TASMANIA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 69, 24 November 1855, Page 2

TASMANIA.

X monster meeting of the working classes of Hobart Town was held on Wednesday, the 3rd of October. The Tasmanian Leader (a new weekly) give 3 the following account of the proceedings : — " The object proposed, was the condemnation of the course pursued by the Executive in the disputed privilege, question, which arose out of the inquiry by" the Council into the abuses of the convict department. An uproar was very generally anticipated, and the anticipation seems to have been realized. By six o'clock, several persons assembled, and by seven, the time fixed for the meeting, the whole place was densely crowded, pit, galleries, and platform. Tho number, it is said, could not have been less than 1,500, including several females. The proceedings commenced by Mr. Richards proposing that Mr. Harrison should take the chair, but was opposed by Mr. Hand, who, on the contrary, proposed Mr. Broad, the stonemason. This was the signal for groans, cheers, anji hisses, during a hurricane of which the motion and amendment were put, but it was not very clear with what result. Mr. Wiggins, the builder, was then proposed as chairman, but instead of the business proceeding, a species of chorus of alternate cheers and groans was maintained, and after some time had been wasted in this sort of performance, the platform began to give way, upon which Mr. Wiggins vacated the chair' which, ultimately, Mr. Harrison was allowed to retain. The committee then took up a position -with the speakers in the orchestra, and a resolution was proposed by Mr. Hollis, acknowledging the efforts of the great majority of the Council to maintain its privileges, and pledging the working classes to their support. The noise which continued to prevail rendered portions of his speech inaudible, but, the motion being seconded, W. V. Smith, Esq., rose to propose an amendment, which expressed an opinion that ' the removal of the Convict Department from the colony was the only solution of the question.' Mr. Smith's speech was received with no great favour on either side, and nothing came of his amendment, whereupon we may conclude the original resolution to have been carried. A petition to his Excellency to withdraw his confidence from his present advisers was- then read by the chairman to the meetihgj and received with the invariable greeting of the evening, groans and cheers. Mr. Hand attempted to address them, but could not gain a hearing. Mr. Horton seconded the amendment proposed by the preceding speaker, but the uproar was now redoubled, and in the midst of it part of a gallery front gave way, and added to the confusion. Mr. Maxwell Miller in vain tried to get a quiet hearing ; when the chairman called for cheers foi the Daily News and Colonial Times. These being given were met by counter-groans, and the Advertiser received a similar varying demonstration. The chairman again addressed the meeting; and with a repetition of cheers arid groans for the foregoing papers, and for the Mercury and its proprietor, the proceedings closed." A numerously-attended meeting of the inhabitants of Brighton had been held, at which resolutions were passed in support of the Legislative Council. Meetings, with a similar result, had also been held in other districts.

In reference to the quarter's revenue the Colonial Tunes remarks : — " On the whole, as compared with the corresponding quarter of the year 1854, there is a net decrease in the revenue of the quarter ending 30th June, 1855, of £16,291 14s. Id. ; but a comparison of the gross totals of the first and second quarters of the present year, shows an increase in favour of the latter of £13,248 9s. 2d."

A captain of the royal navy^ one of the old school, being at a ball in Portsmouth, had been accepted by a beautiful partner, a lady of rank, who in the mosfc delicate manner possible, hinted to him the propriety of putting on a pair of gloves. " Oh," "was th« elegant reply, " never mind me, ma'am ; I shall wash my hands when I've done dancing."

The Queen's Visit to Fobt Pitt. — Although the intelligence arrived bo late on Monday evening, of her Majesty's intention to confer tho long-anticipated visit upon her brave soldiers, composed nearly of evffry regiment of the cavalry and line, located in Fort Pitt, Brompton, and St. Mary's Barrack, tho orders for tho Queen's reception were despatched witlt so much celerity to tho respective hospitals, that every ward was in the most perfect state for the inspection of her Majesty. The welcome nows soon spread amongst the invalids, and throughout the hospitals were to ba seen faces teeming with delight. Upon her Majesty's carriage approaching tho drawbridge of- Fort Pitt, where Lieutenant Breedon, 25th Regiment, two sergeants, and forty rank and file, were stationed, a royal salute burst from tho guns of the Spur Battery. Tho acclamations of the assemblage were most loyal, enthusiastic, and prolonged, during the entrance of her Majesty and the royal cortege. Her Majesty's carriage drawing up to the entrance to the hospital, a numerous staff received the Queen, who, with evident marks of pleasure, mo.st graciously acknowledged th» same. Dr. G. Dartnall, P.M.O. (surrounded by hi» staff, Drs. Battersby, Eidgeway, Stuart, Moffatt, Ileatly, Allen ; tho chaplain, Mr. Stimson ; G. Prattles and H. Macheson, Esqrs., purveyors to tho forces ; together with the principal medical clerk, Mr. Dungley), presented to her Majesty a card, containing a statement of the hospital, the numbers of the wounded, tho frost-bitten, and of thoso of impaired health. Iler Majesty, taking tho arm of Prince Albert, then proceeded to No. G ward, where about eight poor men were in bed. Her Majesty expressed great sympathy with tham, spoko many kind words to them, and inquired most minutely into their cases, which Drs. Parry and Dartnell explained. Her Majesty and the royal party, followed by the staff, went out of tho hospital, when, turning to the right, it brought them into the beautiful and well-kept gardens, where tho whole of the invalids who were not in bed were ssatcd. Upon tho approach of her Majesty, tho word " attention " was given, and every man, whether with one crutch or two, sprung to his feet, forming two long lines of 260 each. Every man had his card in his hand stating his name, regiment, where wounded, and in what battle. Her Majesty was evidently affected by the scene before her, and did not fail to speak to every man. The royal visit now being ended, tho carriages drovo off, attended by the same staff, to Brompton Hospital, where every arrangement had been made similar to that of Fort Tit t,— her Majesty being only attended by tho staff of the respective hospitals, thus affording amplo opportunity for inspecting tho wards, and conversing with the wounded. At Brompton Hospital, in addition to the staff which had attended her Majesty at Fort Pitt, Dr. Ballaslev, from Fort Pitt (in the absence of Dr. Reid,, on leave), with the Rev. Charles Groen, Chaplain to the Force*, accompanied her Majejty in her.uispcctiqn of one or two wards and the men^ who assembled in, number to 270. Of these 62 havo wounds,^37 frpft-bites, and 170 impaired health. This concluded thewhole inspection by her Majesty, whan tho royal carriages were entered at six o'clock, and a "royal salute greeted her Majesty on her way to the^tenninu.*, where a great concourse of tho inhabitant* of the four towns wer» assembled. — English paper.