WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 909, 5 January 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

DECEPTION OF DR. FEATHERSTON. The Wellington Independent, December 31, says:—-The impromptu receptioa given yesterday afternoon to the Hon. Dr, Featherston, was alike honorable to the city and himself. It was the spontaneous expression of the regard in which he is held by all classes without any distinction of politics. It was unpremeditated and unceremonious, but far more touching than if attended with more formality or elaboration. As an old fellow-colonist ha was joyfully greeted by those who had taken their share in public affairs, and working with him side by side, had learned to admire his noble disinterestedness, and his unwearying devotion to the interests of the colony. ]But beside the large circle of personal friends, there were present representatives of all classes, all eagerly anxious to welcome his arrival, Had the hour been later the crowd would have been much greater, but no fewer tban a thousand persons must have as* sisted at his reception. No sooner was the Rangitoto signalled as inside the Heads, than people began to wend their way to the wharf. His Worship the Mayor hurried through the Council business in order to be present • and by the time the steamer was seen making her way to her berth the whaif was crowded —crowded as we have never seen it before, every vessel lying alongside being also appropriated for standing room, while overhead was spread every shred of available bunting. As the steamer ranged up to the wharf, people began to show some symptoms of impatience for the initial note to raising a hearty cheer, some thinking the proper moment had not arrived, and others that it should be called for by some leading person. Col, Gorton, however, settled the question by jumping on a wharfinger's box, and the Whole wharf full of people joined in three rousing cheers, and one cheer more. The crowd and a great many of the Doctor's personal friends were eager to cougratui late him on his safe return, but no unseemly hurry to get on board took place, nor was any one discourteous enough to intrude himself till the Doctor had received the welcome of his daughters. Old friends, old colonists, and foremost men of the city went up and paid their respects in true British manner, and passed on ta make way for someone else anxious ta congratulate Dr Featherston on his return. Amongst those present we noticed the principal members of the Colonial Government : the hon. the Premier, the hou. the Defence Minister, the hon. the Colonial Secretary, the hou. the Minister of Justice, his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, the members of the Provincial Executive, and a host of all the leading citizens of the city, besides a large number of ladies. A. hearty and spontaneous cheer was given as Dr Featherston and his daughters stepped on to the wharf, and another crowning and equally hearty cheer as they drove off home. Everyone seemed pleased that the Dr had returned, and that he had received such a hearty reception. POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE. The writs for the Citv of Wellington have been issued by the Returning Officer. The nomination day is fixed for the 3rd of February, and the poll (if necessary) appointed to take place on the 7th. The Constitutional Reform Association recently established in Wellington forwarded a few days ago a requisition signed by 300 electors to the hon. J. C. Richmond that he would allow himself to be placed in nomination for the City, and that he would also consent to. address a public meeting of the electors. To this Mr Richmond has forwarded the foliownig reply : To Messrs. Piimmer and other electors signing the rccjuisifc on. Gentlemen, —1 willingly accept your proposition, and will visit Wellington shortly to, discuss with the electors the issues raised by Messrs. Vogel and Fox. I shall support with my best abilities the practice of prudent calculation as opposed to blind and profligate financial speculation, and the cause of freedom, as against anti-commercial restriction and social intermeddling by the G-overuinent. 4. am, <fec, J. C. Eiosmokd.

A Sydney teiegam reports th it a Mr y. C. Lane, lately arrived from Auc eland, jumped overboard from the Morpeth steamer when she was out at sea, and was drowned. The friends of Mr Dillon Bell, says the Southland News, anticipate that he will arrive in time to contest the Mataura election, and in the meantime they ara exerting themselves in his favor. From Greymouth we learn that a miner named George Patnode was murdered at Noble's diggings on the 27th December, being stabbed in the heart. He died immediately. The assailant is unknown, but is supposed to be a woman. From an English paper we learn that on the afternoon of the 16th September the monument over the last resting place of the author of " Robinson Crusoe " was formally uncovered in the presence of over JLOOO people. It forms an obelisk of Sicilian marble in the Cleopatra's needle form. The base is semi-cruciform, 4 feet by 8, and the whole is carved out of two blocks. The total height is 17 feet, and the cost JS2OO. Upon the front of the plinth is inscribed " Daniel Defoe, born 1661, died 1731, author of Robinson Crusoe," This monument is the result of an appeal in the Christian World newspaper to the boys and girls of England ioi funds to place a suitable memorial upon the grave of Danial Defoe. It represents the united contributions of over 1700 persons. The Canterbury Press says:—Large numbers of chaffinches and flocks of sparrows are now to be seen daily in the gardens and streets of the city and its suburbs, so thoroughly have these birds become acclimatised. It is true that they make free with a little fruit, and occasionally indulge in a few green peas; but no person grudges them these luxuries, for independently of the great good these birds effect by destroying grubs, larvss, and other forms of iusect life, the song of the ch flinch, and the blithe chirrup of the sparrow, com'c-iaed with his funny antics, amply repay any little damage these birds may do in gardens. There is another bird which, if iu:ces3fuily acclimatised, will be oi great value, viz., the goldfinch, which is greatly admired foists beautiful plumage, and has also a fine ,song. The goldfinch not only feeds on jusects, but it is also very fond of thistle seed, of which it will eat large qualities. These birds increase very rapidly, and it js to be hoped that the eff>na of the Acclimatisation Society to introduce the goldfinch, the rook, and other birds will be crowned with success. The Hawaiian Gazette, of November 25, says: —"We have heard that a line at sailing packets is to be put on between this port and New Zealand and Sydney, sailing regularly every four weeks. This is, of course, for the carrying of our sugars. We have good reason for believing that over half of our sugar crop will go in that direction the coming year. The steam line to Australia has opened up to us a new and large market for our produce, which will benefit this country in every possible way, although it will draw a large portion of our business from San Francisco, as the shipping of outproduce calls for return cargoes; hence we may look for a large portion of our supplies to come from the Australian (Colonies." A fearful misfortune has desolated Cronstadt, Russia. Sixty-two houses have been reduced to ashes in a few hours, and more than i,OOO people belonging to the poorer classes have been left without shelter. Sir Charles Clifford was a fellow-pas-senger of Dr Featherston by the Rangitoto yesterday, and received a very warm greeting from a large number of friends. ■!— Wellington Independent, 31st ult. A discovery at Ben Lomond of "an unlimited quantity of stone thickly impregnated with alum " is reported by the Lauuceston Examiner. This discoverer has applied for a lease, and some gentlemen have been communicated witn, w'vh the view of " turning the important discovery to advantage." A simple and inexpensive process will, it is said, extract the alum, making it ready for market at 30s per ton, while the worth at Melbourne Js said to be about .£l2 10s. An Invercargill paper states that the prolonged delay in liquidating the Southland debts is causing great dissatisfaction. Unless a speedy settlement takes place, or some satisfaction is given, Government may make up its niind to be assailed by g, general clamour,

An Invercargill paper states that the field operations in connection with the flying survey of the Matauraline of railway have been commenced at the Invercargill end The route va the Paui creek flats, starting from the bridge on the Bluff line, is the one being first inspected. Speaking of the representation of Timaru, the Herald remarks—lt is said that the friends of the Fox Vogel Ministry in Christchurch have formed a committee there for the purpose of " working" the forthcoming elections. Mr Reeves has been " put up " for the Selwyn to oppose Mr Stevens, and Mr Karslake for Coleridge to oppose Mr Cracroft Wilson. It is also said that the committee have been making efforts to find a candidate who would be likely to have some chance against Mr Stafford for Tiniaru. This is exceedingly thoughtful on the part of the committee, and their labors will no doubt be duly appreciated by the electors of the south. It shows that if the electors of Timaru are not capable of judging for themselves, there are persons in Christchurch fuliy competent to judge for them, and willing to do so. There ate many electors here, we believe, who would like to see a contest, and we make known this fact by way of encouragement to the committee in Christchurch. We trust they will succeed in finding a candidate. With reference to the San Francisco mail service, a Sydney telegram in the Argus says:—Mr Hall, phe agent of the existing Californian line, intends running the mail from Melbourne to California via Sydney and Fiji, if a subsidy of .£30,000 is gauraateed.