LOCAL MEMORANDA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3270, 5 August 1871, Page 2

LOCAL MEMORANDA.

The great evmfc of the month has b£en the arrival of his Excellency the Governor, Lady Bowen and family. Elsewhere will be found a description of their reception. Heartily detesting Jenktnism in all its manifestations, we are sincerely glad to see that the Queen's representative was so well received. A miserable tendency to speak evil of dignities has been pandered to by a section of the local press, and the private tastes and habits of the Governor have been persistently misrepresented and indecently commented upon. Like all violent courses this has caused a reaction to set in, and the general feeling in Wellington is that we ought to show move respect to the Eepresentative of Royalty. We believe Sir George Bowen was both surprised and pleased at his reception. Lady Bowen appeared to suffer from her recent illness, and the inclement state of the weather on her southward trip was not calculated fco aid her recovery. Their new house was lit up with gas the other night, and looked most beautiful. It contains far better accomodation for the Governor, suite, and servants than the house at Auckland, and it is earnestly hoped that Lady Bowen will find it ia every way comfortable. Great preparations are being made at the Government Buildings for the meeting of Parliament, and a short description of the new offices will be found ekewhere. It is expected that the members shorfcjy to arrive will notice a great improvement in our streets and civic arrangements generally. In the principal cities ot New Zealand arrangements are being made to celebrate the centenary of Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish settlement of (Hugo being, as might have been expected, most enthusiastic in the matter. The incidents of the month have been diversified by the election of a member of the Provincial Council in room of Mr Henry Anderson, resigned " through bad health and private reasons." These " private reasons" by the way had all to do with the election. Most people would have voted for Mr Mills, who is personally very popular, and by hia enterprise in many directions has given great encouragement to local industries. The largest employer of labor in Wellington, and of agreeable manners, he was entitled, after the great interest he has so long taken in all public matters, to expect that when he was brought out under the auspices of the Mayor and the Provincial Secretary that he would have beat all competitors. Unfortunately, however, since the defection of Hunter and Halcombe the people of Wellington have not the same confidence in the remanent member of the Executive aa before, and the vory fact that Mr Mills was Mr Bunny's choice prevented him being the people's. The Reform Association which works " with ways that are dark and tricks that are vain" is said to have had something to do with it, so doubtless had certain denominationalist feelings ; but of this wo are convinced, that if the Anderson fiasco had not taken place, Mr Mills would have been member for the city. Our gold mines have had rather a blow by the return of the five tons of stuff sent to Makara to be crushed yielding such a poor result. Many with unshaken faith in them (and we confess to be of the number), believe that all that is wanted is the amalgamation of all the companies into one, and so save a useless expenditure of time, and capital, and labor. Were this done, and stampers Bet ngoing at once, we firmly believe in a few weeks time the shareholders would be receiving dividends instead of unsatisfactory reports of trial crushings. The recent rise in wool has had an exhilarating effect generally, and not only it but flax aro likely to be thought more of as staple exports than they have been for a long time. The approaching departure from araongst us of the Rev W. H. Ewald, curate of St. Paul's, Thorndon, has elicited a universal expression of regret from the numerous friends wbo3e good opinions that gentleman had won by hia assiduous and earnest attention to the performance of his duties to his parishioners during his residence in this city. On the occasion of delivering his farewell sermon, the rov. gentleman made a suitable acknowledgement of his thankfulness to all those who during his incumbency had "assisted him in will, word, and work." He also desired still to be remembered by them in their prayers, and solemnly and affectionately called upon them to remember the one great work that was set before them,viz to believe in Him whom God hath sent, warning them against the "evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God," and concluding by commending them, in t ho words of the Apostle, lo the God of all Grace. At a parish meeting, held a few evenings later, the business of appointing officers being concluded, Mr Barraud said he folfc that the parishioners could not permit that opportunity to pass without marking their feeling for their pastor, who was about to leave the parish. He .thought it would be hardly necessary to put his feelings into any official form. He wished to state that the parishioners desired to return their sinoere thanks to him for his kindly ministration during the time he had been among them, and to express their good wishes for his future welfare and happiness. Mr Bannasupported the remarks of Mr Barraud most cordially, and acknowledged the services of the Rev. Mr Ewald with great pleasure and much thankfulness. Mr Moore said he could not allow the opportunity to pass with- - out expressing his gratification at tltgzealoua . interest the rev. gentlemafrhad takerSff^Bj^ welfare of the parish. He earnestly hoped -^ the change would conduce to Mr Ewald' e happiness and welfare, and that his health, whioh he understood was one cause of Mr Ewald's removal, would be benefitted. He felt jus* fied in saying that the whole of the parishion* ers would always desire to hear of his welfare. Mr Ewald said he hardly knew how to reply to the kind expressions of the meeting, because he felt more had been said of him than ha deserved. He wue thankful, indeed, to leave New Zealand with such assurances as had been given expression to. Nothing could have given him greater pleasure, and he would often look baok to that "evening as one of his most pleasant reoollections. He thanked God that he had been successful in gaining the aj: « probation of the parishoners.

During tho month a number of entertainments hare been given in tho schoolrooms of the two Episcopalian Churches and at the Wesleyan Chapel. We are glud to observe tliis spirit rapidly and so strongly assuming j the form of a permanent provision of legitimate entertainment for the inhabitants of tho city. No class of entertainment can possibly exert so powerful an influence in smoothing away any social diffidence and estrangement that may exist in the community, and it is to be hoped the pastors of all our church congregations will consider it no inferior part of their duty to promote these meetings, for it is a most effective method of bringing about the good thpy all so much desire to effect. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society has already given proof of its earnestness in the work of improving our tastes by making provision for the ornamentation of our gardens and artificial forests of tho future as well as by the introduction of table delicacies from j Europe and America. No doubt we shall in j some way profit by the efforts of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society to introduce tho American salmon. In the meantime ponds for the reception of the salmon trout to be imported from the southern provinces are in course of construction in the society's grounds, and an aviary is in course of erection. The secretary is soliciting contributions from all the other societies of the colonies, and no doubt the part of the domain which has been fixed upon as the scene of operations will ere long prove an attraction to those who may have a little leisure to spaio. The first of a series of lectures, to be given during the winter by our most able ministers and politicians, was delivered on the evening of July 10, at the schoolroom of the Presbyterian Willis street, by the Rev. J. PaterBon, the subject chosen being " Colonial Li r e." All the phases of colonial life were spread out in their natural order, from tho mixture of eiultation, timidity, and resolve which inspired emigrants in leaving the old country — their first stepping on shore in the new and Btrange land where they confronted the painted and curious savage — their subsequent steps and trials, as marked by tho alteration in their habitations nnd in their surroundings in all other respects, up to our present state of society — all were graphically pictured ; and while the lecturer gave the most ample credit to the earnest heartiness and absence of sham in the colonists, as their distinctive features, hedidnot forget toadminister a gentle rebuke for the vanity, precociousness, aud general spiritedness that sometimes degenerated into that feeling which is designated in holy writ as stiffnecked. Mr Patereon has since delivered his lecture in many distant parts of the province, and has received tho highest enooniums from all his honrors. A meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society was held on July 22nd at the Maori House attached to the Colonial Museum. The Only business transacted was tho reading of an exceedingly able and interesting paper on the Physical and Geological Structure of Australia. J. C. Crawford, Esq., was the lecturer, and in the course of its delivery ho drew a rery striking comparison of tho features of Australia and New Zealand. The lecture will no doubt reach our readers in its complete form when published in the " Transactions" of the Society, so that we merely draw attention to the matter to put our scientific readers on the gui vive for such a treat. Our Football Club, which has now become a strong and permanent institution among us, lias played soino interesting matches during the month, the most noticeable one being with the Armed Constabulary. The game was a capital one throughout. The Rugby game was played, and although no goal was kicked, the result, or want of result, was quite satisfactory, for the play was excellent on both sides. The Court of Appeal sat during tho month, but the cases for decision were not of any alarming importance, the most important being the interpretation of the language of " The Arms Act 1869," which was a repealing or reviving act of all the acts previously passed for the punishment arid suppression of the sale of arms and ammunition to natives. Tho question was whether some convictions obtained under the existing act were to carry with them punishment for felony or misdemeanor. The Court held that the offence was still a felony, as it was originally denominated in the Act of 1861. Tho Supreme Court also had a sitting during the month in its Divorce and Matrimonial Jurisdiction. Several petitions for divorce were granted, the prevailing cause of the banishment of all connubial happiness having been brought about by an indiscreet indulgence in intoxicating liquors by the better half, who was deservedly worsted in Court. An agency of the celebrated Reuter telegraphic firm has been established in this city under the auspices of Q-reville and Co., the Australian agents, who had, until a short time ago, confined their operations to Australia. Still further extensions are in contemplation. In anticipation of the early establishment of telegraphic communication between Australia aud Europe, one of Reuter's ngent, MiHenry M. Collins, will shortly arrive in Melbourne for the purpose of making arrangements to supply the colonies with a daily resume of all importrnt European and Americun political, financial, and general informal ion. From all parts of the colony we havo very lengthy accounts of the severity of the weather, and its dettructiveness to crops, dwellinghouses, and all descriptions of property. Although we in Wellington have not experienced its full effects, still wo are not altogether without very convincing proof that the severity of the gales has not been equalled even in this " windy" part ot the world for many years past. In Otago the crops in high lying districts have been destroyed by the lying of the snow, and in Canterbury farmers have suffered from the floods, which have not been so severe oinco the celebrated flood of 1864, when part of Christchurch itself was under water. From the immunity we have enjoyed, Wellington would seem to Lave been the centre of a Bystem, outside which the furies have raged with relentless and incessant rigor. We have within the last day or two had some very heavy rain. Our rivers have been flooded, as they usuall) are at this time of year, but fortunately, so far as we have heard, there haß been no great amount of damage. Tho inconvenience to the settlers has been great, and though there have been many river accidents, we are happy to chronicle the fact that there has been no loss of life. The most severe Btorra we havo heard of in this province took place towards Wanganui one day last week. Mr Young, the owner of the Wanganui line of cooches, describes the storm as being the worst be has seen for three yeavs ; he never saw the tides so high, though the rivers were low. Many of the telegraph polos were blown down, but were quickly replaced. Tho coaches between Wanganui and Wellington run along a considerable portion of the sea beach, and tho j gale was so great at times as to blow the water up in the air in sheets, like immense water spouts. It was impossible, Mr Young said, to give an adequate idea of the fury of the gale. While rejoicing that we bave escaped tho fnry of one frenzied element, we have to notice the mournful death of two follow creatures by the burning of buildings — one in Wellington, the other at Wangaehu, Wanganui. In the former case, the fire is supposed to havo been caused by the unfortunate man who lost bia Hfß&mforVvho was partially employed by the owner jT'tno stables of the New Zealander Hotel as groom. The man, whoso name was Richard Andrews, alias " Dirty Dick," was in the habit of Bleeping in tho loft of the stable ; and going to bed one night in a state of intoxication is supposed to have dropped a lighted match among some hay. The firo was first scon to issue from the loft, and in a short time tho flames, which had completely seized upon the stables, were extinguished, and the firemen entering the buildings for the purpose of completing their work, soon discovered the remains of tho man Andrews partially burned. At the inquest, the evidence went to show that the deceased was the worse for liquor on tho night in question, and the presumptive view taken by the jury being that be had set firo to the place, a verdict bearing out that view was re-

turned. In tho Wangnehu case, suspicion enshrouded the affair from the beginning from the accidental discovery of a " plant" of property that had been removed from the Hotel beforehand. Tho landlord, named M'Donald, was immediately arrested, and after several hearings the prisoner cleared up any doubt on the matter by confessing that the firo was the result of incendiarism, and tliat he and one of tho witnesses, a man named Elliott, hud set the place on fire by menus of a keroaeno preparation. At tho time, three persons were eleeping in the house. One escaped unhurt, the second had his ribs broken by jumping to the ground from an upstairs window, while the third, a man named Peter Finn or Pbin, was evidently overpowered by tho sm-ko. and was consumed in tho flames. Tho proceedings are not sufficiently far advanced for a committal, but the unanimous feeling of the inhabitants of the province is that the wretches will not escape the penalty their infamous crime so richly merits. A further thinning of the ranks of our old colonists has taken place during the month, death in one case being the result of longevity in the other of n melancholy accident. The first to which we may ulludo is the demise o( tho wife of one of New Zealand's oldest colonists and a universally respected citizen, W. Lyon, Esq. Thefriends of the family assembled in great numbers at the funeral, hs a testimony of the esteem in which fcho deceased lady was held. The next death to which wo refer is that of Captain Taylor, of tho firm of Taylor and Watt, of Wanganui. Captain Taylor left Wanganui recently in a vessel belonging to ihe firm, the Ludy Deuison, on a trip to Melbourne, und while assisting to work the ship in a heavy squall, was knocked overboard. Captain Taylor's connection with the colony dated from 1840. The news of Captain Taylor's death has created great sorrow through out the province. A native dispute about some land occurred recently between two tribes at a place called ■ Horowheinm, near Wunganni. Some of the piijjers of the colony, which devote a considerable amount of their space to opposing the Fox Ministry and exaggerating native difficulties, were in high glee at the prospect of the resumption of disturbances, but Major Edwards, who has recently returned from a second visit to the locality, says there is no ground for tho rumour ut a rupture being imminent, the natives still adhering to tho arrangements made by him on the occasion of his first visit. From the disposition of the litigants in the matter at issue, he doe 3 not apprehend that there will be any further disputes between them. One of the chiefs engaged in the dispute has sinco notified his intention of coming to Wellington to see the Government about settuig the whole affair. The blast furnuce erected by the order of the Q-cncral Government for the purpose of smelting the New Zealand steel sand is now completed. The buse of the furnace is square, and five feet high. tho stack, including baseand chimney, twenty-eight ieefc high ; tho interior is in the shape of a lamp glusa with square hearth eighteen inches. Tho furnace will be worked with a dam stone, and tho slug will only have three and a-balf inches to run to the tapping hole, for tho metal is so arranged that it will be able to be tapped any height from the bottom to the blast pipo or tuyers. It resembles an ordinary blast furnace, but a further precaution is taken. In all smelting furnaces between the fire brick or stone, an expansive cavity of four or fivo inches is left, so thai it can be filled with a non-conducting material, but in this furnace insteud a lino is is left so that it can be filled with fuel and a blast put on, and a strong and powerful heat is produced j this makes the bottom of the furnaco resembles a furnace within a furnace. The arrangements for the procuring of the new organ for St Peter's Church are in a very satisfactory way towards a successful issue. The money at present raised by entertainments at the schoolroom amounts to about £177, in addition to which there aye muny other sources of receipts towards the carrying out of the same object. Mr Kobbell, a passenger by tho Nebraska, on her last trip, was armed with the necessary authority to purchase an organ in London at a cost of £250 — a price which it is thought should purchaao an instruof considerable power. £250 is the amount to be spent for tho purchase of tho organ in the builder's workshop, but tho expense of packing, freight and other incidental expenses "onnected with its transit hither, will raise the total to something considerably greater.