SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 3

SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

The Board of Education have at last found a section for a school at the Te Avo end of the city. For a long time past it has been apparent that Mrs. Wilkinson s school-room was behind the requirements of the times. A new building will, therefore, shortly be erected on section 713, at the rear of Mount Cook barracks, the cite being admirably adapted for the purpose. The Kev. C. Bice, of the Melanesian Mission, arrived by the Bhcebe on January 24th. Mr. Bice has for many years past been engaged in mission work on Norfolk Island and the islands surrounding, where he has been recog- . nised as a zealous laborer in the field of Christianity. The object of his visit to New Zealand is to collect funds on behalf _of the mission, in regard to which Mr. Bice will take an early opportunity of affording some interesting information. On Sunday, in the afternoon, he addressed the children attending St. Paul s Sunday-school The ship Berar was placed in quarantine immediately upon her arrival on January 22nd. Upon the immigration authorities visiting the vessel, it was ascertained that there had been twenty-one deaths from scarlet fever during the voyage, which lasted eighty-nine days. There are still twenty cases under treatment on board the vessel. She left on the 18th October, and next day the fever made its appearance amongst the passengers, which is conclusive proof that germs of disease must have been brought on board the vessel. She will probably remain in quarantine for a fortnight, unless the passengers are landed and the ship fumigated, when her detention may not last longer than a week. A fatal accident, by which a child four years of age lost her life, occurred on Jan. 21th. Mr and Mrs. Mullins, of the Lower Hutt, accompanied by their four children, were returning home from a visit to Mr. Anderson, of Upper Willis-street. When about half way down the steep cutting which leads from Mr. Anderson’s residence the horse bolted, throwing Mrs. Mullins and the four children out of the trap with great violence. The youngest child, Kate Beatrice, appears 'to have fallen upon her head, for when the poor little thing was picked up it had breathed its last. Mrs. Mullins and the three children, although they received no very serious injury, got a severe shaking. Dr. Harding was sent for, and administered medical assistance with promptitude. Mr. Mullins succeeded in keeping his seat and reining in the horse after it had run a short distance. An inquest will be held this afternoon at the residence of Mr. Anderson, to . whose house the sufferers and their unfortunate J little relation were taken. ' At the meeting of the Education Bo'ard, on Jan. 20th, the reporters were excluded during the discussion upon Mr. Toomath’s motion for the amalgamation of the two 'offices of Inspec • tor and Secretary. The motion was carried by three to two, the members who voted for the motion being Messrs. Toomath, Pharazyn, and Hutchison, those against it being Messrs. Brandon and Bunny. Consequent upon this decision it was determined to give the Secretary and Inspector six months’ notice that at the endof that time their serviceswouldnot he required. It is understood that Mr. Toomath was not prompted by any feeling of opposition or complaint against the present officers of the Board, his argument in favor of the motion being that the Board cannot, with the means at its disposal, maintain the salaries paid to the Inspector and Secretary. Mr Brandon has since given notice of a motion to rescind the resolution arrived at. An inquest was held at the Marton Hotel on the 11th Jan., before A. Boss, Esq., coroner, on the body of Patrick Bin-ins, schoolmaster,. Upper Tutaenui, who died on Saturday evening from injuries received by falling from his horse on the night of the sth hurt. The evidence was that the deceased had spent his Christmas holidays in indulging too freely in drink, and was not sober when he left the White Hart Hotel a few minutes after 10 o’clock. Shortly after that time he was found lying bruised and Heeding on the road in front of the Marton Hotel. He was carried in and placed on a sofa in ■ a back room, from which place he was taken next morning at 6 o’clock and put in the stable, and shortly afterwards into the yard. About 8 o’clock Dr. Taylor was called in and,the unfortunate fellow was put to bed, but he gradually sank, and expired at 6 in the evening of . Saturday. The verdict was “accidental death.” The foreman of the jury protested against that verdict, and refused to sign the inquisition. The deceased was a son of the late Colonel Smythe, of the Bengal Native Infantry, and formerly held a commission which he lost. He then enlisted in an assumed name into the 57th Kegiment, in which he was schoolmaster. Lake Taupo has become quite a fashionable place of resort. Large numbers of people have passed through Cambridge this summer en route for the Lakes. A good road from Cambridge, on which a coach could be run, says the Waikato Times, would be a great boon to travellers, and in addition, would open the country through which it passed. A meeting of those interested in the formation of an Athletic Clnb was held on Febrnary 3, at the Pier Hotel, his Worship the Mayor in the chair. About twenty gentlemen handed in their names to the secretary as intending members. Hr. P. Webb was elected as hon. secretary and treasurer pro tern. On and after the Ist of February, the following ’ rule came into practical use by H.M. Customs for ascertaining the quantity for duty of overproof spirits in. bottle Reduce the liquid quantity per ease to gills, then multiply by the strength, and divide result by 1000, rejecting fractional parts when not exceeding, and charging an additional gill when exceeding, 500. Some time ago we mentioned that the state of the traffic on the Foxton and Palmerston railway was brought under the notice of the Minister of Railways by the lessee of the line. It was then suggested that as the traffic was too great for horses, light locomotives might be used, and the wooden rails gradually superseded by iron ones. Mr. Richardson promised to give the matter his consideration, and appears to have done so in a practical way. At the Lion Foundry the construction of three light locomotives, each to weigh only five tons, is being proceeded with, and these are to be finished within four months. They are, we believe, for the Foxton line, and no doubt the replacement of the present wooden rails with iron ones will be begun as soon as possible. We are glad to find that Wellington, as well as Auckland, can turn out locomotive engines. It may be looked upon as rather a good sign that the Chinese are now buying into the best claims and water-races in the Waimea district of Westland. They are also found ready to buy into claims which Europeans are desirous of clearing out of, to try more distant fields. A week ago the requisition to Sir George Grey to contest the election for Auckland City West had received five hundred signatures. Mr. Swanson, M.H.R., appears to be the leader in the matter. A steamer was to be hired to convey a deputation to Kawau, to present the requisition to Sir George. The Hon. and Rev. A. E. Stanley (son of Lord Stanley of Alderley), is on a tour through New Zealand. He lately officiated at St. Raul’s, Dunedin, and the Times remarks ■; He read the lessons at the morning service, and preached an eloquent sermon, from St. Matthew viii., 24. The gentleman has a very rapid, though pleasing style of delivery, but the celerity with which he repeated the invocation after his discourse was anything but appreciable. He intoned the principal part of the evening service. Mr. Hartwright, late of the Audit Office, who has been for some time away on leave of absence, lias received an appointment in the Agent-General's office in London. A small screw steamer, the Pearl, has commenced to run between Shortland and Ohinemuri, and it is stated that miners are already out prospecting all over the country. The new steamer Egmont, built at Duucdiu for owners in Wanganui, has arrived at the latter port, and has made a successful excursion trip up and down the river, with a party of merchants, tradesmen, and other citizens on board. The Egmont steams nine miles an hour easily, and is expected to attain a higher rate of speed when her engines have been for some time in work.

Le The election for ICaiapoi has terminated in the return of the Minister of Justice after a very hollow contest. Tho numbers were : For Mr. Bowen, 294 ; for Mr. Beswiok, 192. His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond lias delivered judgment in the railway compensation case—Martin v. the General Government. Plaintiff claimed £IXOO for'land taken from him by the defendants for railway purposes, and the latter offered him £SOO as compensation. The Court awarded the plaintiff £750. Speaking of the arrangements for tho immigrants from the Shetland Islands who lately arrived in Hawke’s Bay by the ship Clarence, the Hawke' a Bay Herald writes :—“The sickness on board arose from no special provision having been made for a class of emigrants who came from the Shetland Islands, whose principal food is fish. Special care has always been taken to provide accustomed food in the case of Scandinavians, but why this was not done in the case of the Shetlanders we do not know. The absence of preserved fish in the dietary scale of the Clarence caused diarrhoea and weakness that brought about a description of low fever, from which some of the passengers have not yet recovered.” A statement of the transactions of the province of Otago for the quarter ending December 31st, 1874, shows that the total receipts amounted to £151,312 19s. 5d., and the total expenditure to £130,734 Bs. 4d. Although the shaft of the Poverty Bay Oil Springs Company has not yet been sunk, it appears the prospects of the company are so good, from the oozing of the oil into the shaft, that kerosene is now being sold in Gisborne at ninepence per gallon. The General Government has arranged to purchase the fine dwelling-house iuHawkestonestreet belonging to Mr. Elliot Elliott, and recently occupied by his Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. This purchase will complete the number of Ministerial residences authorised by the Assembly. . The Bishop of Wellington held a confirmation service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Jan. 31, at which 23 male and 9 female candidates presented themselves for confirmation. The National Bank of New Zealand, having removed from their old building to the new and handsome structure in Grey-street, opened it for the transaction of banking business on Monday, Ist February. A number of the German immigrants, comprising several families, will land here in preference to going away from Wellington, as was desired by the immigration authorities. Those who have so signified their intention are a most desirable class of settlers ; to wit, small capitalists, one of them having as much as £7OO for investment in the country. We learn, says the Southland News, that a portion of the photographic staff of the American* Transit Expedition Have received telegraphic instructions from headquarters to return home via San Francisco, instead of per Swatara, and, prior to their departure, to make the tour of New Zealand, for the purpose of taking views of its characteristic features and such objects of interest as might serve to convey an accurate idea of the colony and the pursuits of its inhabitants. Return of patients in the Provincial Hospital during and ending the month of January, 1375. Admitted—males, 13; females, 1. Discharged —males, 11 ; females, 1. Died—males, 1 ; females, 0. Left in hospital males, 30 ; females, 4. Total in hospital, 34. The steamship Southern Gross is in future to be run at stated intervals between Auckland, Napier, and Wellington, and she will be timed so as to meet the Melbourne steamers, from and to which she will tranship goods and passengers, without the necessity of their being stored. The schools under the management of the Education Board commenced work on Jan. 25 upon the cessation of the holidays. The number in attendance showed no great variation from the totals of previous muster-rolls, nor, indeed, was it to be expected that there would be any material difference, looking at the fact that the educational system brought into operation by the Education Ordinance of 1870 has worked admirably, at least as far as the city is concerned. The readings of the thermometer for the past month supply little evidence to account for the oppressive state of the atmosphere upon several notoriously uncomfortable days within the last three weeks. The season is generally, considered to have been a pretty warm one, if not actually the hottest experienced in Wellington for very many years past. JSunday last, for instance, was a regular scorcher, yet the thermometer did not register within 30 degrees of the shade heat telegraphed from Melbourne a few days ago, nor was it within 10 degrees of the heat registered in Wellington on the 11th iust. The highest and lowest readings of the month have been as follows : Jan. 11, 80 degrees in the shade, 145 degrees in the sun, black bulb ; terrestial radiation (that is, the lowest reading in the night) 50 degrees. Jan.' 20, 81 degrees in the shade, 145 degrees in the sun; terrestial radiation, 43 degrees. Jan. 23, 77 degrees in the shade, 146 degrees in the sun; terrestial radiation, 46. Jan. 24 (Sunday), 72 degrees in the shade, 142 degrees in the atm ; terrestial radiation, 45 degrees. The black bulb thermometer is an instrument which registers the greatest possible degree of heat in the sun, the terrestial reading showing the minimun registration during the twenty-four hours ; the two together giving the extremes of heat to which plants and animals are subjected. It may have been observed that on the evenings of Thursday and Friday, 21at and 22nd January, the moon presented a peculiar blood-red appearance, caused by a fog bank. It is singular and worthy of notice that the same appearances were observable at Nelson and the Wairau, proving that the fog bank was of extensive proportions. Dr. Webster has resigned his seat in the Provincial Executive of Otago, intending to visit England very soon. Election rumors are beginning early. It is said in Hawera that at the next election Wi Parata will be opposed by Captain Blake. The Westport Times of the 19th instant, says ;—“lt is reported that A. D. Dobson, Esq., has resigned his appointment as Provincial Engineer. -Taking into account present peculiarities in the Government of Nelson province, few will be surprised at the intimation.” The flags at half-mast on all tho vessels lying in Wellington harbor on Saturday, 23rd January, too plainly indicated to the friends of Captain Alexander Mitchell, of the sliip Jessie Readman, that he was no more. It was known on Friday evening that his illness had assumed a most serious aspect, but his end was not thought to be so near. As the night passed away and morning advanced, tho poor captain became very exhausted, and at a quarter to five o’clock he breathed his last on board his vessel. He had only arrived from Dunedin in the steamer Otago sixteen days before, having been too unwell to bring the ship on from Port Chalmers to this port. During tho voyage from London to Otago, and when in the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Mitchell was afflicted and confined to his berth for three weeks with fistula. Probably too anxious to be at his post, lie left his cabin too early, and caught a severe cold, which never left him, and resulted in inflammation of the lungs, of which ho died. Captain Mitchell was 'highly respected for his many good qualities, and although a comparative stranger to Wellington his reputation had preceded him. Tho Jessie Readman is the third of Patrick Henderson and Co.’s vessels which he has commanded, having made two trips to New Zealand in her. Ho was well known in Otago as commander of theCaribou (which was burnt off the Cape of Good Hope whilst on a voyage from London to Calcutta) and afterwards tho Viola. Patrick Henderson and Co. having disposed of the latter ship, he was placed in command of the Jessie Readman two years since. Captain Mitchell loaves a wife and three children, who reside at Rothesay,’in the island of Bute. His funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, tho cortege leaving the J essie Readman at three o'clock. All tho captains and officers of the ships in harbor, the merchants of tho city, officers of the Customs, and almost every person connected with the shipping, joined in tho mournful procession, which was of considerable length. Tho deceased was interred in tho Presbyterian cemetery, tho Rev. Mr. Paterson reading the impressive burial service.

The Wellington branch of the Colonial Bank was opened on Monday, January 25, for business. The office is situated in Grey-street. Labor would appear to be almost unpleasantly scarce in Marlborough. The Provincial Government requires road works to be done in the Pelorus district, but only two tenders were sent in, and at amounts far in excess of the estimates. In October last, when tenders were called for similar work, twelve were sent in. Marlborough evidently wants “more men.” We have been informed, by a private telegram from Dunedin, that the directors of the Guardian Printing Company have appointed Captain Baldwin general manager, in the room of Mr. Leary, who resigned in consequence of the duties interfering with his private business. Captain Baldwin is to have full control over every department of the newspaper. Out of seven candidates from tho primary schools of the province for Wellington College scholarships, session 1875, only six presented themselves for examination, of whom the successful candidate was William H. Field, of Aromoho School, near Wanganui, he- being closely followed by Rowland Sinclair of Taita school. AVo loam from the Marlborough newspapers that Messrs. N. Edwards and Co., of Nelson, have resolved to supply the means of regular communication by steam between Blenheim and AVellington. It is intended to run the Lyttelton from Nelson to Blenheim and thence to Wellington, returning to Blenheim and thence to Nelson again. A vacancy has occurred in the representation of Auckland City West, through the resignation of Mr. T. B. Gillies, recently appointed to the Bench. The Southland journal complains that the colonial law provides no protection for seals in the breeding season. The Superintendent of Otago has issued a proclamation prohibiting the destruction of those animals, excepting during the months of June, July, August, and September ; and a hope is expressed that the subject will receive attention during the next session of Parliament. The Nelson Regatta Committee have issued their programme, and annnounced the amount of the prizes to be offered for the several events. The secretary has written to the secretaries of the Wellington boating clubs, inviting crews from Wellington, and it is probable more than one crew will be sent from this city. Mr. Firman has announced his intention of sailing the yacht Xariffa across the Strait from Wellington to contest the yacht race. It is explained, on behalf of AVilson, the Dunedin champion, who was expected to take the prize belt, as the cause of the falliug-off in his shooting at the last range, on Saturday, that he was among those nearly by the upsetting of the pontoon. He lost his rifle, and had to shoot with a strange one. The births in AVellington registered during January numbered 54. The deaths numbered 33, viz., 16 males and 17 females. Twenty-six of these deaths were of children under 5 years; and of these 26 deaths, 23 were of children under 1 year. Thirteen of these infantile deaths were caused by diarrhoea. Measles was fatal in 2 cases—children of 7 and 2 years spectively. There was 1 death from phthisis. There were 5 deaths from atrophy and debility ; and 2 deaths from accident. The remaining deaths are not specially noticeable. The total deaths exceeded those in December by 9 ; the increase being accounted for by the much larger number of infantile deaths from diarrhoea. The New Plymouth Budget of the 28th January gives a very satisfactory account of how the emigrants lately landed there from the Avalanche have been disposed of, and of the opportunities Taranaki presents to new arrivals :—Out of the whole of the immigrants to hand by the Avalanche—with the exception of a few tradesmen—none remain unengaged. The single toeu and single women are all employed ; and all the grown-up boys not staying with parents have been found in employment. More are wanted—girls being in especial demand. Out of tho one hundred families received into the depot, the Government have only been able to secure twenty-five for public works purposes. For those who remain work can be had ; only that it would be rougher than the parties have been accustomed to ; for application was made for three other laboring men this morning, and could not be supplied. The Iron Sand Company have engaged, directly and indirectly, fully twentyfive persons. Patea asked for a like number ; and, if conveyances could have been obtained to take the luggage, they would have been forwarded a day or two after arrival. But, as the Avalanche immigrants have been absorbed privately within the immediate district of New Plymouth, and more are wanted, the only plan Patea can adopt is to apply direct to Wellington. This ready absorption speaks well for the first direct shipment ; and if the engagements prove satisfactory to both parties, we may look for considerable additions during the course of the next year. It is stated by the Inangahua Herald that Mr. Shapter has resigned his seat as Goldfield's Secretary for the Province of Nelson. The proceeds of a soiree on board the Soukar gave a gross result of £57 135., from which expenses amounting to £l6 13s. have to be deducted, leaving a balance of £4l for division amongst the Artillery Band, Mr. Donecker, and the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund of the English Sailors’ Union. Captain Adams has received £l3 13s. 2d. to be handed over when he arrives in England, and the other interested parties take an equal share. The subject of the Interprovincial Regatta for 1875 was brought up at the Regatta Committee's meeting on February 2. A motion was made, which was unanimously agreed to, that the secretary be asked to communicate with the secretaries of the rowing and yachting clubs in Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago, asking the co-operation of the boating men in the respective provinces to assist in bringing the great yearly aquatic event of the colony to a successful issue. It appeared to be the opinion of all present that it would be advisable that but one crew from each province should contest for the champion four. Mr. Louisaon, of Nelson, deserves very great credit for the indomitable pluck with which, under every discouragement, he has endeavored to bring into use the iron paint (hematite) he makes from the iron-ore obtained at Collingwood. He may now fairly be congratulated on having achieved marked success, the paint having some extensively into use. We understand that he is the successful tenderer for the painting, with his iron paint, of the whole of the bridges on the road between Wellington and Wanganui, for the General Government, and he previously had a contract for the painting of the railway bridges on tbe railway line for the Nelson Provincial Government. These contracts together represent something .approaching two miles of bridges, the painting of which has to be finished within four months. The Nelson Government is so satisfied with what it has done at Karamea that two now special settlements aro contemplated—one in Collingwood, and one on the West Coast. The following tenders were received at tho Public Works Office, for No, 1 contract, Winton and Kingston Railway (permanent "way only):—Accepted—Proctor and AVhitaker, £6516. Declined—Mathesou Bros., Dunedin, £13,487 ; A. J. Smyth, Invercargill, £7850 ; Geo. L. Robertson, Invercargill, £10,778 ; Miller and Murray, Invercargill, £7871. A woman raving mad laid herself across the rails this side of Burke’s Brewery, says the Otago Daily Times, anl tho engine-driver of tho last up train was fortunate enough to observe her in sufficient time to stop the train and prevent it passing over her. AVhen taken up she flourished a formidable carving-knife, and on reaching town was with difficulty conveyed to the police station, whence she was sent to the Lunatic Asylum. An accident of a serious and painful nature, says the Grcymouth Evening Star of the 25th January, occurred on the wharf this morning to an employee of Messrs. Butler and Co., named Francis. This man was assisting at the pile driving, when a chip, placed upon the head of the pile to cause the monkey to fall fair, sprung out and struck the unfortunate man on the cheek, inflicting an ugly wound, and knocking out one of the poor fellow’s eyes. Dr. Morice was immediately called in and did all that was possible to alleviate the pain of the blow, but it is certain tliat tho sight of tho eye is irretrievably lost.

■ Mr. J. C. Morris, accountant of the Bank of New Zealand, in Dunedin, has been appointed manager of the Colonial Bank at Christchurch, in the place of Mr. Cook, who will go to Wellington. Three locomotives have been forwarded from Dunedin to Oamaru, per road, to be used on the northern line of the Otago railways, 'lliey were placed upon waggons, each drawn by ten horses. His Worship the Mayor entertained the City Councillors at dinner on February 2, at the Family Hotel, Lower Hutt. ■ The party went out by the 5.10 p.m. train, and proceeded at once to the hotel, when a dinner, that was all that could be desired, was promptly served. A pleasant evening was spent, and the worshipful host with his guests returned to town by omnibus about midnight. During the month of January the estates of nine persons, who died intestate, were placed under the charge of the Public Trustee. The amounts ranged from £5 to £SO. In two of the cases the deceased persons met their fate by drowning ; another died at sea ; and one a resident of Marton —was killed by a fall from his horse. By the casting vote of the Mayor, the City Council, appointed Captain George Mundle to be Pier-master. There were four applicants, tho other three being Captain Linklater, late of the AVanganui ; Captain Olouston, late Governor of the Nelson gaol; and Mr. Martin, at present chief-officer of the Easby, who, judging by his testimonials, must be a man of considerable ability. The choice was narrowed down to the two first-named "entlemen, who have traded out of the port in command of vessels for a great many years past. Both were eligible candidates. Evidently the Councillors thought so as they were equally divided. The Mayor found himself unexpectedly placed on the horns of a difficulty, and desired time to consider the fitness of the candidates before deciding. The Council, however, seemed inclined to strike the iron without delay, and the Mayor gave his casting vote in favor of Captain Hundie, stating at the same time that although he knew little of the successful candidate he knew still less about Captain Linklater. The Germans of the city, and other friends of Mr. Krull, mustered strong on Feb. sth in Doneoker’s Union Hotel, to entertain him at a friendly dinner prior to his departure for Europe, via Melbourne, on Saturday by the s.s. Otago. Mr. Moeller occupied the chair, and the °vice-chair was occupied by Mr. Koch. After the substantial had been disposed of, the health of her Majesty was given, followed by that of the Emperor AVilliam. The Governor, and Prince Bismarck, were next toasted; and then Mr. Moeller proposed the toast of the evening, which was received with great enthusiasm. Mr. Krull replied, remarking that when he was at home he was* regarded as a dull boy ; but, having the world before him where to choose, and having heard a good account of tho chances New Zealand afforded, he had found his way -hither, and had now no reason to regret bis choice; He was going home only to visit his native land, and then to return to that of his adoption. A variety of other toasts followed, but as the only toast proposed in English was “The Visitors” —in which happy allusion was made to the natural sympathy between Englishmen and Germans —we may be excused for not reporting the proceedings. Mr. EVnll has been actively connected with the business of AVellington for some twenty or more years ; and for the greater part of that time has been German Consul in this port. He will be gladly welcomed back, and good wishes will accompany him on His journey. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull and family and Mi - , and Mrs Krull, of this city, left AVellington by the steamer Otago on Saturday, February 6, en route for Europe. It had been announced that the steamer would leave for Melbourne at ten o’clock, and long before that hour a large number of the friends of both families had assembled on the wharf to bid them farewell. After “ God speed” and “ pleasant voyage” had been earnestly wished to the travellers, the steamer signalled for all shore people to leave. Just as she moved off, three cheers for “our departing friends,” coupling the names, were called for, which were heartily given, those on the steamer answering with a powerful three times three. Rockets were sent up and blue lights burned by those on shore, and after the steamer had proceeded a -short distance answering blue lights were burned on board, which called forth more hearty cheering. The effect was very pretty. Mr. R. J. Duncan, whose zeal is as notable as his persistency, has taken the initiative in arranging a dinner to be given to Mr. John Martin, previous to his departure for England, by the San Francisco mail steamer, which leaves AVellington on Tuesday next. The announcement of Mr. Martin’s departure took a great many people by surprise, and the proposal to give him a dinner was received with a feeling as unanimous as it was warm. Now that the proposal has been mooted, it will no doubt be taken up by a committee of leading citizens, who will improve the occasion by making a becoming display of respect and esteem for one of AVellington’s most successful and worthiest citizens. It is probable that the dinner will form a joint farewell to Mr Martin and Mr. Seed (of the Customs department), who also purposes visiting the old country. The election of a City Councillor for Te Aro AVard, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Councillor McKirdy, took place on Feb. 9th, but gave rise to no excitement even of the mildest type. There was not exhibited anything approaching to a wholesome interest, which may be judged of by the fact that compared to the number of votes polled in the same ward on the occasion of the Mayoralty election, the number recorded yesterday was very small; in specific terms it was about twothirds. Towards four o’clock a crowd, anxious to learn the result of the election, congregated in the neighborhood of the Market Hall. The declaration was not long delayed, for shortly after the hour named Mr. Greenfield, the returning officers announced the result as follows : Gillou 261 Young 101 Moody ... ... ... ... 72 The announcement was received with cheers, and Mr. Gillon being hoisted shoulder-high, returned thanks for the honor conferred. On February 10th, from an early hour in the forenoon, a heavy gale of north-west wind prevailed, the squalls being at times very severe. Clouds of grit and sand were whirled about the streets, while the wind brought down the smoke from tho burning woods and grass on tho bills to the north in enormous volumes, rendering tho air murky, and giving the city —dust and smoko combined—a singular aspect, in strong and disagreeable contrast with its aspect during the fine weather -of the previous day. The barque Prince Victor, which anchored off Kaiwarra on Tuesday, dragged her mooring irons for fully half-a-mile, which brought her considerably to the southward of the wharf. During the day loading drays with timber on the Queen’s wharf was perilous werk, several large planks having been blown clear off the stocks into the tide. The yacht Xariffa, on a fishing excursion, was compelled to seek shelter in AVorser Bay. The gale appears to have been confined to AVellington, as Capt. Doile, who arrived from AVanganui on AVeduesday, reports experiencing light northerly airs till ho had arrived about midway betwon Terawiti and Sinclair Head, where the full force of the northerly “ burster” was felt. Towards evening tbe fire, which bad started in the Ohariu Valley, travelled up the northern slope of Rhodes’ Hill, and made its way down the Tinakori side of the hill.. Fortunately, the bush has been cleared at the base of the range, or we might have had to record tho burning of residences. As it was, the residents of Tinakori-road were on tho qui vivc the whole of tho night, live sparks from tho burning bush being borne by the wind a considerable distance. The effect, as seen from the Te Aro end of tho city, was very grand. Mr. Lewis Moss, as representing the Central Fire Brigade, rode out to and up Tinakori Road, and round the residence of the Premier, to see that -all was safe, and placed three of the firemen on duty as a guard. A reel, also, was sent up in readiness for use. No damage, however, was done ; and rain and a change of wind next day put an end to all alarm.