LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3197, 12 May 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Patka. — We observe in Taranahi and Wanganui papers paragraphs which would imply that the policy of the Government in reference to the return of natives to the Patea country has been changed. Wo have raado enquiry, and are glad to be nble to inform the settlors at Patea that the policy adopted eighteen months ago, and which has been attended with so much success, remains unchanged. What that policy was and is, may be understood by reference to the Premier's memorand on Patea affairs, published in the Appendix of House of Representatives of lash year, which received the general approbation of the House, including the members for West Coast. Nothing could in our opinion be moro foclish than for the Government, withsufc reason, to reverse a policy which bo far has been productive of tbe best results : afc all events, till the land question is finally settled, and the population is so firmly locatod as to make the return of natives on proper conditions, leas dangerous and unaatisfuctory than it would be at present. As far as we can learn, the Government had no intention of making any such change } and the Patea settlors need be under no apprehension that a step which they consider fraught with so much danger to them will be taken. The resettlement of the Patea country is one of the greatest successes the present Government have had, and they are not likely to abandon a policy which has beon at once so successful, and which hus given so much oncouragement to the returning settlers. Wo fool very confident they will not do it. Thk Commandments op the Council.— The City Council are not to be " done" by their employes in regard to a fair day's work, and have manufactured a sort of morul manacle to idleness and such other mild dissipations as town board carters and laborers are prone to indulge in. Wo recently called attention to the device of the paintod badge for the right arm of the carters as a preventutivo to the weakness for turning a penny by doing a casual job outside their legitimate employ, but within its time. Lattorly the vigilance of the engineer discovered a decided tendency to

yarning and idling, sometimes screened t>y the specious " smoke," and paying flying trips to the dram shops. It is not surprising, therefore, when the men display such looseness that the corrective hit upon should run to tho other extreme, and we accordingly found a sort of civic ukase placarded yesterday in the Market Hall. According to thia imperative document there are four com. mandments which laborers shall not break during the working hours under pain of instant dismissal from the service of the City Council. First, thou shalt not go into a public house to imbibe either a fermented or spirituous stimulant. Second, thou ahalt not accept a gratuity of any kind. Third, thou shftlt not smoke. Fourth, thou shalt not idle, neither shalt thou atand and talk. This is stringent enough, we imagine— many people will doubtless think it too much so— but there is no doubt that the conduct of many of those working for the Council is at times outrageously flagrant, bo that on the whole auch prohibitions are only what might be expected to be applied to servants who will not work unless watched.

An Extaordinary Position. — Shortly before dusk last night the signalman of the outer Btation caught sight of two men in a boat, well outside of Barrett's Reef. As it is common to see fishermen at all hours in that quarter coming and going, Mr Sawyer saw nothing remarkable in the circumstance until taking a cloaer look through his glass, ho saw the boat was but a cockle shell, and that only one of the men was pulling, the other apparently sitting still. A very heavy swell was rolling in from the southward, darkness waa creeping on apace, and the boat was making no progress, though the second man had commenced to labor at his oar. The signalman did not consider ranch on the matter, and immediately signalled to the pilot station acquainting them of the circumstances. He soon had the gratification of seeing the rescued men transfer themselves to the pilot boat, which started back with the small ono in tow. Whoever these two men may be, they are indebted, probably to the extent of their lives, to the chance glance of Mr Sawyer while taking a last sweep of the horizon before sundown. Once surrounded by darkness in a frail boat helplessly tossing in a heavy sea, they would huvo been fortunate indeed to have their eyes gladdened by another sunrise. Football. — A meeting will be held at the Branch Hotel this evening, at eight o'clock, with the object of forming a football club. Local Coaohmaeing. — Yesterday our attention wai called to a handsome, well built, and well finished express waggon, turned out of Mr Black's coach factory on Te Aro. Considering the amount of money we are con•tantly sending out of the colony for Sydney drays and for coach importations from Melbourne and elsewhere, it is a gratifying fact to learn that this waggon, one of the very best of the kind, actually cost less than a similar vehicle could be purchased for in Melbourne, not to mention freight, an important item in intercolonial trade. Portion of the woodwork is imported from America, the spokes being of hickory and the felloes of ash. An important addition to this waggon, and one which we trust is ere long to become a necessary appendnge to most other. vehicles which ply for hire about the streets of the city, is a light but effectual breuk, which, when put down, will render bolting not an easy matter. No doubt as customers find they cun obtain their carts and waggons made in the place at a less expense than they can import them for, the carriage-making business will become proportionately brisk. The City Council meet to-day at 4-p.m.

Yesterday's Polioe. — An affiliation case, in which the defendant is absent in another province, turned up in Court yesterday morning. Thomas Wyett, the defendant, was charged with not contributing to the support of his illegitimate child by Phoebe Sennex. On a legal objection raised by Mr Cheeseman his Worship reserved the point for consideration. Several school rate cases were heard, and judgment was given in each case for the plaintiff, H. Schultze, collector for the Kaiwrrra school committee.

The Basket Teick. — Tn tho last performance of the Gourlay Family, which takes place to-morrow evening, the famous and sensational " basket tvick" will be introduced for the first time in Wellington. The effect of tho trick is astonishing, in exciting the curiosity and apprehension of an audience. In a large basket, isolated from everything else on tho stage, Litfclo Minnio is carefully closed up. Master Johnny then cruelly pierces tho wicker work with a sword, and Minnie's screams follow each thrust, until they finally die out fainter and fainter into silence. Johnuy then peeps into the basket, but finds it empty, while Miss Minnio makes her appearance at a side door, saying, "Here I am, Johnny."

Wesleyaotsm. — It is proposed, Bays the " New Zealand Wesleyun," a Methodist publication in Christchurcb, to erect within the next ten years fifty new Wesleyan churches in London, at a cost of £300,000. Towards this sum Sir Francis Lycett offerß £50,000, on condition that the provinces contribute an equal amount j and the balance, 6200,000, is to be raised in London.

Cheap Labor job Flax Dressing. — Mr F. H. Troup writing to the "European Mail" on " New Zealand's future," suggests a remedy to those who cry ' flax don't pay,' the employment of Chinese labor. The writer says—' New Zealand flax, I am glad to say, is mating a home and a place for itself hore, even against unfair competition, and, when cultivated quantities and of a better quality, will no doubt form, both to England and America, a most important staple export of the colony. lam inclined to the opinion that Chinese labor imported from California would make this a much better payirjg article to the colonist than under the present system of employing highly remunerated Europeans*. I was very much struck, while in that wonderfully prolific country somo months ago, v/ith the versatile character of the Chinamen. Th<iy appear to do everythihg and be everywhere. They cook, wash, plough, work in gangs on the railway, grow vegetables, and tend vines for half the wages demandod by a lazy Irishman, and with double the amount of faithfulness and proficiency displayed by the latter. Of course it is an admitted fact that the Chinese make bad colonists, for reasons it is unnecessary to repeat hero j but while on the flax question and now that we are to be in communication every twenty-four days with San Francisco , and think the hint will do no harm to those who cry ' flax does not pay.' An experiment of, say, fifty Chinamen, would practically test the matter. I think it worthy of remark that the Black Sea Conference now sitting hero possesses more interest for New Zealand than would be at first supposed, as, in the event of hostilities betwixt this country and .Russia, flux of all kinds would rise considerably, reminding one of the impetus given t* the juto trade with India during the Crimean war, and the demand for Egyptian cotton and seed during the American civil war. At the samo time I feel sure that such an event would be considered as a groat calamity in Now Zealand as it would bo in Great Britain."

Electrical Phenomenon-. — The telegraph operator ut Santa Fe, New Mexico, writes, on February 23rd, to the Santa Fe " Post," the following : — A most singular electrical phenomenon took place on the telegraph lino running into this city yesterday. On returning from dinner I noticed an unusual strength of electricity on the lino. This continued to inorease in a wonderful manner. The main battery — that is, tho battery which generatea tho electricity for working the entire wire — was entirely disconnected from the line j tho operating key was then thrown open, which is exactly the same as breaking the wire and leaving the the two ends about the eighth of an inch apart. The lino had become so hoavily charged with electricity that the current passed between the two points, emitting a most beautiful and brilliant light, at times nearly as large as a candle blaze, but much more intense, accompanied with a hissing sound similar to escaping gas, and a strong sulphurous smell, I

placed pieces of paper between the two points, but this did not stop the wonderful flow of electricity, which passed through the paper, burning little round holes as the paper was moved. This singular phenomenon lasted nearly two hours, when it gradually died away. The same circumstance took place in Las Vegas and Fort Union. The same thing has been known to occcur on western wires hefore, but is very uncommon, and generally, if not always, during a high wind. I should judge the current was equal to a thousand cups of battery. We use, to work the the wire, about thirty-five. Mb A. S. Hamilton, the phrenologist, who may not be entirely forgotten by our readers in this town, appears atill to possess in all its fr«ahnesß his old trick of getting into hot water. The " Cornwall Chronicle" (Launceston) says : — " Quite a sensation was caused in Brisbane street on Thursday morning, 6th instant, by afmcas. Mr W. B. Dean, baker, wns walking down th« street with a whip under his arm, when he met Mr A. S. Hamilton, a lecturer on phrenology, who last week arrived from Melbourne. Mr Dean asked the other if his name was Hamilton, and on receiving & reply in the affirmative, proceeded to inflict an unmistakeable horsewhipping. A large number of persons assembled, and in a fe\r minutes tho parties were separated, and Mr Dean returned to his house. Various causes are assigned for the step taken by Mr Dean, but as the case is likely to come before the Police Bench on Tuesday next, all the circum* (stances will then be elicited."

An American Strike. — A strike of an un« precodented nature has just taken place in the coal mining districts of Pennsylvania, by which 100,000 men have ceased work. A despatch from New York states that all the collieries in the Schuylkill County and the Lehigh and Wioining Valleys struck work on the 10th instant. By the terms of an agreement these 100,000 men, in consideration of stopping from work for a month, and receiving in the meantime aid from an organised strike association, have agreed to become members, which they hare hitherto declined to do. This strike which comes very unexpectedly, throws 100,000 men out of employment, the numbor beiug distributed as follows : — ln the employ of the " big companies," 35,000 men ; Wioming Valley pita, 5000 ; in the Lehigh Valley pits, 15,000; and in Schuylkill Valloy pits, 45,000. In consequence. of this great strike a large number of railroad employes will also, doubtless, be thrown out of employment; and the Deloware, Lackawana, and Western Railroad, which transports 700 waggon loads of coal each day, will probably discharge about 150 engine drivers, atokefls, and brakemen. The Central Kailroad, which transports about 2000 waggon loads of coal each day, will be compelled to dispense with the serv'ces of 100 engine drivers and stokers, and 300 brakesmen.

A Petrified Body. — The body of a lad, aged five years, son of J. M. Brown, formerly clerk of Treadwell & Co, who died January 30th, 1858, says the Marysville " Standard" of the 11th inst., was disinterred a few days ago for the purpose of sending it to an uncle of the deceased (the father and mother being dead). The coffin being very heavy, the lid wae broken open in lifting it from the grave, when the body was discovered to bo in a remarkable stato of petrifaction. The head, face, neck, ears, and hands all remained intact. One eye was as natural as when first closed, with the eyelashes undecayed. The hair of the head was also long and firmly attached, Our sextonß, who have disinterred many bodieß, remark the case as singular and unprecedented. The body is shipped by the Governor Dana to-day to P. Craig & Co, undertakers, San Francisco.

Japanese Customs. — A Yokohama correspondent of the " San Francisca News Letter," furnishes the following : — Talking of heathen reminds me of the Japanese, who are ahoufc the biggest heathens under the sun. I went the other day to see a Japanese funeral, and though by some unfortunate cause — it waßH't dil Ires — I was too Life to see the procession, I saw the burning of the corpse. A largo hole sufficient to receive the body is dug in the ground, fuel is placed under it, and the light is applied. For the first few seconds nothing extraordinnry resulted; but in about the space of five minutes a most awful stench sprung up, and the heathens commenced their solemn incantations and I looked for v moans of escape, but I was hemmed in by the " men and brothors" and had to stay it out. By-and-bye, however, the skull went " bang !" and it appeared that the most awful point of the disgusting ceremony had arrived, for with one accord "an interval of ten minutes for refreshments" was ordered and I escaped. Of all the abominations tbia body burning is the greatest, and though it is perhaps one of the sights of Yokohama, I wouldn't advise any one to " makee look see." There is one point about the Japanese which I must mention. They have uo swearing in their language, and so they import into it the naughty words of other nations. We hear a man speaking of his horse jiggy jfggy — God damn, Hyaku Saptisfci, etc. To hear two Japanese abuse each other is peculiarly edifying. They run out a string of oaths, all of different languages, without knowing the meaning, or indeed caring. But that's a trait to be found in other people besides the Japanese. "So Sayonara," which being interpreted means " Good-bye."

Gas Weliß. — Gas wells of a very remarkable nature have been discovered in Ohio, and described by Dr Newberry, of the geological survey of that State. Near Millwood two wells give out oil ; two or three miles below these, in the valley of the Kokosing, borings have been made, and at the depth of 600 feet the augers struck into vertical crevices, and sunk several feet without resistancs. From theße borings such a volume of carburetted hydrogen issued ac was unparalleled in any of the oil explorations. The wells give out salt water intermittingly, throwing it to a height of more than 100 feat. The gae of one of these wellß, lighted at the end of a, pipe two inches in the clear, set in the well-head, produced a jet of llame 20 feet long, and as large as a hog&head. The gtis appears to be pure, and in quantity sufficient to light a large city.

Ekasons fob Deseetion. — We give a few of the curious reasons assigned for desertion by men admitted into the military prison, Dublin, having been sentenced to be marked with the letter D. as being deserters : " Harrassed and annoyed in his company. Married without leave ; wife and child. Went on tho spree and missed the boat. Went from Halifax to Boston ; womon and drink. Returning off furlough was robbed, and then would not come back. Tormented by tho serjeant-major. Didn't like the service. Tho vagabond women in Church street kept him absent. Mar ried without louva ; refused a pass. Because I wua not punished fair. Bothered by tho Beijeant-major. Tried for disgraceful conduct, and got no peace afterwards. Went to Punchestown races. Would rather be a sailor. Coaxed to go by a comrade. Inveigled away by a oomrade. Tea:ed and annoyed. Didn't like soldiering. Gh)t married without leave ; 6pree. Didn't like riding. Got drunk and went mad. Picked up by a girl and stopped ; absent. Met with a young 'un ; was robbed, stripped naked ; ashamed to como back. Was left money by his uncle ; went on a spree. Went with friends to tho races. Kan home to my mother."

Aetifioial lce.-— Tho " English Mechanic says : — A few weeks back we called attention to tho economic production of artificial ice by a machine exhibited in America. We were not aware, however, that our Transatlantic cousins hud oarried the matter so far m to employ it in the manufacture of a skating rink. We now learn that one of the moat prominent attractions of the fair of the American Institute was the arilfieial skating pond. The bottom of a shallow water-tight tank, exposing a tolerably large surface, say equal to that of a common parlor, was covered with a gridiron of gaspipc, through which flowed a refrigerating fluid. Of couroß the water covering tingaspipe was soon frozen, and the pond wna then ready for the skaters. The machine uhi> ' for producing tho cold was that of M. C;in\

whioh employs the evaporation of ammonia as a source of cold, but differs from the Tellier machine in the fact that the ammonia is ÜBed in a Btate of solution in water ; while the Tellier machine employs the condensed gas.

A Disintegrated Life. — According to a statistician, taken the mean of many accounts, a rar.n fifty years of age has slept 6000 days ; worked 6500 days ; walked 800 days ; amused himself 4000 days ; was eating 1500 days ; wns sick 500 days, &a. He ate 9000 pounds of bread ; 14,000 pounds of meat ; 4000 pounds of vegetables, eggs, and fish, and drank 7000 gallons. This would make a respectable lake of 800 feet surface and three feet deep.

Leave or Die ! — A correspondent of Denton " Monitor" says a handsome, dashing woman rode into a village in that region a few days age, and, alighting from her horse, went rapidly to a drinking saloon, where a number of sovereigns were having a " hightime." She singled out the finest looking man in the crowd, and, walked up to him, seized him by the arm and ordered him to put down the glass which he was about to drain. He dashed down the glass and rushed away ; the lady followed, and finally cornered him in the billiard-room. She told him in a firm and determined voice, that the place he was in and the course he was pursuing would not answer for her husband ; that he was wasting her property, and that she would no longer consent to be disgraced and impoverished by him. She demanded his pistol. He refused. She took it from him, cocked it, and presented it at him, and told him he must leave or die. He concluded to leave. She marched him out as a prisoner of war to where his horse was hitched, ordered him to mount, and in a few minutes the two were leaving town, the wife riding in the rear of her captured lord, with Mb six-shooter in her hand.

Things in San Fbancisco.— -Tha " NewZealand Herald" publishes the following extracts from a private letter received from an Aucklander in San Francisco : — Things here are dreadfully quiet ; trade evidently seems overdone ; many people are leaving. However I "am told that an improvement in business is early looked for. My life here is very monotonous, and I should like to be more active. I do enjoy plenty of work. From what I can gleen, salaries range from 50 dollars up to 300 dollars per month. Living her© can be done very cheaply. I will give you an idea how I pull through. I pay for my bedroom (which is most comfortable, furnished well, and in a good situation) two and a half dollars per week. Eat breakfast at a restaurant for from 20 cents to 25 cents (lOd to Is). This Jprovides you with coffee, two chops, bread and hot roll, butter, raddiahes, and, if at Is, some nice buckwheat cakes and syrup. For punoh, by going into a bar, and taking a glass of lager-beer (awfully weak), 15 cents (7d), you can have soup or a slice of corned beef, with potatoes, free ; and this is one of the best bars in town (Exchange). Dinner costs me from 25 to 50 cents, sometimes 20 cents ; at 50 cents you can hare a crack feed. So, you see, one can save money here if he has the will. I stayed in the Occidental Hotel for a week (one of the best in San Francisco), which cost me 12 dollars a day, and not overmuch, when you .take into account the style. I have been in many hotels in Europe, but the Occidental surpasses all. Strange to see whole families staying in a hotel. • American women don't care about the trouble of housekeeping. I have been all over the environs of San Francisco. I get along with the folks here very well, and will soon come into their habits. '

. . . Heard Punshon last night, and was much pleased. You muafc hear him if he comes to New Zealand. Some very nice fellows here are daily increasing my cirolo of friends. . . - . And now good-bye, &c. Mr Webb has not yet opened an office hero, but I understand will shortly do so." The Pea-nut Plant. — A correspondent of the " Melbourne Argus" furnishes the following interesting facts respecting this nut : — Accompanying this note is the "pea-nut" plant with nuts attached, which I have succeeded in growing to maturity. It has been for many years said that it was an impossibility to grow them here, but while waiting for the arrival of the WongaWonga, s.s., at Honolulu, I procured a number of these nuts fresh from the interior of the island of Oahu (Sandwich Islands), and have succeeded as above. The pea-nut is a leguminous plant, remarkable for its habit of thrusting its fruit into the ground to ripen. It is extensively cultivated in the United States. The nuts are planted in row's about 3ft apart, and from lft to 18in asunder, according to the quality of the land. On naturally good ground the yield is often 125 bushels to an acre, which, at say 3dol per bushel, is as profitable a crop as can be grown. Skilful husbandry will, however, produce heavier orops. Pea-nuts are frequently seen in London, where they are known as ground or gouba pens. The oil pressed out of the nut is reported to be equal to olive, and sold largely in France as pure olive oil. As a fodder plant it may be grown profitably. The nuts are roasted as one would do coffee previous to using, only they require constant turning to prevent burning, as they are of an oily nature.