THE LATE MR GEORGE BUCKLEY.

A recent cable message announced the death of Mr George Buckley, formerly of the firm of Dalgety, Buckley and Co., Christchurch, and more recently occupying a prominent position before the public as President of the Bank of New Zealand about seven or eight years ago. His resignation after a short tenure of office, and his statements as to the financial condition of the Bank created a good deal of sensation and no little feeling at the time. We learn from a Melbourne oorreipondent tbat Mr

Buckley was buried in the Brighton Cemetery near Melbourne, and was followed to the grave by _, few friends, amon_ them three old New Zealanders, Messrs W. and C F. Black aud Mr F. E. Stewart. There are many here who will no doubt still remember the last named as Deputy-Super-intendent aud Provincial Secretary .and the decea»i»d as a member of his Cabinet. Tho late Mr Buckley was married to a sister of Mr John McLean of '• Radcastle," Oamaru. and leaves besides hi. widow a large family of sous and daughters.

COALBROOKDALK COAL. When the Italian warship Cristofere Colombo shipped a suppy of Coalbrookdale coal at Wellington, Commauder Bertolini was a*i:ed to report as to how it was found to answer its purpose. Commander Bertolini reports that the results were highly satisfactory, and the engineer of the vessel gave it as his opinion that it developed higher heating power than Australian coal.