LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3356, 27 November 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Postal. — The Suez November mail, with detailed advices up to October G, and telegraphic advices to November 1 or October 31, is due afc Melbourne on Thursday next, November 23. The New Zealand portion of the mail will be brought on by the Rangitoto, advertised to leave Melbourne on November 25, and duo at Hokitika on November 30. The next San Francisco mail, with detailed advices to October 19, and telegraphic advices to November 8, is due at Auckland on December 5 or 6. Funeral of the Late Mr Hay. — The remains of the late Mr John Hay were interred in the Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. The funeral procession which started from the residence of the deceased's brother (Mr D. R. Hay,) was a very large one considering the weather, comprising about 200 persons, including His Honor the Superintendent, several members of the General Assembly and Provincial Council, and the Masonic Lodges, which were well represented. The burial service was read by the Rev. E. Gr. Edwards. The Wellington Boat. — The new boat which is to compete on behalf of the Wellington province in the inter-colonial boat race at Christchurch is on board the Alhambra, now on her way from the South. She is a fine outrigger, forty-four feet long by twenty inches wide. The Inteu-colonial Race.— A gentleman who arrived in Christchurch, from Sydney via Melbourne, recently, states that the Sydney Rowing Club have decided to send a crew to compete at the inter-colonial race, and that good men have been selected for the purpose. This will make four entries from clubs outside the province, and it is not unlikely that even more will yet bo received. Apropos of the event, we may state that the keel of the new boat "for the Avon Club has been laid. The crew of this boat are already in training, a3 also are crews to represent the Cantorbury and Union Clubs, for each of which new boats are ordered. The formed crew is a much better one than wo have yet seen turned out by the club, and under ordinary circumstances should carry their colors with credit to the province. It has been suggested that as the tides are favorable on the 6th of January, the great race should be fixed for that

day, but as the announcement has gone forth that it will take place on or about the 15th it would be manifestly unfair to crews outside the provinces to select an earlier date. The tides being favorable on the 26th, preference should therefore be given to the latter date. Raffle.— Mr Beeton's handsome town hack Jessie was raffled on Friday night at Osgood's, and won with a throw of 46. We mention the circuraatance to remark on a strange freak of luck. A lady who greatly admired "Jessie," requested the gentleman who proved to be the winner to take " one chance for Jessie !" He, thinking and caring little about the matter called in and put down the pound just to oblige the lady, and was astonished to hear the next morning that ho was the possessor of " Jessie," not having made a provision to be represented at the throwing off. Me Walker, the Ohajipion Marksman. — This gentleman was a passenger to Aucklaud by the Phoebe yesterday. The San Francisco Mail. — The Phoebe made a short stay yesterday. She arrived about three o'clock and was under steam again afe sis. The Fish at Terawiti.— ■ Gentlemen competent to express an opinion on such matters have informed us that among the fish recently cast up at Terawiti there 18 not to be found any representatives of the species which frequent our harbor. They are mostly of the cod family, are deep sea fish, and have tails, the formation of which would render their efforts to escape from rough or broken water of little avail. The tail is peculiar in shape, being very long, with little of the webb or fibrous structure found in what we in Wellington would call the ordinary fish, and it is supposed that the recent gale, having forced the fish into the breakers, they lacked the power which a good fan would provide them with, and were cast up on the beach. This seems reasonable. We beg to remind our readers of the Anuiversary Soiree which is to take place at the Sydney street Primitive Methodist Church this evenitig. Tea is to be on the tables at half-past five, and the public meeting will be convened at seven. During the evening speeches will be delivered by various ministers, and anthems will be sung by the choir. Already a large number of tickets have been disposed off, and no doubt, from the interest generally manifested, that the soireo will prove in every way a success. Accident. — Mr Williams, who, we are informed is a schoolmaster at the Taita, met with severe injuries on Saturday, through being thrown from a young horse which he was exorcising. The animal seemed not to have been thoroughly broken in, and Mr Williams was tailing him through the streets of the town foi> the purpose, we suppose, of completing that part of a horse's education which is conveyed by accustoming bis sight to wheelbarrows, goats, hoardings, scaffoldings, &c The ordeal, however, seems to have come upon Mr Williams's Bucephalus too suddenly, and making a bolt down one of the streets executed a number of evolutions, which resulted in a manner very unpleasant to Mr Williams, who was hurt to an extent sufficient to incapacitate his return to his home at the Taita, Class Firing. — The class firing for the season of No 1 Co. W.R.V. commenced on Saturday afternoon at the Adelaide Butts, under the superintendence of Musketry- Instructor Gillon. The firing was for the third class certificates; up to 300 yards range, shooting from the shoulder. Appeals.— The City Council met on Saturday for the purpose of hearing appeals against the assessments made. Very trivial alterations were made, further opportunity for reduction of assessments being given by appeal to the Resident Magistrate's Court. Earthquake.— A great number of persons testify to the fact that an earthquake of some severity took place on Saturday last about a quarter to two o'clock. Reports from the out districts confirm the statement, some of which announce that the shock was by no means a slight one. The Trip to Wanganut. — To secure regularity in the procedure in connection with tho openiug of the new bridge at Wanganui, the principal arrangements have been mapped out so far as that could be done. Tho steamers Luna and Wanganui will leave the Queen's Wharf at six o'clock this evening, the former, of course, conveying His Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowcn, and a select party of ladies and gentlemen, who have been invited to accompany tho vice-regal party, and those members of tho Upper and Lower Houses of the Colonial Parliament who may desire to be present at an eveut so auspicious to tho Wanganui people. j His Honor the Superintendent and his Executive and the members of the Provincial Council will also bo of tho party. By the Luna will proceed those of the members of the Wellington Artillery who can afford a week's absence from their avocations, all other expenses incurred on their behalf being borne by the Government. They take with them two of their guns, for the purpose of formally announcing the arrival of Her Majesty's representative at the point of convergence on the opening dny. As we have already said, in previous issues, the Wungauui people nre all agog. It is said that the tenements in the country districts are to be left with just sufficient patient watchers to stay the hand of the purloiner, while the townspeople having for the nonce agreed to sink their petty differences, are united in their endeavors to improve the occasion by giving to His Excellency and Lady Bowen, as well as to the rest of the visitors who honor the occasion, a reception such as will long sustain pleasant recollections in connection with the opening of the Wangnnui Bridge. A visit to the district will convey much information to those of our residents who have not travelled on tho West Coast road. There is some of the finest laud in the colony thero to be seen, this being one of the many localities which has claim to tho title, "The Garden of New Zealand." Plenty of lime is allowed for short excursions inland, as tho Wanganui does not leave on her return trip till Saturday next. The Governor and Lady Bowen will take up their residence at tho Rutland Hotel during their stay at Wanganui, and that his Excellency and Lady Bowen will likely hold a levee on Tuesday afternoon. Messrs Anderson Brothers will erect a stand on the approach to tho bridge, to which the public will bo admitted on Wednesday, during tho formal opening of the bridge, on tho payment of a small 'charge. On Thursday there will be a cricket match during tho day, and tho Philharmonic Concert in the evening. On. Friday the Governor will proceed up the river in a war canoe, accompanied by a large number of natives, and the s.s. Wanganui will steam along with tho flotilla, carrying excursionists at a cheap rate.