LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 57, 1 February 1868, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Attempted Suicide —The unfortunate man Richardson under the care of Doctor Smith, is progressing favorably and there is every hope of his recovery. Humpehet’s Road was finished by the contractor jesterday and is as creditable a p:ec; of road as has ever been completed in the district. It is 45 chains in length leading t > tlej Jr.derbill Ro.\d. For a first class piece of work it deserves a visit being alike a credit to the contractor and the Road Roard. Moeoa Road Boabd. — A meeting of this Foard took place on Monday last. The tenders fer falling and clearing the “ back line." of Bush leading from the Te Kopi Road towards Papawai were considered and that from Mr. Morris and D. Mclntyre at 19s fid per chain accepted.

Telegraph Station. —Messrs Pellett and Sourcy have obtained the 'contract for building the Greytowu Telegraph Office. The work is being got on with all despatch and will be completed on the Bth of March.

Masterton Cricket Club. This Club is industriously practising every evening and we may expect to hear of their sending a challenge to one of the other clubs in the valley.

The Waihenga Races. —The Waihetiga Races are appointed to come off on Thursday next, the 6th February.

Wellington Bookbinding. —Mr. Barrett of Wellington who has by punctuality and first class workmanship obtained a large support in Wellington, has now bought out his rival Mr. C. Bull and will still keep open that establishment at Thorndou together with his former one at Te Aro. Forgery.— A warrant was issued from Wellington for the arrest of a man named Boileau who had uttered a worthless cheque at the Hurt. The warrant fell into the hands of Constable Connor, of Featherston, on 'Wednesday last, when at the Upper Hutt He immediately started in pursuit, rightly-imagining that the suspected person had taken the Wairarapa direction, and was successful in catching him in Greytowu and lodging him in the lock-up. The prisoner was brought before H. S. Warded Esq. at Featherston yesterday and committed to Wellington. Great credit it due to Constable Connor for the promptness he showed in at once starting in pursuit, although exhausted at the time from having been already some distance in the saddle. Some recompense should be given by the government as an encouragement to the police fer the unusual and unexpected endurance and fatigue which has sometimes to be put up with by our country constables in the apprehension of prisoners. We could quote many instances of extraordinary personal courage shown by the country police for which they are not‘even thanked. We consider their occupation and arduous, badly paid, thankless and responsible one, and one in which they are liable to censure and dislike if they outstep the bounds of discretion allowed them in the protection of the public. We would point out that of the many crimes committed here or where prisoners have endeavored to escape through the Wairarapa, there is hardly an instance where the vigilance of the local police has not brought the prisoner to justice.

Temperance Meeting. —A meeting of the supporters of total abstinence was held at the Grcytown .School-house, on Thursday evening ia>t and although the notice given was very short there was a fair attendance. Mr E. M aiker was called to the chair. Mr Harding (of Napier), addressed the meeting and pointed out in a forcible address the injurious etfects of indulgence in alcohol to the human mind and body. The Rev J Ross spoke next on the same subject and urged the necessity of having laws passed restricting its use as much as possible. The Revd. J. Rishworth then eloquently pourtrayed the disastrous effects of intemperance in families, the heartbreaks and disturbances caused b\' it, and the immoral tone which it gave to a district in which it was carried oh. He regretted always to see that a small district could support a number of public houses, he hoped now to show they would do something practical, that those present would put down their names as the first members of a temperance society to he formed. After some other addresses had been made, several signatures were received and the meeting separated after a vote of thanks to the chairman.

A “Sell.”—We have received an account of rather an amusing “ sell” which "was perpetrated on two well-known Welliugtonians the other day, who had taken a walk out to Kaiwarrawarra to meet the coaches from the Wairarapa. It appears that our friends had made it all right with a river on the road that they were to have a ride into Wellington “ 0 n the cheap.” Not only that their money was not wanted, but the appearance of two extra passengers would give a good show of business and large custom as the coach rolled towards its destination through the streets of the Empire City. r i he coach came rapidly in view after they arrived in Kaiwarrawarra and they hailed it, it stopped and they took two vacant seats. As they proceeded along the picturesque road they beguiled the driver with thanking him fiir his kindness,—whatthat was he did not then know. They then proceeded to inform him there was nothing like competition. and that, if the enterprise at present shown were continued, Mr Ilastweil's line would soon be run off the road. The driver now saw “how the wind blew,” and perfectly agreed with them, capping their most biting sarcasms on his employer s head with traits of his diabolical and grasping character. The two gentlemen and the driver were the best of friends daring the short two miles into town and our friends in passing along the quay endeavored to look as if they had just come from a pleasure irip up the Wairarapa. All went well until to their surprise the coach stopped at Mr Willeston’s door, when one of oUr lovely innocents, we will not give his name, although it is by no means an unusual one, nor will we describe him, we might be complimentary—suppose we say, a man without a superfluity of nose, said to the driver “Th—This is not where you stop ?’* “Oh yes it is,” replied the driver, “ and this is Mr Ilastweil’s coach and I am Fred, Mr Hastwell’s whip, and I’H trouble you for half-a-crown a-piece.” We will not attempt to describe the look of blankdismay which overspread the countenances #f the deluded travellers—how they appealed to Mr Willeston, the coach agent—how he infoimed them that the coach never stopped under halt-a-crowu how they then protested they had no money and how finally on a threat of prosecoution for blaming rides under false pretences to say nothing of an action "for defiimation of character, they finally raised 5s between them in silver and copper, postage and receipt stamps. They left the bookingoffice poorer if not better and wiser men. ° Temperance Sermons.—According to the instructions of the General Assembly of the Presbyte ian Church of New Zealand anent intemperance, the Rev. J. Ross will (D.V.,) preach at Masterton on that subject to-morrow in the forenoon. We understand that the Rev. J Rishworth will preach at Masterton in ihe evening on the same subject.

.Wellington Jockey Club.—A meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club Committee took place on Tuesday, at Osgood's Empire Hotel, and it was arranged that the race meeting should take place on the 25th and2Gth March” Mr. A. 11. Hickson was then elected to be lion, secretary, and Mr. Cudby clerk of the coarse; and the following gentlemen were appointed stewards: Messrs- Eraithwaite, Borlara. Mclntosh, Major Turner, and Dr. W Ilford. Mr. W. Hickson was appointed judge, and Mr. G. Crawford, lion, treasure^. Eabthquake— We notice by the “Evening Post" that an earthquake was felt in Welli gton on Wednesday morning last, at 8 o’clock, stated to be the severest shake felt fir many years. A --light vibration was also felt throughout the Wairarapa on the same day and hour.

Militia and Volunteer Firing. —An alteration has been made in The time of the preliminary firing of competitors in'the Castle Point and Waifarapa districts. This change of the time is one which will materially tend to injure the scores of these troops and their chances of success in the colonial prize firing, as it curtails the anticipated time for practice ’so much.—The times will now he as follows: Castle Point Cavalry Volunteers on the Ist Feb. at Wharehama; Masterton Rifle Volunteers on the 10th Feb. at Masterton; Carterton Rifle Volunteers on the 11th Feb. ’at Carterton ; ireytown division of the Cavalry Volunteers and Greytown Rifle Volunteers on the 12 Feb. at Grey town; Featherston Rifle Volunteers On the 13th Feb. at Featherston; Masterton division of the Wairarapa Cavalry Volunteers at Masterton on Feb. Bth. There will be an adjutant’s parade at each place before the firing commences.

Masterton Temperance Meeting.—A Temperance Meeting will be held in Master ton on Monday evening next.

Wellington Gas Company.—An effort is being made in Wellington to get up a Gas Company. A meeting on the subject has been held in the Chamber of Commerce and plans brought from England by Mr C. R. Carter have been submitted. Nothing definite in the matter has been done as yet but some people express themselves as sanguine of the success of the undertaking.

Concert in GRevtown. —M. arid Madame Simonsen who haVe been delighting crowded Wellington audiences, intend paying a visit to Greytqwn on Monday evening next when they wdl give a concert in the School-house. We have ho doubt that these talented vocal performers will be largely patronised and that the many who took tickets hare lately-'for the anticipated Carandini Concerts will visit this performance, which will amply repay them for their former disappointments. The company consists of Madame Simonsen who is already so well known to many of-our readers as the Prima Donna of Lyster’s Opera company, and her husband who was conductor of the same company. They will be assisted by Miss Rebbecca Jones also late of Lyster’s Company and Mr G. F. Price. Mr' Eugene Artot is the pianist. Since the above was in type we learn that the Simonsehs 'have determined not to visit the district as intended. Anniversary Day at Rural Sports took place at Porirua on Anniversary day. The winners of the events were:—For the district Race Mr T. Bould’s Antidote Ist, andMr J Wall’s Widewake 2nd. For the Porirua Jockey Club Plate, Mr Fawns Balrownie Ist, -Mr A. Donald's Prince Edward 2nd For the Hurdle Race Mr P. Martin's Lady Killer walked over the course, the other horses refusing the hurdles. The Hack Race was won Mr A. Walker's Minnie Grey.

Wellington Artillery Volunteers. No 1 Battery of the W.A.V. were presented by the ladies of Wellington, represented by Miss Poole, with a handsome silver bugle mi Monday last. We hope that the Volunteers will follow the advice given on its presentation, viz:—‘ that it may be heard on many a future day, and on every auspicious occasion, to salute and welcome, as well as to call to duty.” Mr. Fox on Italy. —ln the speech made by Mr. Fox lately in reply to the toast proposing his health, he is reported to have made use of the following when speaking of Italy : —ln Italy we spent some five Or six weeks devoted for the most part to study the progress lately made under the free institutions of that country which had risen against the great despotisms of the world. Italy is now no longer a bundle of petty duchies, tyrants’ kingdoms, and papal prisons; but a free land — free from the foot of the Alps to the shores of Sicily (Cheers), and more than that, for now the magnificent territory of Venetia has also been handed over to form the brightest gem of that splendid crown of a United Italy. (Cheers). There you see none of those petty provincialisms (Hear, hear, and applause) which dismember a country—none of those discreditable hagglings of which and where is to be the seat of Government. (Laughter and cheers). The one—the present capital—was fixed and will remain that capital, till the last remnant will have been won, and without contention Florence will render up the claim to that city further south. (Cheers). • Wool Report by the Panama Mail.— The Panama Mail arrived by the tluahine at Wellington or. the 25th. The followingis the latest wool report as’quoted ‘l)y Messrs, Buxton and Hunter on the 30th November. The public sales of colonial wool which commenced on Nov. 14 have thus far proceeded without material change upon the opening rates. The following quantities have passed the hammer : —Sydney, 11,374 bales; Port Philip,-9,325 bales; Van Diemen’s Land, 976 bales; Adelaide, 1903 bales; New Zealand, 9112 bales; Cape, 26,015 bales; total, 58,704 bales. Of these perhaps 4800 bales have been withdrawn We must quote all fleece wool fully 2d. par lb lower than in September, and there are instances of 3d reduction. Grease 'wool is about U per lb lower. New Zealand have met with rather more favor and as a rule the reduction does not exceed 11- but the low and faulty sorts have been very difficult of sale. The general stagnation of trade for some time past is, of course, the immediate cause of the present'unfavorable position of our market, but it must’ not be supposed that any considerable rebound would necessarily follow even if manufacturers were more fully occupied. The truth is that the increase in the production of wool has been so rapid of late years that it has at last considerably exceeded the consumption; hence we see in all the markets immense stocks that will be carried over into the new year and keep down the prices of the new clips. This excess of production over consumption must have theeifeet of permanently lowering the value of the article, and it behoves operators in the colonies not To lose sight of this fact, or the result of the realisation of the next clip will be as unfavorable as the one now being sold.