LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3272, 8 August 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Lectuhe. — The secon-d lecture was delivered last evening at the Presbyterian school room by his Honor the Superintendent. As might have been expected, the subject was handled with the lecturer's well known ability, but its efieet was, to a great extent, marred by the imperfect, manner in which it reached a considerable portion of the audience— those seated at the buck hearing very imperfectly. We would suggest that it would be better in future to give tiie lectures in the church, as was done last year. The school-room was incoveniently crowded last evening, and altogether the able lecture of Mr Fitzherbert did not receive the attention it deserved. At its conclusion a vote of thanks was proposed by the Rev Mr Paterson, who made some appropriate remarks upon the subject selected by the lecturer, and intimated that the next lecture would bo given by the Yen Archdeacon Stock on Monday evening next, the subject being "The Antiquity of Man." Oddfellows' Fall. — Mr and Mrs Frank Towrrs gave a very varied and interesting entertainment last night, but to a very moderate house. Our space forbids us giving a lengthened notice. What we consider were the two chief attractions were the character singing of Little Kosa and the Cousin Joe of Mr A. E. Bird. Little Rosa was enthusiastically received. Her manner is charming, and her get-up very effective. Her " Champagne Charlie" is unique, and this and her "My Beau in the Riflo Brigade" are, wo think, her two best piece?. Mr Bird's " Cousin Joe" was excellent. On the dropping of the curtain Mr Towers announced that thoro would be an entire change in the programme, and that the prices would be reduced to what he understood had been the ueunl rates, 3s, 2s, Is. As the company will only appear two nights morp, those who have never seen " Little Rosa" should not lose the opportunity.

R.M. Court. —Through the severe illness of a member of his family, J. C. Crawford, Esq., 8.M., wns not present to take his seat in tho Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning.

The Price of Law. — Wo learn from our Otago files that a bankrupt estate has there been at last wound up. It appears that the proceeds realised were £597, and the legal expenses £513, leaving the handsome sum of £84: to bo divided among the creditors. Happy individuals!

The Fire Belt,. — The following contributions have been recrivod by tho committee for tho erection of tho fire bell ; — Mr John Enowles, 10s ; Edward Dixon, 10s.

The Maori Prisoners — The' remaining five of the prisoners convicted at tho lnet treason trials were shipped yesterday in the Wellington for Dunedin. Karanama and tho other old fellow who it was thought in tho Court at the time of the trial would not survive many days seemed to bo in good health yesterday. A course of rigid discipline such as they will receive in the Dunedin gaol will not fail to make these most dangerous fellows remember the enormity of their offence and teach them to be on their good behaviour when next they gain their freedom. From the appearance of the men

the regimen of gaol diet dispensed to them by Mr Read seems to have worked a beneficial change on their constitutions. Early Closing Entertainment. — The entertainment announced elsewhere as tko first result of the Early Closing movement in Wellington is a mattor reflecting some little credit on tho young men of tho city, who have agitated so long for the obtaining of a little leisure in the evenings. The organisation of an association has been carried to a completely successful issue, as a glance at the list of patrons will show. Tho object of tho entertainment is a very laudablo one, viz 1 , to assist in swelling the fundof an institution thatshould receive support from all quarters. Several of our very best amateurs have promised to lend their aid, and tho oarnestness of tho public in supporting these hitherto pent up shopkeepers will bo best testified by a crowded attendance at their first entertainment.

Accidents.— Two accidents occurred yesterday evening, one a very serious one, the other a very trivial one, but fortunately in neither case did any person suffer any injury. The first to notice was the upsetting of one of Prosser's large American coaches at the sharp turning round the vacant corner opposite tho Supreme Court. About six o'clock the coach was being driven round at a moderate pace, when suddenly it was precipitated on to its side, but the momentum given by the sudden capsizing of such a heavy body sent the coach completely over, the wheels being uppermost in the air. It did not long remain in this pesition, tho gravitation of the heavier portion bringing it down on its side again, but such a wrenching had been given to the whole affair that the top did not return with the lower portion, remaining flat on the road in the position in which it was first thrown. Perhaps it was fortunate that it did so, for, much to tho astonishment of those who witnessed the occurrence, about a dozen people made their way out of the debris, not one of them being injured. The whole thing was only the work of five minutes, for in that time every portion of tho wreck was cloared away. The horses were a little frightened at first but the driver pluckily held on to them, and they soon recovered their fright. Tho cause of tho accident was tho coming out of tho king bolt. The next was tho coming off of the wheel of an express waggon, which was being driven up to the barrack ground. The trap was going up lull at the time, and although it gave the driver a bit of a jolt, and rather startled tho horse, nothing more serious was the consequence. Ites£3 moil Fiji. — The Carandinis have been giving entertainments at Levuka. Fighting is going on amongst the natives of Viti Levu Buy. Mr James Turner, the proprietor of the Criterion Hotel, an old and much respected settlor, died on. the 4th of July. Now lamps to guide vessels into harbor have replaced the old ones. They are much brighter and better than the others. The news from the various districts is very encouraging. A good crop is expected. The brigantine Defiance arrived this morning, with sixty-five foreign laborers. She brings Captain Bergin and the mate of the Lulu schooner, which wtis wrecked on the 10th June on Espirito Santo Island. The captain and crew took to the boat, and were chased by the natives in their canoes, but fortunately escaped to Cape Lisbon where the mission vessel Dayspring wbb lying. They went into Sandwich, where they found tho Defiance, which brought tho captain and mate down. Mountaineers on Viti Levu, at the head of tho Ecwa river, are fighting. It is rumored that there has been a good deal of bloodshed, AMr Darby, on Viti Levu, had a dispute with natives respecting some work, and, producing a gun, fired. The men then set on and severely ill used him. The Wesleyan distriot meeting has been hold at Bau. A Long Team. — The iron and ties of the Central Pacific Road alone, if loaded on cars, would make a train 52 miles long, and would require 750 locomotives to draw the mighty load.

Spobting Jett d'Esprm. — Why is a racehorse's jcurney from paddock to starting-post generally like the opening of a eermon ? Unanimous answer from millions of excited turfites : Don't know. Correct solution from unblushing querist : Because it's a pre-amblo. Sporting papers please copy.

Dundreary's Latest. — His Lordship declares that tho proposed tax on matches is one of those things no fellah can understand. It's a wura way t-tto encouwage the sale of mum-mu-matches to twy and Bob-bLowe 'em out !"

Tnu Explorer Leichiurdt. — The following extract from a private letter, written at a camp on the Woodfordo, latitude 22-28, and dated April 30, by a moraber of one of the Port Darwin telegraph construction parties, will, says the "S. A. Advertiser," " be of intereßt, now that the fate of the long-lost explorer Leichhardt is again occupying public attention in these colonies : — ' At the northeast end of Luke Eyre there is a very large creek coming from the north, named the Jarvis, after its discoverer, and Tireuwa by the natives. Well, on this creek, a long way to the north, eight white men were killed by the natives a great many years ago. They were catting their way through dense jungle and scrub from the east to the north bank of the creek, when the natives, who had followed them for days, watching for an opportunity, foil upon them and killed them all. Now, a 8 this must have happened very close to tho place where M'Kinlay found traces of Leichhardt, is ifc not probable thnt these unfortunates must have been members of his party ? There is also another thing which seems to cofirm this supposition. At the time Sir R. M'Donald was in the North, an old greyliorso with a Government brand, and hoofs of great length, turned and growing upwards, was found to the Bouth of tho junction of this some creok with Lake Eyre. Now as this horse did not belong to the South Australian Government, and Leichhardfc had horses so branded, it is very likely that it belonged to him. This is old news in tho north-west to some, but I doubt whether tho fact of white men having been killed on this creek has over been known to you. Jarvis, who told mo of it, heard it from a native now at the Peake, who said he was on the creek, quite a boy, when the murders took place. He cannot fix the time, but says it was a long time ngo.'

Benedetti's Wifk. — Tho following romantic story is told of tho wife of the French Consul at Berlin, whoso name was bo prominent (it tho beginning of (ho war : — " A very rich Greek morchant, a resident in Alexandria, had two black wives, whom he loved dearly, and for whoso service he provided a largo retinuo of beautiful girls. Ono of his wives chanced to see a charming whits girl one day, and was so pleased with her that blio coaxed her husband into buying her. The beautiful slave became a very confidential servant and companion of her black mistress, and conducted herself towards them in such a sagacious manner that eho became indispensable to them. She sang to them, gossipped, and frolicked so gracefully that ennui was bani3hod completely. She won their affection, and through them also the affection of her master, the venerable Greek merchant. But unfortunately the black wives suddenly fell sick jno day, and before night they were both dead. Their disease was known to nobody, and they were hastily burned. The beautiful young slave, who had not left their side for a moment during tho few hours of their illness, seemed inconsolable She did her best, howover, to assuage tho grief of tho ancient merchant, and in this way so endeared herself to him that he adopted her as his child and heir, since ho was a littlo too old to marry her. In course of time tho venerable sago rejoined his swarthy wives in tho other world, and tho fortunate nymph came into possession of his millions. At this singe of her existence, Count Bcnedetti, who was then only a pennileßß attache to tho French Consulate in Alexandria, offered her his hand and heart, and, having married her, with the aid of her wealth cut for himself a road to fame. In this way she who was onco a slave to slaves became a star in tho circles of tho French world of fashion.

New Caledonia. — News from New Caledonia to Juno 21 states : — The Government are causing the interior of the country to be more thoroughly examined and explored. The " Moniteur" of tho 14th describes a visit to the Caves of Tchalaboll, and to tho auriferous slopes of Mnnghine. A. letter from the Colonial Secretary, M. 11. Trnstour, dated tho Bth June, complains (incidentally) that many of tho new arrivals from Australia are addicted to drink. The strength of the naval station at Noumea is to bo reduced by one half — from 30,000 fto 15,000 f. These reductions are made ' on account of the exigencies of tho situation.' The proposal of the Governor to introduce municipal institutions into Now Caledonia has been sanctioned by the home authorities.

Literary Mems.— Government Official Gazettes nppoar to realise a good profit. The accounts of tho " London Gazette" for the past year show tho receipt of £25,976 from advertisements and the sale of the paper, and the total expenditure being only £5,283, there romaincd a profit of £20,693. Tho roceipta of tho "Edinburgh Gnzette" were £3607, and the profits £215 1. The receipts of the " Dublin Gazotte" were £1219, and the profits £773. The profits of tho three amounted together to £23,620, an increase of £2316 over tho preceding year. Tho profits are paid into the Exchequer. — The talented authoress of " John Halifax, Gentlemau," has entered into arrangements with Messrs Sampson, Low and Co, to edit a series of works suitable for girls, each volume to be illustrated, and the series to be published at a uniform price of 4s per vol. The first of the series will be entitled " Little Sunshine's Holiday, a Picture from Life," and will be from tho same pen that wrote " JoV.n Halifax, Gentleman." It is stated that Professor Jowett intends to publish a* volume supplementary to his translation of Plato, in which ho will discuss at length the question of tho genuineness of the Platonic Dialogues, and other points that he was unable to treat of within tho narrow limits oi his recent work. A new monthly review, entitled the "Taxpayer," devoted to subjects connected with imperial and local taxation and expenditure is announced in London.

A Marvellous Tale.— The " New York Tribune" reasonably as'^a, "Is not this, related in a private letter from London, rather a remarkable story ? About ten years ago, a young American from New York, Walter Hastings by namo, diniug in London in company with Lord o——, expressed the opinion that solitary confinement in a dark cell was not so dreadful a punishment as had been represented. His Lordship — so goes the tale offered Hastings 610,000 if he would undergo entire seclusion for ten years. The proposition being agreed to. a coll was fitted up in Lord C s town house. It was from 12ft. to 15ft square. The prisoner was to bo allowed candles, a few books, writing materials, plain food — the latter served by a man who was not to be seen- In this way Hastings has been living for a decade o£ years, his term expiring about the Ist of the present month. He is now released, nud has received, we suppoßO, his hard-earned money. He emerges from his dungeon in rather a dilapidated condition, "appearing, though only thirty-five like a man of sixty-five years of age, his frame stooping and his steps tottering, his face sallow, his hair and beard white, his voico tremulous, and his speoch hesitating. He is coming directly to America, and we should not wonder if Mr Barnum knew something about him. If so, in this respect, tho'volunteer incarcerate has an adrantago over the prisoner of Chilion, who never found his Barnum at all, but only his Byron — and in other respects, over the St. Simon Stylites, who remained so long, not at his post but on the top of it, looking down with a contemptuous eye upon hie admirers who sent him up his lenten provender by means of a rope and basket. We can only compare our Walter Hastings with the historical old gentlemen who was found very much in need of "a hairdresser, in one of the subterranean dens of the Bastile, and who died soon after being released, as toads do when the splitting of their granite enclosure liberates them." A Fleeting Popflaeity.— Our Dunedin telegram reports that Mr Bathgate, who was returned at the head of the poll as M.H.R. for that city is already asked to re sign !