LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3224, 13 June 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tub PnoviNCiAL Council will meet this afternoon, at the Odd Fellows' Hall, at 3 o'clock.

Dr. Hector was a passenger by tho s.s. Claud Hamilton yesterday from Nelson; Baker's Hill — Tho retorting of tho amalgam obtained from the crushing of the stuff taken out for trial took place yestorday, the result being a yield of 7 dwts 3 grains to the ton. This is not so high as the result given by tho stuff from the upper drive, 24 cwt of which was tested some six or seven months ago, and gave a yield of 19 dwt. for tho whole amount put through the machine, but the present is considered a more satisfactory prospect on account of tho much greater ease with which it can be worked and the greater amount of stuff to be obtained. Tho stone from which the trial crushing was taken was struck at 300 feet, and the hands have driven 18 feet further without any change ; indeed, the opinion seems to be that it is getting richer as the length of tho drive increaaos. What the next step will be we are not in a position to say ; but we presume they will be anxious to ascertain the exact thickness of tho auriferous dyke, and to see if it really does become richer on the eastern side. In all probability this would not prove either a tedious or expensive job. That having been done, the company will doubtless then consider the question of going on with the working of the claim in a proper and systematic manner. Although the yield of gold is not very rich in proportion to the amount of stuff crushed, yet when we consider the extraordinary thickness of the lode, anyone can readily see what an immense quantity of gold is embedded in the hill. The vein appears to be of a pyrimidal form, the first drive having struck it only nine inches wide, while in tho second it is not crossed in eighteen feet. We believe a meeting of shareholders will be called shortly. Wellington Theatre Company. — The first public step towards the formation of the Wellington Theatre Company (limited), was taken yesterday afternoon, at the offices of Messrs Bethune & Hunter. Tho following gentlemen were present : — Messrs C. J. Pharazyn (who occupied the chair) F. A. Krull, N. Marchant, J. R. George, E. de B. Brandon, F. Ollivier, I. Plimmer, D. T. Stuart, 'Gillon, Mosely, and Dr Johnson. Mr Gillon said he had called the meeting with tho view to enable those who had promised to take shares to decide upon tho next preliminary steps, Buch aB fixing upon a site, and appointing a provisional directory. He had calculated from the number of names he had been authorised to put down, that at least £2000 of the required capitul might be considered as alloted; and as the whole was not expected to exceed £3000, it was time they took some action towards fixing upon a Bite. So far, ho had mainly exerted himself j but he felt that unless some person or persons of more position and influence than himself now came forward and identified themselves with tho object they had in view, and decided upon some site, a great many people would hang back. He, thoreforo, suggested that a resolution be passed in favor of forming the company. They could then appoint a provisional directory, though there existed no immediate necessity /or registering the company at present. In reply to a question as to the probable price of tho building, Mr Marchant said though there was no limit to a maximum cost if they choose to incur it, the minimum expense could not well be put lower than £2,H00. Tho plans already made out wore drawn with a view to erecting the building on a particular site on the reclaimed land, which would give them a frontage on the main street ; and the site, which ho believed wa9 open yet, waa the move desirable sinco part of their scheme was that tho building should include a hotel. Mr Gillon said that Mv Osgood was prepared to treat for renting the hotel at once; and as that gentleman seemed to be very sanguine on the mattor, they could not possibly get a moredesirablo tenant, from his long experience and the popularity he enjoyed with the public of Wellington. Tho following gentlemen were then appointed provisional directors : — Messrs Pharazyn, Krull, Geo. Hunter, George, I. Plimmer, GKllon, and Dr Johnson. A meeting of the directors will be held to-day, at which further steps will bo decided upon. Wellington Chmstys.— Tho next appearance of tho Christya ia definitely fixed for Monday next, tho Choral Society having kindly given up the Hall for that night. We hear tho intention of tho company was to hand over the proceeds of tho next concert to tho conductor, Mr Flood, but we hear that gentleman is willing to waive his claim for this occasion, and that it is likely the proceeds will go to swell tho fund being raised for Mrs Lawrence,

Mobius Again. — Mr Crawford kept tho promise he mudo to the maniacal Morris the last time he appeared before him, and sentenced him to a month's imprisonment ; and, in order that ho should have tho more time to gather his scattered wits, tho usual accompaniment of hard labor w»3 remitted. As this means " short commons," Mcrria, while having abundant food for reflection, will not bo in a position to quarrel with an excess of food for bodily sustenance. While in the box, the

prisoner's demeanor was highly suggestive of a necessity for a straight jacket, though once handed over to tho tender mercies of the police, he auddonly became a model of docility. It appeared from the evidence that Morris made no sign during tho time service was going on, but, immediately after the " blessing" was pronounced, Morris jumped up excitedly, and demanded, in the loudest of tones, that the Eev. Mr Cummings should read "that letter to the congregation." On being put out, ho commenced yelling out " Fire, fire." Tho prisoner indulged in his usual blasphemous iucohorency, and waa anxious that the credentials of his special mission should bo produced as witnesses on his behalf. Theso consisted of a square of dirty calico covered with tho same strange devices he had chalked some time ago on tho residence of the Bishop. From the evidence of Sergeant Monaghan, it appears that the prisoner has sufliciont method in his madness to subsist without working, and to still further weaken a disoased mind by constantly drinking.

Tee Widow Lawrexce. — Tho subscriptions in aid of Mrs Lawrence aud her family are gradually fulling off. Yesterday only an amount of about £l< was subscribed. Whit baa become of the Christys, the Grarrick Club, and tho Press Amateur Club ? Of course the latter club having so recently dono good service, could hardly bo expected to be first in tho field, bub tho Christys or tho G-arrick might well have strained a nervo, and made an effort to lend a helping hand in so deserving a case. Tho more numerous tho calls on our amateur clubs and societies, tho greater will be the necessity for their sinking trilling considerations, and preparing themselves for emergencies of this kind. From tho notices which have appeared in our paper, we should imagine tho Christys are in the most forward state in tho way of rehearsals, and wo would suggest that they should givo their concert at as early a dale as possible, so as to secure the sympathy of the public while the circumstances of the late calamity are fresh in their memory. A. Bufllcient example of what can be dono by the efforts of our amateurs was afforded by the late entertainment in aid of Hie Firo Brigado funds, and surely in a case so deserving as that of Mrs Lawrence the public would not be less warm in their expression of sympathy. We hope tho hint thrown out will be accepted by the gentlomon composing the troupe, and that we may have the pleasure of making the announcement in the course of the week.

Family Jars.— Only two cases came before Ilia Worship yestorday morning, but both were extraordinary in their way, and in each case the culprit hud been deu't with only a short time before. Catherine Petford stood charged with violently assaulting her husband. It appears sho had been released from gaol only tho week previous at her own request on the promiso of good behaviour for tho future. Her uttonlion to tho bottle soon brought out her ungovernable temper, and possessing a masculine strength, her conduct struck terror into her husband, who waa obliged to have recourse to the protection of the lay ngain. The case was soon disposed of by the Bench asking tho prisoner to find sureties for he." good behavior in tho sum of £50. Not being able to do this, sho had to mako up her mind to accopt tho alternative of six months' imprisonment, which sho did with the most gleeful hardihood, assumed out of bravado for the occasion.

Rabbit Shooters will see by an advertisemnit elsewhere, that for tho present permission to shoot rabbits on the Peninsula has been withdrawn.

The Auction Sale of crockery, &c, at the stores of Messrs Vennell, MillSj & Co., advertised for Wednesday, 14th inst., is postponed to Thursday, tho 15th inst., in consequonco of the sittings of the Supreme Court.

Steam Mail Seuviob. — Wo are requested to call attention to the alteration of the time of receiving tenders, &c, as per advertisement in another column.

Jockey Club.— A meeting oi the Jockey Club was held ab the Empire Hotel last night, when, after some preliminary business, a committee was appointed to wait upon persons requesting them, to become members of the Club.

A Prisoner named Michael Foley, an old 65th man, was brought into town last night and locked up. It appears ihat he was under tho influence of drink in the "Sir George Grey Arms," Masterton, and was very insulting and violent in his behaviour. A constable having been called in, he was immediately assaulted by Foley, and in such a violent manner that he hud to bo forcibly invested.

Crrr Mission.— Mr Hall, tho City atissionary, thankfully acknowledges tho receipt of the following contributions iv aid during May :— Tho Hon. Mrs Tollomacho, £2 2s ; Mnjor Paul, 10s ; Mrs Farmer, ss ; Mrs Kebbell, ss ; Mr Farmer, ss ; Mr E. Dixou, 10s ; Sloan, 2s 6d ; Captain Yule, £1 ss ; W. J. H., 10a ; Mr S., 5s ; Mr A., ss.

The Caledonian " Tailings," — The " Thames Advertiser" says that 800 tons of taillings from the batteries engaged upon stone from this celebrated mine were recently sold by auction. The first lot consisted of 150 tons crushed at tho company's own battery in Owen street, which was started at £1, and bought for £'i< 10s per ton ; lot 2 consisted of 300 tons crushed at tho Herald battery, Beach, which was started afc 15r, and sold for £1 2s 6d per ton ; lot 3 composed 350 tons crushed at the YVaiotahi buttery started at 12a, and sold at £2 10s per ton. The total amount realised by the 800 \va3 £1637 10s.

Wandebing Weeds.— lt is stated that there are now no loss than 214 weeds which have been introduced into the United States from foreign countries, and principally from England. As a proof of tho rapidity with which useless plants are accidentally brought over the seas, it is said that in 1837 there wero only 137 foreign weeds known in this country. As far back as 1672 a curious little volume called " New England's Rarities" give a list of twenty-two plants which the author considered had sprung up since tho English sottlers had kept cattle in New England. Tho author mentions the " plainlain," which, ho says, tho Indians call the " Englishman's foot," as though produced by the tread of tho white settlers. Tho common " yellow toad flax," it is stated, was originally introduced into tho province of Pennsylvania as a garden flower by a Mr Runstcid, a Welshman, residing in Philadelphia, from whom it has dorived the name of " Ranstead weed." In 1758 this weed had overrun the pastures in the inhabited part of Pennsylvania, and was the cause of bitter complaints from tho agriculturists of that day. Cliickweod, it is stilted, was introduced in South Carolina as food for canary birds, and in ten years spread for upwards of fifty miles, and now occupies the outposts of civilisation, Tho " Scotch thistlo" ia said to have been brought to America by v clergyman who carried with him a bed stuffed with thistlo down, in which some seed rornained. Feathers, being oheap m tho new country, wero substituted for the down, which was soon emptied out, and the seed springing up filled the country with thistles. Another account. Buys some enthusiastic Soot introduced tho thistle as an emblem of his country, which soon made itself at homo and became a uui sance. — " Philadelphia Ledger." Tookey's shares are quoted in tho "Argus" of tho Ist. as having been placed at £19 5s and £19 2s fid for double issuo j and closed sellors at £19, buyers at £18 10s. Tho same paper of the 23rd ult. suid sales were effected at £15 ss.

New South Wales Stamp Act. — A Sydney telegram in tho " Argus" says the new stamp act comes into operation on tho Ist, and that it imposes a tux of one shilling each on tho bank notes of other colonies.

Mr Hail (says a Sydney telegram) has arranged with the post office authorities to despatch mails by the Oalifornian route after thia month on every fourth Saturday from Sydney, and on the samo date from London.

Raising old Pile 3. — A good idea comos from America as regards raising broken or useless piles from wharf frontages, jottios, &c. On the Connecticut Rivei 1 a number of piles used for o, bridge wcro broken away by a

violent shock of large masses of ice, and it was a question how to remove the stumps, which were as bad as our Murray snags. After many experiments and failures, at last a strong iron tubo with a steel point, was rammed down alongside of oack pile and the tube filled with gunpowder. Tho explosion of the charge half lifted the piles from the soil, and their after raising was very easy of accomplishment.

Colonial Industry. — The Hobarton " Mercury" says that on the 2nd instant, a cask containing about four cwt, of shot, manufactured at Mr Moir's Tasmanian Shot Tower, was shipped to Sydney. This is the first order shipped out of the colony, although samples previously shipped to Melbourne and Sydney were spokor- of very highly, a firm in tho latter city having intimated their willingness to pay £i per ton more for Mr Moir's shot than the invoice price of English shot.

Acclimatisation.— Tho deer in the Brisbane Ranges are thriving well, and multiplying very fust. Their increase in numbers and immunity from harm appear to render them bold, as the settlers in tho vicinity complain that they are becoming a nuisance, by breaking into cultivated lands and damaging crops. Potatoes and mangel worzel, appear to be especially acceptable to these animals. Gold at Motueka.— The Nelson " Colonist" of tho 6th says : —On Friday the fine nugget noticed by us a shoi-i; time since, was taken to Nelson from Salisbury Creek, where it hud been found by Davie Brothers, two minors, who have been working for somo titno in that district. The nugget, about the size and shupe of a small egg, is water worn, and interspersed with quartz. Its total weight is 9ozs 18dwts 9£ grains. Mr Groom, who took its epeciQc gravity yustsrday, finds that it contains 7 ozß 8 clwts 11 grains of pure gold and 2 ounces 9 dwts 15.V grains of quartz, and is therefore worth £27 17s 9cl. The place where the nugget was found is about 3000 feet above tho soa level, and is i* a locality from which frequent reports of tho prevalence of gold havo been received ; and reference to which has more than once been made in our Motueka correspondence.

Gold Llining at Nelson. — The v Examiner" in its summary for home transmission furnishes the following items ; — Tho success which haa attended dredging the rivers in Ofcago, has induced parties in Nelson to try what can be clone with the rivers of this province, and arrangements are making to commence on tho Aorere, which we expect also to sco followed on tho Matakitaki. The prospects of the Perseverance, at Collingwood, have greatly improved within the last few weeks. Not only is tho roof proving far better than was at one time expected, but extensive lodes of lead and zinc, on the same property, have been discovered. Tho failuro of the Culliford mino, at Wangapeka, has been a sore discouragement to mining prospects in that district, although the specimens procured show clearly that a rich reef exists, if it can only be found. San Francisco. — A correspondent of the " Argus" writes : — Tho inauguration of a system for establishing regular sales of tea by auction in this city was commenced by one of I \o largest sales that, has yet taken place, buyers being present from Chicago, St Louis, and Oregon, and the prices realised were very good. In early times it cost us more to travel one or two hundred miles in California than it should havo cost to go to the Atlantic states, and it has often been the case that wo coild ship merchandise from Liverpool to San Francisco for less than the actual cost for transportation of the same quantity of goods 100 or 200 miles on our rivers. A reduction in the price of passage by steamers as well as on railways has lately been made, and will give on impetus to business, which at present is dull. Tho merchants residing in the Fiji Islands have presented a communication to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, expressing their desire to have tho new line ot Australian steamers call at one of the group. Specimens of kaurie gum, coffee, rice, and becho-10-mer accompanied the communication, which was well-received. It is considered probable that a largo portion of the trado of these islands will in future bo directed to San Francisco.

A Telegkaphic Chaege. — Speaking of telegraphic communication being established between England and Australia by the end of the year, the " Lauuceston Examiner says : — In a letter received by Mr W. Warren, the Superintendent of the Tasmnnian and Victorian Submarine Telegraph at Georgetown, tho writer says : — Tho charge on telegrams from England to Australia is not yet decided ; but I think it will be about £9 for a message of twenty words.

Arson on the Brain.— There is a man in the Massachusetts State prison, just entoring upon his imprisonment for life, who belongs to a respectable family, was brought up under good homo influences, and is possessod of property to the amount of ten thousand dollars j but ho had a monomania for arson, and so groat was his love of the crime that wherever ho wont to spend a few days a fire waa pretty sure to occur. He once paid a visit to the Isles of Shoals, and during his stay the first fire that ever was known on the island occurred ; during a visit he paid to West Amesbury several buildings were burned ; three large churches were burned in Nowburyport j and stables and barns almost without number. During his career as an incendiary, which covored a period of upwards of ten years, nothing inflammable seemed to escape him. Churches, workshops, dwelling, barns, and smaller outbuildings were alike his prey. Ho was arraigned under fifteen indictments, tried on two, and found guilty of both.

Mormonism ok the Decline. — The longexpected collision (says the " News of the World (between the authorities of the United States and the Mormons hns now taken place. Numerous arrests have been made in Salt Lake City. The offenders have subjected themselves to prosecution on a charge of " engaging in rebellion against tho United States." The truth is that President Brigham Young wished to command an army as well as feed his flock, and succeed in getting together a force of wollarmed, well-drilled, nnd devoted young " Saints." In so doing, he ran counter to the law, which prohibits private citizens from raising armies for their own purposes, and which gives to the Governor of each State or territory entire control over the militia, and tho President control over the regular army. For several years the existence of the Mormon militk hns been winked at by tho G-overnors over the territory of Utah. The result of the trial of tho Mormon rebols will be looked for with much curiosity, Ifc is to be hoped that the decision of the Law Courts wiU be quietly submitted to, and that tho troops at Camp Douglas will not have to fire their cannon on Salt Lake City.