LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2607, 21 April 1868, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Waiearapa Meeting.— We direct the attention of our readers to a full report of the meeting held in Greytown on Saturday afternoon last. The reporter estimates the attendance as between 30 and 40, while a gentleman who was present thinks 65 was the number. Although the speeches in point of length may not have been without merit, yet the interest felt was slight, in fact tho general feeling of the meeting might be called apathetic. Mr Bunny's speech was decidedly tho best given. From what we can learn, there is a strong but silent opposition to the move" inent, and this party showed their dislike of tho course taken by absenting themselves. The only person present who openly expressed disapproval was Mr Kemble of Carterton. We think the originators oi the movement can hardly congratulate themselves on the success of their efforts as agitators. The reporter has furnished the only full and authentic account of the meeting which has yet appeared. The same report will also appear in the Wairarapa Mercury, the proprietors of which have acted jointly with the Independent, in reporting tho meeting. Jockey Club. — Tho members of the Jockey Club met yesterday evening in Mclntosh's Commercial Hotel, when the prizes for the different events were fixed as follows : — Jockey Club Plate, £60; Hutt Park Stakes, £40 j Ladies' Purse, £20 ; Licensed Victuallers' Purse, £30 ; Hurdle Eace, £30 j Wellington Cup, £60 ; Jockey Club Plate, £50; Consolation Stakes, £20. It was also resolveJ, that should tho funds permit, the stakes will be increased accordingly, with the exception of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup, valued £100. | TnE Champion Eiflb Shootingk— Pursuant to notice a meeting of volunteers was held at eight o'clock on Saturday evening in the Empire Hotel, for the purpose of making arrangomonts for entertaining tho representatives of the several provinces on the occasion of their visit this week to Wellington, to compete at the forthcoming annual Champion Eifle Shooting. Lieut.-Colonel Eeader presided, and the object for which the meeting had been convened having been stated it was unanimously resolved that an entertainment of some description should bo given. A long discussion ensued as to whether there should bo a ball or dinner, the majority at first being in favor of tho former, but several of tho members present having pointed out tho difficulties and expense attendant on such an entertainment, four ana twenty gentlemon subscribed their names for a dinner. It was unanimously resolved that the militia officers should be invitod to join in entertaining the competitors, and a committee consisting of several gentlemen present was appointed to make enquiries as to the probable cost of a banquet for sixty persons, and to report at an adjourned general meeting of volunteers, to be held at eight o'clock this evening, in the Empire Hotel. It is to bo regretted that the dinner proposition was not more unanimously supported, for were all the volunteers in town — say about 150 in number — to havo joined, the expense would have boon very trifling. As it is, unless others come forward, it will bo rather heavy on the twentyfour gentlemen who have subscribed, for the cost of the entertainment will have to bo divided amongst them, and any militia ofllcers who may join them. The thanks of the volunteers are due to tho ofllcer commanding tho district for the public spirit he has evinced in taking the preliminary steps for entertaining our expected visitors. Inquest. — An inquest into tho circumstances attending the death of Elizabeth Eobson, was held yesterday afternoon, before the coroner of tho district, at tho Crown and Anchor Hotel. The husband of deceasod stated that he and his wife had resided at Sweeny's Nelson Hotel, Lambton Quay, and that at 5 o'clock yesterday morning ho left deceased, who had not been in her right mind for some time past, in bed while he went to work, and that at 7.30 a.m. ho was told that she had committed suicide by cutting her throat. Dr Grace deposed to having been called to the Nelson Hotel shortly before 7 o'clock that morning, and to finding deceased lying on her back on the floor of an upstairs room, with her throat cut, and a razor ) lying beside her. James Sweeny, proprietor of tho Nelson Hotel, stated that his wife had told him Mrs Eobson had broke a blood-vessel, and that on goiiag up with a man named Trayner, to be of assistance, tho latter excluimod, " My God, she has cut her throat." Mrs Sweeny having corroborated her husband's evidence, the jury returned a verdict of " temporary insanity." Important to Shipmasters. — A case of great importance to owners and masters of vessels trading on the coast was heard in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, and a judgment given which it would be well to record. By tho report which appears in another column it will bo seen that Captain Palmer, lato muster of the unfortunate steamer Cleopatra, was summoned by the Custom's authorities for carrying passengers in his vessel, knowing it to be unlicensed as a passenger ship, and that hia Worship inflicted a fine of £4 and costs. Fancy Faib. — A bazaar, under the distinguished patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen, in aid of the funds of the Destitute and Lying-in Hospital, was boing held in Auckland when the s.s. Eangatira left tho Manukau on Tuesday. City Mission. — We are requested to aoknow- ' lodge the receipt of tho following subscriptions in ' aid of tho funds of the City Mission : — Captain

i Licensing Day. — The sittings for the granting > of publicans' licenses for this district will be held in the Eesident Magistrate's Court to-day, s Schooli Tea Feast. — The children of the Day . and Sunday schools of St Peter's, To Aro, assem--1 bled yesterday afternoon to the number of two • hundred and thirty with twenty teachers to enjoy ' their annual festival, kindly provided by tho • frionda of tho schools. Mr Laing, with his usual liberality, amply supplied tho long lines of tables • in the school with tho usual accessories of an L excellent tea. The wonders of tho magic lantern ' were exhibited at dusk, and the day's proceedings 1 terminated by the children and friends present ' singing the National Anthem with truly youthful ' ardor. On dispersing they gave three cheers for Mrs Stock and the ladies, highly delighted and pleased with the day's enjoyment. The Ekv. John Hall.-- Wo understand that the Eev. Mr Hall, pastor the Free Church, Willis street, is about to visit Napier for a month, and , that in his absence Divine Service will bo con- . ducted by the Eev. Mr Morris. i Jewish Synagoghje.— At the latter end of i December, 1867, it was unanimously resolved, at i a meeting of the Jewish inhabitants of this city, i that it was necessary to take stops for the erection in Wellington of a place of worship for the people of their persuasion. A committee was appointed i to collect subscriptions, and so ably have the gentlemen composing it canrassed, that no less a , sum than £693 12s 6d has already been promised. The Cathediial. — Tho organ recently im- ' ported from England, per Leichhardt, by Mr Eussell, which has been purchased for Thorndon Cathedral, was played on Sunday, during the i morning and evening services. Mr Eussell, himself, conducted the music, and under his 1 masterly touch the grand tones of the organ filled the sacred edifice with harmony. Tho instrument we believe, cost £300, and judging from its power, wo should say it was fully worth tho money. Musical. — We understand that the Vestry of Te Aro District havo appointed Mr W. Eaymond as organist, and Mr W. H. Holmes as choir master for tho management of tho ohoir of St. Peter's Church, Willis street. Inspection. — The Rifles and Veterans have been ordered to parade ot Thorndon Barracks, at 5 o'clock sharp, this evening, forinspection by tho Lieut.-Colonel commanding the district. Mrs Kinder. — It is not known that this notoriaus lady has been for some tirao past a resident in tlii3 city, ancl sailed for Callao in tho jFrans Schartau, on Saturday last. New Zealand Flax. — The duty on New Zealand flax imported into Now South Wales has been abolished. New Journal. — We havo scon a copy of the first number of a now journal named the Thames Advertiser and Miners' News, which is published at the Thames G-oldfiold, by Messrs Corlett and Wilkinson, and will bo issued three times a week. The first number contains some judiciouslyselected news, and the appearance of tho sheet is very attractive. Poverty Bay. — Tho correspondents on thd East Coast for tho Auckland newspapers report everything quiet, and no fresh alarmiag accounts of the Hauhaus. Sudden Death op a Mason. — An inquest has been held in Auckland on view of the body of a man named Samuel Q-albraith, a sailor, late of Dundee, who died suddenly in a lodging-house. The deceasod was a master-mason of the Lodge " Ancient Dundee." Tho certificate (No. 49) is dated 17th June, 1858, and is of tho "Grand Lodgo of Scotland." Tho jury returned a verdict that tho deceased died from natural causes. TnE Chief Justice. — We hoar that Chief Justice Sir G-. A. Arney is expected to arrive by tho steamship Kaikoura, due from Panama in tho course of the current week. Military. — Captain JBrett, 43rd Light Infantry, has been appointed brigade-major of tho Ist Infantry Brigade, at Aldershott. The gallant ofllcer served for some years in this colony, where ho made many friends. A Notable Find.— The " Lord Nelson" claim at the Tapu Creek diggings, has turned out remarkably well, from three tin dishes full of stuff obtained, the extraordinary yield of eighteen ounces of gold having been taken. Disguucepul Scene. — At the Marengo races, in New South Wales, the rowdies were very much in the ascendant. Among other diversions they threatened to drag the judgo out of his stand j punch his head, and smash up everything. One man had his head split open with a stirrup iron ; another was knocked down insensible with a stone and lay for along time to all appearance dead j a third was thrown down, kicked and jumped upon ; a fourth had his oyo nearly knocked out. Some of the mob, like mad savages, danced about the course screaming out : — " We're Fenians ! come on ! we'd as soon kill a man as look at him." The Eoyal Irish-— The Neto Zealand Herald is very indignant that Captain Dawson's company of the 18th Eegiment debarked here from H.M. s.s. Falcon, was not sent back to Auckland, and one of its correspondents says that when " there is danger, tho much vaunted * self-reliance' policy falls to the ground, and tho assistance of tho Queen's troops is besought." It would appear to anyone, wo would think that when there is a regiment in the colony it would be a grievance to the gallant fellows bolonging to it to be kept inactive if disturbances were feared. As to sending the last company back to Auckland, that r would entail great expense, and probably the strength of the detachment hero will bo even further increased. A Canard.— Tho Nelson Colonist tolls a story 1 to tho effect that a man, a stranger dressed in tho uniform of one of the bandsmen of tho Galatea, was found on board tho Bhip on tho night of tho ■ 31st March, or morning of tho Ist April, armed with a loaded revolver and a bowie knife, the supposition being that he was a Fenian, who had murdered a bandsman, assumed his garmonts, and then gone on board with the intention of murder--1 ing tho Prince. Of course tho story is all non- ■ sense, and has afterwards been contradicted. 1 Nelson Graying- Dock. — It is rumored that a probability exists that the graving dock at Nelson Tfill bo almost immediately commenced. The i Provincial Engineer is said to be drawing out i plans for its construction, and tho Nelson papers :

Tnu Natitan Teoupb. — A performance by this talented juvenile troupe took place lostnight in the Odd Fellows' Hall, to a crowded boese, but owing io the pressure on our space caused by the lengthy reports published of the Wairarapa meeting, and that of the 2N T .Z.S.N. Company's meeting we are compelled to hold over a critique. The pieces produced wero " His Last Legs" and " Codadad," in both of which little Marion was loudly applauded. Another performance is anounced for this evening "when it is expected that the children's many friendß will giro them a bumper house before their final departure from New Zealand for California. Odd Fellows. — We understand that a grand entertainment is about to be given by the Odd Fellows at their hall, the proceeds to be applied to defraying the expense of decorating the hall and stage. The Odd Fellows deserve the thanks ■ of the community for the handsome place of meeting and entertainment that this town can boast of. The Btage proscenium and act drop are very creditably painted, being in the modern style of French decoration. The drawing-room scene in particular has often struck us as being very pretty, the decorations being at once chaste and elegant, and the colors of a pleasing light tint and well harmonised. The whole of the present decorations are from the poneil of Mr Neville Thornton. It is, we believe, the intention of the hall committee to have the walls of the hall decorated to match the proscenium, when it will be one of the handsomest places of amusement in New Zealand. Every effort will be made by the committee to render the promised performance one of the most successful that will have been brought before the public. The scenery and effects for the firat piece that will be produced will be entirely new, and many of the dramatis persona will make their bow for the first time before a Wellington audienco. One novel feature of the entertainmeut will be some magnificent tableax vivants t which, together with the scenic effects, will be producod by Mr Thornton, assisted by several lady and gentlemen volunteers. We hope that tho Odd Fellows will be liberally patronised for their spirited outlay. The Colonial Wimbledon. — The Northern competitors for the annual champion rifle prizes, to be shot for on Monday next, have arrived, and those from Nelson and Marlborough are expected to-morrow by the Bteamer Airedale. Nelson Water Supply.— The completion and opening of the Nelson Water Works was cele« brated on Thursday, the 16th inst., by a public demonstration, in which tho Superintendent of tho province, Sir David Monro, and upwards of 400 citizens took part. The reservoir having been examined and tho works form alJy opened, a large party assembled at luncheon in the Provincial Hall, whero tho festivities wero kept up to a late hour in the afternoon. A nice Constituency. — The Nelson Evening Mail iells us that the gentleman recently elected to represent Westland North in the General Assembly — a Mr Gallagher — represents a constituency three-fourths of whom aro Fenians, and that he himself has on various occasions vehemently enunciated the highly democratic principles lately so much in vogue at the notorious region of Addiaon's Flat. "It is, therefore," says our contemporary, " not unreasonable to surmise that, ere long, an avowed exponent of Fenianism will tax to tho utmost the powers of patience and wonderment with which the honorable members of the assemblage are supposed to be eminently endowed." An Address to the Govebnoh. — The people of Onehunga, in an address recently presented to his Excellency the Gtovornor, express a trust that under his administration, the adversities under which they have lately suffered may beameliorated, and that the province may be restored to its former prosperity. His Excellency's reply was as follows: — ''Supported and strengthened by the Legislature and by the people generally, as I am confident from the warmth of the greetings which. I have received that I shall be, it would indeed bo unpardonable if I were ever to neglect any of the duties of my office, or ever to spare tho best exertions of which I am capable towards promoting your happiness and prosperity. But lam sure that you, gentlemen, will agree with me that the welfare of a country possessing self-govern-ment depends, under tho blessing of Providence, on the prudence and energy of its own inhabitants. It is with a State, or a province, as it is with, an individual. The whole life of every active man in a free country is necessarily a life of labor and competition. It is a life of competition with, those who are running the same race of struggle with circumstances — often of fight against that adverse fortune which must now and then befall us all. But ho who enters into the v/ork of life with that dogged perseverance whfch is the peculiar characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race, will be well-nigh certain, sooner or later, to turn to advantage whatever talonts and opportunities he may possess." The Fenian Attack on the Processionists AT Addison's Flat.— The Nelson Colonist, of the 13th April, says : — On Tuesday last, Edmund Duffy and Patrick O'Brien were charged before Mr Kynnorsley, with having assaulted Thomas Naismith, on tho 3rd instant, by throwing stones at him, with intent, &c. .Detective Lambert doponed to having arrested the prisoners at each of their own stores at Addison's, and conveyed them to the Buller. Tho complainant, Thomas Naismith, said — " lam a laborer residing at Addison's Flat. I took part in the loyal demonstration procession, on the 2nd instant, at Westport. The day after I was one of tho return procession. It mustered about fifty people, including two women. The party had advanced through Addison's as far as tho Otago Motol, tho lenders singing the " Red, White, and Blue." I heard no other song. When wo reached tho heart of tho township the party were set upon by about 200 men. I was struck twice with stones — onco on tho head and once on tho shoulder. I identify the prisoner Duffy as one of those who threw stones. .1 met him opposito tho Camp with his hand* full of stones. Ho throw some of tho stones at me. I also identify O'Brien as having thrown stones. He was standing in front of his own store, and throw a stone at mo. I cannot Bay that it hit me. Tho stones used wero sufficiently large to knock a man down. The processionists dispersed ac best they could. I did not hear prisoners use threatening language towards me." Other witnesses (two males and two females), were examined in eorroboration, and Mr Pitt applied on tho part of the prisoners, for an adjournment. Mr Eynneroley Baid he had no objection to adjourn the caso, but he did not think that the prosecution should end here. There were over fifty witnesses in the procession, but only two male witnesses wero produced before the Court. The Inspector of Police stated that he had done his utmost to obtain witnesses to sustain the' chargo against tho pi'isoners before the Court. The case was then adjourned till to-morrow, prisoners being admitted Jto their former bail. Me Buckxand's Cattle.— The Upper Thames correspondent of the Southern Cross states thaj; Mr Buckland's cattle, which were seized a short time ago at Patotero, have boon driven to Tokan»

East Coast Loyalty.— Tho T^uvanga correspondent of the New Zealand Herald gixes a graphic account of tho manner in which H-lie news of the the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred was, received in that district. He says:— "A copy of. the Wellington Independent aflixocViii tho window of thePost-oflice, was read aloud tbanetfeited group of listeners who were waiting for the "delivery of the mails, to which proceeding an animated discussion succeeded almost unanimous in denunciation of the atrocious crime, and tho poor crazed creatures countenancing such acts by acknowledging Feniun — it might bo more proper to say — Ophidian proclivities. One voice recommended that- the miscreant should be roasted at a slow fire, another regretted that he had not been left to the tender mercies of the crowd at the time he was seized, another was of opinion that the man who declared himself a Fenian should be placed in a lunatic asylum, where he would meet with kindred j society — and equally rational ideas. All — with one exception — were loud in sympathy for the young, amiable, suffering, and inoffensive Prince, j whose visit to the Southen portion of the empire has spread gladness and rejoicing in thousands and thousands of hearts, and whose mission, far from having a political object, was to spread peace and good-will amongst a flourishing people. The I exception referred to could see no difference between the cowardly attack on tho Prince and the Protestant Hall riot in Melbourne, but this opinion met with so emphatic and unfavorable a reception that it was not repeated. General Assembly. — Mr Gallagher has been returned as tho member for Westlund North in tho G-encral Assembly by the large majority of 327, Mr Homo polling 270 votes, and Mr Donne only 24. j An Australian Gorilla P — The Maitland (N.S.W.) Mercury of 2nd April, reports that an ' Australian gorilla has been seen by a man named | Hogan, near Lake Macquarie, It was five feet eight inches high, had long tangled hair, and bracelets round each knee. It also had a stick in e:ich hand, which it brandished as it walked along. The creature was beautifully formed, and resembled one of the human species. Paraono Prospecting Party. — This pros j pecting party returned to Wanganui on Friday evening, and reported that on Monday last, after i Major Nixon and Mr Robinson leaving them, , eomo strango Muories came down tho river and objected to them prospecting inland, which tho ' party considered the most promising chance of finding gold. The natives appeared anxious that they should prospect tho land in the immediate neighborhood of the river, thinking it useless labor to gratify them in this, they thought it better to return and report what they had done. Auckland and the Colony. — The following sensible remarks are made in a leading article published in the Southern Cross : — " All the real reason that over existed for Separation has been removed. We believe that during tho past six months a great change, almost amounting to a revolution, has passed over tho public opinion of the colony : on the one hand there docs not seem to bo the samo feeling of jealousy towards the northern provinces which has been exhibited in former times, and on the other that vague sense of isolation, tho existence of which must always prove injurious in a country which forms one political whole, scorns to be gradually passing away. 'The other provinces exhibit at present no unfriendly spirit towards this, and although many of the Southern newspapers ai'e fond of pointing their little sermons by reference to Auckland, it is not done in the way of exultation, but rather of dread, lest like evils should shortly overtake themselves. It is by no means unnatural that after all the hard things which have been said about Auckland and the Aucklanders, it should have become customary here to regard every political movement with suspicion, and to be perpetually acting on tho defensive ; but wo should bo prepared to abandon this position as soon as it is seen that any desire which may have existed to oppress this province has been laid aside, and that if only we will accept it, wo have tho sympathy, and not the hostility, of the South. It may be that this sympathy has its origin in the near approach elsewhere of evils similar to those of Auckland ; but whether this is so or not is not of so much importance as that wo should avail ourselves of tho very perceptible change of feeling towards us, and should endeavour by all means to draw nearer to the rest of the colony, and, extending our view beyond an exclusive iattention to our own interests, should join heartily in forwarding the political growth and importance of the whole colony. Death mom Eating Vestas. — An inquest "was held on tho 6th int. at Ouehunga on view of the body of a child named Margaret MeKeiazio, aged nineteen months, who had died from the effects of swallowing wax matches. The jury returned the following verdict : — "That the said Margaret McKenzie, being an infant under tho years of discretion, on the 4th day of April inst., at Onehunga, did die from the effects of the poison called phosphorus, contained in some lucifer matches, the heads of which the said infant had sucked and swallowed on tho Wednesday preceding. Rider: The jury earnestly call tie attention of parents and others to the details of this fatal ease, and warn the public against tho careless use of lucifor matches, which contain a deadly poison." Fire at FoxniLL. — On the night of Snnday, the 12th instant, Mr Gaukrodger's premises at Foxhill, Nelson, were totally destroyed by fire. A few articles of household furniture and some small portions of sto^k were saved ; but the buildings and the great mass of what they contained fell a prey to the flames. Mr Gaukrodger was insured for both premises and their contents to the amount of £GSO. The Ret. W. Kirk. — The respected pastor of the Wesleyan Church in this city has received the following address, numerously signed by his former parishioners at Nelson : — " Rev. and dear sir, — We, the undersigned Stewards, Leaders, Local Preachers, and Friends of the Wesleyan Societies, ask your acceptance of this testimonial, and beg that you will regard it as a tangible token of our grateful feelings of thankfulness to you for the many refreshing seasons we have enjoyed under your faithful ministrations during the four years you have been amongst us ; as well as in acknowledgment on our part of our high appreciation of your abilities, and of your devotedness to God, and tho various duties connected with the Church. In tho Sanctuary our hearts were often cheered, and our hope brightened when we listened to your discourses — so full of Life, love, and power. Although we bow in humble submission to the will of tho Conference, we shall reflect again and again on tho many delightful meetings wo have enjoyed under your Superintendency. As a minister, your urbane acta of kindness and goodwill, have won for you the respect of all parties. Wo assure you, that yourself, Mrs Kirk, and family, and also the great work in which you are engaged, will not be forgotten by us in our supplications to tho Throne of Graco. Wo are confident that you will carry with you the sympathy and goodwill of those amongst whom you have so successfully labored. Our earnest prayer is that the Great Head of the Church will give you health and strength for many years to come, and that your labors in His cnuse will be abundantly blessed. Something Like an Address. — An Adelaide telegram says :— " Tho total number of signatures to tho Adelaide address to the Queon is 62,820, and its length is thirty-sis feet."