LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2239, 1 August 1865, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Wellington Expoets and Imports. — The Customs Returns of British and Foreign Goods removed inwards and outwards coastwise, to and from the Port of Wellington, for the Quarter which ended on the 30th of June show that the total value of goods imported during the quarter amounted to £56,755 6s Od and that the value of the exports were £49,437 6s Od. The returns further show that the value of the produce exported during the same period amounted to £10,177 7s Od. The whole of the returns give the satisfactory result, that the receipts of Customs at the port, for the June quarter, exceed those of the corresponding quarter of the preceeding year by no less a sum than £7,166 7s 7d.

Supposed Fuethee Relics of the s.s. City of Dunedin. — On Saturday rumors reached town that a native named Monene had discovered several casks and kegs in Fitzroy Bay. These rumours have some foundation, as the Light House Keeper at Pencarrow Heads has written in to say, that a native had found a cask, which he had examined, and found to be a Hogshead of Ale with the brand " Bass Burton on Trent" on both heads. There were also marked in red paint in large letters T.D.ML.F. 10-25x2. B. The cask the Light House Keeper reports, to be badly stove in at one end, and leaking a little.

H. M. Customs at Wano-anui . — The amount of Customs Duties received at Wanganui during the month of June, amount to £2295 Is Id, which shows how greatly the trade of the Port is on the increase, and how largely that town contributes to the revenue of the Province.

The way the Maoris treat the British Soldier. — We learn from a private source that as Sergeant Noble of the Civil Transport Corps was riding from Wanganui to Patea, he fell in with a party of Maoris, who stuck him up, stripped him of all his clothes, his saddle, and bridle, and then lifted him on to his bare backed steed, round whose neck they had put a flax halter, and sent him back to camp. We don't envy the feelings of the gallant Sergeant on returning to his comrades in puris naturalibus.

Cast Away. — The following Invercargill telegram is published in the Canterbury papers : — Captain Musgrave, the mate, and Alcock, a seaman, belonging to fhe schooner Grafton, of Sydney, and wrecked off the Auckland Island, twenty months since, have arrived; two of the crew are left on the Island.

MrLuDLAM. — The Xn/Uelton Times devotes an article to Mr Ludlatn's recent speech on the Land question, and proves that he knows nothing about the Canterbury Land ltegulations.

The Maori Prisoners. — On Saturday evening the wharf was crowded to witness the debarkation of the Maori prisoners who had arrived in the Sandfly from Wanganui. There were altogether 57 on board, but only 33 landed at that time. A guard of the 50th Eegt., with fixed bayonets under the command of 'Were formed into a hollow square and the prisoners placed in the centre. In this order, the procession marched up to Mount Cook Barracks where for the present the prisoners are left in confinement. What is to be done with them, we dont exactly know, nor perhaps does Sir George Grey, aa thero is no .Hawaii here, on which to place them.

The Assembly. — The reply to the address is to be moved to-day in the House of Representatives by Eobert Pharazyn Esq., the recently elected member for Eangitikei.

Professor Parker. — All lovers of muscular Christianity will be glad to hear that our old friend Professor Parker fkebeau sabreur of the colonies, accompanied by Miss Annie Beaumont has arrived from Napier. It is the intention of these artistes to resume thier acquaintance with a Wellington public on Thursday, when they will give thier first of a series of interesting entertainments at the Odd Fellows' Hall. The musical talent of Miss Annie Beaumont has been already recognised by the people of this city the sw.ordmanship of Professor Parker is acknowledged to rival that of the world renowned Life-guardsman Shaw. Like his well known prototype, Professor Parker will, at one blow, sever the carcase of a sheep, and perform other feats showing the precision of the broadsword, and what an admirable weopau it is in the hands of an efficient and active man.

Resignation of the Native Minister. — A JNTew Zealand Gazette published on Friday the 28tli ult., contains the acceptation by His Excellency the Governor of the resignation by the Hon. Walter Baldock Durrant Mantell of his olflce3 as Minister for Native Affairs, Native Secretary, and Member of the Executive Council.

Mr W. H. Foley. — We notice amongst the passengers per Wanganui the name of Mr W. 11. Foley. We understand that ho has brought his two Zebras, for His Excellency, Sir George Grey. We observe that Mr Foley, with his accustomed punctuality is paying his tradesmen, and we trust he may not again be compelled to go to other places to makejup the heavy losses he has ustained in Wellington. We hear that the Circus will revisit Wellington for a few nights, on their return from Wanganui .which will bo in about a fortnight. We should be glad if Mr Foley would take up his residence amongst us, of which we hear there is a probability.

Captain Shtjttleworth 01? the Ahtj riki. — The following paragraph is from the Wangamci Chronicle: — We learn with pleasure that this gentleman is now about to settle amongstus. Those whoare acquainted with him will be glad to learn that he intends to settle in this neighborhood, having bought Ngaio Glade, lately belonging to Mr Fisk. We take the following paragraph from the Southern Cross, of the 6th inst., to show that his good qualities are appreciated by those who ought to know them best : — Captain Shuttleworth of the s.s. Almriri, having announced his intention of retiring from the service, in which he has been so popular, the officers and crew of the above vessel — determined on his arrival at Onehunga to present him with a testimonial, as a token of their esteem for him. Accordingly a, magnificent marble souvenir clock in a glass case was purchased from Mr Lewiason, on which an inscription on a silver plate was placed as follows : — ' Presented to Captain Shuttleworfch by the officers and crew of the s.s. Ahurivi.' On the evening of the 30th of June, a champagne supper was given by the officers and crew to Captain Shuttleworth, and after the removal of the cloth, the testimonial was presented by Mr Milne, the engineer on behalf of the officers and crew. Captain Shuttleworth thanked the donorß for their kindness in a very suitable speech. It is not as yetknown who will succeed to the command of the s.s. Ahuriri, but it is believed that Mr Flowerday her present mate, who has been seven years on the coast, and nearly six years in the service of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, will probably be offered the command.

Townsiiipofßangitikei. — The Wanfjanni Times thus alludes to the Rangi tikei District: — In connection with the advancing prosperity of this district, we would draw our readers attention to the advertised sale of town sections in the above township, which has just been laid off in sections of half an acre in extent, and as some of them areheavily timbered we would advise intending purchasers to secure one of each sort, for in the course of a year or two timber might be scarce, and by purchasing one with timber on it, the cost of the section might be saved. Another and rery great attraction to purchasers is the fact of their being able to purchase a small farm adjoining the township (a convenience seldom if ever met with), for Captain Daniels is determined to sell the whole of his property, amounting to three thousand acres, in blocks from one hundred acres upwards. We have seen tlie plan and notice that the new Courthouse is erected on one of the most central sections. We should bo committing an act of injustice were we to omit to mention that the newtownshiphns been laid off by the young but enterprising firm of Bradley and Brewer, Surveyors &c, who, we sincerely trust, will find sufficient encouragement to induce them to remain here. Visitors to Bangi tikei, who may wish to remain a day or two to inspect the site, will find every accommodation and convenience atßull's hotel, immediately opposite the township. . Auction Mart. — We undcrstomcTthat Mr A. A. Barnett has bought the lease of the piece of land in Willis street on whicli the old Aurora Tavern used to stand, and that it is his intention to erect a large and commodious Auction Mart on the premises immediately adjoining Cohen's jewellery Shop. Thepremises adjoining ISToah's Ai'k.atpresent in the occupation of Mr Barnett! are in the market ; and we doubt not will shortly be snapt up, as their central position makes them very eligible for carrying on alirst class business^

Assignment of Estate. — A Provincial Government Gazettepublished on Wednesday last, the 26th inst., contains a notice of the Assignment of the goods and chattels of George Masterton Clarke to the Eegistrarof the Supreme Court in this city. The notice further states that tho net proceeds of the sale of the above property will be divided \, c . twecn such of the creditors who shall within three months come in and prove their debts at the Supreme Court on Lambton Quay.

Land on Deferred Payments Society. The above Society -will liolcl its next monthly meeting for payment of Subscriptions &c, on Monday next the 7fch insfc., at the new offices on the Eeclaimed Land. The whole of the business connected with the Society will after to-day be conducted in the new offices.

Military Settlers.— We notice that land orders havebeen issued to the following Military Settlersresidinginthis Province. Major Henry Joseph Coote ; 400 acres. Captain Curtis ; 400 do. Lieut Rutherford ; 400 do. Paymaster Arnot; 400 do. Lieut. H. c! H. Hastings ; 400 do. Orders for SO acres of land have also been issued to Sergeants George Gardiner, John Crowdcr, William E. Heywood, and Samuel Neil, and orders for 60 acres to Privates, Eagan, Gracey, Paris, Dunn, Perry, Conlan, Cruise, Eeardon, Daley Bright, Crozier, Carrol, Flanagan, Wright, Smith, Mullins, Jeffcott, and Williams. '

Accepted Tenders.— Wo notico in the lastpublished Provincial Government Gazette that the tender of Mr. W. M. Mackintosh of £116 for forming a hundred and thirty five chains of the Lowrey Bay Eoad has been accepted, while seven other legitimate tenders and one from Mr William Grainger stating no price beyond the fact that the work would be done for £2 10s less than any other tender, were declined. The lowest tender after that accepted was one of £130 by Mr James Lawson, and the highest was that of Messrs Hall and McDonald which was £472 105.

Narrow Escape. — The men at work driving in piles oa j the reclaimed land, opposite the Freemason's Tavern, had a narrow escape yesterday from being seriously injured. In consequence of the high wind the pile-driving machine, which ought to be fixed by guys, but is not, vas blown into the water, but fortunately tlie men had a few minutes before got out of its way, and thus had a most narrow escape fiom being crushed to death.

The Bruce Election. — A telegram from Dunedin stales that Mr Macandrewhas been elected for Bruce County.