LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2344, 5 April 1866, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

"£> lOoeresoondents. — " A Young Man from ■^bsCtemtry"-— 7our letter will appear in our next 'Size Homeward Mail to England. — We ttf3££!£ -remind our readers* that the first portion ■ x£ssfce mail to Europe, the Australian Colonies, IjsSbbi China and England, will be taken southv^xciEs tit the s.s. Lord Ashley, on Monday next *-.SciSslfeinst. Tho second, or supplementary por";;Sis. wiH follow on Saturday the 14th inst., in the VaEOKTEEB Artillery. — On dit that some ••eSrasr fellow citizens are desirous of organizing ~-5c V-abaatecr Artillery Company in this city. The n&asffistTit present is only in embryo, but we hope r r:siTS7s3l not be allowed to drop. Mffi,.-JoiiDAN.— W. G-. Jordan, Esq., the Clerk 1 €l fite <s?rGvincial Council, yesterday received in- "* <j;?IK getaco from Eangitikoi, to the effect that one 1 sac ttts brothers had been seized with a fit and frjsS&Hi tnfco the fire, seriously injuring himself. 3ffir. -JTurdan left town for Rangitikei at once. SSLwoysritAizsHiP.— His Excellency the Govornor •<£&£, &con pleasod to appoint Q-eorge Christian Taifc SSkj.,, $o fee registrar of births, deaths, and for the Tokomariro district. STMamßr.— The tender of Messrs. Sands ■«cd 2 Meßougall of Melbourne, for the supply of • --.SMaraory to tho General Grovernment for the : -zarcca.a% year has been accepted. ®3OKMNDINa.— Mr, Charles Bull of this city, i.-fccE Stoew appointed bookbinder to the Genera^ "'*MLTCzamcnt for twelve months, commencing from ~~sxLt,ihty last. O'sxr.. — Messrs. W. Hickson, Son & Co., will sj£gg3y>:joal to the Government- for tho current ..■;v<TCr, ''The coals are to be the best Newcastle. 13ZJS.W., screened and delivered at the Public '•'.E£fces.af, £2 12s. Gd. per ton. SFe&bytood. — The tender of Mr. Benjamin V3?as7c, for the supply of firewood to the -'"■■itkisrjszsi Government, for the current year, has j.'ijMoi accepted. The wood is to be either Eata <&r 3&s,iraka, cut and split to suit the fireplaces. ; Mb. JSiccve's tender was :— two feet lengths £1 10s , ixxr <xx& ; one foot length, £2 2s. per cord. ExtajlisiONlSTS. — On Monday eveninga number ■ if Suiaalws from Nelson paid Wellington a visit. / !3b?7 «^cut yesterday in seeing the lions, and will V2?iocrffi frome by the next boat. The s.s. Taranaki :Bn •v&deh- they arrived leaves for the East Coast -"fj&wSsy-so their departure will be postponed until '■' : &k «.s. Wellington -arrives. We hope often to :~£X3T<5 the pleasure of increasing acquaintance' with iUBr friends of the Middle Island.

The Late Mhs. Evans. — It is always painful to be called upon to chronicle the death of anyone who has been connected with the early history of the settlement, yet such mornful events demand at least a passing notice. The late Mrs. Evans, who died on Saturday last, was the wife of Dr. Evans, and had been, along with her husband, one of the earliest settlers in this province. The deceased lady arrived here in 1840, and shared with Dr. Evans all the struggles and hardships of life incidental to a newly founded settlement. Ever active, benevolent, and energetic, she lent an earnest aid to whatever movements were calculated to benefit the community amongst which she had cast her lot, and one of her first efforts was the establishment of a school, which was productive of much good. For several years, Dr. | and Mrs. Evans lived in Wellington till both visited England. Ultimately Dr. Evans settled with his lady in Melbourne, and it is only within the last two ov three years that they have occasionally sojourned here. A few months ago Dr. and Mrs. Evans, came to take up their residence permanently in "Wellington. The health of Mrs. J Evans, however, recently failed, and after but a j brief period of suffering she was called away. While thus paying a tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased, we would, also, without overstepping the bounds of privacy, express our heartfelt sympathy with Dr. Evans in his bereavement. Cojx»'el Rookes. — We have it stated by that very unsafe authority, the Wanganui Times, that Colonel Rookes has been appointed to a Militia command in Canterbury. This may bo true, but . as whenever the Times makes a specific statement it is usually wrong, we await further confirmation of the present one before believing it. Professor Packer. — This celebrated swordsman, accompanied by Miss Annie Beaumont, leaves for the Wairarapa on Friday, and will give one or two performances there. His stay there is limited, as he intends visiting Wanganui very j shortly. The Professor's feats of arms, and Miss Beaumont's concerts, will doubtless be well patronised by our Wairarapa friends. The Native Lands Act. — A. do Courcy Patterton, and John Walker, Esqs., havo been licensed to be surveyors under " The Native Lands Act, 1865." The General Government Gazette, in announcing the appointment, says that the licences are to date from the 22ud ult. The Auckland Militia. — Richard Todd, and John Ross Watts, Esqs., havo been gazetted to ensigncies in the Auckland Militia. The date of the commission of the former gentleman is Feb. 16th, 1866, and the other the following day. j Resignations. — Ensigns W. Berridge, and W. S. Ginger, of the Taranaki Militia have tendered the resignation of the commissions held by .them, and His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept the same. 'Compensation Courts. — The adjourned sittings of the Compensation Court, to investigate certain claims for compensation on account of the taking of the Mangare, Kiri Kiri, Ihumata's and Pukaki blocks of land, under the " New Zealand Settlements Act, 1863," wilt bo held at Orakoi, near Auckland, on the 17 th inst. DISBANDMENT 01? VOLUNTEER COBPS. — It is notified in the General Government Gazette of Tuesday, that the Dunedin Light Horse Volunteers, and the Dunedin Highland Rifle Volunteers are disbanded. This is owing to the fact of the two corps, enrolled previous to.tlie passing of tho "Volunteer Act, 1865," not having, within sixty days of the dato oh which the Act came into operation, tendered their services to the Government. Her Majesty's Customs.— Tuesday's Gazette contains three Customs notices. The first is the appointment of William Mills, Esq., the Collector of Customs at Auckland, to bo a licensing officer under the provisions of the "Arms Act, 1860." The second similarly affects Walter H. Pilliet Esq., acting Sub-collector of Customs at the Port of Havelock, and the third announces that Mr. Alexander Bryce Bain, of Nelson, has been duly licensed to act as a Custom House agent at that port. The late Chicket Match. — The Marlborough Press thus alluding . to the reception of the Pictonists at Wellington : — " Our eleven speak in the highest terms of their reception, which far exceeded their most sanguine expectations ; and has taken the sting almost, if not altogether, out of their defeat. The leaders of both teams complain that there ha 3 been great apathy amongst cricketers in fostering this noble game, and hoped that this match will stir up emulation in both provinces, and Mi*. Seymour remarked that it was chiefly from this feeling and from no idea of bumptiousness, that the Pictonians had ventured on tho challenge at all." The London. — Speaking of tho loss of the London, and commenting on her unsuitability for passenger pm-poses, the Melbourne Age says : — " Had she been built with an intention of sending her to the bottom tho design could not have been better carried oiit. The London never was sea-worthy, and every passenger who ever sailed in her, concurred that she was built for speed, regardless of safety. In order to offer as little resistance as possible to sea and wind, she had peculiarly built bows. She was destitute of the usual bulwarks against the force of the sea and for strengthening the bowsprit. She had a plain stem, such as is common to river steamers, and there was an absence of those curves which break the force of cross seas striking the ship forward, and which help to lift her above their crest. To complete her mal-construction, she had an enormous foremast, which was stopped so far towards tho bows as to givo her the appearance of depression by the head. Nautical men who saw tho London prophesied that some day, if she had to make her way against a heavy cross Boa she would go down. In the language of ono experienced captain, ' that foremast would be shaken out of her.' His prediction wae fatally verified; tho London was caught in a sovoro gale in tho Bay of Biscay. Her naked bows were exposed to tho shock, and by and by the enormous ill-placed spars gave way. Her fore-topmast and jib-boom •went, and the crow could not get the wreck cleared away."

New Route by the Panam a Company Steamers. — " We are informed" says the Nelson Colonist, " that three of the Panama, New Zealand and Australian Steam -ship Co.'s boats will be set apart for a special voyage which will last for three months. The route to be adopted embraces the i four colonies of New Zealand, Victoria, Sydney, and Tasmania. A steamer will leave Sydney on the 15th of every month for Auckland, and go from thenco to Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, Otago, and the Bluff. From thence she will go to Melbourne thence to Hobart Town, and returning direct to Melbourne will await the arrival of tho English Mail, which she will convey to tho Bluff, Otago, Lyttelton, Wellington, Picton and Nelson. From Nelson sho will go to Hokitika, and return again direct to Nelson, from which she will sail for Syd.iey, and bo ready to repeat the round. The time to perform these voyages will, as we have said, bo in all three months." Grammar School. — The Wangamd Chronicle of tho 28th March says : — "A meeting of the committee was held yesterday. W. H. Watt, Esq., in the chair. Dr. Samuels laid before the meeting a -communication he had received from Mr. Ilislop, Inspector of Schools, Dunodin, in answer to a letter written by him on 25th January last, relative to getting a teacher for the Grammar School. Tho Inspector recommended Mr Petchell. After due consideration, the Rev. Mr Fitchelt moved that the Secretary write to Mr. Petchell, requesting that gentleman to forward copies of his testimonials as a teacher, and to state precisely what he is prepared to undertake. \ This was agreed to. Mr. Fitchett then proposed that tho Committee should advertise in tho Australian papers for a certificated master and mistress at £350 a-year, but the proposal was not agreed to. Mr. Sim moved that a master be advertised for in the towns of Auckland, Canterbury, Nelson, and Dunedin, at a guaranteed minimum salary of £200 per annum. This motion was carried, and the meeting separated." Kaitoki School. — The same journal says the Committee of this school met on Monday evening for the appointment of a teacher. There were no fewer than nine candidates for tho situation, — some of them, if their names were published, would astonish the public, — all of them possessing excellent testimonials. Mr. Pond, of Wellington, I was elected, subject to his obtaining a certificate from Mr. Bowden, school inspector. The Ret. J. U. Taylor.-- -Mr. Taylor, late editor of tho Wangamd Chronicle was ordained by the Presbytery of Auckland on the 12th inst., and had the Waikato assigned him as a sphere of labor. Tho Southern^ Cross, of tho 19th inst., says :— " Tho Rev. J. U. Taylor, the first ministe r that has been appointed iv connection with the Presbyterian Church, to labor in tho Waikato country, preached an admirable discourse to the congregation of the Wellington-street Church last evening. He is a minister of much ability, and the election of such a man to labor in that important district is a very judicious one on the part of tho Auckland Presbytery." Nelson College.— Two Governors of Nelson College havo been elected to fill the places of Sir D. Monro and and Mr. C. B. Wither. There were four candidates for the position — Mr. Stark, Dr. Irvine, Mr. Levien, and Mr. Jennings, and of these the two first-named gentlemen were elected. A Greenstone Treasure. — The West Coast Times has the following account of the discovery of a monster block of greenstone, and a strange question as to its ownership : — " It may not be generally known that tho rock called 'greenstone,' which is so highly prized by Maories, is a ' ti'ap ' formation,- consisting of crystallized hornblende and feldspar ; and from the late discoveries at the Kaneiri and Teremakau, we aro convinced that Westland abounds in it to a much greater extent than was at first supposed. The piece found at the Kaneiri, the other day, and which has since been exhibited in town, weighed 5001bs ; but we have since received information that a mass of rock of a similar character, that from its appearance was estimated to weigh at least 3,0001b5, was, seven months ago, discovered by some Maoris up the Teromakau. Our dusky friends, however, were placed pretty much in the same predicament as the man with the white elephant ; for though they rejoiced exceedingly over their prize, what to do with it was another question altogether. They evidently had not the heart to break it up, for it appears they have closely ' shepherded' it ever since, and would, in all probability, have continued their watchful care for a further indefinite period, had not a vandal of tho Anglo-Saxon race, in his wanderings through the bush, discovered the treasure. With the plain matter-of-fact so peculiar to his breed, ho at once came to the conclusion that, as it was hopeless to attempt removing it in its entirety, the readiest way of overcoming the difficulty would be to break it up ; so, having provided himself with a number of sacks, he set to work, and very soon reduced this king of greenstones to fragments. Some idea may be formed of the size of the stone, when we inform our readers that sixteen sacks were filled with tho " debris " and sent down by canoe to tho mouth of the river and landed on the south shore. In the meantime the Maoris discovered the loss they had sustained and at oncn communicated with the authorities at Greymouth, who dispatched a mounted constable to discover if possible what had become of the missing stone, and to arrest the offender who had so sacriligiously invaded the rights of the complainants. On arriving at the Teremakau tho constable soon discovered the bags, which he imI mediately appropriated in her Mujesty's name, I and after keeping strict watch over them all Tuesday night, in hot haste posted to town on Wednesday, loaving the precious rock in charge of the Maoris themselves. Wo believe a warrant has been issued for the apprehension of the offending party, whose name is John Reynolds, bub on what grounds he will bo prosecuted wo are at a loss to dotermino, for as the rock was in situ, never having been disturbed, we feel rather curious to hoar the plea the Maoris will advance as to their proprietory right to it. Tho whereabouts of Reynolds has not yet been discovered, and if he is hiding, we strongly advise him to come forth and advance his claim to the stone in a Court of Justice."

The Rev. J. Bulleii.— Tho Canterbury Standard contains the following paragraph : — " On Monday ovoning, a farewell tea meeting was held in the St. Alban's School-room, afc which there was a largo attendance. Mr. J. Cameron occupied the chair, and explained that the meeting was convened for the purpose of bidding farewell to the Rev. J. Buller, who had labored so assiduously, and so acceptably among them, but who was shortly to be removed to Auckland^ Several speakers addressed tho meeting, when Mr. Philpotts, in the name of the Weslcyan residents of St. Alban's, presented Mr. Buller with a very handsome silver cup, which had been purchased by subscriptions raised in the district, and which was intended as a tribute to Mr. Buller's worth, as well as a token of the affectionate esteem in which they held him as a pastor and friend. Mr. Buller, who was very much affected by this evidence of tho regard in which he was held nt St. Alban's, thanked his friends for their kindness. Ho intended, after a few more years in the service of his Master, to retire into comparatively private life. He would come back to Canterbury and spend the remainder of his life among the people with whom and for whom he had worked so harmoniously and, he trusted, successfully. Mr. Buller hoped his successor, Mr. Buddie, would meet with tho same respect, the same forbearance, and the same help, which he himself had always l-eceived in Canterbmy. Afte r the singing of a hymn tho meeting broke up." General Government Officials. — This is how the Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times speaks of the discipline of the Government Offices : — " Tho Hutt Races have drawn almost everybody out of town during tho last two days. On Thursday it would have been completely emptied, had not tho General Government offices been kept open until 12 o'clock. It was rather hard to make the oflieers work while everybody else played ; but from tho head of the Government downwards, a very strict attention to business is manifested, so much so that luncheon liberty has been stopped, and ugly-looking books, for signing on and signing off, have been introduced into every department." New Zealand Patriotic Fund. — The Marlborotigh Press says : — " It will be seen from an advertisement in our columns that His Honor the Superintendent has called a meeting at Blenheim on the 9th insfc., and at Picfcon on the 20fch, in connection with the " New Zealand Patriotic Fund." Presentation Bat to Mb. Griffiths. — The following is from tho Marlborough Press : — " The Picton Cricket Club, on Thursday last, met at tho Tasmanian Hotel, and, by their President (A. P. Seymour, Esq.,) presented Mr. Griffiths, of Blenheim, with a very fine bat, as a slight acknowledgement of his valuable services, while he held the office of Treasurer to the club. Death from ExrosußE. — At Auckland three men, says the New Zealand Herald, named Peterson, O'Brien, and Haseltine, not having any means of procuring lodgiug, lay down to sleep in a field at the Tlireo Kings, near Onehunga, on Saturday night. When two of their number awoke in the morning, they found Peterson dead. He complained of being ill in the early part of the night, but the other men thought it was not serious. They are all now arrivals in tho colony, having come out as seamen on board the ship Liverpool. Tho police had tho body taken to the Royal Oak Hotel, where an inquest will be held. Peteoleum.— Tho Southern Cross says :— "We have to acknowledge recoipt of a sample of petroleum oil from the Alpha Well, Taranaki, which has been left at our ofttce by Mr. Ternon, who has just returned from Taranaki. This sample of petroleum is superior to that sent up for exhibition in the Museum by Mr. Dickson." Colokel Mould. — The following is from the Southern Cross of the 27th ultimo :— " Two presentations of addresses and testimonials took place in Auckland yesterday. Colonel Mould, R.E., C.8., was presented with a copy of a resolution passed by the Vestry of St. Paul's Church, recording their thanks for services rendered to the church, and apprising him that an address from the Vestry and parishioners woidd be forwarded to him upon his arrival in England. The second presentation took place at Mr. Steers's, tho City Club, when Captain Cadell, late in command of the Waikato Transport Service, was presented with an address, engrossed upon vellum, a gold chronometer watch, and gold albert chain, diamond ring, locket with portrait of her Majesty set in diamonds, and travelling, dressing and writing case." Colonial Defence. — Speaking of the defenceless position of the Australian Colonies, the Australasian says : — " Ever since the Crimean war, the Russians have never ceased their efforts to strengthen tho fortresses 1 and fleets on the Amoor. From Nicolaiovitch to Sydney is about three weeks' steaming. Nearer at hand, tho French aro making a second Gibralter of New Caledonia. Without having as yet attracted any but a passing notice from the Australian press, they have erected and are erecting, works which hang like a thunder cloud, as a perpetual menace over our ports. We may as well be prepared for all eventualities. If it be wiso to insure a house against fire, it is certainly wiser far to insure a nation. Murder by a Soldier of the 65th Reg/t. — Lloyd' sWeeMy contains the following : — " A murder has been committed at tho Raglan barracks, Devonport. Tho facts of tho case aro as follow : — Thomas Lynch and John Thomas .Tohnstone, pi'ivates in tho detachment of the 65th Regiment that arrived at Plymouth on Friday last, in the Rob Roy, from New Zealand, were confined in the guard-room during Tuesday night for quarrelling and fighting whilo intoxicated. During the night they renewed the quarrel, and wore separated. On Wednesday morning, while Johnstone lay asleep on the guard-room bed, Lynch killed him by striking him heavy blows on the head with the handle of the scrubber. The prisoner, an Irishman, aged thirty-four, was apprehended tin's afternoon. The deceased was twenty-six years of age. Both were unmarried."

! Mb. MooHiioc'SE and Westland. — The Can terbury Press soys : — " Wo believo that an investigation into the law of Parliament will show that the recent election for Westland is null and void. In dealing with the subject recently, wo pointed out that such a case as a member already elected for one constituency standing for another was never heard of in England ; that the only cases of double election were those in which the member had been elected by two constituencies at the same time and without his knowledge that he had been returned for one before he stood for the other. When the elections are simultaneous the member cofi take his choice ; but as the law of Parliament, which in the absence of any specific provisions to the contrary is the law of the General Assembly, which distinctly stated in the books to be that a sitting member cannot be elected for another constituency, it appeal's to follow that the second election is null and void. If there wore a Spoaker, it would be his duty to indicate to the Governor that there was a vacancy for Westland, when a new writ would issue. As there ia no Speaker the matter must remain over till the Speaker is elected. But in thi3 case what will Mr. Moovliouse do ? Will ho resign his seat for, Mount Herbert and stand for Westland ? — in which case two of the Canterbury seats will bo vacant in the first month of the session ; or will he stick to Mount Herbert ? — in which case what becomes of the services he was to perform in using his position as member for Westland." THIAI, OF THE WILifcATANE AND OPOTIKI MxritDERERS. — Tho Maoris charged with the murder of Mr. Volkner, at Opotiki, and Mr. Fulloon and others at Whakatane, after .having been tried and found guilty by a court-martial have again been tried and found guilty before Chief Justice Arnoy and a British jury. Several of the men havo since been .tried and faund guilty of piracy. We have no account of the sentence passed on these criminals, as the steamer left Auckland before Sir Q-eorge Arney gave his judgment. The Waibait Massacre Monument. — The following is from the Southern Cross: — "The Wairau massacre monument, which has justbeen erected, is a four sided pyramid, built of solid brick and cemented. It is ten feet square at tho base, ten feet high, surmounted with a stone coping at the top, on which is erected a cross three feet bii inches high. A slab is inserted containing the names of the victims of the massacre. Tho monument is placed immediately adjoining the common grave of nineteen persons who were buried thore. The slab contains the following inscription : — ' Sacred to the memory of twenty-two Englishmen, who were murdored by the natives of Now Zealand, on the 7th June, 1843.' The names on the slab are as follow : — ' W. Alex. Thompson, Arthur Wakefield, Geo. R. Eichardson, Win. England, J. T. Patchett, Jas. Howard, F. Cotterell, Christopher Maling, James Coster, Wm. Gardiner, Edward Stokes, Eli Cropper, Wm. Northam, Henry Bumforth, Thos. Tyrrell, Isaac Smith, Thos. Pay, William Clanzoy, Jas. McGregor, John Brookes, John Burton, Thos. Eatcliffe. Psalm Bth, verse 6th.' Messrs. Brown and Burnett, of Nelson, prepared the slab, cross, and coping, which wero convoyed to the spot by tho P., N.Z., & A.R.M. Co. in the Phcobe, without charge. Mr. Dakey of Blenheim, executed the brick work, which is covered with polished cement, and painted white, so as to give the work a most imposing appearance. It stands on a site one hundred and eighty feet above tho level of the sea, from which there is a commanding viow. Pencarrow Head, forty-five miles distant on the other side of the Strait, is distinctly visible, as well as other features on the Wellington coast. Ifc is also a conspicuous object on the land side. Tho monument stands on the road between Picton and Blenheim, and is thirty-eight miles from Nelson, twelve miles from Picton, and eight from Blenheim. The sight commands one of the I finest views in New Zealand ; and the monument is an object highly attractive to tho surrounding settlers. On the monument being completed, a public meeting was convened on the spot, by the Superintendent of Marlborough, to celebrate its inauguration. The meeting was well attended, and it was resolved to build a church and schoolhouse at tho mouth of the Tua-Marina Valloy, where the massacro took place, and in this manner, also, commemorate the darkest scene in New Zealand history, It is proposed to raise a sum of £300 for this object, £60 of which was subscribed on the spot." NiVAL AND MILITABY INTELLIGENCE. — The followiug promotions, appointments, &c., are notified in the United Service Gazette : — l2th Foot : J. M. Williamson, gentleman, to be ensign, by purchase, vice Rhcims, transferred to the 76th> Foot. 18th Foot: Lieutonant G. D. Sampson from 76th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Butler^ who exchanges ; Ensign A. R. H. Swindloy, from the 65th Foot, to be ensign, vice Fife, who exchanges. 43rd Foot: Gentlemen Cadet C. G. Drury, from the Royal Military Collego, to bo ensign, without purchase, vice Brien, promoted j C. C. Pease, gentleman, to bo ensign, by purchase vice C. G. Drury, transferred to the 19th Foot. Lieutenant T. M. B. Eden to be captain, by purchase, vice R. M. Barnes, who retires j Ensign D. L. Grant, to bo lieutenant, by purchase, vice Eden ; Gentloman Cadet M. Wynyard, from the Royal Military College, to be ensign, by purchase, vice Grant. Tho colonelcy of tho 43rd Light Infantry has become vacant by the death of General Sir James Frederick Lovo, G.C.8., K.H. The depot companies of tho 65th Regiment left Chatham garrison shortly before daylight yesterday morning, and rnai'ched to the station of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway, whence they were conveyed by special train to Plymouth, where they will join tho service companies on their rottfrn from New Zealand. The strength of the 65th depot is eight sorgeauts, four drummers, 120 rank and file, 14 women, and 27 children, together with the following officers, viz : — Captain J. 0. J. Priestley, Captain F. S. Herries, Lieutenant A. Pagan, Enßign T. Chamlby, I Ensign J. L. Dickin, Ensign C. Gh B. Martini and En9ign J. B. Fennell.