LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3124, 15 February 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

-vStatistical.— The total quantity of gold exported from New Zealand for the year ended December 31, 1870, was 544,880 ozs., valued at £2,156,525, as follows :— Auckland, 85,564 ozs. ; Picfcon, 1,804; Wellington, 30; Nelson, 12,299 ; Wostporfc, 74,557 ; Greymouth, 10,592; Hokitika, 99 857; Okarita, 4,819; Lyttelton, 248; Dunedin, 162,694; Invercargill, 2,458 ozs. The total quantity exported in 1869 was 614,281 ozs., valued afc £2,362,995.— The Customs revenue for the quarter ending December 31, 1870, waa £187,752, againat £215,677, or a decrease of £27,925. The total revenue of tbo colony for the year 1870 amounted to £765,930, as 1 compared with £823,511 in 1869, showing a decrease of £57,581. Canteebd-bt Geain.— The "Presa" saya that on Saturday the first ahipmenb of thia aeaaon'a grain waa made by Mr Beharrol, of the Northern Store, per the Annie, for Lyttelton. It comprises 1000 bushels of prime oats. Sudden Death. — The police early yesterday morning received a telegram informing fchem of a sudden death that had juat taken place in the Wainuiomata Valley, and requested that a doctor should be sent, but tho constable omitted fco mention tho name of the porson. Aboufc eleven, Dr. Graco started oufc for the purpose of making a post mortem examination on the body. No furthor intelligence was received up till a late hour lasfc nighfc. Laying on the Gas.— We noticed yesterday fche firat cutting from the gas main in Willis-ifcrcefc, and compliment Mr. Mcintosh, of the New Zealander Hotel; on co soon availing himself of the newly introduced lighting power. Cadet Biflb Shooting-. — Tbe competition amongst the cadets for the choice of representatives for the annual colonial rifle contost came off yesterday ab the Adelaide butts. The following wero fche successful scorers : — Lieutenant Brandon, of fche Grammar School Cadets, LO yards, 1 7 points ; 250 yards, 13. Private Maxwell, of fche same corps, mado at the first range 18, and 12 at the second, thus making the same total as Lieutenant Brandon, but aa the latter made the highest score at fche long range, he was elected to be the representative fco go fco Auckland. Of the Veteran Cadets, Private Godber scored 19 afc the first range, and 15 afc. 2so; while Private Greenwood made 18 afc tho first range, and 13 at tho second. This, for youngsters, with five shots to each range, may be considered very fair shooting, though ib musfc be Baid the fine day waß iv fcheir favor. We hope fche boya will nofc neglect to practice during tho littlo time thac remains before the contest. Immigeation — We have received a copy of the following circular: — "!New Zealand Immigration." by Charles Hursthouse, inscribed with permission, to the Hon. W. Fox. Preparing for publication and preaentation to the members of tho approaching General Asaeembly and Press, remarks on "New Zea land Immigration ;" based on the writer's twonty years experience in England in the promotion of New Zealaud colonisation, affording him a masß of evidence aa to the wants und wiahea, the hopes and fears, the great impelling causes, which lead to an annual average of 100,000 of our countrymen to plant new homes in new lands ; and offered in the hope of their proving the humble means of showing those who have New Zealand's helm, that if they would steer. her such a course as would enrich her with any great por'ion of that " Golden Stream" of capitalist and small capitalist emigration, ever flowing from fche old world to fructify the new, sho must be put on another tack. — New Plymouth, Januury 20. 1871 The Excubsion Tbip by fche Taranaki seems to have been a great success. Ono hundred and sixty-twoo xcursioniets left Wellington on Tuesday, arriving at Lytielton on Wednesday afc 10.30 a.m., where 75 pasaengers landed and 82 fresh excursionists joined. The excursionists had time to go to Christchurch, and, the weather being dolightful, enjoyed themselves most thoroughly. Loaviug Lyttelton same day afc 5 p.m., they arrived afc Porfc Chalmers nexfc day afc noon. The weather at Port Chalmers was very misty, aud the paseage from fchafc place fco Dunedin is tbo most unpleasant reniiniscenoe of the whole excursion. Afc the urgent solicitation of many of the excursionists, the Taranaki did nofc sail at the advertised time, so that the excursionists could enjoy themselves up till Saturday afc five o'clock, afternoon. Leaving Porfc Chalmers afc that hour, fchoy arrived at Lyttelton next day ab 1 p.m., where thoy received an addition of twenty excursionists returning to the North. Here tho Tarauaki took in a great addition to her cargo. The passengers enjoyed thenißelves going and coming to their hearts' content, and on board tho greatest amount of hilarity and good feeling prevailed. No trip could have beon more enjoyable Appointments. — Wo notico by yesterday's " Guzebto" fchat George M'lntyro, Esq , has been appointed Chief Clerk in the Department of the Registrar-General of Land. Ho is also authorised to frank free from prepayment of postage, letters or packets on the Public Service. Ebenezer Baker, Esq., has been appointed Deputy Sheriff for the District of Wellington.

Amateub Pbefobmanoe.— The second performance of fche Volunteer Amateurs takes place as advertised, fchis evening, and we have been requested to announce tbat seats may be secured afc the Odd Fellows' Hull, between fchree and four o'clock this afternoon. Colonial Pbizb Fibino-;— In a " Gazette" published yesterday, it ia notified for general information, tbat the firing for the General Government Colonial Prizes will commence at Auckland, on Monday, tho 6th March proximo. Soibkb. — The annual congregational aoiree in connection wifch the Presbyterian Church, Willis-street, was held at the Preshyfcerian schoolroom yesterday evening. Several Ministers, a number of leading membors of fche church, and about 100 pcraons altogether were preeent. The achoolroom was, a 8 is usual on such occaaions, very tuafcefully decorated with fresh foliage and flowers, tho whole producing one of fche most pleasing effects we havo seen in a public room for a long time. An excellent tea had been provided, and fche caterer Mr Laing, must have accepted aa flattering the good humor and stisfaction with which all enjoyed themselves. After tea an adjournment took place to the Church. The Rev. Mr Pateraon occupied tho chair, and fche meeting was opened wifch praise and prayer. W. W. Taylor, Esq.,' read fche annual reporfc and balance sbeet, which waa adopted. Tho report of tho Sabbath School waa then read by Mr T. M'Kenzie, which waa also unanimously adopted. A resolution was then passed for the enlargement of the church. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Revs. Paterson, Wesfc, Moir, Elmslie, Ross, and by the Rev. J. Cumming. The reporfc, which showed a very satisfactory state of progreaa, will appear in our next issue. We should nofc omit fco mention the excellent harmony ot fche choir undor the leadership of Mr James Wallace, Mr Smith presiding at the harmonium. The Wangapeka Case, says the " Nelson Mail," is at last over, and the Judge has decided against the purchasers. There aeema to be aome sort of connection between the end of this suit, and the commencement of the working of the mine, for juat as one terminates the other is about to begin. Wesleyan.— The " Nelson Mail" says the following changes have recently been made in fche appointments of Wealeyan Miniafcera for the Nelson Circuit, by the late Conference at Hobart Town -.—The Rev. J. Cannoll for Richmond ; and fche Rev. J. A. Taylor for fche Grey disfcricfc. A Hobse Complaint. — According to a Melbourne paper, a Btrange diseaae ia reported to have made its appearance amongafc horaea on aome of the stations of fche Murrumbidgee, below Wagga. Ifc commences with a stiftnesa in the joints, fche horae is unable fco bend hia knees, and in a short time wastes away and dies. Out of six horsos attacked on one station, only one is eaid now fco survive. Wages in Victoria. — With respect to the current rate of wagea in Victoria, we (" Australasian") have some authentic information obtained from official returns compiled in the office of fche Registrar-General and giving fche average for the year 18G9. For the infoi*ma tion ot our readers iv England we append the following particulars, meroly premising fchat where] rationa aro given, they are substantial in quality, and abundant in quantity. Farm laborera per annum, with rations; £40 to £45 ; ploughmen, from 15s to 20s per week, also with rations. Reapers, 6s to 10a per aero ; mowers from 4a to 8a per acre ; ahepherds, £35 to £40 per annum with rationa ; masons, plasterers, and bricklayers, 8a to 10a per day ; carpenters, fa to 10s, the day's works being restricted to eighfc houra. The wages of domestic servants range from £20 to £40 per annum according to capacity and the naturo of fche employment. Ordinary laborera earn from 6a fco 7s por day. Mb Maoandeew at Oamabu. — Wo (" Times") have icceived fche following telegram, which speaks for itself: — "Oamaru, February 10th. — An election meeting with regard io the Superintendency was held yesterday evening in tho Volunteer Drill- shed. Hia Worship the Mayor (James Udall, Esq), was in the chair. The meotingwasa great success so far a 6 Mv Macandrew's candidature for reelection to the Superintendency ia concerned. His speech lasted for two hours, ably dispelling the erroneous opinions whicli have b.*en in duatrioualy circulated by a venoinoua Oppoaition throughout tho Province. Amongst othor mattera, he displayed and read to the meeting the Treweek letter in red, together with the antidote to the poison — a telegram from MiHenry Driver — as follows: — 'James Macandrew : Sir, — A placard haa boen posted about fche town, purporting fco be a letter from myself to Treweek, in which your name ia freely used. It is a deliberate lie and forgery from beginning to end. I never wrote such a letter, and am bringing thoue concerned to justice. The parties will have to answer a criminal information on Friday first. If I am not mistaken, the proceedings will disclose a neat of conspirators, all of whom I will prosecute to fche utmost extent of the law. As far as you are concerned, I can only say that if I had been villain enough to write such a letter, I should have been a base liar. You can make what use of this you think proper. (Signed) Henry Driver.' A subsequent cross-examination took place upon all aorta of mutters — public worka, immigration, the land laws, Otago Hundreds Acfc, Oamaru dock, ko— laating till long altor 10 o'clock, when tho meeting affinnod its opinion by a cordial vote of thanks, passed almost unanimously, the only dissontients being Messrs Shrimski & Co., the auctioneers. The assembled multitude then dispersed with cheers for Macandrew, the people's tried friend, and a grunt from Donald's pig for Reid.— Millar, FS.A." The Late West Coast Mitbdeb. — We learn from our Hokitika contemporaries that the convict Noble has hade a complete confession of his guilt fco his spiritual attendant, tho Rev. Mr Shaw. He said fche ovidenco adduced against him was true in every particular. Meat Pbeskeving in Otaoo. — " The '• Times," understands tbat the Otago Meat Preserving Company will be ready to start operations in about a fortnight from this time. The factory afc Green [eland ia adapted when in full working ordor, for fcho conaumpfcion of 2000 sheep per week, or of cattlo in proportion. Dbedging roa Gold. — One of tho drodgea at Mount Benger, according to a eorreapondent of the " Bruce Herald" washea over a hundred ounces of gold a week. The lowness of tho river greatly facilitates dredging operations. Boat Aooident.— The " Colonist" of fcho the 7th instant, gives an account of a boat accident that happened afc fche Government Wharf, Nolson, on Sunduy lusfc. Ifc saya: — The boat atnrted for a fail, with Meaara Clark, Barnes, Wright, and John and James Pratt on board, a freight twice as greafc aa should have gone in her, bufc ifc being smooth water and ao very light a wind when thoy set off, it was not considered dangoroiiß. Tho wind gradually freshened and the ebb tide gathered Btrengtb, nnd after the lapso of about an hour it was thought well to return, as tho boat was taking in water, and afc longth got filled to tho thwarts. In trying fco mako the whurf, some wild steering occurred, and tho boat was running too fast for the stern of a barque, the Tell, moored against the wharf. Clark seeing tho danger of a collision, jumped up, and this swayed tho already water logged boat and she completely filled and sunk from under them, loaviug tho party struggling in deep water. Thero was a dingy half full of water fciod fco fche Tell, and fco this fche men clung, but sho kept capsizing over fchem rendering their position very hazardous. Barnes tried to Bwim to fche wharf, bufc his clothes impeded his movements, when a rope from the wharf camo to his hand, and ho was pulled ashore. Clark and Jaine* Pratt clung to a rope hanging over tho storn of tho Tell, John Pratt had caught a life buoy, and Wright was hanging on to tbe slern warp of tho ship, exhausting himself wifch struggling to raise his weight out of tho water instead of jusfc keeping himself floating. The men went down the moor-

ing rope of the Tell but could render no effectual assistance fco him, and in tbe meantime Wo boats started from fche stepß, but the North East wind which bad now set in, and the ebb tide, prevented any speed to tbe resouo. Mr Wright's position now became critical, as he was fast losing his strength and taking in water, when Captain Scotfc, of tbe Lyttelton, went down a Bmall rope into lhe water and holding this in one hand with the other he managed to pass a rope round Mr Wright, holding him the while with his teeth by the collar of fche coat, and he was hauled upon the wharf, Mr Tregea asaiafcing with dry clothing and ofcher comforts for the shipwrecked party. Death op one op Nelson's Men. — On October 18, there waa interred in Pontefract Ccmefcry a pensioner named James M'Donald, who had attained tho patriarchial age of 100 years on October 1. Deceased had been blind for nearly four years, and was in receipt of a pension of 2a per day. He waa with Lord Nelaon afc the battle of Trafalgar, and waa also through the whole of the Peninaular war. He wore three medals, one of which had eleven bars. Several old pensioner** followed tbe deceased to the grave. On tbe coffin was the following inscription: — 'James M'Donald, died 16th October, 1870. Aged 100 years.