WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 335, 19 March 1863, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

Mr. De Castro lias bc-en relumed for the Country Districts. CANTERBURY. Mr.- Samuel Bealey was elected Siiperintenderit on the sth inst. without opposition,. On the 27th tilt, a man was killed by an explosion in the tunnel, another named Hoskins was considerably injured. The Province is progressing fast in the flower and fruit line to judge by a Horticultural'. Show hold oil the 27th uit. -

; ...... - OTAGO RACES. ' WEDNESDAY, 4tli March. Although.at an early hour on Wodnes-day-'fbhe slcy was f&ther overcast, the weather during the races was all that could lie desired. It was not till the return that -the rain began to fall, and those df oiir readei’s who live in DuDedin need not he told that it continued to rain during: thO’ vdiole' evening. At about XL o’clock the start for the races commenced, and from that hour until neai'ly one o’clock the road was lined with passengers oh foot, on horseback, and in vehicles. \Ye use for the hist a comprehensive designation as they included every possible variety of cart, waggon, coach, and carriage. Noticeable amongst the many was one ! of Messrs. Cole, Hoyt, and Co.’s Coaches with a splendid team of six horses. Narrow and hilly as is the road, there were, only a few trifling, as far as we learnt, no serious accidents on the way out or home. . - MAIDEN PLATE. : JBlaek Doctor jumped off with the lead, followed by Kangaroo, the Dutchman next. After going half a mile the latter had. shot his bolt. Melton then went up ; turning the corner into the straight running he looked formidable, but never got nearer than the Doctor’s girths. Morrison set down to woi'k at the Ethiopian man of pliysic, who came away after some hard persuasion, and won by two lengths —his condition beating Melton. 80 sovs., one mile and a half, time 3 m. 1 s. CHAMPION .RACE. For the great event of the Meeting five came to the post, namely Mormon, Lady Bird, Shillelagh, Revoke, and Ultima. After a little delay at the starting post, caused by the fractiousness of the contending horoes, Mormon got way with the lead, closely followed by Shillelagh, Ultima, Revoke, and Lady Bird. After half; a mile Lady Bird took third place, and ithey travelled in that order the first time past the stand ; Lady Bird then put in her appearance as second, Ultima coming mil irext, Revoke following, and Shillelagh last. There was no alteration uutil the. straight running, when Lady Bird made her effort, passed Mormon, notwithstanding a game effort on his part, And won easily by two lengths, after a slashing race. A protest was entered by the rider of Mormon for crossing, but was disallowed. The riding of all the jocks was very fine, and young Joe Redwood upon returning to scale with Lady Bird was loudly cheered. 1000 sovs, with a sweepstakes of 100 sovs each added; three miles; time 5 m. 55 s. . DUNEDIN HANDICAP. Three came to the post, Golden Cloud, Young Alma, and Partisan Golden Cloud jumped off with the lead, followed by Partisan and Young Alma ; this position they occupied for half a mile, when Partisan found the company and pace too good, Young Alina taking the second place. Coming into the straight, Young Alma, failed to reach the Cloud, although a desperate effort was made, and the race was won easily by a length and a half. 7 5 so.vs ; mile and a half; time 2m.55 s. HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. A mere farce, Kangaroo falling first jump, Daniel Webster second, and Falcon winning the stake at Ms ease. Simpson, the rider of Daniel, had a nasty fall. In this race as well as in the Maiden Plate and the Handicap, Simpson rode in different colours from those in which he had been entered. 80 sovs, entrance 5 sovs ; 2 miles over ten flight of hurdles. THURSDAY, sth March. .."V, publicans’ purse. Between Lady Bird and Young AlmaThe two kept well together till near the finish, when Ladybird put on the steam, and won as she pleased. 100 sovs, entrance 5 sovs ; mile and a half. ladies’ purse. Between Ladybird and Revoke. It was understood to he arranged between the owners to divide the stakes, and to run the horses easily for the first mile, and to race home for the second mile. Ladybird led throughout, and although at-the distance Mr. Lance made a desperate effort, lie was quite unable to come up with Mr. Redwood’s mare. 60 sovs, entrance 5 sovs ; 2 miles, gentlemen riders. OTACO JOCKEY CLUB GREAT HANDICAP. At the first attempt to start, Black Doctor bolted away and caused a lengthened delay. At the second attempt Mormon got off with a strong lead, Black Doctor close in pursuit, Shillelagh and Ultima next, and Golden Cloud last. In this order they came past the stand the first time round, and for the next quarter of a mile the Black Doctor still continued close to the favourite. Shillelagh then took his. place, and Golden Cloud made a strong but unsuccessful effort to join the leading. horse. At this j uncture it looked any odds on Mormon,but Ultima gradually crept up, till at the distance she was'close on to Mormon, and as they entered the straight run mug she took the lead and won by a length, Mr. Stafford's success was loudly cheered. A sweepstakes, of 10 sovs each, with 150 sovs added ; Wo miles ; time, 2 m. 1 s. : A Selling Race and a. Handicap Trotting Race finished the day’s sport.

: FRIDAY, 6th March

The Hatidieap .Steeplecha.se was wen by Daniel Webster ; the Town Plate by Mormon .5 the Porced Handicap by Young Alma y.; the Consolation Handicap by Partisan ; and the Hack Race by Loddon. A fourth day’s sport was resolved on.

NELSON. The,mission of Mr. Kelling oF Nelson to Europe is an extraordinary one. He has been sent by Government to procure 1000 young mai'ried Germans, (the whole number, including wives and children, not to exceed 300,)), whose passage out is to be puid, and who are to receive 25 acres of land each for five years’ service in the militia. At the time the scheme, of v hich this is an instalment, was mooted in the General Assembly, we pointed out that the Government would require to keep such immigrants for at least a year after their arrival, but tliere seems to be no provision made for this, although the class of emigrants likely to be attracted by the terms offered will not lessen the necessity for it. The ideals no doubt the Govertor’s, who introduced 2000 Germans into Oaffraria at the time of the disturbances tbei’e, and to whom an offer was mrde in Juno of last year by the agents wco conducted the operation in that colony to repeat it in this. One cf their stipulations was, that rations should be furnished for one year, to be afterwards paid for. No doubt the preference given to Germans over Britons is, because the former have been trained to military duties in the Landnehr or Militia—and possibly because they have not been trained in any of the suhtiltiee of constitutional government The scheme rnust be regarded w T ith an evil eye at home at present. Lighthouses.— Tli e Marine Board, which has lately been sitting at Auckland, having agreed to send to England immediately for three lighthouses for the coasts of New Zealand. One of these is to be erected in Cook’s Strait, but the site has not been decided upon. The second is for Tiri-tiri-Mataugi, at the entrance of Auckland harbour ; aud the third is for. Port Lyttelton heads. The latter will be paid for by the Canterbury Government.—Examiner. The first Prize S looting came off on the 2nd inst, when 33 was the highesi score made. The office of Provinoi il Secretary has been accepie i by Mr. J. 0. Richmond. TARANAKI. H.M.S. Harrier left Manukau on Tuesday morning the 3i'd instant, with the Governor on board and arrived at New Plymouth the following evening. His Excellency was accompanied by Lieut. General Cameron, G. 8., the Hon Mr. Domett, Colonial Secretary ; the Hon Mr. 8011, Native Minister; Major McNeill A.D.C. ; Capt., Bulkeley, A D.C ; Mr. Seed, Private Secretary ; and Lieut Pates 65th Eegt, Interpreter to the forces.. The Harrier sailed the following day for Nelson, and would return to Taranaki about the 14th inst. Nothing has transpired regarding his Excellency’s intentions. HAWKE’S BAY. The earthquake of the 23rd ult. seems to have been more severe at Napier than here. The Herald says,— “At a few* minutes past one, the inhabitants were suddenly started from slumber by a violent oscillation, attended with hideous din, produced by shelves being emptied of crockery and their other contents, furniture being upset, and chimneys falling to the ground. The time of its duration is variously estimated at from twenty seconds to two minutes ; but we think it must have lasted very nearly a minute. Its effects were very alarming for the time—the sensa-. tion being as if the houses were about to fall over, and many have turned giddy from the peculiarity of the motion. Thedamage in the hotels and stores have been extensive—the contents of the whole shelves having been swept to the ground and destroyed. In this respect, Messrs. Robottom, Surton, Bridge, and Gill probably expei'ienced the greatest loss. Innumei’able chimneys have been broken off at the roof, aud, in one or two instances, the bricks came through, but without leading to any accident. The barrack chimneys have all gone, also one side of the mud wall which surrounded the reserve. It was. however, a feeble struncture at best of times.

The earthquake was sharper in the interior than it was felt in Napier—one or two buildings have been moved off’ the piles, and great destruction committed in crockery and chimneys.