LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2731, 12 September 1868, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

♦ No Quobthi.— Tho mooting of tlio Commissioners of the Wellington Board of Works, convened for yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. The meeting stands arfjouraed to Friday next, the 18fch insfc., at 3 p.m. The Defence op Hawke's Bay.— The Government lias announced its intention of denuding Hawke'B Bay of the small defensive force which it now possesses, and sending Major Fraser's corps immediately to Patea. A large and influential deputation (including Messrs. McLean, Ormond, Stokes, Russell,' JohnBfcon, and othor lion, members), has waited upon Ministers, and pointed out the disastrous consequences which will probably result from leaving the district in an utterly defenceless position. The Government, howover, insist upon carrying out their intentions. Great indignation is expressed on nil sides. The Too iioo-100-rai. Party.— Tho ludicrous designation given to the "country party" is very likely to stiuk tr> i.hem for tho present Parliament at all events. We beliere an honorable and facetious member of tho Upper House, upon whom has doscended the Mantle of Joe Miller of ooraio and immortal memory, is the sponsor of thi» political baptism. Colonel Hxvt/vms. — We understand that the Defence Minister proceeds forthwith to Wanganui. Liw'ut.-Colonel Whitinore is also going to the Front, whore we hope he will be more successful than ho recently has been on the East Coast.

Reinpohoementß poe Patba. — The p.e. Sturfc left on Thursday, for Napier. We understand that she will take on board the Constabulary stationed there, for the purpose of taking them to Patea to strengthen the force under Lieut.-Coloap^ McDonnell. Captain Francis. — Amongst the passengers by the s.s. Phosbe, which left for Auckland on Wednesday, we noticed Captain Francis, late of the s.s. Taranaki. We understand it is the intention of this gentleman to try his luck on the goldfields. Immigration, &o. — The hon. Mathew Holmes, M.L.'C, has given notice that, on Tuesday next, he will move for leare to bring in a bill intituled "An Act to authorise the Superintendents and Provincial Councils of Provinces to create a fund for the purpose of immigration, by setting apart Waste Lands or Land .Revenue for such, purpose, and for otherwise encouraging immigration, and to make regulations for encouraging immigration." The hon. Mr Mantell will move on the same day for the production of papers, relating to claims and applications for, and recommendations of, provision in land for the benefit of half-caste families within the Ngaitabu and Murihika blocks. The same hon. member will also move that there be laid on the table copies of several papejs relative to the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Native Reserves. Several bills are set down for second reading. Photography. — We have Been a portrait of Sir George Q-rey taken by Mr W. H. Davis, Photographer, Mulgrave street, Thorndon. It is a 10x8 inch plate picture, a very gooo" photograph, and a splendid portrait. By permission of Sir G-eorge Grey, Mr Davis is able to supply copies, which will afford great satisfaction to many in thi9 colony. We also noticed an excellent phoi tograph of the Rev. John Hall in Mr Davis' ' sfcudio ; and understand that persons desirous of purchasing a copy can obtain one on application. 1 Gold Discovery. — A very valuable discovery of gold has been made at Rapa, one of the Society , Islands. Coal deposits have also been found there. Me C. Russell's Exhibition of Oh and Water Color Pictures. — The exhibition of works of art at the Wellington Atheneeum has i already been noticed in these columns. To-day the unsold pictures and engravings will be submitted to public competition by Mr J. H. Wallace, auctioneer. It is to be regretted that the enterprise of Mr Rubsoll was not more fully appreciated. Among the collection are pictures by Terburg, Gilbert, Herring, Rosa Bonheur, Chevalier, Wilkie and Varley. An oil painting " Rembrandt and his wife " is quite a gem $ " Sheevness" also an oil painting, is a masterly production. Gilbert's " Lugger of the French Coast " (22x31), for which 20 Guineas is asked is in that artist's best style. The scene of Garibaldi's famous landing, at Marsala, is well rendered. Further detail iB unnecessary j the collection is well worth inspection, and the pictures should realise good prices at to-day's sale. Roads Bill. — The Roads Bill Committee would appear to be making but very slow progress in the consideration of the above bill. There appears to be some conflict between principles and details, and hon. members are daily puzzled to effect anything like an agreement. General and Pbovinciaii Accottnts. — Mr Fox yesterday obtained an extension of time for bringing up the report of the Committee on this bill. He stated that there was considerable difficulty in getting a quorum together. How Many Natives were Killed.— lt is rather singular that in every engagement our forces have with the natives, there is nearly always considerable doubfc as to the number killed on the side of the enemy. The Wanganui Evening Herald says ;— " We have asked the question of not less than six who were there, and they all concur that only the body of one Maori was found." St. Paul's Churoh.— The Rev. W, H. Ewald has been appointed Incumbent of St. Pauls Church. The rev. gentleman arrivjd last Tuesday in the s.s. Airedale. Wesleyan Church. — The new Wosleyan Church will be opened to-morrow. The Rev. Mr Kirk will conduct service at 11 o'clock, the Rev. Mr Puterson at 3 in the afternoon, and the Roy. Mr Rigg at half-past six in the evening. Wellington Artillkey Corps.— There were four candidates to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Lieut. Smith, viz., Sergeant-Major Jordan, and, Sergeants Pilcher, Holmes, Jordan, and Blundell. Sergeant Pilcher was elected; but we he«r that some informality has been discovered which renders the election null and void. Deaths at the Front. — The Wanganui CAro* nicle says :— The brave fellows who fought aad fell on Monday last, sold their lives dearly in de- | fence of their adopted country. There are now bereaved widows and orphans left desolate and destitute, and the noblest monument that either the Government or the Committee of the Patea Defeuee Fund can raise to their memory is, in the first instance, to make suitable provisions lor the widows and orphans of those who have fallen thus I far throughout the conflict. A special meeting of the Defence Fund Committee is convened for Tuesday evening next. It will then be the duty of the Committee to ascertain from the Government what provisions they will make under feho Pensions Act. The Waitotara. — The Chronicle says:-— Intelligence of a rather ominous character is to hand from this district. It appears that the chief Paul, of the Waitotara tribe whose latent hostility would seeai to have gathered boldness by the late adverses on our side at Te Ngutuoteraanu, has now more authoritatively than politely ordered the settlers off the block : he declares it is no longer safe to remain. Part of this tribe have already espoused the cause of the rebels, the remainder are wavering in their choice. While, we believe, there is some ground for apprehension in these threats, we are confident the settlers on tho Waitotara— banded together and determined to defend their homesteads,— will maintain a bold front, to the wily savages and thus avert the ruin that '.would surely follow pusillanimous or temporising measures. An independent determinedr body of settlers is a power the Maoris have p salutary respect for. ' Wanganui County Petition. — The Wellington correspondent of the Wanganui Times writes:— '• Mr Bryce has gone back to Wanganui, and Mr Hall speaks as if it wob all arranged between them that Wanganui is to be^ made a county. Do the people of Wanganui know what they are at ? Under Mr Stafford's new financial arrangements he would be entitled to 7s a head revenue to pay for all your establishments and public works. Tour population being 3500, at 7s would ghe yon a revenue of £L,224 a year. If Wanganui could get even one half of the revenue collected at its port it might struggle through, but with 7s o head and no more, I pity its destiny as a county."

Accident. — A most lamentable accident, resulting in loss of life, occurred on Thursday 3rd instant, at the Whau. It appeals that early in the morning in question Mrsßoyd whose husband 18 engaged at Mr Gittos' tannery at the Whau, •went out to milk the cows, leaving her infant, as Bhe supposed, safe in bed. During the absence of the mother, however, the child managed to get out of the bed and crawled to the neighborhood of the fire. By some means the child s nightdress caught fire, and before Mrs Boyd could render any assistance the poor little creature Tvas dreadfully injured ; it was, indeed so much disfigured that neither features nor sex could be at all recognised. The infant lingered until Friday morning, when it expired. We underetand'that Mrs Boyd's health has been so shaken by the dreadful occurrence that doubts are entertained as to her complete restoration. How wk got Beaten.— The Wanganui Times says of the second attack upon To Ngutuotemanu : — -•' When our forces, on the 21st ultimo, attackec and totally destroyed this stronghold of the rebels there was every reason to hope that nothing but a succession of victories lay before them. In that, however, they have been disappointed. When they retired the rebels returned to their ruined fortress, and at once commenced to rebuild and fortify. Froni the moment of their return to the time of the second attack their rifle-pits were manned day anfl night. Every tree that could nccomodnte and conceal their best marksmen was occupied along the narrow and tortuous path lending to the pa, which could only ho approached for a long distance by single file through a dense scrub. Thus even a few men judiciously posted in trees and rilllepits could prevent, the advance of a whole army in single file. Why not act upon the plan bo frequently recommended in these columns— cut down the bush from Kakaramea three or four chains wide right on to the clearing tit the furthest extremity. Then let the rubbish lie for a month or two and act fire to it. The clearing might be made to pa3s through all their villages, Te Ngutuotemanu included. The men would be better occupied at that than lying idle in camp. Why not at, once cut a clearing right through from the entrance of the hush to Te Ngutuotemanu, and on to Pungarehu ? One' hundred men with axt-s, covered by two hundred who would take their turn at work, would Boon effect a clearing and leave the " Beak of the Bird " a conspicuous object to all passers by. The burning up of the timber and scrub, when sufficiently dry for that purpose, would scorch and kill off half a chain of the uncut, scrub at each side : thus a clearing of four chains in width would eventually bo equal to a cleuviug ef five chains. We earnestly hope that this suggestion will be acted upon." Strange Stoey. — Kimbaii, Bent — The Wanganui Chronicle says : — A correspondent, an old 57th man, writes us regarding our " strange story," which appeared in the Chronicle of the Ist inst., as follows :— You were in error when you described Kimball Bent as an Englishman, I urn now happy to imform you ho is not one, he is a native of Maine in America. Bent s conduct in the 57th Regiment was very bad, and ho was thoroughly detested by his late comrades. At the taking of Otapawa 13th June, 1866, he was seen among the rebels, and it is believed his was the hand which gave Colonel Hassard his death wound. His capture and execution would only be just and right. Thajies Goldfield.— Poverty Claim.— The Herald of the sth, says :— " On reliable authority, we have much pleasure in stating that by last evening's steamer we received information that heavy gold hosbeen struck in this claim in the shaft, sixty feet from the surface. The specimens are described as 'magnificent.' The Evening Star has also come upon a rich patch in a reef twelve inches in thickness, the stone and gold j being in nearly equal portions." Prospecting- for Gold at Taranaki.— The Taranaki Herald of the sth instant gives pnrLi- i oulars of the operations of Mr Good, and his i party. Considerable difficulty was experienced, owing to the stupidity of the natives. Mr Me- ; Lean states that he could nee the auriferons ranges, but that they were only allowed to go as far as the foot of them, and of course could not judge the country ; but he was convinced that, could they go inland thirty miles or so, they ■would discover what they were searching for. The party headed' by Mr Good and Mr Wilson Hursthouse have altered the course, and are now going to follow up the banks of the Mimi. The accounts brought in are very encouraging the country has every appearance of being auriferous : and if the Provincial Council renew the reward of £1000 for the discovery of a payable goldfield in this Province ; cause bills printed in Maori, stating the same, to be widely circulated amongst the natives, we have little doubt but that they, will allow the whole of their land to be thoroughly prospected.