UNKNOWN

HFuirilßLto Wellington" trom ifliiDOurne by pne B.'s. ' Otago,' accompanied! by Major Eopata. *',■,, The Obotja Bbidge Odstbttction. — According to the ' N.Z. Times,' the Natives hare expressed their willingness to withdraw all opposition to traffic over the Oroua bridge, and a message has been despatched to ascertain their disposition in regard to the matter. > Auction. — Mr It. S. Low holds a large sale of drapery and clothing of all descriptions to-morrow, at Mrs Hogg's premises, next door to the Empire hotel. The sale ', is an unreserved one, and those who make . it a point to attend may perhaps secure . some bargains. The sale takes place at 12 o'clock. »?.Fibb BbkJade.— The usual monthly practice .'of this Brigade will be held at 8 o'clock this evening, at the engine house. Dbamatic. — We call the attention of playgoers and lovers of amnsement to the I pei'formance which takes place in the Odd : Fellows' Hall this evening, Miss Stephen- ! son Company and Thornton Family having ! kindly consented to reproduce the play " East Lynne " for the benefit of the Wananui Library. The programme should alone attract a bumper house. Mail Communication with England. — The San Francisco mail arrived by the p.s. ' Manawatu on Tuesday evening, and was delivered the next morning. It brought London papers to the 2nd of June, which were consequently 56 days on the road to Wanganui. This is not bad, considering that Wanganui is not a port of call for the mail steamers, but it will have to be improved upon. Death of the Rev. John Joedan. — The English mail brings news of the death of the Bey, John Jordan, vicar of ChurchEnstone, Oxon, father of Mr Joseph Jordan of Wanganui. The Key. Mr Jordan was 70 years old when he died, and had held the living of Enstone, which is in the gift of Viscount Dillon, since 1840. He was a celebrated preacher in his day, and was also known as a theological and antiquarian writer. Immigbation Officer. — Mr Orbell is about to be removed to Otago, and the post of Immigration Officer for Wanganui and Eangitikei, now filled by him, has been offered to Mr J. Jordan, Sheep Inspector, it being intended that Mr Jordan should retain his present appointment as well as perform the duties of the new one. Such an arrangement was obviously, impracticable, and Mr Jordan has declined the offer. The authorities in Wellington must entertain a very false idea of the quantity of work which has to be done by the local Immigration Officer to have made such a proposal.

Death of Me A. C. P. Macdonald.— The Wellington journals notify the death of Mr A. 0. P. Macdonald, Under Secretary for the Colony, who, although but 39 years of age when he died, was one of the oldest members of the Civil Service. Mr Macdonald' s death will be much lamented. He was very popular amongst his brother officers to whom he was a sort of book of reference in matters connected with, the departments; for his 20 years' experience in the service, most of which, we believe, had been spent in the Colonial Secretary's office, had j made him acquainted with pretty well all that had been done at head-quarters since the initiation of Responsible Government. The Government will not find it easy to replace Mr Macdonald. The deceased gentleman was twice married and leaves a widow and four children. Philharmonic Society. — "We are requested to remind working members of this Society of a rehearsal at the new Institute this (Thursday) evening, at half-past 7. A full attendance is expected and punctuality should be observed to obviate an unnecessarily lengthy practice. There is still, we regret to hear a large number of honorary members who are in arrears with their subscriptions, which of course embarasses the operations of the Society ; while it certainly seems rather a shabby proceeding on the part of people to enjoy the pleasure of concerts without paying the share of the expenses which they have undertaken to do. As the last concert of the season takes place to-morrow evening, defaulters will probably see fit to make amends at once. Peogbess of Mabton. — It is surprising what progress Marton is making. Buildings are springing up in all directions, and many more would be begun were it not for the lack of timber, which, is^ unobtainable in sufficient quantity. The price of land has advanced in a corresponding degree. Sections which a few months ago were bought for £20, the holders now ask £50 for ; while the proprietors of wellsituated allotments show a reluctance to part with them at any figure. There is a general animation about the town which proves its business prosperity, and does credit to the sagacity and enterprise of the settlers who have located themselves there. It- would, however, be as well if some good footpaths were formed, but we believe this deficiency arises from the root of all cvil — want of money. The making of the roads has swallowed up all the Board's funds, and footpaths not being an absolute necessity have to wait. Immigration Baeeacks at Mahton. — Brewing is no more at Marton ; the only brewery there — Messrs Taylor & Watt's — having been closed and the building just converted into an immigration barracks, for which purpose it was excellently adopted, being well built and commodious. The ground floor, formerly used as a malting room, has been turned into a refectory, while the spacious and lofty upper floor has been partitioned eff into numerous bedrooms, lighted by windows which have been let into the sides of the building. The bedrooms are large and airy, and at a pinch would accommodate 100 single men and women, but with a mixed lot of married couples and single persons, a much smaller number only could be provided with sleeping room. There is a good kitchen and other conveniences ; and altogether, considerable care has been taken in the arrangements which, however, struck us as being rather defective in regard to'tlie separation of the sexes. No practical inconvenience may arise from this deficiency, as the stay of any particular body of immigrants in the barracks is not likely to be long. Although the labour market has been somewhat relieved by the recent arrivals, and it is a .slack time of year, there is still a brisk demand for " help " in Rangitikei, and the settlers complain, with good cause, of not getting a fair share of the immigrants sent to Wanganui. They consider that, out of every shipment which arrives at Wanganui, .a certain proportion should be allotted to ERangitikei, and sent there, no matter 'whether they can obtain engagements at Wanganui or not. In fact, the Rangitikei settlers are reiterating the complaints formerly made at Wanganui, when the immigrants, as they were landed from the ship, were allowed to be picked up at Wellington, without reference to the wants of this part of the Province.