The Evening Post. MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1865. LAYING the FOUNDATION STONE OF WELLIINGTON CATHEDRAL.

Evening Post, Issue 167, 21 August 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1865. LAYING the FOUNDATION STONE OF WELLIINGTON CATHEDRAL.

Shortly after noon to-day the Ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the cathedral took place on a piece of land adjoining the Bishop's Palace. The ground upon which the foundation was to lie was fenced in and guarded by a detachment of the police force under Inspector Atcheson, and in the centre of tin's reserve, raised upon triangular posts, firmly lashed together at the upper ends, was a pulley, from which hung suspended a solid lump of white stone, about two feet square. At half-past twelve the procession, headed by Mr. Marriott, bearing a crimson velvet cushion, and consisting of the churchwardens of Thorndon parish, entered the ground and took up their positions around the fence, Sir George Grey and suite, consisting of hit Private Secretary, the Rev. Mr. Thatcl er, Major Grey, and Captain Bulkeley, accompanied by the Bishop, in full canonicals, the Reverends Hay, Maxwell, A. Stock, H. St. Hill, and other clergymen of the diocess, followed, and the ceremony commenced by the singing of the 132 nd Psalm, after which prayers were read by the Bishop. His Excellency then advanced to the centre of the ground, gave three taps of a hammer on the stone, which had been previously lowered over a hole in which a number of coins had been placed by the Private Secretary, and declared the foundation of the Wellington Cathedral laid. The Bishop then gave a short and appropriate address, pointing out the advantages to be derived from the building to be erected, and its suitability for the joint purposes of parish church and cathedral of the diocess. Another prayer was followed by a pialm , during the singing of which the churchwardens made a collection among the bystanders. The ceremony did not occupy more than half an hour, and the ground was crowded throughout. A great number of ladies and members of both bouses were present, who afterwards adjourned to the Bishop's residence, to partake of luncheon. !f\

Many of our readers will, no doubt, be surprised to hear that Thomas WMtehcwi,

alias Bruramy, who wai sentenced to death by Chief Justice Richmond, for the murder of his chum at one of the Ocago diggings, lias been reprieved by his Excellency Sir G. Grey. No reason has been assigned for the reprieve, and, in reply to a question asked by the Hon. Mr. Pillans, in the Legislative Council, the Colonial Secretary stated that some peculiar circumstances had come to the notice of his Excellency, but whai these were he would rather not say, at least "he feit a delicacy in disclosing until he had | conferred with his colleagues." Mr. Pillans asked the reason why a sentence passed by one of the best judges in the colony had not been carried out, and, in doing so, stated that he wished to see that no undue pressure had influenced the Government in their decision. The Colonial Secretary's reply we have mentioned, but in giving it he denied that any influence whatsoever bad worked upon the Government, who had simply been petitioned on tlie subject. The Colonial Secretary promised the Hon. Mr. Pillans fuller information at a future day, and we hope to be enabled then to inform our readers on what grounds the perpetrator of a cold blooded and barbarojs murder has escaped the gallows. In the House of Representatives, the other evening, when an honourable member introduced a bill to increase the privileges of the House, a few instances were given of what the' present privileges really mean. For instance, few persons, unless deeply read in the etiquette of Westminster Hall, know that the same privileges accorded to the Lords nnd Commons are extended to their prototypes in this colony. A member of the Legislative Council is blessed for life with a perfect immunity^rom arrest for debt, while those in the lower house can laugh at the myrmidons of the law while holding a seat among that august body. The Town Board Commissioners will assemble to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock for the transaction of business. The reign of the present commissioners is drawing to a close, and like faithful servantg, they are putting their house in order for the reception of their successors. An accident, which might have been attended with very serious consequence? occurred yesterday afternoon. It appears that as Mrs. Charles Massey, accompanied by Captain Levy, was returning from a ride, they were attacked by a large Newfoundland dog, when the horse Mrs. Massey rode became unmanageable and started off at full gallop. Coming in contact with a perambulator containing a child, and which was propelled by Mrs. Kane, wife of a draper of that name on Lambton quay, the frightened animal rushed between the perambulator and the lady, knocking both over and seriously injuring Mrs. Kane, who remained insensible until this morning ; the child, however, escaped uninjured. The horse falling, threw Mrs. Massey to the ground on her face and shoulder, in which position she lay, while the horse, in his struggles to regain his feet, is supposed to have rolled over her. Mrs. Massey was picked up insensible and conveyed to her residence, where every attention was paid to her, and she is now in a fair way of recovery her injuiies being less severe than at first anticipated. jirAbjut a quarter past twelve on Saturday night a slight shock of earthquakp was felt here by many persons, to some of whom we have spoken on th« subject. The vibration was but slight, much resembling that occasioned by a screw on board a steamer. ""j, •|»Some of our fast young Wellingtonians, having but few street door knockers to abstract, or bells to break, are reduced to tho necessity of knocking down the gates and fences at Government House, " Conduct • which aint exactly right," as the song says and which has induced the Government to offer a reward for the conviction of these practical joker 8. •¦jjj Neither the House of Representatives nor the Legislative Council met to-day, but they resume their sittings to-morrow— the former at noon, and the latter at two o'clock. No. 2 Company of the Wellington Militia will receive all arrears of pay due to them on Wednesday next. The company will be paid by their captain, A. 11. Hickson, Esq., at his office, between the hours of five and six o'clock, p.m. In a paragraph in our last, referring to a meeting of builders and contractors held at the Commercial Hotel, " over-estimating" should have been printed •« under-estimating." The Californian Circus will be opened for four nights only, on Thursday next. Wej

believe the talented troupe were greatly appreciated at Wanganui, and trust that they wiJl receive a substantial demonstration of the goodwill of tho people of Wellington before they leave.