LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3375, 19 December 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

By the colonial steamer Luna we yesterday despatched a special reporter to Napier for the purpose of reporting in full the trial of Eereopa for the murder of the Rev Mr Volknor. We have made arrangements that will enable us to publish a complete and independent report of the proceedings in this case at the earliest possible period. We are informed that the Telegraph Office narrowly escaped the risk of being set on fire by an explosion of gas on Sunday evening. We are told that one of the gas-burners had, although extinguished, been allowed to remain open, thus filling one of the rooms with gas. Luckily the strong effluvium attracted the attention of some one on the premises in time to prevent what might have been a serious accident. The sacred hall called "Bellamy's," usually reserved for the scene of the recreation of honorable members during the session of the General' Assembly, was devoted yesterday to a purpose of a novel character. Some fifty natives, men, women and children, in all styles of attire, from the latest cut of European fashion to the traditional, blanket were collected together in various attitudes before a table at which was seated Major Heaphy, the Trustee of Native Reserves. On enquiry we wero informed that the object of this gathering was to talk over the question of disposing of some of the native reserves in this province. Tbe natives — or rather we suppose some of them— are said to bo desirous for the sale of their reserves, although in many instances they have already divested themselves of their general lands. Major Heaphy was assisted by an interpreter, and from the mass of evidence that was taken down, and the earnest attitude and tones of tho various native speakers, the business appeared to bo of considerable importance. Wi Tako was one of tho principal speakers. At about one o'clock on Saturday an accident occurred on the Karori road, about three-quarters of a mile from town, that might have resulted fatally. Tho driver of a trap belonging to Mr Marks, of Lambton Quay, had occasion to adjust the harness, when the horse became suddenly restive and the trap was thrown down the bank, which at that place is very steep. The horse luckily managed to free itself from the trap aud escaped injury. There are several places on this road where a post and rail fence would be most useful in preventing accidents of the kind just mentioned. Information was received yesterday that Mr Thomson, Clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court at W"anganui, had been arrested on a charge of embezzlement. It is said that there is a clear case against him. The City Council decided yesterday on supplying a want that has long been ad vocated — the appointment of a nightwatchman. This is to he provided for in the new conditions, the lessee paying for the services of the person who is to perform the duties. Many accidents have occcurred from persons in a state of intoxication attempting to get on board of ships ai?d. steamers lying alongside the wharf, only a short time since a seaman having fallen from tho wharf in attempting to go on board the Taranaki. In most of the seaport towns it is the duty of the watchmen to prevent the appearance on the wharves of any person in a state of intoxication, and this is likely to have the effect, if carried out here, of preventing accidents of the kind which are becoming of too frequent occurrence in Wellington. The annual meeting of the City Council will be held to-morrow for the election of Mayor, and the making of the annual statement of accounts. The meeting of the City Council yesterday was in all respecta an important one. Being a special meeting of course only one subject was discussed. The whole of the ramifications connected with the taking over of the wharf and the letting of it for the ensuing term were argued in a manner which displayed much ability on the part of our civic dignitaries. The new arrangements evince an aptitude for business which reflects the highest credit on those who have been instrumental in the initiation and the carry ing to so completely successful an issue of decidedly the most important work -ever undertaken by our municipal body. It i 3 needless to recapitulate hero what was done at the meeting, our report sup plying a full digest of the business done. It will be observed that a question which has occupied much attention during the last few days, namely, the letting of the bonded storo and the wharf in combination, has been decided in a manner in accordance with the opinions of all those best qualified to express an opinion on the i matter. Cabby will in future havo to pay for the privilege of crowding the wharf on the arrival of steamers. The new regulations provide for the payment of a fee by the owners of all vehicles, whether they convey passengers, or parcels, or go away empty. Tbe goat nuisance was the cause of a well merited reproof being administered to one of tho parties in a case that came before the Resident Magistrate yeflterday. Hib Worship very justly observed that no garden was safe from the attacks of these predacious visitors, and he intended in future to show little lenity to owners of these pests if brought before him. The Adelaide road, always fruitful in melees, was the locality from which tho partici pants in the case of yesterday hailed. The weaker sex was in the ascendant in the fray. Mr Pilmer. the prosecutor, in n croh-. Ac ion, telling the Bench that tho

defendant, Mrs Smith, floored him with a well planted shoulder hit. This gentle man seems to have incurred tho odiun. of tho happy family of the Adelaide road, having given very forcible evidence in two or three cases coming from that quarter within the last few days. A public meeting was held last evening at the Pier Hotel, for the purpose of making arrangements for celebrating the 32nd Anniversary of the colony. Mr T. M'Kenzie was called to the chair. The Chairman read the advertisement convening the meeting, and explained the objects for which it had been called. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The following gentlemen were then appointed a committee, viz. :— Captains llhodes, Halliday, M'lntyre, Johnston, Kreeft, Sellars, and Deck, Messrs Logan, Ames, Stuart, Cook, Cooper, Kent, M'Kenzie, H. Smith, Gannaway, Snow, Buchannan. Mosely, and Boyd, with power to add to their number. It was unanimously resolved that the Anniversary of the colony be celebrated by a regatta, to be held on Monday the 22nd January. A programme of the races was arranged, judges appointed, and a starter. Mr Boyd was elected hon. secretary and collector, and requested to can vass the town for subscriptions. Two additions to the usual programme were introduced in order to induce the boating fraternity of other provinces to visit Wellington and compete for the prizes — viz, a four-oared outrigger race, open to all comers, prize £20. Second, a four oared race, open tomembers of volunteer corps and fire brigades in the several provinces. The Treasurer announced that : there would bo three cups to be contested for — ono at present in the hands of the telegraph club, one by the owners of the Emily Clarke, and Messrs Shaw, Savill's cup, to arrive per Queen Bee. After the the transaction of a considerable amount of routine business the meeting adjourned until Thursday, the 4th January, after passing a vote of thanks to the chairman. A gentleman furnishes us with the gratifying intelligence that a couple of young blackbirds have made their appearance in the neighborhood of the Wesleyan Chapel, Manners street. It is supposed that they are the offspring of the birds released from tho Botanical Gardens some little time ago. The doings of our small band of acclimatisers seem to have been tolerably successful in results, if even we should have only to chronicle this fact in addition to the announcement made by a correspondent a day or two ago as to the successful breeding of the larks let loose recently in the province. A well got up periodical, entitled " Tho Temperance Year Book," published in Melbourne, has been forwarded to us. It is profusely furnished with information of a kind useful to all classes, as well as in photographs of the leadiug temperance advocates of the whole of the Australian colonies. Among these is an excellent portrait of the Hon W. Fox, of whom the " Year Book" says : — " The Hon William Fox is an honored and useful member of the Independent Order of Rechabitcs, the consistent advocate of a Permissive Bill, and the unwearied supporter of every moral and philanthropic movement tending to the welfare of the colonists over whose interests he so ably presides. Having no selfish ends in view, and aiming only at the public good, for which he has sacrificed both time and money, he has given the best proofs of his attachment to the country of his adoption, which have gained for him the fullest confidence of his fellow colonists." Mr Frazer, of Manners street, is the agent for the sale of the book. A meeting of the Baker's Hill Crushing Company was held last night at Mr Will's oflice. The committee reported that a water-wheel had been added to the machine, and that it was now ready to be hired by any ono requiring it at charges as follows :— 2 tons and under, 20s per ton ; 2 to 5 tons, 15s per ton ; 5 tons and over, 10s per ton. We take the following from the Auckland " Southern Cross":— The practice of making use of the signature to a cheque for the purpose of cancelling the stamp is open to tho very grave objection that the stamp is liable to fall off at some future time, and thus leave the cheque without signature, or with only a very imperfect one. The Commissioner of Stamps has decided that, "As to stamps on cheques and drafts, the additional stamp of one penny, when adhesive, must be cancelled in the manner provided by section 5 of the act of 1870;" and the opinion of Mr Whitaker as to the mode of cancellation is as follows :-" After careful consideration I come to the conclusion that tho effect of the act of 1871 is simply to alter the stamp duty payable on cheques from one penny to twopence, and to leave tb.e mode of cancellation as it stood prior to the passing of the act." In accordance with this ruling the hanks have agreed to accept cheques bearing on tho corner next the block, stamps cancelled by the initials of the drawers and the date of using, the signature to tho cheque to occupy its usual place without reference to the position of the stamps. The Auckland " Southern Cross " says that during a debate in tho Provincial Council relative to the contemplated Industrial Exhibition, at Auckland, a statement was made by an honorable member that cannot fail to be received with deep and general interest. It was stated that an Euglish company is in process of formation, having for its object the preparation of phormium and its manufacture into the various fabrics of which it is capable. It appears that the enterprise — which is already so far advanced that the requisite machinery is in course of construction — will be sustained by a subscribed capital of £50,000, and will have the seat of industry on the Wairoa, within this province. It was even stated that a portion of the machinery is at present being made in Auckland. The New South Wales Legislature are invited to go much farther than conferring tho right to vote against public houses to women. Mr K. Foster has introduced the elective franchise to women of twentyone years and upward, but disqualifying them from having a seat in the Assembly. The quartz reefs in the Inangahua district, up the Grey District, West Coast Goldfields, are turning out wonderfully well. Aprivate telegram received yesterday states that from the indications discovered along the whole line of reef— some three miles — it is probable that the district will prove a second Thames. No machinery is at work as yet, hut a heavy plant is being erected, and a large quantity of stone is awaiting crushing. Indiscriminate selections of the stone have been tested in parcels of 5 cwt. and upwards at the Bank of New Zealand, Hokitika, and proved to average from 4to 7ozs. per ton. Should half this yield be maintained, an enormously rich goldfield will be opened up. Messrs Vennell. Mills & Co will hold an important sale by auction to-day at their stores. The sale l>ein« of general merchandise, is one nfJVi-ting m'wlianta and dealers, aud should bo well patronised.