LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3318, 13 October 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Reclaimed Land Bill.— ln the Legislative Council, yesterday, an important alteration was made in the Welliugtou Reclaimed Land Bill. On the motion of the Hon Mr Mantell, supported by the Hon Mr Pharazyn, the clause giving power to mortgage the site of the proposed Provincial Buildings was struck out — the division being 13 to 10.

The Marine Surveys. — About the time that the business of the Marine Office was handed over to the Customs Department, the attention of the Government was directed to the large expenditure that was going on in connection with the marine survey, and soon afterwards the Government arrived at the conclusion that it was undesirable to carry on the survey beyond the completion of the work then in hand. Therefore, the marine surveys have Tor the present been brought to a close. A resume of the work performed, and of the cost of it, is given by Mr Seed in his last report on the Department. By reference to previous reports of the Marino Department, it will be seen that the marine survey commenced on the 15th December, 1867, at the Kaikoura Peninsula, and that the following places have been surveyed ; viz., Waiau-au, Gore Bay, Flaxbourne, Cape Campbell, Port Curtis, Entrance to Otago Harbor, aud West Coast of Middle Island from Jacksou's Head toCapeFoulwind. Thoamount expended by the Mariue Department on thesesurveys up to theendof June Jaatwas: —In the financial year 1807-S, £1,347 5s lOd; 18G8-9, £2,222 18s 8d ; 1869-70, £4,333 Us od ; 1870 I\, £1,222 15s lOd ; total, £12,120 lls 9d. The expenditure in 1869 70 includes a payment of £1,200 to the Government of New South Wales for the surveying schooner Edith and upwards of £800 for fitting her out; she was afterwards sold for £1,250, thus leaving the sum of £10,870 lls 9d as the total cost to the General Government for the marine surveys specified above. Light Dues. — The amount of light dues collected for the year ended 30th June, 1870, was £0013, and for the year ended in June last, £5575. The falling off in the last year's dues of £'139, ao compared with the duos of the previous year, arose from the tonnage of vessels arriving from beyond seas, and the number of steamers plying on the coast, being less than, in previous years, and from the steamers now carrying the English mail being exempted from payment of light dues. An Order in Council fixing light dues at certain ports, at which dues had not hitherto been charged, and for slightly increasing some of the existing rates, was issued on tlie 23rd June last ; the additional revenue that will bo yielded under this order will only be trifling. The changes in the rates were made, not so much with a view to increasing the revenue, as to remove the anomaly of rates being charged at some ports and not at others, and to fix charges on vessels visiting ports benefited by the new lights.

Dr Care.— This evening Dr Carr is to give, at the Odd Fellows' Hall, his first lecture illustrative of mesmerism, phre nology, and electro-biology. A. very low scale of charges has been fixed upon, and this fact, as well as the very interesting character of the lecture and its accompanying experiments, will no doubt ensure a very large attendance.

Wellington Christy's. — The entertainment to be given by the Wellington Christy Minstrels, for the benefit of Mrs Lawrence, is appointed for Wednesday next, and is to be under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, who, we understand, is expected to be present on the occasion.

Lecture. — The Rev Thomas Buddie is the gentleman by whom the next popular lecture is to be given at the Willis street school-room; the subject of the lecture being " Credulity and Scepticism." Early Closino. — The public are informed that on and after Monday next, the 16th instant, the drapery and clothing establishments will close at seven p.m., for the summer months.

The Star Minstrel Company. — The members of the Star Minstrel and Polygraphio Company — Messrs La Feuillad, Bent, Bromley, Buakley, and Searrell — gave an entertainment on Wednesday evening in the Odd Fellows' Hall, and last evening they gave another in the Athenseum. In neither instance was the attendance such as the quality of the entertainment and the exertions of the performers warranted, and it is to bo hoped that this "evening, when the same company give their third and final entertainment, some better appreciation of the abilities of its members will be shown by the Wellington public. The names of the company are familiar as the names of men who exceJ as vocalists, instrumentalists, and stage-dancers, and their entertainment is attractive both by its variety and its excellence.

Dog Island Lighthouse.— Mr Seed, in his report on the Marine Department, says :— On the occasion of my visit to Dog Island lighthouse, at the end of February last, my attention was directed to a crack in the masonry at the base of the tower. I should here state that soon aftor the tower was erected it was found that the mortar used in its construction wasbad,and that it had to be raked out from between the joints of the stones on the outside, and replaced by Portland cement. Since this was done, the defect above referred to appeared. I thought that sooner or later it might endanger the safety of the lower, which is 100 feet high, and is built of rubble stone work, and accordingly I applied to the Government to instruct Mr Blackett to inspect the structure, and report whether, in his opinion, anything was required to bo done immediately to strengthen and repair it. Mr Blackett soon after visited Dog Island, and reported that it was necessary, for the safety of the tower that it should be strengthened without delay. He was authorised at once to prepare the requisite drawings and specifications, and to have tho repairs proceeded with as quickly m possible. All the other lighthouses are in good order : they are all amply supplied with stores, and the light-keepers arc performing their duties zeulously and satisfactorily. R.M. Court.— The only case in this Court, yesterday, was a charge of drunkenness, in which the delinquent, a woman, was fined 5a., wilh the usual alternative. Several small debt cases were subsequently disposed of. The County of Westland. -Yesterday, Mr. Lahoiau, the chairman of the County Council of Westland, accompanied by the three representatives of the district—Messrs. White, Tribe, and Karrison — had an interview with the Colonial Treasurer on tho subject of the proposed change in the bouudary of tho county. After a conversation with the Treasurer on tho subject, and on others affecting the county, it was arranged to have a further interview on Saturday.

The Mistake of tug Ministut.— The " Nelson Colonist " remarks :— The greatest mistake of the Ministry waa in making overtures to Mr Stafford of a seat in the Cabinet. What led Ministers to make even a second hand proposal of this kind we cannot divine. No more suicidal step could have been taken than the carrying into effect of such a proposal. It would have alienated thoir friends ; it would have broken up their party. The mere proposition of itself tended for a time to damage them in th.c eyes of the public. What could they have gained P Only the addition to their ranks of an arrogant and over-rated man, whose ability lay in detail, thanks to the departmental officers who coached him, and to a memory which not improperly has been designated " very surprising." But they would have received a politician with a damaged reputation ; damaged by his conduct last session in the matter of the Government policy, in which he professed to believe, and yet was watching events while one of his old lieutenants assailed it at all points. We shall not further refer to his action in regard to the lease of the Governor's residence, and matters therewith connected. Some of them are on record, and have done Mr Stafford more injury as a political leader than half-a-dozen adverse votes of the House, and deservedly so. How Ministers, then, conld have gone so far as to make a pro posal of this kind to Mr Stafford, events an experimental test, is one of those inscrutable mysteries which seem at times inseparable from political life. That a proposal should be made fco Mr John Hall we can understand. He has much in common with the Ministry, and hrts none of the faults which people are now everywhere discovering m;\vk Mr Stafford. Novel Application of Water- Poweu. —Mr Moutray, of Nelson, has just constructed a novel and simple substitute for the smith's bellows. Ho providos a twolvo gallon cask, which stands ou one end. In the upper part is inserted a two-inch pipe, about six feet long, having a funnel- top. In the bung-hole of the barrel is inserted another pipe, communicating with the forge ; in the bottom is placed a small waste pipe to carry off the water. At the mouth of the fuunel is a small pipe with a uozzle l-Bth of an inch in diameter. This communicatos with the water supply. _ A stream of water from this small opening flows rapidly into the funnel, and carries with it a considerable quantity of atmospheric air. This air cannot escape through the waste pipe at the bottom of the cask in consequence of the water which is itself being driven out. The air in the barrel becomes condonsed, and, escaping through the bung-hole pipe, blows the forge fire with more regularity and vigor thau any couple of pairs of the best blacksmith's bellows that ever were seen. The principle of the application is simplicity's self, and the result is most effective If; is literally blowing the fire with water, and muking tho water supply its own air.

Sudden Death. — We learn from the " West Coast Times" that Mr W. Weir, late of the firm of Weir Brothers, Hokitika, has been fouud dead in his bed at Christchurch.

JosnuA Marvel. — Amongst other journals that have joined in praising "Joshua Marvel," of B. L. Farjeon, may be mentioned the " Saturday lleview." The "Beview," says the "European Mail," does justice to the talent and force of that rising anthor, who has made such good use of his experience of Australian life and manners. His friends prophesy for him a brilliant literary career, and there seems every probability that their anticipations will be realised. He has made warm friends in London society everywhere, and all who know him heartily wish him further and greater success.

The Death of Walter Montgomery. — Referring to the reported death of Walter Montgomery, the actor, the Melbourne "Argus" says: — "Mr Montgomery had been so completely identified with the theatrical world in these colonies, and had made for himself so many private friends, that his sudden death startles and saddens us, just as did that of Brooke ; for, as in the case of the latter actor, there was a general belief that Mr Montgomery would return to us, and, indeed, in private letters received from him, he continually expressed a hope that some day he would come back." Of Mr Montgomery's life and stage career, the " Argus" says : — "Walter Montgomery was born in 1827 at New York. He was of English parentage, and was brought from the United States when still an infant. He did not adopt the name of Montgomery until after bis mother's death. He was a natural son, and for some time bore his father's name, but took that of his mother, in compliance with her dying request. The circumstances of his early years were humble, and his education was limited in consequence. But be had from his childhood a strong leaning for dramatic studies, and though brought up to the occupation of a designer of shawl patterns, his inclinations always prompted him to hope for an ultimate con-

nection with the stage. Long before he made acting his profession, he had distinguished himself as an amateur. He nevertheless worked hard afc his business, which was steadily becoming a very profitable one to him. The desire to become an actor, however, was irresistible, and so at a time when he was earning £9 or £10 a week at shawl-patern designing, he joined a provincial company at a salary of 268. The late Mr Charles Kean saw him in ono of his provincial tours, and offered him an engagement to travel with him for three years ; but Mr" Montgomery preferred to map out his course for himself. He was variously occupied in the Midland and Western counties of England for several years, and eventually went to Manchester, where, at the Theatre Royal in that city, he became a great favorite. He made his first appearance in London, at the Princess's, oa June 20, 18G3, in the character of Othello, and by all the discerning critics of the time was pronounced an actor greatly beyond the range of the conventional order. He subsequently appeared at Drury-lane and the Haymarket, and well maintained the good impression he had at first created."

The Wimbledon Meetings. — Speaking of the rifle contest at Wimbledon an English contemporary says :— " Perhaps the day is not far distant when Australia and New Zealand will send their champions from the antipodes, and the International match, which is at present confined to three nationalties, bo extended to all the races of the Anglo-Saxon and Celtic stems."

Failure.-— The Melbourne " Argus" of the 30th ult. notices the suspension of Messrs Joseph Taylor & Co, rnerchauts, of that city. The liabilities are supposed to amount to £16,000, but a considerable portion is due to English creditors.

The Late Mr John Moffat.—- The career of the late Mr John Moffatt, whose death was recorded in our mail telegram, is not a singular instance of the success that- has rewarded energy and perseverance.in the colonies. The deceased gentleman, says the Melbourne " Argu3," originally came to the colony in the humble capacity of a shepherd. By dint of hard work and the strictest econony he in few years had acquired sufficient means to take a very small run in the Western District. At this time station properties were at a very low value, and he found it necessary to eke out his slender resources by driving stock through the country, in doing which he gained considerable ill will from the squatters generally, and was mainly instrumental in keeping the sheep in the Western district scabby. Mr Moffatt afterwards rented a run in the neighborhood of Hamilton, then known aa tho Grange, on which he had worked as overseer for Captain Lonsdale, and this proved a very remunerative speculation. His next step was the purchase of the Hopkins hill run, which was a great bargain at the time. The value of station property then increased very rapidly, and Mr Moffatt began to be looked upon a? a wealthy man. Every speculation he entered into proved successful, and when he he went to England he had one of the finest freehold estates in Victoria. Of late years Mr Moffatt developed a taste for breeding racehorses, and during his stay in England he bought a stud of the finest animals to begot in the old country. Many of these have arrived in Melbourne, and others are on their way. Simultaneously with the news of his death, a further instalment of his stud arrived in Melbourne. Mr Moffatt represented Villiers and Heytesbury for one session in "Parliament, but never took an active part in politics. During the first visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, Mr Moffat had the honor of entertaining tho son of his sovereign at the splendid mansion erected by himself at Chatsworth, the name given to his estate at Hopkiushill.