LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2603, 28 November 1867, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

TnE Governor — Tho departure of tho Governor for Kawau has, from various causes, been postponed from time to time, but we understand that his Excellency intends, if possible, to leave in tho Sturfc to-day.

Town Board. — The Commissioners of the Town Board wi'l meet at four o'clock this afternoon for tho transaction of business.

Artillery Corps. — The No 1 Battery Volunteor Artillery Corps will be inspected at 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, on tho Thorndon parade gi'ound, by Captain Kivwan. Tho newly formed band of tho Corpß will bo in attendance, and will wear the band uniform.

Central Volunteer Fire Brigade.— ln consequence of tho inclemency of tho weather the practice ©f the Central Volunteer Firo Brigade fixed to take place last night, was postponed till next Wednesday ovening.

City Bakd. — Should, tho -s^eathex permit, the City Band. \v\\\ perform, on the centre pf the reclaimed land for the amusement of tho public at 6 o'clock this evening. A very pretty programme has been arranged for the occasion.

The Waikarapa Tramway.— Means havo been taken to ascertain the amount of traflie between Wellington nml Mastorton, and a gentleman, who has devoted a week to the task of watching tho road, has furnished us with the following figures. For the week ending 24th November there went from Wellington past Ngauranga — vehicles, 439 ; passengers, 885 ; goods, 139 tons ; horsemen, 210 ; cattle, 3 ; pigs, 6 ; pedestrians, 275. During tho same period there passed Ngauranga into Wellington — vehicles, 458 ; passengers, 905 ; goods, 419 tons; horsemen, 239; cattle, 377; sheep, 410 ; pedestrians, 275. Total traffic both ways — vehicles, 897 ; passengers, 1790 ; goods, 559 tons ; horsemen, 449 ; cattle, 380 ; sheep, 410 ; pigs, 6 ; pedestrians, 550. This supplies a strong argument in favor of the tramway.

Maori Lawlessness. — In the interesting letter of our Wairarapn correspondent will bo found narrated an instance of Maori lawlessness to which we direct the attention of Ministers. The horse of a native in the Waivarapa is impounded, the Maori breaks down the pound fence and takes away the animal, yet strange to say, though he treats the summons and the judgment of the Magistrate alike with contempt, he is not apprehended. If the natives are to be taught respect for the law, tho Government take a singular means of instilling the lesson, by tying the hands of the Magistrate.

Debating- Society. — The Debating Society was occupied last night in the reading and discussion of an essay by Mr Green upon the theme, " Has England arrived at the zenith oi her greatness," in which the essayist labored to prove that the empire was in its decadence. The debate wa3 finally adjourned till Wednesday evening next, when it will be resumed by Mr Logan. A motion was tabled in favor of altering the evening of meeting for the future.

Cadet Corps. — Mr Chas. Johnston, has been elected lieutenant, Mr T. H. Maxwell, ensign, and Mr L. Blundell, sergeant of tho Volunteer Cadet Corps. A band, consisting of three drums, four fifes, and a triangle, has been organised, and already displays a considerable degree of proficiency. The corps numbers 64 members, but cannot increase its strength for want of funds, the capitation allowance being so small that a large part of the necessary expenses have to be paid out of the funds of the corps. Any persons who may bo desirous of contributing, will find it a convenient made of doing so by becoming honorary . members, a distinction which can be acquired by a subscription of ,-61 Is. The youthful warriors, we are glad to say, are constant in their attendance at drill, and have made creditable progress in the art onilitaire.

Auction Sale. — At an auction sale held on Tuesday, by Mr Gt. H. Venndl, on the premises adjoining Trelissic farm. A lot of sheep and lambs, consisting of 36 of the former and 27 of tho latter, was knocked down at £34 10s. Sis cows were sold at an average cf £10 10s each ; a fine bullock brought £14, and a Romney Marsh ram brought £4 lCs.

Suspected Abson at the Huit. — William Buckridge, Edward Buckridge, and George Edwards, who arc suspected of having set fire to the stable adjoining the Albion Hotel afc tlu* Tuita, were brought up before the Resident Magistrate for examination on Tuesday. Conatablo Brady was the only witness examined, and his evidence tended to show that the boots of the two Buckvidges corresponded to certain footmarks leading from the burnt stablo to their residence. It in no way implicates the lad Edwards ; but the Inspector of Police stated that evidence to connect him with the conflagration would be forthcoming at tho next examination. The prisoners were remanded until to-day, but have sinco been re" leased on bail.

New Zealand Society. — Tho Council of the New Zealand Society met at tho Bishop of Wellington's residence yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of revising the rules, which, as amended, will bo submitted for the approval of tho Society at its next meeting. It will bo remembered that the 4th of December was fixed upon as tho day for the next meeting of the Society, but in order that the provisions of the New Zealand Institute Act, under which it is proposed to incorporate tho Society, may bo complied with, it is necessary that tho election of G-overnor should take place before the expiration of tho present month, and a special meeting will therefore be held on Saturday next for the purpose.

St. Peter's Cmntcn. — A vestry meeting of the parishioners of Te Aro was held in the Schoolroom of St. Peter's Church on Tuesday evening for considering the best mode of erecting the proposed new parsonage. It was resolved that plans and speciGcations should be called for a parsonage, tho cost not to exceed d&750 ; £20 to be given for tho best plan, and a percentage of 2£ per cent upon tho value of the work to the architect.

Stbange Justice. — Whenever a row in which both natives and Europeans tiro concerned, becomes a subject of legal enquiry, the native escapes scot free while the European is smartly punished. Why this is the caso wo don't in the least understand, unless there is come idea entertained by Kesideut Magistrates that " the noble savage" is above the law. Wo quote the following case from the Wanganui Chronicle as a practical illustration of our assertion : — " A case came before the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, arising out of a disturbance which took place at Cimipbelltown, on the second day of the Wanganui races (Ith. November last). Hori Hiva, a native of Putiki, charged John Condron with assaulting him on that evening at the Red Lion Hotel with a bill hook, inflicting thereby a dangerous wound on tho hand. Two other natives, Rewi and Rahana, gave evidence in support of the charge, by shearing that they were there all the time and saw Hira attacked, but saw no windows broken. The defendant in his evidence said he saw a lot of natives smashing tho windows of the Red Lion, among the number Kemp and other distinguished chiefs and sub-chiefs. Whatever may have been tho discrepancy on the subject of tho windows — thore was no doubt they were broken and at tho very time of tho assault. As exculpatory evidence, threo witnesses, two of them connected with Mio hotel, deposed to having seen the defendant pulled off his horse by natives against whom ho defended himself with a riding whip, but none of them saw a bill hook in the fray, although thore was one in tho hotol. The Bench fined Condron 40s and 21s (5d costs. Will the Bench inform us why a man should bo fined 40a for thrashing natives with a riding whip who at tho time aro pulling him off his horse ?

Anniversary and Caledonian Meeting.— A mooting of the Joint Anniversary and Caledonian Committee was held at Osgood's Empire Hotel on Tuesday evening, G. Crawford, Esq., in tho chair. Mr Buchanan having reported the result of the deputation of tho Anniversary Committee to the Caledonian Committee ; the following gentlemen were added to the Joint Committee : — Messrs Whiteford, Pyle, Waters, GHlligan, Sample, Wylie, Smith, Greenfield, Lockie, Ewill, Mantel], Gray. The following gentlemen were also added to the sub- committees for collecting subscriptions -.—For Te Aro Ward, Mr Sidcy and Mr Crawford ; for Lambton Ward, Mr Laing, Captain Mundlo, and Mr GKUigan ; forThorndon Ward, Mr R. Pharazyn and Mr Borlaso. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Dransfield, R. Pharuzyn, and G. Crawford, was appointed to wait upon the Colonial Secretary for tho purpose of ascertaining what portion of the £5000 voted by tho General Assembly for tho reception of the j Duke of Edinburgh, the G-eneral Government would grant to the Committee. Mr Logan brought up the report of tha Programme Committee, which was adopted, with a few slight modifications. The races decided upon are as follows:— (1) Ships' gig race; (2) pair-oared akiJF race, with coxswain, for boys under 16 years of age; (3) watermen's raco, pulled or sailed ; (4) sailing boat race, not exceeding 23 feet keel; (5) champion gig race, 6 oars and under, open to all comers; (6) men-of-war cutters' race, pulled by ships' crews ; (7) champion sailing race, open to all decked vessels, under 40 tons ; (8) pair-oared skiff race ; (9) amateur gig race ; (10) sailing boat race, not exceeding 30 feet keel ; (11) whaleboat race, 5 oars or under ; (12) amateur pairoared skiff race, with coxswain ; (13) decked or open cargo boat rnce ; (14) amateur gig race, four j oars ; (15) canoe race. On the motion of Mr Buchanan, it was resolved that the programme should be advertised. Mv Logan Btated that if similar entrance fees were charged to those of last year, tho receipts on account of entrance fees to the races would amount to about £56. On the motion of Mr Sidey, the following gentlemen 1 were appointed a sub-committee to draw up a j programme for the Caledonian Games, to be sub- 1 mitted for approval at the next meeting of the General Committee : — Messrs Gilligan, Pyle, Stewart, Mantell, McKenzie, Waters, Sidey, Lockio, Whiteford and G-. Crawford. Messrs A. H. Hickson, and F. Sidey were appointed joint secretaries, and Messrs G-. Crawford andL. Moss, joint treasurers to the General Committee. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting adjourned till Tuesday evening next.

Resident Magistrate's Court. — In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, two -women named Marian Robertson and Eliza Smith were each fined 10s and costs, or in default, 48 hours' imprisonment with hard labor, for the offence oi drunkenness; and John McLeod, another inebriate, was fined in tho lesser sum of 5s and costs. The magistrate on the bench was W. R. E Brown, Esq, J.P.

Customs Revenue.— The Customs' revenue received at this port during the lasfc two days amounted to £430 7a 9d.

Tub Social Evil. — A correspondent of the Canterbury Press complains that the streets of Christchurch aro infested with prostitutes, and says that the last few shiploads of women have proved a curse rather than a blessing.

Benevolent Society. — The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society was held on Tuesday evening, when there wero present, Mr J. C. Crawford, R.M. (in the chair). Revs. P. H. Maxwell and A. Stock, Messrs Lewis, Powlcs, Knowles, and Levy. A subscription of £2 from Mr J. H. Iloldsworth was announced, and several applications for relief were disposed of.

Mooriiouse Tunnel— Tho fmp goods train passed through the Moorliouse tunnel on Monday afternoon, the timo actually occupied in the transit being nine and a half minutes.

Tub " Otago Saddle."— The pack saddle used during the lato Maori war, commonly called the " Otago Saddle," is to be used in tho Abyssinian expedition.

A Journey through Hell. — It is now some centuries Binco a description of hell was given to tho world by an actual visitor ; and it is a singular proof of tho adventurous disposition of the Yankees that they should bo the first to open up this neglected region of travel. It is still more remarkable that the locale of the infernal regions should be changed since they were traversed by the hero of the iEneid ; and it is by no means flattering to tho Americans that co warm and unpleasant a place should have been transported to their borders. We will explain. Taking up an American paper the other day, wo discovered a paragraph extracted from tho Montana Post — a Western paper— to tho effect that "An exploring party which hns been to the head waters of tho Yellowstone River has just returned, and reports seeing one of the greatest wonders of the world. For eight days the party traversed through a volcanic country emitting blue flame and a living stream of molten brimstone. The country was smooth and rolling, long level plains intervening between rolling mounds. On the summits of these rolling mounds were craters from four to eight feet in diameter, and everywhere on the level plains were smaller craters from four to six inches in diameter, from which streamed a blaze and a constant whistling sound. 'Jhe hollow ground resounded beneath their feeb as they travelled, and every moment seemed to break through. Not a living thing was Been in the vicinity. The explorers gave it the significant appellation of ' Hell.' " The identity of the place, it will be seen, cannot be disputed. Tho traditional " blue flame" and " molten brimstone" removo all doubt on that score. The travellers must have had a remarkably warm time of it, and one cannot but think they must possess singular constitutions, as they do not appear to have been in any way affected by tho noxious eases emitted from tho volcanoes. Naughty people will, no doubt, be exceedingly glad to hear that " not a living thing was seen in the vicinity."

TuoaRKSS. — Land on tho Otago side of the Mat aura, situate at a distance of between twentyfive and thirty miles from Invercargill, is being rapidly purchased and improved. The settlers complain of the want of schools for their children.

G-ttano. — Tho Otago Daily Times reports that at a meeting of tho Waste Land Board held on the 30th ult., Mr T. Or. Tanton, of tho Bluff, applied for a lease for twenty-one years of eighty acros on the Solander, for the purpose of getting guano. Tho lease was granted, on condition that a survey be lodged with tho Board -within bix montha ; tho rental to be £5 a year.

Sea Lkopakp.— We -were allowed to examine yesterday, on board the schooner Jeannie Duncan, one of those huge specimens of the seal so frequently met with in these southern islands. l£s length is ten feet, and circumference round tho shoulders abnub five feot. The mouth is furnished with 18 teeth in the upper jaw and 17 in the lower, arranged as follows : — six threopronged hind teeth, about half an inch long, in side of the upper and lower jaws ; then two canine teeth, or tusks, about 1£ inch long, in each jaw, with four strong teeth between the lower tusks. The front flappers, or fins, are abeut nine inches in circumference near the body, nine inches long, and armed with five strong sharp spears each ; these are situated under the thickest part of the body, three feet from the nostrils. The tail, about three inches long, is stout, and as well covered with hair as the rest of tho body. On each side of the tail is a flapper of great strength, spotted more like a leopard than any other part of the body. The hair, from tjnout to tail, is over a quarter of an inch long, and exceedingly close. The animal was shot about two months ago by Mr Heberley, pilot of Picton, on Long Island, afe the entrance to Queen Charlotte's Sound, where they take to land once a year to cast off the skin. The body produced ten or twelve gallons of good oil, and the skin has been admirably preserved by Mr Heberley. We trust it will evontually find a place in the Museum at Wellington. We are told that Mr Heberley intendsto exhibit it in Wanganui. He is open to a purchaser on moderate terms.

Fine Feathers.— Let us hope that the intelligence which we now give froih the Sydney Herald relative to the uniforms of colonial manufacture, to be worn by the members of the New South Wales ministry at the official reception of the Duke of Edinburgh, will not excite a feeling of envy in the breast of New Zealand Ministers. The journal mentioned thus describes the costume: — "The dress coat is made of fine blue having black velvet collar, richly embroidered with oak leaves and palm branches in bullion. On the wide cuffs (and also on black velvet) there is a similar ornamentation, the effect is remarkable; good. The pocket-flaps are also similarly embroidered on the cloth itself; and between tkesc is a centre-piece of elegant design. The pattern of gold embroidory is the same everywhere — broad oak leaves and small fronds of the palm, with gold crescents intesecting the stems. The embroidery is magnificently executed with four or five different kinds of bullion — ' gold tambour thread,' ' rough pearl,' ' smooth pearl,' ' checked pearl,' ( gold spangles and cord.' The button is that belonging to the Civil Service. There is no vest, the coat being single breasted with one row of buttons coming down in front. The trousers (for undress) are of blue cloth, with a 2in. gold lace strip at the sides. The small clothes (for full dreßs) are of white kerseymere, -with small white buttons at the knees. These will be worn with white silk stockings, and the usual Court dress, shoe, and buckle. The cocked hats made to accompany these uniforms are also ready. Each of these is made of black silk beaver, with a gold loop and button over a black cockade. The edges of the hat are fringed with ostrich feathers. The dress swords have also been made in the colony, and are a crsdit to those who have had the difficult and important task of getting up the uniforms. The sword is a rapier in a black scabbard with gilt mountings, and a rich gold sword knot and tassel,"

Waikato. — People seem to be very badly off in the Waikato settlement, A settler writes to tho New Zealand Herald : — "No less than thirtyfiro souls cleared out of Hamilton on lust Friday, and as nanny more are preparing to leave in fire or six days. The men who are going now were determined to stay if possible; their neat and comfortable homes show their industry and their intentions. You may now purchase a town acre from £4 to £5, with a house on it which cost from £15 to £25, besides fencing, &c, and no end of labor bestowed upon it. Plenty would be glad to work from dawn to dark for 4s per day, sooner than leave what cost them so much from first to last. Can the G-overnmont do nothing for us? Are there no swamps to drain ? no roads to make ? Why put ua in this out of the way place and abandon us ? Why not hare placed us at Queen's Redoubt, or even Rangiriri ; a railway to Mercer would cure most of our troubles. People in Auckland do not know that their Bbilling •will buy three loaves, and ours only two. How can . we live here ?"

The Late Noetheen Sefabation and Befoem League, — This august polii ical body (says the Neio Zealand Serald) which began its memorable career under the auspices of several local orators and Solons of distinction, and numbered among its most prominent members the representatives of various professions and callings, law, physio, literature, and painting, which commenced its operations with the extremely laudable and economical project of reforming degraded publicans and sinners for the Btnall charge of a shilling a head, which discussed separation and the fate of Governments and Provinces, has, it would seem, died and made no sign. The eloquent orations of the reformers are no longer heard in the land, and the platform of the Mechanics' Institute knows them no more. They are gone, and many an evening's genuine amusement has gone with them. They have sought fresh fields and pastures new, and the cause of reform is abandoned to drift about a 9 a ship without a pilot or crew. The erstwhile objects of reformation are abandoned as incorrigibles, but the close of the short and brilliant career of tlie illustrious leaguo is marked with an act — a crime we should say — that must' cover it with unutterable and immeasurable shame and ignominy for all time to come— they have not paid the printer. At the Kesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr Eichard Matthews, ex hon. secretary to the defunct league, was summoned by Gilbert Carson, printer, for the sum of £2, cost of printing in English and Maori the grandiloquent manifesto by which the league heralded its advent, and, as will be snen by the report which appears elsewhere, the ingenious defence set up, by which the plaintiff wa3 recommendod to draw en the nover-very-fiill, and now quite empty treasury of the league, availed nothing, and judgment was given for plaintiff with co3ts. The s.s. Moutoa. — For the last eighteen months, says a Wanganui contemporary, the little steamer Moutoa has lain rotting in the river close to Soulby's bridge. There are various stories in circulation regarding her, the most probable of which is that Sir George Grey generous'y made a present of l\er to his namesake Hori Grey. This report appears to have been confirmed by Hori, who considers himself badly used in having a steamer presented to him without a captain and engineer. Like the poor man with the elephant, the present unaccompanied by the means to support it becomes worse than valueless. There is, however, a principle involved in this little transaction. Can the Governor of a colony bestow the property of the colonists upon whomsoever he may see fit ? We are aware that this extraordinary practice has prevailed during the whole of Sir George Grey's administration, that Ministry after Ministry has either sanctioned or winked at it, but we trust tho practice will cease with the present administration. May we ask, at whose cxpenso is tho Moutoa now rotting in the river ? I Since presented to Hori Grey' has he paid the I party in charge, or is the expense paid by the Go- ' vernment? When will this truckling system of frittering away the property and money of the taxpayers of this colony upon the native race be put an end to ? How long will the press and I people of the colony quietly lie down under their burdens ? Truly every people are governed aB well as they deservo to be. | The Panama Railway.— Since the construoi tion of this road across the Isthmus it has carried | nearly 400,000 passengers and 675,000,000 dols. of treasure, the latter from tho Pacific to the ! Atlantic side of the Isthmus. * The silver shipm ents over the Toad are gradually declining, and. most of tho silver transported is shipped at th& isthmus from the Pacific coast of South America. Of freight, the road has transported 614,635 tons, nit this year it is estimated the traffic will amount to 150,000.