LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3313, 7 October 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

.#~ . Wellington City Reserves.— ln the City Council, yesterday, as will be seen by our report of the proceedings, the Mayor brought under tho attention of Councillors a subject of very considerable interest to the Corporation and to the citizens generally. As the Mayor explained, there is now a bill before the Assembly by which it is proposed to vest tho management of what are known as the Wellington Gity Reserves, not in the Corporation, but in a <

composite body including the Superintendent and Mayor, two members nominated by the Governor and three others elected by the ratepayers. The bill, though drafted by the City Solicitor, had not been seen by Councillors, and it was natural that they should take some umbrage at a proposition to create a new body for the purpose of taking charge of what is as a rule committed to the care of Corporations. It is to be regretted that the short discussion on the subject should have been of rather ..an irregular character and somewhat ill-natured — there having been shown an amount of meaningless ill-nature which does not appear on the face of our report; but some good will, no doubt, be effected by the Mayor bringing the matter before the Council, and by the proposed conference with his Honor the Superintendent. It will be well, indeed, if the proposal contained in the bill have the effect of directing the attention of the Council and of the public to the whole question of the management of the city reserves. It was the complaint of ono of the members that the proposal not only affected the possession of the reserves by the Corporation, but the funds derivable therefrom. This complaint seems to be based on tlie conception that the reserves existed chiefly, and should be maintained, as a source of revenue to j the Corporation. It is unnecessary to say that this is an exceedingly fallacious idea, and it is to be hoped that in any conference with the Superintendent, or in any further proceedings taken, no such idea will be acted upon. The reserves were, no doubt, originally made as reserves for public recreation, and, even if it were competent for the Corporation or any other body to leaso them to private persona, the proceeds of such leasing should have been applied to the improvement of the ground, and to carrying out to the fullest extent the object for which it was originally reserved. This is the principle which has been asserted in other cities in the colony, and, in fact, so jealous were the inhabitants of Dunedin of any interference with the full i public use of the Town Belt, that an attempt to lease the same, even with a view to its improvement, was strongly and suecessfullyresisted. Whileit seems desirable that, in this instance, the management of the Wellington reserves should be vested in the Corporation, ratlier than in any other and probably antagonistic body, Councillors will require to view the subject in a very different light from that iv which a few of them were disposed to view it yesterday, if they expect to have public sympathy and support. Indeed, a rare opportunity now offers itself for the Corporation asserting, not only their fair claim to manage the reserves, but their desire to manage them in such a way as will redound to their own credit, and to the credit of the city. In these reserves the public possess a valuable estate, which has hitherto been converted to purposes very different from that which was contemplated by the original founders of the settlement ; and the proposal to introduce such a bill as that before the Assembly will serve one excellent purpose if, in that respect, it should become the means of inaugurating a substantial change. Honorarium. — Yesterday, in the House of Representatives, Mr Murray gave notice that he would move, on an early day, that the honorarium to members be fixed at £50 for the session, £1 to be deducted for each day on vrbich a member may be absent. Eablt Closing Association. — In another column is published the programme of an attractive entertainment to be given by members of the Early Closing Association on Monday evening, in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Society. The Estimates Discussion. —We carefully avoid giving prominence to the sayings and doings of members of the Assembly who, having no chance of fame, seek notoriety, but can hardly pass over a most gross advantage of privilege taken by Mr T. L. Shepherd last evening during the discussion of the Estimates, the item being " Registration and Returning Officer, Wakatipu District." Mr Shepherd took occasion to remark that his defeat for that district was entirely owing to the open partizanahip of the Returning Officer, who had made the Hospital a polling place, and polled all the patients for the successful candidate. Mr Haughton. It must be understood that Mr Shepherd was on this occasion the unsuccessful candidate, and owes his seat in the House, unfortunately for the character of the Legislature, to the miners' rights of the diggers of Teviot and Drybread. The member for Wakatipu did not happen to be in the House when this Shepherdian episode occurred, or no doubt he would have had something to say ; but we must protest against the cowardice and entire wast of decency which characterise such attacks as this upon officials having no opportunity to offer any defence, and whose conduct, if open to such grave charges, should have been enquired into upon complaint by the person aggrieved, in the ordinary official course. The Returning Officer in this case is Mr Beetham, Resident Magistrate at Queen3town, Wa kotipu, in whose court Mr Shepherd has been in the habit of appearing as the avticled clerk, and representing Mr E. F. Ward, of Dunedin. The amenity of Mr Shepherd's manners, and his general politeness, have more than once subjected him to grave rebukes from the Bench, and he seems to have taken the earliest oppor. tunity to " serve out the beak," by prostituting his political position as a representative of the Dunstan to '• slate" his ancient enemy, the maintainer of law and order in the Lake District. Caledonian Society. — The annual meeting of the members of this society was held at the New Zealander Hotel, last evening, at 8 o'clock, but was not very numerously attended. Gr. Crawford, Esq., was called to the chair, and read the advertisement convening the meeting. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Captain M'lntyre, the | lion Treasurer, read a statement of the income and expenditure of the Society for the past twelve months, and the balance Bneet was unanimously adopted. The election of office-bearers was then I proceeded with. George Crawford, Esq., was elected President, Major M'B^rnett, Vice President, and Captain M'lntyre, Hon Treasurer, for the ensuing twelve months. On the motion of Mr Lockie, seconded by Mr M'Xenzie, the meeting was then adjournod until the 20th instant, for the purpose of giving persons desirous of joining the society an opportunity of doing so ; and the Secretary was instructed to prepare lists for the committee to canvass for members. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned, until the time agreed on. The Rangatiea. — This vessel, at present undergoing extensive alterations and repairs, has been moved from Pilcher's wharf to the breastwork in front of the Custom-house, for the purpose of receiving her new boiler, constructed at Seogor's foundry. Yesterday, the boiler was moved into position for being placed on board the vessel, and to-day this difficult work will probably be accomplished. '

An Inquest was held at noon yesterday before Dr Johnston, Coroner, at the Nag's Head Inn, on the body of William Mason, who died suddenly on Thursday last. Dr France was examined, and stated that he had made a post mortem examination, and found that the cause of death was apoplexy. He also found ft. large quantity of fluid between the membrane of the brain and the brain itself. All the other organs were in a healthy condition, and the body seemed to be well nourished. Peter Nelson was examined, and stated that the deceased passed him in Willis street on the above morning. A short time after he saw him sitting against a fence in Dixon streot, and on going up to him he found that the man was dead. Mr M. Quin gave evidence in corroboration of the above, and he also stated that he had known deceased for the last twenty-eight years. On seeing him in Dixon street he sent at once for Dr France, who arrived immediately, and pronounced the man dead. Verdict : Died from natural causes. The Bazaar.— lt is satisfactory to knovr that the Bazaar which was open in the Odd Fellows' Hall during the early part of the week has, in a pecuniary sense, been a success. We understand that upwards of £300 has been realised by the sale of the goods exhibited, and that this Bum will enable an addition to be made to the convent capable of accommodating ten orphans. The work of its erection, we are told, will be proceeded with immediately. For the cost of feeding, clothing, and educating the inmates of the institution further provision will ! require to be made, at the rate of £15 per annum for each inmate, and it is intended j to invite subscriptions from the charitable in Wellington to carry out this object — an invitation which will, no doubt, meet with hearty support. Tee Boating Season.— Opening Procession. — We would remind boating men that the opening procession will start this day from tho Queen's wharf at half- past three o'clock, the crews to assemble at their sheds at threo. The boats are to carry each a distinguishing flag, and the crews are, as far as possible, to be in uniform. We understand that the Artillery Band have kindly consented to be present, and to take part in the procession by playing on board the Government barge. It ia to be hoped that as many crews as can possibly attend will do so, so that the'procession may be extensive and worthy of a population having such aquatic tastes as that of Wellington. Dr. Care, we understand, has made arrangements to give several mesmeric seances in Wellington during the early part of next week. On his previous visit to this city, Dr. Carr appeared many times before numerous audiences, with the effect of entertaining them in a high degree, and we may anticipate^that during this visit his success in these respects will not be less than it was then. Meeting of Natives on the Wanganui Eivee.— Mete Kingi returned from a visit to the up-river districts on Thursday week, after almost fourteen days' absence. He was accompanied, says the Wanganui " Herald," by Tahana, Pehi, Topia, and other chiefs, Mete having received an invitation from Topine to visit him at his place, Maraikowhai, where some 250 natives assembled to welcome Mete and discuss the present state of affairs. Mete and party, after the conclusion of the meeting, proceeded to Taumaruanui, the most distant settlement on the river, where he met Ngarupiki, Hau, Parata, and other chiefs of note, and at which pa a second meeting took place. Mete's account of the intentions of the Upper Wanganui natives is most gratifying, and the whole of the tribes located on this river may now be said to have again united, and made up their minds to live for the future in peace and friendship with their European neighbors. A t both the meetings the ceremony was gone through of presenting a female child to Mete, signifying thereby the wish of the inland tribes to return to a state of peace and tranquillity.and the determination to which they have come not to renew strife with the white man. From all we can learn, we are led to believe that our native neighbors are sincere in their professions. Odd Fellows' Hall. — A considerable reduction in the charges for the use of the Odd Fellows' Hall is advertised by the Secretary, Mr. 8011, from whom all information will be received. This is a wise step on the part of the committee, it having long been a complaint by professionals and others visiting Wellington that the high price charged for the hall prevented many entertainments from proving a pecuniary success. Shipment of Ta.ra.naki Beef.— The s.s. Go- ahead, says the" Taranaki Herald," took away from the Waitara on her last trip, a quantity of Taranaki salt beef, which Mr W. Baley, jun.» is sending to England by the Halcione, as a trial shipment. The beef, we hear, was in fine | condition when casked, and if a fair price for it is realised at home, we believe it is Mr Bryley's intention to commence this new industry on a large scale at the Waitara. Proposed Provincial Changes. — In our report of Parliamentary proceedings we publish in full the important statement made yesterday by the Colonial Treasu rer, as to the character of the Government measures on the subject of provincial government, immigration, and public works. With regard to the bill on the subject of the government of provinces, the Treasurer explained that the leading feature of the measure would be to enable the Superintendents of provinces to sit in the Provincial Councils. After the next general election for the Provincial Councils, excepting in the provinces of Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Tara naki, it proposes to reduce the number of members in each Provincial Council to the same number of representatives as each province has in the House ; that the j number of members in the Provincial Council should be the same as those returned by the electoral districts of the House of Representatives. The bill also gave power to order fresh elections for Superintendents without the necessity of dissolving the Councils, and also enabled Councils to be dissolved without rendering necessary a fresh election for Superintendents. In reference to the thegoldfiekla in the neig?iborhood of Greymouth, the Government had been in communication with the hon. member representing the Grey Valley, and had recognised the truth of the representations made by him and by hon. members representing other districts, and what the Government intended doing was to bring down a bill by which they provided that the boundary of the Province of Nelson should be extended to the Teremakau Iliver, so that the goldfields within that district would be Included within the Province of- Nelson. Whilst enlarging the Province of Nelson by including within it the goldfields, the bill proposed to confer upou the goldfields some of the advantages enjoyed by Westlond, in the shape of distributing the local revenue.