LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3115, 4 February 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

» Peovincial Counoil Election. — The nomination of a candidate for the representation of the City in the Provinoial Council in place of I. Plimmer, Esq., resigned, took place at noon yesterday. As it was known that a burlesque for the occasion hod been in reherlsal for some time "back, a large number of citizens gathered to Bhare the fun. In due course, after the reading of the writ by the Returning Officer, Mr Borlase proposed his friend Mr George Crawford as a fit and proper person to represent the city in the Provincial Council, and was seconded by Mr G. H. Vennell. Mr R. H. Carpenter then came forward, and in one of his peculiar speeches proposed his friend Mr Cornelius Croft as a candidate, much to the amusement of the people. Mr E. Lewis played the part of seconder in the absurd exhibition. The burlesque was of course carefully enacted to the finish, when everyone held up a hand for Croft. The polling takes place today. The Mystery of the Bodies.— Mr J. Taylor, of Rangitikei, writes a letter to the " Wanganui Herald," professing to explain the inyaterious story of the bodies reported to be Been on the Waikanae beach ; but we confess we are as much mystified as ever. However, we leave our readers to draw their own conclusions from the following extract from his letter : — " When about three partß of the way to Manawatu, I drew their attention to some birds flying about on the water, and then we saw something rise on the water with a black head, and the body naked to the waist. At one time saw three rise up together, and the two at first we thought were fish, but we stopped some time looking at them until we were quite satisfied that they were dead bodies, as they seemed to tumble over as they rose on the water. I, myself, counted twelve, but Mr Rowe could not count more than ten. I Bhould think they were about a quarter or half a mile off, and the tide was going out." This revives the recollection of the " three black crows." An Old Peovincial Councillor. — Whoever saw cause for mirth at the nomination for the Provincial Council yesterday, and there were a great many who relished the buffoonery, Mr George Crawford who came forward as a candidate showed the woy he risked the ridicule with which the proceedings were covered that the occasion had a serious Bide ; and if ever Mr Crawford deserved the thanks of the citizens for his assistance in provincial matters in former years, — when, as he said himself, it was considered an honor to have a seat in the Council — he deserved credit for the way in which ho came forward yesterday. Provincialism is, of course, in very bad odour with many people, and a change may have to be made ; but surely no part ever played in the Provincial Cuuncil of Wellington can be of a more grave nature than that of the winding up of its affairs, and the final disposition of what remnant may be still left of the estate of (ho province. A joke is a joke 5 but it is going utterly beyond bounds to endeavour to hoap ridicule on an institution that has performed valuable services, by inciting a poor demented being to go through the farce of offering himself as a candidate. With a full knowledge of Councillor Carpenter's eccentric humor, wo confess to a little surprise at the part he played yesterday ; and we should be still more surprised to lenrn that he does not now somewhat regret his harlequin humor. Voters who see that there is still serious business to be transacted before provincialism is finally interred, will doubtless vote for Mr Crawford. The joke has gone far enough. To carry it further would bo an insult. Let all who would avert disgrace from the city record their vote today. The organisation called into being by the tactics of the Richmond- | Travers party, though contemptible, may do much harm i{ not energetically opposed. The Hon. J. C. Richmond and the Hon. J. Johnston. — Of the many instances of reckless assertions made by tho Hon. Mr Richmond during his electoral campaign now drawing to an ignominious close, one of the most amusing, perhaps, was the following : — The Hon. John Johnston, in his able and truthful speech, said : "He could only describe his opinion of Mr Richmond's views en the question of the Imperial relations of the colony by a term which has been usod with great irreverence by tho honorable gentleman himself, in reference to the fire wise virgins that wont out to meet the coming of the bridegroom — that is, of our Lord and Saviour. The honorable gentleman had called them 'sneaks.'" The Hon. J. C. Richmond : "No, no." The Hon. J. Johnston : " Yes, yes." The Hon. J. C. Richmond : " I deny it." The Hon. J. Johnston : " I say nothing hore but what I believe to be true, and am prepared to prove. I refer to ' Hansard.' " Tho Hon. J. 0. Richmond: "I never said such a thing." A voice from the plutforra, indignantly : " I read it tlm morning." Richmond : "It is not true." [We giro the quotation, quoting as is our wont, the volume and page, " Hansard," vol. 1 part ii, page 708.] "I have said that there is a great confusion of parties in this House — a sort of Irish fight. But in one respect I have always noticed that the Legislation is very much like the kingdom of Heaven, that is, it consists of five virgins who are wise and have oil in their lamps, and there are five others, or rather four, in a very destitute condition, not by reason of their folly but of their misfortune, who have no oil. . . . I see my honorable friend profesoss to be a believer in the wise virgins. I think they wero a set of sneaks." RK-FOitMlNa TARANAKI Steeet. — According to the arrangement made with the City .Council, the ratepayers of Taranaki street hare paid into the Hoard, as their first contribution, £22 10s, towards the re-forming of tho 6treet. It will be seen by the report of the Council's proceedings, that the tender for the work has been accepted. Hahd-ttp. — The following paragraph from the " Wakutip Mail," requires no comment : — During tho Christmas holidays, tho police ppemod to be the only people without money. We understand that their "screws" are acre* ral months in arrear.

The "New Zealand Mail." — The second number of this weekly paper is published today. It contains all the news of the past week, besides a varied selection of miscellaneous reading matter that will be found interesting. To country readers we can specially recommend this publication, as a large portion of the columns is devoted to their interests. The number also contains a couple of interesting tales. His Honob the Chief Justice. — Sir George Arney was a passenger by Cobb's coach on Monday to Taranuki. The Political Puppet Show. — Wo are requested to call attention to the fact that tho above show will be opened to-day. No doubt all who take an interest in the election contest will pay a visit to Mr Gordon's exhibition, many, perhaps, to see themselves as others see them. Oub Pictobial. — Home readars interested in New Zealand would find this months " Illustrated Now Zealand Herald," more than usually interesting on account of the number of scenes iv the colony. Amongst others are "The Head of Lake Wakatipu on the road to Martin's Bay," and "TheTokomariro Kanges." The " New Zealand Heraid" contains an excellent summary of the events of the month, and on this ground is the best journal to transmit to homo friends. Native News. — The Auckland correspondent of the " Lyttelton Times," writes under date the I.Bth ult : — There is no native news of much importance. It is rumored that Government is silently preparing an expedition against Upper Waikato, but I cannot confirm those rumors from jperaonal knowledge. However, it is certain that Colonel Lyon, commanding Waikato district, is enlisting a limited number of men for the " A. C," and since the Defence Minister arrived from Wellington, he has been in constant communication with a great many influential friendly chiefs. There is a small party here which, irrespective of expense and great natural difficulties of country, desires an immediate invasion of Upper Waikato, but I am sure that though most people would gladly hear of a well-devised plan for compelling the surrender of Mr Todd's murderers, the general opinion is unfavorable to hasty or quixotic measures. LABOR IN Otago.— According to the monthly report of Mr Colin Campbell, the agent of the Dunedin Labor Exchange, tho rate of wages ruling is as follows :— Barmen, 25s per week and found j cow boys', £20 per annum 5 farm servants, from £45 to £52 ; female servants, from £30 to £35 ; grooms, 20s per week ; nursery maids, from 6a to 10s per week j storemen, 25s per week and found ; wool pressers, 25s per week, with board. He then adds : — " The demand for farm and female domestic servanta during tho last month very considerably exceeded the supply, and the arrival of a homo ship with immigrants has had very little effect in supplying the requirements of the employers of labor. The late immigrants were scarcely the class co much required at the present time, viz., good farm servants accustomed to all branches of farming work. The report shows that of 88 applications by employers of labor during the montb, there were only 45 engaged, and this became the supply of the proper classes of men and women were not procurable. Respectable country servants of both sexes can always meet with a ready market for their labor in Otago, at good wnges." Abtesian Wells. — Christchurch now contains about 500 artesian wells, more than ninety of which have been bored during the last year. Westland's Population.— Tho population of Weatland is estimated by tho police at 15,600, but these figures the " West Coast Times" believes to be considerably within the truth. The estimate in the schedule to the Payments to Provinces Act, passed during the last session of the General Assembly, is 13,500. Spontaneous Combustion. — A paper on a method of detecting heating in wool, flax, &c, on board ship, was read by Dr Irvine-, at a recent meeting of the Nelson Scientific Association. The "Colonist" gives the following abstract of the paper: — Dr Irvine observed that the desideratum in this respect was some contrivance which should indicate a dangerous rise of temperature before any portion of the cargo had become so hot as to undergo charring ; for that when this latter Btage had arrived it was not safe to get flax out of the hold, the contact of the air causing it to burst into a flame. He proposes to effect this object by carrying a copper wire through the bales, and connecting the onds with a small galvanic battery, which will thus keep a current of electricity in perpetual circulation so long as the connection remains perfect iv every part. The wire is to be severed in a tube (which was exhibited) placed in each bale, but the electric connection is still maintained by a small quantity of quicksilver between tho cut ends; should, however, the temperature rise to 160 degs. Fahr., tho melting of two plugs of beeswax, which keep the quioksilver in its place, causes the latter to run out, and the electric circuit is broken. This occurrence may be signalled by various kinds of tell-tale apparatus which Dr Irvine enumerated, but the kind he prefers is a horse-shoo electromagnet, forming part of the circuit, and placed . on deck ov in the cabin. The moment the circuit is broken, the armature of tho electromagnet instantly falls, and may bo made to start an alarum, attracting attention to the fact of a dangerous degree of heat existing in the hold. Dr Irvine, assisted by Mr Tatton, illustrated tho simplicity and practicability of the invention by some interesting experiments. He explained that the temperature at which the danger signal is to be given need not be 160 degs. (the melting point of wax, but any other below 400 degs,, at which the charring takes place) that may be 'selected, the plugs being made of a suitable material accordingly. Sir David Monro suggested the employment of fusible metals for this purpose. PItOGBESS OP THE PflESS.— It Will bo 80On by our telegrams that there are now three daily papers in Hawke'a Bay. The schoolmaster is abroad with a vengeance ! Agbioultube in Southland. — A Southland exchange says that the farmers there frequently congratulate themselves on tho absence of the long hard frjsts which so ofton interfero with outdoor work in Britain. That comfortable iminuuity, however, would appear to hare its drawbacks, like most other " exceptionally favorable circumstances." A good black frost, while it suspends the labor of the farm, by killing noxious seeds, eaves much future toil in ihe way of cleaning the land. Weeds, the husbandman's greatest plague, are fairly mastered by a northern winter. In this more genial clime they threaten to wrestthe soil from his possession. From all quarters of the province loud complaints aro heard of tho rapid spread of those pests — the sorrel, Cape weed, thistle, duckweed and others only legs troublesome. The former, however, is preeminent as a nuisance, and the extent to which it has already overrun cultvated lands, coupled with the fact that it is almost ineradicable give? rise to serious considerations. On both sides of the Long Bush, at Rosyln Bush, Myroas, Wallacotown, Waikivi, Ryal Bush, I Winton, and indeed everywhere, whole fields in crop may be seen literally smothered with it — its dull red eeedi stalks absolutely, giving color to the landscape. The method of choking it out with white clover answers so far, but is only partially effective— tho roots not being destroyed — and has, besides, the objectionable feature of ne- | ceesitating the laying down of every infested field in pasturo, whether it suits the designs of farmer or not. Mucji outcry has ere now been raised, and justly, against the thistle, and the suppression 13 ensured by act of I Parliament; but in the sorrel our settlers have an enemy to contend with infinitely more insidious, moro tenacious of its existence, and more destructive of the corps with which It mingles. The Capo weed is also a most mischevious plant, and, since its first appearance a few years ago, has shown a remarkable adaptability to its new quarters. Large patches of it are visible in nearly all the districts uamod, and its extermination will

jet cause endless trouble. Hfr will bo a benefactor to the country who discovers a oheap means of keeping both in subjection. Lice "on Fowls.— '■ln answer to a correspondent who wants' to know how to destroy the Termin that infest his fowls, notwithstanding that his fowl-house has been whitewashed and the floor Btrewn with ashes every week, the editor of the " Leader" gives the following remedy: — Lay down a load or two of sharp water-washed sand in your fowl-yard ; clean thoroughly your fowl-house, putting a handful or two of sulphur into the whitewash used, and you will have no lice on your fowls. To clean the fowls, however, as they are now infested, dust flower! of sulphur into the roots of their feathers, two or three times, allowing a few day9 to elapse between the dressings. Our reply to your second question is — Don't buy young pigs that have been fed on butcher's offal, and the chances will be that those you do buy will not die "of convulsions." Wages of Faesc Laboeees. — In Austria, in 1867, the average wages of the farm laborer were £5 a year. The Dutch laborer rarely tastes meat, and seldom gets as much as 25 cents a day. The Paris workman never has grandchildren ; yet there is a constant influx of boys from the country willing to exchange slow death in the city, for slow life in the fields. In Prussia, the wages of the farm labourer by the year is from £2 to £3, with board. His food consists of peas, porridge, potatoes, sour milk, and vegetables. Meat he gets on holidays, and occasionally on a Sunday. In Soxe-Coburg the male day laborer, who lives in the house and is fed, receives from £6 to £8 a year ; a woman farm worker, from £3 to £4i. A few have a hut, and ground enough to grow potatoes for a pig. In Denmark the laborer receires from 7fl to 9s a week, works thirteen hours a day, and supports himself. If the employer feeds him, the wages may run from 2s 8d to 43 per week. In Belgium the day laborer earns about lOd a day, and pays a day's work for the weekly rental of his cottage. If fed by the employer, he expects nothing more than sour milk, boiled potatoes, and rye bread. In Portugal, a woman works all day for eight cents, a man for ten, living on greens, onions, rice, and chesnuts. In Westphalia wages are high, and living sumptuous. The laborers get meat once a day, two cups of lager-beer, and coffee at breakfast. Besides his £6 a year, the man gets a pair of boots and three shirts. A woman's wages are £4 a year, a pair of shoes, and cloth for three chemises. In other German States the laborer is paid in kind or in money ; that is, he can have £1 or a quarter of an ox j he may tako half a lean pig in lieu of 12s, and choose between Bs, or his herring, his salt, and his pot-money for a year. In Prussia, there are two millions who work and live in this way. In the whole of Europe there are thirty or forty millions in just this condition. The New System of TELEcraAPHiNG. — Mr D. H. Craig, in a letter to the "Now York Herald," details the advantages of the new system of telegraphy, which has excited some attention recently, in the following terms : — "A year ago I beapoke your favorable consideration of a new telegraph enterprise, which I had then fully entered upon, and which, it gives me great pleasure to inform you, lias now been consummated, in the completion of a very superior line of telegraph of pound wire (steel and copper), and the perfecting of our new system of automatic telegraphy, by means of which we are now transmitting from New York to Washington, and vice versa, 500 words per minute over one wire, thirty thousand per hour, and seven hundred and twenty thousand words in twenty-four hours — a rato of speed equal to the average of more than fifty wires by the Morse system. The perfect simplicity, accuracy, and reliability of the new system are not less remarkable than the wonderful speed above stated. I have before told you, and I now repeat with all possible confidence, that our system is absolutely new, and a 9 different from all other known systems as is the difference between the transmit- ! ting power of sixty and five hundred words per minute. As we can by our new system transmit intelligence direct, and with om writing, from this city to every other city, and directly into the editorial rooms of every journal in the country, at the rate of five hundred words por minute, recording tho same in clear, distinct, and perfectly accurate characters, it cannot bo doubted that we are on the eve of an entire revolution in newspaper and commercial correspondence. The day is near at hand when busiuess letters of ordinary length may bo transmitted from New York to New Orleans for twenty-five cents, and still afford a largo profit to the telegraph company. You have nearly seen the day when first-class papers can publish the news of the world exclusively by telegraph, discarding news letters as quite behind the age." A "Times" telegram from Berlin states that street locomotives wore aont to Metz to assist in placing the siege guns in postion.