LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3349, 18 November 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A Call. — We understand that it is the intention of the Government to call to the Legislative Council one or two gentlemen representing the goldmining interest. Might we, in the interest of the " other House," suggest the hon member for the Dunstan P Accidents to Coastebs. — The more than unusual severity of the weather experienced on our coast of late is testified to by the damage to many of our small craft and the total destruction of otherß. Recently we had to notice fche wreck of the Alert and the Mosquito, and yesterday came the news of tho wreck of the neat and handy little schooner the Waihopai, the Collingwood, too, being towed into harbor in a crippled condition. In the latter case the commendable alacrity of the pilot at the Heads and his crew was the means of saving the vessel ; the cargo, though of a very perishablo nature, having sustained but little damage. The vessel is from Nelson, and had on board a load of malt consigned to Messrs Staples and Co., brewers, of this city. When working through Chaffer's Passage she touched ou Barrett's Reef. The anchor was at once let go, aDd the speedy arrival of the Luna ensured the safety of the vessel, the efforts of those on board having been effectual in keeping her afloat. The Waihopai had gone into Palliser Bay for shelter, but was driven ashore near to the mouth of the Wairapa river, and became a complete wreck. Open Air Service. — The Rev Mr Cannell, of Nelson, will preach on the reclaimed land tomorrow afternoon at three. The RATES.—At the meeting of the City Council yesterday afternoon, the annual rate for the city was struck al one shilling in the pound for the year 1872. Thoso who desire to object to the valuation are again reminded that fche lists are open to inspection at tho City Council office. Ample notification of the fact having been given those who wish to avoid any altercation with the tax gatherer should visit the Town Clerk's office at once or hold their peace when the beforo mentioned functionary visits them on business matters intent. The House of Representatives. — In a private letter, from Wellington, a well-known Dunedin resident thus conveys his impressions of the House of Representatives and its doings : — " I went into the Assembly last night, and was altogether disappointed, nofc to say disgusted. Dillon Bell, as Speaker, would disgrace a free and easy. All the members speak twice or even thrice without being checked. They evidently don't care for Mr Speaker and his authority, and as for Mr Speaker himself, never did I see a chairman of any body of men act with less dignity. I was utterly astonished. The House itself is a wretched mean place, fit only for a conventicle; and the gallery for the public, into which, perhaps, you might screw fifty people, is dirty. On this evening there was as much orange peol under foot as is usually 6een in a penny gaff at Whitechapel." Hop Culture. — The adaptability of the West Coast for the growth of hops is now being tested by Mr W. ___orfcegast, brewer, Hokitika, who has set over three thousand hop plants in some ground near the Cricket Ground there. The Artillery.-— This corps will proceed to Pipitea this day for the purposo of undergoing shell practice. The members will fall in at half-past two at the drill shed. Watering, the Streets.— The efforts of the citizens to keep down the dust in the streets, though very praiseworthy, have not been very successful. Perhaps tiiis is to be attributed, if any excuse will explain the want of success, to the fact that only half of the number of carts intended to be employed in the work have yefc engaged in the occupation of refreshing Macadam's plants. Yesterday the citizens were much in the position of Tantalus of old, for though there was water, water everywhere, the dust, borne on the wings of one of those gentle zephyrs to which the denizen^of tho Empire City are now pretty well accustomed, mocked all the laborious spufcterings of the City Council water bearers. Evidence was given, however, sufficient to encourage tho hope that when the other two carts are out of Mr Seager's hands the problem of how to dispose of the pulverism of Wellington will be solved. Resident Magistrate's Court.— ln the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday on aged femulenamed Bowtell was charged with damaging proporty. To convey to our readers tho nature of the charge, wo j append the evidence of the prosecutor, Mr J. H. Williams, who stated that he lived in Willis street, next door to the prisoner. The houses were about 18 inches apart. On the 14th inst, at 1 o'clock in the day, he heard a chopping at the side of the house. Ho went round to the passage between the houses with a tomahawk in his hand. He saw the prisoner chopping at the lining of his house. She had on previous occasions taken away a quantity of the weather boards, and even somo of the uprights — in fact, the boards of his house were the only fuel the prisoner and those who lived with her used. She rushed at him and made a blow at him with an axe she had in her hands. He warded it off, and retreated to the back yard, she keeping chopping at him all the time. He went into the Btreet for a conI stable, and met Sergeant Ready, whom !he took back. The woman was still there. i Eor this the Bench ordered tbe prisoner

to pay £5 and costs, in addition to 30s to Mr Williams, or to be committed for two calendar months.

A Correction. — To the Editor of tho Independent. Sir, — I have been much grieved during the past ten days to hoar a rumor flying about Dunedin, and other places of tbe very sudden death of Mr J. Pearson, well known throughout New Zealand, and as this rumor came from Welhngton I took the trouble of referring to the " Independent" of the 4th instant, where I found full particulars, but am at a loss to know how such particulars were obtained. I have traced Mr Pearson's arrival in Melbourne by the steamer Hero from Sydney, on the 24th ultimo, and have scon a letter to-day which was written and posted by him in Melbourne on the Ist instant. I am therefore happy to inform you that the report published by you i 6 quite unfounded, aud am sure all his friends will read this with pleasure. — I am, &c, John M. Coote, Empire Hotel, Wellington. November 17. Mr W. A. Thomson's Lecture on Life Assurance.— Mr Thomson, agent and lecturer to the Australian Mutual Provident Society, has been lecturing at Greytown, Masterton, and Carterton. At Masterton, H. Bannister, Esq, occupied the chair. After explaining life assurance and its origin, Mr Thomson made a comparison between existing offices, advocating the Mutual, and illustrating its success by numerous diagrams, one showing the reduction of premiums by bonuses to blank in twenty years. Another, showing that if this bonus or profit be added to the policy, the value increases to more than double in twenty years. Another diagram, the longevity at various lives from childhood to old age, proving that the longest age from which life may be expected is seven, for De Morgans says we may lay an even wager one to one that a child of seven years will see forty-two years and six months. He showed that if a properly- conducted mutual office were to close its doors at any time the premiums of ensured would be sufficient to pay out every life with interest, and also pay working expenses. He quoted from the " Insurance Review," a journal that has carefully watched the proceedings of existing offices. In speaking of the Australian Mutual Provident Society ifc said, " Tbe present position of this Society with its clearness of accounts, vigor of management, and economy of expenditure, seems to us to be the most creditable to all, who have been concerned in bringing ifc to its present prosperous state. The " Commercial World," also an insurance journal, believed it would surpass the famous old equitable society of London, and that tho clear and succinct manner in which the business and accounts are detailed furnishes a capital model for all other offices to follow. He stated that the reversionary bonuses declared by this Society amounted to £485,000, and that the invested capital was £831,000, with a reserve fund of £50,000. At the conclusion the lecturer wasasked numerous questions in reference to the society. Many converts were made, and the meeting terminated after the usual vote of thanks for the lecturer and chairman.

Cricket. — The opening match of the season will be played this afternoon on the Thorndon Cricket Ground, between the Star and I 2/ingari Cricket Clubs. These clubs have on their " rolls" some of our old friends of the Wellington Cricket Club. If the weather prove propitious we may expect to see a well contested match, as both teams have gone in " heavy" for practice. Mr W. Bromley has consented to stand umpire for the Stars, and as this is his first appearance in that capacity since the " presentation" he will show his appreciation of the good feeling towards himself displayed by cricketers by using " The mallet." We are' requested to announce that wickets will be pitched at 1.30 ; play to commence at 2 o'clock sharp.

Cricket Match. — H. M. S. Basilisk being in Lyttelton harbor, advantage was taken of the opportunity of playing a game with an eleven of the officers and crew. A very strong eleven was selected to play against the visiting team, and the Christchurch club were victorious. The visitors had a very fair eleven, but, owing to the want of practice, they did not do so well as they would otherwise have done ; nevertheless, some of their eleven played very well. The Christchurch club were first to take the field, and succeeded in disposing of their opponents for 52 runs. Messrs Werry, Vivian, and Smith obtained double figures. After luncheon the Basilisk eleven took the field, but were not so successful as their opponents, as, at tho fall of the last wicket, the club had put together a total of 98.

Telegraphy. — The following interesting paragraph is copied from the "Overland Ceylon Times :"— " According to the 'Daily Telegraph' slip, the time occupied in the transmission of messages from tbe United Kingdom and India is as under, difference of longitude being allowed for — Via Russia, 5 hours 7 minutes ; via Turkey, 12 hours 48 minutes ; via Suez, 8 hours 33 minutes."

Protection. — As a result of the protectionist tariff in the United States, a San Francisco paper says that a suit of ordinary clothes coats fifty dollors in gold in that city, while a better suifc may be got in London for fifteen dollars.

Criminal Treatment.— Canterbury is setting a good example in dealing with criminals, youthful or adult. In addition to a reformatory for boys the provincial authorities have provided a gaol for females, entirely separate from the gaol into which male offenders are received.

A New Attraction. — The " Ross News" exultantly chronicles the fact that a substantial weathercock has been erected on a store in the Totara district, and states that it will "be a great convenience to parties who take an interest in the weather."

New Zealand Geography. — A letter received in Christchurch by the last mail, bore the following genuine and charmingly ambiguous address : — Mr George Cole, Post oflice, Middle Island, New Zealand, or elsewhere." It is almost needless to cay thafc the letter reached its dest ination.

Rifle Shooting.— Mr P. 0. Wilson, of the Port Chalmers Naval Brigade, in firing for places in the forthcoming match with the north Dunedin Rifles, made the remarkably fine score of 55 out of a possible 60, with a medium rifle, at ranges of 400, 500, and 600 yards. Scarlatina. — Ifc is said tbat scarlatina, in a very malignant form, has presented itself at the Buller.

Christ Church, Wanganui. — The heavy gale blowing on Saturday and Sunday, caused some uneasiness to be felt for the safety of the English Church. On Sunday, during the morning service, the powerful gush? of wind caused the building to rock very perceptibly. It was considered advisable to curtail the service, and allow the congregation to leave tho building. Upon examination it was found tbat the south side of the church had been forced out of its perpendicular, leaving a space of two or three inches between the woodwork and the brick foundation,

Extraordinary EEAT.—Pedestrianism seems to be tho order of the day at Renwiokton, in Otago. Tom Carr, a man of fifty-five years of age, has taken up a challenge which exceeds any of the achievements of Edwards's which have yet been heard of. Tom is to walk 144 miles in 36 hours. He is to commence his, task on Monday next, at 6 a.m., and finish at 6 p.m. on the following day. A Large Vessel. — The Spain, the largest vessel ever built in the Mersey, has just been launched. She can carry 1570 passengers. Fijian Industry.— The manufacture of ice has been added to the local industries of Levuka. Gold Export.— The Bank of Now Zealand shipped from Greymouth the other day 17790z8 lOdwts, and the Bank of Australasia 9600zs ldwfc, 15grs of gold by the Alhambra. Wanganui Bridge.— Tbe "Chronicle" says there will be abundance of time to prepare for tho opening of the bridge, ' as telegrams from WellingtQ&ifo^r^Wt-. mate that the Governor will not leave for Wanganui until Mod nay the 27tb> arriving here about 10 o'clock on Tuesday tho 28fch. Next day (Wednesday), the 29th, will be fixed for the ceremony of opening the Bridge, and on Thursday hia Excellency will likely proceed up tha river, which he has expressed a wish to do. The public are even now waiting anxiously to have the use of the bridge ; ifc is perfectly fit and ready for traffic ; and there is always something tantalising to the public in being forbidden to use what is not only necessary and right, but intended for public use. A settler having cattle to cross cannot be made to see that he should waste time and patience in punting them across the river, when there is a fine bridge on which they may be driven with the greatest ease. In a few days, too, the wool will begin to come in, so that, in almost every point of view, it is a pity that the formal opening could nofc have taken place this week. Away from: Home for News. — The " Greymouth Star" says : — We received the following telegram this afternoon from Greville's agent, dated Wellington, but the news comes, of course, late to us, being so near Hokitika, from whence the intelligence is received in the first instance. The message reads:— "Hokitika— Party found 670z nugget, Greenstone, last week found another 20oz. Rush set in. Cummisgs, cattle driver, supposed drowned in Teremakau."