WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 1, 5 January 1867, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.) January 3, 1867. As your readers are already well acquainted with the good folk resident in 'the “ Empire City,” and the town newspapers will convey the intelligence to you, I need hardly say that the New Year was ushered in with the usual rejoicings. There were guns fired by the ships in harbor, blue lights burned, rockets sent up, bells ringing, pinging, hbwling, and other means adopted for marking the advent of the first day of 1867. Our old friend Bishop was glorious in his display—Petherbridge used his best endeavors —and Mowlem willingly joined in blazing away in honor of the event. And now for the Caledonian gathering, the great New Yearns event, made almost “ national” by the great fact that Englishmen, Irishmen, and Scotchmen joined heartily in getting it up. Judging from.the names on the committee, I should say a little of the Fenian element might have been successfully introduced into the arrangement. There were gentlemen reported to be “head-centres,” there were cockneys, and there were stalwart fellows from the highlands and the lowlands. AH lent their aid, and deserve every credit for carrying the matter oil' so successfully. On the first day no less than £139 : 3s was taken at the gates, and on the second a very large amount would have been taken but the committee, having no fear of want of funds, threw the place open to the public, so that only £l4 were realised. Your Wairarapa men took nearly all the prizes, and knocked the City fellows—as they richly deserved—into so many “ cocked hats.” All credit to them for it. They came down to win and they succeeded without any manner of doubt. Yule and young McMasters are fit to compete in athletic sports with amateurs in any part of the world, while Mcßcan is, taking him altogether, a first-class man for a Caledonian gathering. The running of Yule and McMasters and the vaulting of the latter, was worthy of all praise, which they duly received as well as the hearty applause of all who witnessed the surprising feats they performed. Yule won the champion foot race and every other one contested, McMasters in almost -every race running second. In vaulting McMasters took two prizes, one the first and one the second day, upon the last occasion having vaulted a height of 9ft. <sin., to -the wonder and delight of all who witnessed it. There was no one to touch Yule in running, he passed all competitors with the greatest ease. C. Ticehurst won the walking match easily, and Jabez Luxford carried off the £lO given for tilting. There were a number of your people in for that event, but Luxford beat them all, having a townsman, named Hugh Blair, for second. One of Mr, C. Dixon’s sons rode remarkably well, but his horse was much too spirited, for the exciting scene he had to pass through. Young Kirwan and Ticehurst rode well, but the same fault applied to them. From the great success which attended the tournament, 1 hear that it is the intention of the committee to give a prize of £23 next year, in order to encourage people training against competitors. As your space and my time is exceedingly limited upon the present occasion, I must curtail what I would under other circumstances, and for the sake of the friends of the successful competitors in Wairarapa have made a very full-description. You will, however, find full particulars in the Wellington papers. His Excellency the Governor has proceeded to Taupo, and from thence he will come to Wellington. The steamer Pioneer belonging to the Government and the barque Cambodia have been lost on the Mauakau bar. No lives lost.

There was a meeting yesterday evening forthe purpose of getting up an anniversary celebration at Osgood’s. A deputation of the Foresters attended offering their assistance. I hope it will be attended with success. I understand it is proposed to hand over the surplus funds of the Caledonian arrangement for the anniversary. If that is done, it cannot fail to be a great success. Most of your readers will be aware that Mr. Jeanes, the late accountant for the bT.Z.S.N. Company recently, was accused of embezzling he funds of his employers, and that he absconded. He has been apprehended in Auckland, and has arrived in Wellington by the steamer yesterday. The magistrate has remanded him for three days. Broad ‘bints are dropped of startling discoveries. We shall see.

'The Wanganui took a large number of excursionists to Wanganui on Monday evening. She ought to have returned this morning, hut has not yet put in an appearance. There was a very poor attendance at the ■Hutt market yesterday. Fifty store wethers sold at 8s 6d a head, and 300 others of the same species which were withdrawn .at the

time, changed hands privately, afterwards, at 8s each. A mob of 13 horses sold from £5 10s to £23. The entire horse, Oliver Cromwell, was bought in at seventy guineas. The s.s. Wanganui and Phscbc make trips to Canterbury on the 14th for the races. A case of most unjust persecution and dismissal of a well-known provincial Government officer has taken place of which the following are the brief particulars. Mr James Hamlin, interpreter to the Laud Purchase Department had a letter from the Superintendent a few days ago telling him that he was suspended from office pending an investigation info his conduct. On His Honor’s return to town, Mr. Hamlin sought an interview with him in order to have the investigation held, but was unable to meet him until to-day, when Ilia Honor told him that his services were no longer required, and gave as the reason for the dismissal that Mr. Hamlin had “ thwarted him in the Manawatu purchase.” No .investigation whatever was held and thus summarily liaslhe Province been deprived of the services of a most useful officer. I believe that Mr. Hamlin proceeds shortly to the Wairarapa district to effect negotiations for the purchase of native land for some private parties.