LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3168, 8 April 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

City Council. — We direct the serious attention of ratepayers to the report of the proceedings of the City Council on Thursday last. They will there find food for reflection ; and we very much doubt if it can lead to any conclusion but the one— that the ratepayers will very soon have to dip deeper into their pocßets than they have had to do hitherto. There ie no blinking the facts that the municipal authorities have been, and are to a great extent working under difficulties. Every day their sphere of usefulness is becoming more extended ; every day the ratepayers discover that further Banitary and municipal improvements cught to be made ; but every one is loath to indicate how a corresponding fexpansion may be made in the means at the disposal of the Council. Each Councillor does his best for his own ward. Those from Te Aro becomo quite touching over their troubles; a cry comes from the Terrace that there is imminent danger they may be cut ofi 1 from ' their friends on tho Beach during the winter; while Thorndon thinks, and not without reason, that they have a prior claim over any other part of the town— that they in reality occupy the gateway through which the country enters all other parts of the town. Winter is coming rapidly upon üb, and already complaints aro pouring into the Council from every direction, accompanied by requests for the loan of the hard labor gang, or an expenditure to procure free labor. That these complaints are not moroly idle, nor dictated solely by an extra solicitude of property holders, a very short walk through the town will satisfy any one. Not that we would imply by this that there has been any remisness on the part of the board, or an undue attention to one part of the town more than another; but; that there aro I several spots which have become sorely familar in our oyee, no doubt because they require an extraordinary expenditure to make them whole. We do not'pretend to know the thoughts of the Council on these matters ; but we havo not failed to observe that at every sitting they aro made more cognisant of the wide gulf between the ends and the means. We would, however, suggest that if the stich-in-time philosophy be applicable to their caße — that if a judicious expenditure now would promise to be an ultimate economy — they should not hesitate to indicate that; such a thing is necessary, and ask for a special rate. A Juvenile Cricket Match. — A very pleasant and well contested match at cricket came off yesterday afternoon at Claphani'a Paddock between the members of two juvenile cricket clubs — tho Thorndon Star Club and the United Cricket Club. The play was on the whole very creditable to all the youngsters, but especially so to the " United," whioh, we understand has been in existence bvit a short time compared with tho "Star" club. As tho latter were victorious it will 6erve as an encouragemont to them to redouble their efforts, and also prove ft strong incentive to the others to impipve their play so as to regain the superiority that should by right belong to them. In the first innings the United went to the wickets; but the only one who distinguished himself was J. Moran, who succumbed to the btfvling of Roberts after making a score of 15, tin? last wicket fulling for a total score of 32. In the second innings the scoring was still worse. Moran, who did so well in the previous innings went out for a duck's egg, but tho club found a representative in H. M'Kenzio, who scored 12, besides bein# terribly destructive amongst the timber of their opponents, and otherwise making himself useful by catching out about half the team. During theso innings the fielding of the Thorndon Star Club was very creditable. The latter then went to the wickets, but the only one worthy of mention wasOsgood, who made a few neat hits to leg, but retired for half a dozen. The total score was 21. In their next innings Osgood was again conspicuous, making a score of 8, iv whioh were two hits for 2 This time tho score was increased to 26, which made their total score 47. The United having made 49, they wore victora by two runs, thereby winning a ball. Ab the match was exceedingly short, it was decided to play the return before leaving tho ground. This time the Star Club went to the wickets first, but the last wicket fell for a score of 19. Their second, however, was better, aa they made 31, chiefly owing to the play of Remington, who made 10. Tho United then went in and scored 32, M'Kenzieagain distinguish^ himself by scoring 11, amongst which were 3 successive hits for 3. She total score was 36. A falling off was noticeable in the second innings, only 20 being scored altogether, thus giving them the viotory by 2 runs, with three wickets to go down. A conquering match is to come off on the Queen's Birthday. Thb Anniveesaby Committee met at the Pier Hotel on Thursday evening, Captuin M Intjre in the chair. The balance sheet was so satisfactory that, after all expenses being paid, £6 was left to bank, to aid in the celebration of the following year. Shaw, Savill and Co.'s cup was handed over to the Telegraph boat's crew, duly filled, and emptied with honors. This concluded tho business.

Boat Accident. — By telegram we learn that a boat accident occurred in Queen Charlotte's Sound, on Wednesday afternoon last, at half-pust four o'olock. It appears tliat two men were in a bout proceeding from Picfcon to the Grovo Saw Mills. When on the way the boat capsized, and both men were unfortunately drowned. The name of one of the men is James Spencer Murray, aon-in-law of Mr James Sims, of Johnsonvillo, but we have been unable to learn the ntune of the other man.

Deamatic. — A meeting of members of the Press Amateur Dramatic Olnb will be held at the New Zealander Hotel, to-night at eight, for the election of officers and other business. Wo believe the pieces for the performance will be cast to-night.

New Zealand Institute. — We Lave to acknowledge the receipt of part 2, vol. 3 of the Proceeding of the Now Zealand Institute. Wo notice that members are informed ifc will be necessary to preserve the number, as it completes the annual volume o£ which it formß a part.