LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXV, Issue 3041, 3 September 1870, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Immigration and Public Worm Bill — The debate on this bill in the Legislative Council was not of that placid nature that is a usual attribute of the proceedings of that House. The doings in committee on Wednesday on this measure were not only animated, but nearly approaching to obstructive, for on reading clause seven a most remarkable amount of opposition was manifested, and amendment after amendment was proposed in the most vigorous manner. The remai'ts in some cases were more noticeable for directness and point than for logic or courteousnees, and necessitated occasional explanations, so that very little progress was made. On Tlnii'Bday, however, Mr Gisborno moved the following amendment to clause seven: — "To insert after the word ' Governor,' the following words in lieu of the ■word ' may ' : — ' Shall cause a reconnaissance survey to be made, sufficiently accurate to indicate the main lines of railway between Cook's Strait and Invorcargill, and between Napier and Wellington, and between New Plymouth and Wellington respectively j and shall.' " This Eeemcd to have the effect of mollifying the most turbulent of the opposition to the clause in its original form, and the adoption of the amendment was at length agreed to. The bill was further considered in committee yesterday afternoon ; and although considerable hostility wns manifested on several clauses by various members, yet considerable progress was made, and a great many clauses agreed to. Close 07 Session. — Mr Yogel mentioned in the House yesterday, that the session would probably come to a close in abont four sitting days in next week, and that the Government would make arrangements for the conveyance of members to their respective homes. Parliahentay Bon Mot.— During the present session our legislators have made some very good jokes. Mr Stafford in the House yesterday added another to the list. The hon. gentleman WB3 alluding to the inconsistency of the hon. Colonial Treasurer in expressing his desire to get the business concluded and allow members to return to their homes, while at the same time the Government were in both branches of the Legislature introducing a ewarm of bills. In conclusion the hon. gentleman said that the Government were fast becoming a species of orniihoryncits — a beast with a bill. This sally was re. ceived with shouts of laughter. Thobon. Coloninl Treasurer explained that they were nearly all of a merely techanical nature, and although important would not likely take up much time. Seventeen Times in Theee Hours. — The Hon. Colonel Whitmore is essentially a versatile man. Ready, eloquent, and a good type of the thorough-going partisan, ho never misses an opportunity of criticising Government measures ; but like most people who talk a great deal on every conceivable subject, ho often gives expression to much that is not to the point and exposes himself to occasional rebukes. Full scopo for his cacoetlies loquendi was afforded by the Immigration and Public Works Bill, and the gallant colonel made the most of the opportunity, and was on his legs so often as to scarcely get oufe of of the range of his own echo. Mr Waterhouso apparently had been taking a note of the colonel's labors, and in the mildest manner reminded the Council that if some hon. members had

c not the inclination or the ability to speak seven S fceen times in three hours on the bill, it was no 0 because they were not independent or took n S interest in the niensuro ; it was because the 1 were anxious to expedite business. Of cours i the gallant colonel took the hint as a coraplimenl 1 and seized the first opportunity of getting on hi '■ legs the eighteenth tinic j and the last seen c 2 him he was making arithmetical progression i; - his little diversion. Verily, " Great was th jumping of that flea." Retirement op the Speaker. — The followinj r is a verbatim report of the remarks mado by M ' Speaker, in the Houso of Representatives, oi I Monday last, announcing his intention to retire a , the end of the present session : — Before proceed „ ing to the business of the daj r , I desire to ask tin , attention of the House for a very few minutes. - j think it is only consistent, gentlemen, with th< t repect I owe to this House, that I should inforn i you that it is not my intention to seek to occupy [ the chair after this session. Various considers tions, which it is not necessary for me to explain have urged me to this conclusion. One alono is sufficient : I doubt my ability to undertake the duties of the chair for fivo years more. It has been my fortune, gentlemen, to occupy the position of Speaker of this House for ten cessions — a long period in a young country, where events succeed one another with a rapidity unknown to older communities. These ton years, upon which we now look back, havo witnessed events of tho greatest importance in the history of Now Zealand : and the action of this Houso has to a corresponding extent been of a responsible and important character. I trust I may bo allowed to say that the attitude of tho Legislature during the ten years to which I refer, has been one of great earnestness and devotion to public duty ; and that, whether engaged in tho work of building up tho political fabric of a rapidly expanding community ; whether engaged in tho duty of devising measures to protect the community egainst danger which almost threatened its existence ; or again, in reconciling the conflicting interests of two very dissimilar races, — tho proceedings of this House have throughout been characterised by a largo amount of singleness of purpose, by statesmanlike ability, and above all by a most remarkable and honorable forbearance and generosity towards the weaker race. In carrying out this work it lias been my duty to preside over your deliberations, nnd to interpret and apply those rules which you havo laid down for the conduct of your business. I have felt, gentlemen, that as your representative I occupied a position of much honor and responsibility, and it has been my anxious endeavor to maintain and extend the high character of your proceedings, to secure for the Legislature its legitimate position and privileges, and jealously to guard the honor and reputation of the House. lam about to retire shortly from tho position that I have so long occupied, and I assure you, gentlemen, that I cannot make the announcement without considerable emotion. There remains now for me in connection with this matter one duty still to perform, and that is to thank you most sincerely for the indulgence and support that you hare uniformly extended to meThat I have often stood in need of it, it is impossible for me to doubt ; but it has rendered com- , parativcly easy the performance of a duty in itself' of an onerous, responsible, and delicate character. I assure you, gentlemen, that I ehall always retain a most grateful recollection of your kindness, and that I shall look back upon my connection with this House as the most honorable passage of my life. | A Covet Martial. — A Court Martial was held on board the Clio on Wednesday last. All the captains in port were present, Commodore Stirling presiding. There were three cajes brought before the court, viz : — Sub-Lieutenant M'Kenzie, of tho Blanche, for drunkeness in Sydney, which was proved, and the offender was dismissed the service Sub-Lieut. Q-eorgo Connor, refusing to drill his men, when ordered by a superior officer ; the charge being only partly proved, Mr Connor was reprimanded. The third case was that of amarino belonging to the Blanche, named Tomlimon, who was brought up from Dunedin the other day for desertion ; the sentence of the court was two years' imprisonment. Horticultural.— The Horticultural Society, so long dormant, is, it appears, likely to be revived. We see by an advertisement that the late secretary, Mr Wallace, has called a meeting for Monday evening next of all interested in horticultural shows, and wo must admit that for the last few yeara our city has been very deficient in these most pleasant assemblies. Popular Lectures. — The next of tho course of lectures at tho Presbyterian Church, Willis street, will bo delivered on Monday week, tho 12th inst, by W. T. L. Travers, Esq., F.L.S., the subject being, " What Man may learn from the Lower Animals." Me Pharazyn. — Many of our readers will doubtless bo glad to learn that our old fellowtownsman, Ohas. J. Pharazyn, returned to Wellington, in the Taranaki, last night. Debating Society. — Tho usual weekly meeting of this society was held on Thursday, when tho Bubject of Education was discussed. Through the attendance being rather more limited than has hitherto been tho caso, an adjournment without a discussion was apprehended owing to tho absence of the member who was to open the debate, still whon tho debate was once begun, there was no lack of advocates pro and con, some opposing compulsory education, but tho majority seeming to be in favor of it. Tho debate was more than usually interesting, as the speakers evidently had como unprepared for tho discussion, and consequently had to depend more on their native strength of mind than upon statistical facts and other borrowed illustrations that are so often found convenient in a debate. The discussion will be resumed next Thursday. Appointment. — His Excellency tho Governor has been pleased to appoint Charles Dudley Robort Ward, Esq., to bo Judge of tho District Court of County of Westland, and of tho District Court of Westland North, vice Edward Clarke, Esq., resigned. Otago Graving Dock. — Tho following roport to the Colonial Secretary, on tho graving dock at Otago, is published in tho Government Gazette : Sic, — With a view to its becoming generally known that vessels of her Majesty's navy, as well as of the mei-cautile marino frequenting theso seas, can bo docked and repaired in New Zealand, I hare the honor to request his Excellency tho Governor may bo advised to call tho attention of tbo Lords Commissioner of the Admiralty to the

i- graving dook now rapidly approaching completio: it at the Port of Otago, the dimensions of -whicl o are as under : — Depth of water at dock sill, ordi y nary tides, 19ft Gin ; do do, spring tides, 21ft io do do, neap tides, 17ft Gin ; length of docl t, 330 feet j width, above, 68ft; do, below, 41ft is do, where ship's bilge would be, 43ft. I ma; add that tho clock will be ready to take in vessel in. January, 1871. —I havo, &c, J. Maoandeew JOURNALISTIC FATALITIES. — A Melboum paper says : — The late " Ovens Constitution' must havo been (if there is any truth in an ol( sailor's superstition) launched on a Friday Hero is a category of the ills which havo Wallei those most prominently connected with it. We cul from the " Spectator " :— " Tho editors of tha Journal, which was first started in 1856, and be came defunct in 18G8, when the (t Orens Spectator 1 commenced its career, were singulary unfortu nate. Tho first became inaolvont ; Iho seconc died suddenly, with a suspicion of boing aeci dentally poisoned ; tho third, Mr Barry, hai within the last week committed suicide; tin fourth and fifth editors bocamo insane ; the sixth, a gentleman who bought the paper, lost heavily by his venture ; tho soventh and lasl boing tho only one who has not as yet sustained any serious calamity in consequence of his connection vrith the departed "Ovens Constitution." A Strange PROFESSORSHIP. — The " Wauganui Herald" says : — lt ia stated that a telegram has been received in Wanganui conveying intelligence of the institution of a new ch.iir in tbo Dunedin University, and (hat the professorship has been offered to a gentleman connected with tho editorial chair of the •■ Wanganui Chronicle." Tho professorship is that of " Billingsgate." The endowment is a cod's head and a case of square gin. The chair of Belles lettres has been suppressed. Accident.— Tho "Herald" of tho 31st ult. says : — We regret to hear of a serious accident that befel Mr Joseph Nathan yesterday. He was engaged felling trees at the Westmere, and a branch of one of tho treos in falling struck him across tho head, laying tho Ecalp open from ear to ear. Ho was brought into town by hia brother Mr A. Nathan, who was working with him, and taken to Dr Earle's whore tho wounds were dressed. We havo since been informed that he is progressing as favorably as could bo wished. Judge Johnston's Book. — We clip the following from the " Wanganui Evening Herald," of the 27th instant : — A now and much enlarged odition of Judge Johnston's " Justice of tho Pence" has recently been published under the authority of the Colonial Government. Referring to this work tho other day, during tho hearing of tho case Regina versus Southcombe, the Resident Magistrate made tho following remarks : — " Tho learned counsel (Mr Cooper) is accustomed to sneer at Judge Johnston's hand-book, on tho ground of its boing a local authority, as if it wore to be undervalued on that account. [Mr Cooper : " I can never find anything in it."] Whether you can or not, the Court finds in it a most useful guide. Not only does it contain valuable practical directions for Magistrates in the exercise of their office, nnd a useful index to the Statute Law of New Zealand, but also a ■ Formulary, which is very complete and conveniently arranged for purposes of reference. The forms are, for the most part, adapted from the best English authorities, and tho Court feola perfectly safe in following them in every case. Till recently, the Court was accustomed to hear (on quoting it) that the book was out of date and the forms obsolete. Fortunately, however, we are now in possession of a new edition, much enlarged and brought down to tho present yoar. As a member of tho Bench, I venture to say that the Judge could not have conferred a greater benefit on tho Magistracy throughout tho colony, than by tho preparation of this valuable hand-