LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2588, 24 October 1867, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Reported Successor op Sib C*eorge Grey. — The Government have received no despatches by the prosont mail, bo that the statement made by the Melbourne Herald and telegraphed to Mr Stafford, that Sir George Fergusson Bowon has boon appointod Sir George G-rey'e successor, is not yet either confirmed or contradicted. The telegram as taken from tho Herald is as follows:— "London, 20fch September. Sir Georgo Forgusson Bowon, at present Governor of Queensland, has been appointed to succeed Sir George Grey in the government of New Zealand." At the telegram is dated twenty-fire days later than the mail adricei, the appointment may hare been made after both tho Suez and Panama mails had left.

FIBE AX THB ROYAL TIGEB HOTEL. — At two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, it was discovered that the Royal Tiger Hotel, situated at the corner of Abel Smith and Taranaki streets, had caught fire. The first sign of the disaster was the issue of a large body of smoke from the roof ef tho back portion of the premises, the fire having apparently originated in the upper flat of the hotel near the bedrooms. The alarm was at once given, and in a few seconds the neighbors had procured buckets, and commenced passing thorn from hand to hand filled with water, which being taken rapidly upstairs, was dashed on the flames that blazed furiously at their head and licked the walls, which had already ignited. It was a critical moment when these efforts commenced, and for five minutes it was difficult to Bay whether fire or water would havo the mastery. At one time the smoke got mixed with •team and the flame was apparently subdued ; at the next instant it would burst up again, and the smoke from the roof glared with a lurid tint as the .fire shot up through the shingles. This was the crisis. Quicker and quicker passed the bucket* i faster and faster poured the stream of water, and in ten minutes of hard work the fire was put out and all danger avorted. The red-coated firemen of the Wellington and Central Brigades — the latter having an engine — were quickly on the Bpot, but by that time the fire was out, except porliaps a few smoking embers with a tint of red, here and thero. It was the promptitude and energy displayed by the neighbors whick saved the property from destruction. We have no idea how the fire originated. Tko proprietor of the hotel is Mr Eberlet.

Advance Tubakina. — A correspondent writing from this flourishing settlement states " that the place is fast progressing, and that many new buildings have recently been erected in the township. A first-class accommodation house, or private hotel, has been built by Mr Steven Belvio, on the site adjoining the premises formerly occupied by Messrs Franklin and Hurst, which, will be a great convenience to the district, and a new butchering establishment opened by Messrs Hurst and Knox, will prove a material advantage to housekeepers who desiderate hot joints. The Turakina Assembly Hall, now in course of erection, will be a very handsome building when finished. The hall itself is to be thirty-eight feet long, by twenty-six feet wide, and the funds for its erection are provided by a Limited Liability Company, tho shares being 250 in number, at £1 each. A place of the kind has long been required for dinners, balls, and public meetings. In addition to the largo hall there will be two ante-rooniß in the same building. Mr George Gower, chomist and druggist, of Wanganui, who has achieved quite a reputation for the excellence of his aerated waters, has established a branch dispensary here, and we have besides a cooper and a tobacconist who both do an excellent business. By and bye 1 suppose wo shall have v lawyer, the presence of whom will of course necessitate a second, and then wo shall be able to indulge in the luxury of litigation without requiring to go fourteen miles for advice." We are Tory glad to loam that Turakina is progressing so rapidly, and trust that its good fortune will steadily continue and increase.

Vomtnteeb Field Day.— lt is intended to have a field day of the Tumkina and Rangitikei Volunteers on Saturday, the 26th instant, at Mr Williamson's farm in the Bonny Q-len. Colonel Gorton is to be in command, and Capfc Matthew's Royal Corps, Capt Johnston's Union Corps, and Captain Hurst's Turakina Corps are to be present on the occasion. As tin's is the first field day which has been held in the district, we hope somo of our friends in Rangitikei or Turakina will forward us an account of the review.

Address to the Goyebnoe. — The Christchurch City Couacil have agreed to present a valedictory address to the Governor.

New Weslexan Chapel. — Mr Oorbett's tender for the erection of a new Wesleyan Chapel in Manners street has been accepted. The sum is £2212. The building will be erected under the superintendence and from the design of Mr Tringham.

The English Mail.— The Wellington portion of tho Suez mail was enclosed in twenty-nine boxes, and nine bags. It will be observed that the telegraphic news brought by the steamer this month is of comparatively later date than usual reaching to the 20th September.

Captain Maule.— -Captain Maule and three seamen of the Kaiuma havo beon committed to stand their trial at the next criminal sittings of the District Court at Wanganui, for stealing six bags of oats.

Wanganui Coal Mining CoMPAjrac—Tho directors of this company, at the beginning of the month, made an application to his Honor the Superintendent for the £500 placed on tho Supplementary Estimates by the Provincial Council last session for the use of the Company. The Superintendent replied that he had no power to comply with the request, as it was distinctly stated in Council that the sums placod on the Supplementary Estimates were not to be expended until all previous votes had been carried out.

Auction.— We have been requostod to state that Mr G. H. VenneU'a sale of merchandize at Messrs Turnbull's store will take place at 12 o'clock, not 2 o'olook as previously advertised.

Imported Stock. — The ship Ida Zeigler, which has just arrived at Auckland, brought seven splendid Leicester ramß, from the West Durham Abbey flocks ; and tbe fine short-horn bull, Young Knight, from Colonel Townloy's celebrated stock. A number of magpies, larks, and other birds hare likewise armed by this vessel, for tbe Acclimsti jatioa Society

The Proposed Veteran Company. — The adjourned meeting of old soldiers held at M'lntosh's last night, to consider the practicability of forming a volunteer corps of veterans, was numerously attended, and the feeling in favor of such a corps seemed to be unanimous. Captain Buck took tho chair. All present, with one or two exceptions, gave a written promise to join the corps, and, as their names, with those of some absentees who had previously intimated their intention of joining, numborcd 60, tho number which it had boon previously determined should bo reached boforo any steps were taken to get the corps enrolled, it was agreed, that as soon a 9 the signatures of the absentees could be obtained, and the question of how tho corps could be provided with a uniform was settled, a formal tender of it 9 services should be made to tho Government. A committee to consider tho matter of olothing was appointed, and it having been resolved, on the motion of Mr Hastings, seconded by Mr Keefe, that Capt. Buck should be nominated captain of the company, the meeting adjourned fill Monday evening next. Customs Revenue. — The Customs revenue collected at this port during the la9t two days amounted to £333 13s Id. Volunteer Meeting. — A meeting will be held at Barrett's Hotel this evening of persons desirous of joining the proposed No 1 Company Rifle Volunteers. Town Board. — The Commissioners of tho Town Board will meet at tho Board room, Lambton Quaj, at thrco o'clock to-morrow afternoon, for j the transaction o£ general business. j The Census.— The Lyttelton Times says the j next census will be taken on tho night of Thurs- j day, the 19th December. Tho census forms will be delivered between the 2nd and 19th of that month. New Coal Mining Company. — A coal mining company has been started at tho Grey, under tho title of the Grey River Coal Company, with a. of capital £20,000. Return of Mr Joseph. — Mr Jacob Joseph, accompanied by his family, arrired by the Electra, to the great pleasure of his numerous friends. Presbyterian Church. — The foundation of a new Presbyterian church is to be laid in Auckland on the 31st inst. j The Kaiwarra Bridge.— Wo desire to call J the attention of the proper authorities to the unprotected state of the embankment on the south side of the bridge at Kaiwarrawarra. Two or throe accidents havo alroady occurred there.

The Tkoop3. — Tho N.Z.S.N. Company havo entered into a contract with the military authorities for tho conveyance of one 'company of tho 18th Eegt. from Wanganni to Napior, one company to Taranaki, and threo companies to Auckland. No particular vessels have been chartered, but the Rangatira will bo employed in the service ; and probably tho AKuriri also, if she can be got ready in time. The contract price ia about £2,700.

The Wkbck of the Manukatt. — The Board of Inquiry which lately sat to investigate the causes which lod to the wreck of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company's threc-niasted schooner Manukau, have forwarded their report to tho Postmaster-Grenoral. Its gist is contained in the following paragraph: — That the threemasted schooner Manukau set sail from Newcastle, New South Wales, on her outward bound voyago to Now Zealand, well found and in good order and condition. That four days after her departure she began to leak, andrfi fow days afterwards made tho land of Now Zealand about the western entrance of Cook's Straits. Tho weather was at that time thick and hazy, and tho wind fair, westerly. That at the timo she struck, the vessel was about sixty miles out of the course she ought to have stood upon. That uo soundings wore taken at such period of her voyage, although soundings would havo indicated her position at the time, and that the master, if not neglectful, displayed incompetenoy in the discharge of his duties."

Correction. — We have been requested to state, that the refreshments provided at tho Volunteer Artillery Meeting on Monday evening last, were not of such an extensive description as our report indicated. Mr Chovanne, with his usual hospitality, provided the eatables ; and Messrs Smith and Brandon the fluids, which did not, however, consist of the extravagant vintage mentioned. A Fiery Combat. — The division of tho Volunteer Fire Brigade into two separate'corps does not appear to have altogether quenched the spirit of contention which led to the divorce. Shortly after the late fire in the Eoyal Tiger Hotel, both brigades wereprosent, but whereas the members of the Wellington Brigade had donned their uniforms for tho occasion, tho men of the Central Brigade, whether for want of distinguishing raiment, or that their

ready zeal prevented thorn stopping t» put it on, wo know not, appeared in their ordinary costume ; and one of the members of the first named corps thinking, perhaps, that fires ought not to bo put out except by people properly dressed, struck one of the secessionists in the faoo. The assailant was at once given into custody ; but on the parties appearing in the police court yesterday morning, the individual aggrieved very sensibly said he would not press the charge. The matter, although trifling in itself, reveals the existence of an ill* feeling between the two brigades which we much regret to see, and that must be allowed to die out if the two brigades are to effectually carry out tho object for which they were formed.

Thb Panama Steameb. — There appears to bo a general misconception as to the date on which the steamer is due from Panama, the popular impression boing that it is due on tho 21st. Such, however, 13 not tho case 5 tho steamer, in the month following a month of 30 days, is duo on tho 23rd ; in the month following a month of 31 days, on tho 22nd.

Deb ating Society. — The Debating Society wo 0 occupied yestorday evening in discussing the question of " Centralism v Provincialism," which had stood over from the previous week. Some very good speeches were made, and upon a show of bauds being taken, it appeared that fifteen members were in favor of Provincialism and eight for Centralism. Next Wednesday evening will probably be devoted to the reading of an "essay on " Speaking and writing the English Language with propriety," and the subjeot of " Is Great Britain advancing or receding in greatness P" ii fhgrtly to b« dijeuswd,

The Late Postal Conference. — In tho House of Lords on the 12th August, the Earl of Carnarvon drew titt.enf ion'to the question of postal communication with Australia. He said : — " Two lines of steamers for the conveyance of mails to \ Australia are now in existence, the one via Panama, and the other via Suez. The Panama line entails no expense upon tho English Government ■whilst tho Suez lino takes a subsidy of £70,000 a year from tho Treasury. An intercolonial conference, recently hold, had recommended the establishment of a third lino via Ceylon, to which the mother country and tho colonies interested should each contribute half tho outlay. He (Carnarvon) would not, however, recommend the incurring of an increased expense, and he would bo satisfied if the Secretary for the Colonies would state, that in the settlement of the question, duo regard would be had to the feelings and interests of these important dependencies." Tho Duke of Buckingham, in his reply, said that the plan proposed by the colonies involved considerations of serious magnitude, and the interests of the mother country, as we.'l as of China, India, and America, would have to be taken into view before arriving at a definite conclusion. The questions as to the cost of the transmission of the mails and the rates of postage were equally as important to tho colonies, as the particular route or the number of mails run. The colonies ought now to consider whether a reduction in the rates of postage would nofc prove more advantageous than a multiplication of the routes. The noble lord concluded by Baying that the Government was fully aware of the high importance attaching to tho proper adjustment of the present system.

Troops. — It was rumored somo short timo ago that the Mount Cook Barracks were to bo again occupied by a detachment of a Queen's Regiment, but such it appears is not bo the case, as the Wanganui Times states on reliable authority, that on the 9th instant his Excellency the Governor forwarded a despatch to Colonel Beef, Auckland, instructing him to issue orders for the immediate removal of the 18th Royal Irish, as follows : — Six companies to Auckland ; two to Taranaki ; and two to Napier. Thus, there is not a soldier of " the one regiment" to bo left within the province of Wellington.

TnE Manawatu Block. — The Wanganui Times, in announcing that a sittings of the Native Lands' Court will shortly bo held at Eangitikei, reprints clauses 38 and 39 of the Native Lands' Act, passed in the session just closed, by which the Governor is empowered to refer claims of ?iOM-Bollers to the Native Lands Court, but claims must be established individually, and not by hapu, the sellers being, of course, excluded from all interference in the matter. The clauses were introduced into the act at the suggestion of Dr FeaLhevston, and run thus:— (3B) Tho Governor may at his discretion refer to tho snid Court the claim of any person to or any question affecting the title to or interest of any such person in land within the boundaries described in tho second schedule hereto, being the boundariea described in a certain deed of sale to the Crown bearing date the thirteenth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and expressed to be a conveyance by natives entitled to land within tho district excepted from the operation of tho said net by section eighty-two thereof. Provided that no claim by and no question relating to the title or interest of any native who shall have signed the said deod of sale shall be to referred, and the Native Land Court Bhall in tho manner prescribed by tho said act investigate and adjudicate upon such claim and the interests in and title to any land so claimed. (39) From and after such date as may bo appointed by the Governor in Council the eighty-socond section of the said act shall be repealed except so far as relates to tho land included in tho said deed of sale, the boundaries of which land are eet forth in tho second schedule hereto. Provided that evei'y holder of a land order originally solectcd within the block of sections laid out by the New Zealand Company at Manawatu, shall bo entitled to retain tho particular section selected whenever the native title mny be hereafter extinguished, and every certificate issued by the Native Lands Court in respect of the land comprised in the said block or any part thereof shall be an A be on the faco theroof, described to be subject to such of the rights horoby reserved to claimants to tho land comprised within such certificate.

Tns Paw-Ang-licast Stnod.— The bishops, says the Home News, are coming in rapidly for the Pan-Anglican Synod. In addition to several colonial prelates already in London, tho Capo mail just arrived has brought tho bishops of Graham stown and the Orange Free State. The Bishop of New Zealand is on his way to England, and the Bishop of Honolulu will be here in about a fortnight. The Church News is enabled to inform its readers thatamongstthe subjects likely to bo considered at the Pan-Anglican Council are the folio wing :— (1) The Relations of Colonial Churches with the Mother Church. (2) Appeals from Colonial Courts to the Archbishop in person. (3) Tho Reform of Convocation. (4) The Relation of the Church of England with the rest of Christendom. (5) Corporate Reunion. (6) The Conge d'elire, (7J The Restoration of Wesleyans to communion with the Church of England. (8) Tho Royal Supremacy and the Court of Final Appeal. And poßsibly — though at present there is some on this pomt — (9)llitualism. If their lordships sit only for three days there will be great difficulty in discussing a third of these grave subjects efficently. The Holy Communion will be celebrated every day in the ohapel of Lambeth Palace during the Council's session, previous to {which Veni Creator Spirilus will be sung, and wo believe that each bishop more antiquo will bo attended by a chaplain and possibly by a notary.