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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3977, 13 December 1873, Page 2

A countrywoman of Effie Deans has just performed the feat of walking into town from the Wairarapa, beyond Masterton, in two days, which is not a very remarkable circumstance except for the fact that the person who undertook the task is a female considerably over fifty years of age. The incident is associated with a me'ancholy feature, for the journey of the self-reliant old lady was undertaken as a matter of sheer necessity, a son who is said to be in a well-to-do position at Castle Point having refused to come forward with the amount necessary to secure a seat for her in Hastwell's coaGh. Despite the fatigues of the journey, and though much travel-worn, the stout hearted brave old woman from "ayont the Tweed" reached the house of a friend in the locality of the cricket ground, footsore but in good spirits.

Mr Andrew Oockburn writes to say that he names Mr John Morison, Mr Walter Buchanan, Mr A. M 'Masters, and the Messrs Beetham, to decide which is the better horse, Dainty Davie, or Colstock. He is willing that the stakes should be from £50 to £500, but he objects to stake horse against horse, as he considers his own much more valuable than Colstock. He will also be willing in April next, to make a match for from £50 to £500, to see which horse would take the heaviest load in a two-wheeled dray, without a break, from Masterton to Wellington and back in the shortest time. It is probable that Mr Hastwell will agree to take up the first challenge.

Messrs Joseph Nathan and Co'a extensive sale was brought to a close for this week at six o'clock last evening. Mr Duncan in the five days has disposed of about 2000 lots, realizing in all a trifle over £10,000. The attendance yesterday was large, and the bidding exceedingly spirited — the capital stock of clothing offered evidently exciting the keenest competition amongst buyers, and the prices realised must, have been very satisfactory to Messrs Nathan and Co. It is quite an event in the history of Wellington for auction sales to have the same sale extending over the whole of five consecutive days. We also note from our advertising columns that Monday and Tuesday will be reserved for the various purchasers to clear their parcels, and that the sale will be resumed on Wednesday morning, the 17th inst. at 10 a.m., the fancy goods and tobacconist's wares being offered first.

We understand that Messrs Samuel, Ladd and Company, have received the appointment of agents for the Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Company. They will carry on business in the new premises now being erected immediately opposite the Empire Hotel.

It will be satisfactory to those who hate shams to observe that the prospect of the realization of Mr O'Conor's dream of securing the Superintendency of Nelson is becoming small by degrees and beautifully less. When tlie poll is concluded, Mr O'Conor will, no doubt, subside into the obscurity and oblivion from which he only temporarily climbed by adventitious aids. The result of the poll, so far as telegraphed yesterday, gives Mr Curiis 1608, and the other person 1241.

The formal announcement of the events and prizes in the coming interprovincial regatta for 1874, at Christchurch, appears in our telegrams to-day. The prize for the interprovincial four-oared race is to be £150, the same as last year. The regatta takes place on March 27, at Kaiapoi. We trust that our Wellington boating men Ayill be prepared to give a good account of themselves on the occasion, more especially as the Christchurcli men mustered in strong force at oar last regatta. On the Waimakariri River, below the bridge at Kaiapoi, there is a clear stretch of nearly three miles, with only a very slight bend.

A Court of Petty Sessions was held at the Court-house, Ti Nui, on the sth instant. The Justices present were — J. 0. Andrews, Esq (Chairman), and 0. A. Vallance, Esq, J.P. In Telford v. Bellis (a breach of the Scab Act) the defendant did not appear, and at the request of the plaintiff", the case was adjourned to Friday, the 2nd of January, 1874.

A correspondent writes : — The want of timber in the Whareama district, both for building and fencing purposes, is a great drawback to general progress. The completion of the main line of road from Masterton to Castle Point would have been an immense relief to the settlers, as it would have enabled them to get a supply of timber from the Taneru or the Wairarapa. Their hopes which, a short time ago, appeai'cd to approach fulfilment, are now scattered to the winds, and the anti-progress party have had a signal triumph. That that triumph may bs short-lived is the earnest desire of every well-wisher to the district.

This will be interesting to Sir Cracroft Wilson, 0.8., who once very nearly went to India for the purpose of raising a small army of Ghoorkas to fight against the rebel Maoris. The "Army and Navy Gazette" recommends that a force of Ghoorkas should be sent to the Gold Coast, as their lives are far less valuable than those of Englishmen.

His Excellency the Governor has received a most enthusiastic reception at Hokitika and Greymouth. When at the latter place he visited the Brunner coal mine, and was entertained at a dejeuner in the heart of the mine, the drives of which were illuminated by candles.

Eighty - eight women will stuiy in Michigan University during the next college year. Nine will take the law courts, 37 the medical, and 42 the academic.

The " St. Louis Democrat " says of the cholera ravages in Mount Vernon, Indiana, that as in Troy and Lousiana, nearly every death is ascribed to the drinking of well water.

A doctor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, wants the custom of tolling bells for funerals discontinued. It has a depressing effect on the sick, and cannot prove a source of much enjoyment to the departed.

A woman named Donald has been imprisoned in Mount Eden gaol, Auckland, in default of payment of a fine of £10 imposed upon her at Russell, for inciting American whalers to desert. Her term of imprisonment is three months.

TheimmigrantsbytheHovdingtoNapier have presented a silver teapot to the first mate. He was very much liked on the voyage, and the captain was thoroughly unpopular.

The body of a lady buried at Pittsford, Vt., in 1852, was recently discovered to have become petrified, and at the same time to have retained its form. Information of the fact has been sent to the Smithsonian Institution, the relatives of the deceased lady offering every facility for an examination of the phenomena. Ji will be remembered that at one time some Auckland cricketers said the team sent on the tour through the provinces was weak, and was not a representative eleven. We give a few particulars of the match they, on their return, played against another eleven. The score of the representative was as follows : — Cotton, b Rees, 3 ; Yates, c Sherwell, 66 ; Dufaur, b Connell, 13 ; Mumford, st Home, 1 ; Buckland, not out, 6 ; Lankham, b Connell, 37 ; Bellers, run out, 26 ; Alpe, b Connell, 0 ; King, b Connell, 2 ; Robinson, c Home, 3; extras, 11, Total, 168. Their opponents made 73 in the first innings and 65 in the second innings, with five wickets down, and of $hese, 28 and 34 are credited to Rees, and 18 and 11 to extras, thus they made off their bats 27 in their first, and 20 in the second innings. Rees was asked to join the eleven, but could not do so. This proves pretty clearly, that out of eleven stay-at-homes, no one excepting Rees was a loss to the team that won all the matches played.

While the heavy striking weight of the illuminated clock in the Vaughan tower of St David's Church, Neath, was being wound up, the wire rope suddenly broke, the ponderous mass, weighing over 6cwt, descended with terrific velocity, breaking its Wciy through the double flooi's of -the belfry and tower, and falling on the swell box and pedal pipes of the new and magnificent organ, partially demolishing tho; c parts of the instrument, and also injuring the mechanical portion of the "tracking '

The Windsor correspondent of the " Sydney Morning Herald " writes : — "On Friday last, November 14, a man named Henry Gunn, at Richmond, had his leg fractured in three places below the knee, the thigh severely bruised, and other parts of the body contused, by the bursting of a rum cask. Gunn is a butcher, in the service of Mr Joseph Onus, and went to bore a hole in the cask. The auger generally used for such purpose not being at hand, Gunn unsuspectingly made a piece of iron, wire red hot, and proceeded to make the aperture. When the heated iron was about penetrating to the inner wood, the cask — which must have been full of generated gas — suddenly exploded, bursting into fragments, and causing the injuries above enumerated. The report was heard fully half a mile off."

The " Geelong Advertiser " says that a shunting feat extraordinary is related to have occurred lately at the Lethbridge quarries, on the Geelong and Ballarat line. Four trucks were shunted along the siding leading to the quarries, for the purpose of being loaded with bluestone. They were propelled at rather more than the customary velocity, and the result was that the end truck was dashed against the end of the cutting in the rock, and three out of the four were reduced to fragments. In hia address to the grand jury at Napier, His Honor Mr Justice Johnston is reported to have said : — " The case of libel which had been preferred against certain gentlemen in the town connected with a newspaper called the "Daily Telegraph," was an extraordinary one. In considering whether a true bill should or should not be returned, it would be no part of the duty of the grand jury to go into any question of defence that may have been raised. Their simple duty would be to ascertain whether prima facie the depositions contained evidence of a libel — whether, too, the words of the alleged libel were really libellous in the sense in which the prosecution took them. The whole article should be read. His Honor then briefly went into the question of what constituted libel. Libel it had been laid down, was anything published that prejudicially affected any one, or that tended in any way to make life less comfortable, the same not being published for the public welfare. With regard to the powers of the Press, he for one would be very happy if the result were achieved of those powers for good or evil being realised more than they were." A true bill was found, and the trial takes place to-day.

The "Otago Daily Times" has baen given to understand that the Customs department is open to engage a few well educated youths as cadets for that branch of the Civil Service. The youths engaged will receive a small salary to commence with, and after acquiring a knowledge of the various duties connected with the department, will be drafted to other parts of New Zealand when vacancies may occur. To young persons wishing to join the Civil Service this appears to be a very favorable opportunity for entering.

Referring to the excellent qualities of wool from sheep raised in the Hawke's Bay district, the " Herald" says :— So manifest, indeed, is it becoming that the peculiar equability of our climate renders possible the production of a class of wool here characterised by a degree of evenness, as well as of fineness and brilluancy, such as Southern breeders strive in vain to come up to, that many of those best versed in pastoral matters are beginning to entertain the anticipation that we shall shortly see several of the largest flockowners make Hawke's Bay the site of their breeding stations. Their stud flocks being kept here, they would always have a supply of pure-bred animals reared under the most unexceptionable climatic conditions with which to counteract the tendency to degeneracy, arising from the inferior conditions ruling in the South Island.

On New Year's Day a match will be played at Invercargill, between a local eleven and a Dunedin team of cricketers.

An entertainment will be given in the Masonic Hall, Lower Hutt, this evening. The proceeds will be applied in aid of the funds for repairing the priest's residence.

Whilst at Hokitika, the "Governor visited the provincial gaol and ordered two prisoners to be discharged from custody. Mr John M'Lean, of Turakina, has become the purchaser of 600 acres of land in the Wairoa district from Mr James Bell, and. intends settling there. Mr T. B. Gillies, the late Superintendent of Auckland, has practically resumed his profession as a barrister, having aj«pearsd in Banco in the case of Craig v* Richmond.

The " Scotsman" has discovered the oldest clergyman in Christendom. Uunat, one of the Shetland Islands, and the Ultima Thule of the group, has for its Free Church minister probably the most aged clergyman in Christendom. Thia venerable man, the Rev Dr Ingram, is now in his 98th year, and a Lerwick correspondent writes that he attended a Sunday school fe*te in the Island a few days ago, and addressed the children on the occasion. The Doctor, though his years, number within two of a hundred, is in good bodily health, and has no appearance of the decrepitude of age about him. His voice is still full and strong. Dr Ingram was inducted in 18C3.

There seems a probability of the rail r way from Auckland to Onehunga being open for traffic soon. The " Southern Cross," of the Bth inst, says: — "Now that the Colonial Engineer-in-Chief,. Mr Carruthers, and Mr Henderson, the representative of Messrs Brogden, hava arrived in Auckland, we hope to see not only the Onehunga line speedily opened, butjthe work of the Waikato line pressed on with a vigour which has been painfully wanting during the past few months. We understand that the differences between the Government engineers and Messrs Brogden regarding the finishing of the line have been arranged, and we believe v the line hence to Onehunga will be opened on Boxing Day; and will thereafter remain open to the public."

The Alexandra correspondent of the "Southern Gross," under date 4th inst, writes :— " Young Tutawhiao has exjjresßed his desire to be present at tho rac«s if he can get two suits of uniform for two of his friends to accompany him,_ as he intends to sport in the fine suit lately presented to him by the Government. He is of opinion that it would hardly be the correct thing for his friends to appear in his company dressed in their native purakis. As I think his presence would tend greatly to bring about that mutual confidence so much desired between the two races, I hope they will- b© forwarded to him. Some of the natives are rather sore at his late visit here, and spoke rather sharply on the subject at a late meeting at the Kuiti, when Tawhiao said, ' Mine was a foolish visit to Alexandra : going in the dark. I saw it afterwards, and sent my son in broad daylight to see the pakehas, as my representative.' This silenced them ; but Wahanui and To Ngakau, and other of the irreconcilable* are keeping a watch on Tawhiao lest ho should again give them the slip."

The Clutha engine, says the "Evening Star," drawing a couple of carriages intended for use on that line, made a run to the Port and back on the sth instant, the junction of the two lines having been effected early in the day. There were three carriages, which contained Mr Blair, the District Engineer, Mr Rolfe, and several gentlemen, and a start was made shortly after the arrival of the last train from the Port. For an experiment, the downward trip was made in good time — twenty-nine minutes. Notwithstanding that the carriage wheels are slightly different in size from those in regular use,, and that, there was the stiffness consequent on their being brought into requisition for the first time, the travelling was comparatively free from oscillation.. The return trip was done in nineteen minutes, including a stoppage at Pelichet Bay. ©

The " Hume and Murray Times" state* that since the opeuing of the railway to Wodonga, New South Wales), a marked change has taken place in the every-day appearance of the terminus town, and its neighbor on the other side of the river. Between the two places vehicles now ply fast, while the number of strange faces tobe Been in both towns, but especially in Albury, tells that a change has taken place in the means of communication: between the border districts and the principal towns of "Victoria.

The following particulars of the arrangements for a duel which was to have been fought in Melbourne, but did not come off, are given in the " Age" of the 28th November : — Unless the principals deem discretion to be the better part of valor, a hostile meeting will take place this morning in the neighborhood of the St Kilda cemetery. A well-know doctor of the law and an architect in fair practice in Melbourne, had a slight misunderstanding yesterday, and they decided to settle their differences by the pistol. Accordingly bonds were entered into by gentlemen who were willing to act aa seconds for the production of the two combatants on the ground this morning, the defaulting party to pay a penalty of £50. The seconds seem to have taken the matter up with some Bpirit, for. they have inserted a proviso in the conditions of battle that if satisfaction be not had with the pistol, the belligerent parties may, if either of them see fit, call small swords into requisition.

The " Sans Francisco News Letter" is responsible for tin's among many thousands of extravagant yarns : — At Barnum's show one day, a young husband, the happy father of a chubby, rosy-cheeked baby, was wandering about the concern, and after a while neared the head-quarters of the "Wild Fiji Cannibals." Holding the afoi*esaid offspring in his arms, he stooped to view these feeders on human flesh. Mr Fiji accosted the papa thusly : — " Fattee baby, white man ; good eat ; tender. Fiji man like him. How muchee price 1 Fiji man pay Melikee man dollars." The horrified father drew back aghast, but hastily responded in this wise : — " What'll you give, noble savage?" "Fiji man give ten dollars." ' ' Too cheap ; worth more ; but I'll tell you what I'll do. I've got a nice old. mother-in-law at home, I'll sell you for five dollars. She's rather tough eating, but good for a square meal."

Among some gubernatorial gossip, the " Westland Register" has the following : — Aa Mr Burton was driving the Governor along the Christchuroh Road, the coach overtook a traveller (miner = apparently) laden with a swag. The way-worn man evinced, some inclination to get "a lift," which, after some demur, Mr Burton agreed to give to the swag. Thiß attracted Sir James's attention, who, ex? claiming that "the swag was no good without the man," insisted upon his sharing the travelling conveyance.

His Honor the Superintendent of Otago stated to a deputation from the proprietors of the Dunedin Sugar Company the other day, that some years ago, he had a great deal of information collected upon this subject, but he did not exactly know where to lay his hands on it at the present moment. It was now about six years since he went into the matter enthusiastically, and imported some genuine Silesian seed direct from Germany. The seed was distributed amongst a great many agriculturists, and the results were highly satisfactory. He had no doubt whatever that the produce of that seed was now being grown in the different parts of the province. As far as he recollected, the objection to it was that the roots grew too large, and it seemed the smaller the roots, the better was it for sugar-making. The result of the experiment was to show that Otago is admirably adapted for the growth of beet — probably no part of the world more so. He would endeavor to lay his hands on the information he had obtained on the subject. In fact, the home agent also collected a great deal of information which would very likely have been recorded. Amongst other things, he (the Superintendent) obtained full particulars from a very large manufactory in Berlin — one of the largest in existence — and this return showed that the profit from the refuse alone would be very great as food for cattle. " There is a hitch," the " Hawke's Bay Herald" understands, " in the proceedings which it was intended to take against the captain of theHovding, owing to the fact of the vessel belonging to a foreign port, and thus not coming under the provisions of the English Passengers 4ust, under which, it appears, alone proceedings can be taken. There are one or two cases of insanity, we hear, among the recently arrived imigrants." Referring to the same subject, the "Daily Telegraph" says: — "With respect to the complaints made against the captain of the ship Hovding, by the passengers, and on account of which the Immigration Commissioners instructed Mr Fannin, the secretary, to take proceedings against him under the Passengers Act, we understand that Captain Nordby being a foreigner, his conduct cannot be brought under the English law in reference to the complaints laid. It seems that the captain signed no agreement with anyone respecting the provisions to be served out to the passengers, nor had the latter any agreement with the ship's owners or officers. The immigrants, apparently, being foreigners, leaving a foreign port, were not under the English Acts relating to the conveyance of ship passengers."

Defalcations to the amowat of £350 have been discovered in the accounts of Mr Spiers, acting postmaster at Ross, who has embezzled moneys belonging to the Saving's Bank department. Mr Spiers has not been long in the service, but he had been highly recommended, and it was intended to appoint him on the Ist of January permanently as telegraphist and postmaster.

The " Waikato Times" says :— We are informed that Tapihana was not directly the instigator of Mr Todd's murder ; this much he did, however, when the murder had taken place, he took the field with all his men, and caused considerable anxiety in Alexandra and the neighborhood by his close proximity. He has gone to Kuiti with the avowed intention of trying to induce Tawhiao and Manuwhiri to meet the Governor at Ngaruawahia in the "autumn. According to Maori custom Tapihana would be a fit person to "bring about a war, and also to make a peace. No more " kiss-in-the-ring" according to the Rev Mr Rigg, a Wesleyan minister, who in a recent sermon at Dunedin made a reference to festivities at Church anniversaries, and spoke warmly against playing at kiss-in-the-ring at any time, and especially on such occasions. It had, he said, an evil influence upon those who took part in 1 it, and was a blot upon our Christianity.

A very apropos typographical error appears in the "Glasgow Weekly Herald. " "A witness named Bailey stated that he had seen Doger (sic) Tichborne, along with Colonel Greewood, building a cairn over a dead horse. Roger had his sleeves rolled up, and witness was sure his arm was not tatooed."

The "Wanganui Herald" remarking upon the prosperity of the Wairoa district says : — Within three years no less than seventy miles of permanent fencing has been done, and the fern is rapidly disappearing and giving place to English-grassed paddocks, the whole district being dotted over with comfortable homesteads. It is an extraordinary circumstance, but nevertheless true, that within three years (the duration of the settlement) not a solitary death has occurred of man, woman, or child. This speaks volum.es for the climate and the race of settlers in this happy country.

The ( ' Argus" correspondent writing from Sydney on the 18th November says : — The recent movement in the iron trades has extended itself to the coal trade, and there is once more a slight disturbance at Newcastle. The collieries have lately been bo regularly at work that they had almost fetched up the arrears of the last strike, and there have lately been no great complaints of detention. It was announced yesterday that the Wallsend pit was thrown idle. This, however, is not due to any direct action on the part of the miners, although it is generally supposed that they have given secret encouragement to the movement. The overt action taken by the mechanics, of ■whom there are about a score in the company's employment. Theßehavedemanded a reduction from ten hours to eight, without any dimunition of the day's pay, with payment for overtime at the rate of a time and a quarter for the first two extra hours, and a time and a-half afterwards. The colliery managers have hesitated to. make this concession, mainly, as would appear, from tan apprehension that by doing so the collieries would be all forced to adopt the eight-hour system, which might practically become equivalent to from seven to seven hours and a half of actual productive work. At present the collieries are working nine hours and a half, with an undertaking to make it nine hours from the Ist of January. It is hard work at present within those hours to raise the coal required, and to knock off another hour or more would at present inconveniently reduce the output The mechanics have not as yet pressed their demand at all the collieries, but have selected the Wallsend by way of experiment, so that all the other collieries are at work. But as none of them can at present produce more than they have been doing, the closing of the Wallsend pit will diminish, by from 4000 to 5000 tons a week, the quantity of coal sent in to Newcastle.

A man up in lowa, by the name of Silas Chew, was married the other day to a girl named Anna Good. The most obtuse person would instantly call to mind the scriptural injunction.' 'S. Chew that which is .eviJ, cleaving only to that which is Good.'