The Volunteers and Miditia Certificate Act, as it passed its second reading in the Provincial Council, will be found in another column. A Volunteer Company for the Spit is, we perceive, likely to be formed — a meeting with that view having been called for Wednesday evening next. Deer. — We understand that Mr. Watt has obtained the promise of six deer, part •of a herd now running at Motu Iwi, for the Acclimatization Society of this province. The first Telegr\phic Message in this province was despatched and received yesterday — a few sentences having been exchanged between the operators at Napier and Waipukurau respectively. Severe Frosts have been experienced almost every night for a week past. The presence of thin ice in the morning has been no uncommon occurrence, although, generally speaking, a rare one in Napier. The Estimates of Expenditure are expected to be brought down this day, in the Provincial Council. Rumour says that, in the matter of salaries, the pruning knife has been very freely applied. \ Lady Bowen was a passenger by the s.s. Wellington, which proceeded on her voyage south yesterday. Her ladyship's intention was to have landed for a short time yesterday morning, but indisposition prevented her from doing so. A Lecture in connection with the Napier Mutual Improvement Society will be delivered this evening, in the Masonic Hall, by the Rev. J. Macmichael — His Honor the Superintendent in the chair. Subject — the life and times of Dr. Chalmers. The Auckland Gold Fields are yielding very largely, and, apparently, only want machinery to be one of the richest diggings in the world. We have confirmation of this from all sources. In spring, large additions will doubtless be made from other colonies to the mining population. Bay of Islands Coal. — Two cargoes of Bay of Islands Coal are shortly expected in Napier — two vessels, the Huntress and Donald M'Lean, having been chartered by Watt Brothers on account of Mr. LeQuesne. This coal is now universally used in Auckland. The selling price here will, we understand, be 40s. Impounding Sales take place this day (should the stock not have been claimed) at Meanee, Waipukurau, and Havelock. VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA REMISSION CERTIFICATE ACT 1868. A Bill iojx the swnsfor which the Superintendent of the Province of Hawke's Bay may issue to Volunteers and Militiaman Remission Certificates for the Purchase of Land. Whekeas it is enacted by the " Volunteers' Land Act 1865 " that it shall be lawful for the Superintendent of any province to grant to Volunteers and Militiamen who shall have served as mentioned in the said Act certificates entitling them to the remission of such sums as the Superintendent of a province may with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council thereof appoint in the purchase of land within the said province under any law or regulation for the time being in- force within it for the disposal of waste lands of the Crown not exceeding the sums mentioned in the scale contained in the said Act. Be it therefore enacted by the Superintendent of the province of Hawke's Bay with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council thereof as follows : — I. That, during two years from the passing hereof, the sums for which remission certificates within the meaning of the above-recited Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand, shall be granted by the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, shall be :— To every officer of Volunteers or efficient Volunteer, after five years' service, thirty pounds; to every officer, Volunteer or Militiaman, after six months' active service, iv which ho shall have been actually engaged against the Queen's enemies, five pounds; and for every subsequent six months of such active service, five pounds. Provided that no office^

Volunteer or Militiaman, shall be entitled ; to > such certificate who has already re- r >i ceived any land in payment or consideration of his services; and that any such certificate shall become void if not presented in payment for land within one year of the granting of such certificate'; 11. The short title of this Act shall bd " The Volunteers and Militia Remission Certificate Act 1868."