LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3203, 19 May 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Mb Bainie, a Trustee in Bankruptcy, writes to us a long letter in answer to one which lately appeared in our columns, signed "A Creditor." Mr Bainie appears to have misapprehended " A Creditor," and his explanations wo consider unnecessary. It does nob appear to us that any reflection was cast upon Mr Eainio individually, the letter only dealing with the unsatisfactory state of the law. Tiie City Council will hold a special meeting at their offices to-day, at 4 p.m. N.Z.S.S. Company. — The attention of shareholders in tho N.Z.S.S. Company, and of persons desirous of heeoming shareholders, is called for Monday next, the 22nd inst., at tho offices ot Messrs Bcthuno & Hunter (late N.Z.S.N. Company's offices) for the purpose of finally discussing matters connected with the formation of a comptete and strong company, Football Club. — A meeting of tho committee of tho Football Club will be held at tho Branch Hotel this evening at eight o'clock. Tjie Permissive Bill, — The man Morn's, the Permissive Bill champion, will muko his appearance, on remand, at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. Choral Society. — A very satisfactory practice of the " May Queen" was gone through by the Choral Society last evening, the solos and choruses being done in bucli a way as> to ensure a great treat on the occasion of its presentation to tho public, which will take place at an eavly date. Testimonial to Me Woon. — A telegram in another column informs us that the inhabitants of Wanganui have presented to Mr R. W, Woon a testimonial as an acknowledgment of the beneficial influence of Mb services in settling tho complicated land clainiß of the natives on the Wanganui river. Bevising Court.— J. GK Allan, Esq, Revising Officer, sat in tho Supreme Court yesterday, for tho purpose of going through the list of objections to claims to vote on the roll of tho Wellington Country District. Nearly all tho objections made were sustained.

The Go-a-Head. — The departure of the 6.8. Go-a-Head for the West Coast ports had to bo delayed from yesterday till to-day, in consequence of the flood in the Manawatu River. Resident Magistrate's Coubt.— There was no criminal business before the Court yesterday morning. Enigmahcal. — For the past three or four months a number of "smart" paragraphs, profusely garlanded with billiard-room slang and stable-boy facefcia?, have being going the round of the interprovincial papers, having reference to a Miss Smith and her multitudinous performances as a "smart" young woman. Who the lady is, what her antecedents are, and what her prospects in the future, we confess to be in entire ignorance. The surname is certainly familiar, but aa to the entity ov identity of the prominent character about whom so many "smart" things hare been written, we are completely benighted. Our lamentable want of " information" as to the facts is the move to be regretted seeing that Wellington is mentioned as soon to bo the scene of some of the prodigiou.3 performances of the aforesaid Miss Smith, but after all our ignorance would not seem to be so reprehensible as that displayed by the Christchuvch papers, who certainly should know something of the wonderful feats represented in the " smart" paragraphs to have been performed in that city. Perplexity in the matter suggests another hypothesis. Is the whole thing a fiction ? Can it bo that an irrepressible genius has inspired the " smart" scribbler once more to "give to airy nothing a local habitation and a name." Ifc may perhaps be considered ungenerous to damn these sparkling effusions with faint praise, but as every dog must have hi 3 day even in " smart " paragraph writing, wo cannot refrain from reminding the author of these insensate productions that. " ten thousand fools unsung are still in view." Opening tjp the Ohinemuri. — If our Auckland telegram may bo relied on when it states that; the long-vexed difficulty regarding i the throwing open to the diggers the presumably auriferous lands of Ohinemuri, has been accomplished, that fact may be regarded as most fortunate for the province of Auckland, and gratifying to the colony at large. The opening of this valuable country— for we learn on good practical authority that its auriferous wealth is undoubted — will not only present a fine field for the enterprise of the dissatisfied of tho gold-mining population of the colony, but will, if in any degree successful, impart a stimulus to many branches of trade. It is much better that the matter should have been settled slowly and peacefully than that the diggers should have attempted to force their way, as was ill-advised by some. We trust that this is but an earnest of all other native difficulties being surmounted peaceably and satisfactorily to both races. A Wellington Theatre. — Rumors have doubtless reached most of our town readers that preliminary steps have been taken with the view to the erection of a theatre in this city by means of a joint stock company. Had tho speculation been based merely on the ground that a theatre was wanted, and that therefore it was reasonable to suppose the expenditure necessary would yield a profit, we might have entertained doubts on such an i anticipation. Wo are glad to learn, however, that ifc is not so — that it is not merely the erection of a theatre tho promoters have in 1 view, but a building adapted to meet a variety of civic requirements in a greater degree than i any building we now possess. The Odd Fel- [ lows' Hall has hitherto served for our diningroom, theatre, ball-room, and the varied performances and amusements incidental to town life'; and though ifc may have been in a manner equal to most of the demands made upon it, ! it is also certain that it cannot always contrive to do so, and that ifc is very deficient in I many of the desiderata of a public theatre. Apart altogether from the question of whether or not a theatre ia wanted, we hail this step aa one in the right direction, inasmuch as it will afford an illustration of the power of coI operation, and what can be achieved by a I commuaity determined on the advancement 1 and improvement of their city. This spirit : of putting our own shoulders to the wheel by ' the aid of co-operation in order to supply our wanta, instead of supinely waiting upon their development in the natural order of things, { or for the shrewdness of private enterprise to step in and make a profit out of the whole body of citizens, is one of all others we I should wish to see put in practice. To a rising population the channels of enterprise are practically unlimited j and even though the ventures do not always ■ afford dividends, as in the case of our defunct \ steam company, still the community generally dorivos a benefit. Wo have been favored with a glance at the draft plans for the new theatre, and must say they disclose an arrangement that combmcß elegance of appearance with great economy of space, and a general adapj tability to tho varied requirements of a theatre, a concert or ball-room, and other j purposes of an analogous nature. The build- | ing will be T shaped, with a frontage of 50 ft, which will bo ornamented with a balcony verandah, obviously a convenience on a stormy night to persons lightly clad. Tho second story of tho T contains a billiard and readingrooms, including several of tho latest conveniences introduced into theatres. Strict attention has been paid to acoustics in the laying out of tho interior,and seats will be provided for 600. The capital proposed to be raised is £3,500 in 350 sharos of £10 each, payable in monthly calls of £1 per share. As the shares aro being taken up readily, we may ere long havo to call attontion to tho first meeting of shareholders. Narrow Escape from Fire. — Yesterday about noon a fire was discovered on board the kotch Jupiter, lying afc tho wharf. By some unaccountable means tho galley caught fire, but the smoke attracting the attention of those on board, tho fire was soon extinguished, before any great damage was done. The Superintendent of Otago, in his speech at the dinner given to the Chamber of Commerce, Dunodin, to the officers of tho Nevada, said : — lfc was remarkable that out of tho Kcventy-eight gentlemen who now composed tho House of Representatives in New Zealuud, there were only three members who had seats during tho first session of the Assembly, and of fchoeo three ho had the honor to be one. (Applause.) He was very much inclined to think that tho people of this colony had very little reason to be grateful to the General Assembly for wlsat had been done in the past, whatever might bo dono in the future. Ho trusted the future would be very different to what the past; had been, excepting the session of 1870, which was really the only bright spot in the history of tlio General Assembly of Now Zealand. We might think that, from tho policy of tho last session, a now era, probably, was about to dawn upon tho country — an era of railways, of immigration, of tho development of our auriferous resources, ;md last, though not least- an era of tho friendly communication which had been ostablished batweon this country and the great continent of America. (Applause.) Regarding his Excellency's Ministors, of course it would ill bocome him on that occasion to pass any eulogiums upon them, however much he might and did agree with and support tho policy with which they were identified, a policy which was tho policy of poaco with tho aboriginal natives, and of acting in harmony with tho provinces, so long as the provinces existed, and of utilising the credit of the colony, not upon gunpowder, but in developing tho matorial resources of tho colony. Ho returned thanks fpi- the compliment paid to his Excellency's Ministers and the General Assembly. (Applause.) Agent in America. — The " Lyttelton Times" says that during last session of the Provincial Council a select committee, appointed to inquire into tho aubject of new industries, suggested the appointment of a special commissioner to tho United States, whoso ! duty ifc would be to report on labor-saving j machines and other matters connected with agricultural industry in partioular, Tho Bug-

gestion was favorably received by the Council and the public, and we understand that the Government have appointed Mr Coates, of the firm of Taylor &Co, who is about to pay a visit of some three or four months to the States. Mr Coates is a passenger by the Nevada, and we have no doubt, from his extensive knowledge of colonial requirements, coupled with his American connections, he will be able to collect a good deal of valuable information. A Wabning. — A Greymouth contemporary states that a case of nearly fatal poisoning, from the careless and reckless use of a useful medicine, occurred recently in that district. A female, who was suffering, it is said, from toothache, had been using chlorodyne, and in an agony of pain she swallowed the contents of a full bottle at a draught. She became insensible shortly afterwards, and those about her becoming alarmed at the symptoms, procured the attendance of a chemist and druggist, who administered the usual remedies in such cases, and, after some trouble, succeeded in bringing the patient round again. The usual dose, as directed by the label on the bottle, is from 10 to 30 drops, and there were 240 drops in the draught taken by the woniau. Maktik's Bay.— Two settlers from Martin's Bay, named Tarr and Jacobs, arrived at Queenstown on the 2nd instant. They report that with the exception of regular communication and supplies, things are cheering enough at the settlement. As showing how much the settlers. feel tho neglpcfc they suffer in the exception above-mentioned, we may state that Tarr came over here for the special purpose of communicating with the Government as to tho non-arrival of the steamer Luna. It appears this vessel was to have sailed some three weeks ago for Martin's Bay from Dunedin, with cargo and passengers. About a fortnight ago the steamer was seen off Big Bay — eight miles from Martin's Bay — and to the astonishment of tho anxious . onlookers she proceeded on her course without even attempting to reach Jamestown. Fires were lit at Big Bay for her to put in, but without avail. Our informants further state that although at the time the vessel was seen a selfish breeze was blowing, still, if the Luna had put into Milford Sound for a few hours there was every opportunity of her getting to Jamestown any time during the three following days, as the weather was calm, with 21 feet of water on the bar at spring tide. It need hardly be said the settlers were very much disappointed, and an " indignation meeting" was held, the result of which was Mr Tarr's journey to Queenstown. We believe the purport of tho answer received from Dunedin by that gentleman, to his inquiries as to the non-arrival of the Luna, was to the effect that the steamer stood off Martin's Bay for three days, but finding she could not enter, proceeded to Greymouth where she- landed passengers and cargo to await the Waipara, which sails for Jamestown this week. It will be observed how much this statement differs from that of our informants, who had it from those who saw the steamer arrive and depart. — " Mail." Clutha Railway. — Mr Calcutt, who is at present acting for the General Government in negotiating with owners of land along the line of the Southern Trunk Railway for the purchase of that required for the railway, arrived in Milton last night. He is accompanied by Mr Blair, the Government engineer, and both gentlemen are actively engaged in completing the preliminary arrangements necessary to the active prosecution of the undertaking. We believe, as a general rule, they find proprietors of laud ready to second their efforts, although in one case — not in this quarter — they have met with a most determined and unreasonable " obstructionist," and through whose obstinacy the work may be considerably retarded. Of course, if anyone individual declines to accept a reasonable remuneration for the land required, he will prevent the railway works being there proceeded with until such time as the price of the land is fixed by law. At a public meeting recently held in Milton, a petition was adopted praying for the work being commenced in Tokomairiro, Balclutha, &c, and we believe there is every dosiro on the part of the G-ovornment that this prayer should be acceded to. It is to be hoped, therefore, the land proprietors will be reasonable in their claims, so that no hindrance may arise in this respect; Should no hitch occur, we expect to see tenders invited for a few miles of the work at the Clutha end so soon as the working plans can be prepared. We believe also that the order for engines, carriages, and plant will be forwarded to Great Britain by the outgoing mail. There is thus every indication that it is the intention of the Government to prosecute the long-talked of usdertaking with despatch. — " Bruce Herald."