TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 28, 15 July 1867, Page 3

TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

(From our own Correspondent.)

The news from hence will ho extremely interesting’ to your readers. “It never rains but it pours.” The truth of the adage has been illustrated and proved in more senses than one. We had here a hail storm on Wednesday morning which made noise enough on our galvanized roofs to make others besides idiots and lunatics believe that the world was coming to an end. Fortunately it was soon over.

Parliament was opened on Tuesday with the accustomed formalities. The Hutt had to supply the band and the Hutt and Porirua Volunteers the guard of honor, the town it seems being deficient in both. The following excellent summary ofthe speech is given by the “ Evening Post: —”

His Excellency spoke of his visit, to the other parts of the colony, the loyalty with which he had been received, and the gratification it gave him to witness the rapid progress made by the colony generally. 1 He congratulated them on the re-establish-ment of peace generally throughout the North Island 1 and stated that’he did not anticipate in future any systematic or sustained hostility to the Queen’s authority. Having, during the recess, journeyed through the North Island, and native districts for some time past deemed unsafe to enter, he everywhere found the embers of disaffection dying out, and was received by the Maori population in such a manner as to inspire confidence in the future peace of the country. His Excellency recommended for consideration a measure for the conversion of Provincial Stock, with a view to placing the securities of New Zealand on such a footing that they may be more advantageously dealt with than is at present possible, and to maintaining and improving our credit in the Money Market. . As this part of her Majesty’s dominions would probably be shortly visited by the Duke of Edinburgh, His Excellency gave early’ intimation of its probability, as all her Majesty’s subjects would desire to make the best possible preparations for the reception of one of her Majesty’s sons, and to show how sincere and earnest was their attachment to the Sovereign. Since last session, Government had earnestly applied themselves for the preparation of a measure for the establishment of local selfgovernment throughout the country, and would shortly submit it to Parliament. Bills for increased representation for the mining population on the West Coast Gold Fields, and for the improvement of the existing law in relation to Friendly Societies would be submitted.

At an early date his Excellency would appoint a lloyal Commission to enquire and report on the best mode of instituting a general penal establishment for the colony. His Excellency having concluded the delivery of his speech retired. The notices of motion given on Tuesday were comparatively unimportant Mr Stafford has moved for the appointment of a Select Committee relative to the reporting and printing of the debates, and I should recommend that your two articles on the subject should be laid ■before it. The Government Printing

Office is the great obstacle to the attainment of the end the Govenment wish to arrive at. I was present an Tuesday when the Wharfinger attempted to take forcible possession of the wharf extension. The proceedings were a perfect farce, with just sufficient of the appearance of the tragic to give them a zest. Shortly after eleven Mr Kennard with twenty-two fellows who had been picked up for the occasion made a stand in front of the fenco-which shuts out the extension from the remainder of the wharf. Shortly after, Spinks and Borlase made their appearance accompanied by two stalwart fellows with hummers and crow-bars. On their arrival they were addressed by Mr Kennard who told them he would order into custody any one who stepped on the extension which was the property of his firm. One of the stalwart fellows made the attempt, a'.’ scuffle ensued, and the stalwart fellow was taken into custody. On being taken befere the Magistrate, the tables were turned, and the complainant was transformed into defendant, and eventually fined Is. An appeal was entered, and the farce terminated, which may yet prove tragical enough to Wellington and the Province.

The Nathan Juvenile troupe are in town playing to full houses, and are worthy of the patronage they receive. A benefit is to be given to Mr Osgood by the Empire Dramatic Corps, and from the well-merrited popularity of that gentleman, I have no doubt he will get a crowded house.

The Bishop of New Zealand preacned on. Sunday in the Cathedral prior to his departure for England. In the evening the Cathedral was so crowded that hundreds could not gain admittance. The Bishop of Wellington’s extremely long address to the Synod excites no general interest. The Licensing Amendment Act, as well as the other Acts you mentioned, has been disallowed. This is owing to the slovenly manner the province is governed. What new-comers call a smart; shock of an earthquake was said to be felt here on Tuesday morning, but it really does not deserve that title. Great fears were for a long time entertained of the safety of the s.s. Taranaki, she having been long over-due and no information having been heard of her whereabouts. The s.s. St Kilda was despatched in search of her. On Tuesday morning she arrived in harbor and was greeted with hearty cheers. It is creditable to human nature and extremely gratifying to see the sympathy thus exhibited on this occasion, A slight accident to some of the machinery was the occasion of the delay. The Directors of the N.Z.S.N. Company have chosen Mr Bishop, Chairman, but they have not yet agreed who shall be their manager. They advertise for a gentleman of nautical experience to act as Marine Superintendent. His Honor the Superintendent returned from his unsuccessful mission to Manawatu on Saturday last.

The address in reply to His Excellency's speech was moved on Wednesday evening by Mr. Cox of Timaru, seconded by Mr. Waring Taylor. As usual it was a mere echo of the speech. The debate which ensued was of very little public interest and was ultimately adjourned until Thursday evening. The Taranaki brought a report of another outrage at Opotiko, which has been thus reported to the “ Independent.” —When at Tauranga, the s.s. Taranaki was in company with the Government s.s. Sturt, and a report was made by Captain Fairchild that Mr Bennett White, who, it will be remembered, gave the most conclusive evidence against the murderers of Mr Fulloon, had been brutally murdered decapitated,, and his head carried about in triumph. It was further said that a native mailman had also been murdered, and that the Arawas were anxious to proceed in search of the rebels, but were not permitted to do so pending orders from the Government. The atrocities must have been committed some days ago, as Captain Fairchild of the Sturt, previous to meeting the Taranaki had proceeded to Auckland under hopes of meeting his Excellency the Governor, andonly returned to Tauranga on finding H.M.s. Charybdis had jailed for Wellington.