LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3355, 25 November 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

• The Reclaimed Land.— We have the gratification of being able to announce that the financial committee appointed at the last meeting of the City Council to ascertain the rate at which the debentures for the purchaso of the reclaimed land, the wharf, and the bonded store could be disposed of, have succeeded in disposing of the whole of the debentures, £45,000, to the Mutual Investment Society at par, said debentures to bear V| per cent interest. This is the whole amount required for the purchase of the reclaimed land, wharf and waterworks. I The New Zealand Medal. — We have made inquiries touching the alleged distribution of medals to natives connected i with the late outbreaks against the rule of her Majesty, notably with reference to one case mentioned, that of an East Coast chief, named Wepiha Apanui. We find that a list has been forwarded by the Medal Commissioners, which includes the name of that native, but that no action has been taken by the Government, and that there is no chance of the medal awarded under this class being issued before a further investigation has taken place. Philosophical Society. — A meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society will be held this evening in the Maori house attached to the Colonial Museum, [ when the following papers will be read : — On stone implements from South Africa, by Mr B. H. Darnell ; notes on Professor Yevons' electoral theory of the suspension of clay in water, by Mr Skey ; on New Zealand chitons, by Captain Hutton ; and on New Zealand bats, by Dr Knox. Caledonian Society. — A meeting of the directors of this Society was held last j evening, at the New Zealander Hotel, G. Crawford, Esq., President, in the chair. There was a full attendance. Mr Rayer brought up the report of the sub-corn mittee appointed to draw up a programme ! for the forthcoming sports, which was unanimously adopted. The programme, which will be published in our next issue, is a most attractive one. We notice a new feature in it, that of a two-mile walking race, for which a liberal prize is to be offered. A prize of £10 is also offered for the mile champion race. These races will, no doubt, be well contested, as the prizes are a sufficiept inducement to bring competitors from the several districts to contest for them. Sub-committees were appointed for making preparations and superintending the sports. The following gentlemen were added to the directory, viz., Messrs Fife and Bnchanan. A lengthy discussion took place with regard to the erection of a permanent building for a grand stand, the result of which was that the Ground Committeo were requested to consult with the cricketers as to the best and most expedient means to be adopted to carry out the object in view. The meeting then separated. The Brothers Judd.— A boat has been found on the beach between Otorong and Ohau. It is about sixteen feet long, and four or five in the beam ; painted black at the top, and white at the , bottom. It is possible that it may be ' the boat in which the Judds started on their ill-fated fishing excursion. Sermons. — Anniversary sermons will be preached in the Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney Street, to-morrow, that in the morning by the Rev W. H. West, 8.A., that in the evening by the Rev J. Patterson. The annual tea meeting will be held in the schoolroom, at half-past five o'clock on Monday evening, after which a public meeting will be held in the church. Addresses wiil be delivered by the Revs Patterson, West, ! Buddie, Dean, and other gentlemen, and the choir will perform a selection of sacred music. Castaway Fish. —A gentleman who recently travelled down this coast past Terawiti informs us that the beach in that neighborhood is strewn with fish in countless thousands. They are of all the kinds known to the New Zealand coast. The fishermen in the neighborhood believe this strange feature in the history of fish to be due to the severity of the weather recently experienced on the West Coast, but, although not in a position to combat this j idea, it seems strange that these denizens of the deep, could not seek security in the illimitable depths of the boundless expanse. It is certain, however, that so large a number I could not be driven to take refuge on terra firma to escape the rapacity of some predacious monster. The fisherman and the Maoris have secured as many of the fish as their huts would conveniently accommodate. Those remaining on the beach are rapidly assuming a condition which detracts very much from the fading grandeur depicted in the dying moments of the Aboukir and other nobles of the finny tribe. Horticultural Prize List.— We find that the prize list published by us in connection with the recent show was not altogether a correct one. Mr Bell has directed our attention to the fact that under the head " Fruit and vegetables, amateur competitors," he took the second prizes for lettuces and gooseberries, these being credited to Mr Barber. He also* received an extra prize for red potaftoes. If our list has done injustice to any other persons we will be happy to make further corrections. ! New Building.— Messrs J. and 11. Barber, butchers, have just had completed the addition and enlargement to their shop in Willis street, opposite the Independent Office. The original building was erected two years ago, and this has been raised five feet and a new lower storey put in, to which has been added a handsome front, 40 feet by 30 feet in height, divided into three arches, the outer ones being semi-circular, and tho j middle one elliptical, tho lower cornice to which is supported by lonic pilasters resti ing on neat pedestals. A great convenience has been introduced in the shape of revolving shutters, which have been manufactured in Wellington at less than half the cost of imported ones. This circumstance should commend itself to those of our citizens who have hitherto sent away from the colony for works of tho kind. The building has been made very convo*

nient for the business by the introduction of a number of interior offices, a small goods shop, &o. The finish displayed in the work is creditable alike to the architect and the builder, Mr Tringham and Mr Beard. De Cake.— This gentleman will give a seance at the Taita this evening. He will also appear at Johnsonville on Monday evening, at Porirua on Tuesday evening, and Pahautanui on Wednesday evening next. Those of the inhabitants of the districts mentioned who desire a knowledge of the sciences of mesmerism and phrenology should avail themselves of the opportunity of consulting a gentleman whose proficiency has been tested and admitted in all the Australian cities. Grammar School Cadets. — About forty of this company mustered in uniform on the reclaimed land yesterday afternoon, and were put through manual and marching exercise by Sergeant-Ma-jor Nelly. The boys looked exceedingly well and went through the different evolutions with great credit. W believe Mr Holmes intends forming a cadet corps at his school, and has already selected a uniform of grey waterproof tweed with red facings, which looks well. This is an example which should be followed by the masters of other schools in the city. The Circus. — The announcement that the performance of last evening would be under the patronage of the Governor and other high functionaries drew together a crowded audience. His Excellency was not present, although the Mayor and the other leading gentlemen who had promised to attend fulfilled their pledge. The performances were gone through with the usual abilily displayed by the company, and during the evening it was announced that a matinee would be held at 2 o'clock to day. In the evening the troupe appear for the last time in Wellington. City Council. — A meeting of this body will be held at noon to-day for the purpose of hearing appeals against the assessment made.