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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1020, 29 April 1869, Page 2

The Galatea. — This vessel was visited at Nelson by some five thousand persons, previous to her departure for Lyttelton. Turakina. — The Rev J. U. Taylor will preach in the various Presbyterian churches in the Turakina district on Sunday. Mr Godwin’s Lecture. — We beg to direct attention to this lecture which comes off to-night. The subject is one of much interest, and Wanganui needs some intellectual stimulant. The Ferries. — A magistrate assures us that no such arrangement as prepayment of ferry-dues was sanctioned by the Bench, and that any announcement of the kind is entirely without magisterial sanction. Kaitoki School District. — The Provincial Gazette says — It has been notified by Mr J. Morgan. Chairman, that at a meeting held on the 15th inst, Mr J. H. Murray was appointed Collector for the above district. Mataongaonga Road District. — The Provincial Gazette says — It has been notified by the retiring chairman of the above Board that Freeman R. Jackson, Esq., has resigned the Chairmanship of the Mataongaonga Road Board, and that R. F. Shield, Esq., has been elected in his stead. Colonial Defence. — Admiral Sartorius writes to the Times that owing to the reduction in the Imperial army and the large number of well-drilled soldiers who will thus be set free, an opportunity will be afforded New Zealand of getting those men to enlist in its Colonial Army. The Aspirate. — In the Victoria Legislature a member was reading out a document, and vainly endeavouring to decipher an obscure letter. On turning to a friend he anxiously asked — “Is that a hem or a hen ?” “Oh !” replied his friend, “Call it a hen and move that it lay on the table.” Turakina School District. — The Provincial Gazette says — It has been notified that a new committee of twelve was elected at a meeting of the Ratepayers of the above District on the 12th of March last, that George Yates Lethbridge, Esq., was elected Chairman of Committee, Mr Robert Harris chosen Collector, and that a house rate of £1 a year was unanimously agreed to. Scab in the District. — Mr Simpson, Sheep Inspector, reports that on the 30th and 31st ultimo, he examined the flock of Richards Bros., of Lower Wangaehu, and discovered the same to be infected with scab ; they having failed to give notice of the existence of the disease in their flock, proceedings will be taken against them for the same. Also, a separate flock of 3,000 sheep, belonging to Mr W. T. Owen, was discovered to be infested by two scabby sheep belonging to Richards, which were found with them.

The Rev. John Hall. — This gentleman has returned in safety to Ireland. In January last, he arrived in London from Bombay. Fire Police — A public meeting, which we are sorry to say was not so well attended as might have been expected, was held last evening in the Freemasons’ Hall. W. L. Buller, Esq., R.M., was called to the chair, and a resolution affirming the desirability of forming a special force for the protection of property taken from houses on fire, was unanimously agreed to. We shall give a report of the proceedings in our next. Native Meeting. — The native meeting in the Rangitikei district, which was to have been held on Saturday, was adjourned till Tuesday. The natives — or at least the more influential portion of them — were in a state of queulous discontent. They complained of everything and objected to anything ; so much so, as to render their conduct of the most factious description. They were loud in their objections to the telegraph being constructed along the coast, recognising in it one of those silent but potent enemies to their race. Britain’s aid to New Zealand. — We have been favoured with the perusal of a private letter — written just before the despatch of the mail from England — which states on good authority that the 60th Rifles had received orders from the War Office to raise their complement of men, and hold themselves in readiness to form part of a brigade of four or five regiments, about to be despatched to New Zealand. It is besides reported in military circles that Lord Napier of Magdala was to take command and engage into a campaign in New Zealand similiar to that of Abyssinia. By the mail intelligence has been received of Lord Napier having left India for England, probably to undertake the organization of the expedition. Native Lifting at Rangitikei. — During the past fortnight robberies have been prevalent in the Rangitikei district, supposed to have been committed by the Taupo natives, who have been working about for the settlers during harvest. Mr Milne, Rosebank, lost two saddles, several girths and bridles, a large thrashing cloth, and a bag of flour — the latter probably was too heavy, as it was left in an adjoining paddock. Mr Walter Crawford lost a horse at the same time. Messrs Thoms had two horses stolen — one a valuable draught mare. They went some distance up the country in pursuit, but returned on Sunday unsuccessful. Mr J. Cockburn, of Porewa, also lost a three year old filly, and no doubt others have also suffered, but have not yet discovered their losses.

Sensational Reports. — We are sorry to see that our Wellington contemporaries have taken up the absurd report, of a local journal, that Titokowaru had returned in force to the Patea district. They have also wasted some amount of indignation on the subject. The report is without the slightest vestage of truth. It is very likely that Titoko will return to the confiscated lands on the other side of the Patea, but it is too soon to cry out before the thing happens. Neither is there anything like want of confidence or pluck on the part of the local forces as stated. Expeditions are of almost daily occurrence, penetrating into fastnessness never before trod by the foot of white man. It is wonderful the amount of evil that ignorant people — or sensation mongers may do in the world, and this is but another illustration of the fact. In having gained the attention of a few contemporaries, we suppose that the writer’s end has been served. Military Expeditions. —— Expeditions into the enemy’s country have lately been the order of the day. Last week Captain Hawes, with a party composed of Wairoa and Patea Volunteers, went on an expedition up the Whenuakura river. The country, although delightful to a farmer’s eye, presented nothing to subsist on ; and they returned at the end of four days when their provisions were exhausted. They had scarcely reached the Wairoa redoubt, however, before smoke was reported as visible behind Okutuku. Another expeditionary force consisting of Kai Iwi Cavalry (dismounted) under Captain Bryce, and Veterans under Captain Kells, proceeded to scour the neighbouring country. Yesterday, besides, a strong reconnoisance was to have been made up the Patea river. We may mention that during the past week the Carlyle Volunteers have penetrated the bush behind Manutahi and found no signs of the enemy. A Royal Highness. — It may be remembered that there was some hitch in the arrangements on the departure of the Prince from Sydney. His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, when he left, was not accompanied by the Earl of Belmore. The journals have been suspiciously silent, but private advices have not been so reticent. It is said, that the Earl absented himself, or rather did not attend to bid the Prince a. public farewell, because of a quarrel between himself and the Duke. It seems that a few days previously the Earl of Belmore announced his intention of giving a dinner-party at Government house, and the Prince wanted him to invite the Carandinis. This the Earl positively declined to do, and the Prince, in a huff, threatened he would not honour the party with his presence. The Earl of Belmore was firm, and the Prince was equally obstinate. He absented himself, and did not again trouble the Governor with his presence.