LOCAL MEMORANDA.

Waste Land Board.— A meeting of the members of the Wasto Land Board was held on Tuesday afternoon. On the motion of Mr Ludlam the following resolution was carried :— " Thafc it is the opinion of the Wasto Land Board, a difficulty has arisen in consequence of the ab-. aence of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, there heing no provision in the Act of the General Assembly, of 1865, for a deputy commissionor having a seat at the Board. Thoy believe fchafc any decisions fchey may give would bo open to a question as to thoir legality. Under the circumstances it is deemed advisable that an opinion should be obtained from the Attorney General as to the legulity of a Deputy Commissoner of Crown Lands exercising any power as a member ofthe Board." It was then resolved that a copy of tho resolution be forwarded to the Superintendent, with a request that he would obtain the opinion of the Attorney-General thereon. Tho meeting then adjourned. — January 30. Native Lands Coobt. — T. H. Smith, Esq., Judge of the Native Lands Court, assisted by Manihera Rangitakaiwaho, is now holding a sittings of tho Native Lands Court, in the Athenoeum, to adjudicate upon certain claims to land at the Hutt, Ohariu, and Pipitea. Most of the claims made up tothopresenttime, have been postponed in consequence of proper Burveys not having been made in accordance with fche Native Lands Act. Mr Smith will leavo town on Monday for tho purposo of holding sittings nt various places along the West Coast, in order to investigate the principal claims to land lying botween Wellington and Wangnnui. — January 30. The Wellington Gas Company.— A meeting of the Directors of this Association— Captain Rhodes in the chair— was held at fche Exchange Rooms, on the evening of the 28th, when Mr C. R. Carter submitted to them some well executed plans, elevations, specifications and estimates of gas works for Wellington, to which we alluded the otlier day. Mr Carter's explanations of fche plans, &c, were favorably received by the Directors present. After some discussion, it was agreed thafc Mr Walker, Manager of fche Christchurch Gas Works, be requested to meet; the Directors in Wellington to givo thera his professional opinion as to the cost and adaptability of the plans of the proposed gas worka for this city. Ifc was also arranged that tho plans and specification should be placed on view in the Mechanics' Institute, where they may now be seen by the public. From what wo lenrn, wo believe there is now a better prospect than ever of Wellington being, at no distant date, lighted up with gas. Wesleyan Church. — The usual quarterly meeting of the officials of the above church, for the Wellingtou Circuit, was held in tho schoolroom, Manners street, on the Sth uit., under tho presidency of the Rev. W. Kirk. The local preachers assembled at 11 ; when the usual questions referring to their observance of discipline were asked and satisfactory answers given. Tho attention of fche meeting was also drawn to the necessity of increased help in this department, and one person, being duly proposed, was admitted on trial. At two o'clock, the trustees, leaders, and other office-bearers met. After devotional exercises, the financial statement for the quarter ending December 31, 1867, was presented. Ifc showed the total receipts, including a balance from fche previous quarter, to have been £245 16s 6d; aud tho expenditure, ordinary and extraordinary, to have amounted to £245 0* 6d, which left 16s in hand. Tlie number of church members was stated as 275, with 18 on trial. Tlie chairman reported thafc afc tho Annual District Meeting, tho proposition made last quarterly meeting, relative to a division of the circuit, had been agreed to ; and also that an additional minister, who might be expected in aboufc three months' time, had been appointed to the circuit. The committee appointed last quarter reported that half an aero of land had been acquired at Karori, on which a church had been built — the temporary debt on tho building heing £55. Application was made by the Hutt Trustees for permission to build a schoolroom and vestry ; and on the understanding that no debt; should be inciuwd the required permission was given. A general conversation then took place as to the measures best adapted for reaching those classes of persons who attend no place of worship, and all present resolved to do their utmost to gather in these outcasts. Afc 7-30 p.m. a public mooting was held, when a short abstract ofthe financial statement was read by Mr Clark, and addresses bearing upon the spiritual condition of fcho church wero delivered by the ministers and Messrs Robinson and Tonks. Tho meeting closed at a quarter past nine. TeAro Parsonage.— Mr Ben. Smith's design for a parsonage in connection wifch St. Peter's Church, Te Aro, has been selected from amongst a number thafc were sent in to the Committee and the work will be proceeded with at once. Tho accepted design shows a building of a somewhat novel character for Wellington, but very suitablo for the purposo for which ifc is intended. Tho stylo chosen is the early English Gothic, and ifc has been strictly adhered to in all parts of tho building, which, in consequence, presents a harmony of detail that is very pleasing to the eye. The parsonage will contain thirteen rooms, and is to be erected on a piece of ground afc the corner of Abel Smith and Woolcombe streets.

The Weather. — Forebodings of a storm wero indicated yesterday morning by the rapid fall in the barometer. On Sunday morning tbo standard afc tbe Observatory indicated 29.822 (corrected to sea level, &c ) On Monday it was 28.899, and continued falling till about threo o'clock, whon it stood at 28.754 ; lower than it has fallen in Wellington for years. This fall was the more remarkable, because all Sunday the wind had a southerly and south easterly direction, which here generally causes fche barometer to rise. During fche early part of Monday tho wind was duo E , bufc ifc went round to the N.W. in the afternoon, when tho barometer began to ascend, and tho wind to blow in strong gusts. The shipping in harbour had previously mado snug, and otherwise prepared for an approaching gale, and we havo not heard of any damage being done. Telegrams were received from Blenhoim yesterday afternoon stating that the storm was raging with great violence there, and thafc fche town was flooded. — Feb. 4.

Earthquakes. — Earthquake shocks have beon felt over a very extensive area of Now Zealand during the last two or three weeks. On Monday, fche 20th uit, a slight shock was felt at Kaiapoi ; and on the 24th vibrations were felfc both at Port Chalmers and Dunedin. Shocks were felfc in this city, in the Wairarapa, and afc Wanganui aboufc 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning last, and Captain Farnie, of the Lady Denison, which arrived at Wanganui at noon on Wednesday, reports having experienced a shock at sea that morning. About five minutes to eight on Saturday morning two smart shocks, following instantly upon each other, were felfc hore, and a telegram from Dunedin states that, a few minutes boforo that time, an earthquake shock was felt there in that city. — Feb. 4.

Eabthqttakes. — At five minutes to 8 o'clock yesterday morning a smart shock of earthquake, consisting firat of a wave-like motion, followed by a trembling ofthe earth, was foit. It was proceeded by a rumbling noise, — January 30.

Volunteer Maeoh.— No 1 Oompany Wellington Rifle Volunteers and fcho Volunteer Artillery Corps marched out of town to Kaiwarra on Saturday afternoon last, accompanied by their respective bands. No. 1 Company fell in at 5 o'clock on the ground opposito the Albion Hofcol, and marched to tho Market Hall, in Mannors street, whero they wore joined by the Artillery, headod by Captain Buckley, who according to the rules of tho service, led tho way with his company. The Artillery appeared for tho first timo in their full dress tunic, and the band of the Rifles, numboring 17 members, also camo out for tho first time in their new dress, a whito tunic embroidered wifch black. Tlie two companies, tho Riflc3 to the number of about 80 officers and men, all told, and tho Artillery to the number of 40 ;

about 120 in all, started off in excellent ordor, until they passed the Superintendent's house, when the order was given to march easy — an order tho men were only too glad to obey, for they were half blinded nnd choked with the dust, which the high wind, blowing afc tlio time, sent into' their faces. On arriving afc Kaiwarra at about six o'clook, Mr Morgan's Waterloo Hotel was literally besoiged by upwards of a hundred thirsty souls, and the dismay of the worthy proprietor at having almost single-handed to serve a small army of customers may bo better imagined than described. His beer was in great request, and as glasses and pewters wero scarce, any vessels that came to hand were made use of to serve out the precious liquor. After refreshing themselves the companies re-formed, the Artillery oufc of courtesy giving precedence to the Rifles, and marched back again to town, reaching fcheir quarters at about 8 o'clock. Both to and from Kaiwarra they wore accompanied by numbers of peoplo, both on horseback and on foot, and altogether mado a very creditable display.— Jan. 21.

Prize Cup.— Captain Mcßarnet, of No. 1 Company Wellington Rifle Volunteers announced on tho parade which took place on Tuesday evening at Thorndon, that a silver cup bad beon placed in his hands by a private to be B,hoh for by the Company. Tho cup is of elegant and appropriate design, boing supported on threo rifles, and a similar one was lately bought by Major Atkinson as a prize for tho Taranaki Volunteers. The match will como off in about three weeks ; ranges, 300, 400, and 500 yards, with seven shots at each range and no score under forty-two to win.

Prize Cop.— Captain B?nson, who returned from Sydney by the steamer Mataura, brought with him from that place a handsome silver cup, which, in accordance with a promise he gave to tho Anniversary and Calodonian Committee, ho will offer as a prizo to be competed for by sailing boats during the regatta that is to be hold upon the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh. The cup is a very elegant one, and of considerably greater value tlian Captain Benson promised. Upon one side is a very elegant piece of carving representing a yacht race ; while upon the other, surrounded ■with ornaments, is a blank shield, upon which the name of fcho winner -will be inscribed. Tho cup was manufactured in London as a prizo to be competed for at tho late Sydney regatta, bufc arrived too lato for that purpose.

Cricketing. — A meeting of gentlemen interested in cricket, which was very fairly attended took place on the evening of the 30th, at Osgood's. Mr Buchanan was called to tho chair and a number of rules of a club to be called the United Wollington Cricket Club were considered and agreed to ; after which tho club was formed and a club meeting was held. His Honor the Superintendent was elected President ; C. B. Borlase, Esq, and Major Campbell vice-Presidents ; J. W. Jordan, Honorary Secretary ; J- W. Tagg, Hon. Treasurer ; and Messrs W. Bromley, T. Buchanan, a. Crawford, Harris, J. W. A. Marchant, F. Gt. Moore, and S. Waters a committee of management. The annual subscription is lOs 6d, exclusive of 5s entrance feo for paying members, and 21s for honorary members. The Club starts with 40 members.

Accident. — Wo are sorry thafc tho first route marching parade of the Rifles and Artillery should have boen marred by an accident. On Saturday evening a little boy named Conolly was watching the parade, and as the band commenced to play at Kaiwarra, the horse of a gentleman who was riding became restive, reared and plunged violently, and with its fore feet struck the poor little lad on the head. Tho blow was a severe one, and rendered fcbe boy insensible lor some timo. but on being curried to the Hospital it was found fchafc no bones were broken, and that beyond a contusion on the head tho little fellow was nono the worse The accident was unavoidable, and no blame attaches to any ono. — Ibid.

Runaway Hoiise.— As Mr Read, the carrier, was driving his van down Willis street, yesterday morning, the horse was started by a gentleman on horseback noar Barrett's Hotel, and, the driver losing all control over it, it set off ab a mad gallop ancl Mr Read was almost immediately pitched out, bufc fortunately was not seriously injured. In its progress along the beach the horse made a great clatter, knocking down some verandah posts, and wounding itself deeply by running against the shaft, of a cart. When about halfway up the beach the horso managed to detach itself from tho vehicle, and soon after dropped covered with blood and expired.— February 1.

Mv Fox. — Mr and Mrs Fox arrived at Tutaenui on fcho I3th uit., where they were welcomed in tho mosb hearty manner. Two triumphal arches, covered with evergreens and surrounded with innumerable flags, had been erected in the township ; Jessop' s brewery, the different stores, and a number of privato houses were also decorated wifch flags. Mr and Mrs Fox arrived about two o'clock, and wore met at tho junction opposite the Tutaenui Hotol by a largo number of ladies and gentlomon, and between sixty and seventy school children. The latter presented them with a flag, and sung several hymns. The procession then proceeded to the Travellers' Rest, where another body of settlers awaited fcheir arrival. Mr Fox then addressed tho assemblage. There was a ball in the evening at the Travellers' Rest.

Buthding Improvements. — Among the improvements in the building line, which aro now being carried oufc in the New Zealand metropolis perhaps none is moro deserving of praise than ' those extensive stores, now near completion in ; Hunter street, the property of Mr Gr. Turnbull. The dimensions are as follows : — Tho frontago is seventy feet in width, and tho ivoe storo and bond runs back 100 feet, and the character, design and arrangement of tho wholo building seem to us especially adapted for its various purposes. Tho style of architecture for the front elevation is modern Italian, and it is carried out in its details with such a regard to proportion and fitness, fchafc an appearance afc once pleasing and solid is imparted to the structure. In tho centre of tho front two massive folding doors : open on tho free stores, j and at the front corner ' near Feathorston streot are a pair of solidly con- ' structed gates enclosing fche roadway fco fcho yard ' and bond afc tho rear of the store. The four * lower windows are set in reveal and finished with • ornamental sashes, the opening with tho keystone, capped with architraves and very handsome ! carved bracket trusses. The spaces between the window and door opening aro further embellished with massive pilasters rusticated for tho bottom storey, and pannelled for tho top. The pillars, with their large moulded caps and bases — projecting some eight inchos aro vory effective. The upper windows aro finished with semi-circular heads and aro so constructed that they form a part of the eolid building, and aro finished with a largo moulded transom head that gives it proper architectural effect as well as strength, tbey are otherwise finished with ornamental brackets and heads. The whole of tho front is capped with a very handsome cornice and parapet. Tho internal fitttings aro in no way inferior. On the lower floor passing through a pair of spring folding doors, the visitor approaches a very largo and handsome staircaso, but before ascending ifc, his attention would be arrested with tho strongly constructed beams and storey posts supporting the upper floor— and wo could not but admire the good use to which our colonial timber had been put, several of these large beams being thirty-five feet long and fourteen inches deep. Tho upper floor of tho free store is seventy feet by fifty feet, tho roofs being supported in the centre upon a beam in continuation, and formed into arches ; the wholo of this large room is finished wifch its architrave skirtings, papered and paintod throughout, and will bo otherwise fitted up with counters and shelving. The bond at tho back is two story high, and is built especially for that purpose. Tho building was erected from designs, and undor the superintendence of Mr Bon Smith, architect, and from the universal satisfaction fche building appears to givo to all who have afforded themselves tho opportunity of inspecting ifc, must add to his reputation. The • jntrnctors arc Messrs Whiteford and Maharg.

Important Land Sale. — Mr J. H. Wallace put up to auction on tho 15th ulfc., a large quantity of land in tho Mungaroa Valley, Upper Hutfc, aboufc twenty-five miles from this city. Tho land was sold upon deferred payments. Thero was a much larger attendance than we have seen at a land sale for some time past ; and tho bidding for tho town sections in Wallaceville was most animated, every lot being sold at a good price. The suburban sections were not much inquired after, but we hear that tho greater part of these will most likely be disposed of within a day or two. The following wero tho lots sold and the prices obtained: — Township of Wallaceville— lofc 1, 1 acre, 2 roods, £7 Gr. H. Vennell ; lot 2, 1 acre, £5, E. Owen ; lot 3, 1 acre, £5, J. Martin ; lot 4, 1 acre, £5, S. Cash ; lot 5, 1 acre, £5, J. Oringwigan ; lot 6, 1 acre, £5 ss, T. Bishop ; lot 7, 1 acre, £9 9s, E. Moeller ; lot 8, 1 acre, £9 9s, E. O. Krull ; lot 9, 1 acre, £7, H. Collett : lot 10, 1 acre, £6, T. Bishop ; lot 11, 1 acre, £6, H. Blundell ; lofc 12, 1 acre, £7 ss, T. V. Harvey ; lot 13, 1 acre, £9 10s, R. J. Duncan ; lofc 14, £11, W. B. Rhodes ; lot 15, 1 aero, £6 10, Sir Robert Douglas ; lot 16, 3 acres, 6 perches, £6 6s, E. Reeves ; lot 17, 3 roods 3 perches, £6, E. Reeves ; lots 18 and 19, 1 rood 2 perches, £11, W. B. Rhodes ; lot 20, 3 roods 27 perches, £8 10s, W. Rliodes ; lot 21, 1 acre, £9, W. L. Travers ; lot 22, 1 acre £11, S. Rowley ; lofc 23, 1 acre, £11, W. | Wallis ; lofc 24, 1 acre, £7, W. Wallis ; lot 25, 1 aero, £7, J. Ryden ; lot 26, 1 acre, £7 10s, E. Reevo3; lot 27, 1 acre, £11103, E. Reeves; lot 28, 1 acre, £15, E. Reevus ; lot 29, 1 aero, £14, E. Owen ; lofc 30, 1 acre, £10 10s, E. Owen ; lofc 31, 1 acre, £8 Bs, B. Smith j lofc 32, 1 aero, £17 10s, R, J. Duncan ; lofc 33, 1 aero, £10, H. Blundell ; lofc 34, 3 roods 14 perches, £6 10s, J. Martin; lofc 35, 3 acres, 39 perches, £7, W. Wallis ; lob 36, 1 aero, £7 ss, R. ; lofc 37, 1 acre, £8 10s, S. Pattison ; lofc 38, 1 acre, £8 15s, R. J. Duncan ; lot 39, 1 aero, £15, R. J. Duncan ; lot 40, 1 acre, £12, R. Scott ; lot 41, lacre, £7 ss, J. Cringwigan ; lot 42, 1 acre, £7 15s, ■ lot 43, 1 aero, £7 15s, J. Ryan ; lofc 44, 1 acre, £8, D. Mclntyre; lot 45, 1 aero 1 rood, 6 perches, £14 10s, E. Moeller ; lot 46, .3 roods, £6 10s, W. B. Rhodes ; lot 47, 3 roods, 36 perches, £6 10s, J. Dransfield; lofc 48, 1 acre, £7 ss, R. E. Hewitt; lot 49, 1 acre, £6, J. B. Wallace ; lofc 50, 1 acre, £6 ss, W. B. Nicholas ; lot 51, 1 acre, £6, R. J. Duncan ; lofc 52, 1 acre, £8 15, W. M. Bannatyne ; lot 63, 1 acre, £8, J. . Piimmor ; lot 54, 1 acre, £6, C. Taylor; 10t 55, 1 aero, £6 15s, J. Cringwigan ; lofc 56, 1 acre, 3 roods, £10, J. DransGeld. Suburban and country lot 137, 10U acres, £300, C. Collis, junior. Town aero No. 430, having a frontago of 490 links to Oriental Quay, and a six-roomed eottago upon it, at present occupied by Mr W. Bannister, was put up, by order of the Board of Works, and fetched £300, the purchaser being Mr J. Martin. Town aero No 475, adjacent, to the Union Bank, was disposed of privately to Mr M. Whittem, for the sum of £400.

The Nelson Hotel, Lambton Quay, which, wilh otlier properties, had beon advertised for sale, was not pufc up. Suburban lot No. 61, containing nineteen acros, was afterwards sold by privato contract to Mr Jas. Alexander, for £95 ; and lot 147, containing 100 aores, to Messrs Lawrence and Robinson, for £400.

Sale at the late New Zealand Times Office. — A salo by auction of tho lease of the building lately occupied as tho Neio Zealand Times office, of the furniture, paper, and other effects exclusive of tlio plant and printing material, and of other properties took place on the 30th uit., on the premises. Tho sale was to commence at two o'clock, and before that hour Mr Vennell, the auctioneer was present, bufc somo delay arose in consequence of objections being raised against the sale, during which a considerable amount of chaff was indulged in. Mr Brandon, on behalf of Mr J. Martin, tho lessor, who has a lien on the stock-in-trade, protested against tho sale of the furniture and effects ; Mr Allan was then called in on behalf of the trusteo of the estate, and, as he produced authorities to show that fche furniture and effects were not encumbered, Mr Vennell, after a great deal of animated, but amicable conversation, proceeded to sell. The proporty which was first, put up was the lease of tho office with the improvements afc a rental of £250 a year wifch nearly seven years to run ; possession to be given on Monday next, and plant to be removed ; this was knocked down to Mr E. W. Mills, who was tho only, bidder, for £50. The 32 feet frontage in Brook street was sold to Mr W. B. Rhodes (or 29s a foot, and town acre 117, and fche property in Hawkestone street were withdrawn. The oflico furniture and effects that wore sold realised also a considerable sum.

Transparencies.. — We had lately the pleasuro of viewing at Mr Black's Coach Manufactory, a transparency exocufcpd by Mr Hislop for tho Central Volunteer Firo Brigade, and must say we feel ourselves free to admit that of the kind ifc is as well finished a work as we ever remember to havo seen. In eizo it is fifteen feet by ten feet, and represents on a black ground tho Central Firo Brigado surmounted by tho royal arms and the words " uiiifcedfosavo;" and flanked with the British ancl New Zealand shields surmounted by coronets with the words " Welcomo Alfred" ancl " Advance Wellington" on either side ; underneath all is a scroll with the words

" Central Volunteor Fire Brigado" inscribed. We understand that tliis transparency is the first thafc

has been executed here in view of the approaching visit of H.R.H. the Duko of Edinburgh, and we can only say that if all which may then be displayed are equal to ifc, Wellington will make a very good show in this particular branch of festive demonstrations, when ifc welcomes him, whom Australia now delights to honor.

Wild Cattle in the Waibabapa. — Tho Journal contains the following paragraph : — " In the almost impassable mountain ranges on tho boundaries of runs both in the Wairarapa and East Coast there are large mobs of wild cattle, accumulated strayed cattle from fche stations and their increase. Just now Messrs Smith and Rovans aro trying tho experiment of getting in some of a largo herd of wild cattle, estimated to number nearly a thousand head, from the back boundary of their run. Most of theso cattlo aro strayed ones from Messrs Smith & Revans' station and their increase. For any others which may be got in wo understand Messrs Sniith and Revans have agreed to pay the owners a stated sum. Thcro aro aboufc 7 stockmen engaged, noted rough riders, who gefc so much per head of those they drive into a strong five-railed 100 acre paddock. Several hundred head have already beon secured. The work is very dangerous, not so much from fcho wildness of the cattle, some of which aro, however, fierce enough, but from the

roughness of the country and steepness of tho hills. Wo have heard of some damaging and painful falls experienced by the stockmen. Wo believe the experiment is paying so far. This is only one of several enterprises which Messrs Smitli and Revans have undertaken since they first established themselves in the valley, some 24 or 25 years ago, and for which tboy deserve every accommodation."

Remahkable Case or Incendiarism. — The details of a remarkable cnse of incendiarism at | Marlborough are given in laßt Saturday's Express. Ifc seems that on Saturday week Mr Frederick "Williams found it necessary to punish a boy in his employ named Ward, whereupon the young rascal deliberately went into tho house, and having procured a box of matches applied the light to one of the stacks of grain, which had only that day been thatched, and in a fow minutes the whole of this year's harvest, comprising four stacks, was utterly destroyed, to the value of between £400 and £500. Tho boy decamped, but was afterwards caught, when ho confessed his guilt, and was to somo extent pardoned by his master. His guardian camo to Mr Williams' I house on Thursday, and after his departure, the boy was locked up in a room. Immediately afterwards the house was discovered to be

on fire in a passage upon which tho room

in which tho boy was locked up opened. A little girl in the house unfastened tho room and set tho boy at liberty. Tho latter immediately disappeared in tho manuka scrub,

and has not heen heard of since. The house was destroyed, with everything in it, savo a sewing machine. Ifc is doubtful whether or not tho second fire owes its origin to the lad.

Waterspouts.— Between five and sixo'clock on the morning of fche 9th ulfc., a succession of waterspouts was seen from Saltwater Creek. They appeared to be aboufc five miles from land in a south-east direction. The first one seen lasted a considerable time — over twenty minutes, and was travelling seaward at a great rate. It eventually burst when almost out of sight. At ono period two were seen at the same time, one of them being quite perpendicular, and apparently not six inches in thickness. This gradually increased its diameter until it assumed gigantic proportions, and at the end of about eight minutes it loat its perpendicular position and buret. Altogether six waterspouts were noticed by a person who informed tho Press oi tho occurrence.

Oil Spring.— Mr R. H. Ooe, C.E., Bays in a letter to the Greg River Argus, written from the Sandhills, is that an oil spring, about which I am not at liberty to Bay much at present, has also been discovered some miles from this place. I showed the man who pointed it oufc fco me, a specimen of petroleum shale I happened to have with me, and recommended him to bore in an inexpensive manner, which I instructed him in. If not proved valuable as a light, ifc may bo highly so as a lucubrator for the numerous machines now erected in Charleston.

Smuggling. — The Southern Cross says : — The yacht Lizard was taken possession of by the Customs authorities at this port on Saturday, in consequence of a quantity of wines and spirits having been found on board which are believed to bo a portion of the bonded goods shipped for the Islands in tho schooner Zillah. The goods were landed by the Customs on Saturday, and tho vessel dismantled and moored near the cutters Ringdove and Ringleader, which have also been seized by the Customs at this port, on charges of landing goods contrary to the provisions of the Customs Regulations Act. Tho Lizard was, ifc appears, observed to follow tho schooner Zillah, which gofc under weight late on Thursday nighfc, and on tho following day was noticed off Kohhuarama, at anchor. Suspicion having been communicated to the Customs, in tho evening a boat; was sent out to watch the yacht. Tlie men boardod her, and found a quantity of wines and spirits on board, having previously observed a boat putting off from the vessel. On boarding her it was found that fche owner, Benjamin Pillinger, was nofc on board, James Miller and Samuel Wield were in charge of fche yacht, and they were taken into custody at II o'clock on Friday nighfc." Miller did not appear when called upon for his final examination and forfeited his recognizances. Wield was convicted of a breach of the 177 th clause of the Customs Regulation Act, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Pillingor was convicted of a breach of the 163 rd section of the Act, and fined £100.

The Collingwood Diggings. — Tho JExaminer Bn y S : — " We wero shown a day or two ago at tho Bank of New Zealand a splendid lot of nuggcty gold, between thirty and forty ounces, obtained afc Collingwood, from terrace ground lately opened thore. Tho nuggets were of all sizes from a small pea up to one weighing, if we remember rightly, seven ounces. Wo saw afc the same time a fourteen ounce nugget, lately obtained on tho Sherry River, in the district of Wangapeka. For several weeks past there has beon a steady supply of gold sent from Collingwood to Nelson, which makes us think well of the district and of its yet affording profitable employment to a large body of miners.

Nelson Races and Prince Alfred's Visit. — At a lato meeting of the Turf Club ifc was decided that tho Nelson races this year should come off about fche middle of April, or as near to that timo as is possible, so as that tho meeting shall bo hold during tho timo Princo Alfred is in Nelson. It is generally understood as being fixed that his Royal Highness will visit Nolson, as, having resolved on a stay of two months in this colony, Nolson, one of tho most picturesque of Now Zealand's provinces, and associated as it is with the name of a hero in tho profession to which the Prince belongs, is not likoly to remain unvisitcd. The races are intended to be made as attractive as possible, and additional prizes will bo offered, so as to induce owners of Canterbury borses to enter for tho races.

A Learned Councillor. — The Hokitika JEvening Star states that ono oi Iho candidates afc tho Buller for provincial honors in the Nelson Council is, wo aro informed, unablo to sign his name, but his " cross" is said to be really a very fine specimen of penmanship. The candidate comes out very strong upon the education question.

Suicide at Tapu Cheek.— A woman, named Catherine Brown, lately arrived from Sydney, and who is said to havo beon tho paramour of Frank Gardiner, tho bushranger, lately attempted suicide at Tapu Creek, Auckland, by placing a loaded revolver to her mouth and firing it. Tho bullet, after knocking out two of her teeth, passed under her tongue and lodged in the spine. Her lips were severely burnt by tbo explosion. Dr Clarence Hooper was shortly on the spot and rendered all tho assistance in his power. Mr Baillie, fche Warden, was also present, ancl took the depositions for a Coroner's inquest, if required. The woman has sinco died. Thero are suspicions of foul play connected with tho matter.

Native Representation. — The following is an extract from a letter of the Waiapu, correspondent of tho H. JB. Herald : — Since tho news arrived here fclmt tho Native Representation Aot had passed at the lato sitting of the General Assembly, there have been several meetings amongst the natives along tbo coast. The first was held at Waiapu when a large concourse of Maoris assembled. They seemed greatly pleased when Mr Campbell, R.M., explained to them tho object of tho meeting and also tho particulars as to the carrying out ofthe election of Returning Officers, &c. Four principal places along the coast havo beon selected as polling-places— Raukokore in the Bay of Plenty, Waiapu, Tologo Bay, and luranga ; each place to have two Returning Officers. Mr Campbell has held two similar meetings, ono at Anuara, and the ofcher afc Raukokore. At both places, the explanation of tho Government scheme appeared to be receivod by the natives with great satisfaction.