MR. ARKWRIGHT'S HOUSE AT MARTON.

Under the head of " A Model Mansion " the Wanganui Chronicle gives a description of a building now being erected for Mr. Francis Arkwright, who formerly s.it in the House of Commons for South Derbyshire. Ho has cut olf his old English associations, and transplants the traditions, associations, and culture of an English country gentleman into Rangitikei. lie has selected an elevated site about five miles from Marton, on a terrace overlooking the Porewa stream, having a commanding view of the Rangitikei Valley, and the silver windings of the serpentine river fading away in tho dim distance. Mr. Arkwright has about 1000 acres in his estate, most of it fertile agricultural land, and he has given it the name of Overton. Messrs. Atkins and Clere, the well-known firm of Wanganui architects, have prepared plans fora large, substantial, and correctly designed house in the old English domestic style. The great peculiarity of the mansion is that it is of the kind known in architectural phrase as " half-timbered," partly wood and partly concrete, and particularly resembling the old houses which, even at this day, are to bo seen studding tho parks of many English counties, and some of which we remember seeing in London not many years ago. Tho " half-timbered " stylo has very many advautages, while its cost is not more than from 25 to 30 per cent, above a building wholly composed of wood. Tho house itself covers, roughly speaking, an area of 90ft. by 50ft, and is o£ two-storied elevation, with picturesquo gabled roofs, and other features to lend it a mediocval aspect. It will have mullion windows, and tho upper squares in tho second story will bo filled in with tinted cathedral glass. On tho ground floor there will bo an entrance lobby, lift. Gin. by 7 feet ; a hall, to the full height of the house (25 feet), and having an area of 20ft. by 16ft ; a library, 18ft. by 16ft ; a study, 16ft. 6in. by 6ft.; dining-room, 24ft. by 16ft.; drawiug room, 20ft. by 16ft., with a 9£t. by sft. bay ; kitchen, 17ft. 6in. by 16ft. ; steward's hall, 16ft. by 15ft. 6in. ; and scullery, pantry, and all other domestic offices. Under tho study will be the wine cellar, with an access to it from tho outsido of the building. The central hall will be in many respects tho most striking feature in the mansion, the front staircase winding round it. Spacious verandahs, in width 6ft. Gin., run round the building for 168 feet on three of its sides. Upsta : rs there will be 10 bedrooms, bathrooms, housemaid's closet, and schoolroom. Hot water will be laid on upstairs, and thero are to bo electric bells throughout. Nearly all the rooms will bo panelled, with high dados, and tho massive wooden chimney pieces will be carved to match tho aesthetic stylo of their surroundings. The upper part of the drawing-room and bedrooms will bo papered, bu, not the ceilings, wh'oh will have massivo beams and heavy expoied t : tubers. The inside finishing of the house will be all of picked rimu. A dairy, and another building for a woodshed, boothouso, &c, will bo erected a short distance from tho mansion. Tho draiuage and sanitary arrangements will bo specially cured for. The contract price is £2,567, and the work is to be completed by the beginning of Mtuch.

A lad named John Ilutchins was using a stockwhip near Coltrnino, Victoria, when tho Itibli struck his mouth. Lockjaw sot in, aud he died next day.