MISCELLANEOUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 92, 20 April 1893, Page 7

MISCELLANEOUS.

Customs officers seized 5,000 cigarettes on the premises of Joseph Flynn, storekeeper, Lyttelton, on April 17th. It is stated that they had been landed by one of tho stewards ot the steamer Tainui.

The Agricultural Department has decided to establish an Agricultural Museum at the head office in Wellington for the display of samples of seeds and anything else of interest to those concerned in the industry.

Mr George Patterson, gum merchant, of Kaikohe, Bay of Islands, has senb forward valuablecollecbions of kauri gum specimens, consisting of 2,000 pieces, to the Chicago Exhibition. Mr Patterson will visit the World's Fair in September.

Nothing fresh is heard from Penrhyn Island regarding the Auckland schooner Norval, which was recently seized by bhe nabives of that island in satisfaction for a debt. Further news, however, is expeebed ab Rarotonga shortly regarding the seizure.

There was recently a slight disturbance on the island of Aitutaki, Hervey Group, between the natives and tho Europeans, Tho natives complained that the Europeans did nob observe the law of the island. They were told, after an inquiry, to obey the laws and respect the native courts.

The Bethel estate, situated in the Ellesmere district, close to the railway near Christchurch, comprising 1,669 acres, was sold by auction on March 25tb, in lots of from 52 to 205 acros. Every lot was sold ab from £16 to £26 10s por acre, averaging nearly £19 for the acre. The total proceeds were £31,377.

It has been suggested that a memorial tableb should be added to the others commemorating Wesleyan Missionaries in the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church in memory of the Rev. J. LI. Bumby, who waa drowned at the entrance to the Auckland Harbour in June, 1840, by the upsetting of a canoe with 20 natives.

The wholo of the Cheviot estate (Canterbury), exceptaboutl/iOOacros, including tho mansion and obher buildings, has been leased for periods of six and eleven months, at an average rental of 2s per acre, the total being at the rate of £8,450 per annum, which is equivalent to 4 per cent, oh the whole purchase money. Surveys will be pushed on So as to open the lands for settlement at termination of bbc loasos.