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Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2586, 19 November 1867, Page 5

The " New Zeaiand Times."— The Wanganui > Times gives us the following information respecting our contemporary : -" From private source? we ■learn that this journal, which was recently established as " a daily" at Wellington, under mysterious auspices, is about to bo altered in some way or other, with regard to its proprietary. A correspondent writes:— 'Several propositions with reference to the Times nro being debated in order to enable its continuance. Blundell, of the Pout, -was offered a partnership, but he respectfully declined it ; and since then a similar offer has been made to others with the same success. The affair has proved a wretched failure in every way. Another proposition is that ten merchants subscribe £100 each and form a company, but beyond five they didn't seem to see it.' Tho speculation may have havo proved a failure financially, but we cannot agree with our informant when he says that ' The affair has proved a wretched failure in every way.' The new journal has hitherto been well conducted ; but. our young contemporary made two mistakes ; first, in his calculation as to the expenso of bringing out a daily paper ; and, secondly, in his reliance upon Government support, and the consequent lino of policy which he adopted. Wo trust these matters will right themselves, and that the N. Z. Times has yet a bright career before it."

Hatt Hatjism. — The Wafra Maori, which, wo suppose, is to be regarded as an authority in such matters, says that a party of Wairarapa Han Hans have lately made their appearance at Castle Point, on their way into this province, for the purpose of proselytising and disturbing the peace of tho district. They were persuaded to return by ELoera Rautu, but they declared that when they again made their appearance they would advance in spite of opposition and attack the people of this province The information was brought to this part of tho province by a lei for from Hcnare Matua.of Porangahau, to Karnitiana Takamoann. We do not know what these foolish people may hereafter attempt, but we advise them to remain quietly in their own district. They may rest, assured that their schemes will not succeed here. If they persevere they will doubtless come to grief. It is probable that thee threats are mere bounce, but it is well to bo on our guard ; we cannot tell what fools may attempt.

An Afflictkd Lawyer. — A barristcr-at-law, Mr Thomas Parsons, has retired from the Otago bar with the intention of returning to Victoria; he gives his reasons in a printed pamphlet addressed to the people of Otago. It is to be hoped that his law is sounder than his theology, for while wo are told, " Resist the devil, he will flee from you," Mr Parsons states that ho has tried it, got worsted in the encounter, and does not mean to try a;:ain. It is comforting to hear ono of the legal profession admit that at last he has found his match, and .he shall tell his defeat in his owu way :— " I decline place, and I decliue foulness. Nothing remains but to compound with destitution. Tho contest with Satan has become too wearisome, and, what is worse, beyond any dilapidated faculties. He is getting mo under. His arms grow longer; mine shorter. I have-no longor health or strength to give him ono from the shoulder at every turn, and he increases, and I am vanquished !"

A Cranky Cpsto.mrr. — The G-eelong Advertiser is informed that " a ludicrous incident has occured near Colac, which will probably afford food, for conversation in .that locality for some time to come. A tailor agreed to havo his board at a certain hpatlery, cautioning] the landlord not to permit him to imbibe too much, for, if he did, he -would find it would send him cranky. On the evening of ono of our late downpoiwings of rain, the tailor, under a fit of depression, got quietly ensconced with the landlord in his private parlor, and on the pressing solicitation of mine boat transgressed the golden mean, and forthwith the 'cranky tit' took possession of him. When suddenly in true melodramatic style, ho seized the landlord, and ejected him incontinently out of his dwelling into tho pitiless rain declaring that mine host was an impostor, and that the hotel belonged to him (the tailor). For a long time the landlord was unable to obtain re-admission, but at, length, by repeated entreaty, the inebriate tailor's heart was softened, and matters, wo believe, were arranged over a parting glass to the temporary satisfaction of the tailor ; but there can bo no doubt mine host arose in tho morning, if a sadder, certainly a wiser man."

Pleasures of Being a Pilot. — Mr Lowe, second pilot at Nelson, has been the victim of an unprovoked assault on the part of some seamen. It appears that he was engaged in his duty, moving the barque Dona Anita from the Nelson wharf into the stream, a course which did not suit lub assailants, as it deprived them of the chance of quitting the ship at a short notice. A man named Hopkins suddenly attacked Mr Lowe, and threw him on the deck. Four other seaman, named Albert Christmas, Georgo Boss, James Jones, and Charles Smith, at the same time used violent and threatening language towards him. The men were brought up before Mr Pointer, at Nelson, and Hopkins was convicted of the assault, and sent to prison for two months. Christmas was discharged, and the threo others were convicted tinder the Marino Act, and fined £50 each, and in default were sentenced to imprisonment until the. fine was paid ; but the absurdity of this provision of the act was so apparent that subsequently Mr Pointer recalled his judgment and sentenced the men to pay a fine of £5 each, and failing that to be imprisoned for a month.