LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3256, 20 July 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Peotinciai. Executive.— The resignations of Mr Hunter and Mr Halcombo have been accepted

The Telegraph:. — In consequence of the stormy weather the line to Napier and that fco Wangnnui wero down yesterday. The whole of the bad weather does not seem to have completely passed away as tho barometer is still very low.

The Court op Appeal. — The case Taylor v Jordan still occupies the attontion of the Court. We gave a report of the trial of the case, which was heard at the nisi prius sittings of the Court, but as the matters involved in the case have, in all probability, escaped the recollection of our readers, we may recapitulate them. Shortly stated, they are as follow : — The plaintiffs are Messrs Taylor and Watt, merchants, of Wanganui, and the defendant, Jordan, was a partner in the firm of Jordan and Tagg, squatters, in the Rangitikei district. In tho course of business transactions, extending over a considerable period, tho defendants became indebted to the plaintiffs to an amount very nearly approaching £1500, for which amount they intimated to tho defendants they intended to institute proceedings. Almost simultaneously with this notification the defendants dissolved their partnership, and gave plaintiffs notice of the fact. They continued their action, and hearing that Tagg was about to elude the process of the Court by going to England, they had him arrested. To procure his release, Tagg gave a bill for £1000 on a Mr Clappison, of London, and it was agreed that the balance of &LSO, or over, should be liquidated by the sale of some wool and skins belonging bo defendants, which had come into the possession of plaintiffs in the ordinary course of business between themselves and defendants. Oa these condiiious Tagg was released, and left the colony. At maturity, the bill for £1000 was dishonored, and tho contention oi Mr Allan for the plaintiffs in the Court below was that the bill was not given in satisfaction of the debt, but merely as a bond or bail to enable Tagg to come out of gaol. The finding of thojuryntthe hearing of the case was for the plaintiffs on the main issue, viz., What amount is still due to plaintiff* ? the auswer being £1450 ; but Mr Justice Johnston, at Mr Travers 1 request, reserved some knotty law points for tho consideration of the higher Court. Mr Travers' argument occupied tho Court two days, and yesterday Mr Allan was all day arguing the respondent's case. It is possible that if ho should finish early in tho day that their Honors, by an expeditious summing up, might bring tho case to a conclusion this afternoon. " What's in a name," or " Which is the name," is a question which has cropped up during the last day or two, the parties to the suit having been variously styled in the papers Taylor v Buchanan, Taylor v Watt and another, Taylor and Watt v Jordan, and Taylor v Watt and Gbrdon.

The Press Amateurs. — An advertisement announces the intention of tho Press Amateurs to repeat their performance next Monday to fulfil their engagement to play for the joint, benefit of the bands. The University of Otago. — The strong utilitarianism which is so characteristic of and forms such a powerful element in everything undertaken by the people of Otago lias mudo its presence apparent in the preliminary arrangements for the forming of the university library, the wise forethought of the authorities having already provided the nucleus by the importation of tho necessary books and apparatus. Tho books comprise the works of the principal classical authors, both Latin and Greek, and works of reference ; also, a number of valuable works on moral and physical science. The apparatus comprises materials for instruction in mechanics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, heat, magnetism, electricity, galvanism, and chemistry, and tho selection appears to havo been carefully and judiciously made. Tho same roinurk also applies to tho books selected.

Benevolent Society. — Tho Wellington Benevolent Society met yesterday. Present — Tho Chairman, tho Bishop of Wellington, Itev W. J. Dean, L. Levy, Esq, J. Woodward, Esq, Hon C. J. Pharazyn, 1). Lowis, Esq, and Archdeacon Stock. Paid in — tho Bishop of Wellington, £1 Is 5 Mr Burne, £5. Two cases of distress wore relieved, one caeo being a household sick with fever at Ohariu.

Tub Baker's Hill Claim.— Tho crushing of tho five tons of stuff from tho Baker's Hill claim was completed yesterday, at Makara. The result of the retorting will be made known in a day or two.

A New G-oidfiekd. — Most people have heard of the rioh beach claims on the West Coast, many of which yielded " pilea" to their fortunate owners. It would appear that something even bettor has been discovered at Timnru. A coal merchant advertises in one of tho local journals that a certain barque is hourly expected with a cargo of beet Newcastle coals, adding, "and thoy will bo sold cheap for cash taken from the beach."

Charitable Aid. — The calls upon the Resident Magistrate for relief, to come out of the £500 voted at the last session of the Provincial Council, have been so fast and frequent of lute that the Provincial Secretary has requested his Worship to suspend the issue of orders for rations. The Government have themselves taken tho matter in hand, and will devise means by which relief will be dispensed in urgent cases. R.M. Court. — Another flattering testimony to our city morality was given yesterday by the fact ot there being no criminal cases on the charge sheet. To the incorrigibles of the city our police seem to bo effectual scarecrows. There were no civil cases heard.

The Wairarapa Coach.— This coach was brought to a stand this morning ou arriving nt the Hutt, the river being so much swollen by the fresh caused by the recent rains as to render the crossing of the river impossible, and it returned to town. The river was bank high, and consequently the punt could not be got to work. The passengers will be taken out by this morning's coach. Accident. — An accident happened yesterday morning at Thorndon by the bolting of a horso belonging to Mr Valentine. The animal, with trap attached, flew along the street afc a furious rate, and ultimately the trap was upset. Mr Valentine escaped unhurt, and beyond somo trifling damage the man, horse, and trap were not much the worse for their sudden and unexpected indulgence in the intricacies of the circus business.

New Zealand's Hapless Case. — Our landed estate in the south has boon largely alienated ; in the north, we have never acquired one. We bare a General Government managing not only the affairs of the colony, but in this, and other provinces of the North Island, managing, or mismanaging, the groator part of the landed estate, the confiscated lands, but ignoring all liabilities to aid in education or public works in these districts. We have the goldfields, and a variety of other matters, managed by means of delegatod powers, the natives managed by flour and sugar and taihoa. Wo have several of the provinces all but bankrupt officially, others of them having their vitality sucked out by the extravagance of the General Government. — " Mr Gillies' Speech." New Zealand's Hopeless Case.— But you may ask me, and fairly so, Whero is the cure ? You have shown us the evils, show us the remedy. Iconoclast that you are, shatter not our idols, though they be but false gods, unless you can show us a better faith, — a better future. Alas! I can but answer that I, like many of you, am but groping in the twilight,— but looking earnestly for more light. I feel the Egyptian yoke of bondage, but see no Moses to lead us out through the darkness. I see streaks of light here and there, and what gives mo most hope, I hear voices from North to South wildly crying, " the burden which is put upon us is greater than we can bear." I tell you I can offer you no specific, but I can explain to you various methods suggested, by which the evils may be alleviated, and give you so far as I at present see the advantages and disadvantages of these various methods. — " Mr Gillies' Speech."

High School fob Gtibls. — The remarkable success of the high school for girls in Dunedin has excited much interest throughout the colony. The people of Nelson aro bestirring themselves, and a lady has gone down to Dunedin to judge for herself and collect information. Mr Hislop hag handed to the Provincial Council a statement of the revenue and expenditure as follows : — Mrs Burn, £250; Ist assistant, £150; 2nd do, £80; approximate chai'go against girls' schools for 20 hours per week visiting masters of High School, £250 ; janitor, say £25 ; fuel, sundries, &0., £50 ; total, £805. 127 pupils at £8 each, £1,016. In favor of school, £211. Wo learn also that of tho 127 day scholars 15 aro constant boarders, and 15 day boarders. Would not such an institution bo equally successful in Wellington ? Is it not aB urgently required ? Tlio movement in Dunedin began with tho ladies themselves. They formed themselves into a committee, and hud to persevere for six years beforo they succeeded. We commend their example to tho ladies of Wellington, and anticipate for thorn even greater success.

Football. — Tho following are tho names of the members of the Wellington Club who are to play in tho match against the Armed Constabulary next Saturday afternoon : — Ischerwood, (captain) Arthur, Bock, Gore, Gra y, Hood, Kirk, Xuno, Howe, Ludwig, MacdonakJ, M'lntosh, Otterson, Park, Purvis, Wilkinson, Bishop, and Dougborfy. Ifanyoftho above gentlemen cannot play, they aro requested to inform tho secretary of tho club as soon as possible. Match to be played on the Cricket Ground, To Aro, to commence at half-past two o'clock.

A Terrible Orator. —An Ohio paper thus describes an effort by one of tho Ohio's legislative orators : — Auklor, the eminent hornswaggler, thrilled the House on Saturday with one of his most majestic efforts. A shorfchorno reporter describes the scene as indescribable. Ladies on tho back seats were obliged fc? climb up the back of tho chairs to escapo the torrents of eloquence and things. The speaker was so charged with tho electricity of eloquence that his sharply-pointed spike -tail coat frequently stood at an angle of sixty degrees, and trembling like an aspen. The orator most of the time resembled an irresponsible victim of galvanic slippers. He reared and plunged and squealed like three hundred pounds of petticoats on her first pair of skates.

The Failure of Messes Newton, Brother & Co.— The "Sydney Herald" of the 4th says :— The intelligence regarding the stoppage of Messrs 0. Newton, Brother, and Co. is received with regret. The colonial liabilities of the firm aro small, and the effects of the failure will be felt by those whose bills are under discount, and require to have them renewed. A private telegram from London, which must have been of later date than ours, reporting the suspension, was l'ecoived hero this afternoon, st ting that a meeting of the creditors of Messrs 0. Newton, Brother, and Co. had been hold, and a compromise of 15s in the £ accepted.

Special Jurors. — Tho "New Zealand Herald" says tm incident connected with the long trial of Mohi v. Craig is worth relating. The hearing of that cause lasted ten days before a special jury. Tho jurors returned their verdict on Saturday, and received the handsome sum of 20s each, or 2s per diem. They sent a memoiial to his Honor during tho trial, requesting to bo informed whether they were not entitled to a larger remunoration, as many of them suffered considerable pecuniary loss by being kept from their business, llis Honor, howevor, could only give tho jurors poor comfort. He told them that in England special jurors wore paid by the parties to tho cause for each duy, according to a scale agreed upon ; but here tho statute was peremptory, aud there was no power to give more than twenty shillings for each cause We do not know any reason why the practice here should differ from that in England, and it would bo well if the Act wcro so amended as to allow greater freedom of action.

Chinese Labor — According to tho London " Spectator," solfishnoss " is tho main strength of tho cry against • tho cheap labor' of tho Chinese."

Moa Bones. — The Oamaru " Times" stales that some moa bones, in an excellent state of preservation, have been exhumed by tho men at work on the Jetty road there, at about 15 feet below tho original surface.

Amalgamation of German Colonists. — The German Club at Hokitika, we learn from a local paper, is now in communication with other Clubs in New Zealand and Australia with a view to amalgamation.

Dredging. — Dredging for gold will shortly bo commenced in the Aorere river, in the Nelson province, by a company that has just been formed for tho purpose.

Export op Gold. — On her last trip from Auckland to Sydney the Hero took away 15 boxes of gold, containing 20,9050z 13dwt 6gre, valued at £7G,655

Frost. — As an evidence o{ the severity o{ the frost this winter in tho Southern portions" of the colony we read in the Oatnaru " Timeß that the Otekaiko and Marewhenua rivers were frozen over, the ice on the former being so thick that it was crossed by persons on horseback.

Co OPERATION. — A Co- operative Society is in course of formation at Wlmngarei, Auckland, but for what object our exchange does not state.

The Naseby Teiegraph.— The opening of telegraphic communication with Naseby, Olago, is reported by the local paper to "nave been attended with great success, inasmuch as the work is already too much for one operator

Justice Rebuked. — At the sitting of the Wardens, Court, at Lake Wakatip, recently, the Chinese litigants set an excellent example. A day or two before they withdrew all the cases between, themselves, and deposited for each of the several companies the sum of £50 — £200. The Company that first goes to law is to forfeit £50, and so on. They have also adopted arbitration tribunals, to whom all matters ot dispute between themselves ai f e to be referred. Of course the Europeans would not use theso means, but " John" is thoroughly disgusted with the European Courts of justice. He says that ho always goes to the wall, and cannot understand it at all. Hence this new movement, which is likely to bo adopted throughout the district. Railway Extension. — A Marlborougb paper of a recent date says : — Until the return of Mr Yogel wo do not expect to hear of any action being taken in regard to the construction of the Picton and Blenheim Railway. It seems that while we are waiting for the attention of the G-overrniient to this line, private enterprise in the Polorus is likely to take the lead, for we learn that a company is about to be formed in that district for constructing a tramway for the purpose of conveying timber and produce from tho Pelorus Valley to Havelock. This, taken in connection with the opening of the Rai Valley for settlement, adds considerably to the importance of that district.

A Desperate Thhottler. — Who ever heard of a pig being chocked by a mouse ? An occurrence of this nature, suys tho "Southland Times," has been brought under our nolico by Mr Lyons, of Myrow Bush, who states fbat while clearing up a stock of grain the other day, the pigs about the homestead were busy taking advantage of the opportunity to improve the quality of their bacon. A largo number of mice were deprived of their comfortable quarters, but no notice was taken of this common occurrence. Some time after the clearing- up process had been finished, a poor porker, about three months old, was observed to be lying in an unwontediy quiet position. On being examined, it was found to bo dead, and a post mortem waa immediatedly held to ascertain the cau3e of its sudden collapse. Astonishment was expressed when a mouse was found in the throat, and a verdict was consequently passed that " piggy" had "died for want of breath, superinduced through being suddenly called upon to do duty as a mouse-trap."

Human Remains Fouxd.— Tho " Timaru Horald" of the 12lh inst says: — About mid-day on Monday last there were discovered on the beach near the Wo-imataitai lagoon some human remains, which had been washed up by tho rough sea which has been running for tho lust day or two. The fact was at once communicated to the Police, and the remains were picked up and conveyed to the Police Station, On examination they proved to be an arm from tho wrist up to tiie elbow, a left thigh bone, and a foot. The two former were denuded of flesh, though the muscles were still attached to the arm ; the foot, however, was covered with flesh, which can only bo accounted for by the supposition that it was protected by a boot until very shortly before it was found. Ib is thought that the thigh bone does not belong to the same subject aa tho other remains, as it appears to have been in tho sea a much longer time, and is quite clean of flesh and muscle Tho arm and foot probably bolong to IS T ielaon, the lato mate of the Otsiwuy, whose fate has hitherto been shrouded in mystery, doubts having been expressed as to whether he was drowned at all, but had murdered his companion, and then landed and effected his escape. On tho possibility of this being the case, full descriptions of tbo man have appeared in the Police Gazettes of this and neighboring colonies. The finding of the foot, however, sets any such suspicious at rest, as it must undoubtedly belong to Nielson, both of Webb's feet having been found and identified by tho boots on them, which boots are still in tho possession of the Police. Wo understand that tho Coroner has decided not to hold an inquest on the remains as thero is no evidence to put before a jury to onablo them to come to any conclusion as to how the person to whom tho remains belonged came by his death.

An Odd Fellows' Hall fob ChristcnUßCn. — A premium for the best design for an Odd Fellows' hall has boon offered in Christen urch. According.'to the plan the building is to be 45 x 26 all over, having a spacious lodge room and two ante-rooms, one 10ft x 9ft and the other 12ft square. Tho hall will be lighted with side lights, and when completed will bo an ornament to tho neighborhood.

The Sea Level ov Nkw Zealand. — An interesting discovery was made at Forbury Park, Dunedin, the other day, consisting of a stratum of fine whito quartz gravel, evidently wind-biown, and very similar to the thin layers found on the neighboring sandhills. The gravel is almost as iino as riot, and would form an admirable top dressing for garden walks, or for worlc'ng it on the surface of asphalt. The bed is another proof in corroboration of the theory of an alteration in the relative levels of sea and laud in the adjacent district.

PRESERVATION OP BIRTHRIGHT. — The newly bom son of Bazaine, although born iv Germany, was not born on German soil, his father having, by prudent foresight, conveyed a long cliost of French earth into the land of his captivity with his other baggago. Thus the Israelite Pilgrims, in olden times, brought u way a boxful of earth from Palestine, so that l.lu-ir remains might repose at last in the mould of the Promised Land.

A Learned Kleptomaniac— For some time past many books were missed from the Imperial library at St. Potorsburgh. Suspicion rested on ono of tho libr.irinns, a German theologian (a St. Petcrsburgh paper gives tho name oi M. Aloys Pilcher), but his high standing in tho world of learning mudo it impossible to act upon it. Somo time ngo, however, on his leaving tho library, one of tho servants who assisted him to put on his overcoat felt beneath the clothes on his back a large volume. The conscqueneo was a domiciliary visit, which led to tho discovery of about 7000 volumes stolen from the-^ brary. Tho selection bears an honorable testimony to tho critical acumen of tho learned thief.

Russian Assurance. — The German "St Petersburg Gazolte" observes that Russia has " gained two victories over England" — n diplomatic one in the Black Sea question, and a financial ono in tho matter of tho Now Russian loan. " Ifc is known," says tho " Gazette," " that tho London Stock Exchange suddenly felt certain patriotic scruples, and thought it a most provoking acton the part of Russia to eomo to tho English market in tho game month in which she had of hor own will freed herself from the treaty of 1856, and before tho other Powers had given their consent to an alteration of tho treaty. Yet tho sum Russia askod for ha 9 boon subscribed twico over in London all the same, and this success is tho moro remarkable that the prico of the new Russian Five per Cent. Loan is much higher than any of. those which were issued in 1867 and 1868 "

The Dunedin Graving Dock.— Tho flourish of trumpets indulged in by tlio Danedin papers ovor the successful completion of the Port Chalmers Dock scorns to have been a little too far in advance of the fitting occasion, for tho consummation over which tho pteans bavo already been sung eeems still to loom considerably in the distance, Disputes

cropped up between the contractors and the Dock Board as to the carrying out of the contract, which of course led to jealous and bitter recrimination, aud the dock was closed and taken possession of by the Dock Trust Board. Wo were told by a contemporary the other evening that " history" repeats itself, and many instances, " original," elaborate, and minute in detail, were given to prove the fact. This matter of the Obago dock is another example. First, the colony is doprived of the benefit and profit of a patent slip by tho bungling of our slip in Evans' Bay, and now the graving dock at Port Chalmers is to be renderod of no service, at least for a considerable time, through the same kind of overdone official management, the dock being, like our slip, ac useless at the present day as if it had never been thought of. But a vein of humor has crept into the affair, by the making of a proposition to convert the dock into a bath, for tho purpose of enabling her Majesty's subjects in Port Chalmers to have that delightful and health preserving luxury, a saltwater bath. It is proposed to roof the dock in and partition it off, so that both sexes may have the felicity of per/orming their ablutions simultaneously without inconveniencing each other, but a suspicion has been raised that the concrete is so porous that it is not a certainty but that sharks might wriggle themselves through, and shares that were at a premium have consequently fallen to par. Of course the proposition is ironical, and let us hope that the parties concerned will soon settle their differences, and that the dock will be made what it ought to be — a service to the colony.

Euterpe's "Wand in Battle. — Count Bismarck is reported to have said that; the famous war song " Watch on the Rhine," aided the Germans in' the late war more than a well equipped army of 100,000 men. Masonic. — The Regular Convocation of Royal Arch Companions, Canterbury Kilwinning Chapter, 136, S.C., was held in the Canterbury Masonic Hull on the evening of July 13.

Mongolian Highwaymen.—" For ways that are dark, and for tricks that are vain, that heathen Chinee is peculiar." By our latest Sydney files we observe that " Chinese cheap labor" is marking out now courses for itself in New South Wales. Two Chinamen have started as bushrangers, and tried to rob the Araluen mail. The attempt, however, was frustrated, and the heathen highwaymen were arrested.

A Modest Opfer.— Tho Rothschild of Hokitika, Mr Cnssius, who owns nearly half of the town, recently made the following offer to the corporation of that place, viz., to lend £1,000 for twelve months at the rate of 12 per cent, per annum, with 5 per cent, addod, for negotiating the transaction, provided it was used exclusively for the extension of the wharf from Wharf-street beyond Revelletreet. The offer was referred to a committee.

Anniversary Dinner. — A large find influential body of Orangemen assembled at dinner, at the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, to celebrate tho anniversary of tho Order. The table was laid by Mr Oram with his wonted skill, and gave universal satisfaction. Brother Thomas Merson was unanimously voted to the chair, and under his genial auspices a most enjoyable evening waa spent. The toasts wore interspersed with many excellent songs, and altogether tho proceedings passed off in a most satisfactory manner. The toasts honored were ' The Queen and Royal Family, 1 'The Charter Toast, 1 ( Tho Grand Master, the Earl of Enniskillen, 1 ' Orangomen at home,' coupled wifch the name of Brother Win. Johnston, of Bnllykilbeg, " The G-rand Master of the middle island of New Zoaland,' to which Mr Redpatb. responded, 'His Excellency the Governor,' and 'His Honor tho Superintendent.'

TnE Rangitata Bridge.-- The "Thnaru Herald" of a recent date says : — Since our la3t lengthy notice of the workg of the above, on June 7, but little progress his been made by the contractors. In the first column bottom was reached about three weeks since, and the sinking of the second column forming the first pier wa9 completed last Saturday week. The errata gone through in each sinking were of the same character, and if similar gronnd is met with in sinking tho rest of the columns, this portion — and a very principal portion too —of the work of ronstructing the bridge will bo comparatively easy. In the two shafts now down about one and a half feet of difficult sinking was encountered, consisting of large bou/dors, but the rest was compaefc shingle of small size, with occasionally a large boulder. At the bottom of tho shaft this shingle almost resembled cement, so compact was ifc. The ground where this first pier is sunk is some few feet above the river-bed, and consequently, the depth to which it is sunk is greater than it will bo in the waterway. These two columns are taken down about 30 feet, and tbo bottom being hard, compact gravel, is very favorable both as a bed for the cylinders and as a. foundation for the concrete wifch which each column on being sunk is filled.

The Wanganui. — Through tho severe weather raging during the last day or two, the departure of tho Wanganui has been considerably delayed. Her departure is now fixed for to-night at seven o'clock.

Scientific. — The Anglo-Australian in tho " European Mail" notes that a paper on " The Southern Alps of New Zealand," by Dr. Haast, F.R.S., was read at a recent meeting of tho Royal Geographical Society.

Anniversary Services. — The anniversary of tho Sabbath schools in connection with St. James' Wealoyan Church, Montreal Btreet, Christchurch, wove commemorated last Sunday by sermons preached in the morning by the Roy. Thomas Buddie, of Wellington, for many years superintendent of the Christchurch Circuit, and in the evening by tho Rev. A. R. Fitchett. During tho services the children, sang a selection of hymns arrangod for tho occasion.

Lusus NiTURiE. — Tho Charleston "Herald" mentions a freak of nature which lias occurred on the West Const. It says : — " Amongst a litter of pigs there was one which was a clog in almost every respect except the feet, which were those of a pig. The head was of a uondeseript kind, but had no appearance of any snout.

English Partridges. — Mr H. Honour informs tho " Oamaru Times" that he picked up an English partridges on the North road, opposite the Hon. J. M'Lenn's paddock, on Thursday last. It was dead, but quite warm, and lying directly below tho telegraph wires ; wound in its tliront showing, evidently, thnt tho bird had been killed by flying against the wire. It was quite fat and plump, so thnt it is evident there is abundance of suitable food for these birds in this locality.