Wellington Independent SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1871.

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

Wellington Independent SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1871.

Deep Sea. Soundings for Telegraphic Cable between Sydney and Nelson.— ln reference to our leading article of yesterday, wo are informed on authority that Captain Moresby, of 11. M. S. Basilisk, was directed by Commodore Stirling to take a lino of deep sea soundings between Sydney and New Zealand, with a view to the future laying of a telegraph cable, a line and sounding apparatus being supplied by the Postal Telegraph Company at Sydney. Tho first cast made was under most favorable circumstauces, when Sydney Houds bore N.W. 114. 1700 fathoms of line wore paid out, and no bottom obtained. On attempting to recover the line, both line and apparatus were lost in consequence of tho line breaking by its own weight, and thusCapt Moresby was unable to take any further soundings. This solitary cast has, however, proved that probably much greater depths than previously anticipated will bo found between tho two countrios ; possibly not less than 2500 fathoms. It is very much to bo regretted that the Postal Telegraphic Company at Sydney did not supply Captain Moresby with line sufficiently strong for tho purpose required. His Excellency's Reply. — The following is Sir George Bowen's reply to tho address presented to him by His Worship tho Mayor, J. Dransfiold, Esq, on the occasion of tho landing of Sir G-eorgo and Lady Bowon on Thursday :— « To the Mayor and Councillors of tho City of Wellington— Mr Mayor and Gentlemen — I receive with sincere pleasure this address which you have presented to me, as it were, on the threshold of your fair city, and aurrounded by a great concourse of your fellowcitizens, whom you so worthily represent. On behalf of Lady Bowen and myself, I thank you warmly for tho kind welcome and hearty greeting which you have accorded to us, on our return to the seat of the General Government. The handsome and commodious house which has justbeen completed hero for the residence of the Governor, by the liberality of the Colonial Legislature, will, among other advantages and inconveniences, enable me to extend more widely than it has hitherto been possible at Wellington, those hospitalities which I rejoice to offer in a colony where my family and I havo received so much courtesy and respect. lam very glad that Wellington, like the other chief cities of New Zealand, has boen incorporated as a Municipality; for it has invariably been held by the highest political authorities that this system of local self-government has been ono of the main elements of our national greatness, and of the stability of the British Constitution. In conclusion, I assure you onco more that my wife and I fully reciprocate the good feeling shown by your address, and cordially desire success for your Corporation, and happiness and prosperity for the people of Wellington. (Signed) G. F. Bowen. Wellington, 3rd August. Ciiy Council Cartage.— The accounts of the City Council for the week contain an item of £65 or more for cartage, and the idea naturally suggests itaelf, would it not be better that the Council should purchase one or more horses and carts and save the amount paid away for hire. Here is a very good sum to begin with. Sixty pounds would buy a very good horse, and the amount for cartage for the next few weeks would no doubt bo equal to the cost of a cart. As it seems possible that this would be a more economical plan it might be adopted as one of tho many ways in which retrenchment may bo effected. We merely throw out tho hint on account of its success in tho administrative economy of municipal institutions in other part 3 of New Zealand. Retiring Councillors. —In accordance with the Act, three members of tho City Council retire by rotation in September next. The retiring members are Messrs Mills, Carpenter, and Quin, and, taking time by the forelock, some of tho ratepayers have already requested one or more of these gentlomon to stand for re-election. A matter that will, no donbt, bo rectified among others the first time the act comes before tho General Assembly for the makingofmanyamendmonts lately suggested is this : ClausoM provides that members Bhull retire on tho second Thursday in September, whilo clause 78 provides that tho incoming members shall be elected on the same day, so that in reality the new members are elected before tho old ones havo vacated their seats. As it is well to be off with tho old love before wo ,get on with the now, it would be desirublo that tho retiring membors should resign a few days in advance, but clause 47 would prohibit thorn from offering themselves for re-election within a period of six months from tho date of their resignation. Tho difficulty is imaginary, but tho claiißCß mentioned give tho proceedings an anomalous form. Early Closers' Entertainment.— The coinmitteo of iho Early Closing Association are taking active steps to redeem their promise of giving a literary and musical ontertainment at the hall of tho Athrnseum, in aid of tho library fund of that institution. As the association is a small ono, and has not a great range of performers to choso from, they will bo assisted by several lady and gentlemen amateurs, who have kindly consented to allow their names to bo placed on the programme. Tho entertainment will take place as soon as possible aftor tho alterations in cleansing, redecorating, &o, now taking place are completed. Provincial Council Election.— Tho official declaration of the poll for the seat in tho Provincial Council was nmdo yesterday, tho numbers being— Seagcr, 295 ; Mills, 224. The Morning Star Company.— Tho drive of this compuny is now 190 feet into tho rock, and the tnunuger is confident, from presont indications, that payable gold will be struck afc about 200 feet.

Presentation. — The seat-holders of St. Paul's, Thorndon, have subscribed a purse of sixty sovereigns to be presented to the Eev. W. H. Ewald previous to his departure in the Nebraska. The Towehs' Perpormakce.— A brilliant houso will bo certain to meet at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Monday evening, his Excellency tho Governor having signified his intention of being present. Soiree.— Aboub 400 people were present at tho Odd Fellows' Hall last evening, the entertainment passing off in a completely successful mannor. The singing -was gone through in a very accomplished way by thoßO -who had undertaken to provide the vocal harmony of tho evening, and dancing comtnonced about nine o'clock. His Honor the Superintendent was unavoidably absent through indiaposition. The assemblage was a brilliant one, most of the leading citizens being present. Pressure on our space is our apology for not noticing the soiree at greater length. Bird. — The Champion seems in a fair way fco achieve a great success at the Athletic Gathering on Monday next. Our advertisement says that Sir George and Lady Bowen will honor the occasion with their presence and patronage. Captain Moresby, H.M.S. Basilisk ; his Worship the Mayor, and other influential gentlemen, are also patrons. Tho sports are to bo enlivened by the strains of one of our best local bands, and the erection of a grand stand and refreshment booths is being proceeded with. A goodly number of local ama^ tour runners have entered their names to run against the champion, who has given them some splendid starts. Three events are announced in which Mr Bird will figure, and wo imagine that it will be hot work for him. We trust that the gathering will be under tho patronage of the clerk of the weather, whose presence is most essential. One o'clock is tho starting hour, ond we certainly look forward to an excellent day's sport, and, if tho programme is any criterion, wo are sure wo shall not bo disappointed. The Suggested Resi&xation oi? Councillors. — We direct tho attention of those of our citizens who have been requested to sign an address to our municipal Councillors, asking them to resign their ssats in the City Council, to the 47th clause of the Muuicipal Corporations Act, which says : — " Nothing herein contained shall prevent any person from being immediately, or at any time, re-elected to the office of councillor, if ho shal 1 for tho time being be capable under the provisions hereof of being and continuing a coun cillor : but no person who shall by resignation, ouster, or thiough absence, have ceased to hold the office of councillor, as in the last preceding section, in each several case provided, shall be re-elected to such office within six months after tho time when he shall have so ceased." So that, woro the request complied with, we should lose the services of every one of those Councillors who have tho most experience, tho clause expressly stipulating that should they resign they cannot offer themselves again for six months. Whether wo agree or differ with tho members of the present Council, collectively or individually, wo hardly think it probable that the majority of tho burgesseß will so readily dispense with the services of a body of men who have shown themselves so well qualified to hold the positions thoy occupy.