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Wellington Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 4052, 13 March 1874, Page 2

The steamer Luna returned to Wellington yesterday after circumnavigating the South Island of New Zealand, calling at lighthouses existing, visiting the sites of light-houses to be erected, and affording passengers an opportunity of surveying scenery such as is to be seen in few other parts of the world. A narrative of her trip as far as Foveaux Strait has already been published in these columns, and further description of her voyage will be given in future numbers. Among her passengers there are several whose destination is Dunedtn, and they will proceed thither by the first steamer for the South. According to all accounts, the cruise of the Luna seems to have contributed largely to the information of the Marine Department, as to the proper situations for light-houses on the New Zealand coast, and to the pleasure and astonishment of those who for the first time saw the wonders of the West Coast. It is to be hoped that it is not beyond the range of possibility that there has been among her passengers one who will, at least, endeavor to imitate the example of the author of " The Cruise of the Betsy." His Excellency Sir James Fergusson and a party of seven sailed yesterday by the mail steamship Mongol, for Napier, to be present at the prize shooting by the I Volunteers there. A further investigation into the causes which led to the wreck of the barque Cyrus and ship Wellington will be held in the Resident Magistrate's Court early next week. All the witnesses have been detained in Wellington. The s.s. Mongol, which arrived yesterday, brought up the Melbourne mails per Omeo, from Dunedin. The Omeo will no doubt reach the wharf in the course of the day. Among those who sailed by the Mongol for San Francisco were Mr Osgood, formerly of the Empire Hotel, who returns to his native land ; and Mr Blundell, who has just retired from the proprietorship of our evening contemporary in favor of his sons. It is intimated in the Gazette of last night that the following Acts of the Provincial Council of Wellington, which had been assented to by the Superintendent, have been left to their operation by the Governor : — The Masterton Court House and Telegraph Site Sale Act. 1874 ; tlie Municipal 1 Corporation Waterworks Act (Wanganui) Adoption Act, 1874 ; and the Wanganui Reserves Management Act, 1874. ' Capt. Thomson, a gentleman possessed of 18 years' experience pf a sailor's life, delivered a lecture last evening at the Odd Fellows' Hall upon "Sailors' life, conduct, and adventures." The attendance was not so great as was expected, but the inclemency of the weather and the attractions .elsewhere fully account for the meagre attendance. Captain Thomson's relation of his experiences formed a most interesting discourse, and at the conclusion of the lecture some other gentleman addressed the meeting, which broke up with a vote of thanks to Captain Thomson. His Excellency has been pleased to accept the resignation of Alexander Wighton Ingles, Esq, of his appointment as a Resident Magistrate for the district of Kaikoura. The Governor has also accepted the resignation of his commission by Captain, J. Chad wick, of the Tauranga Light Horse Volunteers, and Inspector C. ©. Pitt, of the Armed Constabulary Force. The wrecks of the Cyrus and Wellington were yesterday sold by auction by MiGeorge Thomas. The remains of the Cyrus brought £35, aud those of the Wellington £31. Messrs Bethune and Hunter were the purchasers. By telegram from Dunedin we learn that the English Opera Company have been very successful in that city j and that the expectations entertained regarding their entertainments have been fully realised. The Princess Theatre was well attended in every part. Miss May's rich voice and graceful acting were especially appreciated. The following members of the Kaiwarawara Rifle Volunteers competed for district prizes on Wednesday, the 11th inst. : —First set— Member Aplin, 48 points ; Member Bedmead 18 points. Second set— Lieutenant Thompson, G2 points ; Lieutenant Reynolds, 62 points ; Sergeant Harris, 60 points ;Corporal Nairn, 58 points ; Member Hodges, 50 points ; Member Smyth, 47 points; Member Hoggerty 42 points ; Corporal Holmes, 37 points ; Member Cameron, 13 points ; Member Robins, 11 points.

The great geyser at Whakarewa, Ohinemutu, is reported to be again active. It started playing up, says the * ' Napier Telegraph, " on the 2nd inst. The proprietor of a Chinese store in the Grey Valley, in which opium smoking was permitted, has been fined as being guilty of a breach of the Licensing Regulations. A. W. Carkeek, who severely assaulted the constable on duty at the Te Aro watch-house on Saturday night last, was yesterday brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court and dismissed. A report of the case will appear in our next issue. By the ketch Falcon, last night, Mr W. H. Chapman and Miss Bonnifond sailed for Blenheim. They will give performances in Blenheim, Picton, and Havelock ; and after visiting Nelson, will return to Wellington. They are accompanied by Mr Harris, the well-known pedestrian, who will act as their agent. Since the meeting of the 4th March at the Odd Fellows' Hall, the managing committee of the Wellington Co-oper-ative Baking Company have been steadily at work, and the applications for shares having now reached seven hundred, it was last night determined that the society should be registered forthwith. The committee have had several offers of eligible business premises, and it is anticipated that before the end of the month the society will be in active operation. Mr D. Hall, the City Missionary, thankfully acknowledges the receipt of the following contributions in aid of the City Mission, for February :— C. Tringham, 10s 6d ; J. Smith, 5s ; Mrs Kirk, 5s ; W. S., 5s ; Mrs Farmer, 5s ; Mrs-Kobbell, 5s ; Mr Baraford, 5s ; German, 5s ; E, Pearce, £2 2s ; J. E. Smith, £1 Is ; J. and A., ss ; W. J. Hall, £1 ; Mrs Carruthers, £1 Is; W. T., 10s j small sums, 10s Gd. Total, £9 2s 6d. The following appointments by his Excellency were gazetted yesterday :— In the Wellington Highland Rifle Volunteers : Charles M'Kirdy to be Captain ; date of commission, 25th September, 1873. Duncan Sinclair to be Sub-Lieutenant ; date of commissison, Bth May, 1873. Edwin Woon, Escj, to be Clerk and Interpreter under the Native Land Act, 1873, for the district of "Kaipara. Frank Guinness, Esq, to be Receiver of Gold Revenue at Collingwood, in the Province of Nelson. John Barleyman, E3q, to be Deputy Commissioner of Stamp Dudes for the Province of Marlborough, vice J. D. Bamford, Esq, resigned. The " Grey River Argus" has, according to its own statement, been informed that the Hon the Premier, in company with the Hon the Minister of Public Works, will visit Westland some time early in April. No doubt, says the "Argus," sufficient intimation will be given to enable the residents of Greymouth to accord a worthy reception to their distinguished visitors.