LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 218, 17 January 1861, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

JV e understand that a prize Badge and 140 Z, given by Government, are to be shot for by the volunteers throughout the colony on the Queen’s birthday. . The Weather. —The southerly gale, which began on the night of Monday, the 7th inst., and blew with great violence till 7'hursday, has done a great amount of damage in this neighbourhood. The natives np. the river speak,of it as having reached inland : about twenty miles, and as having injured their crops spray from the sea having, so far away from the shore, produced the same desolation as in the vicinity of the town. He re, the whole of the trees and hedgerows exposed to the blast, have their leaves withered as if they had been exposed to a scorching heat, and it is very unlikely that the little fruit which still remains on the fruit trees will attain its proper size. Potatoes and other vegetables, and even.grass, appear scorched and blackened, and all flowers have been destroyed. 7'ha grain crops have, not been so n much injured from the -grains being shaken out as might have been anticipated, as the salt spray moistened and swelled them, so that they did not fall out as they would have done had-a dry wind shrivelled them up; but wherever the corn is long and strong in the stalk it has been beaten about until either the ears have been stripped or the stalks have been broken, so that the swelling of the grain is now entirely stopped. Nome farmers speak of having lost half of their crops; others; a fourth; and a few anticipate the almost total loss of what has cost so many months of painful anxiety and labour. The loss in the district may be estimated as certainly not less than £SOOO. At Purakina, the damage was more partial, and as there is not a very large breadth of | ; land under grain this year there, it will not

fall so-heavily on individuals as in this nejg],. bo'uriiood/' Gardens aiid 'orchards' Have su f. fered there as here. ■

/n the Rangitikei, where there is a more than usual extent of land under tillage this season, the gale has not.been productive 0 f so much damage. The wind seems .not.-to have been: so high, and did not carry along with it the moisture .from the sea which has desolated this part of the country. But. the Rangitikei river came down in great 'force, having been higher than any of the natives or settlers remember to have seen it; and we regret to hear that it= carried aWay Mr. Thos. Scott’s store, and damaged considerably his grain crops. No doubt others will have suffered from its encroachments, but we have as yet heard of no other serious damage having been sustained. Six Maori horses were also drowned The Turakina and Wangaehu rivers were also very high, so that there must have, been a very heavy fall of rain in the interior. . ’The wind lulled considerably on Friday, and Saturday/'and Sunday were' quiet; but on Monday a north-westerly wind set in, with heavy, showers, and continued during Tuesday to blow with considerable violence. Book Club. —We beg to call attention to the advertisement of the Book Club, which Mr. Jones has had the enterprise to set afoot. It ought to succeed, for lie lias made a very good choice of books—many of the principal works.of 'merit published during the last two years in the departments of History, Biography, Travels, and Light Literature being included, beside other works of a more abstract character. We recognize also some old friends, such as “ Friends in Council,” 4*c., wliicli will no doubt be as much appreciated here as at home. There'was need of a library of this kind, and we have no doubt that heads of families will gladly avail themselves: of this opportunity of introducing into their domestic circles leading of a more wholesomedtind than has yet been .accessible here. The low rate of payment (certainly not an index of the quality of the books furnished) ought to be an additional reason for this praiseworthy attempt to benefit the community being widely encouraged.

ADJOURNED MEETING ON LOCAL AFFAIRS. .. . A meeting was held on the evening of the 10th inst., at the Commercial Hotel, to hear the report of the deputation appointed at the meeting of the sth inst. to wait on the ./Superintendent as to various local improvements. Mr. Watt was called to the chair, and called on Mr. Geo. Roberts to read the report, which was to the following effect: 1. The first subject laid before the Superintendent was the establishment of a Local Board, in which might be vested the town property, and which might have authority to carry on the various works necessary for the improvement of the town, //is Honor having listened with the greatest attention to the statements made, suggested that the several acts having reference to this subject which have been passed by the Provincial Council, —as. for instance, the Local Boards act, the Street Drainage act, and the Town ■ Protection act, —should be carefully studied, so as to ascertain how fur'these acts would embrace the objects desired to be attained; that these acts should be adopted so far as they did so ; and that such additions should be made to them as might be found necessary; promising, that on a draft of the various provisions desired being forwarded to the Provincial Council through the representatives of the district, immediate attention would be given to. it as a measure both important and necessary, and one to Which his Honor was favourable.

2. The second matter brought under the Superintendent’s notice was the encroachment of the river upon the town. So fully was his Honor impressed with the absolute necessity of at once arresting its progress, that he promised that on his return to Wellington he would send up the Provincial Engineer forthwith, or as soon as possible, and, on receiving his report, would cause the sum of £SOO to be placed upon the estimates for this object; and should the Provincial Council not pass it, he would on his own responsibility advance £3OO, so that the work might be commenced immediately—? the money to be put into the hands of a committee (to be appointed by the inhabitants), that may see to its being judiciously expended. The Deputation, in their here expressed their opinion, that his/Tonor had acted even more liberally than could have been expected, considering the gratuitous abuse to which he had been subjected for spending the public money on his own responsibility. No one surely could call in question the necessity of the expenditure in this case, where the site of a town was endangered; but, nevertheless, it would be well -for the inhabitants to make application for the money needed by memorial. 3. The Deputation then brought forward the subject of the Bridge. They were informed by his Honor, that a disagreement had p.yisen between the Provincial Engineer and the contractor, consequent on an alteration of the plan after the bridge bad been commenced ; that he had proposed to refer the dispute to arbitration, but that the contractor would not accede to this proposal; that since his arrival in town he had seen the contractor, and made two propositions to him, —either that he should be paid for the timber, plant, and work done, with £3OO additional as compensation for being, released from his engagements ; or that he should go on with the.work in accordance wijth the on the original plan, receiving £IOOO in addition to the sum at which the original contract was taken. The Deputation-considered these proposals yery reasonable. 4. The next matter was the approach to

the ferry on the south sideand his Honor promised to grant one year’s rent, of the ferry to be applied to its. improvement, in accordance with the recommendations of a committee, to be appointed to take the necessary steps in the matter.

5. The Deputation then referred to the town reserves. His Honor considered the first step necessary in respect to them was to apply to the Governor for a Crown grant. On receipt of the grant he would be quite willing to hand these reserves over to the Local Board pro posed to be appointed. In respect to the racecourse, his Honor suggested that an act, should be brought into the Provincial Council, similar to the Hutt Racecourse act, by which its management might be vested in a committee, to be appointed'by the inhabitants. His Honor was also of opinion, that a portion of the reserve on the other side of. the river should be sold, and the proceeds-applied to defraying the additional expence of the bridge. 6. With regard to the public Stockyard and Pound on the left side of the river, his Honor is to cause it to be proclaimed, on the understanding that Mr. A. Green will perform the duties of Poundkeeper, receiving the poundage fees as his salary. 7. The river pilotage was the last matter brought under his //onor’s He considered that it was the duty of the pilot to take vessels up and down the river, and to berth them, when required to do so by the Pilotage committee, as well as to buoy the river. He was willing to advance a small sum, with which to obtain stakes for this last purpose.

On the report being read, Mr. Hales, the contractor for the bridge, stated, that he had accepted the Superintendent’s first proposal. Mr. T. B. Taylor then proposed, and Mr. George seconded, a vote of thanks to the Superintendent, for the kind and courteous manner in which be had received the deputation, as well as for the handsome way in which he had complied with their requests. The motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting separated.

RANGITIKEI.

PLOUGHING MATCH

The long talked of competition in Ploughing between Mr. Alexander, JTanganui, and Mr Richard Hammond, Rangitikei, came off at the latter gentleman’s farm on New Year’s day. This being the first match in the district the novelty attracted a goodly number of spectators, amongst whom were to be seen some of the fair sex. The competition was a spirited one, and although the land was not in firstrate order, both ploughmen performed their work in a masterly style ; so much so, that the judge. Captain Blewitt, —who had no little difficulty iii awarding the order of merit,— took the opportunity,-after the spectators and competitors left, to examine the work and form his decision ; and after a very minute inspection lie decided that Mr. Alexander was the besc of the two. During the day Mrs. Hammond let none want for the good things of this life. The Dinner. The first Ploughing Match in the Rangitikei could not possibly have taken place without having a dinner to celebrate the event, and timeous notice having been given to mine host of the Rangitikei Arms, that gent, and his good lady had a splendid spread by six o’clock that evening for the friends of Mr. Alexander and Mr. Hammond,—-the latter, as the unsuccessful competitor, having to pay the piper. Here again the valuable services of Captain Blewitt came to the assistance, and as chairman added much to the general hilarity of the party. He was supported on the right, by Messrs. Watt, Hammond, Gower, SfC., on the left by Messrs. E. Lewis, J. Treweek, &c Mr. Alexander did the duties of vice-chairman, and had on his right and lelt Messrs. Gower, senr., J. F. K-.dls, &e. &c On the removal of the cloth and the debris of an excellent dinner, the chairman gave in succession, “ the Queen,” “ the Prince Consort,” and “ other members of the Royal Family,”—all of which were received with applause. The “ Army and Navy,” by Mr. IV ’att; Captain Blewitt replied. Mr. Watt said, I again rise with the greatest pleasure to give you the health of Mr. Alexander, the successful competitor; he is in the proud position of being Champion of the first Ploughing Match held in this quarter, but. I would advise him to have a care, else lie may not always be at the head of the poll.

Mr. Alexander returned thanks, and continued, “ Gentlemen, before resuming my seat I would beg to propose the health of our worthy chairman, to whom we are all so much indebted for the part he has taken in the day’s proceedings.” Captain Blewitt, in returning thanks, said, it always afforded him pleasure to meet the settlers of Bangitikei. They had commenced the new year with a work which, if properly followed up, would be a great benefit, not only to this district, but he. might say to the whole country. It would be a stimulus to the young men to excel in the art, and materially go far to assist in opening up the fastnesses of our adopted country. The district cannot but feel indebted to Messrs. Hammond and Alexander for the start they have this day given the good work, and lie sincerely hoped the settlers would see it their duty, and to their advantage, to adopt measures for having an annual Ploughing Match. . After a song, Captain Blewitt gave the health of Mr. Hammond, the unsuccessful competitor. It was at all times a sorry business to tell a man of his baekslidings. He might, however, tell Mr. H. that lie never knew a successful competitor who was not in something at first an unsuccessful one ; and he believed it.did men as well as dogs a deal of good to -be ‘ licked ’ at the outset, (daughter.)!

i Mr. Hammond replied withFmueh spirit, and after the drinking of- sever-hl other toasts, and the singing of-some capital songs, the party broke up much pleased -with the whole day’s proceedings. ; :

THE RACES; il; : We have much pleasure in referring to this event. : - 1 “-i-.v' When 'the settlers of the country and outlying districts-of the Province originate amusements ; when, they can set apart days for play and no work ; ami when in fact they have arranged to keep annual fete days, we may conclude the Rubicon is passed, .and that the first and great difficulties jof settling and “roughing it” have been overcome, and that the peopie have not only . made up their minds to spare the time for enjoyments but that they, have secured and provided that necessary concomitant to all, amusements—- ‘‘ The’Siller.”, Daniel’s Flat presented a gayi, and" thronged appearance on the morning of the 2nd inst.; about 400 equestrians English and Maori, having assembled to witness the sport. The Gentlemen who acted as Stewards, were Major Trafford, Capt. Blewitt, Mr. Biggs, and Mr. L. Daniel.

The first race, a Pony race, for a Plate value<£ 10 10s., presented by Capt. Daniel, together with a Sweepstakes of ■' 2 guineas each. This was contested race, and, was won by a Pony ridden by Stevens. We are unable to give further particulars. 2nd Race. —At race 1| /.mile heats —8 horses were entered for this race, Which was won by the Maori horse, Peka, the property of the iVgatiraukawa Chief, Wt Pukapuka; Capt. Deighton’s horse, “ Swinger,” coming in second. It is but right lo remark that “ Peka” well deserved the prize—lie - would shine with more brilliant competitors. 3rd Race.-—Hurdle Race over four Hurdles, distance about 2 miles—heats. 7 entries.

This after the Pony Race was the race of the day, and clearly showed the stuff the Rangitikei Jockies are made of,. no, flinching, no professional diddling ; but downright.hard riding; they meant it, and no.mistake. At it they went 6 abreast up to the Ist hurdle ; when Johnny Scott came down “jwhop,”—a regular header ; but the rest had neither time or inclination for sympathy, and Mr. Fraser rode “ Captain ” home a winner, as gamely as many more. experienced Jockies. Mr. Fraser’s Captain ,11 Ratana’s Pukataul.iaki , 22 4th Race—Flat Race I 5 mile, heats. 6 horses started for this race, which was won, both heats, by Mr. //ills’ “ Eunuch ;” Hakopa’s Z/akopa, coming in second. All honor is due to Capt' Daniel for encouraging such’opportunities for /recreation for the support he gave with his purse, and in kindly permitting the use of his property. In conclusion we must observe the very good feeling prevailing between: the Amative and European race. We trust the mysteries of politics may never be employed to alter or disturb it in any way. . :

Sale of Cattle and Houses. —Messrs. Taylor, Watt, and Co. held a sale on the 2nd, which was largely attended. A considerable number of cattle were sold, and.brought failprices; 20 fat bullocks were sold at £8 10s; per head, and several lots of heifers and steers £5 to £'s 10; a lot of young, sfeers brought £3 15s. No horses were disposed of, but. several ponies changed hands at <£2o to £23 each.

iv LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Wanganuiy Jan. lltli, 1831. Sib, —I waited for some time in hopes that' some more able jvriter thau..myselfi would expose in the columns of the Chronicle r great grievance,—l allude to the . Military system under which we have unfortunately: fallen, owing to the insane policy of the. Governor and his advisers. When the Volunteers and Militia force were first embodied all that, was said to be required was a little dr,ill, to teach them to act in concert and to learn them to become good marksmen—the latter appears to have been forgotten, while the former is conducted so, that nearly all are disgusted with it; it is calculated to turn the'men into unthinking machines, crushing out their indivi duality of character, under a blind .unintelligent obedience. Ignorance and want of thought are the grand supports of tliat discipline which requires passive obedience, and is more heavy, galling, and restrictive in its action than any civil despotism which tyrants have ever attempted to impose upon the world. When danger was supposed to be imminent people came readily forward to take upon themselves the irksome duty of learning the use of arms, now all are re-assured, and also ready in case of need, and apparently the only use for the volunteers and militia now, is to find employment and amusement to certain friends and supporters of the Stafford ministry, who are well paid for what they do—which is to superintend the drill of the men and plan something outre in clothing. I ask, Mr. .Editor, if that is the way to make these corps really useful? Ought not all dandyism to be discarded? If fighting came we should go to work as- do Garibaldi’s men, in serge shirts and cheap, but serviceable, nether garments, —not white ones, which may please some Military Martinet, and make a show on the parade ground. !K I ' J I now remind the Electors : of Wanganui that “ the people under God, are the origin of all just power;” ami “I trust that they will send a representative that will try every means to alter the present state of, affairs. ' Spkro'Met.iora.

- WELLINGTON. • ' . * ; F _ (From our own Correspondent.) Mom lay morning, January 14th. , When I wrote last Monday, little did I imagine, that we were to have such" a week. Wellington has experienced one of the most severe south-easters ever known to the oldest inhabitants ; in fact, it was not a gale, but a perfect hurricane. / must refer you to the papers for full particulars. I am afraid tins gale has extended a great distance, and that We have not yet heard the worst. Captain Mundle, of the Snaresbrook, reports that it was most terrific off Port Cooper; only fancy his vessel drifting up in 20 hours under bare poles ! He had a narrow escape entering the harbour through the heavy fog, and had it not been for our splendid lighthouse ship and all would have been lost. Thanks to Dr. Featherston for this noble' undertaking, one of the best things he ever did ; this humane ami philanthropic act cannot fail to hand his name down to posterity. It is a curious circumstance that they experience gales in Otago twentyfour hours earlier than we' do, although only five degrees distant; perhaps some of your scientific friends in Wanganui can explain this phenomenon. We have bad a short visit from Sir /Jedmond Barry (not Edward, as stated in the papers), a Victoria Judge, brother toCapt. Barry, 65th regt. Although we have three printing offices here not a single Almanac has been published ; they have been shabby enough not even to issue a Sheet Almanac this year. Those issued at Zyttelt.on and Hawke’s Bay are very creditable, and have found an extensive sale in Wellington. Our Provincial Council have had another meeting; it is now getting beautifully less, and diminished to five in attendance, including the Speaker. The Cook and Screamer looked miserable, and had to adjourn to German Brown’s, to get a nobbier to revive their spirits. The Advertiser, Bowler’s newspaper, must he hard up for mater when it attacked the /Superintendent for not being in attendance to receive the troops when landing, and not asking them all to dinner ; had it so happened that Dr. Featherston (who was in JFanganui) had been present at the time, Bowler and his renegade editor would not only have heartily abused him, but accused him of currying favor with the officers.' There is some talk of General Wynyard coming out as new Go vernor. I don’t believe it, and hope it may not be true ; it would be a bad look-out for New Zealand. We wish above all other things in a Governor a good moral .example set. Look at the General’s shameless land-jobbing, done in the most barefaced manner. He is a man' of no ability whatever; although Mr. Gibbon Wakefield, used to talk about his elastic step, he appears to me a great overgrown pumpkin. We have had a novelty introduced here in shipping affairs; a new law, it seems, has passed, which prevents vessels leaving the colony without paying the accounts. Foreign attachments have been granted by Judge Johnston to detain the Acasta and Thames City. Unless the parties who have obtained these writs cau well substantiate their claims it will be a serious affair, as it is no joke laying vessels up to the middle of d/areh before: the cases can be tried ; such a risk I should; not like to incur, unless I could satisfactorily! establish a just claim owing. The principle is good at bottom, and I consider it a boou to the commercial community. The Lord Ashley arrived at 12 o’clock Saturday night. She left Nelson on Tuesday; Captain Kennedy had to anchor at Gore’s Bay; he says he never experienced such dreadful weather; brings news from the seat of war. lam told that after the pa was taken, a letter was found in it addressed to Kingi from one of the most friendly Maoris, a native assessor at New Plymouth, divulging all our plans, as well as giving hints how to act; this worthy was safely lodged in jail, and is / suppose by this time shot as a traitor. The Maoris assured Mr. Wilson that they were determined to fight the soldiers; and Captain Kennedy believes that when he left they were hard at work again, as he heard the sound of heavy guns. I am sorry to announce that, contrary to expectation, Domett and Stafford have been returned for Nelson, beating Robinson the Superintendent; Domett headed the poll. Stafford .waited the result of the Nelson election before he issued the Auckland writs; so, in the event of his defeat, he intended to stand for the metropolis. Stafford has come down by the Zord Ashley to Nelson, to return thanks to his constituents. The writs for Wanganui and Piangitikei are come by this mail, and the elections are to take place early. Major Richardson, /Speaker of the Otago Provincial Council, who went, up to present the petition to the Governor to remove the Superintendent, Mr. Mcandrew, has returned, bringing with him Dr. Knight, auditor-general, who is deputed by the Governor to investigate the charges brought against A/cAndrew, and report. Amongst the losses that occurred during the heavy gale, I hear that Mr. Ludlam, at the Zfutt, lost five very superior ewes,t Southdown, which he imported from England at an expence of nearly JE4OO. The Wild Duck from London is anchored outside the heads—passengers all well. Gillies and Dick, staunch provincialists, have been returned for Dunedin.

P.S.—I have just ascertained that the Governor has refused the memorial to dissolve the Provincial Council, on the ground that it was informal, in not being forwarded official!) through the Superintendent. The Canterbury petition for dissolution is to be investigated by Dr. Knight before any steps are taken. A signal is up for a brigantine from the northward..