LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3244, 6 July 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

We are authorised to state that our contemporaries, the " Press" and the " Post," have no authority for their statements with regard to the intentions of the Government in the matter of an Education Bill for the colony. Land Transfer Act. — In a General Government Gazette issued on Tuesday, wo observe that by an Order in Council, dated the 12th June, a reduction is made in certain foes hitherto chargeable under the schedule of the Land Transfer Act. This alteration has been determined on in order to offer facilities to persons, to whom Crown grants have been issued, to exchange thair grants for certificates of title registered under the Land Transfer Act. According to the schedule of the act, the fees for bringing under the act land which has been granted, but which has not been dealt with, have been £1 7s (application, 5s ; registration, 2s ; certificate of title, £1) ; added to the assurance fee of 4s 2d per cent, upon the value of the property. By tho new scale, however, the £1 for certificate and the 2s for registration are no longer chargeable in cases where holders of Crown grants in respect of which there have been no dealings, apply to have the land included therein brought under the act; in their own names. Any person, therefore, may now change his grant for a certificate of title upon payment of ss, and £d in the £on the value. A proporty worth £200 may thus be registered under the act for 13s 4d. By taking advantage of the reduction in the fees, those persons who may have no immediate intention of dealing with their land, will place themselves in a position which will enable them at a moment's notice to mortgago or transfer their property at a minimum rate of cost. Tub Bakers' Hill Company, wo learn, have accepted tho tender for carting five tons of atone to the crushing machine at Makara, at a price of 28s per ton, the contractor (Ml* Sievers) finding the bags. A tender for driving 50 feet in the lower tunnel has also been accepted, the contractor agreeing to make pan tests, crushed by hand in a pestlo and mortar every few feet. As a meeting of shareholders is called for next week, with a view to the considering the advisability of purchasing the Makara machine, we shall then learn what is likely to bo the next course of action the company will decide upon. Try Again. — This is the name of a fresh venture in gold mining in Baker's Hill gully, which may prove an additional inducement to still further enterprise, and be the means of stimulating those already engaged to push on with increased energy. Mr Edward Dixon, of Cuba street, informed U3 last night that a sample of stone weighing about eight poundß had been taken from the surface of the same ridge on which tho Baker's Hill Company is situate, and that on being crushed roughly, and tested in the usual way, it was found to yield what is considered a most encouraging prospect. It has beon determined in consequence to test a ton of stuff. Should the return from this confirm tho anticipations caused by the first small test, the present company will bo enlarged and operations at onco proceeded with in a vigorous and systematic manner. Wo trußt soon to have to report favorably of this now company. Greytown. — We earn, from a private source, that tho Hon. the Premier met with an enthusiastic reception at Groytown yeßtorday. Death from Fire.— The death from fire we reported yesterday, is believed to have arisen from Mrs Kembell dropping a match among some clothes ; these catching fire ignited her dr.oßß, and before assistance could bo rendered, she was bo burned that her recovery was at once seen to be impossible. The Hutt Bridge. — In accordance with the promise given in the Provincial Council by the Provincial Secretary, the preliminary steps in regard to the ro-building of the Hutt bridge have been taken. Mr Blackett, in company with Mr Baird and aomo workmen, tested tho bed of the rivor in the neighborhood of the punt, for tho purpose of ascertaing the practicability of employing screwpiles in the re-erection of the bridge. The result of the investigation was that tho nature of tho ground would not permit the use of the screw-piles, and the dpoision come to on the spot was that iron bark piles would have to bo employed.

Native Industries.— We have frequently oalled attention in our columns to the progress made in other parts of tho colony in developing our resources, and by the extension of looal manufactures providing a market for our various products. Notably this has been largely done in tho province of Otago. The number of breweries, for instance, that have been successfully established there not only has given a great impetus to the growth of barley, but ha 9 led to the employment of a great numbor of skilled laborers in the various trades specially called into requisition by that manufacture, as well as a. large number of unskilled operatives. But great as has been the progress mado in that province in tho past, there are indications of far greater enterprises in the futuro. We do not intend at present, however, to refer to projected manufactures, we shall simply notice one which is not sufficiently known here, although it has achieved an extraordinary amount of success. We mean tho New Zealand Distillery in Dunedin. Tho roprcsontative of that enterprise, now in Wellington, ha 3 kindly furnished us with some interesting information with regard to it of a public character worthy of being moro generally known. Tho buildings wero erected in Cumberland street, Dnnediu, in the year 1869, and cover two and a half acres of ground, but, in consequence of the extension of tho malt houses to meet the growing requirements of their trade, the company have been obliged to seek storage accommodation in tho vicinity. To ensure that the New Zealand should reach the reputation of tho far-famed ; Highland whisky, they have secured the services of a gentleman who for thirteen years had been manager of a distillery of great reputation at Glenury, where tho whisky bearing that famous brand is manufactured. Still further to secure the peculiar flavor desired by connoisseurs, peat is brought from a distance of over a hundred miles, and the very best malt is used, tho company being anxious to establish tho fact that as good whisky can bo manufactured in New Zealand, as in the most celebrated distilleries at home. The great difficulty they have had to contend with is that they caunot get a tufficient supply of firstclass barley. This y^ar they have had to go for supplies to Southland — the Otago and Canterbury barley not being quite good enough for their requirements. We understand that nothing but the very best barley, and that well-dreßsed, will satisfy them ; and for that they are willing to give a very full price. They consume from 650 to 900 bushels of grain per week. They manufacture whisky, gin, old torn, spirits of wine, &c, Tho number of wages men employed in the establishment is thirty- three, irrespective of tho managing, clerical and travelling staff. It would bo superfluous to dwell upon the importance of developing a new market for our agriculturists, and new sources of employment for our population ; nor can the most ardent teetotaler refuse to admit, that so long as our population will continue to relish tho mountain dew, it is better that tho profit arising from its consumption should be a means of employraont to colonial, rather than British capital and labor. ! Our Contemptuous Contemporary. — It is with an excusable hesitation we plead guilty to having glanced yesterday over the columns of our morning contemporary, though we have long been of the conviction that the practice is one which yields moro profit in the breach , than in the observance. The very existonco of i our friend has been long a mystery — ono of thoso incomprehensible things sometimes seen in the best regulated cities, which Lord Dundreary said, " No fellah can understand." During tho erratic career of our contemporary he has so often harrowed our feelings by his alarmingly sudden and unexpected deaths that wo fear he has exhaustod our last journalistic tear of sympathy ; and when he has seen fib to resurrect himself from his literary tomb — a juggling transfiguration in which he is perfection itself — and we wero just getting accustomed to his re-uppcarance, and prepared to rejoice over a now acquisition to the fourth estate, — wo were again plunged into grief on learning that ho had once more passed out of his " semi- occasional" existence. Of course it could not be expected that either human or journalistic nature could put up with such very distressing occurrences any longer ; so we at length resolved to let him enjoy his pleasant pastime (we naturally presume it must have been either pleasant or profitable) of alternate death, and resurrection in peace ancl quietness. Wo had followed his hearse so often that we could not, for very decency sake, rock his cradle any moro. In the early history of our morning friend, and before he became such an adept in tho " dying struggle" business, wo often remarked that on the approaching close of tho hybcrnal recess, he was wont to throw off his dying torpor and wake up to something like healthy life ; and, from our cursory glance yesterday, it would seem as if he had some sort of a vague notion of reviving that traditional custom. In the courso of his remarks yesterday, wo aro favored with some little attention. Ho thus notices our casual comments upon some suggestions thrown out by our evening contemporary : — " In default of something better to writd about, our morning and evening contemporaries have yesterday and tho day before engaged in that species of occupation which slangy little boys denominate ' teaching one's grandmother to suck eggs.' " As it is not woll to bo outdone in politeness, wo therefore return tho saluto, albeit ho makes it with a gorilla-like grace, and bog to assure him that we are prepared to put up with a moderate degree of inanity, if ho will only prove to us that ho has still in reserve a flicker of the real vital spark. Wo confess we have some doubt on the matter. We don't like the signs he displays. Wo fear, in the language of the play bills, they botok'en some now and " startling transformation." Else, why that barefaoed attempt at propitiating tho police, as if a '• bobby's" hand already rested on his shoulder, like an epaulette ? The character of the forco is so well known that the highest compliment that can be paid them is in the fact that their very existence gives rise to as little comment aa any other portion of the machkiory of tho law. Still, whatever the motive which led to this extraordinary panegyric, we have no wish to enquire, and trust tho police may gratefully remember the flattering attention should our friend over stand in need of their services. But, doubly thoughtful contemporary ! Ho has two strings to his bow ; aud in caBO his kowtowing to the Inspector and his worthy aid should prove an untrustworthy string, he makes a fuss over the Theatre Company. His efforts in this direction, however, would seem to bo made partly a labor of lovo ; but whether made with an eye to business, or from tho highest motives of journalism, we can be magnanimous, and wish him every success. If our contemporary, therefore, in obedience to the dictates of his eccentric nature, should take advantage of the largo and increasing encouragement he receives to die, and die at once, wo trust that tho demise will only bo temporary, and that we may before long witness him rojoicing in a moro congenial existence. Wo quote his parting words ©f advice : — " The shoemaker had better stick to his last, says tho provorb ; bvit then it scarcely applies here, for if the writers in question stuck only to what they understood, how very slight their occupation would bo." In returning the compliment to our contemporary, we would not seek to cripple his usefulness in any way, and while we may bo permitted to express our doubts as to his journalistic qualifications, wo yot hope to see him revelling in his proper sphere — say as an advertising medium aud programme for tho now theatre. Lot that be his last. Wo have now exchanged compliments with him, and must decline any further familiarity, even to galvanise him into something like public recognition. An Insane Phenomenon. — Tho Boltou " Chronicle" records an extraordinary presentation. Two attendants on tho lunatics in the Boltou workhouse being about to leave that establishment, the patients presented them respectively with a writing desk and a Bible. The report states that 150 insano persona wore present on the oocaoion.

Peppermint as a Temperance Dbink.— Mrs Rekkabyte : ' Why, John, how unsteady you are on your logs ; and, dear mo, you've lost your hat — why, I declare you're 'Mr Rekkabyte, * No, m'dear, 'a impossible ; I've taken nothing but pep'mint all the evening.' [Note. — A recent analysis by Mr Nowberry, deolares peppermint to contain nearly 50 per cent alcohol.] — " Melbourne Punch." Volunteering-. — We learn that a number of settlers in the Ohariu V alley, have enrolled themselves as a nucleus towards the formation a new volunteer corps, and that the number is sufficient to entitle them, by the Government regulations, to elect a lieutenant and ensign. It is believed that the interest in the morement is so strong that the company will soon bo in a position to elect a captain, as several members of the Porirua Rifle Volunteers are likely to join. What a Falling- otf was Tiiere. — The stock of the vast dvapery, etc., establishment at Liverpool belonging to Messrs Jeffrys and Co., who recently stopped payment, was sold by tender at about half its estimated value, which was about £120,000. Snuffing- out Political Growlers. — The " Echo" says a great sensation has been caused at St. Petersburg by news that the Russian Baltic province of Livonia had sent an address to the Emperor of Germany begging him to annex the province. The Emperor William sent the letter to the Czar, who at onco ordered that all persons who had signed the address should sell their Livoniau property in tlie course of four years or have it confiscated. An Ecclesiastical Olla Podbida.— Tl.e Rev. F. Southgato, vicar of Northflcet, informed his congregation on Easter Day that as " buttons, bad money, aud other things not fit to mention," were put in the offertory bags, the collection would in future be made in open plates. Fiji as a Port op Call.— The " News of the World" says that notwithstanding the objection to making the harbor of Levuka, Fiji Islands, a calling place for Webb's steamers, plying between San Francisco and Australia, on account of the dangerous reefs surrounding the ontrauco, the merchants and other residents are taking steps to secure that end. They claim that the Nanuku Passage is safe for steamers, and that the business to bo derivod would warrant Mr Webb in making Levuka a calling station. At a recent meeting of merchants of Fiji it was decided that when it was definitely arranged for the mail steamers to call at Lovuko they and tho inhabitants of the group of islands would guarantee £1,000 towards making tho necessary surveys and erecting lights for ingress and egress. A Committee of five was appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting. Two lights have already been ordered for tho harbor of Levuka. Honor — and Profit. — Prince Bismarck is to receive a Parliamentary grant of 1,000,000 thalora in recognition of his services to the country. Generals Moltke, Goebou, Werder, and Frnnsecki will receive gnmt3 of 30®,000 and 500,000 thalers each. The commanders of army corps will receive smaller appropriations from tho Empenr's private exchequer. Floating Islands. — The ' New York Times' of April 27 says that in Gippsland, which is a province of Victoria (Australia), there are broad and fertile plains. These are travez'sed by rivers, which flow into a system of parallel lakes, somothing likp tho inlets on our own southerly coast, separated from tho ocean by long sandy ridges, pierced by but ono navigable opening. Alluvial deposits are constantly brought down by tho rivers from tho mountain districts to the sea, and a process of landmaking is thus said to bo going forward hero which is extremely interesting. A steamer, at a late dato, was crossing Lake Wellington, whon the man at tho wheel suddenly perceived land ahead directly in the vessel's track, where land had never been seen before Tho captain was speedily on deck, the ship's courso changed, and tho mysterious territory carefully skirted at half-speed. It was discovered to be a small island, which was, without ft doubt, nioveable. A luxuriant growth cf grass carpeted it with verdure, and shrubs, including tho tea-treo and other larger growths, imparted to tho surface an agreeable diversity. Enjoying tho delights of this peripatetic isle wcro droves of pigs, which woro feeding away contentedly, quite unwarned by their instinot of any danger. Presently, a second but smaller island was discovered, which had apparently bocomo detachod from the other. Holding- the Mirror up to Nature. — In illustrating tho fact thut medicines have the same efiect on monkeys as on man, Mr Darwin describes some baboons, who, having drunk to excess, on tho morning after their debauch turnod away with disgust from wino or boor, but. relished tho juico of lemons ! — surely a touch of fine humanity — while an American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy would never touch it again, and " thus was wiser than many men." Emigration. — Tho emigration season opened at London on April 13th, by tho departure of a largo number of emigrants from tho Victoria Docks in the Medway for Quebec. They go out under tho auspices of tho British and Colonial Emigration fund and tho National Emigration League. There probably has not been for many yonrs so dire destitution prevailing in London as now. Singing to Some Tune.— Clara Louise Kellogg and Christine Nilsson must be making fortunos, according to newspaper paragraphs. Kellogg has already bought thirty-six summer residences this year, while Nilsson has invested in 105 lots of ground of different sizes, costing in the aggregate 17,435,000 dollars, exclusive of six lots, whore tho paragraphist has forgotten to mention tbo cost. Death oi? Mus Peteb Witsoji. — We (" Taranaki Herald") regrot to have to record tho rather suddon death of Mrs P. Wilson, a lady who was much respected in this town, and who was one of our earliost settlers. Mrs Wilson bad been troubled with a severe cold during the winter, but had somewhat recovered from it, and was out on Friday last. Sho went to bed on that evening at her usual hour, and at about two o'clock the next morning woke up with a fit of coughing. Tho usual remedies were applied, but without effect, and her medical attendant was sent for. Sho, however, gradually sank, and diod at four o'clock an Saturday morning. Mrs Peter Wilson was the daughter of a Mr James Simpson, and was born at Gibraltar in 1794 ; consequently she was seventy-seven years of age at her death. Her father, shortly after her birth, was appointed by General Washington American Consul at Tangiers, whoro, we have heard, Mrs Wilson states sho remembored hearing the guns at tho battlo of Trafalgar. After her father's death sho returned to Gibraltar, whoro sho married tho lato Dr Poter Wilson. Tho late Dr and Mrs Wilson came to tho colony in tho Slaines Castle, arriving in New Zealand in January, 1841. Tho late Dr Wilson (who was, till his death, colonial surgeon hero), diod on the 18th Dec, 1863, aged 72. Mrs Wilson survived her hurband, therefore, eight years. A great loss will bo felt by her death, as she was most charitable, and, notwithstanding her ago, exceedingly active in promoting the sooial welfare of thoso around her. She was buried yesterday, in tho cemetery, a very large number of settlors attending tho funeral. Patea. — Tho correspondent of the " Wanganui Herald" writes : — Carlyle is fast becoming an important placo ; several buildings have recontly been erected, and tenders have been accepted for a good many more. Tho new Court House is nearly finishod, and will bo an important feature of the placo, Mr Hirst is going to put up a jetty near the ferry, which, when completed, will supply a want that has long been felt here. Tho sale of this township and tho suburban land in May, 1870, realisod a handsome sum ; I think somothing like £7000. It was generally understood at thut time that at least a portion of tho money was to have been oxponded in improving tho town and suburbs j yot up lo tho prcsont time, with tho exception of tho Court House, not a penny has been expended. Of course it is not expected that tho Government will lui'ls". ml ..ho sirens in Ihc plo co, but it is

oloarly their duty to make tho main road through the town. At the present time that part of the Taranaki road which passes the town is in n worse state than any other portion of the line. I have no doubt that the Government* would at once make the road through tho town if tho people would only petition them on tho subject; but the old adage " what iB everybody's business is nobody's business," applies to this place remarkably well just now. True, we have a local committee, or certain gentlemen who call themselves such, who are supposed to look after our interests in these matters ; but their good worta are certainly not apparent. I beliove that some action will bo taken here shortly to effect a separation from Taranaki. The late attempt to conrert this district into a sort of penal settlement for tho reformation of a lot of useless rebels has thoroughly disgusted the people, and they naturally wish separation from a place the inhabitants and press of which aro continually advocating a policy which (if it succeeded) would have the effect of utterly ruining the district. The prompt action taken by the people in petitioning tho Government against tho return of the natives, it is to be hoped will have tho effect of keeping the district clear. If the natives were allowed to return, truly might the settlers adopt as a motto " sic vos non vobis" (Thus not for ourselves do we labor.) A Tit-Bit. — The astounding information is conveyed to us by a Burmese paper that a young white elephant, recently captured, " is boing suckled by womon, who are forced by tho Mandalay authorities to perform this maternal office to the animal while their own children are given away to nurse." A Philological Gem. — A dabbler in literature and fine arts, who prided himself on his language, recently canio upon a youngster sitting on the bank of the river angling for gudgeons, and thus addressed him "Adolescence, art thou endeavoring to entice tho finny tribe to engulf into thoir denticulated mouths a barbed hook, upon whose point is fixed a dainty allurement ?" " No," said the boy, " I'm a fishin.' " Tub Lover and tiie Husband. — A girl of very J-ender sensibilities eloped with a man near Knoxville, Tennessee, recently, and when her father sought to detain her she knocked tho old gentleman down with a shovel. Her parent pursued tho couplo after marriage, and tho husband and father having exchanged shots, tho blushing bride emptied a revolver at the head of her liege lord, disabling him completely, and then returned home with papa. Who says the age of chivalry is over in Tennessee ? Statesmen in a Fizz.— Some of the New York dailies givo space to wood- cut portraits of statesmen. The unexampled ferocity of these statesmen, as depicted by the wood-cuts, however, is deterring many worthy young men who want to be statesmen, and the enterprise ought to be encouraged. A Teetotal Fact.— Hero is a fact for teetotallers to dwell upon. The bill of charges by the Midland Railway Company to Messrs Bass & Co., merely for the conveyance of beer during three months, recently amounted to £35,000. E.M. Court.— Thojofficials of the R.M. Court havo enjoyod an unusually lengthy respite from anything in the shape of arduous labor of lato. There was again a clean sheet yesterday, there boing no criminal or civil cases down for hearing. A Wedding at Samoa.— A correspondent writing to tho " New Zealand Herald" from Samoa, gives the following particulars regarding a grand native wedding that lately took placo thore : — " Last month we had a wedding in ' high life,' viz., the marriage of Pea, a chief of considerable rank. It being the custom of the natives, whon the marriage is performed, to exchange property, tho lady and her friends bring flue fancy mats, much valued by tho natives : tho husband brings mostly foreign property. For weeks before the marriage thoro was frequent travelling of either party to and from ono end of the group to the other, seeking property from their friends. The lady had thirty bridesmaids and a guard of honor of fifty volunteers, all dressed in the gayest native attire, and well oiled. Tho husband chief, with all tho principal men of his clan and others allied to him, were also in tho highest of native fashion ; on that day, and for a week following, there was great feasting. Many of the vegetable plantations of the settlers and natives eloso to were pretty well cleared out in ono night by some adroit thieves, to supply the eatables of tho long feasting." Eat Migration. — An Adelaide telegram says :— Tho rats coming over from Queensland are becoming a serious nuisance in tho far north. At ono house GOO of the vermin were killed in one night. Eatanswill. — Arrowtown bids fair to become tbo Eatanswill of Otago. The two papers recontly started thore — the " Advocato" and the "Observor" — dovoto a large portion of their space to abusing each other, and tho number of bad puns made by each on tho name of the other is something appalling. A Huge Beast. — A fat bullock, belonging A. N. Gilbort, of Warwillah, N. S. Wales, was driven on to tho weigh bridge there lately. It weighed 25481 b. Strange Custom. — The foundation of a local custom that nv\y endure long enough to bo an " old custom" is thus alluded to by tho " Ballaratt Courier" :— Mr Bath, according to annual custom, on Monday re-asserted his occupancy of the thoroughfare known as Bath streot, by a ropo drawn across from one side of tho streot to the other. The usual attendant was present to claim a tollago of 6d from every vehicle which passed through.