LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3175, 17 April 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Supeiuntendknoy. — A meeting of tho supporters of Mr Fitzherbert's candidature will be held at the Athenamm to-day nt noon. The Pleasures of a policeman, or the contrary, as it may appear to be regarded, were Btrikingly exhibited yesterday in tho arrest of two inebriates — a man and a woman. Tho unfor tunute woman was found helplessly drunk just as people were coming out of church yesterday evening. As no conveyance was to be had, and the woman — not frail in the avoirdupois way — weighed about fifteen atone, the littlo job of tho constables may be imagined. In the ease of the male tippler tho police were more fortunate in procuring a cart, though the subject was equally helpless. A Ducking. — A young lad named Rood fell off the Queen's wharf, near tho ship England yesterday. For some time tho little fellow was in considerable danger. Tho mussels on tho piles afforded him a temporaay help, but did not support him long. Help was, however, soon at hand, and the youngster rescued. Fibe AT the Hutt. — Tho glare of a fire in tho Hutt valley was scon in town on Saturday night. We learn since that it proceeded from a barn belonging to Mr H. Churcher, Taita. A Smabt Capture. — A robbery was committed at the Hutt on Saturday morning about half-pnßt ten, and by 2 o'ciock the same evening Sergeant Monagnan had the thief in tho lock-up, The man's name ia M'Curquadale, and the theft was of some clothing bolonging to a surveyor named Smith while absent from bis hut. The thief will bo brought up this morning. TnE Late Rifle Match. — In an advertisement elsewhere tho Joint Match Committee tender their thanks to those persons who generously contributed money and articles towards making up prizes for the match on Easter Monday. We have been informed that many of those who contributed for that match have expressed their willingness to again do so in a similar manner for a match to be fired on tho Prince of Wales Birthday. Ball. — We learn that a ball will be given at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Thursday, tho 20th instant, prior to the departure of H. M.S. Virago. Mb Hoskins and Miss Cot/vixlh, who have lately been delighting southern audiences, wore passengers by tho Taranaki. Thay intend performing at the Odd Follows' Hull thia evening — the only night they will be hero, as they proceed North by tho Tarnnulci. As they are highly spoken of by Southern journals, we presume they will haro a good house. West Coast Land Doings. — The County Council of Westland has passed two important, resolutions to the effect that 17,000 acre 3, twelve miles from Hokitika, bliouUl bo laid open for sale, at 10s per acre, and 50,000 acres at the Haast River, at the same price, on small yearly payments. Welt, Informed — Tho "Oamaru Times" unnouncos that tho General Assembly will moet for the despatch of business in the first or second week of July. It also publishes a rumor to the effect that Mr Yogel has beon accredited to tho Washington Cabinet by the British Government. Clutiia Railway. — The Otago " Times" says that work on section 1 of the Clutha railway goes on apace. Some sixty mon aro nov employed, and the place where they are at work presents n busy scene, such os any spot in the neighborhood of the city has not exhibited for some time past. The site of operations is the furthest side of the rise between Dunedin and Caversham. A gang of men are also employed at the quarries hard by, whence debris is being carted for use in forming a lino of earthwork. .Rifle Match at the Hutt. — Wo learn that the City Volunteers have accepted a challenge from the Hutt Volunteers to fire a mat el) — twelve on each Bide — the ranges to bi> 400, 500, nnd GOO yards, kneeling at the first, and any position at the latter two ranges. The match will come off on Wednesday, the 26th, ot the Hutt Scab in SnrcEr. — Tho " Wanganni Chronicle" says : — Wo tiro sorry to learn that seah has been discovered in several flocks of sheep in Rangitikei. Mr M'Kelvio, Mr Winks, and some others, aro taking active means for ita eradication, but it is a long and oxponsivo process. Accidents. — At Wanganui, on Wednesday aftornoon last, a little girl, daughter of Mr Chavannes, was ridden over by some horse- | men, and had hor thigh-bono broken. — Another accident occurred at St John's Bush, by which Mrs Merrion fell into tho cellar of Mr Cathro's Hotel, and broko her thigh. Being upwards of eighty years of age, foars are entertained of tho result, but so fur she is progressing favorably.

Wai-nui-o-Mata Rifle Match. — The members of the Wai-nui o-mafca Riflo Volunteers met at tho rifle butts on Saturday, the Bfck inst. The match was between the married and singlo, and tho day was beautifully fine, and the shooting good on both sides. The married mon, however, proved the victors by 33 points. Aftor the match, the ladies of the valley, always ready to promote enjoyment and to join in a day's pleasure, providod lunch. After lunch was disposed of, and the lddios cheered to tho echo for their kind provision and the pleasure of their company, a variety of ooen air games were indulged in during tho romainder of the day, which proved a pleasant day's diversion to all. Another match is to be firod on the Queen's Birthday. Another DiscovEizy in Flax Dressing. —The "Turar.aki Herald" of the 6th roports that tho late gale caused a great injury to vegetation by carrying with it salt spray which hns withered up tho leaves of plants. Mr Williamson, of St. John's Nur9ery, noticed its effects on the flux leaf, and found fchatit produced a chemical effect which enabled him to bare the fibre with his hand, leaving it in that silky and glos3y state so much desired by those engaged in the trade. He has communicated the result of his discovery to Dr. Elector, and we may soon expect to hear the test has been applied, with the reßult. It is strange thnt when Dr. Hector submitted tho flax to numerous chemical tests ho omitted tho almost obvious one, which accident has suggested. FuflOTS Gathering —A Taranabi paper, in answering enquiries as to what sort of fungus is required by Mr A. Tong, says : — We understand that the South Sea Islanders dispose of a great quantity in barter for cotton goods with tlioso trading there, and get a value of about 2d per lb. The fungi required, wo believe, resembles something like a man's eav, and is used by the Chinese as a vegobiblo. There is another kind of fungua which they use for manufacturing into a sort of pastil to bui".i in thoir joss houses. The Mail Contract. — The Auckland " Evening News" seems to be favored with special intelligence. In tho issue of the Bth it states : — Tho new nviil contract is, we ob serve, published in the Wellington " Advertiser" of tho 25th and 27th of March, inexlenso. Tt is what wo said it was represented to us as being a contract between Mr Yogel and Mr Stewart, of the firm of Stewart and Collie, of San Francisco, on behalf of Messrs Webb aud Holladuy, of New York, and is dated March the sth, that is, ten days before Congress is reported to have rejected the proposal to subsidise this or any other steam postal lino. Wo should also mention that Mr 11. H. Hall distinctly reported to us that Mr Webb had repudiated this contract between Mr Yogel and Mr Stewart, just as he had repudiated the previous one between Mr Vogol and Mr Noilson. Whether that be so or not, we shall doubtless know for a certainty when the City of Melbourne arrives on the 11th instant, and until then it would bo usoless to enter on any further discussion on the subject. Tho Nevada was to leave San Francisco on Friday, March the 31st, and is expected here on or about the 28th of this month. On hor arrival, we shall be put in possession of the arrangemont under which she comes. Fined a Shilling. — The Wanganui " Herald" of the 13th April is responsible for the following : — Mr Henry Anderson thought proper to defend his moral character at the hustings, and ho offered the following account of his appearance at tho Resident Magistrate's Court in Wanganui : — " He was fined one shilling in Wanganui for kicking a man out of his ofllce." This is simply a gratuitous falsehood, He might have kicked a man out of his oflico, bub tho rocords of the Resident Magistrate's Court does not show that he was ever brought up for tho offence. Is this por son, then, qualified for such an office as tho Superintendoncy ? But he was brought up for another oftvnee, that of being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting the policemen in tho execution of their duty. When he caino into tho dock he was not in a fit state to receive judgment, and he was remanded to be brought up again at 3 o'clock ; but when that time came ho was insensible. Those are hard and indisputable facts. Is this person, then, qualified for such an ofllce asthoSuperintendency ? This ie a time when tho truth must be told. Anderson's blasphemy about our -aviour delivering the woman taken in adultery, by the words, " Ho that is without sin among you, let him cast tho first stone at her," does not apply. There is no authority that the woman in question was a fit person to prsiide over a society of pure women ; neither is there authority, eot analoffid, for Mr Anderson being a fit person to preside over tho province. New Dock Woeks. — A correspondent furnishes tho " Otago Daily Times" some additional information respecting the dock works at Oamaru. He says : — The Oamaru Dock works aro fairly commenced at last. The first five largo blocks of concrete have been moulded by tho contractor, Mr Walkem, on the ehingle bank near the logoon. Each block contains 3 0 cubic feet, and weighs over 20 tons. The con- j Crete is made by a mixture of one part of Portland cement, with fivo partß of shingle and j one of sand, each by measure. Part of tho shingle is whole, and part broken, and after it is mixed it is> put, into tho wooden mould and well rammed. Tho mould is made of thick planks and braced with iron, and can readily be taken apart, as it is all fastened by screwbolts. As soon ns tho block is act sufficiently — that is, after a hvf days — the mould is taken off and is ready for another block. A largo quantity of cement is required, as each block takes about thirteen casks. Only 900 casks have as yet been imported for the Trust, and these are stowed in Oamaru, and will very soon bo used up ; it is White and Son's best Portland, and proves to be of excellent quality. ! Foeest Trees. — A notification in the Otago I Provincial Government Gazette states that the Provincial Government is prepared to receive applications from porsous desirous of taking up land for the purposo of planting forest trees. Each applicant will be allowed to take up an area of land not exceeding 250 acres, to be selected in any part of tho province: provided that, if within goldlields the warden of tho district will be required to report, and should the application be granted, it. will be subject to the provisions of the Agricultural Lease. Regulations, as to entry to mine or prospect for gold. Any person whose application is accepted will be required, during the first year, to fence in the whole, of the area granted to him, and to plant with approved forest trees one-fifth of the area during each of the second, third, and fourth years. Tho remaining fifth may bo U3ed for cultivation at the option of the occupant. As soon us these conditions are fulfilled, the occupant will be entitled to receive a Crown grant, froe of cost VOLUNTKKHING ENTHUSrASM. — The " OtagO Times," A.pril 5, says :— Six volunteer coinpanics havo been lat. ly formed, out not yet. gazi'Wi'd. They arc. the Wakutip Rifles, with from HO to 70 member* ; tho Lawrence Kifle-i. <M> members; tl.e b ue-kin Rifles, 45 members; the Peninsula Rifles, 21 mom hers; the Ouinaru Grammar School Ciilet Ritles, 32 members ; nnd the Tokoin liriro Grammar Sch. lol Cadet, Ritles, 32 nn-m'iers. We give the numbers of o:»'h company approximately Tlics-e companies are turninir the interval in \vhi>-h the acceptance of their services by the Gove nineiit, is pending, to good account by busiiy drilling. The Port Chalmers Grammur School cadets, in number about 30 nre in training, but application has not, yet boon made for their formation into a company. In the North-Bast Valley district, and in connection with the Nonh Dunedin Rifles, a cadet company is in course of organisation, inut now numbers nearly 40 members. Aa an accession to our volunteer force wo have nn entire company — the Fire Brigade — whose members woro sworn in by Major Atkinson on Monday night lust. New Wollkn Manufactory.— -In reference to tho wollen manufactory about to be established by Mr Arthur J. Burns, at Mosi'iel, Rnst Tiiieri, to which wo havo biforo called attention, wo now learn from Otago papers

that the plant was shipped on tho Helenslee, which sailed from Glasgow on tho 27th January, and may be expected here about the first of next month. It consists of a full act of carding engineß, one pair of mules with 650 Bpindlea, four blanket and two tweed looms, finishing, washing, and milling machij nery, and a pair of engines of thirty-two horse power, with Cornish boilers having Galloway's tubes. Tho machinery is of the j very best description, and contains the latest improvements. Coming out as passengers by fcho same vessel there are twonty-four workmen — twenty-one of whom are adults — and ! ; n gentleman to manage the establishment who has had extensive experiehce in some of the best manufactories in Lanarkshire and other parts of Great Britain. It is expected that tho works will be in operation by the month of August next. The Tehxhuph to New Plymouth. — The last surveyor's peg of tho telegraph line between Stoncy River and New Plymouth was driven into the ground near tho Post Office on Monday last. The line between Patea and Hawera, wo understand, is completod, the poles having been erected and the wires stretched on them. The telegraph staff arc now engaged in fixing the poles between the lattor place and 000. It will, therefore, not be long, at this rate, before wo are connected by tho telegraph with other parts of the colony. Wo are also glad to hear that the Pariaka natives have consented to a. low the telegraph to cross their land, so now there will be no difficulty in connecting tho line right through. — Tavanaki paper. Auckland- made Rope. — The "Cross" calls attention to the fact that it was at Air Lloyd's steam rope walk, in Auckland, where the example of ropo taken by the Resaca was i manufactured, and adds : — " Mr Lloyd's rope- | walk is now of a very extensive and complete j kind, with all the latest improvements in the j trade. The ropes are oven tarred by steam, and the tar itself is also heated by steam in a wooden boiler. There is no doubt that the highly-favorable report made of the triul by Die Resaca will have some effect in not only I inducing tho merchants in Auckland to use the rope, but also to bring about a largo export of the article." Nelson Races. — A Wanganui contemporary reports : — We have been informed that Mr John Walker of Aramoho, rode Slander, the winner of tho Criterion Stakes and Eree Handicap in yesterday's races at Nelson. A Letter from Te Hiba. — Wo (" Cross") have beon obligingly furnished with a letter sent from To Hira toHoriTupaea, of Cabbnge Bay. Tho following is a translation of the document : — " Ohinemuri, February 22, 1871. —To the Ngatitamatora Hauhaus and Queen - ites, at Shortland. Listen ! To EEunia has arrived here to stop the mail. He has beon talking with To Turi. Turi said, ' Como, Hunia, it remains with tho tribe ; you will po by what tho tribe has to say : Hauraraki is to be opened up to confuse fcho tribes. Now that Hauraki is opened, when all the tribes muster, then they will speak to you and give you their opinion. Hunia said he must go and stop Hori Tupea, and then he will roturn. This is all tho word that wo havo to say to you." BoDr-SxATCHEKS.— Regularly as every winter comes round, says the "Montreal Witnes," and the medical colleges ope», wo hear of cases of body-snatching, and although search warrants havo been frequently issued by our courts, yet somehow the resurrectionists contrive to elude detection. Early last week some young Montrealers visited Sorel, and under the cover of a dark night made a raid on a gravejard, disinterred the body of a young woman who had only been buried a few days previous, and carried off tho corpse. They left some of tho " dead clothes" about, which led to the affair being discovered. The police in Montreal were apprised of the affair, and although the steamboats and railway trains have been watched, no trane of tho body has yet been found, although it is believed it was brought to this city. This body-snatching, with one or two mon, is quito a profession, and during a season thoy will bring perhaps between thirty and sixty subjects, which are worth from $15 to $22, according to the demand and supply. We have heard of one case which occurred in a dissecting room in this city two years ago of the oorpse of a young woman, when laid on the table, being recognised as that of a Btudent's sister, who had diod only two weeks previous. Such cases as the above aro very rare, but somewhat similar ones havo occurred of students being called to operate upon the corpses of people whom thoy havo known in life. What is a Professional ? — We see by a Tasmanian paper that the question, " What is a Professional ?" was discussed at tho Court of Requests held at Hobarton on Thursday before Mr Commissioner A. B. Jones, in Church v. Foster, when an appeal from the Registrar was h'-ard. Tho Registrar had allowed a sura of 18s to Mr Yatee, a town witness for the plaintiff on the trial, the objection taken by the defendant's attorney being, that 89 "Parliamentary agent and newspaper editor" the witness did not. come under tho description of a member of a profession. Mr Church argued on the authority of " Walker's Dictionary" that a newspaper editor was a professional man within the terms of tho schedule. Charles Dickens did not belong to either of what were callod tho learned professions, for ho was only three months in a lawyer's office, from which he boltod, but who would say he was not a professional man ? William Makopoace Thackeray, was he not a professional man ? Actors are considered to belong to a profession. The learned gentleman submittod that the witness came within tho designation of professional j men, and that Mr Reynolds was right in allowing his expenses. Mr Mitchell said the I whole object of the Legislature was to cut down expenses in that Court, and contended that Mr Yates was not a professional man ; ho did not belong to either of tlio learned professions, law, divinity, or medicine ; ho was only a parliamentary agent, or a newspaper oditor. Mr Church admitted that thnre wore boiup editors who wore not learned. (A laugh). Tho Commissioner : O yes, just as there are some lawyers who are not, learned. (Loud laughter) , I think a newspaper oditor must be a professional man. In those days especially an editor cannot curry on a newspaper without education. I don't know uny avocation which requires so muoh. Certaiuly, as far a 9 England jjoes, editors of the loading newspapers, as well as those in the colonies, require inoro learning and education than any other profession. His Honor uphold the allowance accordingly. Novel but Logical — The " Now York World," discussing tho Chinese labor question says:— "lf Mr Sampson, of North Adams, has invontod orimportod a machine so skilfully contrived that leather could bo flung into it like corn in tho hopper of a grist- mill, and came out in the form of boots, as tho corn is ground into meal, tho interest oxcitcd by such a machine would be comparatively slight. Why should the working-classes make an indignant protest agiiinst tho coolie labor any more than against tho steam-engine, the power-loom, tho sewing- machine, or (ho now agricultural implements? Ono steam-engine will do tho work of a dozen mon, and it subsists on less than any ono man of tho dozen. If a speoios of monkey had been discovered in China capable of performing human work without any human wants, thoir importation and propagation would not bo very stoutly opposed j and yet our labor-organisutions aro thrown into a great ferment by the omploy mont of a raoo who bear some resemblance to eufih a tribo of capable monkeys." Pholific — There is at present in Montreal a widow of twenty-two, who is the mother of nine children. Sho was married at sixteon, and, before her seventeenth birthday, presented her lord with twins ; the following year she produced, at on 6 birth, three boys ; tho next, year sho had twins, and repeated the performance tho following year— making nine children, tho. oldcpf; being barely four. The children aro ull liviug and doing well.