LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 56, 25 January 1868, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Public Hall.—A meeting of the Committee took place last evening, when the following shareholders were unanimously elected trustees, viz., Messrs G. Beetham, T, Kcrapton, jun., and W. R. Hastwell. Resolutions were agreed to as to the monies in hand and also respecting the purchase of the half-acre. The Secretary then laid before the Committee a plan of the Hall received from B. Smith, Esq., of Wellington, which met with approbation. Now that the vexed question of site is settled, we trust that the Committee will not be lax in their exertions, and that their efforts will he rewarded with success.

Overland Communication with Napier.— Mr Hastwell, and Mr. A. Peters the proprietor of the Napier Cobb’s Coaches, which run as far in this direction as Porangahau, are now in communication with the intention ofuniting Wellington with Napier by the overland route Mr Hastwell is perfectly prepared to run his coaches to meet those of Mr Peters at Porangahau, as soon as the road between Masterton and that place is made anything like passable. We need hardly enlarge on the necessity or advantage of such a route, and we congratulate the settlers along the line on the fact that the matter has been taken in hand by two gentlemen whose enterprise and energy will not allow any small difficulties to turn them from their important purpose. Crown Lands Sale.— lt will be seen by an advertisement elsewhere that several large blocks of land in the Wairarapa and other districts will be offered for sale at the Crown Lands Office, Wellington on Thursday the 27th February next. Plans of the block can be seen at the Crown Lands Office after the 15th proximo.

Provincial Executive.— We understand that E. Pearce Esq., one of our Provincial Executive leaves for England by the next Panama Steamer,

Attempted Suicide.— Yesterday (Friday morning) a man of the name of Richardson, the landlord of the Waingawa Ferry House, attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. It appears that the unfortunate man had been drinking hard for some time and was suffering from its effects when he committed the rash act. Drs. Spratt and Smith were promptly in attendadce and the latter gentleman put tree stitches in the neck leaving a breathing space Dr. Smith informs us that the throat was very severely cut, the razor coming within a hair’s space of the jugular vein and carotid artery. 'When he left the patient was calm and perfectly sensible; he was able to swallow, and there are hopes of his recovery, the only danger being the probability of inflamation supervening. Accident. —We have received the meagre details of an accident which happened yesterday to a man on Mr Hume’s station. It appears that a dray load of wool passed over his abodmen as he lay on the ground. Further particulars we cannot give until the return of the medical man (Dr. Spratt) who went to attend him, and who had not come back up to the hour of our going to press. We have been informed that there was a rumour that the person injured was a native named Hone, but our informant cannot vouch for its authenticity. Flood. —Greytown was visited with a rather severe flood on Monday last, owing to the overflow of the Waiohine river. Damages to a certain extent were done, among which we may mention that the new line of road to Mr Udy’s has been completely cut up. The road was still in the hands of the contractors. Another Case of Horse Stealing. —This crime is now unfortunately becoming too common. On the 21st at Featherston, James Houder alias Morris was brought before H. S, Wardell, Esq., R.M., charged with stealing one bay gelding, the property of Mr. G. F, Smith of the Wainuioru, and was committed to take his trial at the next criminal sitting of the Supreme Court at Willington.

New Paper.— We have received a prospectus of a new Weekly Paper that will he started “down south" next month, entitled the ‘‘Tuapeka Times." We wish its proprietors every.success..' ‘ , . Native Land Court.— A sitting of the Native Land Court is Gazetted to take place ia Grey town on the 11th, March.

Tte Wairarapa Railway.—We understand that a meeting will shortly be called in the Wairarapa for the purpose of receiving subscriptions from those desirous of promoting this scheme at which time the names of those willing to subscribe will be received. Several members of the provisional committee have been authorised to receive money throughout the district to cover the preliminary expenses.

Gold Prospecting in the Wairarapa.— We have constantly heard statements made in this district that “ so-and-so ” found gold in a certain place and it would certainly turn out a payable gold-field if properly prospected. If any of those who have made such statements or others who have such evidence as would lead them to believe in the existence of gold in any part of the district will forward to us at this office such facts as lead them to arrive at that conclusion, we will take care to torward the information to Mr Grove, who has lately been prospecting at Makara. We are in a position to say that Mr Grove will bring up a .prospecting party if any inducement offers.

The Waiohine Riveb. —This river, which is the bugbear of the district it honors with its presence, and, indeed it is rather fond of paying eratic visits to localities where its presence is far from welcome, has again broken down its banks and run into Kempton’s creek. If something is not doneand at once it is very probable that consider .able damage _ will ensue. We recommend this to the notice of the Engineer and Authorities. Telegraph.—The Telegraph wires are now stretched as far as Castle Point and the tender for continuing them to Porangahau has been accepted. We may expect, in about two months to have the line opened to Napier, thanks to the energies and ability of the Superintendent of the work, Mr Rees.

Sdltan. —The raffle for the Arab entire Sultan took place on Wednesday evening at the Greytown Arms and Jwas won by Mr Hammerich. The winning throw of 46 was made early in the raffle; £3O was offered for it and refused.

Geettown Road Boaed. —A meeting of this Beard took place yesterday, two lines of iroid were ageeed on. one in accordance with a request of Mr Trotter and the other through the land known as Johnstons section.

Carterton Road Board.—This Board met, at Carterton on Monday last, when Mr G King’s tendei was accepted for Carter’s line a the rate of £2 17s 6d per chain.

The Case of Fanny Glover.—Our readers will remember that a petition was got up here some months ago and very numerously signed praying for a remission of the sentence of nine : months imprisonment passed on Mrs. Glover. The petefion was forwarded to Mr. George Crawford who laid it before the proper authorities. The following unfavorable reply ■has been received.

Colonial Secretary’s Office Judicial branch), Wellington, 15th January, 1868. Sib, — I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Stafford, to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 16th November last, fowarding a petition from certain inhabitants of the Wairarapa praying that the clemency of the Crown may be extended to the prisoner Fanny Glover, that the petetion having been referred to his Honor the Judge for his remarks, and the judicial Officer and Visiting Justices having been called on to report on the condition of the prisoner, the Government is informed of no circumstance which would warrant the granting of the prayer of the petitioner.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant.

E. J. Fountain, For the Assistant Law Officer. G. Crawford, Esq. Wellington. Horse Stealing. —The following is the 'account of the horse stealing case from Greytown as reported by the “Independent”— Edwin Miller was placed in the dock to answer the charge of stealing a horse, a saddle •and bridle the property of Mr Field, of Waihenga. Prosecutor, who is a bricklayer by trade, stated that having engaged prisoner to work for him as a laborer, he furnished the latter with a gelding, a saddle, and bridle (it being Christmas time), and both rode to Greytown together. Upon reaching Fuller’s both horses were hitched up to a fence, and witness went into the house. While in there, be saw prisoner lend one horse to >Samuel Perkins, and mount the other horse himself, both going away together. Witness did not take much notice of the circumstance, thinking they were going for a ride. Perkins brought back the horse which had been let to him; but .prisoner did not return his, and witness had •not seen it since. Cross-examined by prisoner: The terms of your engagement were that I sheuld pay you 6s a day, and furnish you with a horse to ride on when I wanted you to work. I was intoxicated on the 27th December. I have remarked to you at different times that after I have been intoxicated I do not remember what I did while I was in that state. I did not say in Fuller’s bar that I would lend the horse to Perkins. After . some further confirmatory evidence theprisoner was committed to take his trial at the next criminal sessions. The Golden Trowel which is to be -esented to the Duke of Edinburgh, when he completes his last public act in Victoria by laying the memorial stone of the gravingdock at Williamstown, has just been completed by Messrs. Kilpatrick and Co., of Collins-street, and it is certainly a very remarkable piece of ornament, the Victorian Anns standing in doomed relief, beautifully enamelled in colours, surrounding which is engraved four of our Australian flora—the (Asplenium _ fabellifolium, Correa speeiosa, Gleichenia dicarpa, and Geranium dissectum) Rising from the blade and forming an admirable and graceful connexion with the handle is a cluster of fem fronds. The handle itself is a remarkable as well as excellent result of the goldsmith’s art. Its pattern, including tridents and anchors in bold relief, surronnhed by rope borders, and between them enamelled laurels, is clasped by the Galatea’s pennant, which twines gracefully from top to bottom. On either side, and pinned on the laurel, is the letter A, and the handle is terminated with dolphins, surmounted by the coronet of a Royal Duke. This is a triumph of jewelry. “Fleur de lis” and Maltese crosses show well against the crimson enamel of the cap, and the ermine enamel in its tarn assists the circle of diamonds and rubies which surrounds the coronet, and give an admirable finish to the design. The weight of the trowel is between forty and fifty ounces, designed and manufactured by Messrs. Kilpatrick aad Go. The blade has on iis obverse the following incription:—“ This trowel was used by H.R.H. Prince Alfred, when laying the memorial-stone of the Alfred, Graving Dock, Wiffiamstown, Victoria, Jennary 4, 1868 and on its reverse is a plan of the docks, the names of the Governor and members of the present Ministry, together with those of Mr. Wardell, the inspectorgeoeral of public works, and of his assistants. “ Australia?J» Dec, 4. [We may mention that the Mr. Wardell refered to is the brother to H. S. Wardell Esq, R. M.]