TOWN NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 58, 8 February 1868, Page 3

TOWN NEWS.

(from our own correspondent.) Saturday, February 1, 1868. You will be pleased ta hear that the SubCommittee of the Wellington, Hntt unci Wairarapa Railway have laid out a positive system for the collection of subscription, and in order to facilitate the collection of such each member of the Committee is furnished with a printed receipt or cheque book. These genftemen are persevering in their canvas in the respective portions alocated to them.' A portion of the Wainuiomata line was examined by Mr O’Neill, C.E., accompanied by Mr Sinclair on Tuesday pist. On Monday next the Engineer will start properly equipped to explore and report upon this line taking the route by Sinclair’s. This is done by order of the Committee and to satisfy several parties crying out that it will be a very easy line. The truth of this being ascertained or otherwise will of course set the matter at rest. I will forward you the result when the news comes to hand, which I expect will.be in a few days. Subscribers down here are wondering how the Wairarapa folks will come down with the one thing needful in aid of this kingThe Royal Reception Committee seem anxious all at once to co-operate with local committees, if there exists such a thing in Wellington to organise a show of some sort for the Duke of Edinburgh’s reception. It is thought that the greatest compliment that could be accorded to the Royal Duke would be to get a coach and four and relays of horses and at once and drive him to the open plain of the Wairarapa, where he could breath freely after being confined on board of ship. The only place spoken of as his royal residence is a awkward barn looking place at the back of the Governor’s one storey house. The Simonsen’s concerts are delighting the intelligent public. However there has been annoyances there both to the performers and the public—one by the rude and ignorant and otherwise by a pair of genteel cads, which has called forth the censure of the press. Had your Public Hall been erected they would have visited your district and the settlers would have enjoyed a treat.

Thursday Evening, 9 a.m. Since my last, things have been under the head of commotion here. The earthquake on Saturday morning if appearances and facts are to be relied upon have scared and given an anxious look to a goodly portion of the Wellingtonians, especially of the fair sex, has caused a considerable demand for restoratives. On Monday last the glass was so low that something fearful was dreaded. The steamers kept

their fires' so as to get up steam in case of need. The thoughtful storekeepers closed their doors and shutters at mid-day, and very wisely too, for there was surging up in the usual placid bay and through the rigging of the ships the foretaste of a storm. By good luck it was only of short duration, On Tuesday morning several of your neighbors and settlers looking somewhat tired, and as though they had been spending a night out and a clean wash after it, told a woeful tale of storm and wind in travelling over the Rimutuka, and of slips rendering the road impassable, ami thereby landing them in town at four o’clock in the morning instead of the afternoon, Blenheim has also come in for a full share of storm and rain, flooding the town some 18 to 24 inches higher than ever before within the knowledge of a white man and to make this worse a very considerable amount of damage was done, but happily no lives were lost.

The Ministry ffiave been re-ga2etted as members of the Executive Council. A levee will be held on Saturday. The usual Hutt Market was held on Wednesday, and largely attended by visitors from town and country. There were, however but few buyers, several lots of stock were put up, but the prices realised were not satisfactory. Horses sold from 30s to £l4 and £ls; sheep averaged 5s 6d each, and prices for cattle varied from £5 to £l4.

. The liberals of Wellington have been more than usually busy this week. The Reception Committee have been discussing the arrival of the Duke ofEdinburgh, but the arrival of the new Governor, Sir G. Bowen has for the present placed it in the shade. His Excellency arrived by the Kaikcura from Sydney on Tuesday afternoon as predicted by a few among the far-seeing townspeople here. All that could leave their work hied to the jetty, Volunteers trotting rifle in hand to the parade ground Mr Stafford betook himself to a small sailing boat and thus paid his first visit to the new Governor, By the way rumour hath it that the Premier and His Excellency did not exactly “ hit it,” and that they are not on the best of terms. Be this as it may, Mr Stafford kindly despatched a message that His Excellency would not land until nine o'clock the following morning, to the evident disappointment of a large concourse of people who had assembled to give him a hearty welcome.. As early as eight o’clock this morning people began to flock to the jetty and -at about half-past eight the various corps had mustered and a very respectable turn out it was. One cannot but appreciate that which is proper and useful, and too much praise cannot be given to; Captain Buckley and others for their valuable services, for had it not been for them, Wellington would have made but a “ sorry show.” Although nine o’clock was the hour named for the landing of our future Governor, it was eleven before the St Hilda came alongside the wharf. The following graphic account I clip from the “ Evening Post Nine o'clock on Wednesday morning was the time named for Sir George Bowen’s entry into the capital of New Zealand, as the future Governor of the colony, and there was a large attendance of the community to give Her Majesty’s representative a loyal welcome. The volunteers —Artillery, Rifles, Verorans, and Cadets—mustered strong on the Reclaimed Land, under Captain MBarnett, and their martial bearing was a credit to Wellington. The ships in harbour were decorated with flags, and those lying alongside the wharf were crowded with spectators, anxious to obtain a sight of the new Governor, who comes amongst us so well accredited, and to whose judgment and ability are confined the welfare of the lend of our adoption. Although nine o’clock was the hour named for the debarkation, It was eleven when his Excellency landed from the St. Hilda steamer on the wharf, receiving a salute from Her Majesty’s sloop-of-war Falcon, the yards being manned; and when the Falcon had ceased firiug the Volunteer Artillery gave Sir George Bowen a loud welcome, from their brazen-throated field pieces, the gunners acquitting themselves to the satifaction of the Hon. Major Richardson, who officiated as Defence Minister, in the absence of Col. Haultain.

As His Excellency landed, he was received with demonstrations of respect, the spectators cheered, the line companies of volunteers presented arms, and the band struck up the National Anthem. The Governor, who was followed by Captain Percival and several of the officers of the man-of-war, passed through the line of volunteers were then marched down to the domain, where they formed line, the artillery in rear, andJHis Excellency’s accompanied by the Hon. E. W. Stafford, the Hon. Major Richardson, His Honor the Judge, anil Mr. Poster Goring having red His Excellency’s commission, His Honor administered the oath of allegiance, the Union Jack was hoisted, a salute fired, and the volunteers presented arms. His Excellency then called for three cheers for the Queen, which were cordially given, as were also three cheers more for Her Majesty’s representative. The ranks were then closed, the men were marched off, and so the ceremony ended. Previous to the dismissal of the different corps, Major Richardson, on behalf’of His Excellency, thanked the men for their attendance, and complimented the corps on the creditable manner in which they had turned out. After all this scene, a few interested in the reception of the Prince attended a meeting of ratepayers convened by the Town Board in reference to the voting of £SOO out of the rates for decorative purposes, &c., a stormy debate arose and it was quite in keeping with the late weather, the smallest rate-payer making the loudest noise. The proposition was rejected. Mr C. O’Neill, with Mr Sinclair’s sons and two men may be expected through on your side on Sunday next, and most likely will pay you a visit when you w fii know the results before us down here,)