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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1021, 1 May 1869, Page 2

Marton. — It is proposed to erect a public Assembly Room at Marton, by funds to be raised by shares, as was the case with the Odd Fellows’ Hall in Wanganui. Auditor of Law Trust Accounts. — W. L. Buller, Esq., R.M., has received an appointment under this title for the Wanganui district. New Zealand Steam Navigation Company. — The half-yearly general meeting of shareholders in the N.Z.S.N. Co. was held at the Athenaeum, Wellington, on Tuesday afternoon, and was numerously attended. The 13th half-yearly report showed that for the half-year the gross receipts amounted to £22,949 1s 5d, and the expenses to £19,799 4s 9d, leaving a profit for the, period of £3149 16s 8d.

Rangitikei Agricultural Society. — A society under this title has been formed in the Rangitikei district. It is contemplated to amalgamate the Horticultural with the Agricultural. We hope to be able to chronicle the further and continued success of this enterprise. Taking into consideration the statistics given in another column we know of no district in the colony where a society of the kind ought to succeed so well. The Waitotaras. — Any further speculation as to the whereabouts of this quondam rebel tribe is now set at rest. They are under the protection of the Government, harboured by our so-called allies at Putiki, within sight of the town of Wanganui. No treaty has been made, further than a tacit understanding that it is expedient to be oblivious of certain acts that the public honour of the land at one time demanded should be only expiated in blood. The Waitotaras with their arms in their posses sion confidently walk our streets under the protection of the “broad shield of English justice.” These significant facts need no commentary. Native Meeting at Rangitikei. — The Runanga at Kapariki on the Rangitikei river, in the Manawatu district, took place on Monday last in the presence of a large assemblege of natives and Europeans. There were a few short and complimentary speeches made by a number of the chiefs, the Superintendent, and Mr Fox. A great deal of feasting was also indulged in — it seemed, indeed, to be the most important part of the proceedings. The building was in the old native style, with projecting gables to form end verandahs, and was decorated with carvings — probably of their demi-gods. The interior was well finished with lattice work, panels, and carvings, picked out with blue and red paints, besides scrolls on the ridge and rafters. The pa occupies a picturesque position at the edge of a bush near the Rangitikei river, about 2 miles below the residence of Mr Fox. The inhabitants are professors of the Hauhau faith.

Nelson. — The Nineteenth Session of the Nelson Provincial Council was opened on Monday by his Honor the Superintendent. District Firing. — The highest score of the militiamen of Wellington for the district prizes was 36. Postmaster-General. — The Independent states with, what we suppose, some authority, that the Hon. John Hall will resume the offices of Postmaster-General and Electric Telegraph Commissioner shortly before the Assembly meets. Brewers and Spirit Merchants. — The General Government Gazette of Tuesday contains a list of all the brewers and wholesale wine and spirit merchants in the colony of New Zealand. In Wellington and Wanganui there are nine brewers and sixty wholesale dealers.

The Prince at Nelson. — A correspondent of a West Coast paper states on good authority that the house accommodation alone for the one night H.R.H. remained in Nelson was £250, the wine bill about £100, and the et ceteras on a corresponding scale. It is said that £2,000 will not cover the expenses. Legs of Mutton for One Shilling ! — This sounds well, but it is hardly the reality, and could not very well be so. Legs of mutton, like other legs, bovine and ovine, vary in size and weight, and to charge A one shilling for a leg weighing 5lbs, and B the same for one weighing 7 or 8lbs., would be barely fair, however much it might please B. The rule, we are told, is this, that legs of mutton of 6lbs. and under are one shilling, and legs above 6lbs are 2d per lb, — the little or light legs being thus a shade dearer that the heavy ones. Popular Lecture. — Mr Godwin’s lecture in the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Thursday evening was not nearly so well attended as it ought to have been. The night was rainy, which, to some extent, accounts for the paucity of numbers. The lecture was a really excellent one, full of interesting historical and legal lore — rather hard upon the parsons, although sufficiently eulogistic, of a certain bishop — and was listened to with the utmost attention by the audience. At the close Mr Watt proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and Mr Buller a similar vote to Mr T. B. Taylor, the chairman, who announced that the next lecture of the series would be given by Mr Fox — subject, “Strong Drink.”

Colonial Defence. — An article on the Re-organisation of the Military System, which appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette of the 29th January, contains the following :— We have yet to speak of the forces which would be necessary for the defence of our colonies. This question may be regarded as being even at this moment in a transition state. The opinion that the colonies ought to be made, as soon as possible, and as far as their size and circumstances may permit, self-reliant for the purposes of military defence, is fast crystallising into a conviction. And supposing this view to be adopted, the larger colonies could hardly do better than imitate the home system which we have recommended by the establishment, according to their several needs and means, of colonial armies. The Imperial Government might with advantage undertake the training of officers for these forces, and otherwise assist them in all legitimate ways. But the principle of independent colonial defence is one which has so much to recommend it that we can hardly doubt its ultimate acceptance. Wool. — The monthly circular of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, Limited, states that up to the 26th of Feb. the arrivals, amounting to 117,340 bales (to which must be added about 12,000 bales held over from last year) though considerably in excess of those for the same series of the previous year, (106,237 bales), fell somewhat short of the quantities anticipated. Notwithstanding this circumstance, and a fair if not full attendance of buyers both home and foreign, the competition was hardly of an animated character, and the tendency of prices quoted was generally somewhat in favour of buyers. From various causes they deduce opinions — perhaps erroneously or interestedly formed, — that there will be a downward tendency in the price of wool this season. It may be all very right to be cautious — at least, not over sanguine — in a matter of so much importance to New Zealand, but we hope these surmises may prove groundless, and that wool growers may yet have favourable reports of their consignments.

The Militia. — The militiamen and volunteers of Wanganui have often been accused of being apathetic and even littlevalient in their own defence. We are not sure that they are not even now. At any rate, their equals for descretion were not to be found in the colony, while their claims to valour were such as could not be entertained. We have said and still say that Wanganui is no worse — perhaps somewhat better — than any place its size in the colony, and only give the men officers in whom they can rely and they will cover themselves with honour. But pretentious insufficiency and official muddling will dishearten and alieniate any body of men. Witness the care of the Napier militiamen. During the recent alarms the whole town turned out only to lead a camp life. The consequence was that in a few days 40 first-class militia, disgusted to the utmost point of endurance, shouldered their rifles and returned to town. They had been ten days in camp doing nothing. And in what follows we have a forcible illustration of Wanganui experience : Colonel Lambert, we are told, addressed them, saying they were a disgrace to Napier, and brought shame on the selfreliance policy. The answered that they were willing to fight, if necessary, but not to be kept inactive in camp. St. John’s Hill Road. — This much negglected piece of road — repudiated on all hands — is now likely to be taken up and its much-needed repairs carried out by private enterprise. A few members of the Town Board acting in their individual capacity are exerting themselves to promote this desirable undertaking, and several land-owners in the Kai Iwi district have also bestirred themselves in this work, — one of these latter agreeing to give £25 to put the hill-side in such a state of improvement before the rains of winter come on as will at least keep it passable, which it will not be if much longer neglected. Let us remark, in passing, that in the present state of provincial collapse, this plan of private enterprise seems to be the only way in which public works can be kept up, until a change in the present system is effected. And while on the matter of roads, we would like to put in a word for the one leading to the Cemetery, which at the bridge at Churton’s creek has suffered considerably by the recent flood. It would not take a large sum to repair it, and prison labour might once more be brought to clear away the sandhill which obstructs progress at that particular point. Will any of our townsmen take up the matter ?

Expedition. — The expedition of the Cavalry and Veterans, after having explored the region of the Seven Hummocks, has returned. They found no sign of natives having recently been there. Provincialism. — A circular has been forwarded to the various Banks in the Colony from the Colonial Secretary’s Office, informing them that advances of any kind in the way of overdraft or otherwise to Provincial Executives are illegal.