LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3249, 12 July 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

On Bit that Messrs Halcombe (Provincial Treasurer) and Hunter havo resigned their seats in the Provincial Executive in consequence of the reoent appointment conferred upon Mr Henry Anderson. Me E. W. Mims, we understand, has aoceded to the request of several influential settlers, and will come forward as a candidate for the coat in tho Provincial Council vacant by the resignation of Mr H. Anderson. We believe the choice is as good aB could have been made, and we would not be surprised to see Mr Mills returned without opposition. Sib Geobge Abney (Chief Justice) will not probably arrive here for some two or three days longer, as a letter was received from him yesterday by his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, informing him that he still had considerable Court business to get through. He was then in tho middle of a case.

MATEIMONY AND INTEMPEKANCE. — Advocates of the Permissive Bill, who attended the Divorce and Matrimonal Causes sittings yesterday might be justified in adducing both cases as arguments against the evils of publicliousob. In each of the cases the petitioner ■was, or had been, a publican, and in both, their wives, originally sober and modest, became addicted t o drink, which Boon led to greater degradation. Palmerston. — A correspondent, writing from Palmerston, under date July 10, informs us that the steam saw mill of Messrs Bartholomew and Manson is being rapidly erected, and that in the course of the week the proprietors hope to have it work. The Norwegians and Swedes have fraternised, and have located themselves on a cleared spot in Palmerston township. They are very comfortable, and they have named their settlement " Normandy." It is highly necessary, if this settlement is to progress, that the road

between Palmeraton and Rangitikei should bo open for traffic. As to opening, he says, I don't think much of that, but a tram laid as far as the bush extends would open up some of the finest totara land owned by the natives, which, I believe, they are willing to lease to a saw mill company or firm. This tram would join on to the tram that is to be laid between here and Foxton, and would bo the means, if the natives leased the land, of giving employment to a great number of hands." Obituaey.— lt may be unusual to give oxtra publicity to the death of persons who have not occupied any publio position or prominence of any other description that would call for notice in a publio print, outside of that portion set apart for obituary notices, but in this caae we cannot help placing upon record the real sorrow we experience in announcing the death of a young man named John Stoddart, long employod in the printing department of this office. The deceased was apprenticed on this paper when a boy, and gave early promise of becoming an excellent workman ; and his futnre career as a journoyman amply bore out tho most sanguine anticipations, and for several years before his last illness ho had tho entire control and management of the Independent jobbing department, always giving the highest satisfaction, not only to his employer but also to all those with whom he was brought into contact in connection with the performance of hiß duties. With an industry and ingenuity that overcame all difficulties, and a suavity of manner that nothing could disturb, he possessed in a high degree an intelligence and tact that secured him the esteem and respect of the most exacting of customers. Among personal friends and fellow workmen, who had an opportunity of becoming better acquainted with his sterling qualities and unassuming virtues, ho was held in the very highest estimation which an ordinary mechanic can hope to bo regarded. Ever as ready to do a kind act as to say a kind word, it could not well have been otherwise. The deceased died yesterday after an illness of nearly twelve months, and we regret to say leaves a young wife with a family of five children.

New Zealand Tales. — Not long since we took occasion to notice an exceedingly wellwritten tale in the "Australasian," entitled " Totara Nui." In a recent number of the same journal appeare a tale called " Maori Land" (by Henatino to Tauhera) apparently a sequel sketch to tho former, and \ihich ooncludes in such a manner as to lead to the supposition that tho author intends to complete a series. From the minuteness of details and the floridness of the coloring in " Totara Nui," combined with a certain refinement of taßte displayed in tho sontiment and expression of the narrative, we assumed that the writer was a woman. Although we have as yet no knowledge of the writer, we can detect in " Maori Land" a greater freedom of touch, bolder outline, and more marked contrasts, which by avoiding an elaboration that was sometimes wearying in its uniform sweetness in the first sketch, is far more suggestive, in leaving something for the imagination of tho reader to fill in. Thero is still however, so much resemblance in the general tone of the narrative, that we have very little doubt all are the product of the same pen. Tho tales are not only highly entertaining reading, but also contain much useful information to persons partially or wholly unacqainted with the Maori charaoter in its best point of view, and so unable to form an impartial and just view of the native race. Tho writer is evidently quite at home with his subject ; and there is an air of truth about tho retrospective glances, as well as those of the present, which come within the observation of colonists every day in very many parts of this island, that will make these sketches appreciated by all who are anxious to learn as much as possible about a race apparently fast becoming extinct. Avoiding the extreme and romantic heroism with which Cooper and his many followers have idealised the red man of America, this writer has not sought to conceal unduly the more repulsive aspect of Maori character, though wo cannot but sco that from the artist's sunny cast of mind, ho is inclined to ehun the darkness of their character as well as tho asperities of climate. Ho loves to linger on nature steeped in the golden sunbeams ; for him the " night side" of nature has not much charm ; and the fruits of his pen reflect the tendency of his mind to warmth and color. It is pleasant, however, to see New Zealand sending out shoots of promise in light litoraturo ; and in wishing that tho writer may net readily drop a pen so entertaining, we do so, feeling confidence tho earnest he has already given that he (or she) possesses the elements of success in a large degree.

Appointments. — Tho following appointments are gazetted in a Government Gazette, published on Monday :*— H. W. Robinson, Esq, to bo Registration and Returning officor for the district of Mount Ida ; and F. E. Hamlin, Esq, to the like office for the electoral dis*.rict of the East Coast. Jas Wylie, G. W. D. Hay, and Robert Dent, to act as interpreters, under the Native Lands Act, 1865.

Peovinoial Roads. — The following picture of them is drawn by a Watiganui paper : — The roads in nearly evory diroction aro in a very deplorable way, in some instances they are all but impassable. There is a particularly bad bit at Shakspeare's Cliff, on the other side of the ferry, to which the attention of the Matarawa and Mataongaonga Road Boards should be directed. Hick's lane is a sort of mud canal not a road, and the inland line to Patea has been abandoned for the old coast route. Complaints of the Brunswick line have also come to us in loud tones.

New Zealand Cheese. — A Melbourne journal states that 6£d was the highest price obtained on the Bth ultimo for a prime lot of New Zealand cheese.

Letters op Regisration have been granted under the Patents Act, 1860, to William Rasche, Victoria, for an invention for a direct acting battery for quartz crushing. Registbation Office in |Wanganui.— lt is proposed (says the " Herald") petitioning the Government, during the session to establis a Registration Office in Wanganui in connection with the Land Transfer Act, if there is the slightest probability of the petition being granted. The Highways Act. — The settlers in Rangitikei are in a state of fermont about the rating clause of this act, says the " Chronicle ;" and Mr Halcombe, who supported it, as a member of the Q-overnment, comes in for a large etaare of blame. From the fact that he voted for and Mr Milne against the clause, Rangitikei was virtually without any representation on the subject. We hear that a publio meeting i 8 likely to bo called on the subject. The Vice-Regaii Paety. — The people of Auckland are becoraitjg quite lugubrious on the departure of Lady Bowen and party for Wellington The " New Zealund Herald" says that on the departure of tho vice- regal party a blank will be felt whioh it will bo very difficult to flill up. " Sensational." — Tho following is, no doubt, tho source from which tho information was gained on which the sensational telegram with reforonco to Ropata was founded. We take it from the " New Zealand Herald" of a very recent date : — The schooner Opotiki has arrived from Opotiki, after a smart passage. Uaptain Bakor informs us that Ropata's expedition had not returned to Opotiki, but that a report had been spread that he had captured To Kooti, and aftor a long intorviow had boon persuaded to take up his cauae, and join him in hiß opposition to the pnkeha. It is needless for us to say fchat the report does not bear tho appearance of likelihood, but wo give it for what it is worth. The chief Tainai Kohak a man who had committed several murders, is at present at Opotiki. Captain Preece and 120 men of the Native Contingent arrived at Opotiki from Wairoa last week. They saw nothing of Te Kooti and his followers.

Quaiitz Yields.— ln the official record of the total crushing in Victoria, up to the end of 1868, the average yield per ton is bliowh to bo 11 dwfcs 12,37 grains.

Theateical/. — We learn that the Press Amateur Dramatic Club have received an offor from professionals up North to play at the Hall during the next two or three weeks, but that the proposition has been declined, as the objects sought to bo attained by the members are — amusement to themselves, and by their efforts to give a helping hand to any institution or person requiring aid.

Gold fhojt the Thames— On June 28, the Bank of New Zealand received from the Thames, 20,285 oz ; June 29, the Union Bunk, 51720z 9dwi j and on July 3, the Bank of New South Wales, 24000z. These amounts were received as the ordinary contributions by the regular periodical trip of the steamer Eoyal Alfred. A Taranaki View on the Native Ques-tion.—-The " Taranaki News" of June 24th says : — Reckoning by Parliamentary time, another year has nearly closed, and in a short time the Assembly will meet in Wellington to discuss its history, and frame laws to meet the exigencies of the ensuing year. All war like operations have been virtually susponded and the Native Policy of the present Ministry has been bo far successful. The system of road making in the North Island, together with the spread of telegraphic lines have been working satisfactorily, to which end various parties of natives have been employed. The organisation of the Armed Constabulary Force, has progressed satisfactorily, and although temporarily retarded by the illness of Mr Branigan, is likely to bo farther advanced, now that the command is vested in LieutColonel Moule, an officer of long standing in the Colonial Forces. In spite of peaco, this body is necessary, and if employed upon road making would be far more useful. The formation of roads, in all newly settled countries has been the chief civiliser — bringing the two races into more immediate contact, and enabling an armed party by rapid and easy transit to move where required, and the more easily cope with the natives in a country naturally so difficult of access. Distributed throughout the various districts, with proper supervision, and working by contract, the Constabulary, like the Eoman legions of old, would form the best road makers, becoming acquainted with the nature and formation of the country, ready for fighting if required, and inured by the toil necessary in road making, for immediate and aotive service in the field. Another year of peace would confirm the preaent disposition for re-settling and re-occupy-ing the outlying country, abandoned after the late massacre, and one of the chief things to this end, would be a complete system of roads. We trust the members of the Assembly, at the incoming session of Parliament, will give thoir further attention to the subject, and whilst keeping up the present standing force, utilize their time in road making whenever and wherever practicable. Co-operation. — The " Queenslander" cays it is a noteworthy fact that the beat means by which agriculturists can acquire the one sort of capital which they want most, namely, experience, is also the best means by which they can secure the other sort, namely, the command of money. By co-operation, both good things are obtainable. In a multitude of councillors there is wisdom. What one does not know another does. It would augur well for the progress of farmers' knowledge of their business if they could bring themselves regularly and frequently to miet for the mutual communication of their knowledge. This is the plan which men of science find it profitable to adopt for the same purpose. And it would give good promise of the future development of agricultural enterprise if the cooperative principle could also be applied for the combination and economy of farmers' toils.

Dbeams. — Apropros of dreams, the "Albury Btinnor" says :—Wo notice by one of the Melbourne papers that somebody in that city had a dream, before the Volunteer review took vplaco, in which he saw the accidental blowing up of Sapper Alexander faithfully represented according to the manner in which it afterwards occurred. We can cap this with a fact which occurred in Albury, and which is equally suggestive of something still beyond our ken in the philosophy of dreams. About the time of the wreck of the Queen of the Thames, a lady in this town dreamt that the vessel in question had been lost on a reef, and at that time made her dream known to her family, who, by the way, wore especially interested in the welfare of two of the passengers on board.

The Total Eclipse in December next. — An eclipse of the sun will take place as on the 13th December, which is total at Capo York. Professor Ellery, the astronomer at Molbourne, states that an expedition is being organised to proceed to Cape York for the purpose of witnessing the eclipse. The expense to each person who joins the party, it is stated, will nob exceed £25. The phenomenon has a peculiar interest from the fact of its being the last total eclipse that will bo observed from this part of the earth's surface during the present century. The expedition will start about the 20th of November from Melbourne, touching at intermediate ports to convey such persons as may wish to witness the eclipse.

Musical Knights. — It will be intorestiug to the musical publio of the world to learn that Dr Sfcerndale Bennett, Dr George Elvoy, and Mr Jules Benedict, have respectively received the honor of Knighthood. Some of our readers may remember that Sir William Bennett rejected the proffered title upon a previouß occasion.

Phofits of Novelty. — Mrs Henry Wood, the English novelist, is reported to huvo realised not leBS that £20,000 by the sale of her sensational stories, which at first she could not induce any publisher to look at. A Colony of Highlanders. — Within'fbur hours' ride of Montreal there is a colony of from 20,000 to 25,000 Highlanders, reports the " Californian Farmer." The County of Glengarry, on the western Frontier of Upper Canada, is full of them. In the back settlements they retain their ancient language, sing the Gaelic songs, and have their Gaelic preaching. The Glengarry men are renowned for their size and strength. It is said that the township of Kenyon anjd Loohiel alone could turn out 1000 Highlanders, not a man of them under six feet in his stockings,

Tasmania's Oldest Inhabitant.— The first white woman who ever set foot in Tasmania was buriod on Thursday, the 16th ultimo, in Hobart Town. When a girl 17 years of age, the deceased landed at Bisdon, in Juno, 1803, and died at Kingston the other day, aped 84 years. Indian G-oveenoeships. — We take the following from the " Times of India" of May 6 : — " Madras considers it highly probable that Lord Bolmoro will be its next Governor, for tho Countess of Bolmore, as a daughter of Captain John Gladstone, R.N., is niece of Mr W. E. Gladstone, so that even though the Liberals continue in offioe, his lordship is considered safe for promotion."

Government Life Insubanoe. — The "New Zealand Herald" says that Mr Thomas Macfarlane has been lecturing upon Life Assurance at various places in the province of Auckland. He has appeared at the Thames and several public balls bb an advocate of this most modern of the meanß to secure against tho greatest and the last of the "ills that flesh is heir to." Tho last essay was like its predecessors — a tentative experiment to bring under public notice the Government provision in this direction. Mr Macffarlane has special qualifications for this kind of locturo, being thoroughly practical, having long mercantile experience and considerable knowledge of the evolutions of intricate calculation. Mr Mac-ffin-lane was to have delivered his leoture last evening at tho Parnell Hall, but was prevented by the inclemency of the weather. The Flying Squadron. — In the course of the cruise of the flying squadron round the world it appears by a summary which has been issued, no less than 800 men deserted. If there had been much more desertion, the squadron, it is suggested, might h-ve been loft in some remote corner of the world, for want of crews to bring the ships home. Desertion began at Bahia, where one man was lost. At

.. i 1 1 .— - — ■ >■»* Bio de Janiero, eleven deserted ; at Monta Video, twelve ; at Cape of Good Hope, twelve ; at Melbourne, owing to the temptations of the goldfields and high price of labor, and the hard work endured from the time of leaving England, 158 were missing when the ships left ; eight afterwards returned. At Sydney 27 more were missing ; at Hobarfc Town, through excellent police arrangements, only two ,• at Ljttelton, one ,• at Wellington, four j at Auckland, forty-one 5 at Yokohama, nine; at Vancouver's Island, twenty-four j^ at Honolulu, one ; at Valparaiso, five ; making the total of 300. What is wrong in the service that makes it bo very difficult to obtain men-of-war's men, and having got them, more difficult still to keep them ?— English Paper. New Zealand Wheat. — A shipment of ■wheat from Winton district, Southland, on arriving in Melbourne, realised the very encouraging price of 6s 6d per bushel.