THE PROVINCES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2331, 6 March 1866, Page 6

THE PROVINCES.

AUCKLAND. ; Oun Qlc3 by the s.s. Phoebe aro to the 26th. ! uit. I EIjTiC'COHAL. Mr. Joseph Newman has been elected without opposition to represent the district of Raglan in the next General Assembly.

THB.WHAKATi.NE AFFAIR. The examination of the prisoners for the Whakatane murders had been brought to a termination on the 23rd,' and the Court was to meet again on Saturday, the 3rd inst., when the prisoners against whom the charges have been made out were to be committed for trial. COMPLIMENTARY DINNER. A.farewell dinner to Captain Habon, commandant of the Otahuhu troops, Royal Cavalry Volunteers, who is about to leave the Colony, has been given at Otahuhu. TRANSPORT OF TROOPS. The Southern Cross says: — "Wo have been requested to state that the barque Ballarat, Captain Allan, and not the Percy, as stated by our contemporary, will take home the head quarters of H.M. 68th Regiment, j in command of Colonel Greer, and will leave ! these waters in a, fortnight. The Percy will j take her departure a iew days previously, ' with about 350 rank and file, aad 50 women and children — the head quarters following in the Ballarat. An inspection of the latter vessel was made on Saturday, and she is to be fitted up during the week for the reception of troops. She was-found well adapted for the conveyance of soldiers on a long voyage, and we doubt not will give every satisfaction to those proceeding home by her. I ACCIDENT. A> sad accident is reported to have occurred at Wangaparoa, on Thursday week, to a man in the employ of Mr. S. Craig, on the schooner Clyde. Whilst the vessel was beating about outside, waiting j for the tide, the captain and one man went i out in a dingy ; but owing to there being a 1 heavy sea running at the time, they were upset on the bar. As neither were able to | swim, it is feared that both would have perished. The casualty was seeifrfrom the shore, but no one could render any assistance. The captain was saved, owing to his having, by some means, cast off his clothes and boots, and catching the boat, held on to the thwart. The boat was carried round and round by the waves ; but the captain held fast until the waves and tide carried her on | shore. Tne body of the sailor was found on 1 the 12fch ult., and an inquest was held on the 14th.* ■ PROPOSED ENGINEER CORPS. A meeting of engineers and surveyors of Auckland has taken place at the Belfast j Hotel, Princes- street, for the purpose of coni aidering the advisability of establishing a i Volunteer Engineer Corps in Auckland. ALEXANDRA. A correspondent at Alexandra informs us (Southern Cross) that stabbing and maiming of cattle is common in that settlement, and suggests the establishment of a public pound. Two horses, the property of Henry Miuhin, recently drowned in the Mangapiko, strayed into an acre allotment, and were stabbed during the night. One of the beasts died. PRESENTATION. The Commissariat Transport Corps, which has been in existence for i,he last four years, being about to be broken up,. or at all events materially reduced, the non-commissioned officers and men of No. 4 company have met at Penrose for the purpose of presenting Staff- sergeant Wright with a testimonial of their respect and esteem on the eve of his departure from the company. The testimonial consisted of a silver cup, subscribed for by the company and a few other friends in the corps, and bore a suitable inscription. It was presented by Staft-sergeant Molloy, of No. 3 Company, in an appropriate speech, which was feelingly responded to by Sergeant Wright, after which thoseaassembled spent a most agreeable and hai'monious evening. Sergeant Wright leaves the corps with the best wishes not only of his own com 7 pany, but with esteem and respect of all with whom he hascotne in contact ; and we are sure that the same qualities which gave him a status in the corps will crown with success his after undertakings in private life.