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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3885, 16 August 1873, Page 2

The Manawatu people were as good as their word in regard to what they professed a willingness to do, could they but induce a medical man to reside in the district. Immediately upon Dr Goold's advent in the district, the principal inhabitants at once guaranteed him £100 a year, and, to make the matter more busi-ness-like and assuring, the first quarter's salary was paid' in advance. It appears that additional support, with the object of inducing the doctor to take up a permanent residence in the district, will be forthcoming from another quarter. The "Marlborough News" says: — A specimen of slate has been left at our office this week by one of our country friends. It appears to be of a very suitable kind for roofing purposes, and is found in immense quantities at no great distance from Blenheim. It is very hard, and splits easily. Who will reap the harvest ?

Owing to pressure on our space we are compelled to hold over, till next isseu, our report of yesterday's proceedings of the Legislative Council. It is often very fortunate that ouv Resident Magistrate exercises his common sense in despite of the opinions and interpretations of the gentlemen of the long robe. A very strong instance of this was afforded yesterday morning in the case of Philip Read, who had been summoned at the instance of the Town Clerk for driving an express without a license. The man had taken out a license, a fact well known when he was summoned ; but he happened to have taken advantage of what he deemed a good opportunity by changing the vehicle he had been using for a better one, the old one being sent out of the town. The legal adviser of the Corporation must have been of the opinion that Read should have taken out a second license, or the summons would doubtless not have been issued. The Inspector of Police pointed out the hardship of the case. The Magistrate took a similar view, evidently thinking that, however correct the law on the matter, there could be no equity in making a man take out a second license for a vehicle when he already had one in his pocket. It would be curious to speculate as to what course would be adopted had the case been this way : If Read's vehicle had been broken, burnt, or stolen, would he have been required to take out a fresh license in addition to replacing: his vehicle 1 or, if in parting with his vehicle to some person engaging in the express business, would the Corporation be entitled to demand ! three licenses for two vehicles ? Daniel Crossly and Vincent Router, stowaways in the Phoebe from Picton, were brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, ordered to pay the fare, and fined 10s each besides ; in default, to be committed for seven days, with hard labor thrown in as a recreative. Jane Ashbridge, a woful wife, who appears to be in a chronic state of drunken- i ness, and is a very virago in temper, was | sent to gaol for three months. William I Aubrey, who had been unqualifiedly drunk, waa fined 5s ; William Nesbitt, a vagrant "drunk," was fined 20s; H. Worstall, who was pugilistically drunk, having assaulted a constable, was fined 40s, ! and given the option of seven days' hard labor. The usual periodical fishermen's squabble cropped up yesterday in thag customary form of a cross-action, tnp principals being Thomas Claridge and Frederick Sugine. The evidence was as unintelligible as ever, and as the only tolerably clear point in the affair was that culpability had been mutual, his Worship fined both parties and ordered them to pay costs A very successful performance was given at the Odd Fellows' Hall last night by the Carandini Company, assisted by Mr Cotterell, who displayed some of the best things in his budget of eccentricities. After a careful consideration of the pros and cons, the directors of the N.Z. S.S. Company have decided to endeavor to float the Rangitoto once more. She will be lifted upon precisely the same principle as that which was so successful in the case of the Taranaki, with this exception, however, that chains will be used instead of the jointed iron rods. The necessary pontoons will be constructed at Picton, but what other gear may be required will be prepared in Wellington. Very little doubt is felt as to the ultimate success of the undertaking. For some little time it has been known that the pile to which is moored the buoy off the southern extreme T of the wharf was rather loose, and yesterday a diver was sent down to ascertain the exact state. The pile will be readjusted at once. The annual ball given in connection with the Odd Fellows' Widows and Orphans Fund, will be held at the Odd Fellows' Hall on on Tuesday evening next. " These balls are invariably the most successful in point of attendance of any given in the city ; and as the catering has been entrusted to Mr Frank Broughfcon, that is a guarantee that that necessary part of the affair will be carried out with taste and liberality. The Luna will leave the wharf at eleven this morning to take members of the Assembly to the patent slip to witness the hauling up of. the Ladybird, returning in time to leave the wharf with members at two o'clock for a trip round the harbor. Those 'who have not yet seen that unique specimen of horseflesh, yclept . Caoutchouc, may be interested to learn that this is his last night of exhibition in Wellington prior to his departure for the Wairarapa. It is probable that the present engines in the p.s. Manawatu will be replaced with more powerful' ones. We are informed on excellent authority that the now famous Major Finnimore has again changed his front. It appears that he is now as fervent a supporter of Mayor Watt as he was formerly a virulent and blatant opponent. This is a change with a vengeance. Wonders will never cease. Mr B. Levy's new auction mart, alongside the Odd Fellows' Hall, is now ready for the transaction of business, of which no doubt a fair share will be drawn to it through the business capacity and character of the auctioneer. The recent heavy rainfall has been remarkably damaging in Happy Valley, the road having been rendered almost useless. Several portions were completely washed away, and the debris therefrom banked up on sound places, while not a single bridge or culvert withstood the force of the torrent. The Patent Slip Company have given a general invitation to visitors in Wellington.' to visit the slip this morning, when the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company's Ladybird will be taken up. The p.s. Manawatu will be in readiness at the Queen's Wharf to take visitors to Evans Bay, and will start about half-past eleven.