LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2822, 13 April 1869, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Hia Royal Highness. — The Duke of Edinburgh, in company with his Excellency the Gtovernor, rode out as far as Makara yesterday afternoon. On Wednesday, we hear, the Prince will drive as far as the Hutfc. It would appear that somo unfriendly painters have been depicting New Zealand to the Prince, who, however, expresses himself agreeably disappointed with the picturesque beauty of our scenery. Reception Committee. — The following programme has been arranged subject to approval: — Wednesday — Regatta at 10.30; War-dance at the Cricket Ground at 3.30. Thursday — Howe's Farm Picnic at 10.30, with sailors' fete and sports. English Mail. — We beg to direct the attention of our readers to the fact that the last opportunity which will be opon to the public of catching the English mail, which leaves Melbourne on the 25th April, will be by the Alhambra this day. The Hon. Mb Richmond. — Thi3 gentleman met his constituents at Taranaki on the 3rd inst. After having explained the notivo policy of the Government, the following resolution was proposed by Mr Upjohn : — " The electors of the Grey and Bell districts, having heard the expla-

nation of the Hon. J. 0. Richmond, with regard Ito the policy pursued to the natives and the Native Office, are of opinion that he does not possess the confidence of his constituents." A lengthy discussion took place, and. the meeting ultimately broke up without coming to any conclusion. Ykstebday's Arbano-ements. — It was with the greatest satisfaction wo witnessed tho reception arrangements yesterday, and the manner in which everything was carried out. The marshaling and placing of the different volunteer companies were marked by all ease and precision which usually distinguish the evolutions of regular troops, and notwithstanding the ever- moving throng of spectators, Lieut.-Colonel Header, Major M'Barnett, and other officers were equal to the occasion, and managed everything without confusion or annoyance. Inspector Atchison, too, displayed more than his usual care in his peculiar department, and evinced a quiet but watchful activity throughout the day, while his subordinates were to be seen doing good service at many important points, both during the landing and while the levee waß being held. Orderly, and staid as the citizens of this town are ever known to be, yesterday was conspicuously free from instances of drunkenness or brawling riot ; and the demeanor of all throughout the reception was marked by a simple and earnest joyousness. His Eoyal Highness has, we have been informed authoritatively, wished to make public the very groat satisfaction afforded him by the way in which tho volunteers and public bodies turned ' out to receive him. A Pbactical Joke. — For the second time has Captain Rhodes been annoyed by one of those practical jokes which afford no amusement except to the stupid perpetrators. This, as in the former instance, was the firing a pile of material prepared as afeu dejoie at Wade's Town, in honor of the Prince. It is to be hoped that the £10 reward offered will discover the perpetrator of this piece of wanton mischief. Prospecting at Teeawiti. — Notwithstanding the failure of Mr Grove's search for gold in that neighborhood, others have been found enterprising enough to renew the search. A party of four men have for the last four weeks been engaged in prospecting that part of the Terawit l coast known as the Otorong Creek. Owing to the prospective nature of their operations, their pecuniary success has been but trifling j still they found gold in small quantities in a number of spots, and in two or three places they obtained moderate prospects, particularly in that par known as the Domain, where ..they think Bmall wages might be made. In some of the most likely spots they wore unable to bottom, having been driven out by water, not having the necessary appliances to overcome the difficulty. The gold obtained is a very good sample, being smooth and water worn. The men are in town at present to witness the reception arrangements, bub they intend to return in a day or two to give the locality another trial. Mr Q-eorge Hunter, we understand, has been spirited enough to defray the cost of provisions for the party. Considering the many indications of gold that have been found in the vicinity of Wellington, there is a probability that success may attend this effort, For the sake of all concerned, we can only say we sincerely hope so. A Good Riddance. — The constabulary enlisted here recently, though a very smart respect-able-looking lot of recruits, proved to have a couple of black sheep amongst them. These were fortunately detected at the outset, and brought before the Resident Magistrate on Saturday, who consequently placed them out of reach of war's alarms for six months. EtrsiOßED Expedition jeom India. — The "Hawke's Bay Herald" of the 2nd says it was rumored in Bombay, before the mail steamer left, that an expeditionary force was likely to be sent from India to New Zealand. J. D. Oemond, Esq. — This gentleman has been oppointedDeputy-Superintendentof Hawke's Bay by his Honor Donald M/Lean during Ms abaence. Meeting- ob the Geneeaii Assembly. — His Excellency the Governor has issued a proclamation calling on the Parliament of New Zealand to assemble " for the despatch of business," on Tuesday, the Ist day of June next. Native News. — The "Taranaki Herald" of the 10th inst says : — " The latest native intelligence received in Auckland from the Waikato, previous to the Airedale leaving, was that Reihana with sixty men (inoluding the White Cliffs murderers) were near Mokau j and that the King and his adherents (including the Ngatimaniapoto) disown thena, and threaten to use force to prevent Reihana and his people creating a war in the Waikato. A story was current in Auckland last Saturday that the Government intended arming the Ngatihaua- tribe j a proceeding which, our correspondent informs us, would unquestionably be accepted by the Ngatiinarua as a declaration of war." Theateioals and Baii. on Boaed the Gaiatea. — The "Sydney Morning Herald" of , the 30th ult, Bays : — Many hundreds of ladies and gentlemen, resident in Sydney and its immediate neighborhood, enjoyed, last night, the princely hospitalities of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, on board the Galatea. The 1 guests were oonveyed , to that noble vessel by several steamers plying from Cowper's Wharf, ■ Woolloomooloo, and from the Circular Quay to . the ship, which was ' lying at her moorings at Farm Cove. Tho whole of the vast area of the upper deck was covered in by awnings, for the 1 reception and accommodation of the guests. In > the afterpart of the vessel a lofty end irtagnifi- ■ cently decorated apartment was thus found to \ have been constructed, terminated at theoneejjd (to the forepart of the vessel) by an elegant and ! beautifully-proportioned stage, in which the sconery and other appointments were truly admirable. The drop-soene was a finely-executed and highly appropriate view of Windsor Ca&tle " — taken from tho Thames. In front of the stage b was the orchestra ; and, what' might perhaps, be j called " the body of the house," was occupied by . tho guests on the right side, and by the seamen of the Galatea on the left. This magnificent apartment was brilliantly lighted with wax tapers on the side of the ship, ond (centrally) by four large chandeliers. The decorations and arrangements were all in excellent taste — so elaborate and judicious that it is almost "impossible" to givo the reader any idea of the highly successful effect. At the back of this hall, again, was another more lofty space — a sort of alcove — the I top of which was formed with national ensigus , and various other flags. In the centre of this , saloon was a large fountain having five or six jets, whioh played all the night. This refrigerator of the air was surrounded with shrubs and exotic 1 plants. Between the alcove and theatre, or ballroom, was an extensive gallery, with mirrors,

flags, tropical plants, and other tasteful decorations. The retiring saloons were at the back of the stage. On the lower deck, on the right hand side, was a long and well-provided supper table j the corresponding space on the other side of the ship being suitably provided for pvomenading between the dances. His Excellency and the rest of the guests were received by the Prince and the officers of the ship about eight o'clock. The evening began with an amateur representation of Tom Taylor's excellent cornedy — " Still waters run keep," which went off with very great eclat. The acting of the Hon. Eliot Yorke (as "John Mildmay") caused universal delight and astonishment ; the representation being considered to be a masterly performance. Almost equal praise was given to the " Potter" of Lieutenant Romilly, the " Hawksley" of Lieutenant FitzGeorge, and the " Dunbilk" of Lord Charles Beresford. Mr Wild's impersonation of " Mrs Hector Sternhold" was also recognised as a very remarkable performance — in which he manifested all the qualifications of a talented a,ctor. Of Mr Key as "Langford," Mr Eyres as " Markham," Mr Mainwaring as " Gimlet," and Lieutenant Poore as " Jesaop," it is only to be observed that they were highly creditable performances. Mr Eyre, in the difficult part of Mrs Mildmay, acquitted himself with singular ability ; and his impersonation would have been a still greater success, but for the fact that the tittering of some of the young ladies present (at the sentimental parts) was sometimes too much for his gravity. After the comedy the company went to supper, and then dancing was commenced and kept up till an advanced hour in the morning. A Long Walk k>b Nothing. — As a reason why an Assize Court should be established at Dubbo the " Dispatch" relates the following :— A walking match of 600 miles for £35 a-side, between three young men, took place a few days , ago. The conditions were that they should leave Bourke by virtue of subpoenas, the Government guaranteeing the money at the rate of tenpence a mile, provided they reached the Wellington Court of Quarter Sessions on a certain day, and there give evidence in a case of forgery. They were to walk to Dubbo, not having money, or being unable to procure coach accommodation, and thence by a special coach to Wellington. A good start was effected, and the betting was equal — the man with the lightest swag, if anything having the odds. They arrived at Dubbo after a five days' journey, within a few yards of each other, much jaded and worn out, as the roads were dusty, and the hostelries like angels' visits. After a spurt they managed to get into Barry's coach one heel on the other ; and two yards only divided them as they appeared in Court. Mr Taylor, solicitor for the prosecution, then produced his affidavit, and bo convinced tho Judge with it that the forgery case was postponed until next session, on account of the necessary absence of the principal witness. After a grim look at each other and the | lawyer, the three competitors turned about, left | the Court, took a little refreshment, and again jumped into Barry's coach one positively touching the other. They arrived at Dubbo simultaneously, had more refreshment, and. then came the tug of war up the " straight," measuring upwards of 200 miles on the aforesaid dusty road. They started well together, and will probably arrive in Bourke almost abreast, after a well-contested, disheartening, and fruitless journey of about a fortnight. The Otahuhtt Mxtedees— Discoveey ob the Eemains. — Those of our readers who remember the horrible details of tho murder of widow Finnegan and her three sons at Otahuhu in the month of September, 1865, may recollect that in the Auckland Police Gazette of Ist December appeared a notice that Mary Finnegan and her son John wore missing. John Finnegan is described as " about ten years old, fair complexion, fair hair," The body of Mrs Finnegan was found, but no trace of the body of the boy was discovered at the time, though a reward of £5 was offered by Mr Commissioner Naughton. Last Saturday, however, a man named Morrissy was digging in the same acre allotment where the body of the widow had been found, when he came upon the skeleton of a boy that had apparently been hastily buried as if thrust down feet foremostj and then the upper portion of the body pressed downwards, so as to occupy less room. Constablo Negus took charge of the remains, and reported the discovery to the Commissioner of Police yesterday. The bones were fleshlasa, but a few shreds of the clothing remained, and the boots, which have been recognised as those made for the boy by the shoemaker. From the evidence at the inquest it would appear that Stack the murderer had always the youngest boy John with him, and when questioned as to what had become of the boy he pretended to be vexed to think John had left him, saying, " I did not think John would have left me." — " Southern Cross," April 6. Beave Conduct. — The "New Zealand Herald" of the sth says : — Yesterday morning Mr George Dower, coxswain of the Customs boat, was proceeding down the wharf in company with another man when their attention was attracted by a little boy, who was standing a little on the town side of the waterman's house, and was pointing to some object floating in the harbor. The little fellow was screaming lustily. On looking in the direction indicated he saw & little girl floating in the water some five yards out from the side of the wharf, and immediately jumped in to rescue her. The tide was nearly half flood, and the depth of water eight or ten feet. Ho succeeded in bringing the drowning little creature to the surface. This is the second child that Mr Dower has been instrumental in saving, and he informed us that it is a matter of surprise that a great many more accidents do not happen to children who congregate on the wharf.