New Draught Stock.— Mr R. Orton of the Point has recently purchased Young Prince 'of Wales from Mr J. Torrens of Christchurch, for tho sum of £450 guineas. Ploughing Match. — A meeting of the different Committees appointed m connection with the Tiraaru Ploughing Match, will be held at the Grosvenor Hotel this afternoon:

VOLUNTEER ROCKET BRIGADE. — This brigade had an excellent practice last evoV"%sjs»a? and tho members are ripidly becor. .ng thoroughly conversant with the working of the apparatus, and their duties generally. Opening of Parliament. — The third session of tho sixth Parliament of New Zealand whs formally opened yesterday afternoon by his Excellency tho Governor, particulars of whoso speech will be found m our telegraphic columns. After some formal business had been transacted the House adjourned till Tuesday next.

Cautehbuky Coixege. — At the regular meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, held at Christchurch on Thursday, Mr E. Wakofield was elected a member. Messrs AVobb and Buys wore appointed to visit Timaru a^d report as to a site for a Boys' High School.

Death of an Early. Settles. — It is with eincero rogret thnt wo have to chronicle the death of one of our earliest sottlers, m the person of Mrs Henry Cain, who breathed her last at her husband's residence, North-street, Timaru, yesterday morning. Captnin and Mrs Cum first camo to Tiionru m 1857, or nearly 21 years ago, and have resided h»re ever since. Tho first house, with tho excoption of a sod hut belonging to tho Messrs Rhodes, was built by Captaiu Cum, who has ever Binco been one of our best citizens. We feel sure that hU widespread number of friends will ioin with va in expressing our sympathy with Captain Cain m his sail bereavement.

Gaitt's Patent. — Wo were yesterday shewn the simple but very useful contrivance for displaying drnpery goods m Bhops or windows, for which Mr Guitt of Waimato has applied for a patent. Instead of allowing tho articles to remain hung up covered with tho dust, or when changed, to be done by the use of steps, this contrivance telescopes up or down, being balanced by weights and pulleys, and goods can be dusted daily or changed or covered over at night with the greatest ease. Being made of brass castings, the invention improves the appearance of the shop. We believe some of the Dunedin drapers are proposing to introduce it into their establishments.

Resignation. — We understand that Capt. J. H. Sutter has resigned his seat as a member of the Borough Council. Captain Sutter has been a hard-working member of the Council for tho last five years, during one year of which he filled the Mayoral chair. He may, like other men, have his shortcomings and his failings, but, notwithstanding this, his worst enemies cannot deny that he brought a great deal of practical knowledge and experience to bear upon the business of the Council, and that he has always been a hard-working and useful member. Wo believe we are right m stating that tho cause of his resignation is the action -which the Council have taken with regard to the £40,000 loan for waterworks purposes ; and that another member who does not approve of the manner m which that has been carried out is also about resigning. Captain Suiter's loss will be felt by the Council.

Wealth op the Natives. — The Thames Star states that it is reported that at the completion of the Lands Court, at Shortland, the Natives, will be richer by some £30,000 or £40,000.

Art Unions.— Sir Bryan O'lnghlen, the Attorney- General of Victoria, has iclimated that it is his intention to bike legal stcpß to check tke large amount of gambling which is going on m Victoria, under the guiso of " art unions."

"What the Lathees Do.— The New Zealander says that as showing tho responsible part lawyers play m nrranping Court battles, tho plaintiff m a case beforo the Supreme Court, Wellington, stated t.hnt ho had originally laid the damages at £500, bat found, on arriving m Wellington, that his legal advisers had modestly fixed tho claim at £1050. The jury found for the plaintiff £20 damages. An Intkbestino Awakd. — An irreverent paragraphist m the Dunedin Age thus discourses:—A pleasant, and wo should fancy also an amusing iocidenfc, occurred at tho conclusion of - tho Muungatua ploughing match. A committee of our young ladiea was appointed to select the best looking ploughman. Their choice fell on Mr John Millar, who was presented by one of tho committee, (Miss Margaret Murray) with a very handsome roactte. This is a slight r-dvance on the old system of selecting the best team of horses. Whit is tho intellectual animal comin» to. Fortunate John Millar! The pride of the female clod-hopper of Mnungalua ! Fortune will smile on his path, when beauty sheds rosettes by the way.

The Late Pope. — Pope Pius IX. (says a writer m Harper's Bazaar) was very fond of billiards. He had a French table (without pockets) at the Vatican, and, when his health allowed it, used to play two or threo games every evening before going to bed. He was not au early riser, and his habits had a great deal of the Italian indolence. He liked sweetmeats, pastry, and playful conversation. Wine he never touched at table, and he took all his menls alone, it being contrary to otiquette for anyone, even a crowned head, to eat with the Supromo Pontiff.

The Pan-An9X,ican Synod.— The " Church of England Messenger" recently stated that the following would bo tb.9 programme of proceedings at the Lambeth Synod : — " The first week, of four eeßsions, will be devoted to discussions, m conference, of the subjects submitted foi deliberation ; the second and third weeks to the consideration of these subjects m committees ; and thn fourth week tip ~&MjJ t discussions m conference and to the cloeo of the meeting. The subjects selected for discussion are — 1. The bestmothod of maintaining union among the various churches of the Anglican communion. 2. "Voluntary boards of arbitration for churches to which Jeuch an arrangement may be applicable. 3. The relation to each other of missionary bishops and of missionaries m various branches of the Anglican communion, acting m the same country. 4. The position of Anglican chaplains and chaplaincies on the Continent of Europe and elsewhere. 5. Modern forms of infidelity, and the beat means of dealing with them. 6. The condition, " progress, and needs of the various churches of the Anglican communion."

A New Settlement Sohbmb. — We are informed on the beßt authority (says the Southland Times) that Mr Henry Driver stated at a railway meeting held m Dunedin on Wednesday, that 170,000 acres of land m Southland were to be disposed of to s London Company, to be afterwards subdivided and sold m small farms. We hare every reason to suppose that this is part of the fruits of Mr Larnach's visit to England. The properties, we understand, comprise the freeholds of Messrs Clarke, Bell, I/arnacb, and Driver.

KIOHNES3 AND MEANNESS. — " iEgW m the Australasian writes:— "l waß told the other day by a prosperous pastoral tenant the following story of another gentleman, who also lire! by the increase of cattle and the happy need for blankets m cold weather. Cloflefisfc is a bachelor with an income of something like £10,000 a-year, bat, being canny and

Jrudent, ho eschews hotels nnd B^eks out a moderate-priced boarding liou^c. 110 risked bis two Melbourne co-partners m the. stations to con:o out with him to h ; s suburban lodging. When they entered the sitting-room there was a bottle of brandy on tho table, from which C. helped himself without inviting his guosts to join him. Knowing their man. Buid ono to tho other, " Let's have a nip, too," and tho rite was duly performed. After a time conversation flagged, and Discount said to Fleecewool, " We'll havo a littlo more brandy before we go." "Do you. really mean it?" inquired Closefist. " Certainly wo do." "Well, then be quick, and let mo put the cork m, for, you must know, it isn't my brandy; It bclongi to ono of tho other lodgers."

Adding Insult to Injury. — For sublime impudenco commend us to a hen-roost robber m Wellington, who lately sen' 'ho following epistle to a Mr Tutcheu, of that city :— "My dear Bir, — Allow me to recommend to your notice thnt tho ' fowla ' I borrowed from you the other night were very tough, owing to, I supposo, bad feeding. As I intend to givn you a call again m a few nigiits, I trust you will havo some m a better condilion. While sympathising with you m your loss, you arc welcome to tho feathers of tho?o which I had tho other night, by your fetching a bag to my houßO m Haining-streofc, on Thursday night.— l remain, joura truly, Cochin China. P.S. — Dear Charles, this has been written with tho blood of your roosters. Cocka-doodle-do." Mr Tutchen has set up a gun, with a double chargo of buck-shot.

New Telegraph Arrangements. — It may not bo generally known (say tho New Zealand Times) that one of tlio results of tho Cable Conference m Australia will probably bo bo largo a reduction m tho rates charged for Press messages, that should tho business remain as at present, there would bo a losb to tho Eastern Extension Telegraph Company of "some £20,000 a year ; but it 13 anticipated that the wires will bo so much more freely nsed at the lower ecale that the income derived from the Press will be increased. Whatever may be tho result financially, the change will be a great boon to the public, as it will enable newspapers to bavo much fuller cablo news than can now be obtained, oxcopt at a very serious outlay.

N.Z. Shipping Company. — Tho annual general meeting of tho shareholders of tho above company will toko place on Friday next (says tho Press). The report shows a balance to tho credit of profit and loss on 30th Juno last of £27,633 14s 6d, which it is proposed to appropriate as follows : — £13,750 to the reserve fund, which will stand at £40,000 ; a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year (of which an interim dividend of 4 per cent, has been paid), amounting to £12,500, leaving a balance of £1383 14s 6d to the credit of profit and loss now account.

The Baudauat Exhibition.— Theßnllarat Juvenile Exhibition recently cloßed successfully, was continued fifteen weeks. The statistics buow that the number of exhibits have been 5100, contributed by 2153 exhibitors ; visitors, 154,684 ; receipts at door, £4013 10s Gd; season tickets £403 14s 6d ; Government grant, £300 ; private subscriptions, £700 ; total, £5417 ss. It is anticipated that after all the expenses nre paid thero will be a balance of about £1250, and the disposition of the majority of the committee appears to be that this sum should be devoted to forming a nucleus for the institution of a permanent local mußoum. Thb blessing of old ago is health Mid comfort. These are assured to the careful m middle age ; but accident or misapprehension of the best modes of maintaining the system m tt well-balanced Btete of health often lead to the setting up of diseases m the constitution, which Bhow themselves m after life. Persons of 76 years of ago have been cured by the use of "Ghoixah's Gbeat Indian Cubes," which can be had of oil Chemists. Sco testimonials. (Adtt.)