LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3299, 11 September 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Suez Mail.— A second time within a week we are indebted for the early receipt of European news to the arrival of sailing vessels at this port after a rapid trip from Newcastle. Yesterday the Ladybird arrived in port, after a quick passage, and from her captain we have Newcastle papers up to the 31st ult. In the "Chronicle" of the 29th, we find full telegrams of the news received by the Suez mail, and we publish in our columns such portions of it as have not been anticipated by telegrams received by the Anne Melhuish. Tntesphovincial Mails. — By the brig Chanticleer, Nelson and West Coast mails were received yesterday, and by the steamer Phosbe we are in receipt of later Canterbury and Otago files. Correction. — In a few observations which appeared in our issue of Saturday upon the discussion of the Vaccination Bill an unfortunate error occurred, by which Mr Hall was made to say that " he looked upon a vaccinated person as a source of danger to a community." The word " vaccinated" should have been " unvaccinated." The sense of the preceding sentence would be sufficient of itself to correct tbe error, but we take the opportunity of placing the hon gentleman's opinion before the public in a correct form. Mr Harrison's Resolutions. — A Wellington correspondent of the " Dunedin Star" writes: — " Mr Harrison is supported, I understand, by all his colleagues from the West Coast, and will not be opposed by Ministers." Thereis no knowledge of this in Wellington. On the same subject the Greyltiver Argus correspondent says : — "Mr Harrison will abandon a part of his resolutions, making the Wardens Chairmen of the District Boards, and will introduce an addition for giving Boroughs the proceeds of public-house licenses, less local cost of police." The resolutions, we notice, have been the subject of some very strong remarks in the County Council of Westland, and a resolution has been passed to the effect that what they propose is in direct opposition to the wishes of the inhabitants of Westland, and detrimental to the beat interests of the county. Football.— The match appointed for Saturday did not take place, the reason being that the Constabulary had been unexpectedly detailed for duty. The disappointment was not very severely felt, the weather of the previous night having made tho ground in anything but a pleasant condition for play. A New Work.— Mr W. J. Barry, of Cromwell, Otago, announces his intention to publish a narrative of " Colonial Vicissitudes" for the past forty-two years, and advertises for an amanuensis to assist him in compiling it,

Accident. — An accident of a somewhat serious character took place on Saturday, about mid- day. 3?rom gome unexplined cause the horse attached to Phillips's express took fright while the conveyance was being loaded at Gibson's store, Featherston street. Phillips made an attempt to stop the horse, but was knocked down, receiving some severo bruises, the leffc side of his face being much lacerated and his arm sprained at the elbow joint. It was at first supposed that the limb was broken, but subsequent examination proved this not to be the case. The animal dashed furiously along the Custom House Quay, and coming into contact with Williams's express made a complete wreck of it, both shafts in Phillips's express being broken. At this stage in his career the horse was secured, and further damage prevented. Golden Crown Goldjcining Company. — Mr Gill has shown us a specimen of gold obtained from this company's claim at Baker's Hill last week. The gold, quicksilver, aud iron sand have been all run together in a crucible. It was obtained from 1 cwfc of stone, and it is estimated that it would run about ]■} ozs to the ton. The specimen can be seen at the Morning Star office, Willis street. Additional Australian News.— The following items of Australian news, received by the Tararua, are supplementary to those published by us on Saturday : — The experimental trip of the Cerberus successfully demonstrates the capabilities of the ship and the practicability of the turrets and guns.— The Ministerial banquet at Geelong was a great success. — A murderous assault by a European on two Chinamen is reported in the O^ens district. One was killed, and the other seriousl7 injured. — The Derby horse Marquis has arrived by the Newcastle. The steeplechaser Dutchman has been sent to England by the Lincolnshire.— In the action, Dixon against the "Herald" proprietary for libel, the verdict was for the defendants. — Mr Lewis, Independent minister, died in England. -The schooner Hector has been raised. — Advices have been received relative to tho Supple case, but the Government is reticent. It is believed that the Executive will deal with the case, and will probably order imprisonment for life. — Warrior is the favorite for the cup.— The barque King Oscar was dismasted off Cape Otway. — The Saxonia, ashore at Bradlcy's Head, New South Wales, was got off with but slight injury. — A new goldfield has been opened at Tambaroona.— There has been a tremendous fire at Brisbane. The Charleston Meeting.— It was recently reported by telegraph that at a mooting of Roman Catholics at Charleston resolutions were passed approving of denominational education, and censuring the member for the district, Mr E. J. O'Conor, for his absence from the House. Wo have receivod local papers containing a full report of the proceedings. It deserves quotation, as an illustration of the vigor of public feeling and language in Charleston, but in this number we can only quote one or two expressions used on the occasion. The Rev Father Walsh, who was the chairman, said he had heard it mentioned as desirable that notice should be taken of the conduct of Mr O'Conor, " who had been elected by the Catholic vote." Mr Piggot " considered it would not be over harsh to say that Mr O'Conor was a traitor to them and a renegade to his God." Mr Shapter thought that Mr O'Conor did not deserve even the courtesy of being written to, but Mr Dwan thought it would be better to " soap" him, for he was " the lion of the tribe of Judah." He proposed he should be written to, but tho meeting resolved to call upon Mr O'Conor to proceed to Wellington or resign. News.— The Wellington telegraphic correspondent of the "Grey River Argus" informs that paper, on the 28th of last month, that " the Ministry is in a critical position, and all depends upon the financial statement." Fibe. — The house and furniture of James Stratton, Kaiapoi, Canterbury, has been destroyed by fire. The property was not insured. New Zealand Scenery.— Mr Raworth is exhibiting, in Christchurch, a valuable collection of water-color paintings of New Zealand scenery. Coach Accident.— -The Dunedin and Tokomairiro coach met with an accident one day last week, near Caversham. The driver was hurt. The one passenger escaped. Snow tall.— The heaviest fall of snow that has taken place in Dunedin for two Or three years, occurred on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The land scape in tho oarly morning was a thoroughly wintry one, the streets, houses, and hills in the distance being covered with snow. Suicide. — A recent telegram from Christchurch reports the suicide of a woman named Grimster. It is supposed that the unfortunate woman must have stood upon a small block of wood, and after fastening the rope round tho nail, kicked the block away from her. She was advanced in years. Printers' Errors. — The editor of the Dunedin " Star" recently referred to the Provincial Council of Otago, as probably tho last Provincial Council in that province. The compositors, says the "Star," perhaps differing in opinion, or bent on perpetrating a grim joke at our expense, converted last into best. The " Star" remarks : — " Our readers will agree with us it was absolutely necessary to correct this for our credit's sake." The Rev D. M. Stuart, Vice-Chan-cellor of the Otago University, arrived in Wellington yesterday by the steamship Phoabe. In Memoriam. — The Hon. William Robinson, Mrs Robinson, and the Misses Robinson have erected in tho Catholic Cemetery, Christchurch, a very handsome headstone at tho grave of Margaret Burke, who was murdered by Cedeno in January last. A Novel Case.— A person whom the Dunedin " Star" describes as tho author of "Graham's Review" — probaby " Jock Graham " — is to be charged in the R.M. Court with being an unlicensed hawker. A fisherman, who rejoices in the name of Gray asks the Bench to rule that the sale of papers at street corners comes within the meaning of tho Corporation byelaws affecting hawkers. Dunedin Prksbytery. — This Presbytery has unanimously sustained the call of St. Andrew's Church to the Rev John Gow, of Hokitika. At the same meeting the Roy Mr Gillies introduced an overture, to bo presented to the Synod in favor of the use of the harmonium in churches desiring to use it. Gaols.— The " Otago Daily Times" has a congratulatory paragraph upon the fact that Mr Caldwell, Governor of the Dunedin Gaol, has been elected a Corresponding member of the National Prison Association of America. Gas.— -A now gas company is being started in Christchurch with tho view of reducing the price of gas to 10s per thousand feet.

Canterbury Government.— Mr Eolleston, Superintendent of Canterbury, and member of the House of Representatives, arrived yesterday by the Phoebe, Mr Tancred, we notice, has resigned the office of Deputy Superintendent, and Mr Harman has been appointed in his stoad. — The appointmpnt of Mr S. Hewlings to the office of Chief Surveyor of the province, is notified in a Provincial Gazette issued on Saturday last. — In a notice published in the Provincial Gazette, runholders aud others are cautioned " not to cut and remove for the purpose of sale, or to burn" growing flax on waste lands of the Crown. Akeival of the Wonga Wonga at •Sydney. — We notice by the Sydney papers that the E.M.S. Wonga Wonga, from San Francisco, arrived there on the morning of the 24th instant, with English telegrams to July 18th. The same causes which prevented the previous steamer from obtaining the mail have again, says the "Herald," sent the mail from England round by New Zealand, otherwise we might have had London papers to the beginning of last month. The Wonga Wonga brings from San Francisco 276 packages merchandise, 373 dozen brooms, 5,000 quarter-sacks flour. The latter was intended for Fiji, to be paid for on arrival, a condition which there was some inability to fulfil, and it was brought on here. Her cargo from Honolulu consists of 32.4781 bs sugar, 14,G251bs pulu, and two packages sundries. Tiie Education Question. — The denominational education mania has seized on the " heathen Chinese," as witness the the following L'tter from an enthusiastic disciple of Confucius, which appears in the last number of the " Tuapi-ka Times": — "Sir,— Plenty my countryman coming to New Zealand. You know hundred come in three weeks, and plenty more bye and-bye. Lots of young boys come too. Some not know read and write. Chinamau give plenty money to Government for miner's rights, gold duty, and tao much for rice and opium and business license. Let Government give half share for teach our boys speak English and write, and learn good Confucius. Englishman school no good. We got night school teach our young boys all same as Englishman. You tell Go 'ernment 2COD Chinamen here now, bye-and bye 4000 Chinaman. Want him one-fifteenth share. No gammon ! — I am, &c, Foo Chow Cum." Me Wm. Hay, formerly of Dunedin, and now agent for the sale of Bibles, is at preaeut on a visit to Wellington, having arrived from the South by the Phosbe. Death of a Maoei Pjiisoner. — One of the Maori prisoners, named Kireona, died in the Dunedin Hospital at 6 o'clock on the morning of the 6th inst, from bronchitis and glands of the neck. He was undergoing a sentence of three years' penal servitude for high, treason. He was about 70 years of age, and leaves a wife at Wanganui. He belonged to the Wesleyan persuasion. K.ireona was the hereditary chief of the Pakahobe hapu, but was supplanted by Tauroa, one of his fellow- prisoners in consequence of the tatter's superior intelligence. Touroa visited him in the Hospital Morgue on Saturday evening. The Eev. Mr Eeid. Wesleyan minister, attended at the Hospital and celebrated the burial service in the Maori language. New CALBnaNiA. — Extraots jfeom.—aletter, written by tho G'SldTJommiasioner on the 16th ultimo, showed the population of the goldfield to be seventeen persons, of whom eight were employed by the original claim holders in working the ground, their average get being sir ounceß a day.