LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Issue 3293, 4 September 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tele Suez Mail. — Tho Suez ianil, with detailed advices up to July 14, and telegraphic advices to August 7 or 8, was due at Melbourne on August 31. The New Zealand portion will be brought ou by the Tarnrua, which is due either at the Bluff or Hokitika to- morrow.

Dr. Moran.— Dr. Moran, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, was a passenger to Wellington yesterday by the s.s. Nevada.

The Museum.— This institution was lit with gas on Saturday evening, and was thrown open to the public for several hours. During these hours there was a numerous attendance of townspeople and strangers, tho hitter including many members of both Houses of Assembly. The exhibition of flax was one particular source of attraction, though the specimens were not ao easily seen by gas-light as they are by daylight The opening of the institution on Saturday evening seems to be a very happy idea, and ono which is calculated to extend the benefits of the Museum as a source of public instruction, as much as any arrangement which has yet been made in that direction..

Supreme Court. — As already announced, tho erimiuttl sessions of the Supreme Court commence this day at ten o'clock. There are but four cases for trial.

Fiee Beigade.-— Tho general meeting of the brigade is appointed to bo held this evening, at half-past seven o'clock, when a full attendance bf members is requested, as business of importance has to be considered.

Patea Starved Out. — A correspondent of the " Taranaki Herald" at Patea wz'ites : — " We are nearly all starving hero. We have had a gale blowing for about a month or sis weeks, consequently no vessels have been able to come here, and, as a natural sequence, the storekeepers are out of flour, tea, sugar, currants, tobacco, &c, and the publicans out of beer and grog. The dray road to Patea from Wanganui is all but impassable ; therefore, I may say, starvation and sobriety stare us in the face. Not even the narcotic influence of tobacco is allowed us. Oh, for an ounce of bird's eye or a glass of P. 8.!" FUNERAL OF THE EEV. W. KIETON. — OuTuesdaylastthoremainaof the Rev. W. Kirton, the late Presbyterian Minister at Kaiapoi, were conveyed to Eangiora for interment. The attendance at the funeral, though fairly numerous, would have been increased considerably by those who wished to show this last mark of respect had he been buried at the Kaiapoi cemetery. Tho former course, however, it appears waß at the wish of his relict. The Roy. Canon 'Duffy read the service for tho burial of the dead. On Sunday morning next a funeral sermon is to be preached in the church at Kaiapoi, and at an early date a meeting will be summoned to make arrangements for inviting a minister to undertake the cure of the church. Canterbury Railways.— The Provincial Government invite tenders for the fencing, earthworks, and culverts, &c, of the first five miles of the Southern railway beyond Selwyn. Dr. Jenner. — In reply to a correspondent who asks upon what authority tho statement was made that Dr. Jenner had resigned his rights and privileges pertaining to the Bishopric of Dunedin, the " Daily Times" says : — " The very best authority — that of Dr. Jenner himself." We have been requested to state that the s.s, Alhambra will leave Wellington this afternoon instead of Tuesday, as previously advertised. Popular Lecture.— The Hon. Major Richardson is announced to give a lecture this evening at tho Willis street pchoolrooin, as ono of the series of popular lectures which have been given in that room during the present season, and which have been so uniformly well-attended. Tho lecturer and his subject, " the Pathway to Success," are certain to attract and to interest a numerous audience.

The Flood on the Tinakoei Road. — The damage to Mr Williams'a store, just above the Karori Hotel, is far more serious than wo supposed when we first noticed the matter. Tho water has washed out about half of the earth from under tho building, and there is now a dangerous chasm, surrounded by a boarding, where there formerly existed a most substantial foundation. The water from tho culverfc on the opposite side of the road seems now to have formed a pcrma> neufc channel under Mr Williams's shop. In the meantime the equilibrium of the building is temporarily sustained by the employment of a number of long props. The damage, and consequent loss, are the more to bo regretted as the store, a very largo building, had only recently been handed over by tho buildors.

The young lad Guhill, third sou of Mr Edward Cahill, who recently met with a painful accident nt Mr Seager's foundry, died in tho hospital on Saturday, after extreme suffering. His funeral is announced to take place this afternoon. This is the second son whom Mr Cahill has lost by casualties, auothor son having been killed while riding afc one of the race-meetings on the West Coast.

Tite Waikaki Election. — At the provincial election for the Waikari district, tho figui'cs were, Maenssey, 52 ; Hepburn, 31 ; majority for Maeassey, 21. Mr Henry Howorth waa also proposed, but the nomination was not seconded, and Mr Howorth also intimated that lie did not mean to bo a candidate.

Fire at Ohinejiuri. — Ifc is reported in Shortland that Mr J. Mahoney's store, situated at Thorpe's Landing, Ohineimrri, had been destroyed by fire on Friday last. The damage done is estimated at £10.

The HousE.—The proceedings on Friday afternoon were extremely dull and uninteresting, but had the recommendation of being short. What might be called an ejaculatory discussion came with a rush on the heels of the last motion on tho paper, the Speaker having broaohed the subject of the procuring of a room in which to exhibit the 'maps and" plans of the different railways to bo constructed throughout the colony. It had been found impossible, he said, to find a suitable room immediately available for the purpose, and he had consulted with the Colonial Architect on the matter. The question had " been raised incidentally whether the Government should go to the expense of building a large room immediately, or whether the House would proceed to consider the question of building another Legislative Chamber, which bad been discussed last year. The bare hint at the building of a new Legislative chamber brought Mr. Creighton to the perpendicular with a kind of spasmodic saltation, He considered tho whole thing entirely unnecessary. If he wanted to see any plana, he couli go out and ask an officer of the House for any particular one, and could so gratify his curiosity or desire for knowledge ; but as to the build iug of a now Parliament House — that was preposterous ; positively monstrous ! He would protest, on behalf of the constituency he represented, against the expenditure of any public money for the erection of such a building in a place where he held it was not right to have the Seat of Government at all. There was one important omission in this ebullition — the " proper" Seat of Government was not named. Mr. Macandrew suggested the hanging of the plans in the smoking room. Mr. Hall protested against the Canterbury plans being so exposed ; the Otago representatives might take their plans there, but he would never consent that the Canterbury plans should be exposed in such a place. Mr. Gisborne also expressed his dissent. Non-smokers might take a dislike to any railway whose plun they had to examine, if it all, through a volume of smoke. Besides, it was a bad augury that the plans for the reception oi great works under a new scheme should be placed in a smoking room — it seemed to foreshadow that the whole thing might end in smoke. To come to a definite couclusion, he proposed that a special committee be appointed to enquire into the best plan for carrying the wishes of the House into effect, which was carried.

Football. — A lively game was played on Saturday afternoon, which lasted about two hours. Although the weather was all that could be desired, the ground was still very soft. Sides were chosen by Messrs Kane and Ludwig, and after some excellent play a goal was won by Kane's side, Gore sending the ball over the bar by a very good drop kick. A meeting of the club was afterwards held at the Princess' Hotel on business connected with the club. '

A Vagrant "Miser. — An old woman named Mary Maloney was taken into custody, on Saturday, as a vagrant who had been imposing on the charitably disposed by pretensions of poverty, whereas she had in her possession at the time of her arrest a considerable sum of. money and a quantity of provisions _ to supply her daily wants for some time. Her atory was that she had come from Napier, and was going to Dunedin, but lacked funds to convey her to her friends. The police had reason, from information which they sought and received, to suspect her story, and she was arrested and searched, when she was found to have concealed about her dress, in tenpound notes, one-"pound notes, gold, and small silver, a sum amounting to upwards of £54-. In her lodgings there, was also found a collection of clothing and provisions. On being brought before the Court on she was remanded for a week.

Ceicket.— The members of the Star Cricket Club, and gentlemen desirous of joining the club, are invited to attend at eight o'clock this evening at the Panama Hotel.

On the arrival of the steamer Wellington on Saturday last, a very fine draught stallion was landed. The horse is wellknown to our Auckland friends, having for the last fey? years been the best draught stallion in that province. His name is Major, and is a bay chesnufc, standing about sixteen hands high, and is one of the most perfect nuggets to be seen. He is now at Mr Brown's stables at the Nag's Head, Cuba street, having a rest ashore on his way from Aueklund to Christchurch, where he is to be offered for sale. It is a pity that he should be allowed to leave the province, as he is exactly the style of horse this province has so long required. He is not showing to the best advantage, having suffered from the severity of the passage, but all will do well to inspect him prior to his reahipment for his destination. Gboundless Eeport. — We copied from a late Thames paper a report of the supposed drowning of two fisherman. A later number of the " Advertiser " states that the fears entertained with regard to the [safety of the Denbigh Lass and the two men, Welch and Williams, have proved groundless. The men were seen and spoken to at Tapu on Tuesday by Mr Alexandor M'Kenzie.

Hotel Robbery. — Iv the Governor Browne Hotel, Auckland, last week, one of the lodgers had a considerable amount of money iv his pocket book — some £30 to £10 ; and, when he went to put on his trousers iv the morning, found himself robbed of his sparo cash. The police are understood to have a clue to the thief.

Coal at the Thames.— The coal discovered at the Thames is situated within five miles of Grahamstown. The specimens brought down consist of bitumenous shale and lignite. There are three distinct veins visible; and these are believed to be the outcrop of a seam of coal, for which search is being made.

The Stackyabd Fiee at Tokomairiro — At the inquost as to the fire in the stackyard of Mr Jame3 Adam, Tokomairiro, the jury returned a verdict of arson against James .Uussell, farm servant to Mr James Grant, South Tokomairiro. The case will bo tried at the coming criminal sessions of the Supreme Court.

Prospecting.— We observe by the Auckland papers that for several months a number of the residents at the Great Barrier Island have been • engaged in thoroughly prospecting the district for gold, and have at last, it is said, come upon the precious metal. Within the past week arrangements have been made with Mr Tookejk of the Thames, for sending a quantity of quartz and mullock "to one of the goldfields batteries,

New Gas Company in Auckland.— A Gas Consumers' Company has been started in Auckland. At the first meeting there were a hundred business men present, and four thousand shares were engaged before the enterprise was even resolved upon. Steps were being taken for the acquirement of a site for works, and for procuring apparatus from Melbourne' or Sydney.

The Carandinis.— ln Noticing the return of the Carandinis from California, and tho appearance , of Madame CarandinPs two younger daughters, the "Sydney Herald" says.— The debutante. Miss Isabella, has a sweet soprano voice, that will doubtlesß develop with years. With her younger sister, Miss Lizzie, who also now makes her debut before the public, and already possesses a fine contralto voice, she joined in a pretty little duet, and received the encouraging approval of the audience. Gas at the Thames.— The number of shares applied for in the ThamejLGas Company is 17,000, of which numbflPpr 10,000 can be allotted in accordance with the terms of the company's prospectus. The Thames people, who were at liberty to take up half the shares, have applied for 4,000, and Auckland 13,000. The Caledonian Claim.~W6 notice by the report of a meeting of the Caledonian Company that the yield of gold for the half-year ending July 31st has been 154,828 ounces, which has afforded the amount of £411,840 for distribution among shareholders, or at the rate of £144 per share. The Chinese Question. — The reports as to the feeling against the Chinese in j the Lake District of Otago seem to have ; been exaggerated. Tbe "Daily Times" I sa y S : — We understand that in consequence of' statements made by the " Wakatip Muil," and reprinted in our Monday's issue, to the effect that dis« j turbances between the European miners ! and the Chinese were likely to take place | in the Wakatip district, the authorities i made enquiry into the matter, and found the statement in question to be altogether without foundation. A strong feeling against the influx of Chinese certainly exists in the district, as elsewhere, but the idea of using force to expel or " punish " the Chinese has never been entertained.

PuoFEifsoiJ Black. — In the Edinburgh papers there is a report of a dinner given by members of the Naturalists' Field Club and other gentlemen to Dr. Black, one of the Professors of the Olago University. Mr Robert Scot Skirving occupied the chair, and Mr A. S. B. Scott, director of the collegiate classes in Picardy Place, was the croupier. The Chairman ' dwelt on the remarkable career of Dr. Black— the first student who had taken the new degree of D.Sc.-— and spoke especially of the loss his appointment to so honorable a post as the professorship of natural science at Otago would be to the Naturalists' Field Club. He alluded to the fact that the member for the Universities of~Edinburgh and St. Andrews had given to the House of Commons a sketch of Dr. Black's career as a specimen of how talented young Scotchmen could force their way into scientific eminence by means of their university system. The toast was res« ponded to with unbounded enthusiasm. Dr. Black made a characteristically modest reply, referring to himself as one of a large class of students who began their curriculum without " any visible means of support," their whole capital consisting of willingness to teach as well as eagerness to learn. He4ioped to inaugurate successfully a similar club to that of the Edinburgh Naturalists in the Edinburgh of the Southern hemisphere. Libelling at Labge. — In the " Bruce Standard" Mr J. L. Gillies complains that during his absence at the Provincial Council " some person or persons have maliciously and industriously circulated reports regarding me of a grossly libellous character." Mr Gillies expresses his determination " to teach, scandal manufacturers and scandal mongers a lesson, which they will not forget in a hurry," and intimates that he has instructed his solicitor to proceed against all and sundry against whom he can find evidence. The nature of the libel to does not transpire.

Mementoes. — We notice that, at a recent meeting of the Qtago Caledonian Society, one of the directors read a letter written from London" by Mr E. Fox. It was accompanied by a fac simile of Burns's poems of " Tata o' Simnter " and " Mary, Queen of Scotts." It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to thank Mr Fox for the compliment.

Flax Eope. — The captain of the Danish barque Johanne Marie writes from Boston, to Mr Lennon, of Christchurch, that some tarred flax rope which he shipped at Lyttelton, and used during the voyage, proved as strong and as good as the best Manilla rope he had ever used.

Hansabd Eeports.— lq the Victorian Assembly, early reports of the proceedings seem to be desiderated just as they are by members of our own Legislature. The " Age " of a late date says : — Mr Yale wants to see the " Hansard" staff raised from its present number, throe, to five. This addition, he supposes, will enable the whole of the speeches of every hon. member to be set on the breakfast table with the morning papers. Mr Vale, we fear, in this estimate reckons without his host. No five men in the colony could bring out full reports of Parliament by the next morning, and keep the steam up for a session. If he were' to raise the number to eight, there would be work for them all.

The Late Fibe in Auckland. — The fire by which the New Zealand Insurance Company's buildings at Auckland were partially destroyed, was discovered at three o'clock in the morning. By six o'clock it was extinguished, but by that time the whole of Mr. Haley's exchange and restaurant were gutted. , The damage done was the nearly total destruction of the news room and the complete destruction of the news dining-room, which had been fitted up in the most costly manner, and in which, at the time of the fire, had. been placed several hundreds of pounds' worth of glass, cutlery, silver-ware, tablelinen, together with all the furniture, fittings, and upholstery which the room had been adorned with. Nothing was saved. The same fate befel the public hall. Every seat, chair, table, and the whole of the fixings were destroyed by the flames, and fell with the floor to the room below, smouldering in their ashes. Mr. Haley was insured for £1,000, but this sum will not cover his losses. The total damage done by the fire is estimated at about £3,000. The following are the names of those whoso offices were broken into and denuded of their contents by persons in their eager anxiety to save them from the fire : — Mr. Phillips, sharebroker ; Charles Alexander ; G. Bennett, broker ; Clark Bros., brokers and land agents ; H. G. Williams, who occupies a small officoA front of the New Zealand, lnsurance Company ; Gas Company's room ; J. P. Dv Moulin and Co. ; Martin Sholl, sharebroker; Walter Cook, broker; H. M. Shepherd, sharebroker j H. M. M'Ginley ; F. L< Prime, land agent; E. Garlick, accountant ; E. H. Stevenson and W. O. Hill; H. Ashton, house agent; S. B. Ludbrook, Fryer Brothers, H. Newstead, and E. Henriquez ; the Official Agency offices.

The New York " Sun" disrespectfully speaks of the sufferage ladies as ' persons who want the ballot, but can't chew tobacco.'