wellington the Town Board Commissioners are fortunately not so hard of hearing. With them the spirit, is willing, but the treasure chest empty. They are always anxious to make the crooked path straight, if it lies in their power, and considering the financial crisis from which they arc but just recovering, Ihe enormous strides made by them in necessary repairs, is as startling as it was unexpected. We have often to wend our weary way Willis-street, and there above anywhere something should be done. An estimate has been lately made of what it would cost to metal the thoroughfare throughout, and the metalling has boon commenced. May it be continued is our dearest wish. So will say, all those who on wot days have to skate across the top of Dixon-sLreet. There the soft clayey soil slips from under one, and it is only Providence alone that keeps even sober men upon their legs. Men may slip over the dangerous spot in an ungraceful manner, without much damage, but women — lovely women, without a protecting arm, get over, more by good luck than good management. Dixon-strcet passed, the pedestrian only escapes Scylla to bo wrecked at Charybdis, id esl Grhuzncc-street, when another clayey bog adds to the perils of the way. On getting so far, the question " how is your poor feet" might not be unappropriaf.e, and the reply given with a downcast glance Avould not be strictly parliamentary. Other thoroughfares entrap the unwary, but Willis-af. must bear the unenviable notoriety of being a regular man trap, and tho dirtiest thoroughfare in town. Inquest.— An Inquest was held at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the Crown and Anchor Hotel, before Dr. Boor, coroner, and a jury, on view ofthe body of Stephen Stoekbridge who fell from the Wharf on Tuesday evening, and was drowned. The jury, after a* short deliberation returned a verdict of " Accidentally Drowned". The jury furthor expressed their opinion that tho accident occurred from the want of propor lights on the Queen's Wharf. Coal.— Tho Southern Cross of tho 11th inst publishes a letter from a correspondent at Kaipara, with reference to the state of tho country. We makefile following extract : — " It is with pleasure we learn that very active exertions arc being made to develop the Wangarei coal-fields, belonging to 11. Walton, Esq., and situate about quarter of a mile from the edge of the river. Twenty men have been for some time, employed, under the superintendence of Mr W. Bedlington, in boring, and the formation of a tramway for the conveyance of the coal direct from the mines to the sailing craft on the river. This portion of the work is nearly completed, and a drive, of about three chains in length, has been made into the hill side. A branch driye is also being made, and the seam is reported to incrcaso considerably in thickness, and tho coal.to improve in quality."

Provincial G-overniient " Q-azette." — The Gazelle published yesterday, contains a proclamation from his Honor the Superintendent, appointing, (hat, the Provincial Council shall meet for despatch of business at the Supreme Court House, on Tuesday, the 11th July, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. A notification from the Provincial Secretary, that the Medical Board have reported that the diplomas of John George Frederick Wilferd, Esq., were examined on the 3rd inst, and found correct. Another, stating that, at a meeting held on the 2Gth ult, the following ratepayers were elected members of the Board of Wardens for the Kaori district, viz : — Mcssr-< 11 . Arlington, H. Kells, W. Mitchell, J. Johnston, R. Taylor, and P. Mauaglutn. A like notification of the appointment of Messrs W. Brookie, D. Frnzer, J. MeKelvio, T. MeKenzie, ,T. Piuilin, und 11. JJiirne, for the lower Lower Rangitikei. Another of the same purport respecting the appointment of Messrs E. Amar, J. Cutley, J. Christie, J. McLeavy, W. Sievers, and P. Monaghan, for the South Makara district. Two notices under the " Debtor's and Creditor's Act, 1862." The first ordering that the petition and examination of Robert Armstrong shall take place at the Supremo Court, on the 15th of July, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The secoiid, announcing that Thomas White, grocer and seedsman, did on the 2nd of May, file his petition in the Supreme Court, and that the 15th of Jul-j is appointed as the day on which the petition will be heard. A notice from the Colonial Government, that a revolving white light attaining its greatest brilliancy every half 1 minute, will be exhibited from a lighthouse erected 1 on Dog Island, south-east of Bluff harbor, Middle ' Island, Foveaux Strait. Another notice announc--1 ing the light now exhibited on Maua Island. j The Loweii llutt School and the Du^nedix \ PuNCir. — We republish the following amusing extract- from Mr Punch, nm., who has started up \ under a shower of witticisms at Dunedin. The Evening Post in its issue of Tuesday, drew oiu 1 | attention to the remarks of the Southern Chari- ' van, and we hasten to lay them before such of | our readers as have not been fortunate enough to have met cither with Punch himself or with our young contemporary. Mr Punch says : — " Dunedin Punch was often told in Britain" that brains were at a discount in the colonies, and ho always treated the assertion as one of those pleasant fictions invented for the use of fond mothers who desire to prevent their children from emigrating. But an advertisement which lias i'or some time pervaded the Daily Times has somewhat shaken his previous convictions. Here is the gem entire : — " Wanted, for the Lower Hutt Common School, a competent Master and Mistress, who will be required to commence their duties on the Ist of July, 1805. Salary to Master, £125, and £75 per annum, together with £20 per annum for house rent. Applications and testimonials to be sent to the Chairman, Mr Hugh Cleland, Lower Hutfc, on or before 31st May, 18G5. N.B. — A married couple would be preferred." The meaning of this announcement is somewhat enigmatical, owing as Punch supposes, to the circumstance that a Schoolmaster is very much wauled at the Lower Unit. But it is to be presumed that Mr Hugh Cleland offers t lie munificent total salary of £200, " together with £20 per annum for house rent," to a " Competent Master and Mistress," who will undertake the education of the rising generation in that desirable locality ; £125 for a Bachelor of Arts, and £75 for a Queen of Hearts ! Why the commonest household drudge demands from £25 to £35 a year and her board ; diggers without (as Charles Reid says) a pollysyllablc to their tongues, strike for higher wages than 12s a day ; a common constable would scorn such an oiler, and even a staff sergeant gets more for " Teaching the young idea how to shoot," than the settlers of the Lower Hutt arc willing to pay an educated gentleman for the training of the minds and morals of their children. Punch pifics the applicants for this starvation appointment, and especially commiserates any respectable married couple who may be reduced to such a point of misery — whoso hopes and prospects are a<> utterly blighted — as to induce Un>in to sm-k for (.he miserable piflalico attached thereto. Better far that they had never learnt A.8.C., but had wrought for their living at some honest trade wherein brains might be dispensed with. But perhaps there would be no objection on the part of the good folks of Lower Hutt to permit the "Competent Master and Mistress" to follow some more profitable vocation — say shoe-making and mangling— in their spare hours. There is more to be made out of shoe-leatherandvanityanywherc than the Lower Iluttites offer for education." The lini Recument. — A telegraph from Adelaide says, it is understood that a detachment of the 14th Regiment will go there when they can be spared from New Zealand. No Thust. — We learn from the Auckland journals that merchants, storekeepers, and others, residing in the province of Auckland, arc cautioned by the Civil Commissioner, Mr James Maekay, that the Government will not be answerable for the payment of any goods or articles supplied to native*, unless authorised in writing by some competent officer of the Government. Any native j obtaining goods under false pretences, will, says the notice, " be prosecuted according to law." I Sii.vxixEU in Dunedin. — We are in receipt of \ a printed copy of a petition from Mr A. Or. ,' M'Combe, of horsewhipping notoriety, to his ( Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand, praying ' for his Lordship's interference in a quarrel be- ; twoeu a clergyman in Dunedin, and himself. Mr M/Combe accuses the gentleman of having filed a criminal information against him on the charge of having written a calumnious article in the defunct Saturday Review. Further, Mr M'Combe arrogates to himself the right of dictating a=j to what, are the duties of a clergyman, and states that the reverend gentlemen of whom he complains has refused Christian burial to paupers and prostitutes. Whether such be the case or not, we are unable to say, as the clergyman has wisely not, condescended to enter into any discussion with his accuser. Missios-AttiES. — Wo regrot to announce that the Rev John Morgan is dead. The Southern Cross of the 10th instant publishes the following obituary notice. It says: — "It will have been seen by the obituary which appeared in our issue of yesterday, that the missionary cause in New Zealand has suffered deeply by the death of one of the most devoted of its workers — the Rev John Morgan. This really Christian man and earnest dispenser of tho truths of tlio Gospel to the natives, breathed his last, after a few week's illness. Mr Morgan's ministration extends over a long period, more than 30 years, during which he has earnestly prosecuted the sacred cause which lie espoused. The deceased's station was at Te Awamutu, and when the Avar broke out ho was compelled, like many others of the missionaries, to leave it. He did not,, however, allow this change in his circumstances to interfere with his usefulness for being debarred from continuing his spiritual instruction to tho nat ives, ho ministered to tho wants ofthe military and military settlers on the Waikato. The funeral will take' place on Monday, at 2 o'clock p.m., and we have no doubt that there will be a large number who, on that occasion, will show their respect, for the deceased gentleman by following his remains to (lie grave."