LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3304, 16 September 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

City Council Election. — The Polling. —Some degree of liveliness was communicated to the appearance of tho streets of the city yesterday by tho presence of crowds of voters at the polling booths, and by the constant movement of coaches and cabs with the friends of the different candidates. Considerable interest in the election was manifested in each of the wards, and from an early hour the polling booths were visited by voters in rapid sucoession, or dilatory voters were actively sought out by tho several candidates' more eager supporters. While there was no lack of enthusiasm, thero was perfect good order preserved, and a large amount of good humor prevalent. The result was made known at the Athena3um between four and five o'clock by the several Returning Officers, and the announcement that the result was tho return of Messrs Bannatyne, Mills, and Krull was received with a round of cheers. Tho following is the number of votes recorded for tho candidates in the different wards : Thorndon Ward— Bannatyne, 126 ; Carpenter, 92. Lambton Ward— Mills, 220 ; Mantell, 115. To Aro Ward— Krull, 166 ; Hayward, 153 ; Quin, 94 On tho declaration of the poll, the gentlemen who were elected, and some of those who wero not elected, returned thanks to the ratepayers who had recorded their votes in their favor, and Mr Krull referred to tho result as a satisfactory indication of the public feeling on the question ofthe purchase of the reclaimed land. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officers, proposed by Mr Bannatyne, and acknowledged by Mr L. Moss, brought the proceedings to a close.

Hansaed. — We havo to acknowledge tho receipt of tho fourth number of " Hansard," which brings up the reports of parliamentary debates to fcho Gth instant.

Leathee Fibe -hose. — Amongst our local industries there is one of somo public interest, and well worthy of special mention. We have been informed of a length of leather fire hose, manufactured in this city by Mr John M'Donald, saddler, of Manners street, which was given into the bands of tho W.V.F.B to to test its efficiency. This has been done by a first-class, full- power fire engine, and after several trials it gave general satisfaction to tho brigade. The leather is from one of our local manufactories — Mr Hirst's tannery, Kia-warra -warra. Mr M'Donald undertakes to produce any quantity of equally strong hose afc the same price as thafc of tho imported article. The Cassius Claim.— Our telegrams from Hokitika contain /in interesting item of news. In a claim afc Ross upou which a large amount of capital waa expended by Westland and Canterbury shareholders, and which was lately purchased by Mr Michael Cassius, of Hokitika, waßhdirt six to seven feet in thickness, and yielding half a dwfc. to the dish, has been discovered-— a discovery which will probably now render tho claim a highly profitable one. FoornALti Match.— The long talkcd-of return football match between the Armed Constabulary and the Wellington Foolball Club will come off to-day positively, at 2 o'clock, on the basin reserve. It has been determined to play even though tho day prove unfavorable, as there is a probability of many of tho Armed Constabulary being removed. Sir George and Lady Bowen have kindly intimated their intention of being present, _ and, should the day be propitious, it is expected that a large gathering of ladies will grace the grounds with their presence,

for whom seats will bo provided. The club will be attired in blue and white guernseys, and the Armed Constabulary in red stockings. Tho following are the names of the players : — For tho club Isherwood (captain), Arthur, Bishop* Dougherty, Gore, Hood, James, Kane, Kirk, Ludwig, M'Donald, M'Lean, Nancarrow, Ofcterson, Park, and Wilkinson, For the Armed Constabulary : Smith (captain), Aliery, Baggot, Back, Clifford, Daniels, Sub.-Inspector Ferris, Johnston, Jenkins, Hammick, Lambton, Marshall, Bussell, Stapp, asd Wright. The Telegkaji Case.— Laat night, after ifc was supposed that all the important business of the day's proceedings was concluded, the House oontinued to sit for a short time, merely for the pur- j pose of relieving the order paper of some I of the numerous formal notices with which it was overburdened. The important notice of Mr Stafford's for an inquiry into the working of tho telegraph department was reaohed. The languid atmosphere of the House was immediately changed to one of expectancy, akin to anxiety. Mr Stafford, with great sincerity of feeling, assured the House that he could not by any possibility himself believe in the unfounded and malignant rumors which had for some time paßt been in circulation throughout the colony— a feeling which had so strongly developed thafc a friend of his own, an experienced and shrewd man of business, had requested him nofc to transmit any messages of a confidential nature through the telegraph department for the reason, which he firmly believed, that Ministers were in the habit of reading all telegrams of a private character, and that consequently tho confidence ofthe public in the department had beenutterly destroyed. In reply, Mr Fox assured tho hon member that no member of the Ministry had ever read a private telegram, and thafc they had nofc tho slightest objection to his motion. The Government did not wish that during the inquiry any private telegrams should be read, or that any of the operators of the department should bo examined as to the nature of private telegrams. Mr Gisborne frankly admitted to the House that he had committed an indiscretion in perusing tho copy of Mr Stafford's speech delivered at Timaru, but he could not suppose thafc anybody believed him guilty of having read that speech with any corrupt intention, and ho hailed with great pleasuro the appointment of this committee, because it would dispel those apprehensions which he was painfully conscious Jbad arisen in the public mind. Sir D. Monro was not disposed to allow the matter to pass over in so peaceable a spirit, but Mr Hall, in a speech full of evidently long-pent indignation, repelled tho charges which hud been made against the Government in reference to the management of tho department, and stated thafc "he never believed thafc Mr Gisborne would do anything inconsistent with the conduct of an honor, able and upright gentleman." Unexpected as the wholo of the circumstances were, tho Government have nofc had such an opportunity sinco the opening of the session of establishing the lona fides of their action than was afforded them by the making of this motion for the inquiry into tho management of the Telegraph Department. The feeling on all sides of the House seemed to be one of satisfaction with the motion, as giving the Government an opportunity of explaining what had been the subject of much controversy. Every one felt that it was a subject of interest, but the general feeling seemed to be that the full vindication of the Government would be found in the enquiry itself, an enquiry which they courted rather than shirked.

Philosophical Society.— A meeting of this society is to beheld in the Museum this evening, when papers on interesting scientific subjects aro to be read by Mr Travers, Capt. Hutton, and Dr Knox. The Museum is also to be open to the public from half-past seven o'clock. Chinese. — By tho steamer Taranaki, whoße arrival at Taranaki was telegraphed yesterday, tbe Chinese passengers by the ship Joshua Bates, to the number of 250, aro being brought down to Dunedin. The sojourn of so many Celestials can scarcely fail to be an incident of some interest to both old and young Wellington, apart from tho interest taken in the arrrival of the Taranaki as the steamer by which we shall receive tho <6an Francisco mail.

Protection. — Tho cabinetmakers of Dunedin, with others interested in local industries, have forwarded a petition to tho House of Representatives, praying for an increase of duty upon imported furniture. The petition is signed by 642 persons, 47 of whom are cabinetmakers. The s.s. St. Kilda. — It will be seen by advertisement in another column that the sale of the steamer Sfc Kilda has been postponed to Wednesday, the 20th inst. The postponement, wo understaed, has been mado to enable timo for tho steamer to be in the Wanganui river on the day of tho sale.

Golf.— The nucleus of a golf club bas been formed in Dunedin. The firsfc game was played on Saturday last, on some suitable ground which has been secured, and ifc is expected that soon golf will becomo, as it is in Scotland, a favorite source of recreation.

A Libel Case.-~Au action for libel— W. F. Dixon v. Forsyth— in which the plaintiff claimed £1000 damages from the defendant, for having publishod an alleged libel against the plaintiffin the Melbourne " Herald " of tho Uth, was heard a few days ago. The plaintiff, who was wellknown in Dunedin and other parts of this colony, sued for an alleged libel in tho publication of a police court case in which ho was sued by his wife for maintenance. The defence to the action was that the report complained of was true in substance. His Honor, in summing up, said thafc in newspaper reporting it was not imperative that n, report should be verbatim, bufc it was sufficient if it were a fair account of what took place, and conveyed such an impression as would have been caused on the minds of bystanders who henrd the evidence. The jury would, therefore, consider whether the report was a fair and truthful account of what look placo iv court; aud, in tho second place, whether what wns stated was true in substance and in fact. The jury returned a verdict for defendant on both points put to them by tho j udge.

Colonial Butteb.— Tho "European Mail" reports :— Large quantities of Australian butter have been taken off tho market for shipment to Holland, whero it is repacked and returned to this country as Dutch; tho price at which it is purchased here is very low, and will leavo a loss to shippers. Colonial butter-makers have much to learn, their produce being badly made, too much buttermilk being left; in it, which has a tendency to make ifc rancid. Why do they nofc get a few good dairy hands from Ireland ? The Colonial Engineee.— Wo notice that tho Colonial Engineer-in-Chief, Mr I Carruthers, accompanied by Messrs Dees

and Blair, engineers for the Clufcha line, visited Invercargill last Tuesday. Tho following day they went per railway to Winton, from whence they proceeded en route to Kingston, with the view of examining the route ofthe projected railway. They also propose before leaving the district to make a similar examination of the Mataura live from Invercargill to the Longford. Te Aro Recreation Ground. — ; It will be seen by an advertisement calling for tenders, that the gentlemen who have been indefatigable in securing subscriptions for the execution of improvements upon the Te Aro recreation ground, have been so far successful in their exertions as to be encouraged to go on with the work. The plans and specifications for the work may be seen afc the office of Mr Marchant, City Surveyor. Never Despair Goldmining Company. —At a numerously attended meeting of shareholders in this company, held on Thursday evening afc Barrett's Hotel, a statement which was deemed satisfactory, was read by the treasurer, and the manager reported that, according to experiment! made, tho prospects of the mine were equal to from 7dwts, to l£ozs to the ton. Before any issue of new shares, it was agreed to appoint as a committee to thorougly examine the mine, Messrs Wright, Mills, J, C. Crawford, Chew, and Dransfield Legislative Council.— The following were the motions on the order paper for discussion in the Council yesterday :— The Hon Captain Fraser to move : " That, in the opinion of this Council, the reformatory measures which for some years past have been introduced into the gaol system of Europe with such signal service, and with so great benefit to the prisoners themselves and to the community of which they are members, should, without delay, be introduced into the penal establishments of this colony. That, in order to the effectual carrying out of theso measures, the Government be requested to assume tho chargo of all the gaols in the colony, with a special view fco the erection of a suitable and central establishment, adapted to the principle of the reformatory system." The Hon Mr Waterhouse to move : " That the resolution of the Council, for the opinion of the law officers of the crown as to the legal effect in England of marriages effected in the colony botween a man and the sister of his deceased wife, in case of such marriages being legalized in this colony, is not satisfactory to this Council, nor does ifc meefc the object for which it was distintly understood such resolution was passed." Coal. — A seam of what is said to be " true coal" has been found at Kaitangata, in the province of Otago. It is six feet thick.

Mr Macandeew's Resolutions. — A second meeting for tbe consideration of Mr Macandrew's resolutions has been held in Christchurch, and after a prolonged discussion it was further adjourned until yesterday at 3 p.m. The " Times" is informed tbat a public meeting will be called early nexfc week, when resolutions will be proposed for the abolition of existing provinces, and the creation of one province for each island, having enlarged legislative powers, with a central Federal Government, limited to federal concerns. Colonists in England. — Among the items of personal gossip received by the Suez mail we notice — Mr S. Butler, formerly of Canterbury, has a painting in the Royal Academy entitled "A Reverie," and his friends believe tbat he will yet bo heard of in the arfc world.— Mr A. G. Horton, of Timaru, Canterbury, is in London, engaged, in connection with his friends, in prosecuting an old standing claim in the Chancery Court;.— Several Australian and New Zealand colonists have been "doing" the ruins of Paris since tbo close of the war.

Fatal Accident at Poet Chalmebs. — The circumstances under which a fatal accident lately happened on board the Shnn Lee, at Porfc Chalmers, are thus described in tho local papers :— Whilst part of the crew were engaged in furling the mizen topsail, a seaman, whose name appears on the ship's articles as George Vochaele, a native of France, and apparently about 35 or 36 years of age, lost his balance, fell from tho yard, was seen to strike the sheet pole of the mizen rigging with hia head.then fall into the mizen chains, thonceinto fche water. From there he was rescued, and with all speed conveyed ashore for medical assistance. On being taken to Dench's Hotel, Dr Drysdale, who rendered immediate attention, found that life was extinct, death having evidently reuslted from the fracture of the skull.

The Agent-Geneeal. — Writing in anticipation of tho arrival of the AgentGeneral of this colony, the "European Mail" says :— The arrival of tho Hon. Dr Featherston, the new Agent General for New Zealand, is looked for by the now overdue San Francisco mail, and he is likely to be cordially welcomed by tho leading political men of this country, as well as by tho Now Zealand colonists. Dr Featherston's mission is a difficult one, but that he will succeed in establishing a satisfactory system of immigration for the whole colony no one appears to doubt. At present New Zealand seems scarcely known in tho rural districts of England, nnd this is tho chief reason why so few English immigrants find their way to the colony. Dr Featherston possesses tho advantage of a long and most intimate personal acquaintance with the colony and its requirements, and it ia to bo hoped all sub-agents may, if possible, possess similar qualifications, for by such means only will New Zealand really be made properly known to tho emigrating classes.

Wanganui. — The " Chronicle" is informed thafc letters have been received from the Rev Mr Nevillo, stating that ho will not bo ablo to bo in Wanganui beforo Christmas next. As another local item of news, the samo paper states that tho Provincial Government has receivod a counter petition to the petition praying thafc Wanganui should be constituted a municipality.