LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3301, 13 September 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Budget.— Last night, long before the usual hour of meeting, the House was crammed in every part — strangers', Speaker's, ladies', and reporters' galleries being inconveniently overcrowded. Throughout the delivery the utmost attention prevailed, and the remarks about simplifying provincial institutions, I reductions in Government expenditure, laying down the principles on which railways should be made, and abolishing provincial charges, elicited vociferous cheering from all parts of the House. The gloomy reports industriously circulated by opposition journals, and telei graphed throughout the colony, were good-naturedly referred to, and the whole House seemed agreeably surprised at learning the case of the colony was not so desperate as to require the desperate remedies that had been foreboded. PUBCHABE OF THE SEVENTT MILE Bush. — The following telegram was received yesterday from Masterton by the Hon. D. M'Lean :— The whole block has passed the Court. One hundred and fifty thousand acres with Crown Grants, and about fifty thousand acres with tribal title. All the names for the Granted blocks will not be handed in before tomorrow morning. The Court will close to-morrow.— S. Locke. Pbess Accident. — The letters of several correspondents and other matter had to be omitted from our issue of yesterday in consequence of an accident which happened as the " formes" were being put on the press. By this accident the second page of the paper was reduceJ to a state of " pie," and it became necessary to set up afresh greater part of the news it contained — a work which was, by considerable exertions, accomplished with sufficient expedition to enable the paper to be brought out only an hour or so later than the usual hour of publication. j Motueka Election Inquiry.— On the committee meeting yesterday, the minuted decision arrived at on the previous day Was read. Mr Fitzherbert considered that the decision was much stronger as to the \ cases of personation than was expressed in the minutes. The question was discussed | in private. Mr Travers afterwards applied for an adjournment to enable him to obtain evidence as to the circumstances under which the name of Henry Tomlinson was inserted in the electoral roll. He also raised a question as to the validity of the vote of one Sfcanes, who was presumed to have voted for Mr Parker, and who was stated to have voted after four o'clock. After several consultations on different points raised, the committee agreed to an adjournment to the 18th inst. Public Kecreation Gbound. — A scheme which deserves public support is at present being promoted by several gentlemen representing the cricket clubs, and by others who have, through their instigation, given towards it liberal subscriptions. We refer to the project of improving and embellishing the basin reserve, To Aro Flat, as a place of general recreation, including a cricket ground. At present the ground is swampy and otherwise unsuitable for a cricket ground, but if the plan which has been submitted to us be carried out, a good cricket ground will be procured, and a valuable addition made to the few facilities which Wellington possesses for public recreation. What is now required, is a sum to supplement the amount contributed by the cricket clubs, and it is to be hoped that that sum will soon be supplied. The gentlemen who have prominently interested themselves in the matter are Messrs Bromley, M'Donald, Marchant, Dixon, Howard, Henderson, and Mills, and through them every information will, no doubt, be attained to the suggested improvements and their probable costs. Crowded our. — The pressure on our space compels us to hold over our full parliamentary report of the evening sitting. Eoslyn Election.— lt will be observed from our telegraphic columns that Mr E. M'Glashan who sat in the second parliament has been elected in room of Mr Driver. Mr M'Glashan is one of the early settlers of Otago. He is a warm supporter of the present Government. Found Dead. — News has been received in town of the body of a young man named Lockhart having been found near Castle Point. The deceased, who only recently arrived in the colony, was wellconnected at home, his brother being Lord-Lieutenant of one of the Scottish counties. Auckland Mail. — By the Wanganui coach last evening, an Auckland mail, containing papers to the Bth inst, was received, the mail being probably that which, was brought on by the steamer St. Kilda. Baker's Hill.— Messrs O'Neill and Brown, members of the House of Representatives, deputed by one of the Select Committees, visited Baker's Hill yesterday with a view to obtaining ocular evidence as to the justice of protests made by shareholders in gold mining claims there, against the appropriation of the waters of a local stream for the proposed water works for the city. Mr Gell, manager of one of the companies, drove out with them, and a number of other gentlemen made the occasion the excuse for a trip into the country. On arriving at the ground, Mr O'Neill and Mr Brown visited the Baker's Hill and Golden Crown claims, from both of which, some* of the auriferous stone or cement was taken, pounded, and washed, and we understand that the experiment was highly satisfactory by demonstrating that there was a large proportion of fine gold in the stuff obtained from both claims. This and other ovidenco of the auriferous character of the district, and the evidence obtainable aa to the supply of water, will of course be considered by the committee

and the House, in arriving at any decision as to the proposed diversion of the stream. City Council. — Mr F. A. Erull and Mr A. Hayward offer themselves as candidates for election as Councillors for Te Aro Ward, and Mr Mantell and Mr E. W. Mills for Lambton Ward. The polling is to take place on the 15th inst.. at the following places :— ln Thorndon Ward, at the office lately occupied by Col. Gorton in Molesworfch street ; in Lambton Quay, afc the Athenaeum ; in Te Aro Ward, at the shop lately occupied by Mr Evans, saddler, in Willis street. Football. — We understand that a team ofNolson football players are to arrive here on or about the 29fch inst, and that a 1 meeting of the Wellington Club will take place this evening at Mr Donnecker'a Hotel at 8 o'clock, when all the members [ are requested to attend. Early Closing Association. —Aa attractive entertainment, musical and literary, is expected to be given about the 25th inst. by the members of the Early Closing Association and other amateurs. The Recent Assault. — Theman named M'Leavy, who was recently assaulted by Mulhern and his wife, is in such a dangerous state that it has been found ne<ps* sary to remove him to the hospital. / Masterton Flax Company.— A qgbeting of this company was held yesterday, when Messrs F. A. Erull, Gilligan, £nd H. Banniate? were elected directors, Tjith power to confer and conclude arrangements with Mr Rikys, and to commence operations as soon as circumstances per* mit them. Otago University Addeesses. — We have to acknowledge receipt of a pamphlet printed in Dunedin for the council of the Otago University, and containing the opening addresses of the Hon Major Riel - ardson, and Professors Sale, Shand, ai (S M'Gregor. i The Wellington Christy's. — We are | pleased to learn that this company intend i giving in the course of a fortnight, one of their entertainments which have proved so popular, the proceeds of which, aa on former occasions, will be devoted to some charitable purpose. Since their last ap pearance, which is some two months ago, they have been rehearsing new music, so that on this occasion we may expect even a greater treat than their former en* deavors, in addition to which a change in the conductorship has taken place which the members seem to think will be beneficial to the society. New Volunteer Company at Wanganui. — A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of another volunteer : rifle company has been held at Wanganui, when it was moved by Mr G. J. Scott and seconded by Mr Mr D. Harding, " That the gentlemen present form themselves into a rifle volunteer company." After considerable discussion respecting the name for the proposed company, it was moved by Mr H. J. Pycroft, seconded by Mr James Anderson, and carried, " That the name of the company be ' the Wanganui Rifle Volunteer, No 2 Company.' " A committee were instructed to forward a requisition to the officer commanding the district, for the services of the proposed corps to be submitted for acceptance to the Government. The requisition was signed by sixteen of the persons present, and has since received several more signatures. The Inangahua Reefs. — Writing of these highly valuable reefs, a correspondent of the " Westport Times" says :— • •' There are now twelve claims proved and found payable, viz ; Shiel's prospecting claim ; Anderson's, do ; Adam Smith's do j No 1, North, Paddy Hunt's (Shiel's line of reef) ; No. 1, North, (Kelly's line of reef) ; Nos. 2 and 3, Rhody Ryan's ; Shiel's Victorian Company ; Mewton's claim ; J. W. Walsh's claim ; Kennedy's claim, (Smith's reef) ; Cooney's. These wait until enterprising capitalists will be persuaded to come and inspect them, and form their own opinions as to their being safe investments. As for myself, I have half a mind to start a petition to the General Assembly, for presentation by our representative, praying them to cause some practical and experienced person to be sent here, who would write an authentic and official report of inspection, which might go some length to convince the outside world that the Murray Creek reefs do not resemble those of Wan« gapeka, Collingwood, or Moonlight, but are, what I have for the last six month* almost in vain represented them to be— • unequalled in the whole colony.