LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3107, 26 January 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Hon. J. 0. Riciimond, wo observe from our telegraphic columns, is following the tactics of tho old woman who tried to sifc on two stools, end will no doubt share her fate. She fell between them. We are sure the electors of Wellington will not like this way of playing fast and loose with thorn. If Mr Riciimond cannot get returned whero he is best known, it would be a lasting disgrace f o Wellington to be represented by a gentleman whom constituencies so far inferior refuse to elect. If Wellington were to pass over her own citizens, whose constant presence and personal interest are the best guarantee of

efficient services, for a gentleman -whose past inefficiency aa a member has made his nome stink in the nostrils of his constituents, she would destroy her prestige for ever, and deprive her claims of that recognition in the Assembly which her commercial and political importance alike demand. The Clean Shibx Mintsthy.— Our evening contemporary, in an article we have not time at present to consider, says :— " Had Mr Edward Jerninghara Wakefield desired office, his father might have lifted him into that position " We beg to refer him to the " Gazette" of 1854, in which it will be Been that Mr Wakefield was lifted into the position of a member of the Executive on the 31st of August, and was lifted out of it on the 2nd of September following ! Election Meeting. — The friends and supporters of Messrs Richmond and Travers mustered in good strength outside of TJrwin's Hotel last night, and called Mr Trueman to the chair. The meeting, as is usually tho case, except when Messrs Hunter and Pearce have to speak, was very orderly ; indeed, what little interruption there was waß caused by an over joyousness of some of Mr Richmond's supporter*). The burden of Mr Richmond's remarks was chiefly on the subject of railways, in the course of which he adverted to the extravagant thoughtlessness that characterised the railway administration in Southland, and the wretched collapse of the grandly conceived railway of Auckland, which wue never more than halt carried out. The Canterbury railway, though remarkable from the fact that any return at all was obtained from it, he also thought was of a far too extravagant character, and worthy of what he might term a champagne Government. • He felt confident that if some more inexpensive mode of construction had been adopted, Canterbury might by this time have had infinitely more miles of road, and yielding a profitable return. Mr Richmond quoted from the Duke of Argyle in the English " Hansard " on tho Indian railway btstern, which had been constructed on the guarantee system with such disastrous results to that dependency. On the whole he was entirely in favor of cheaply constructed lines of railway. Mr Richmond said that he had crossed Cook's Strait with the expectation of being called to take a part in the Government of the country, and admitted that he was anxious to once more occupy a Ministerial Boat. But the proceedings at length became too dry to suit the ardent humor of the meeting, and one enthusiastic elector gave •vent to his feelings after his own pecnliar manner. This ruffled the usual calmness of Mr Richmond, and he called on Mr Martin, who sat on the outskirts of the crowd, to call off his dog. Mr Martin replied in his own peculiar vein, and completely upset thegravity of the proceedings by keeping the gathering in roars of laughter, much to the disgust of Mr Richmond's partisans, and especially of Mr Gillon, between whom and Mr Martin a Bmart pasBage of arms ensued, which resulted in the discomfiture of the former ; and it was not until Martin rode off that Mr Richmond's Bupportera could obtain a hearing. Mr Pickering, who had been loud and conspicuous throughout the evening, then seized tho opportunity of addressing tho crowd ; but was put down by cries of" How about tho Commissariat." Mr Maginnity then essayed to make himself heard as a supporter of Messrs Richmond and Trarers, and in the character of a grotesque New Zealander, whioh he succeeded in depicting to admiration ; and who, in order to supply his want of flowers of speech, was presented by a sympathetic audience with the genuine article itself in the shape of a copious shower of the finest silk-dressed. This hilarity continued till tho close, even tho ponderous appearance of Mr Anderson, who essayed to turn the torrent of fun, failing to restore^ anything like gravity, so that on the whole it was hard to say whether Mr Richmond had more reason to be gratiGed or disappointed at the result of this meeting of his supporters. Nelson Annivehsaiiy. — In common courtesy to the large number of Nolson people attending our anniversary, we think our fellow citizens should return the compliment by accepting the opportunity offered by the steamship Phoebe, leeving hero on Monday next, to celebrate the anniversary of the Nelson Province on the Ist February. Wo are informed that the Phoebe will call at Picton, proceeding through the Frenoh Pass, arriving at Nelson early on Tuesday morning, remaining there until Thursday, thus giving oxcursionists plenty of time, both to enjoy the sports of the day, and pay a visit to the delightful country around Nelson. Pahautanui. — The Anniversary has been celebrated in this district by a tea party in connection with the school, followed by a ball in the evening. To tho former more than seventy children sat down, and, every arrangement having been made for their comfort and amusement, they thoroughly enjoyed their holiday. The ball also was a success in every respect. Great credit ia due to the ladies and gentlemen whose services contributed to make both entertainments pass off so pleasantly. The long continuance of dry weather is becoming serious in the country districts. Small streams which have run uninterruptedly for several yeara have now ceased to flow. Grass is becoming parched up, more particularly in the hills. The only compensating circumstance connected with it is that settlers are able to burn off their fallen bush a month earlier than usual. The Sound Timbeb Teade. — The Havelook correspondent of the" Havelock Express" Bays : — The timber trade is as brisk as it can well be, the demand being far greater than can be readily supplied, vessels having to wait some time before they can get loaded. Wellington Philosophical Society.— A meeting of the members of this society will be held at the Colonial Museum on Saturday evening at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of electing a president and transacting other business. Teh Return Matoh between the Veterans and the Artillery Volunteers will bo fired at tho butts on Saturday. Me Travebs will address the electors of Wellington at the Odd Fellows' Hull to-night at 8 o'clock. Ebeatun:. — In our last issue it was stated that a transfer of license for the Conch and Horses Hotel was granted to Ctttliorino Whelan. This was an error. The case was adjourned till this morning at 11 a.m. District Prize Firing. — Tho Veterans fired yesterday afternoon at tho Adelaide Butts, for choice of representatives at the annual colonial contest. The competitors fired in two sets. The following are the lists of scoring : — first set: 400 yds. 500 yds. 600 yds. Total. Crowe 14 16 10 40 H. Bowater 9 11 2 22 W. Bowater 15 9- 7 31 G. Harm 8 3 6 17 Holmes 5 9 7 21 Scott 10 3 7 20 White 10 10 11 31 Brown 8 4 10 22 Brewer 11 0 4 15 Levy 17 15 8 40 SECOND SET : 300 yds. 400 yds. 500 yds. Total. Holmes 14 13 16 43 J. Bowater 15 13 9 37 H. Bowater- 12 13 4 28 G. Brewer 12 10 5 27 G.Harris 12 5 5 22 White 15 15 15 45 Bowie 14 9 10 33 Crowe 17 12 15 44 Scott 10 13 17 40 Momber Levy having to attond the inquest at the Panama Hotel, Colonel Reader kindly allowed him to fire the second set with the Artillery to-days Rii?le Match.— The return match, between the married and single men of tho Wuinuiomata Volunteers, took place on Saturday, 21st, when a very exciting contest took place, and bo clqso, that it waa impossible to say which side would prove tho victor, till the very last shot. On the scoreß being added up, it proved

to be in favor of the single men, by four points. The bright hot day was much against high scoring, the highest score on the, winning side being made by Captain Wood — 32 points ; that on the losing side by Lieutenant Prouse— 32 points. After arrangements wore made respecting the third and conquering match, the competitors retired to the shade of a grove of trees, where a bevy of fair ladies had prepared a substantial lunch. Justice being done to this, of course the call for at least that could be done was to cheer for the ladies, and this was done to the echo.