LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3229, 19 June 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Census. — It is interesting to compare the returHS as now published with tho approximate statement, made by tho Colonial Treasurer in the financial statement, which was mado the basis of distribution for the capitation allowance, and for grants to road districts out of the £50,000 :—•

The Baker's Hill Company will hold their half-yearly meeting at Douecker's Hotel tomorrow evening at eigh.t We understand that the workmen in the claim have recommenced driving with tho object of ascertaining the exact width of tho auriferous claim ; and if rumor does not speak them false, shareholders in that claim need have no disquietude, as the stone is said to be improving. Fire. — About four o'clock yesterday morning a fire was discovered in an unoccupied house, the property of Mr H. Woods, situute on Pipitea point. Shortly after the alarm the Central Brigade arrived on the ground with both their engines, and No. 1 was quickly got to work, and succeeded, assisted by the rain then descending, in arresting the progress of the flames boforo the whole building was consumed — a portion of the framework and a lean-to being left standing. There was a good sprinkling of members of the W.V.F.B. proBent, but from want of horses none of thoir engines were taken to tho scone. Credit is due to the Centrals for bringing their engine from tho Post Office and then saving a portion of tho house, which was a very old wooden one. We hoar that the building had been untenanted for some time $ was almost empty, and uninsured. The Nebraska, it would appear from our Auckland telegram, was not to be distanced by a colonial steamer, nnd accordingly commenced her career in Australian watora by making the smartest trip between Auckland and Sydney that has ever been recorded, beating tho Hero, generally believed to be a very smart boat, one day out. of fbe nnd ii'hnlf, tho American doing it in four and a-half. It is possible tho captain of the Nebraska may have been twitted with tho prowess of the Wellington over the Nevada in their lato run up the coast 5 or he may have put on a little extra steam in (order to introduce his lino to tho notice of the Australians with all tho eclat of " the fastest fcri*> on record." Tho latter is

certainly not a very stupid way of saining favoi 1 with the go-ahead spirit of Victoria and New South Walos, who are considered to display quite an American-like partiality for " smart boats." Osgood's. — Mr Osgood formally assumed the duties of his new hostelrie on Saturday ovoning. A number of old friends from all parts of the town dropped in during the course of the evening to wish Mr Osgood success, the host extending as cordial a welcome as the incomplete state of his arrangements would permit. Mr Osgood does not expect to be in full swing until the latter part of this week, tho alterations necessary for carrying out Mr Osgood's idea of a first-class family hotel being yet uncompleted. Philosophical Society. — Members of the Society are reminded that they can obtain their copies of the " Transactions" on application ut tho Museum. The Volunteebs. — Colonel Harrington will commence his annual inspection of tho volunteers of the Wellington district to-day, beginning with No. 1 Company at 2 o'clock, and tho Veterans and Cadets ai 3, on the Thorndon Barrack reserve. On Tuesday tho Colonel will inspect the Crofton School Cadets at noon, the Kaiwarra militia and volunteers afc 2 o'clock, and the Wellington Grammar School Cadets at half-past 3. Fbess Dramatic Club.— This club is going to work with a will in their endeavor to raise a fund for the benefit of Mrs Lawrence. The Choral Society has kindly given the club tho uae of tho hall for tho evening of this day week, and the prospects, so far as promises go, are very encouraging. An aggregate of about £70 has beeu subscribed by the townspeople, but this is by no means an adequate sum to carry ouf> tho purpose for which the fund is being raised, namely, the obtaining of a sufficient sum to invest in some way so us to ensure a permanent income. Heads of families may well understand how far even d&JOO would go if it were spent in providing for the daily calls of a numerous family ; the bottom of the purse must soon be reached, and unless it is husbanded or secui'ed in some way it will soon become exhausted, evon if most frugally handled. On the principle that a good many can help one, the P.A.D.C will give the general public an opportunity of contributing in sums that may make a vory respectable total, but which would look insignificant on the list beside the guineas of the wealthy class. The concert 13 to be given this day week. R, M. Court.— Only one case, one of pig trespass, wns called on at tho Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, the amount claimod being 13s 6d. The plaintiff, Best, having set the machinery of the Court in motion, seemed to think tbat a sufficient punishment or annoyance for the defendant, GHeson, and consequently did not himself appear. The defendant was much chagrined at this coolness on the part of the plaintiff, and disappointed at having been worked up to such a pitch of expectancy, declaring himself to be much in tho position j)of the Irishman who became " blue mouldy for want of a batin'.' 1 MRB Lawrekce.— About £11 was subscribed in town on Saturday in aid of the fund being raised for the . benefit of Mrs Lawrence. The Christy's. — The performance of this troupe this evening is for tho benefit of Mr Flood. Burgess List. —Those of our citizens who desire to possess the privilege of voting at the elections of our civic dignitaries are reminded that unless their rates are paid up before tomorrow expires, their names will be erasod from the ratepayers' roll. Artillery Parade. — The Artillory assembled at their drill shed on Saturday, at one o'clock, in full dress, and marched to Pipitoa Point for the purpose of being inspected by Colonel Harrington, and also to fire for the Government prizes, Captain Pearce being in command. During tho morning a target, consisting of a sheet of calico about 5 feefc by 3 feet, had been moored at a diatanco of 1720 yards from the Pipitea beach. Punctually to time, the battery paraded, about forty-five members being present, and, headed by the battery band, proceeded along tho beach followed by a crowd of people. The smartness of tho men and the neat dress were the subject of general remark, and the whole proceedings gave an unusual air of enlivenmont and bustle to the city. On the ground a number of people had assembled, and with tho addition of tho3O who always form the sido processions to a band of inusio for the purpose of imbibing the flow of soul, there was a goodly concourse. Arrived at the scone of action, the detachment Ipiled arms, and, having unlimbered the big guns, wheeled them into position, Sergeant Samplo being in charge of No. 1 gin, Sergeant Brogan No 2, and Sergeant Lyon No. 3. A sighting shot was fired by each gun, and the firing for the prizes fchon commenced, the first throe rounds being with solid shot. -In tho first round, No. 1 was about ten yards to tho right, No. 2 being so close as to be almost doubtlul whether it was a hit or not, No. 3 being short. The second shot of No. 1 was quite as close as No. 2's first ; but in this round both No. 2 and No. 3 wore to tho right ; the firing in tho third round being very closo. At the close of each round, Captain Pearco gave tho order to change rounds for the purpose of testing the efficiency of the men and to give the supernumeraries practice in sighting. Tho detuchmonfc then fired two rounds of shell with time fuse, and although the target was not hit the firing was very close, with the exception of the laßt shot of No. 3, which fell about 800 yards short. Tho order was then given to charge with grape for the purpose of firing a ealvo. This over the detachment limbered up, the small arms were unpiled, and tho striking up of the band was tho signal for the return to town. Of course, with tho target situate in Biich an awkward place for scoring, tho points awarded could not be very accurate, but by tho aid of glasses and the advantage of the eminence of Mr Brandon's garden a sufficient guide was obtained to enable the soorers to award tho prizes. No. 2 gun, under Serjeant Brogan, takes first prize. No. 1 and No. 3 were very close, and ultimately tho second prize was awarded to Sergeant Sample's gun. The want of a proper land target, to enable scorers to examine shots and award tho correct points, wns much spoken of, but Colonel Harrington complimented the men on the accuracy of their firing and their general efficiency in drill. The band looked neat in their new dresses, and showed a great deal of improvement in their playing. Football.— Tho Football Club mot for practice on Saturday afternoon at Thorndon. Sides were chosen by Mossi's Gore and M'Donuld, As tho club luis not fixed on a sot of rules, it was determined on Saturday to put into practice some of tho Rugby rules, but the result was not in any way satisfactory, all hoalthy interest being displaced by disputation. From what wo saw of the game, 1 wo think it would bo advisable feo retain the Melbourne rules in preference to the Rugby j or, should the club decide on adopting tho lutter, we would suggest the omission of some of the many objectionable poiuts, particularly tho unlimited indulgence in tripping and hacking. Not only is there no fun in this, either to the spectators or to the players, but it is always dangerous, and gives riae to unpleasant, and somotimos very painful, feelings on the part of tho players themselves"; indeed at a contest in a neighboring province somo time ago, one of the players had his leg broken through the permitting of this objectionable hacking practice. A meeting of the club will take place at tho Branch Hotel on Thursday night for tho purpose of framing and adopting a set of rules, ut which wo hope the good sense of tho members will prevail in eliminating those of a dangerous or objectionable character, and in the adoption of a rule in tho shape of a reminder to members not to lose their tempers unnecessarily when in tho field. Trade with America.—- We learn from an Auckland puper that, in order to facilitate trade between this colony and America, Mr

Webb lia3 made euch arrangements as, on the whole, may be considered favorable. Should these give "satisfaction to our mercantile community, and so lead to any considerable export trade, it is not unlikely that still more liberal terms may follow. The following charges for the conveyance of wool have been published : —To San "Francisco, 1 cent per lb j the same freight will be accepted for delivery in New York afe 1\ (2* cents per lb). Also liberal terms are offered for shipments of gum« Messrs Collie, Stewart, & Co, of San Francisco, will advance 75 per cent upon consignments of wool and gum to New York or San Francisco.— A late San Francisco paper says : —Eastern manufacturers have been large purchasers of the spring wool clip at pretty high figures. Large quantities have gone East by rail, and the ship Comet has sailed for New York, carrying 248,851 pounds. The steamer Constitution, for Panama, en route for New York, had 152,624 pounds. For all desirable clips prices are sustained ; while, by reason of the free receipts of choice parcels, purchasers neglect those that are dirty and inferior, so that prices for these are shading off somewhat. Chinese Immigbatiok.— While Chinese immigration to Otago is on the increase, it appears to be falling off in California. The " San Francisco Bulletin" says :— " The question of Chinese immigration, so far as California is concerned, is apparently workiug out its own solution. One statistician, who has made this question bis study for years, claimß that the number of Chinese in this State has decreased twelve per cent, since Jannary Ist. The reduction may be slightly over-estimated, but there has, no doubt, been a large decrease, very few are coming, while many are going. We know that the Pacific Mail Company's steamers bring a few Chinese passengers, and that the arrival of a ship load of Chinese is of rare occurrence. Theße facts are patent to any person who has paid attention to the matter. The decrease of the Chinese population is not owing to the return of prosperous Johns to their Flowery land, but because of their departure to other States and territories. Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah have received a liberal supply of able bodied Celestials from California, and the Southern and Eastern States have also been sprinkled with queues and almond-eyes. Within thirty days a ship, with four hundred Chinamen on board, will arrive in this port. The whole invoice will be forwarded to the Southern States to fulfil a contract. So far as known, there is only one other ship under charter to bring j Chinese to this country. An attempt to contract for several hundred Chinamen to fulfil a contract in Peru resulted in a failure. Peru bears a hard name among the Celestials, and even the tempting offer of 28dols per month — six months' wages to be paid in advancecould not induce the Chinamen to go there " Lord Lytton.— Mr J. H. Friswell, in his " Modern Men of Letters," draws the following sketch of the author of Multravers :— " Walking, let us say, up the hall of the Freemasons' at a Literary Fund Dinner, there is a gentloman, rather feeble, doddering, a Cousin Feeuix, with tumbled hair, a face rough, flushed, a noble forehead and high aristocratic nose, a gentleman unmistakably — a gentleman with the "-true nobleman look" that you do not find one man in a thousand has, and of which Pope spoke. Ho is not very strong, this gentleman, and has a scared kind of stare — that, indeed, of a student out in the world. In this living face, and in photographs from it, there is a suspicion that it is ' got up' to what its owner thinks its best ; that Pelhatn would be younger than he is. Vain struggle with time ; what gentle waggoner can put a ' skid' on his wheel when ho is going down a hill, or ' with a linger stay Ixion's wheel,' as Keats has it ? Look at the hair brushed forward and manipulated, the eyebrows, whiskers, and hair somewhat darkened, the moustache and imperial! The whole look of the man has just the clever artistry— not insincerity, for Lord Lytton is a true man — which is the little bit of bad taste which has prevented its master from being the very first in his rank." Growing WnfiAT. — At a recent meeting of the Stoke (Nelson) Farmers' Club, the following statement of the average cost per acre of growing wheat in Nelson was produced :~- Two ploughings, harrowing, rolling, &c, £2 ; seed, 10s ; labor, harvesting, &0,, £1 10s ; threshing, 12s 6d ; bags, carting, and other small items, 12a 6d j total, £6 ss. This showod that evan supposing the average yield to be twenty-five bushels, the grain must be sold at 5s per bushel in order to moot the necessary exponses of growing. Meat Preserving. — Evidence of the progross of the meat preserving industry in the province of Otngo is to be found in the manifest of the ship Jessie Readman, which sailed for Loudon on June 7, among her cargo being 5060 cases of preserved meats. Since the beginning of the year, 9214 cases of preserved meats and 810 casks of tallow have been exported from Dunedin to London, and these figures, it is believed, will be increased in the course of a few weeks. Acclimatisation. — A Nelson paper informs us that Mr W.Robinson, of the Cheviot Hills, recently obtained 36 skylarks from that province. They were obtaiued for him by Mr Felix WakofiVd, and were conveyed to their destination without the loss of a single bird, Those birds, says our Contemporary, are now so numerous in Nelson, that it is folly for other parts of the colony desiring larks to incur the risk of importing them from England. Immigration.— Advices have been received hy the Provincial Q-overnment that Mr Yogel has approved the Canterbury immigration contract for the ensuing season, submitted to Mr Yogel in London by Mr Ottywoll, English agent for the province, and the result was in every respect satisfactory; The contract, we should say, provides for four ships at intervals of six weeks, and the first will start during the present month:

Mr Yogel's estimate, DifferCensus, 1871. 1870. onco. Aucklund ... 62,357 62,000 Inc. 357 Taranaki ... 5,4 :'O 4,800 „ 680 Wellington... 23,982 25,000 Dec. .1018 Hawke's Bay 6,059 6,000 Inc. 59 Nelson 22,506 24,000 Dec. 1494 Marlborough 5,026 4,700 Inc. 326 Canterbury ... 46,801 40,000 „ 6801 Ofcago and Southland... 70,578 70,000 „ 578 257,124 250,000 Inc. 7124