LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3370, 13 December 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

The Railways. — A few weeks ago a paragraph appeared in these columns to the effect that the contract for the construction of the- Wellington and Masterton Railway had been signed, and that operations would bo commenced in a few weeks. It is only fair to state that wo have since ascertained that this statement was made under a misapprehension ; and we think it right to make the correction. The fact is that up to the present moment no contract whatever has been actually agreed on between the Government and Messrs Brogdon, but is very probable that in a day or two the negociations now proceeding will have been satisfactorily concluded. According to the information at present at our disposal the only line actually ready for contract is the Picton and Blenheim lino, the survey of which has just been completed by Messrs Carruthers, Bell, and Henderson, at the instance of the General Government. But should the Government be able to con elude terms with Messrs Brogden, the various lines authorised by Parliament will be rapidly pushed forward. Tiie Picton and Blenheim: Railway. — Amongst the passengers by the Phoebe on Tuesday were Messrs Henderson and Bell, the engineers acting under the instruction of the Government for the survey of tho Picton and Blenheim railway. The whole of the surveys have been completed, and the necessary quantities taken for forming estimates of the cost of the work. We understand that this line will be the first which the Government will submit to the Messrs Brogden for construction, it being the only one for which tho surveys and estimates have been completed. It is thought that the limit of cost imposed by the legislature is not sufficient to complete the construction of a line of really firstclass character, but by making some portions not of so permanent a character as would have been the case had greater latitude been allowed in the amount to be expended, the engineers expect to be able to bring the estimate within the amount

fixed upon. It has been found that the excavations are very extensive for the first two miles from Picton, and there is also some very heavy work to be done in carrying the line through a very large swamp which interposes itself in the direction of the line, the water of which is, in mauy places, fully thirteen feet deep. There will also be required a heavy embankment for the protection of the line from the floods which so ofton occur in that part of the country.

Emigration to New Zealand.— By the Pheobe arrived Colonel FielJing, a gentleman who is on a mission to the colonies in connection with the Society for the promotion of emigration from England under the patronage of the Duke of Manchester. The object of Colonel "Fielding's visit to New ' Zealand is to ascertain what opportunities the Government of the colony would be willing to afford for the carrying out of the views of the society. We understand that he »vas under tho impression that tho General Government would be prepared to make grants of land for emigrants introduced to the country, and has expressed great disappointment and surprise afc finding that, in consequence of the delegation of the control of tho waste lauds to the Provincial Governments, land cannot be obtained except at a price which it is feared will defeat the intentions of the society, so far at all events as this colony is concerned.

The Queen's Health.— The Governor ! received to-day, by the English mail, a letter from the Duke of Edinburgh, who says, "Before concluding, I must tell you what I am sure you will bo glad to hear, that although the queeu has been very iIU her health is now very much better." The loyal people of New Zealand will be glad to hear this, and also that H.E.H always writes with a very pleasant recol lection of his visits to New Zealand, and desires his remembrances to several gentlemen here. The City Council.— A very important meeting of this body will beheld today at half-past three o'clock. The matters to be discussed are the terms on which the reclaimed land is to be Jeased, and in the discussion of this matter will be embraced, of course, the leasing of those sites next to Mr Barraud's shop as a position for the new theatre. The next business will be the discussion of the report of the committee upon matters connected with the sending homo of the orders for procuring the necessary plant for supplying the city with water. The report of the wharf committee will bepresented, and the erection of the wharf sheds will likely be at once decided on. The motion of Councillor Moss, relative to the bringing into force of the 13th schedule of the Municipal Corporations Act, will also give rise to some discussion, which it is to be hoped will result in the sanction of the Council being given to the bringing into force of the schedule. The increase of the municipal revenue and the regulation of many matters at present in dire need of better management will bo effected by the adoption of what is certainly one of the most useful portions of the act. Land Transfer Act, 1870.— 1t may be well to caution our readers that every land purchaser from the Crown after the Ist of February, 1871, becomes thereby under the provisions of the above act, and the transfer or other dealings with such land must be effected by the forms proscribed by the act and not otherwise. These form 3 can be obtained upon application at any district land registrar's -office in the colony. The charge for each form is one shilling. Baker's Hill Gold Mining Company. This company commenced working their claim yesterday, with a small two-stamper machine, driven by water power. The machine is under the management of Mr Lees, late engineer to Mr E. W. Mills. The Morning Star Company are progressing favorably with the erection of their machinery, and expect to be in full operation in a week or two. Golden Crown Mining Cotcpany.— Some information has been given in by the Directors of the Golden Crown Gold Mining Company which should stimulate tho proprietors of the company, and encourage the public of this district generally. A sample of stone taken from the company's claim was sub mitted for test by Mr E. Dixon, and the result was as follows :— From 3lbs of stuff, £ of a grain, being an average of loz 7dwtß B#rß per ton. Another snmple, forwarded by J. C. Crawford, Esq., to Mr Skey, Government Analyist, yielded at tho rate of loz 2dwts 18grs per ton. Two other samples forwarded for analysis to Mr Skey by Mr Levy, the manager of tho Golden Crown Company, yielded respectively : loz 19dwts and loz ldwt 18grs per ton. Hesident Magistrate's Court. — One inebriate was fined in the Hesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, and one civil case disposed of, the matter at issue between the parties to the suit, Messrs Morton Quin and Spiers, being an amount of £4 9s. Class Firing.— The members of No 1 battery of the Artillery fired on Monday afternoon at the Adelaide butts, to decide on the representatives to take part in the competition for choice of marksmen to represent the district at the colonial prize Qring. The conditions were the same as for tho choice of district representatives : { 5 shots standing at 200, and 5 any position at 300 for the first stage ; and 5 each at -100, 500, and GOO yards, any position, as the second stage. For the district firing, a minimum of 30 points in the first stage, and of 40 in the second stage, is required, but this was not insisted on in Monday's competition. Four members, however, made tho minimum in tho first stage, but none reached it in the second stage. The highest scorer was Sergeant Brogan, with 65, and tho three next were Messrs M'Tavish, M'Credie, and Zohrab. Other members who have yet to fire will do so on Saturday next, to which special attention is directed by advertisement. A Maori Funeral. — A funeral of a kind remarkable for it 3 variety, oven in this place where Maoris most do congregate, took place yesterday afternoon about five o'clock. Tho procession was rather a long one, and the person to whoso remains the altenders were paying this form of reverence was Mohi Ngaponga, Chief of the Ngatiruanui, the To Aro natives. The departed chief was no less a person than one who had been dignified by the title Moses, and must, during some portion of his lifetime, have done something to render himself worthy of the high honor conferred, for those who followed the corpse were highly respectable, in addition to presenting an appearance more than usually mournful, a feeling induced by the lugubrious expression of the countenances of the followers, none of whom wore anything in rank below shining- belltoppers, and superfino black. In the neighborhood of the spot selected for interment of the remains was a crowd of Maoris, from all districts within a reasonable distance of town, chief amongst whom were Wi Tako, a relative of the departed, and other notable men.

Tbe coffin having been lowered into the grave, the Eev. Mr Buddie, Wesleyan Minister, read the service in Maori. The feelings engendered by the solemn form evidenced itself, to one new to such scenes, in a manner remarkable for the contrast supplied, somo of those present sobbing bitterly during the whole service, and at its conclusion, while others gave way to a lively display of hilarity when the reading wn3 finished. A new blanket, in colors, equalling Joseph's garment, we should think, was thrown into the grave, and in it were enclosed habiliments of Moses. When the service was concluded, four lusty young fellows stepped out from among those present, and filling in the dirt with a vigor and skill that displayed considerable familiarity in the handling of the spade, soon hid from the gaze of the spectators the frail timbers that enclosed all that was mortal of Mohi Ngaponga. The deceased chief had been sick for about eight days previously to Saturday last, on which day he died. The Late Mr Kemptjiorne. — The remains of the late Mr Kempthorne, of the Customs, wovo intorrcd yesterday afternoon. The funeral procession mustered between eighty and ninety, most of the leading citizens being present at the performance of the obsequis. The ships in harbor flew their ensigns at halfmast, as a further mark of respect to | the deceased gentleman. Show of Eoses. — The first special show of roses ever held in Christchurch, took place last week at White's Hotel, under the auspices of the Christchurch Horticultural Society, and we are informed was very largely attended. The preject was first mooted at one of the committee meetings of the society held a short time since, and it was urged that it was desirable that an exhibition should be set apart solely for roses early in December, as at the second general exhibition, which was usually held later in December, the season for roses was so far advanced that most of the blooms had lost their beauty. The President of the Horticultural Society (Mr Wynn Williams) warmly supported the proposal, and as an encouragement offered a prize of a silver cup, open to all, for the six best varieties of roses. Mr Williams' offer was accepted, and it was decided that a few other prizes should be awarded, with the view of initiating an exhibition, the success attending which must have astonished the most sanguine of its promoters. The show of the " queen of flowers" was a very fine one, and the first prize was awarded to Mr Abbot, the second to Mr Greenaway. Australian Wines. — The demand for these wines is greatly on the increase in Christchurch. It seems to be a difficult matter to decide which variety to give the preference to, but the " Morooroo Verdeilho," a large quantity of \shich was taken to England by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, is described as decidedly the most delicious colonial wine ever tasted. i Volunteer Encampment.— The necessary permission having been obtained from the Hon the Defence Minister, an encampment of the Canterbury Volunteers will bo held on the 31st of December, and the three following days. A site has been selected near Mr Ford's homestead, some three miles from the Selwyn Railway Station, and in many respects it is much better adapted to the purpose than the beach at Sumncr. The Volunteers will go into camp on the afternoon of Saturday, and will return to town by an early train on the following Wednesday, in time for business. Testimonial to Mr Walker.— A public testimonial was presented to Mr Walker, as the champion shot of New Zealand. It consisted of a Masonic silver tea and coffee service. Afterwards a dinner was given him by private friends, which was a splendid affair. Gy3inasiu3l. — The gymnasium opened recently at Christchurch by Mr Walker, of Auckland, is likely to prove a great success. The qualifications of Mr Walker for the position of tutor, and the well furnished, and the well ordered state of the gymnasium, are spoken of in very high terms by the local press. Driving Away the Devil. — In accordance with their half-yearly custom, the Chinese of Golden Point proceeded, a few days ago, to drive the devil from the camp. The ceremony is rather a curious one. Two or three loads of firewood are purchased by subscription for the purpose of making a large fire in the open air, and near the five is placed tables, with washing basius, clean towels, and plenty of Chinese soap-balls. Along the main street of the camp were placed candles at intervals of several yards. The Chinese make a great point of sending the devil away in an amiable mood, and the fire and washing materials are provided, so that he may leave the camp in a comfortable condition, and the candles are to show him the way. While the candles were burning, a band of Chinese musicians performed on the drum and gong in a very decided manner. The ceremony lasted for several hours.— "Bnllarat Star." Sir John Burgoyne.— " The Moltko of Englnnd" he was so callod by Napoleon 111. — Sir John Burgoyne died on the 6th inst. His remains were buried in the Tower of London, of which ho was the Cons^ble. He had reached a venerable age. having been born in 1782, and merely to recapitulate his services would require ajcolumn of our space. Not only was he ever conspicuous among brave men for bravery, but he was also a man of thought, and military readers are aware that it is to him that we owe the fact that we have something like fortifications against a foreign enemy. His amiability of character was remarkable, and he preserved in his great age the power of interesting himself in the pleasures of those whom he loved, and j of taking part in their amusements. His sense of humor was very marked, and when the grave aspect of a question had been discussed, he was ready with a mirthful suggestion of another aspect, which it would bear. The office of Constable of the Tower, it may bo meutioned, is one of honor only, not of emolument, but the title is a proud one, and he was justly proud of it. His funeral was such as became a soldier, aud his resting place was chosen by himself. In his life he won the good opinion of all sorts of men, and in his death the good and the brave honored him. The Newcastle Strike.— -The strike at Newcastle, to which allusion was made last month, hns been brought to a sudden and satisfactory conclusion. From the Ist of January next nine hours will be the required and accepted day's work in the north of England, and there appears every probability of tho same principle and practice prevailing all over the kingdom. There have been numerous strikes lately, and in every case, save in that of the shipbuilders on the Clyde, t the requests of themen have been complied with. Women, however, continue to be allowed to work aa long as their legal lords and masters desire them. Possibly their emancipation from extra labor wil come bycaud-bye.

Lady AvoNMOBE.—Tke "New York Herald" says Mrs Yelverfcon, or, as she calls herself, Lady Avonmore, arrived there from San Francisco on the North German barque Vesta on the Ist of Sept. She will favor the New York public with a few lectures. Antonetti. — His Eminence Cardinal Antonelli lies- dangerously ill in Rome. We are informed by cable telegram that the " gravest apprehensions" as to his recovery were entertained last night. The Cardinal is an eminent man in every sense of the word, and his loss, should he be carried,- off by death, will be a truly serious one to the Pope.—" New York Herald." Mails. — The usual monthly mail, via Brindisi, was delivered with accustomed punctuality on 4th September, dates being — from Melbourne 16th July, Sydney 13th July, Adelaide 17th July, Brisbane 10th July, Tasmania 14th July, and Swan Kiver 18th July. Tlie New Zealand mail, via San Francisco, was delivered ex steamer Allemania at New York, on the same day, 4th September, with dates fron?^ Auckland 13tli July, and Otago 7th July". " The Sydney mail, via San Francisco, was delivered ex City of Melbourne at Sydney, on 27th September, with dates from New South Wales 2nd August, but brought few letters. The Sydney folks seem, very wisely, to distrust this route for communication with England. The Japanese in America, — " A notable feature of College Commencements this year, says the " New York Tribune," is the frequency with which Japanese faces appear. The Government of Japan has sent several hundred young men to this country to bo educated, and in a few years they will carry back with them all that our colleges can give in the way of scholastic culture, as well as such germs of Christian civilisation as may effect; more for the ultimate advancement of Japan than a century of ordinary missionary work. According to universal testimony, these young men are apt, thoughtful, attentive, well-behaved, and eager to learn. Year by year the number of those coming hither appears likely to increase, and the result may be that in 1900 Japan herself will have become the Athens of the East." The Tichboene Case.— A singular incident (says the " Geelong Advertiser") occurred during the examination of the Tichborne claimant, which certainly tells in his favor. It is stated by a Victorian gentleman— the Hon T. H. Fellows, we believe, who was present at the trial — that when the artist who executed so good a caricature of the illustration in the "Graphic" newspaper was in court, he was asked if he could see any other persons in court bearing any resemblance to the claimant. He looked round the court and traced a resemblance in six or seven persons, we are not exactly certain how many. With none of these persons was he acquainted, but on enquiry it was found they all belonged to the jTichborne family. The Thames Mines.— The 'New ZealandHerald's'telegramsfrom Grahamstown of the Bfch and 9th are as follows :— " Bth.— Caledonian.— Nothing new. The contractors to take down reef in the low level have thrown it up. The main face is untouched. Inverness. — The manager reports a fine show of gold in the main face, low level. 9 p.m. — It is reported that a rich find has been made in the Manukau, in the Golden Crown No 2 reef. The Moanatairi have taken out 1 cwt of specimens, and there is a demand for more specimen boxes to be sent below ; 5 cwfc now on hand. The Una declared a dividend of one shilling this evening. The Little Angel are now crushing ; they have taken out a nice patch of specimens. The Occidental, Upper Tararn, have taken out some nice picked stone. There are buyers of Caledonian at £62, some people here having confidence in the mine ; many buyers at lower rates than £62. Moanatairi, 80s. 9th. — Caledonian. — The mine is open for inspection. The show of gold in the main face is good, but it has not been disturbed since last week . Over No 3 winze they are taking down the lode, and a good show of gold is making. In the bottom level they are opening on the lode to the N.E., which is very strong, and first-rate crushing stone. The Moanatairi have taken out another 1 cwt of specimens during the afternoon. They have now 7 cwt in hand. The battery is only partially employed, in consequence of the deficiency of water. Tookey (Work's) tribute are cleaning up. They expecfe 2£ ounces to the ton. The Nonpareil have cut another leader in their shaft, and good gold taken out. The Manukau find of yesterday was a large block of stone found in the paddock. It has not yet been ascertained what part of the mine it came from. The employees in the Caledonian battery gave a luncheon to Mr Howe today. They also presented with an elegant silver cup, Drafeey Sale. — Three days' clearing sale by auction of drapery, clothing, house furnishings, &c, commences to-day (Wednesday) at 11 o'clock on the premises, Waterloo House, late Pliimner and Go's, Lambton Quay. Considering the extent o£ the stock, and the fact of the sale being without reserve, owing to the premises being closed, will mako it worthy of the consideration of ail classes of the community who wish to praotiee economy in making their Christmas purchases of drapery and clothing.