THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. “Veriie sans peur” WANGANUI FEB. 13, 1862.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 281, 13 February 1862, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. “ Veriie sans peur” W ANGANUI FEB. 13, 1862.

This is the Auckland post-clay... VTe today answer letters received on the 23rd‘ January, three weeks ago. Next "Wednesday the mail. from. Auckland will arrive bringing letters up to the 7th inst., which must lie over for reply till the 13th of March, the answers being received in Auckland about 6 ■ weeks after the letters have left it. Is, this as it should be ? Is the monthly communication from Auckland to. be so conducted as, that Wanganui is to be continued in this, unfortunate - position-—the place' which Sir G. Grey has called the Key of this island ? If Bp alteration, can be coil- ’ veniently. made in the sailing of the steamers from Wellington—-two ortliree days’ delay in going north would answer the' purpose—surely .a special messenger might be ‘employed either to; bring up c ••dr-' take down the mail so tKiit the present delay might be avoided. A petition slioiiid be sent to the Postmaster General praying for an immediate remedy lor the grievance. The arrival of the Heron, has given us Auckland papers up to the 4th inst. The’ possibility of a collission Is gradually lessening.

There has been considerable discussion of late in the home papers, as to the mode by which the Volunteer force might be made really efficient. Great complaint is made of the imperfect drilling in general, but more especially of the inefficiency of the officers, a great number of whom seem to have been cpn.tcn.tecl with the honour without considering the duties; Recommendations have been made that the officers should be put through a searching examination before they are appointed. We are glad to find that what at home-is merely a suggestion, has been made here a fact. The Government have issued new Regulations as; to the Yolunteer force, which show great judiciousness, and an earnest desire to give it every encouragement. In this respect it is.far before the home Government, which has done but little directly in this direction. It is announced in the Gazette of January 20,—that all Yolunteer Regulations hei’etofore - made are abolished ; that, there shall be no limit to the term of service of any volunteer, but that' any volunteer may leave on giving a month’s notice to his commanding officer ; that all commission officers shall be recommended by the company to which they belong, and, shall be appointed by the Governor ; that.all non-commissioned officers shall be appointed by the company ; that all such officers shall be examined as to their fitness for the office before being appointed ; that each volunteer, after four years’, training, shall be exempt thereafter from attendance for training and exercise in the militia ; and that each company of 60 men shall receive from the -. Government £ls per annum. The Government will also recommend to flie house of Representatives a measure insuring, that in case of any Yolunteer officer being killed on service, his family shall be entitled to such a pension as they would have received had he been an officer in H.M. service;; and that in the case of any non-commissioned officer or private being: killed ion service, his family shall be.-entitled to . the .same pension as . would, bo-given to the family, of an ensign iIV H.M, service. These regulations are precise and appropriate. They secure, though in a somewhat different manner, the object contemplated by a petition lately tlrawn up by the Turakina volunteers, in which, grants of land were recommended to be given to volunteers after a certain term' of . service. The object of these new regulations is, “the further encouragement of the Yolunteer movement, and the permanent establishment, in this colony, of a Yolunteer force on an improved basis ;’* and every one must join in the earnest hope of the Government, “ that they will lead to the attainment of so desirable a result.” The present Yolunteer force is to be disbanded, and, ere this, is done, the Governor desires that Volunteers should be informed of his appreciation of their public spirit and of his gratitude for. their, services. He does not, however, seem to rate; these services veiy high, to. judge from the rule that they shall:be consid-, ered as only of half - the value of those . given in future, so far as the relief from militia duty after four years’ training is concerned. Much dissatisfaction has been expressed with, this regulation in Auckland. The effect of it is, that a Volunteer of two years’ standing has still three years to serve before he becomes exempt . from militia service.

J y LOCAL INTELLIGENCE • i Resident Magistrate’s Court. —The following cases - have been before the Court during the week. Feb. 6.—Beaven and Woon, v. Geo. Glyde, debt £§ Is Id. judgment by default. Feb.. .10. —James Nelson was . brought up at the instance of Mary Wallace, who claimed 2s damages for-the trespass of a cow and a calf on some ground occupied by her. It appeared that her . husband, a soldier in the 65th Regt, had fenced 1| acre .of town land belonging to an absentee without his authority, and planted potatoes in the ground. The question arose as to whether in these circumstances she was justified * in prosecuting f»r trespass, : aud the case was referred to the law officer at Wellington (Air. Bradon) for an opinion. Feb. 12. —-David Peat appeared at the instance of John Baton Watt,who claimed i-10 4s. as damages for; defendant having ei-tered on his

land for the purpose of driving therefrom certain cattle without complainant’s permission. .Judgment was given for defendant, he. being a servant acting on his master’s instructions,- and therefore: not liable. David Peat was charged by David JV arreu with an assault, by striking- life horse with a stock wliip, thereby endangering the life of the- complainant, -who., however was not thrown. The. ease was, dismissed. Martin Connelly,' private-in H.M. Toth Regt, was summoned-at-the instance of Tlios, IVWaters, ■ who- charged him, with. an assault. Air. Waters deposed that on the night of Monday, the 10th instant, he'was passing his own premises about half-past eleven with his wife and daughter, when two soldiers were observed on the other side of Victoria Avenue, one; whom- cried out ‘ hallo there is a sweetheart.” Mrs. and Aliss Waters ran ahead and the soldiers got in front of complainantopposite Dr. Take’s. They begun, to use foul- language and were toil to keep out of the way, otherwise they would get, themselves into trouble, upon which, one of .them hit complainant, who jumped back and evaded, the force of the blow. . 2’be other tried to close with him, but was kept off by a stick, aud .on complainants, culling out for assistance some persons ran-out of Russell's- jiotel anil secured prisoner, and the i-other soldier ran off. John Danderson, labourer, said that he was residing in the Rutland v//otel, that about half-past -lllo’clock on Monday night he heard a: female calling out for assistance and going out saw Air. Ghas, Rroughton holding prisoner-. Complainant was 3or 4 yards off from prisoner with a stick in his hand and seemed much, agitated. With the assistance of <S'outhcombe held the prisoner till d/r. Broughton Went for Corporal Cokely, ami then took prisoner to the guard room. Glias. Wm. Broughton said that when in tlie Rutland . Hotel that night he beard some one calling for assistance and on running out found complainant struggling with a soldier, whom he secured aiuf kept hold of till Rauderoon and,Sduthcombe came up. Could not identify, the prisoner. Jas. Souiicmiba, fanner,. .Wanganui, corroborated the-evidence of the other witnesses and identified the prisoner. The prisoner was sentenced to one mouth’s imprisonment with liard labour. ■The Militia. —Information, has been received by the Heron, that a Mr. Rooke is • appointed,.Adjutant of Militia, and Volunteers here, aud that he is at Taranaki on his way from A uekland. Wangafhu Bridge.— -It will be observed that the time for sending in tenders has been extended to the 22nd inst. The York Stockade Signal Station. The following correspodence has taken place regarding the Flagstaff, which we published, as shewing the position in which this useful piece of public property is now placed. It will be ..remembered, that at the . dinner, given tp the 65th, private Pellatt mentioned his. connection with the Flag staff, and that he had not been too well remunerated for it. Major Logan has : intimated to the committee that attend to the station, that he will not permit any of his men to take Pellatt’s place without adequate remuneration. No one we suppose would expect the work to be done for nothing, and all the townspeople, more especially the mercantile part of them must of late have felt the .vant of the usual notices of the time of day and the approach of vessels so much as . to be quite willing to. contribute- wliat is necessary. But the committee have taken no step in the mutter, and have no immediate intention apparently of doing so, for ,?■ arrangements for its future, management’ could be made in a. quarter of an hour. The committee W 0 . suspect liave already too -many other matters to attend to ; and it might be well if they .were'to hand , oyer the superintendenec.e -of the signal .station at the York stockade to some, of their younger .townsmen, who, we are; sure, would not be long of having, “ arrangements made” even if they required to -hoist 1 the time lxill and signal flags themselves. There are volunteer rifle corps, a volunteer fire brigade, volunteer tragedians ; will no one volunteer-for the superintendence of this matter ? Vr. T. B. Taylor would no dpiiht be glad, of ; the help of some youthful and energetic, spirits, and we hope the suggestion, now. made will not have been made in, vafn. In the absence of a public clock, tlie time frill is of great use to the con\munity. In. addition could not her H.M. service allow of a cannon being fired oft’ every day at 12. That sound would, regu)atq the, time where, the ball is not seen.

: . Wanganui,-Peb, 9t]j, 1862; Gentlemen, —I am directed ■, by. the officer commanding the Garrison, to-bring to, your notice the state of the -Flag Staff at the York Stockade, and., beg. to suggest tliat tlie top-mast and .yard should be lowered durang wxfidy weather —as in the. event of their being blown down, the lives of the men on ’guard at the York Stockade would Ijp endangered, and damage done to Government property. I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, ■. Your most obedient Servant, Edwd. Gi Hasted, , Lt 57th Regt. / 'Garrison Adjutant. To the Proprietors of Flag Staff,

: ■ •' Wanganui, 10th Feb. 1862. Sir, —I beg to acknowledge the recent of your letter of yesterday’s date, and in reply , thereto, beg'to state that the Proprietors of the York Stockade Flagstaff will, give instructions for the top-mast’and yard to be lowered to remain so until ’ arrangements can be made for its " 'future'management. • I have, the honor to be, Sir; . Yp\ir most : obedient.servant,- ~.... ' V Thomas B. -Taylor, ' ’ : \ .; For the' Proprietors of. the Flagstaff, • YorkStOckdde; ; WE, ’• G. Hasted;* Esq., • . Lt. H. M. 57th Eegt., and Garrison .. . . Adjutant. ~ ... , . , Theatrical Entertainment. Out readers will.notice by the advertisement : that the .opening - of ;tlie amateur theatre . lias been postponed; till .to-morrow eve- ; ning. • - New Episcopalian. Church.— At the meeting ■ of. members . of. - the English Cliurcli, held in the Sunday school-room : , on the. evening of January 30th, Resolu- : tions were passed affirming the -necessity '. of immediate steps being taken to pebuild the Church, and of: appointing, a .committee -to be called the,. .Church Building . Committee, to carry out;the work. The ‘ Rev, C. If. S. Nichols, ;.Major Logan and . Messrs. 1 T. Rowell,• P.ortei% W. Kells, , : Jk Lockett,";OH. -'Hurley,'"' arid-H.C. Field, were appointed members of this commit- •’ tee,- : ancle subscriptions »to the ;amount;pf more -thari £3oo ; Were '.announced, -a; list- ‘ of which hull shortly be -puhlislied. It is. proposed •to erect' a building which will hold 300 persons arid he capable of further enlargeirient as - necessary. The funds required will be about a thousand : r pounds. . St. Hill Street.; —A “ Stranger,!’ in his letter in another column, calls this street “ disreputable.’’ 77e. alludes, we believe, to the deep watercourse running down one side, with lateral gullies here and there extending into the footpath, dangerous pits for the night traveller. The existence of these ' traps for so long a tilde without an accident, is the beit evidence that the street is not.

“ disreputable” in the common sense of the '' term. But the danger to which its very respectable passengers are exposed ought to induce the /Resident Magistrate to cause the road’ to be repaired either by - the prisoners •or by the proprietors.- ; - The Heron’s Cargo. The cattle, sent to Auckland by this vessel have realised very fair prices. They were all landed in good condition, and were sold at £9 to<£lo for steers, and 413 to 418 18s for'large bullocks. Mr. Imlay has been very unfor- . tunate with the return cargo, having lost 154 ewe lambs out of a flock of 300,’shipped . at Manukau. The Common School. We are . glad to observe in the list of passengers by the Heron from-Auckland, the'name of Mr. McMinn : the .gentleman who .was lately elected Mas- :• ter of this school. We believe that’.his tes- • timonials were very flattering, and from the testimony of various individuals'personally acquainted with bith, we have reason to . thjnlc that his residence amongst us will he of great advantage to the young people place<] under his'care. No doubt also, }he. interests of the ’ Common School will be proo, moted by this appointment. The thanks of the Committee are due to the late teacher, not only for his kindly keeping the school open till the arrival of his successor; but also for the efficient performance of his duties, for such a length of time during his tenure of tlie office. Justices of tiie Peace, —The following gentlemen are gazetted as J. P.’s in this district, namely,-—■las.. Duff' Hewett and John Handley, Esqrs. Iri’Wellingfon.T— Walter Duller, Edwin Meredith, and John Moore, Esqrs., are added to the Commission of: the Peace.

Officiating Ministers.— The Revds. 7?. J. Ellsworth,, D. /fogg, G. li. S. Nicholls, B, ‘IC. 'l’.aylor, 72. Taylor, and W.. Watkin,' are gazetted as officiating Ministers under the marriage act in’this district. I’he two firsrinamed gentlemen find a number of others are designated as of the Free Church of Scotland, to 'which they belong no more than to the Church of England. The mistake should be rectified.-

TURAKINA. ■ : Tbce Resident Magistrate's Court was held here on the 7th instant, A\ex- . nnder Grant find Patrick Boyle of the Varakina volunteers Were brought up at the instance Beamish, charged with a breach of the volunteer regulations, inasmuch as they had absented themselves from parade without leave. Fined ss. each; Prize prizes were shot for by, the Turakiha Volunteers the ./other’ dOy. ; The weather was - ujipropitious, (as usual), and the shooting therefore not equal to what it ought to have been.. .Each competitor had twenty shots, 5 at each range of 100, 200, 2fio, and 300 yards. J’he first prize,, a Griffith’s revolver, given ; by Cape. Beamish, was gained by Mr. H; Snellgrove, who- scored 23 points. The Company’s funds furnished the other two prizes, which were £2 and £l, gained respectively by Mr. Allen Wilson, who scored 21, and Mr. Olias. Smith, who scored 19 points. The company is much indebted to Captain Beamish for his anxiety for their proficiency, displayed in this way. 'Phis • prize is the first that has been given by any . pf-thfe officers in the district; and in this, as in other respects, Turakina sets an example to Wanganui.