The Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1865.

Evening Post, Issue 52, 8 April 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1865.

Busines during the week slightly on the increase in Wellington, but the arrival of the Mallard with a large nnd seasonable cargo oj general merchandise from the home market, will give a fresh impetus to trade. Bottled porter reported scarce. The commercial report from Otago, by the Daily Times of the sth, says there has been scarcely a demand for goods of any kind throughout the previous day. A few goods shipped for the West Coast, and the trade anxiously looking for the arrival of the Alhambra, the advices by which vessel might induce heavier shipments. From Wellington (says the Canterbury Press) we hear that the contest for the Superintendency has been decided in favor of Dr. Featherston by a considerable majority, which would probably have been still larger if the election had not taken place at a tims when public duties obliged him to be absent from the province. Whatever objections his opponents may take to his administration of their provincial affairs, there can be little doubt that Wellington would hold a more inferior position than it does among the provinces of New Zealand if no longer supported by the high personal abilities and leading influence of Dr. Featherston. It is reported that General Cameron has intimated his intention of again placing the troops in winter quarters in Auckland 'iiul at camp, Otahuhu ; and that the Royal Engineers' Department will be required to provide huts for a small force which will lie left on the conquered territory between Wanganui and Taranaki.— New Zealand Herald. We are glad to hear Father Grange, who it was reported made his escape on the appearance of the fanatics at Opotiki, is in a comparative state of safety. It appears that his station is at Whakatane, and that he has re mained there, although at a time in very mi minent danger. It will be recollected tin - the fanatics called at Whakatane on their way to Opotiki. The letter giving informaof Father Grange's safely is dated tin.* 18t March.— lbid. The new building erected on the reclaimed land by Mr. J. Plimmer will be opened next week by Messrß. Moeller and Co., as a wholesale and retail drapery establishment. The Wellington Rifle Volunteer Corps are ordered for parade en Tuesday next. The s s. Sandfly has gone into Evans's Bay for repairs. On Monday evening next the first performance will take place at the Theatre Royal, better known to Wellingtonians as the Oddfellows' Hall. On reference to the programme which appears in another column, it will be seen that the entertainment is supported by a large and talented company. The alterations that have been made under the superintendence of Mr. Massey, the scenic artist, are worthy of praise. We trust that the Wellington public will break through the antipathy generally manifested by them for the drama, and encourage by their presence the efforts of Messrs. Towers and Company. The Melbourne letters for Sale were lost by the mailman, the man's horse having strayed away during his temporary absence. The letters, and we persume the horse, were subsequently recovered. Freemasons may be interested in learning that Isaac Newton Watt, Esq., Resident Magistrate at the Bluff, has been elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing year of the Southern Cross Lodge, Invercargill. The 0. S. N. Co's screw steamer Albion, Captain John Maclachlan, arrived in this port yesterday &*■ 5 o'clock from Melbourne. Left Port Philip Heads at 1 1 .30 p.m. on the 30th March, anchored off Wilson's Promontory for 14 hours to repair air pump ; had N.N.W. and variable winds with a heavy sea during the passage, arrived at Okitiki on sth inst. (the passage from Melbourne having lasted five days eight hours.) Landed 18.1

diggers. Left Okitiki at one o'clock on the sth ; arrived at Nelson at 10.30 a.m, on the 6th ; was detained by tide untill 5 p.m. Discharged cargo for that port, left for Wellington on the 7th at 6.15 a.m. and arrived here as above. The N.Z.S.N. Co.'s s.s. Wellington, Capt Francis, arrived alongside the wharf this morning at six o'clock. We are indebted to her for latest files from the South. The half tierce of tobacco, which was lost overboard from the s.s. Lady Bird, was recovered on Saturday last by two of the watermen ; it has sustained little or no injury. G. S. Sale, Esq., is appointed a Warden and Judge of all Warden's Courts on the gold fields within the province of Canterbury. On Monday afternoon one of the clerks of the Post Office was arrested on suspicion of having been concerned in the late Post Office robbery. He will be brought up before the Resident Magistrate for examination this morning.— Otago Daily Times. The Southland Times of the 31st ult. says — •' A gentleman, recently arrived from the Nokouiai, speaks in glowing terms of the prospects of that gold field. Very coarse gold is being obtained from some of the claims. Confidence in the deep lead remains unshaken." The Wombat hotel, Wombat flat, Daylesford, was destroyed by fire. Mrs. Simpson, the landlord's wife, was much burnt about the body. The Mercury says that the stables caught fire, but the flames were soon extinguished. It is not known how the fire originated. By the Argus of the 29th ult. we are informed that upon the arrival of Captain Vine Hall a special meeting of the committees of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce was convened by the president ; the discussion had reference to direct communication between Melbourne and the northern ports of New Zealand. It is understood that if the Victorian Government will subsidize the Company, the chamber would still be willing to promote the desired object — viz., a regular steam service from Melbourne to Northern New Zealand, by making Melbourne the port of departure.