LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3332, 30 October 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

* The Suez Mail. — The Suez October mail, with detailed advices up to Sept 8, and telegraphic advices to October 2 or 3, was duo at Melbourne on Wednesday last. The New Zealand portion of the mail — if it should reach Melbourne a day or so before its time — will be brought on by the Rangitoto, advertised to leave for Hokitika on Oct, 25. The telegraphic summary of news ought certainly to come by the Rangitoto, due at JTTokitika to-day. The s.s. Nevada. — Californian mails by the steamers of Mr Hall's and Mr Webb's lines both turned up at Sydney on the morning of the 19th, within a conple of hours of each othei. The two vessels, the City of Melbourne and the Nevada, both left Honolulu on the same day, and one coming by Fiji and the other by New Zealand, both arrived at port as closely as we have Btated. The Nevada met with a collision off the coast of New Zealand, and would have to go into dock, aud, in consequence, would not visit Melbourne this trip. Photographic Views of the Wairau. — We have received from Mr William Collie, photographer, Blenheim, a series of views of scenes connected with an event of historical interest in New Zealand, namely, the Wairau massacre. They were taken by Mr Collie at considerable trouble aud expense, and, apart from the memorable character of the spots delineated, the pictures may be considered examples of New Zealand scenery and vegetation which should be intpresting both to colonists and people at Home. The photographs are also of such rare excellence to be even worthy of preservation simply as works of art, Mr Collie having exhibited the taste of a true artist in the selection of the scenes for his sunpiclures, while there are revealed in the style and finish of tho photographs the careful manipulation and skill which are so necessary to success. The largest photograph of the series is a view of the monument erected in commemoration of the massacre, and another is a view of the hill andmonument. Thepictureswhichwill most please thephotographerandtheartist, while not less interesting as records of the tragedy, aro, however, the four pictures representing the scene where the Muori chief's daughter was accidentally shot, the spot where the Maori 3 crossed the stream to^attack, the spot where the massacre began, and the Marino stream, contiguous to the scene of the massacre. The progress of settlement has in some respects altered the aspect of the country at these particular spots, but there still remain sufficient traces of the natural growth to distinguish the scenery as that of New Zealrind. Such scenes of natural beauty cannot long remain, for the improving hand of man fast clears away wild nature, either of sweet or savage aspect. It would, indeed, be a very good sohemo, and one not entailing very much outlay, if the Government would employ the best landscape photo grapher in each province to produce photographs, on a large scale, of the wild beauties of New Zealand whilst they still remain intact, and deposit tho pictures in the National Gallery of New Zealand. The photographs would look superb say of 18 or 20 inches in length, and would be of never-failing interest and attraction to the public. Now that there are methods of painting photographs, which are as permanent in their nature as engraving, there could be no objection on the score of want of permanency. In noticing the pictures, an examination of which has led i to these suggestions, we should state that some of them may be seen at the shop of Mr Lyon, the Wellington agent for Mr Collie. ! Reward. — In our advertising columns j is offered a reward of £10 to any person who shall give such information as ahall lead to the conviction of the person who wilfully damaged one of the presses on the Queen's Wharf. St Peter's Church. — Another entertainment is to be given to-morrow evening in aid of St Peter's Church organ fund. The River Rakaia, in Canterbury, has lately overflowed, and so altered its channel that it promises to be as troublesome as the Waimakariri. The Peraeverance Company, Collingwood, have received by the Gothenburg, from Melbourne, a second set of stampers. Me Winstanley, Postmaster at Westport, has been promoted to Dunedin. He is to be succeeded by Mr Alexander, the present Postmaster at Charleston. The erection of the bridge over the Rangitata is progressing satisfactorily. The girder work over two spans is now completed, and the erection of iron work over the third span commenced. The Arrow paper states that during the operation of digging a cellar for Mr Wilkinson of the Shamrock Hotel, a dishful of stuff was panned off, and a prospect of nearly two grains of niaelooking gold obtained.

Dit Carr'B seance at Karori was postponed until this evening in consequence of the extremely inclement weather of Saturday. To-morrow Dr Carr proceeds to the Hutt, where be is to lecture in the Mechanics' Kail. Mining Excitement in Victoria.— The mining excitement in Sandhurst is thus referred to in the letter of the correspondent of the Australasian of Oct. 14 : — The events of the week have been characterised by what would be wild excitement were it not for the apparent healthiness of operations. With tho most cheerful information coming in from tli9 mines, and fresh discoveries daily made, it is not surprising that stocks should rapidly rise in value, and that speculation should be rife. There have been many strangers in the town, all eager to participate in the good things going, and the crowd at the Verandah has now assumed quite alarming proportions. The Sale of the Dunedin Gas Woeks. — As reported by telegraph, the plant of the Dunedin Gas Works, and the lease of the property on which, it is erected, were submitted to public auction on Tuesday last at the rooms of Messrs, Driver, Stewart & Co, in the presence or about thirty persons. Mr Driver acted as auctioneer. Mr Cook, solicitor to the debenture holders, by whom the sale was ordered, having read the conditions, the bidding was started at £15,000 by Mr Larnach, and advanced by bids of £100, till £16,500 was reached, when bids of £50 were taken. When £17,800 was reached the bidding ceased, and the works were knocked down to Mr Larnach, for Mr Hankey, at that figure. Being unable to ascertain by whom the bidding was carried on in opposition to Mr Lanarch, we must assume, says the " Star," that it was, in the words of a person interested, by " a Melbourne man." Murder at Tanna.— The " Otago Daily Times," in commenting on the Australian news by tho Gothenburg, stated the person whose massacre by the Tanna natives was telegraphed from Sydney, to be Charles Grut, for some time connected with Messrs Bates, Sise, and Co. It would appear that the news so telegraphed was originally brought to Auckland ; and the Fiji papers received there give the name of the murdered person a8 Mr Glutt, a settlor on the Island of Tanna. Information as to Mr Grut's position, coupled with the fact just mentioned, warrant the " Evening Star" in believing that he was never on that island. The Labor Market. — It is officially notified in the Otago Provincial Gazctto that there is kept afc each police station ; in the province a register in which emj ployers of labor are requested to enter their names when wanting to engage ser- ' rants and the rate oi wages they wish to pay. The members of tho police force in charge of the different stations have been instructed to afford every possible information on the Bubject to men wishing to obtain employment. A man named John Norman Webb, a miner at Charleston, has been killed by the fall of several pieces of granite in a cutting twenty-five feet deep. A body which has not been identified has been picked up on the beach a mile north of Westport. It is supposed to be that of a man who was drowned some distance up the Buller, in August last. A new form of theft has been initiated by a well-known offender in the town of Charleston, named M'Laughlin. For several nights ho proceeded round the town abstracting the kerosene and candles in the lamps in front of the public-houses. Porter's Pass. — The opening of a new road through Porter's Pass has been celebrated by a dinner at which there were guests from Canterbury and Westland. The necessity for the work was noticed by the Superintendent of Canterbury when he visited Westland with the Governor, and it has been carried out by the local Road Board at a cost of only £500. In 1864 the cost of the same work was estimated at from £2000 to £3000. Canterbury Races. — Christchurch papers to hand by the Wellington contain a list of the entries and acceptances for the Canterbury races. For some of the races there are very numerous entries. For the Canterbury Cup of 300 soys. the entries are Mr H. Redwood's Peeress, Mr Studholme's Flying Fish, and Mr Studholme's Knottingley. The Land Sale in Otago.— The Teviot correspondent of tho " Tunpeka Times" states that the survey of the now celebrated 50,000 block has been commenced. The surveyors engaged by Mr Clarke are performing the work for 6d an acre, so that he makeß a profit iv this item alone of £3250. This is the all-engrossing topic of conversation in the Mount Benger district, and a monster petition is in course of signature. Pianist. — Miss Madeline Schiller, who arrived in Melbourne a few days ago, is ' described as, without any exception, the best pianoforte player that has been yet heard in the colonies. The Butter Trade. — The salting down of butter for exportation is now proceeding very vigorously in Canterbury. In one large cooperage in Christchurch, says the "Times," the men are working almost night and day, yet they have been unable to supply the number of butter casks ordered. Reformatory. — It is the intention of the Provincial Government of Canterbury to proceed with the erection of a Reformatory for boys. The site selected is at Burnham, fifteen miles from Chrisfcchurch, and close to the railway station, where a reserve of from 200 to 250 acres of land has been made for the purpose. At Addington, about a mile and a half from Christchurch, a prison for females is also to be erected. The Inangahua Reefs. — The Westport paper gives the following as the latest particulars from these reefs: — Another rush to the ground on the righthand branch of the Inangahua river has act in to what is reported to be a new reef between Anderson's and Kelly's reefs. Adam Smith's party have struck the reef at the lower level of 60 feet. Tho stone exhibits increased richness. On Friday at four the dray conveying a second load of machinery for Messrs Mace and Co. arrived at Logue's store, five miles from Reefton. Further progress was delayed by the flooded state of tho country. About half a chain of the towing track has been swept away by the floods at Granger's Point. A seam of coal, said to be of very superior quality, has been found in Blackman's Gully, Dunßtan district, Otago. The Oamaru Mutual Improvement Society have expressed themselves iv favor of the admission of women to all tho privileges enjoyed by man, except the right of governing. Four more applications for leases at the Coromandel gold fields are notified in the Auckland Provincial Gazette. A child, three years old, the daughter of Mr Bonar, Lower Harbor, Otago, has been so seriously burnt by her clothes catching fire at the fire-place that she is not expected to recover.

Coal. — Intelligence has reached Christchurch of the discovery of a seam of coal at Aahley Gorge, on one of the branches of tbe ABhley river. Specimens of this coal have been brought to Christchurch, and are said to be of good quality. In- Auckland the Mayor's horse has been pounced upon by the police as an offender against the Municipal Police Act. Consequently, his Worship will have to adjudicate upon a complaint laid against himself. Cannibals.— Ea Biau, and two youthful warriors who have distinguished themselves by their attrocities and human feasts in the Fijis, are now on exhibition at San Francisco, and it is intended by their exhibitors to take them a tour throughout the United States and Europe. Commercial Honesty. — Auckland papers record a pleasing instance of commercial honesty. Mr Andrew Austin was forced to take advantage of the Bankruptcy Act ia July, 1870, but since his discharge has made sufficient money to pay his creditors 20s in the pound. The fact that he has done so is acknowledged by the creditors. Mr Austin has worked a successful tribute for the Tookey Company. Martin's Bat.— A miner known by the name of " Fred," arrived at Queenstown from Martin's Bay on the 18th. He had travelled overland in sealskin boots, and stated his mission to be for the purpose of organising a party to proceed to a portion of the beach near Martin's Bay, where he stated he would guarantee to them from 18s to £1 a day per man. The locality referred to is probably Big Bay. Another Job. — Under this heading the Dunedin " Star" says :— An agitation has been got up at Swizers on account of the sale of some fifty acres of alleged auriferous land to private parties. The matter is likely to become the subject of direct governmental enquiry.