SOCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3331, 28 October 1871, Page 3

SOCIAL.

There are fow social incidents at this particular season which do not partake, to some extent, of a political character. This especially in the city of Wellington, where Parliament sits, and where it is likely to sit during all future sessions, unless some substantial change be effectod in the constitution of the country. The incidents may be of no political significance, but they havo usually " parliamentary connection." If there is a ball or a public meeting, it has some relation to Parliament, if not to politics ; and we havo an inoreased number of professional and amateur entertainments, chiefly through the presence of parliamentary and other distinguished strangers. We havo had a public meeting, for instance, in relation to the Brogdon contracts, and a more than complete answer to it by the division in the {House of Representatives a few nighls ago. Wo have had a bull — the biggest and the " brawost" of tho season — given by members of the Assembly. And there has been a crowd of entertainments, " under distinguished patronage," which are too numerous to mention. A Polygraphic Company has performed, and proceeded elsewhere. Dr Carr has lectured and mesmerised. And now we have with ub tho Excelsior Minstrels, an American company who have the good fortune to play to crowded houses, and to possess tho ability to deserve them. Besides these social entertainments there have been special ones by the Wellington Christy's— tho last for tho benefit of Mrs Lawrence ; there has been another by tho Eurly Closing Association, for the Benevolent Society ; and on Monday evening tho Press Dramatic Club give a performance for tho benefit of funds for the improvement of tho cricket ground. Tho opening of tho boating season was celebrated by a procession; tho football season has been closed ; and, as to the future, tho Caledonian Society and tho patrons of tho turf ore bestirring themselves as to field sports, but tho prospect of organising races in Wellington is not very encouraging. The Wellington Philosophical Society have had several interesting meetings during tho month. At one of theso Mr George road the results of experiments he has been making in tho gas-works in order to test the value of tho different New Zealand and New South Wales coals for gas-making. Tho results of his enquiry show that, of all coals ho hae tried tho best is that from the Grey

Biver, if tho valuo of the coke, ease of working, and other circumstances are taken into aocount ; but if mere gas-producing is the test, the Collingwood conl is superior. Both are, however, far in advance of tho Sydney coal. Ho stated as cm unusual and interesting fact that the " slack" of the Grey coal gave more gas and of better quality thun the screened coal. The course of popular lectures given in the Willis street school-room was continued by a lecture of a very interesting character, delivered by Mr John Knowles, who found a congenial subject in "reminiscences" of liis American and European tom\ The Rev Mr Buddie has also delivered, at tho sumo pluco, a lecture on " Credulity and Scepticism." At an intercolonial rowing malch to take place in Canterbury, Wellington is to be represented by a boat and erew — tho boat having been ordered from Melbourne, and a crew being now picked for training. Mr Thomson, agent and lecturer for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, has lately been visiting all parts of tho province ; and by the Government insurance offices have been opened at Masterton, Featherston, and Marton. At a ealo of laud by Mr Duncan, two days ago, a town acre near Wilkinson's tea gardens, Oriental Bay, brought £95 ; and 100 acres in Porirua Road realised £280. Mr Charles Pownull has patented a new flax dressing machine, one of which has been constructed by Mr Hurley, of this city, and was experimented with last week at Pilcher's steam works, Manners street. At these trials the machine worked very satisfactorily, with rather an inferior specimen of flax. Further trials are contemplated, and are confidently expected to prove the machine to be a very effective appliance for the purpose for which it was designed. Cheap marine excursions from Wellington are already advertised — to Cbristchurch, on the occasion of the races for single fares, and to Picton and Nelson for £1. A bazaar in aid of an orpbanage, instituted by ladies and gentlemen belonging to the Eoinan Catholic Church, was held in the Odd | Follows' Hall during the first week of the month, and realised a handsome sum, which has since been supplemented by private subscriptions. Among minor local incidents at Marton, mention is made of a successful concert by tho Harmonic Society, in aid of St Stephen's Church, opened on Thursday last by the Bishop of Wellington. The Star Minstrel Company have also given entertainments. Mr McDonagh, Sub-Commission to the Government Insurance and Annuities Department, has addressed meetings in the district. A parade of volunteers has taken place. The Tutaenui hotel has changed hands, and been enlarged and reopened. The new Presbyteriun church is nearly complete, and the English church is in course of erection on a site on which a redoubt was erected little more than two yenri ago. The efficiency and economy of our local gas works received a high compliment from Mr E. M'Glashan, an Otago member, during a short discussion which look place during the consideration in committee of tho Dunedin Borrowing Bill. Mr M'Glashan said he was so much surprised at the small cost of construction compared with that of the Dunedin gaa works, and the profits resulting from its economical management, that he had sent down to the Dunedin Company the last balance-sheet of tho Wellington Gus Company, as a specimen of their method of conducting business, which it would be much to their interest to follow. Mr M'Qlusban also stated that he felt convinced from an inspection of our local work, that both the water works and tho gas works at Dunediu might have been constructed at half their cost. The revenue at the port of Wellington was £13,836 for the quarter of this year, and £15,374 for the corresponding quarter of last year. It is notified that Mr C. H. Borlase of Wanganni has been appointed Crown Solicitor in that district. Tho ship Electra reached Wellington on the 16th instant, under command of Captain Sellars. She sailed from London on July 12, and from Graveeend on the 13th. Had light variable westerly airs till July 19th, when she took her departure from the Eddystone, with a smart westerly breezo, which drew gradually into the N.W.; thence, till, getting the N.E. trades, had light northerly aad westerly winds. The trades were got on the 29th July, in 33 ° N. and 20 ° West ; they also proved light, and were left in 16 °N. Thence, to 4 ° N., had light S.W. and S.S.W. winds, when she got the S.E. trades, hanging far south. Crossed the Equator on August 15th, in 26 ° 30', thirty three dajs out. Just cleared the coast of Brazil, and lost the S.E. trades in 19 °S. and 37 °W. on 21st August. Afterwards had light N.E. and northerly airs till the 27th, when it changed to the S.E and became squally ; carried away the cross-jack yard. Had S.E. and easterly winds till the 31st., when they got cross-jack jard up again ; then got smart northerly breezes and cloudy weather. On September 3rd, during N.W. winds, passed a quantity cf wreck, consisting of a large ship's masts and yards, all bright. From September 9fch till tho 28th, had fine smart breezes, varying from N.W. to S.W., with occasional showers of sleet and snow, the vessel making good running,* then had fine and pleasant weather, but made sorry progress up to Tasmania, which was passed without being sighted. Thence had variable winds until she reached Cook's Strait, where she encountered a heavy gale. Got the pilot on board at 1.30 p,m. on the 16th, and got safely into harbor at 7 p.m., after a pleasant passage of ninety-five days. She comes consigned to W. and G. Turnbull and Co. The Halcione, since discharging her inward cargo, has been painted inside and out, and now looks trim and neat. On the 10th inst,, sho had stowed 600 bales flax, 100 bales wool, 100 casks tallow, 30 casks whale oil, 50 kegs butter, 350 hides, and a quantity of other produce. Tho greater portion of her oavgo is engaged, and she will sail early in December. Several sudden deaths and fatal accidents have occurred during tho month. Mr Shepard, proprietor oi the Wanganui and Taranaki line j of coaches, who was well known throughout these colonies, met with an accident when driving one of the coaches, from the effect of which accident he very shortly afterwards died. In endeavoring to manage his horses, | while driving along the surf boaten beach, he ! was dragged off tho coach, and, in the pre sence of Mrs Shepard, who was the only pas- ] aenger, was nearly drowned, while he received internal injuries froni the results of which ho died in a few days. News of this sad result of the accident was received in Wellington by telegraph from Wanganui, and much regret was felt and expressed by the many residents of tho city, who havo, in this province, in other parts of the colony, and in Victoria, been fol-low-travellers with Mr Shepard, and had opportunities of judging of his genial, generous disposition. There are not a lew in tho colony who will remember Mr Shepard as driver on the Bullarat and Geelong road, in what are known as the early days of Victoria as a goldfield, and there are more who had mado his acquaintance while acting for Cobb and Co. in Otago, or while driver of tho coach between Cbristchurch and Hokitika. The line of coacheß which he started on tho previously impaEsable Taranaki road has been taken up by Mr Andrew Young, of Wellington. Mr Shepard's funeral was very numerously attended, the procession being headed by the Anciont Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Our obituary lately contained a notice of the death of Mr Thomas Fraser, who was a resident of this part of New Zealund even before tho arrival of the first party of settlers from England. His death occurred on the morning of the 18th at half-past one o'clockexactly the hour at which, it is said, his twin brother Alexander died on the morning of the 18th October, 1868. In Wellington, and in other parts of the colony, Mr Fraser was widely known, and was highly respected by all who enjoyed his friendship or acquaintance. Since the death of his brother Alexander, to

whom he bore a striking resemblance, he was on intimate associate of Mr Richard Hammond, and it was during a visit to tlio house of his friend that his death occurred, after an illness of a few days. His brother and he : it is said, c&me to Sydney from the old coun^ try bo long ago as 1830. They were coopers by trade, and worked out an engagement ol several years with Messrs Tooth. In 1837, they came to Kapiti, and commenced tradiug with tho whalers and natires. They afterwards built vessels for themselves, and employed them in whaling and trading with Sydney. Eventually they purchased the island of Mana, which they stocked with sheep adding grazing to their other business. In the early days of Otngo they took up o sheep run near Moeraki, which they sold for £18,000. After this they continued to reside principally at Porirua and Mana, ir prosporous circumstances, until tho death ol Alexander afc Wellington in 18fi8. Thomas continued after that event to reside in Wellington, taking occasional trips to Wanganui and Rangitikei. The property he hns left is known to be considerable, and is variously estimated by rumor from £20,000 tc £40,000, which has been left by hit will to relatives in Scotland. His remains wore removed from the House of Mi Hammond, of Wellington, on Saturday last, and on Sunday were interred, hie funeral being very largely attended. Another sudden death was that of Mr William Mason. He was found lying on the footpath, at Mr Pagan's gate, Dixon street. Mr Mason was conveyed to his residence in Quin street, and a messenger was Bent for medical assistance. Dr Franoe camo immediately, but life was extinct before his arrival. Tho deceased had been to post a letter to his daughter in Melbourne, per Albambra, and was returning home when the sad event took place. Mr Mason was a very old settler, being a resident in this province for some thirty years, and was respected by all who knsw him. He leaves a widow and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mr Lyell, till recently priccipal lighthouse keeper on Soames Island, died at the ago of sixty-six years. Mr Lyell's name will be remembered by many of the earlier settlers of the province. A very melancholy occurrence happened during the passage of the steamship Cluud Hamilton from Lyttelton to Wellington. A man named Pay, who was a passenger from Dunedin to Melbourne, with his wife and five children, either fell or jumped overboard. It was a wild night at sea, and it was utterly impossible to save him. What moans he may have had was t in his possession, and a subscription was at once started on board the vessel forhis unfortunate widow and children, and the amount collected wits supplemented by subscriptions in town. Mr Pay had been for soiwe yoars a leather-merchant in Walker street, Dunedin. A child, only a month old, named William Hall, died somewhat suddenly on board the steamer Gothenburg, as that vessel was on her passage hither from Nelson. Recent telegrams published, reported that Mr Thomas M'Konzie, of Tikorangi, in Tara naki province, had been accidentally killed, and that a man named William Doughty wag missing. Mr M'Kenzio, it appeared, was crushed by a log in the bush, and the body of William Doughty has since been found in a river, under circumstances which point to I his death as having been accidental. While tho ship Electra, from London, was entering the harbor, the boatswain was acciI dentally knocked overboard at a critical moment, but though he was no swimmer, was speedily picked up. A 6toker on board the Basalisk hod a narrow escape from drowning a few nights ago, but was fortunately Bayed I by some persons who heard his cries. An accident happened in the early part of the month to Hastwoll's coach, at a dangerous part of the road on the Rimutaka. The first reports of the accident gave an exnggerated account of its serious character, but it proved that the passengers and horses escaped uninjured, though the coach slid over a steep declivity. Tho most serious calamity from fire which has lately happened within the colony has been tho destruction of a valuable block of buildings in the town of Invercargill, where the following premises were totully destroyed : Bank of Otago, loss, £2500 ; Hunter & Hawkshaw, grocers, £1500 ; Balwig, cabinet-maker, £300; Broad, watchmaker, £900; Hatch, chemist, £1700 ; Garrick Club Hotel, £150 ; Coutts, tailor, £250 ; Mitchell, bootmaker, £300; Moffit, cordial manufacturer, £700. The Bank of New Zealand was only saved by extraordinary exertions. The insurances are, Tho Liverpool and London, £1350 ; Northern, £6050 ; Royal, £400 j Victoria, £600 ; Alliance, £400. By tho Alhambra, Mr Propsting, a member of tho Tasmanian Detective Police Force, arrived in Wellington and appeared at the Resident Magistrate's Court to identify a person arrested by Sergeant Monaghan as Math ins Bloch, for whom a warrant had been issued by the Taemanian courts. The person so arrested was perfectly identified, and was remanded to Tasmania, where he had been a member of the firm of Bloch and Co, charged with defrauding their creditors to a very large amount. The arrest made here was very shrewdly and smartly managed by Sergeant Monaghan. Otherwise there has been an absence of any serious charges before the local courts.