OTAGO COAL.

We learn that the most of the Molyneux coal brought by the Ann Jane was put on board the White Swan, and as will be observed from the subjoined letter, forwarded to us for publication, Capt. M'Lean and his engineer have expressed a very favourable opinion as to their quality. She left the port on Monday at 5 p.m., and steamed to outside the bar in 39 minutes, against wind and tide, blowing off the steam the whole way :—: — S. S. White Sioan, Oct. 18, 3 p.m. Captain Cabgilt., Dear Sir,— My Engineer has pot up the steam with the coal sent on board, and I am happy to inform you that they are likely to answer very weli. The steam was got up in the same time as usual with NewSeuth Wales coal, viz., an hour and a half from the lime of lighting the fires. The Molyneux coals burn with a very fine white ash, and gice great heat. I shall giro them a fair trial when under way, and report on my return. From what I ha\e seen, I have no doubt but the report will be a favourable one.— l am, dear Sir, yours very truly, John M'Lean.

We observe that the revenue from the Local Post is steadily increasing. The sum received for the quarter ending September amounted to £60 10s. 3d., being an increase of £22 2s. 2d. upon the June quarter. We hear great complaints from the agriculturists in the Tokomairiro and Waihola districts of the difficulty experienced in getting grain to market : we understand that the bulk oflast year's crops are still on hand. This is a loss to the colony as well as to the grower : it is just so much capital lying idle— not only not paying interest, but fdepreciatiug in value. This, coupled with the fact that two vessels— the Sebim and Thomas if Henry— have this week cleared for Melbourne and Sydney in ballast, is strong proof of the need we have for a coasting steamer, and the utter fallacy of the statements which have been made about the want of vessels to carry our produce to the Australian colonies.

The change in the Waste Land Board seems to have given very general satisfaction to the public, witn the exception of course of Mr William Hunter Reynolds, as appears from a very dolorous letter in yesterday's "Colonist." To the stockowners it is a matter of great importance that there is now on the Board gentlemen who really understands the nature of the business which comes before them.

W. H. Teschemaker, Esq., has been elected a member of the Provincial Council for the northern District. We understand that R. Stewart and Alex. M'Nab, Esqrs., have been returned for the Southern District.

We are requested to remind the public that the meeting to consider the steam question takes place in the school-room on Monday evening at 6 o'clock.

t tathe afternoon of Saturday last, about 5 ! 0 clock, as the party of workmen engaged in the cutting over Church-hill had just completed the incline through, ready for traffic, a slip of i earth took place, which has bad the effect of stopping the passage for some days to come.' 1 revious to the slip taking place, a rent was observed by parties above and timely warning was given of danger to the workmen; but being headed by an under foreman more zealous tor the completion of the work than careful of

the lives and limbs of himself and workmen, he remained, and forbade his party to make their escape till the last moment. This he managed in time, and so exactly that the tail of the last horse just moved out as the huge mass of earth fell in. The cutting goes through very hard clay or tile, of solid and sound appearance ; but it appears at the position of the slip a thin unctuous clay exists, forming a slippery inclined plane, on which the superincumbent mass slid down.

Dunedin School Committee. — A meeting of the rate-payers of Dunedin, under the Education Ordinance, was held in the Schooi-house on Wednesday, the 20th instant. The attendance was so small that the meeting did not feel itself justified in taking any steps towards electing a Committee for the ensuing year. Surprise was strongly expressed at the absence of all the members of the School Committee, some of whom ought certainly, in the exercise of common courtesy, to have been present. The meeting thought the most advisable course to pursue would be to adjourn till Tuesday, the 26th instant, which was accordingly done.

North-East Valley School Committee.— At a meeting held in the North-east Valley, under the Education Ordinance, for the purpose of electing a Committee for the carrying out of education in that district, it was unanimously resolved, that the last Committee in office should continue to hold office for the ensuing year. The members are— Messrs. R. L. Jeffreys, Peter Lindsay, James Gebbie, William Chapman, James Hunter, George Green, and Alexander M'Swan.

Port Chalmers School Committee.— The annual meeting of the rate-payers of the Port Chalmers Educational District for the election of a Committee for the ensuing year, took place on the 20th inst. ; when the following gentlemen were elected, viz., Rev. Mr. Johnston, Messrs. Strachan, T ayler, Richardson, Avnrne, Captains Ridley and Sewell. In closing their labours for the past year, the late Committee took occasion to express their high opinion of the moral character, as also of his abilities as a teacher, of their schoolmaster, Mr. Allan in which opinion the meeting fully concurred, and the proceedings terminated.