Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 679, 11 May 1859, Page 5

Colonial.

WELLINGTON,

We have papers to the 4th May, by late arrivals. The ' Independent' K is as amusing as ever; and its appetite foiva contest of, slang is not by any means appeased.' Not content with having, the ' Lyttelton Times' and the ' Nelson Examiner' upon him at once, the 'Independent's' editor raises a new foe in the town itself, in the' shape of the 'Advertiser,' whose remarks upon the banking question have called out the ' Independent's' pleasant powers in full vigour. As to ourselves we thought that we had exhausted his anger, but the last and bitterest drop has been left till now. This is it, taken from one of the latest issues:—

. "We have papers from Nelson to the 23rd inst. We notice that the ' Examiner' denies that the article relating to Mr. Sewell, on which we recently commented, was written by its editor, Dr. Greenwood; possibly,perhaps we might even say probably, the articles both in the 'Nelson Examiner' and 'Lyttelton Times' were written by Mr. Sewell himself." (!)

—Si non vero, c hen irovato I Only that the suggestion rather damages the force of the previous argument used on the subject by the 'Independent,' which was that the two articles were so full of stupid mistakes on the facts of the case as to prove conclusively that the writers had not been at Auckland during the Session of 1856. The writers were at once named,: to testify to the truth of the assertion. But as it turned out that the first guess at names was wrong, the ' Independent' makt-s its apology by naming another person, who was at Auckland, and in the thick of the business, having the very knowledge which the 'Independent' had denied to the writer! How grand such a style of writing is; and how creditable to the journal which has always been foremost in advancing the true interests of the colony ! Such reasonings as this, though not always, so striking and forcible, be it

known form tho ,basis, of those y articles in the of which the' writer is so justly, proud.

,; We append a few paragraphs. 5 The : Arrival of Governor Browne.— Once more we have the pleasure of seeing the IJnion Jack flying from Government House; a pleasure we have not experienced for upwards of three years, though a stranger might be excused for supposing that the tattered and torn emblem of' British authority which has been floating from the Government flagstaff, for the last day or two, was the identical flag that had braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze. On Saturday last His Excellency arrived from Auckland in the steamer White Swan, and immediately landed and took up his residence at Government House. We are happy to find that the Governor has fully regained his health, and we doubt not the feeling of pleasure which it has excited in our citizens will be made apparent at the levee, which takes place, at 2 o'clock to-day. We regret, hoAvever, that his Excellency's stay will be a Very short one. To-niorrow he proceeds to Wanganui, and after staying in that district a few days, will return to Wellington in time for the White Swan's .■first trip to Auckland. We could have wished that His Excellency's engagements had permitted him to make a lengthened stay in our midst; the beneficial effects of which, on the Native race alone, would probably have been very great.-— lndependent, May 2.

• Farewell Dinner to A. Hort, Esq., J.P. —Ou Thursday evening a dinner was given to A. Hort, Esq., on the occasion of the departure of himself and family to England, in testimony of the high respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow colonists. About fifty persons sat down to dinner at Bannister's Hotel, including netirly all the merchants and persons in business, and other, influential residents, and' numbering most of the old settlers in Wellington.' W.--M. Baniiatyne, Esq., acted as chairman, and G. Hunter, Esq., and W. B. Rhodes, Esq., as vice chairmen. -After the usual loyal toasts, on giving the toast of the evening, the chairman dwelt on the liberality, hospitality, and private virtues of Mr.'Hort, which during the long period of' his residence in Wellington had secured for him the general respect of the community, so that on his departure from among them it was generally felt; that there were .manywhom they could be better content to spare, and the present numerous meeting of colonists sufficiently showed the high regard which they entertained for Mr. Hort and his family, and their recognition of his worth. Mr. Hort returned'thanks in an excellent speech, in which he reviewed the past history of Wellington from the time when he first came'here to reside, and traced its progress from those early struggles and trials which the settlers had to encounter and which they had so successfully overcome to its present prosperity, and assured them that on leaving those with whom lie had so long lived as friends and neighbours, his most earnest wish was for their continued success, and that nothing would afford him so much gratification as to hear of the advancement of a place which had for so many, years been a happy home to himself and .his family. The health of Mrs. Hort and the ladies was drank with all the honors; other toasts followed, including the health of J. Johnston,- Esq., on the occasion -of his visit to England. The company broke up about eleven o'clock. We must not omit to give the highest praise to Mr. Bannister, for the excellent, dinner which was provided, arid the arrangements made, which reflected the greatest credit on his establishment.—- Spectator, April 30.

Captuee of Woods.—We are glad to be able to state that this convict was captured yesterday morning at the Hutt, near King's, house, at the back of Mr. T. Mill's store, by corporal Finucane and T. Braggins, the two resident, constables at the Hutt district. Mr. Mill's store was broken into and robbed on Tuesday night, and it was supposed that the robbery was committed by Woods, who was believed to be in the neighbourhood.- The police, acting on the information received, took measures accordingly, and at 3 o'clock yesterday morning they succeeded in apprehending Woods, and brought him to Wellington, and lodged him in gaol. Woods gave up to the constables two silver watches which he had stolen since his escape. There are now. only, two of the escaped prisoners, D'Arcy and Shields, who are at large.— lbid, y