LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2723, 25 August 1868, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

_ <f» Diocesan Synod. — The Diocesan Synod "will meet to-day at 11 o'clock. Divine service will be performed in St. Paul's Church, after which the Lord Bishop of the Diocese will deliver the opening address in the diocesan room. The public will be admitted on this occasion. The Wanoanui County Petition. — Mr Bryce has, we believe, arrived in town with the Wanganui County petition, and if we are to accept the assertion of the Wanganni Chronicle it is signed by more than two-thirds of the resident bond fide electors on the present roll, and by a largo number of inhabitants besides, many of whose names will appear upon the new electoral roll shortly to be published. Mr John Bryce is to act in Wellington as a delegate from the Committee.

Testimonial to Messes Bowden.— We have been requested to publish the following : — " To Messrs Bowden, Queen Charlotte's Sound. — We, the undersigned, officers of the s.s. Taranaki, on behalf of ourselves and crew of the above vessel, desire to convey to you our acknowledgement for the disintei'ested kindness and attention shown to us after the loss of the above vessel. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass without tendering the Mrs Bowdens our sincere thanks for their hospitality and untiring exertions to render us mosfc comfortable under the circumstances. Trusting that yourselves and families may long live in the enjoyment of health, and wishing you every prosperity, we are, &c, H. Bennett, G-. M. Kebbell, G-. Edmonds, J. Coutts, W. Light, W. Small, D. McCaffer. Wellington, 23rd August, 1868. Law. — Mr Travera will move for leavo to bring in a bill to amond the Law Practitioner's Act. Cobb & Co. — Mr John Martin has become proprietor of the lino of coaches limning between Wellington and Wanganui. Ttxkakina Prospecting- Pabty. — The leaders of this party, Messrs Eoss and Munro, have furnished a diary of their proceedings to the Committee. They left Turakina on May 10th, and returned on July 29th. The party experienced great difficulty in getting up the river, which they prospected for 76 miles from the township. They also examined the adjacent aountry, but were unsuccessful in finding the color. They are, however, unanimous in the opinion that the country in the neighborhood of Taupo will prove to be gold producing. It is the intention of some of the party to proceed to that district by another route as soon as favorable weather sets in. On the 27th June the party observed a large number of wild cats, which they considered an indication of their near approach to the Hauhau settlements. They built a whare, and left fourteen days' provisions in it, so that in the event of the natives proving troublesome and obliging the prospectors to abandon their swags, they would have some provisions to fall back upon. The Rutland Hotel. — This valuable property at Wangauui has been sold by Mr Q-eorge Howe for £4000, the purchasers being Messrs Taylor & Watt. James Macxay, Esq, R.M., C.C.— This wellknown gentleman has resigned liis position on the Thames Goldficlds. His loss is so much felt that we believe representations have been made to the Government that it will be a great injury to the district if his resignation be accepted. It is said in various quarters that the reason for the resignation is, that Mr Mackay found himself interfered with by the Native Office. It was said in the House a few nights since, that the Government needed the services of Mr Mackay elsewhere. It is more than pi-obable that, if Mr Mackay i were to consult his own interest, as well as confer the benefit of his experience upon a large community that has grown up almost under his own management and care, he would remain amongst the people who have so fully appreciated his high qualities. Wellington Punch. — Our " facetious cotemporary improves every week. The fifth number \ not only sustains, but we think advances the reputation of this witty and popular publication. The cartoon (why so gonerally called we do not know) is excellent botli in taste and aptness. It represents two members of the House, dressed as jesters of tho olden style, each exhibiting the traditional amount of contempt of the other. The jokes are also very good. We wish our laughter provoking cotemporary may find permanent support. The Engagement at Patea. — In another column will be found an account of the capture of the Maori stronghold at To Ngutu o te Manu. That this pa was considered by the natives as being too strong for tho force at Colonel McDonnell's command, to storm and capture, is evident from the fact that they sent challenges to him to come and take it. The position was certainly an awkward one to assail. The pa was built upon a small hill in tho centre of a dense bush, a portion of which was cut clown for some distance round the stronghold. There was only one narrow track by which it was possible to get there, and upon emerging from it, any force would be exposed to a harassing fire from tho well protected holders of the pa. This fact probably accounts for the number of casualties on our side, as our men in assailing the stronghold were mere targets for the rebels till they had cut down the palisade and gained the interior. The capture of this position will have the effect of disheartening the rebels, as it was their chosen position — tho one at which they had determined to make a stand. The fact that such a position has been taken in a few minutes by our forces will therefore read tho rebels a lesson as to their power and determination. It is satisfactory to learn that the colonial forces behaved admirably on the occasion. One of the moat serious difficulties that Col. M'Donnell has had to contend with i 9 now removed : — i.e., want of confidence in the men under hi 9 command. We hope he will bear in mind that the force in the field is maintained at a heavy cost to the colony, and that a proportionate result is looked for in vigorous and successftd action. Tho rebels must not bo allowed breathing time ; they must bo followed up and driven as speedily as possible from position to position. Their pas must be levelled with the ground ; their plantations destroyed, and as many of them killed as possible. We venture to predict that if this policy is followed up, there will soon be an end to native difficulties in the West Coast district. There is now a force on tho spot strong enough to accomplish tho purposes of the colony, but we cannot afford to keep it thero unless the work is dono speedily. Let such an effective and crushing blow bo administered at once as will make these men — members of the worst and most bloodthirsty tribes in New Zealand — think twice before recommencing their deeds of rapine and murder. Volunteer Meeting. — A meeting of the Masterton Volunteer Forest Rangers was held on the 1 18 th inst. T. Herbert .Hill, Esq, was elected to the command of tho corps, and Robert Morton, Esq, to be ensign. This company has already thirty eni*olled members, some of the smartestlooking men in the district. With such an energetic commander, this corps should soon be one of the " crack corps" of this district. Colonial Time. — Mr Reynolds, the member for Dunedin, has given notice of a motion in the House of Representatives that it is advisable that Christchurch "mean time" be observed throughout the colony j nnd that the Government introduce a bill legalizing tho same.

Dissolving Views.— : On Wednesday next Mr 3?. Fraser vrill exhibit his dissolving views at thePreabyterkn Schoolroom, Willis street, for the benefit of the Sabbath School Fund. The price of admission is one shilling for adults, and children half-price. We understand that singing and music will be included in the entertainment, and would therefore advise our young friends to be present, as we feel convinced they will spend a very pleasant evening, instruction being combined with amusement. Bankeuttcy. — The first and preliminary meeting in the bankruptcy of Messrs Levy Brothers was held at the Court House in Wanganui on the 19fch inst. The failure is rather a heavy one, and - the estate does not appear very promising. Funeral. — The funeral of the Eev. P. Hay Maxwell took place on Saturday last, and was attended by a large number of people. The pall was borne by Mr Justice Johnston, A. Lempriere, Esq., J. G-. Allan, Esq., W. M. Bannatyne, Esq., J. C. Crawford, Esq., C. D. Barraud, Esq. ; and the servico was conducted by the Bishop of Wellington, the Venerable Archdeacon Hadfield, and the Eev. Mr Stock ; a number of other clergymen were also present. During the day the flags of the shipping in the harbor were half-mast high as a mark of respect. The deceased gentleman is much regretted ; he was particularly active in works of benevolenoe and charity, and in connection with the Benevolent Society did a great deal of good in an unostentatious manner. Colonel Haultajn. — The Hon. Colonel Haultain, Defence Minister, returned to town from Wanganui on Saturday morning in Cobb's coach. Before leaving Wanganui he advised the settlers and others against doing anything that might tend to create disgust and suspicion among the friendly tribes beyond Patea. This is good policy, as it aims at the localising of the war, and alienating sympathy from the rebels. Art Union or Great Britain. — The following ticket holders in Wanganui, won prizes at the drawing on 27th June : — Miss A. M. Russell, No. 67,059 ; Mr F. M. Russell, 67,088 ; Mrs W. H. Watt, 67,101 ; Mr W. H. Watt, 67,127 ; Mr Andrew Tod, 67,148 ; Dr R. E. Earle, 67,186 ; Mrs W. F. Russell, 67,189. Caucus. — A meeting of members usually supporting the Gc vernment was held on Saturday, for the purpose of considering certain propositions which had been previously submitted to the Govern ment, and to which it was stated during Friday and Siturday that the Government had acceded. The general purport of these propositions is that the General Government shall take the whole of the Customs Revenue, and in return that they shall pay off the debts of the provinces, which are to depend on local taxation for their Bupport. In cases of provinces less incunibered than others, according to arrangement, debentures are to be given, towards local and public works. Outlying districts are to have a proportion of land revenue. It is necessary, however, to state that this is the plan in every particular which had been conceived by the Government at an early period of this session, and freely circulated. The object in v}ew cannot be mistaken, namely, to cover the retreat they will be obliged to make upon the question of General and Provincial accounts, which are admitted to be in a very disgraceful state. The Government, however, must have thought that such a policy as proceeding from them would not be acceptable, and they handed it over to a certain "eomrn issioner," who handed it over to a certain " expectant," who handed it over to some twenty members, who have accepted the programme. It ia a Government measure at second-hand. Ihese twenty odd members have brought it back to the Government, who have re-accepted it, and in this manner the plan will be offered to the House as proceeding from a section of independent members. Bakers 1 AND Millers' Bill. — This bill contains twenty-two clauses, and provides that all bread shall be made of " pure and sound" meal ( of "wheat, barley, rye, oats, buckwheat, Indian corn, peas, beans, rice, or potatoes, or any of \ them, and with any common salt, pure water, ' eggs, milk, barm, leaven, potato or other yeast, ! and mixed in such proportions as may be thought I fit, and with no other ingredient or matter whatsoever." Household wheaten bread is to be marked with a Roman H ; mixed bread is to be marked M ; penalty for not marking, 10s. Bread is to be sold by weight, otherwise subject the baker to a penalty of 40s. French rolls and fancy bread are exempt. Using any other weights than avoirdupois will subject the baker to a penalty not exceeding £5, nor less thun 6s. Also, bakers are to provide their shops with weights and scales. False weights subjects the baker to a penalty of £5. Prisons Report.— Judge Johnston writes to his Excellency a note appended to the report of the Commissi merson Prisons. He says : — " Now it appears that while the New Munster empowering ordinance enumerated in its schedule the ordinances which contained the powers transferred by it from the Governor of the colony to the Lieutenant- Governor of New Munster, the provincial ordinances of Wellington and Hawke'a Buy transferred tho powers under the ordinances enumerated in the Munsterordinance, except those enumerated in the schedules attached to the new provincial ordinances respectively j and the prisons ordinance being omitted from those schedules, the powerß of the Governor under the prisons ordinance were transferred to the Superintendents of Wellington and Hawke's Bay. It appears, however, that the Superintendents of those provinces have not exercised their powers for the purpose of making such rules as they are thereby authorised to make, although they seem to have (legally) appointed visiting justices. At Wellington no rules have been made for prisoners under sentences of imprisonment with hard labor; and for Napier, such rules have been made, by the Governor, apparently in derogation of the powers transferred to the Superintendent. The correction now suggested will apply not only to the passages of the report above quoted, but also to the sentences beginning respectively at the thirtyfifth and forty-se.venth lines of page twelve of the report." Financial Statement. — Notwithstanding the promise made by the Hon. Mr Hall that he would make his finanoial statement this week, there is a general opinion that the statement is so connected wfrh the other political plans of the Government that it is doubted whether the hon. gentleman will be able to have his statement prepared.

The Bet. John Haix.— On Sunday the Re? John Hall preached his farewell sermon to a crowded congregation, in the Scotch Church, Willis street. Mr Hall is shortly to leave Wellington for Auckland vid Napier, and from thenco, after a brief sojourn, he will proceed home. His successor in the Ministry of the Scotch Church, ! arrived in the s.s. Egmont last night, and was ■welcomed by several members of the congregation, who went down to the -wharf to meet him. Ifc is contemplated to have a social meeting of the congregation on Thursday night at six o'clock in the schoolroom behind the church, for the purpose o\ formally welcoming the Rev. James Patterson, and bidding the Eev. John Hall farewell. The latter gentleman will then be presented with a testimonial, substantially testifying the esteem in which ho is held by those who have flat under his ministry. The testimonial will assume the shape of a purse containing 100 sovereigns, which ■will be accompanied with an appropriate address. Melbouene. — On the 10th August it was reported that no mention was made of an arrangement of the Intercolonial Postage Question when Mr Martin wbb in Melbourne. — Rock salt has been discovered in the Western District. — There have been no saleß of flour ; 7000 bushels of New Zealand oats sold at 3s 8d ; maize, 3s 7£d to 88 Bd. Fifty -five tons of rod iron sold at £9 5a ; woolpacks, 38 9d. Almost Univeesal SuFFRAGE.-'-Mr Haughton has given notice trnW^he will move on Friday next a resolution which indicates a policy at all events. It is certainly no half and half motion. " Mr Haughton to move that it is desirable that the Electoral Franchise should be extended to all subjects of her Majesty in the colony who shall be of full age, and able to fill up their own applications to be placed upon the Electoral Roll." Considering Mr Stafford's well known radical opinions in contrast with his despotic temperament it may be suggested that this is what is called " a sprat to catch a mackerel." Me Osgood's claim for compensation will be brought before the House of Representatives tomorrow. The ense is one of hardship, and we hope may find a liberal consideration. It was no want of foresight in Mr Osgood that he should have obeyed the summons of an officer of the House. Had he not done so, and any accident occurred, he would have been open to a charge of disrespect to the House. The motion of Mr Reynolds is to refer the report of the Petitions Committee to the House Committee. Telegbaphic. — According to the report of tho Telegraph Department, the number of miles, of telegraph in operation is 1183. Tho numbor of miles of wire, 2223. Tho number of instruments, 50. Tho number of cells (battery) in operation, 2900. Weights and Measures Act. — By this act what were called the " Winchester bushel" and the " Scotch ell" are abolished. Tne usual measures of troy and avoirdupois weights are preserved. Tho other measures legalised are the standard gallon and the standard yard. Defaced weights and measures are to be superseded by standards stamped, to be deposited in tho office of the Colonial Secretaiy. Inspectors are to travel with authorised copies, which are to be accessible for comparison. Lead and pewter weights are prohibited. The fines for falsification extend to £50. Fines not exceeding £10 aro inflicted for neglecting to comply with the provisions of the act. Mr Macandeew's motion Btands on the order paper for Wednesday. The motion proposes to abolish the Native Office, and the Department of Colonial Defence. That the government of natives and Europeans shall be locally charged £50,000 for threo years, to be charged against the consolidated revenue, and paid over to the local authorities of the North Island. The Poll Tax.— The anti-poll-tax agitation in Auckland seems to be spreading and strengthening. An influential meeting of the Lake settlers •waß held on the 14th, at which resolutions strongly condemnatory of the tax were pussed, and Mr A. O'Neill and Mr Mcllhone, M.P.C., were appointed to confer with the committee of tho Parnell meeting as to measures in opposition to the tax. A well-attended meeting was held at Onehunga, at •which a memorial to the G-ovcrnor, praying his Excellency to disallow the Sick and Destitute Bill was adopted. Otje Feiendly Allies.— lt appears that the statement recently made that 300 friendly natives had started for the Front to aid Colonel McDonnell was somewhat premature. Mr Edwin Woon writes to the Wanganui Evening Herald on this subject as follows : — " Wanganui, August 21, 1868. Sir, — I attended a meeting of the Kupapas (friendly natives) held this morning at Putiki, and I herewith furnish you with an account of the proceedings. The korcro commenced at 9 o'clock ; there were present between four and five hundred people from Wanganui, Waitotara, Turakina, Wangaehu, and Rangitikei. Col. Gorton, Mr Booth, Mr Buller, and ono or two pnkehas wore present. The upshot of the meeting was that not a kupapa will go out to assist Colonel McDonnell unless they are paid, (some asked eight shillings per diem) or guns, powder, shot and caps ad .libitum — one chief, Kawnna Hunia, asked for 60 casks of powder, 6000 caps, and 300 guns, as payment for their services. Mr Booth read a memorandum of a conversation, taken down by Mr Buller, between Hori Kingi, Aperaniko and lvepa, and Col. Haultain, the purport of which was that Hori Kingi offered the services of 300 Kupapas, which Colonel Haultain accepted, and told him that those who had no guns of their own would be supplied with one, together with ammunition, but they were to be returned when the campaign was over ; also, thut they should have land belonging to Titokowaru. This was not agreed to by tho tribes present, and thoy, after singing one of their old songs, simultaneously got up and left. Mete Kingi, and others, did all they could to excite them and urge them to go, but no, not unless they were paid or received arms and ammunition. Their own letters addressed to the Government were read to them, in which they promised to go, but they promised to go, but they distinctly stated that when they promised to do so it was with the expectation of being well remunerated. Our friends aro all off homo again." From our very latest paper, tho Wanganui Evening Herald of Saturday, we, however, learn, that the Putiki chiefs have prevailed upon seventy-four of their followers to go to the Front without pay ; and about forty Ngatiapas are also going. Kemp and Aperaniko aro to accompany them. They start on Monday. The Vote of Thanks to Sir R. Napiee and the Abyssinian Aumy. — The following are the terms of the vote of thanks which Mr Disraeli moved in the House of Commons, bo given to Lieutenant-Gonerar Sir R. Napier and the Abys sinian army : — " That tho thanks of this Honae be given to Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, G-.C.8., G-.C.5.1, for tho exemplary skill with which he conducted tho recent expedition into Abyssinia, resulting in the defeat by her Majesty's forces of the army of King Theodore, and the vindication of the honor of the country by the rescue from, captivity of < er Mujpsbv's envoy and other JBrii.ish subject?, and by the capture and destruction of the Btrong fortress of Magdala.— That the thanks of this House be given to Commodore Heath, R.N., C.8., for the indefatigable

zeal and great ability with which he conducted tho naval operations connected with the transport of the troops and stores, upon which the success of the expedition materially depended. — That the thanks of this House be given to Major- General Sir Charles Stavely, X.0.8., Mnj.>r-l*eneral G". Malcolm,C.B., Brigadier-GenerulW. Merewether, C.B , and the other officers of the navy and army, for the energy, gallantry, and ability with which they have executed tho various Bin-vices which thoy have been called on to perform throughout these arduous operations. — That this House doth highly acknowledge and approve the discipline, gallantry, and endurance displayed by the petty officers, ' non-commissioned officers, and men of . the navy and army, both European and native, , during these operations ; and that the same be signified to them by their respective commanding > officers." Kaethq,tjake. — In reference to the recent shock of earthquake the Wanganui Chronicle remarks : — A smart shock of earthquake — the severest that has been felt in Wungunui for the , last thirteen years — occurred yesterday morning about ten minutes before ten o'clock. There was first a low dull rumble, then a shake, slight at first, but increasing in force until it set everything quivering and rattling ; chimney-stalks, in some instances, oscillating like clock pendulums. More than a minute passed trotn the time of the noise beginning until the shock expended itself. There had been a slight frost at early morning, but at tho time of the occurrence the Bun was shining brightly and there was scarcely a cloud in the sky. The river showed no signs of perturbation, but lay at the time, about high water, like a sheet of purest glass. Testimonial to a. late Magisteate. — On Monday last; tho Government officials at Nelson , presented J. Poynter, Esq., with a handsome silver cup, as a slight recognition of their respect for a gentleman who had filled the office of Resident Magistrate, in Nelson, and other Government appointments, for a great number of years. DiftheeiainMaelbobough. — This distressing disease continues to be very prevalent in Marlborough, and has proved fatal in several cases. The latest sufferers, we have heard, are two children of Mr .H. Godfrey, who fell victims to it within two or three days of each other. The County System. — We commend the following instructive extract from tho Nelson Examiner to those of our readers who are anxious for the institution of more counties: — "A great deal has been soid of the economy of the County Bjßtem of Government as compared with the cost of Provincial Government!", and we have been looking out for the means of drawing a comparison between the two. That has been supplied by tho Canterbury Reform League in its late report, where at ono view we hive the cost of governing all the provinces of New Zealand, including Westland, separately exhibited. We find the Westland departmental expenses set down at £36,558, tho population being 15,418. Now, if we turn to the Nelson Appropriation Act of the present year, wo find that the same departments costs £39,815, for a population of 23,814, being a difference ouly of £3,257 in amount, while tho population of Nelson is about one-third greater than that of Westland. Then it must be borne in mind that the area of of Nelson is four times greater than that of Westland ; that it has more centres of population ; and that for several reasons not necessary to enumerate, the cost of departments in Nelson might have been expected to be much greater t bun in a newly formed country, had the population been equal. Wo confess we were surprised ut finding the arlvuntuge in poinr of economy of government on the side of the province and against the county, because all Governments begin with economy, extravagance usually growing by degrees." Bbown's Teeeace. — Tho Nelson Colonist eft y S . — « We learn that interim protection for a prospecting claim has been grunted by Mr Warden Broad to a party who have been at work near tho new G-overnment road from Charleston to Addison's Flat, and to the south of the Totara river. The locality is described as about three miles from Brown's Terrace north, and a mile west of the now Government rond. The ground is alluvial. The depth of sinking is from ten to twelve feet, and the wash consists of black sand, there being about five feet of stripping, and from four to five feet of wash. The prospects, of course, are not over-rated, and the ground is described as calculated to yield £4 a week per man in the gross. The gold requires plush and plate to work it. The terrace is called Richard's Terrace, and is situated on tho edge of a pakihi, through which there flow several small streams. The protection is granted to the applicants for an area of 240 feet by. 120 feet, until the Warden or the Mining Surveyor should bo able to visit the ground. The situation, we believe, is about two miles from the beach "