WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 106, 19 March 1862, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

(From our otcn Correspondent.) WellinijUn, Saturday Morning, tb March, 1862. The " Airedale" arrived from Auckland at 9 o'clock last night, and sails this evening via Lyttelton. I write per the " Wonga" direct, and as her mail closes at 11 o'clock, I cannot give you Auckland details. They are not, however, important. Mr. Land Claims Commissioner Bell is a passenger from the North, and as he is acting as Native Secretary, it is a proof that native matters are, at any rate, quiet. The " Airedale's" arrival has put the stopper on our hopes of the Governor's arrival here. He will not now be coming until he opens the Assembly in June. All there is for us to do is simply to bear our disappointment as best we can, and pay the cost of the late preparations for welcoming him. You may judge of their amount by the fact that the little bill of the livery stable keeper, who had the getting up of the arrangements connected with the carriage and six for conveying His Excellency from the landingplace to Governmen House, ilmounts to no less than £55, for alteration of harness, suits of livery for the postilions, toe, the carriage and three of the horses being gratuitously found by the owner, W. Bowler, Esq. The triumphal arches are being removed this morning. Mr. Fox, after spending a few days in Wellington, has gone for a little while to his estate, " Westloe," in the Raugitikci district, and intends returning to Auckland by the steamer on the 24th inst. The usual monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday afternoon. Some letters were read fromJMessrs. M'Meckan, Blackwood & Co., of Melbourne, and their Canterbury agents, offering to increase the " Aldinga's". voyage on to Wellington monthly for £3000 a-year, aud stating that Mr. Blackwood would visit Dunedin about this date (15th March). Tliere is no disposition here to enter into the contract at such a price. The amount is more than the Province can afford for that one s Trice. For a moderate amount the Province^ would be glad to enter into the arrangement, or join with the Cook's Straits Provinces in running a steamer from Sydney. The prospect of being knocked off the trunk line is very distasteful to this meridian, A tariff report was also read, and the Provinces are to be invited to seek for an assimilation as near as possible to that of Victoria, 1830. Nothing further of extra local importance took place. On Wednesday the anniversary of the hoisting of the King's flag at Otaki was celebrated in that district. The company was not so large as had been anticipated. There were about 300 armed natives wearing the King's wlii te band round their caps, taking part in the ceremony, which consisted of prayers, marchings, war dances, toe. Plentiful provision was made for the spectators, of which the Europeans were invited to partake with much courtesy. The flag which was run up in the morning would be taken down again in the evening, but as my informant left there at mid-day, I cannot say what waa finally done with it; probably it was put away, as it was last year, for a similar ceremony on the next anniversary. Particulars wiU come in by to-day's mail—if anything worth opening my letter for has occurred, I will do so. Our town Volunteer movement is quite at a standstill. No meeting for the election of officers is to take place until the corps numbers 40. The strength at present is only 19. ■ A very handsome gold watch is now in the hands oi Mr. Marriott, the engraver, previous to presentation to C. R. Carter, Esq., M.H.R., for the Wairarapa. It is from the Odd Fellows' Lodges in Wellington, as an acknowledment of the professional services gratuitously rendered in superintending the erection of the Odd Fellows' Hall here, completed nearly two years ago. I presume there will be a dinner or a rump steak supper on the occasion. . A case of rape by a settler on a Maori woman living in the Uppe- Hutt, accompanied by much brutality, was brought before the Resident Magistrate yesterday, and will no doubt ultimately find it 3 way to the Supreme Court. '...'■ The members ofthe Church of England are making strenuous efforts to build a cathedral. When Bishop Selwyn first arrived, one of his plans was "to build structure's, not reminding us by their mediocrity that they would do for the present, but such as our forefathers delighted to build.'' They were to be built Eiecemeal, aa funds wore provided. So far as Welngton is concerned, Archbishop Laud's emphatic " done," cannot be written against this and many other plans, as tlie church atthe Thorndon end of the "towntestifies. It. was built in 1844, always looked more like a barn than auything else, and is now a very shabby affair indeed. The cathedral is to cost about £3,000, one-third of which the Bishop of Wellington (Abraham) engages to collect amongst liis personal friends, provided the parishioners raise the other two-thirds. They have come forward very liberally, some twelve or fourteen of them having headed the subscription list with £50 a piece. - The subscription amounts to nearly £1,200, but I fear the collection of the remainder will be a work of much difficulty.' The members ofthe church of the other parish (St. Peter's, Te Aro) have a debt of L4OO on their very pretty edifice, winch cramp many and _ entirely prevents others of themr from contributing. Writing about church debts, puts me in mind to mention that the Lyttelton church was entirely-freed from debt last mont by a fahey btiswar; not only was the debt (L 520) cleared off, but there was L.O over 1 The site for the Wellington Cathedral is a most commanding one, overlooking the harbour, and adjoining the Bishop's " House"—folk have not yet got into the wav of calling it " Palace," though 1, have heard, dto'man Catholics frequently designate their Bishop's residence here by that pretentious title. , There is a pleasant little bit of gossip anent the way in which the site above alluded to came into

"the, Church's possession, which.L may as, .well. gixej you. About eight years ago, Governor Sir Geoj-ge Grey, Bishop Selwyn, and the hon. Mr. Tollemaehc werj travelling in the Ahuriri, "and had one day been impressing on the natives the importance of providing for posterity by making endowments of land for Church and School purposes. In the night time, a deputation of natives visited their tent, woke them up, and put some pointed questions as to whether the teachers practised wha', they taught. What Sir George aud his companions answered, I don't know, but they evidently felt the necessity of setting a good example—of setting tlieir candle iv a candlestick that ii might give light to all around, for very shortly afterwards Sir George purchased a piece of ground iv Mulgrave-street, Welliugton, for a Church, only stipulating for free seats for the Hospital patients close" by. Bishop Selwyn bought a place next to it and gave it for the same object, while Mr. Tollemache made over a peice adjoining for a Bishop's residence. The combined gift forms a good-sized block, and is most valuable for the purposes intended. On it there was erected two years since, a very commodious and substantial house for tbe Bishop of Wellington, at the cost of 1000^., furnished from the private purse of Bishop Selwyn.

The Wesleyans are making the changes directed by the late Conference in Australia. The Rev. John Warren, a talented preacher, who has only been here two years goes to Auckland. His place is supplied by the Rev. John Aldred of the Hutt, whose sphere is filled by a youug minister from Auckland, the Rev. Mr. Crump. The Rev. Mr. Yickers,' whose first introduction to ministerial life was in this Province, goes from Canterbury to Otago.

When Mr. Reader Wood was here, he did for us what he did for you—sanctioned the Superintendent's desire to erect a new Custom House and Post-office. The rent now paid for the premises occupied by these two departments is £250 ; they need enlarging, and the new building will both prove n public convenience, being close, to the deep water wharf now being carried out, and give value to the reclaimed land in the neighborhood. The tenders are to be sent in on the 31st instant. The design is in the "severest Italian style," which means, I believe, a style as plaiu and devoid of ornament as it is possible to design. Capt. Carkeek, the Collector, is well up in astronomy and that kind of thing, and has induced the Government to send home for a time ball, for ships to rate their chronometers by, an astronomical clock to give them the mean solar time, &c, &c, and as they will be placed under his charge, they will prove of great convenience to shipping. I mention this as perhaps your Government will " go and do likewise." Each may learn something from the other. You musn't charge me with the price of an advertisement if I give a recommendatory notice of the Custom House. architect, Mr. C. M. Igglesden. He is a young gentleman of considerable talent as au architect, and has for some years been engaged in the Survey department here. Several of the prettiest of our villa residences have been from his designs, and ho leaves by the steamer to-day to see what can be done in a professional way down south. Circumstances must determine waether he stops at Canterbury, or whether after looking about him there he goes on to Otago. If he visits you, make him pay handsomely for this complimentary notice. The painters are commencing to put the outside of the Government Buildings into the best trim their art will permit of. The Assembly will find everything in apple-pie order when it visits us in June. It is now definitely fixed to meet here. It was only reported so heretofore, but Tuesday's Independent. asserts, evidently " upon authority," that it is settled by the Cabinet, and I see the Auckland papers take it for granted that it will certainly come here, provided circumstances " over which there is no control," as the phrase is, do not spring up to prevent it. The Southern Cross has a little tall talk on the subject, but the Assembly will certainly come if possible. Rather a rich scene took place in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. A couutry settler, named Kelly, stepped into the witness-box in a decided state of Martell's. The crier swore him as usual, while the Judge and counsel were preparing their papers. The Judge, noticing the state of the witness, asked him if he were ill, if he felt himself able to givo evidence ] to which he replied that he-had kissed the book, and tliat was enough. Judge: Are you in a fit state to give evidence ! Witness: Who bribed you to say I was drunk ? This was too much. Such au indignity to Judge Johnston, of all the judges in the world, was sure to be visited with condign punishment, and witness was marched off to gaol for a fortnight, with the addition of a fine of £10, and further detention until it is paid. On Wednesday a jury was announced to try a case of lunacy. Dr, Monteith, a resident here from the commencement of the colony, and for several years enjoying a large practice—during the last few of wliich lie was Provincial Surgnon—has for some eighteen months been ill, and though so far recovered as to walk about, bad been oblige.! to be put under restraint. It became necessary to protect his property —hence the present enquiry. The jury found him a lunatic—having, in a lucid interval, made a deed by which his property was vested in the management of his solicitor (Mr. Brandon) and of his son. Tliis case will lie painfully read by many of yonr readers, as Dr. Monteith was more or less known to all who have resided here during the last , twenty years. It occurs to me to remark that the mode of summoning juries needs revision. To compose this jury of twelve no less than thirty-six gentlemen were summoned —some from ten miles distance. Jury servitude is at all times felt to be a bore, anil it is not wise to make the mode of summoning a means -by which it becomes unnecessarily irksome. The contract with the Marlborough Government and the W.S.N. Company is renewed from next English mail. No date is agreed for, only from month to month. The steamer lands the English mail from Nelson at Picton, and conveys the return mail from Picton to Nelson, for 101. a month. On Wednesday evening Judge Johnston invited 14 of the principal chiefs, visiting Wellington to see Governor Grey, to dinner. Toasts, speeches, and music combined to render the meeting a very pleasant on-j. It was purely a private affair, and as such I camot do more than just record it as anon dit. Negociations have been pending for some month or two past, by which it was hoped to secure Crofton, the late residence of the hon. Mr. Fox, for a College. The negotiations have this week been brought to a close, the property having changed hands for that purpose. It comprises a large house, built some years ago in the mo3t substantial manner, at a cost of nearly Ll2oo, and stands on 14 acres of freehold ground, (sown grass aud - parklike bush) on the Powrua Road, about 3 to four miles distant from Town. The selling price was L7OO, about half; of the actual outlay expended on the property by Mr. Fox. It has stood empty for the last three years, and the well)known maxim of " sell and fepent rather than keep and repent," seems to have induced the seller to submit to the sacrifice—a sacrifice, which the holders of all property in and around town purchased five or six years ago, must to a smaller degree be content to submit to if obliged to realise now —the uncertainty engendered by the Maori troubles of the past two years, having exercised a most depressing effect on real property, A principal for the College has been written for to England, and I am told that a Revd. Mr. Broughton is likely to be the gentleman engaged. He is said to be highly qualified for tho post. An Institution of this kind has long been wanted, and if judiciously managed, and at not too great an expense to parents, will, L should say, answer exceedingly well. Aprbpus of Colleges, there was a fine block of land given by the natives of Porirua, for a College or Educational'establishment of some sort, very many years ago. The block is a peninsula very much resemblihg Mount Edgcumbe at Plymouth (England), only much grander. It comprises.from 600 to 800 acres, andas a magnificent spot. The natives are grumbling very much at its not having been turned to the account for which it was given, and have lately been molesting the stock of Mr. Richards, who leases it from the Trustees at LSO a year. The natives appear to have some ground of complaint, and their action may perhaps lead to the Bishop taking measures to establish a school for the native children there.

The Customs revenue for February last was L 3,784 os. 4d. against L2,8G6 14s. 3d. The Land Sales for the last month comprise 11,602 acres, aud the total receipts, L 1,020. Since my last report we have had, commercially speaking, a quiet week. The high rates quoted for Shellard's negro-head, in our last advices from Sydney, consequent upon the rumoured interruption of our amicable relations with the Northern States of America, has caused the exportation of a considerable quantity of that article, and 2s. 6d. is now the ruling price for what a fortnight a»o might have been purchased for 2s. ;' but It is not improbable that our next advices may ' cause as great and rapid a retrocession. The arrival of 10,000 bushels of wheat in the ." Phillis," from Adelaide, has caused a slight depression, though a few small parcels of new wheat have been sold at 6s, 6d., and well grown oloan pptatoe oats have realized os. Good qaniples of noting barley would command 7s. 6d., and maize, Bs, Dressed flax is inquired for, and is scarce at L 24. New Zealand cordage, L 45. Lines, 6s. to 12s. ; and best do.. 12s. 6d. to 18s. per doz. Our native flax is almost lost sight of in the eager search - for gold, rununga meetings, &c.; but it will turn out sometime or other one of our most profitable exports. Cattle are still in demand, and graziers are anxions to charter on their own account, being by no means satisfied with the present low prices. Your tax on stock. toe," is ranch complained of, and the feeling ir prevalent that the act under whicli it is imposed is decidedly illegal, and-must be disallowed. Two vessels are loading, and will sail immediately—the '" W. B. Dean" and " Swordfjsh,'' In the latter are a few, milch cows. . Both are on the eve of sailing. Tho wind yesterday springing up from the south led us to fear that the "Hermine," which left the day before, would be obliged to put back, Fortunately the wind is round again to the north. We look with anxiety for news of the " Tyra's" arrival at Otago, as from her week's detention in Worser's Bay (just outside the.

harbour) dt.is feared that hercargo, Js_hcadj)f jJftttle j *and"3sS sheepV may'" suffer much" losrirorn want, of . :fodder.' - --"- ...:■'■"' a " Shipping intelligence is most scant, the only departure to your port being the barque " Hermine, ' as above, with 140 head of cattle ; and the arrivals from your port, nil. The " John .Bunyan" is laid on for London ; to follow the " Wild Duck."