LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3360, 1 December 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Suez Mail. — The Eangitoto, with the Sue/, mail on board arrived off Holdtika at 8 o'clock last evening. The tender crossed tho bar last night, but will not be able to return before noon to-dsy. Government Gazette. — A Gazette was published yesterday, containing several important notices. A proclamation, dated the 22nd ult., aunounces that the whole of the Militia in the districts ofllangitikei, Wellington, Grey sown, Masterton, South Napier, and North Napier, have been released from training and exercise under tho Militia Act, 1870 ; another proclamation intimated, that his Excellency the Governor, under the powers conferred by the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1871, intend forthwith to enter into negotiations for the purchaso from the native owners of the block or parcel of land situate in tho province of Wellington, on the Turakina Eiver, containing 40,975 acres. The Hon. Henry Sewell has resigned his office as Commissioner of Stamps. The Hon. Julius A r ogel has been appointed Commissioner of Customs. The Hon. William Reeves has beeu appointed a member of the Executive Council, and taken tho necessary oath. A petition from inhabitant householders of Wanganui, to be constituted a Borough ; and letter of assent from his Honor the Superintendent, are published for general information. Despatches, with enclosures, from the Eight Hon the Secretary of State for the Colonies, inclosingregulations for an examination of candidates for the Civil Service of India, which is to be held in March, 1872, are published for general information. Lieut-Colonel Edward Gorton has been appointed Inspector of Stores under the Public Stores Act, 1871. The tender of Mr William James of Wellington, amounting to £203 19s 6d, has been accepted for furnishing the new court house at Wanganui. The Debentuees. — The design for the reclaimed land debenture forms has beeu prepared, and the work will bo immediately placed in tho hands of thelithographer for execution. The Council must have been taken a little by surprise by the facile and expeditious way in which the duties entrusted to the committee have been accomplished, as the arrangements are not at a stago sufficiently advanced to enable them to take delivery of the cash. The Mutual Investment Society, according to the terms of the agreement, have the money ready to hand orer at once, and the interest will date from the Ist December accordingly, but in the absence of the Superintendent it is impossible to close the transaction. However, a few dajs longer will see the completion of a matter which has involved a considerable amount of difficulty and no little consideration on the part of our City Councillors. City Council. — A meeting of some importance will be held tliia afternoon, at half-past three o'clock. The report of the committee appointed to negotiate the debentures for the reclaimed land and the water works will be brought up. Councillor Moss has given notice of his intention to move that tho 13th schedule of the' Corporation Act be brought into operation. It is necessary that the assent of the Superintendent bo obtained to the bringing into force of this schedule, which deals with crossing-places, the discharge of rubbish, building materials deposited in streets, public libraries, gardens, and musoums, registration of public buildings, deposits of inflammable material, and other nuisances, the regulation and inspection of passenger vehicles, carts, and carters also is provided ; also stauds fixed, and fares laid down for both cabs and carts. Regulations can be made for, and the licenses issued to boatmen, and also for pedlars, hawkers, and porters. There is a letter from the Provincial Secretary, with reference to the sheds on tho wharf, to be considered, in addition to the report of tho Concillors on appeals. The Wool Clip. — VVool is now beginning to arrive at tho Christchurch station in considerable quantities. As many as six truck loads were brought down in one traiu on Monday,

Ancient Oeber op Foeestebs.— The Foresters of Wellington will, we understand, hold their annual fete on Boxing Day. The locality has not yet been determined on, but. a committee has been appointed to choose the moat suitable situation in the vicinity of the city. These annual fetes are held for a very praiseworthy object, the proceeds being devoted to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund of the order. We hope the general public will by their attendance support the Foresters, and thus aid them in the object they have in view. The Telegraph Committee's Report. —In printing the result of the inquiry into the management of the telegraph department, the " Otago Daily Times" excises the whole of that portion of the report referring to the "reckless and wicked" conduct of the person Hart, who was brought forward for the purpose of substantiating the charges preferred by Mr Barton. This trifling incident is quite of a piece witli the whole action of those who have so ignominiously failed in the attempt to damage one of the most useful branches of the public service, by destroying the confidence which should properly exist in an establishment to which is entrusted so much of the private business of the people. Steam Excursion.— We observe by an advertisement iv another column, that the N.Z.S.S. Co. intend making a cheap excursion trip to Nelson and back on the 23rd instant, by the s.s. Taranaki. We understand that tho Star Club intend sending two boats and crews to Nelson to contest at the regatta, which takes place on Boxing Day. We have no doubt that many persona will avail themselves of this opportunity of proceeding to Nelson by this favorite steamer to spend their Christmas holidays. The Taranaki on the trip to Nelson will steam up the Pelorus Sound, for tho purpose of allowing the excursionists an opportunity of viewing the beautiful and picturesque scenery of that district. This vessel made a similar trip last year, and all who went spoke in high terms of pleasures of the excursion. Cricket. — The boys of the Wellington Grammar School intend playing a game of Cricket with those of the Crofton College on Saturday next at theThorndon Barracks. Wickets to be pitched at 1.30 p.m., play to commence at 2 o'clock. Mr J. B. Wallace has kindly consented so act; as umpire for the Grammar School, Mr Bromley for tho Croftonians. The following is a list of the Grammar School eleven : — E. 11. Palmer, (captain), M. J. Barraud, J. S. Bishop, J. Lethbridge, A. Bishop, E. H. Tully, W. liaise, E. C. Mills, A. Hirschberg, E. E. Wallace, W. Holmes. The Crofton eleven, — C. France, (captain), F. France, F. Johnston, E. Brown, <J. Bridges, N. Pearce, It. B. Stock, E. Tanner, E. B. Barton, L. Bidwell, T. Brown. The Boat Eace.— Our remarks of yesterday on the selection of the crew to represent the province in the intercolonial boat race appear to have been made too hastily, as it has not yet been finally decided whether Mr Johnson is to go down with the crew. We have been informed that wo have done injustice to that gentleman, iv referring to his style of pulling in the boat. We merely did so on what wo considered the very best authority, and if we have done that gentleman any injury we are extremely sorry for it, as we are fully aware that he is one of our most enthusiastic amateurs, and has done a great deal towards keeping up tho interest in our annual regattas. Picton and Blenheim Railway. — We learn that his Excellency the Governor, having intimated to his Honor Mr Seymour his intention to visit Marlborough at no distant date, tho Superintendent considering tho occasion apropos solicited Sir Georgo Bowen to turn tho first sod of the railway, to which he graciously replied that ho would have much pleasure in so doing, and arrangements are to be made accordingly. It is more than probable that the vice-regal party will include Mr Brogden and other notabilities. — "Express," Nov. 25. Colonial Phizes. — Tho negotiations between the Defence Office and Colonial Packe have been attended with a successful issue. The Colonial prize competition is to take place in Canterbury this year on a range to be prepared at Cashmere which is said to be an excellent one. Anything up to 1000 yards can bo attained, and the Peninsula hills will form as good a background as could be desired. Tenders have been invited for the manufacture of the necessary targets, the cost of which will be defrayed by the General Government, Tho rules are well worthy the attention of all volunteers, for there are many important alterations from last year. The Christy s. — As will be seen from the correspondence belong tho pecuniary result of the late concert given by the troupe is a most gratifying one, the amount handed over to the treasurer of the St. Paul's School Fund being £22 os Gd. In addressing Mr VV. M. Bannatyne, the secretary of the troupe, Mr A. Maginnity, says : — " By direction of the committee, I have much pleasure in enclosing you a cheque for the sum of £22 5s Gd, net proceeds of a concert given by the Wellington Christys, on the 21st instant, in aid of St. Paul's School, Thorndon." In acknowledging the receipt of the letter, and the cheque, Mr Bannatyne says :— " I beg to acknowledge the receipt of a cheque for £22 os GJ, enclosed in your letter of this day's date, being proceeds of a concert given by the Wellington Christys on the 21st instant, in aid of tho funds of St. Paul's School, Thorndon, and to thank you very much for so handsome a contribution. Will you kindly convey the thanks of the School Committee to the gentlemen generally who assisted on the occasion." As a matter of gratitude we also desire to thank the gentlemen composing the company for the accomplishment of so much good at what may correctly be termed personal sacrifice, for these little entertainments entail an amount of trouble, loss of time, and some small expense, of which it is probable not one-fourth of the audiences who are kind enough to attend these performances know anything. During its short existence the troupe has very materially assisted in four cases where assistance was necessary, and it is to bo hoped no minor causes will be permitted to endanger the existence of so useful a body. The proceeds of the next concert, we hear, will go toward the purchase of a repertoire- of first-class music for the company, after which it is intended to give an invitation concert. These extended efforts are sure to meet with tho support they deserve. Dunedin Hacks.— Tho Dunedin races are to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of March. The stakes to bo run for exceed £1000. Gymnasium. — Agymnnsium was opened in Christchurch yesterday. Diving for Gold. — A patent diving apparatus, consisting of a diving dress aud helmet, is to bo tried on the Shotover. It is expected that by this means crevices in the rock which could not otherwise be reached can be worked.

The New Boat.— The boat ordered for the Wellington crew arrived yesterday afternoon in the Alhamhra. She was at once taken to Captain Pearce's shed where she was laid out on tressels. In appearance she looks exceedingly long, being a trifle over the usual length for a four-oar, her dimensions being forty-four feet in length and twenty-three inches in beam. The wood employed in her construction is cedar, which is built in three lengths of sufficient width to cover the distance from the keel, or whore the keel should be, to the gunwale. The joints are very [ cleanly finished off, being hardly perceptib le to the touch, so that she presents to the water a surface as smooth as a looking glass. With the boat has come down a set of oars and a couple to spare in case of breakage, the whole being put down in Wellington at a cost of £50, an amount which must be acknowledged to be very reasonable. The total cost has been I reduced, however, through the generosity of Messrs M'Mcckan, Blackwood, &, Co., who, from a desire to encourage our aquatic arrangements, have conveyed the boat free of charge. A gentleman recently from England, who examined the boat last evening, declared her to be equal in workmanship to the boat built for the Cambridge men for the University race of last year. To further the desirable object of the committee, it is nocesaary that the public should extend some further support to the expenses which have not yet been covered by the subscriptions already in. There will yet be a considerable amount of unavoidable expense connected with the training, and sending down of the crew to Canterbury, for which the committee will have to find the means; so that we hope those of the public who feel an interest in the success of the Wellington boat, will display their enthusiasm in an unmistakable way. Gband Juries and Unanimity of Juries. —At the opening of the Criminal Sessions last week, in Nelson, Mr Justice Richmond addressed the following remarks to the Grand Jury :— •" At the session of Parliament just closed, several changes have been made in the laws, but, ■up to the present time, we are without information of what had occurred. I myself do not know what is the law with reference to juries. If; had been proposed to allow two-thirds of the number in civil cases to return a verdict, but whether this is now the law or not I am not in a position to say. I do not say there is any [ blame attachable on this account, and we must assume that our legislators have | taken care not to make any laws which shall come into force before the Courts of the country shall receive notification of i the fact. A proposition has been made in the Legislature for the abolition of Grand Juries. It would bo out of place in me to discuss this subject, and I do not propose to do so. But the Graud Jury serves one important purpose in a social lic;ht, which I consider a very good one. When I address you asaembled together on occasions like this, I address tho principal inhabitants of the place, on the business of the country, and such opportunities give an additional solemnity to the proceedings of the Court, met face to face to consider the ugly fact of crime with which the Court has to deal. That crime, as showing the state of tho country, comes home to all of us, and it is a matter of the deepest public import, and one with which every person of high social standing has individually to deal, and hence the use of the institution of the Grand Jury. I do not say the institution as it exists cannot bo modified so as to bring the Judges into intimate relation with all the common jury panel, and also preserve the real advantages of a Grand Jury. I hope, however, that the system will never be so greatly altered as to put out of the power of the Court the opportunity of meeting face to face with tlio principal men of the whole community." Large Brocoli. — A splendid specimen of this vegetable has been grown in Oamaru. When cut, it weighed 451 b, and when stripped of leaves, the heart alone weighed 18-g-lbs. •'No Savee." — Six Chinamen were summoned before the Warden at Naseby a few days ago for mining without having miners' rights. All pleaded ignorance of the necessity of being so provided, and in the case of three, who were new arrivals, the plea was allowed as an extenuating circumstance, and they were fined ten shillings each, or three days' imprisonment with hard labor, in default. The other three, who were old Victorian miners, were fined £5 each and costs, or six days' imprisonment in default. Female Crime. — In his charge to the grand jury on opening the criminal session of the Supreme Court at Invercargill, His Honor Mr Justice Chapman commented on the fact that four out of the six persons indicted were women. This, he said, was a very unusual circumstance, not only for Invercargill, but for the whole colony. In their presentment, the Graud Jury hoped the circumstance would prove exceptional, and drew his Honor's attention to the great necessity that existed for the increased accommodation in connection with the court house, more especially for his Honor, the jurors, and witnesses. His Honor concurred in the representation, adding that he would take care that it was forwarded to the proper authorities. The Stamp Duties.— Referring to the doubling of the duty on bank cheques, tho " Southern Cross" says : — " Among bankers, and those connected with banking interests, the increase of the impost upon cheques from Id to 2d will, it is alleged, greatly benefit them. It is well known }hat the banks are always anxious for as large an issue of their notes as they can obtain. It is true that these represent gold or silver coin, when either is demanded in exchange, but then, as a rule, this is seldom the case. Notes pass from hand to hand, and are generally received in payment in preference to gold. Now that the stamp upon a cheque has been doubled, tradesmen, it is said, will draw largely upon their accounts in notes, pay in notes, and receive in notes, and so will be the nieuns of increasing their circulation ; for although notes, liko bread cast upon the waters, return after mauy days, they reap an advantage during the interim. This is what is said, but whether it be correct those only initiated in banks and banking can possibly say. The general opinion, however, appears to be that the revenue will derive little or no increase from the new fiscal measure." Tile Chatham Islands. — Live stock at tho Chatham Islands seems to realise very nominal prices. A correspondent of a Hawlce's Bay contemporary writes :— -At an auction sale held at Waitangi, the property of Mr Josopu Goodman, who is leaving New Zealand, was disposed of. Cows were sold at 10s to 20s, horses proportionately low. At a recent sale by auction of the sheep on the run of the late Mr John Alexander, deceased, about 11,000 were sold at from sixpence to 4s Gd per head. Chinese Publicans. — The Cromwell " Argus" states that it is proposed to grant a bottle license to a Chinese storekeeper, named Ah Hung, at tho Bannockburn.

Death of a Maori Chief at Otaki.— Heremia Te Tehi, chief the Ngatihapu i tribe at Otaki, died at that place on Tuesday last. It will be remembered that Heremia was the chief who took so actrre a part in the hoisting of the Maori King flag and the other turbulent demonstrations in connection with that event which took place at Otaki about the year 1862. His death was caused by an affection of a febrile nature which is just now very pre* i valent amongst the Maoris. From our exchanges we observe that the well known chief, Paul Pinaha Paora Mataetaere, died recently at Te Moananui's residence at Ohinemuri. The deceased was one of the leading Coromandel natives, and was a popular man amongst both natives and ' Europeans, He had only arrived at Te Hira's place the night before his decease. Church Politics. — The Dunediu " Star" describes a scene in the First Church, Dunedin, in this way : — We do not suppose that there ever was a church. , in which perfect harmony subsisted, but ■ it is seldom that disagreement is carried so far as to interfere with the decorum of public worship. Yesterday was an ex* ception at the First Church, where two i rival precentors were presented to the , congregation — one appointed by the minister, the Rev Georgg^Sutherland, i the other by the ou^ce-kfaiers/** I ' lists not i for us to enter into detail of the events which led up to tffis public struggle for supremacy. They are for the Presbyterian Church to deal with ; and as each i church has its own machinery for investigation of such quarrels, any ex parte statement should be avoided. The public have at present only to do with wbat appeared. This much is certain, that the i rev gentleman and his flock do agree ; that i Mr Stewart has long held office of pre- ■ center, through appointment by a Church Court; that Mr Sutherland has, rightly ■ or wrongly, assumed the right to dismiss | him, without reference to his qualificai tions or to those who appointed him, and to place one in his stead. This last gen" - tleman was Mr Lister, who, however, being unable to be present, bad enlisted Mr Law as substitute. This change was , announced by Mr Sutherland at the ■ commencement of the service, and in order to secure its being carried out, had i himself filled the precenter's seat until Mr Law's arrival, when he resigned in his i favor. Acting under instructions, Mr Stewart took his place beside him, and on the first psalm being read he led the ■ service and was followed heartily by the i whole congregation, Mr Law offering no opposition. This did not appear to suit ' the pastor, for when the time arrived for • singing the second psalm, addressing the congregation, he said, under the circumstances it would be better to omit the i singing altogether. A large proportion of the congregation immediately rose and i left the church. The prayers were evidently tinged with the spirit that led to the rev gentleman's course of action, and in the evening he indulged in some very unclerical remarks in reference to the i precentor. Considering that Mr Stewart i acted under instructions of the Deacon's . Court, public justice ought to have re- , strained any expressions reflecting on him [ as an individual. Here we leave the i matter for the present. We understand i that an appeal for the interference of the ! Presbytery has been forwarded to-day by the office- bearers of the church. Cool .'—The " Marlborough Express ' 1 of the 25th Nov., has a spicy paragraph rebuking the newspapers of the colony for cribbing items from that paper without •acknowledgment, which concludes with a homily on " literary honesty." It is to be hoped the " Express " will continue to notice such peculation, at the same time remembering, for its own good, the moral conveyed. In the same issue of the "Express," amongst the "local "news, we find two paragraphs — those relating to the death of Captain Sedcole and the wrecked cargo at Eapiti — taken from our columns without any acknowledgment or alteration whatever. Boating in Canterbury.— The christening of the new racing gig (outrigger), built by Mr Harrrison of Lyttelton for the Lyttelton Boat Club, took place on Saturday afternoon. The boat is 45 feet 1 long, and she has a beam of 20 inches ; she is built of cedar, and is well fiuighed throughout. The christening took place on board Mr Cunningham's yacht Annie Ogle, which was brought up near to the breakwater. At 3.30 p.m., Mrs H. P. Murray-Aynsley, accompanied by Mesdames Eichardson, Rouse, Cunningham, Perrin ; and Messrs H. P. MurrayAynsley. P. Cunningham, Richardson, Rouse, D. Davis, Nalder, &c, went on board the yacht. The gig having been launched, her crew soon sculled her alongside the vessel, and everything beiug in readiness, a silver cup (the ladies' challenge cup), won by the club, was filled with champagne; and Mrs Aynsley having dashed the wine over the bows of the boat, said " I have much pleasure in namiug this boat 'The May Flower.' (Three cheers.) I hope she will prove as successful as her crow deserve to be." Three hearty cheers were again given, oars were peaked by the crews of the club, who were alongside in the club's gigs Harebell and Snowdrop, and the new gig was then rowed ashore, as the water was getting too rough for her. A scratch match then took place amongst the members for a prize of £5, given by the President, and five gold scarf pins for the winning crew. The race was rowed in heats, in the gigs Snowdrop and Harebell, and was won, after an excellent contest, by Messrs Hall, Talbot, Cameron, Rich, and Eyes, in the gig Snowdrop. In the evening, a meeting of the club was held at the Empire Hotel, when the prizes were presented by Mr Cuuningbam, on behalf of Mrs Cunningham. It was resolved to have scratch matches during the season. Mi* W. Camcrom has offered five pewters, ta be rowed for on Saturday week. A Long Stviji.— A valuable bullock, belonging to Hay Bros, Pigeon Bay, Canterbury, was being brought off the ground, when the animal took to the water ; after swimming several hundred yards, the beast seemed to repent of his rash proceeding, and turned his head to shore. The crew of the schooner Randolph went after it in their boat, on seeing which the animal again made for sea. Boat and bullock dodged each other for some time, till at last the head of the latter again turned shoreward. On gaining footing, the strong swimmer gave three " convulsive splashes," and after a " bubbling cry" rolled on his side. The-aK^e was was towed on shore by the boat's crew. Lake Wakatip. — The mining population of the Lake Wakatip district is estimated by the Warden at 2430, of whom 12d I are Europeans, and 1229 Chinese. At one time during the last three months there were 1800 Chinamen in the district. On the Speee. — In the hearing of & case at Cromwell the other day, M r Vincent Pyke, according to the " Argus," 1 defined the expression "on the spree" to ; mean " the imbibtion of alcoholic liquora» , tending to exhilarate the spirits, and ex* cite the nervous system."

Colonial Rifleman. — The Auckland " Star " says that Lieutenant Hazard, of Nr 2 H.R.V., who is now on a visit to England and the Continent, and who was well known in Auckland as a crack shot with the rifle, has been distinguishing himself at home. He waa too late for the Association's meeting at Wimbledon, but at a country meeting at Birmingham he fired four matches, and took prizes in two —shooting against Queen's prizemen, of whom there were several at the meeting. We are glad to see that Mr Hazard can hold his own even amongst the best ahots of England. The Canterbury Anniversary.— The Superintendent of the province has received a letter from Mr J. E. FitzGerald, stating that he would be unable to visit Canterbury on the 21st anniversary. Tasmania^ Gold.— The quantity of gold exported from Tasmania during the first six months of the year was 1719i0z, valued at £6,GIG. A Vigorous Pastor.— The Rev Mr Coleman, Catholic Priest, a new arrival from home, has been attending to his flock at the Wakatip. The rev. gentleman preached very strongly of the life Catholics were leading there ; reproved various sins; commented upon the abspT>££^ f o even a hut for the accommodar -'"""turn ot~ the priest ; and to his being compelled t# live in hotels full of " rottenness " ; to the disgraceful state of the church ; upon sending Catholic children to the public school ; against mixed marriages between Catholics and Protestants, unless the children of such issue were ■brought up in llie Catholic faith ; and other subjects. Mirage.— A correspondent sends to the " Nelson Colonist" the following communication :— On a perusal of the columns of " Nature" for last year, I find attention is drawn to the frequent and varied occurrences of this phenomenon in England. We are not without vivid instances of it in Now Zealand. One of the most remarkable that I have yet seen in any latitude for iliusory power, may be witnessed almost any wet day upon the cessation of rain from the summit of a hill overlooking the Valley of the Takaka. As the densities of the strata of the atmosphere vary with the currents of air sweeping land or seaward, the river seems bodily lifted up, giving the nppearance of a full flood, when there is only a moderate quantity of water in its bed. This illusion being repeated every few minutes, until the at mosphere becomes of a uniform density. Not being aware of a similar instance having received previous notice, will, I trust, be a sufficient apology for trespassing on your space.