LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 322, 18 December 1862, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

DINNER TO CAPT. LINKLATER.

On Friday evening about fifty gentlemen entertained Mr. Linklater at dinner in Mr. Howe’s large. room. The chair was occupied by W C. Hylton Esq., and W. H Wart Esq. officiated, as vice-chair-man. The dinner was good ; and to English eyes it was rather a curious thing to see,, so near Christmas, the plumpudding natural to the season, and dishes of strawberries on : the same table.

The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been duly attended to, the chairman proposed the toast of the evening. He considered it unnecessary to recommend it by many words. They all knew Capt. Linklater, and they had come together this evening to mark the high estimation in which they held him, previous to his departure for England to bring out the Wanganui steamei’. Mr. Linklater in a lew words acknowledged the honour that had been done to him. , •

Mr. Watt rose and said, that oh any occasion like the present, some one of the firm to. which he belonged was expected to make a- few remai’ks. The head of the firm, lie regretted to say, was unable to be present from indisposition, and they knew it was no slight matter that would have detained him from such a meeting. In his absence, he (Mr. Watt) might be allowed to express his gi’eat pleasure at being present along with so many others, at a meeting which lie- looked upon as inaugurating a new era in the coiimeri'ial history: of Wanganui. They had' now

Embarked on the enterprise of. furnishing B ne w means -of .communication to the Bistrict ; and he trusted that it would Bieet with allthe success.,it, so .well deservBd. The present meeting had originated Bvith those present, the object .being to Bntertain the . gentleman who.; ,was this Bvening theii guest, to shew their* esteem Bor. his character and their.* sense of .-.the Balue of his services.- v He (Mr. W) loojcBd upon this meeting also, as a vote of ■confidence m his firm, for having selected ■one-who.had served the public, so IKp. was sure all rejoiced in-.the prospect, ■of Capt. Linklater’s advancement, and I would . congratulate him upon it. He I (Mi*. Watt) could bear testimony, to his | good conduct and abilities. But he com | sidered something more was demanded I from the firm he had served so well. It would shew a want of appreciation of his kservices, if they did hot shew their esteem land confidence in a. more substantial f manner ; and it was with the greatest he handed : Capt.-. I .inklater the jpurse he held in his hand (loud and pro- | donged applause). He hoped Capt. Link- ; later would live to deserve still higher ■sompliments.-. He would be in a better Bspliere for earning them in his I new appointment, and there. >.co.ukl be Bio doubt that there could not have been

fa better, selection made. /He might look ■forward to tlieir giving him a hearty web I )me within twelve months, when he returned with the steamer which he was henceforth to command.

I;- As one of the pioneers in the commerce Bof Wanganui, he (Mr. W.). felt great and gratification in marking its - growth. It was peculiarly interesting to mark, the advance of a settlement from its £ infahcy : 'I he trading here was at first ' carried, on in whale-boats. He believed L that one of the earliest settlers came with bis family from Wellington to this in a fc whale-boat. The little craft, sailed, by BlMr. Taylor and himself carried on tlie ■; trade for some tittle, and be wished she B could be here to leam what a heterogenic eous progeny she was to have. Now they were to have a steamer—only the first he trusted of a fleet owned in and trading out of Wanganui. He congratulated the company on the important mission on which Capt. Linklater ‘was about to be dispatched, and was sure that on bis return all his good friends would give him a hearty Welcome. ; - Mr. Holland sang, “ Here's a health to our guest.” Mr. floss said, that having been called on by the Chairman to propose a toast, be had much pleasure in asking the company to join with him ru wishing prosperity to the Wanganui Steam Navigation Company. 1 hey had " already done a good deal to secm-e - that 'prosperity. Ihe obtaining the servicea of the 'gentlemah who was their guest, he considered a kind of guarantee of success Then there was the .perfect unanimity of the people of Wanganui. : He had never, in the ■ whole course of his colonial experience,' now extending over 40 years, seen any ai tempt to establish such a company meet with so general and prompt acceptance. The idea, as soon as broached, was taken up by the inhabitants. The enterprise must succeed for all were united. Who did not feel the necessity of such a step ! Who did not give liis help ? Every man had come forward and joined in the undertaking. After the company had thus been formed, one thing was wantingtalent to conduct it. He might say, 'that let them look where they might, they . could not have - fixed on a better man. There was no offer on his part. There was no hesitation on then’s. The only question was, who should be the proposer. They were all prepared to accept the gentleman named. He (Mr. Ross) was not conversant with sea-faring matters—he was an outsider—but he had for a long time observed the manner in which Capt. Linklater had-conducted himself. His

character was unimpeachable; lie believed there was not one naan in Wanganui who had an ill word to say of him. He (Mr. R.) had sailed with him, and found him most attentive in alleviating the difficulties and inconveniences a landsman experiences on a voyage. He was unceasing in attending to the comfort of those on board ; and the more, passengers he had, the more friends he would certainly make. Indeed, go where he might, lie would make friends. He could not help it. He had that in him which made people like and respect him. He (Mr .R.) looked forward to the day on which their guest would first, enter tlie river 'in the steamer with flying colours, as the greatest jubilee Wanganui-had ever witnessed. Mr. D. Bell having known Capt. Linklater intimately for seven years, could confirm what had been said of him. Mr. P. Bell proposed the prosperity, of the firm, of Messrs. Taylor Watt & Go. Mr. Lewis briefly and suitably replied. The evening was enlivened by many capital songs from several of the gentlemen present, and the hilarity was kept up to a late hour. - The purse presented to Mr. Linklater contained £2O. He has been in command of the Tyne for upwards of five years, during which no accident has happened. He shipped in the Tyne as a seaman in Sydney six years ago along with his successor in the command, M. J. McLaren. They were sitting on a log on Sydney beach, and when Mr. Taylor went up and asked if they would ship with him, they at once assented, and they remained here since. -

Annual the Common. School.— This examination was held in the Schoolroom on Tuesday last. The room was nicely decorated with evergreens and flowers, and had quite the fragrance of show.,, The pillar in ■,the. centre was covered with branches- of ferns intermingled with flowers, and at tiie top large branches of

the tree-fern spread out in a very graceful manner. Besides the Committee, theRev. Messrs* Nicholls, Pezaut,' and Taylor were present, with several of the parents of the pupils, whom; ; however, we should like to see present in larger numbers on such occasions. The examination was a bona fide and thorough ; bnd, ! - as several of the members of tl;e .Committeeeach took a classes,, and went over the course of lessons for the last six months. .The Rev.: Mr. Nicholls examined the i Latin and highest English, class, and the Rev. Mr. Bezant also took' his share in the V examination. Mr. M oMinri, ; the teacher, gave the necessary information regarding the course of the children’s studies. The Result of the examinations was found to be very satisfactory. In many classes the general proficiency made, it very difficult to choose the recipients of prizes, it being obvious that the chil dren had been taught so thoroughly that .the greatest dunce was not allowed to lag .-much behind nis companions; The equal ’advancement of the pupils was rightly considered an evidence of the care and attention of the teacher; and the.thorough, mastery evinced of the studies during the whole period since last examination showed that not been Crammed . for the Occasion, but were showing the,real progress.they bad made during the session. At the end of the examination, which lasted nearly three hours, [.the scholars were regaled" with buns and ginger beer, the rapid con-. ■ sumption of which - showed: that studious habits had not/impaired the digestive powers of the pupils. Thereafter prizes Were given to sixteen of the scholars — who'were addressed by several members o r the Committee, in a strain fitted to stimulate them to greater exertions than they had yet put forth. The teacher was also complimented on the highly creditable appearance the scholars had made, and more especially on their great proficiency in writing—the progress in this branch being really wonderful. The children wei*e then dismissed, theii* joy at the vacation given to them being testified by loud cheers. The Committee of the School seem to have been very happy, in their choice of a teacher, and we hope to see many examinations undei* his auspices, with, a larger number of more .advanced pupils than lie at present lias, and with an increasing attendance at tlie school.

Fire. —The flour : mill at Kaikokopu, belonging to Mr. Gibson, was burned to the ground oh Monday evening. The mill was shut up that day between 11 and 12 in the forenoon ; and about half past five in the afternoon, flames were seen to burst out at thi end-next the water-wheel. The. man in charge opened the door to endeavour to - flour, but the heat and the flames made this‘impossible y and as the mill could not be saved, efforts ■ were made,;happily with success, to prer went the flames from reaching a house at a J , little distance, in which were stored 300 bags of flour and a .quantity of wool. The mill was partly insured, but as there was a considerable stock of wheat and flour in it, Mi*. Gibson’s loss will amount to between £250 and £3OO. It is not known bow the fire originated.

Lieut.-Gexeral Cameron arrived in Wellington last Wednesday, and inspected the troops in garrison there. He is expected here every hour The Harrier arrived off the river yesterday at 5 p.m. in order to take .him away. .

Return of an old Settler.— We observe in the list, of the passengers by the Constance, which arrived, from London at Wellington on the 12;h, tae name of F. Sherriff. Esq., who has come out with four of his family. He;will no doubt be heartily welcomed by his friends here.-

Native Reports.— Hore . Patene has returned from his visit to the,King. He has brought the following news, which may be taken for, what it is worth. If Wm. Naylor’s road is carried beyond a certain point near the Waitetuna, the King natives will resist. If the troops occupy i ataraimaka, 500 Maories will immediately take possession of Waitara” The dispute as to the Waitara cannot be submitted to investigation and arbitration in the absence of Colonel Browne, one of the principal parties concerned. The King considers that the Government did wrong in not at once completing the purchase of the Waitotara, and that the delay nullifies the bargain. But he considers the Government entitled to a fair equivalent in land for the £SOO paid, and such a slice will be given them

There is also a continuance of the reports regarding the promise from Bishop Pompallier of French assistance if the Maories come over to his faith—reports which are altogether incredible, but the prevalence, of which should induce the French priests to become naturalised, so as to do away with every suspicion. Pilot-Station.— The charge of this station has now fallen into the hands of the Marine Board, and uutiiiit begins its work, Mr. George t Long has been appointed pilot. As soon as the Board is properly organised a permanent ajipointment will be, made. -

Militia and Volunteers.— At a meeting of the Cavalry Volunteers held last Thursday, Mr. W. T. Owen was elected Lieutenant vice Mr. J. D. Busby, resigned. In the Gazette of 6th inst., the following resignations are notified as accepted Surgeon John B. Tuke, of the Wanganui Regiment of Militia. Lieuf. John F. Kells, and Cornet John Bryce, of the Cavalry Volunteers. In the same issue, the following appointments are gazetted:-

Dr Geo, H. Gibson, to be Surgeon in the Militia. Commission dated 23rd Sept. Mr. 11. Harper, to be Cornet in tbe Cavalry. Commission, dated 2nd Dec. Mr.. D. Porter, to be Captain, and Mr. W. Davidson, Lieutenant in the ‘ Victoria’ Company. Rifle Volunteers.