THE ABOLITION RESOLUTION.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 9, 3 September 1874, Page 4

THE ABOLITION RESOLUTION.

Mr. R. Stout, M.P.C., Provincial Solicitor, addressed his constituents at the school house, Caveri.h_.-n,- -last week. In . . . j speaking of tbe abolition resolution passed m-the. General Assembly, he said \- — .

He was not a representative or one seeking election, but he considered a member of the Council fehould not be afraid to deal with subjects of Colonial importance. . He was not going to talk about the Polynesia*! Scheme, hut he thought it was most extraordinary that the Colonial Treasurer should propose a scheme for the benefit not only of New Zealand but also of tbe Polynesian Islands; and yet refuse to carry through a Loan Bill for one of the largest Provinces. He (Mr. Stout) thought the fir&t consideration should be for Colonial wants; and then look to the South Sea Islands. He was now going to deal with the abortion resolutions. He was not an ultra- Pro vincialist, and had sympathy with many of Mr. Stafford's views on Centralism, but that was very different from the . Centralism now proposed; He never looked upon the Constitution as perfect: He believed in gradual change, but not, in being governed by a series of coups ctetats of the -Napoleonic style; If the relorm were heeded, it shodld be gradual, and there must be a desire manifested on the part of the electors for the reform sought • and he must say that this question was not, a subject discussed at the last election. Before such a large subject was affirmed iri the House of .Representatives, some express on of desire should have been manifested by the electors. The greatest, condemnation ot the system was in Mr. Vogel's own speech. He then quoted Mr. Yogel's speech on Constitutional changes . — " Funds have virtually been provided by the Colony for tbe work of settlement which is going on throughout the (North) Island." "I find that provisions for the Provinces of this (the North) Island, which were made a month before the session began, appear, soon after tbe House has met, to be inadequate." "It may be remembered that it was stated in this House that the Middle Island would never consent to lend its credit to enable this Island to be colonised and to progress. But since that Government a different course bas been pursued." If the Middle Island Provinces submitted to Mr. Vogel's policy as those of the North had done, he only hoped they would never regret it. He shewed, on a fjrmer occasion at Caversharri, that the elector.) of Otago made a huge mistake in accepting Mr; Vogel's scheme when proposed by him. What he said tonight he said when he first appeared before the Cavershara electors. He read at that meeting in Cavefsbam the resolution that was passed by the majority of the Provincial Council, before tlie dissolution, dealing with Mr. Vogel's scheme. The Council then resolved it was not expedient to mike any r (.-commendation as to the Public Works Act, until the whole policy o( that Act had been considered by the tarious constituencies. Commenting on that resolution, he said — he quoted from the newspaper re-' port — "The resolution 'which was passed by the Council before the last general election, when tbe Superintendent first submitted to them the question of earring out' the Colonial policy, was in these te-ms : — " That this Council having bad under its consideration the communications from the hon. the Colonial Secretary, enclosed in hfs Honor's Message No. 2, is of opinion that though it is desirable that works having for their object the development of the Goldfields and the resources of the Province generally, should be undertaken without undue delay, yet that it is inex--pedient for this Council to make any recommendation with the view to the initiation of any works under the Immigration and Public Works Act, 18"d, uatil the whole of that Act has been considered by the various constituencies throughout the Province, and either confirmed by a new Parliament or modified in such a way as will leave the Middle Island free to deal with its own finances for the promotion of public works and immigration ; and thi** Council considers the only practicable way to arrive at such a desirable result is by a financial separation of the two Islands." This was the only resolution standing on the records of the Provincial Council refusing to have anythin-y to do with the Immigration and Public Works. Scheme of 1870 F. He would tt-ll them that it was his impression that thia Province would yet regret, and that the Middle Island would yet regret, that it had not insisted, when those large sums were proposed to be borrowed, that there should be two separate cash accounts kept — one for the North and another for the Middle Island. What did they find when this resolution was passed? The dew Council wag elected} and the electors said, " We don't want financial separation bo far as public -works are concerned/ but we want the public works." He only hoped tbat the Province would never regret taking that step. Notwithstanding all this was poinded ou£ to the Otago electors in 1871, they, said, — We will bave the Pnblic Works Scheme, come weal, come woe. He was not changed in his opinion. K OtagO had boldly come forward in 1871, and had insisted on Mr. Reid's resolutions being given effect to, :tbey would not have the abolition of the - Provinces in the North Island, and the crossly unfair position in which Mr. Yogel was placing the Middle I=land. To sho-v the grossly unfair position Mr. Yogel was placing thia Island in, he should make sorfle extracts from his (Mr. Vrfgel'sJ 8p"-eche3. The General Government was undertaking the whole Joc4 Government of the North Island at the expense of the Middle Island. " .Funds have virtually been provided for the work of settlement which- has /been going on throughout the y (North) -'Island.'' Mr. -Vtfgel first deprived the Provinces of their three- eighth share of the Custefijs-rdvenue giving them instead a Capitation grant, which was gradually lowered from L 2 per annum to Ll, so that the Provinces with the reduced sum per bead were now worse off. This was pointed out. by Mr. J. C. Richmond in 1870— that, Mr.,- Vogel was putting the Provinces into a dungeon, and that he would shortly, shut them up. The speaker fully endorsed what had been stated by Mr. Richmond. What did Mr. Yogel say? Alter giving large sums to the North Island, he said they were rather inadequate. He seem-.d to think that the other Provinces had taken the responsibility of populating the North Island. The

Middle Island had lent its credit, to ci

the North I-dand to progress. Mr. V further, saidj^'^ We -®I <3 _. now L ruDl coaches at expense -from ■} lington <to Ne.w; . Plymouth, and t roada have been, constructed by

Colony.'* Then be complaiped that, i the' General Government had opened t roads at considerable expense, the I vinces wbuld not accept the charge of tl

Mr Yogel, agam exhibiting: his consid tion for tbe North Island, said there eh be further harbor accommodation beto

Wellington and New Plymouth, Ani gave an insignificant amount to the Soi em Provinces, as he said, to prevent

content — not a. a niattet of justice.

Stout could produce several otner extrj which plainly showed the full meanitij the resolutions for abolishing the jNs Island Provinces. They were to id

settlement in tbe North Island at tbe pense of the Southern Provinces. Tho he might be characterised as an obsti tionist, he declared that such a system itiiq-iitous. They could not' settle tl own Provinces, and yet • they, were ca upon W open up the. North Island, failed to understand the action taken several of the representatives of Otago this most important question. He did look upon the Constitution Act as sac* and would support atiy desirable cban; But the people should ask themsel whether it would be cheaper to make proposed change. He was confident t if the change were made to-aiorrow th would not be a single servant less on staff of the Government in Otago.

thought, if they went into figures, tl Would ascertain that the Provincial' (

vernment carried on its worksmuch chea than the General Government could.

Yogel stated that Superintendents *« Still to exist, but they would-be appoin by himself, with the exception of Wellii ton. By this means Mr Yogel would able to put some of his) political friends foes into the Superintendents-dps. Yogel had distinctly stated that if t

Geueral Government, took charge of lo affairs, Parliament would have to keep most constantly in session. Everything a local nature would'have to be discus: at Wellington, and how could the Gene Government carry oh the business so w as by a local Government for each P| vince? List year Mr Yogel constituy Westlahd a Province, ' and now he ca] down with a Bill to dispose of the whole the Provinces. If they found such chad of opinion in a few months, and of poliul convictions — if they were convictions—] would say that the electors should deeper and ask the reasons. The reasq were that the Northern Provinces wj dunning for further funds, and not gettfl as much now as under the f tha syste He was not going to fully discuss the qu tion a<* to whether the Abolition ot I Northern Provinces might lead to fl

abolition of those of the Middle Island, he would say that Mr Macaudrew

othefs had taken up a position — a sou one — which he (Mr. Stout) would t them. If the Northern Provinces w< abolished, they would find the Midi Island members managing the affairs of t North Island, and then the Northern me bers would appropriately claim to partii pate in the management of the local affa of the South. Middle Island memh would have some difficulty in. answeri that argument, anil therefore the aboliti of the Northern Provinces would natural be foliowed by those of the Middle I^lao The whole tendency of the discussion, cv what was reported of Mr Vogel's privf meeting of supporters, shows' this. 1 asked, Would not the North Island col nists say this, "Yon have taken all o land revenue froiri us and made it Colon revenue. What right have you of Ota to a larid fund ?" The Middle Island la fund would thus be made colonial proper Mr Reynolds said an Act could be pass preventing future Parliaments from dealt with the Middle Island land funds. I

speaker's answer to this was that ir, waj| fundamental principle that any ParliamJl could alter or amend the Act of any pig vious Parliament.- Therefore, Mr Reg nplds's answer was such a one as Mr En nolds sometimes gives. — (Great laughteg Tbe next aspect in which he could looks the question was that with regard to log self-government. No State has ever beg prosperous where the whole governmenß functions had been controlled by one ceg tral authority and the people had nd 101 l ettlf* govern alen t. One of the benefits IS Stafford had conferred on the Colony wfi the Municipal Act, and educating the peo*s| up to large Road Boards and tne Cout|* system. He mentioned the state of Iri land, where a body was needed to mal age local affairs — Imperial affairs being 1* to Parliament. He also instanced See& laud, showing that the inhabitants woufi not have their education system directs from London, but managed it themselvji and better than the English did theirs. M Vogel's speech was against the tendency 9 tbe age. He made public works for tlj North Island which . the people would tm ta<.e over and maintain, but would not gig the people here the means of making roafi or bridges. Mr Stout then argued M length to show that it was uutaic becaiflj one island was prosperous to take from ll and force anotner to be prosperous. M

country could permanently "be raised | prosperity by such means. He would sug Up what his." platform" proposed. Thi must have a more Democratic element! the Lower House, aud the Upper House if formed; they must insist upon the lai being lta.ed, Rot sold; and any deficient in revenue they must meet. boldly, aud ac defer the eyU day. It was coming § direct taxation- and the sooner it came tl better. They would then, bave a mol .Democratic/ Government and less taxi He believed that if those present were til terminedjthey could make their iuflueui felt, not only in the district, but in tl Province?, and perhaps over the whole Jg land. There should be more system; af principle in politics than, in the past; li Yogel seized upon our r^venttes to m'afcel couutry not so prosperous more prosperoi saying that in fifty or one hundred yeai when the North Island was in advance 1 the Middle Island, the former could mal a good return. The North would ev<_| tually, Mr Yogel said, be an impoital place, and could bestow favors. /J'l Middle Island did not require favors; ttl inhabitants could fight on their own buj torn; He thought he had shown-then. t| pernicious system - introduced iuto ttf io vernment of ; New" Zcalau"d i; . aud hop| they would try -and pnt. a, stop ; to tht-j system. ;'"-., .....•,''-, ,_ .*•_ 'i

jStion to a minute recorded at last meetting of the Board. The Chief Commis--.lip.ner said that the language used by I H*. Harris was such as one gentlenran wonld not use towards another, and I that Mr. Harris would not have dured to make use of to him privately. The t general opinion is that Mr. Harris was - correct in the statements made by him. ':■ We observe Mr. Porter has commenced in Clyde- street, his business of a cooper. • Seeing that so many articles in this line ;' are used for domestic and dairy purposes I in th district, we Aould think he has a very good cbance of success. We have been asked whether it is intended to hold a walking show of entires liere thir season. We don't know, but we * should thinkit is time for the Committee of the Agricultural Association to make some move in arranging for their annual meeting, I show?, &c. Three ships with immigrants arrived all ©fa-heap in Port Lyttelton on Tuesday : — ? *T\-.e Catbcart witb 402 ; St. Lawrence, 404, and the Canterbury with 400 souls on board. Dr. Carr, the celebrated mesmerist and phrenologist will lecture and give phrenomesmeric stances in Bur's Hall here, to night 2nd to-morrow night. In Dunedin and throughout the colonies the popularity ot bis lectures have attracted crowded -houses. As the i'octor is about to proceed to Australia, this will be bis last appearance here in the meantime. We trust therefore. he will have large audiences in Balclutha. The contractor for the Port Molyneux . Jetty commenced work on Monday— not a " -day too soon, as that structure was in a very broken-down and dangerous state His operations will cause some inconvenience to shipping at the Port, but tbe great -, part of last season's produce has already been got a* ay, and it is expected the jetty will he completed before tbe wool season -commences. We observe members of the Cricket 'Clubs are again narking a move towards \ resuming practice for the season. Some enthusiasts of the willow here turned out for a few games on Thursday last, but neither tbe local club nor the Tokomairin■one (if the latter is still in existence) bashewn any signs of vitality since the winter frosts set io. It io to be hoped. the genial weather we are now experiencing! may hive a revivifying effect upon their dormant .powers in this respect. i-t - . , Starlings are now e^ceedjnaly numerou<•in the Tokomairiro district, and may occa sionally be s* en riving as in el >uds throughout the plain. The laiks liberated there some time ago s-eem also to have increase* very rapidly, and may now be heard ever) morning eullvening both earth and sk\ with their incomparable song. No doub both of these classes of f-ontri-ters wil speedily extend their circuit to the Clutha districtIn another column we give from a Melbourne contemporary an extract from th _. report of a monthly meeting of tbe National Agricultural Society ot Melbourne. in which some particulars art- given of the .-Malva Shrub, wh*-ch eam-ot fail to be inter* /eating to our readers. We believe no plant j. possessing co extraordinary properties bus - |s? -ever been introduced or even heard of in this Colony, and the result of tie trial planting in Victoria wiil be watched with anxiety. We are iutr.rmed that Mr Reid, .seedsman, Dunedin, has been fortunate l enough to secure a quantity of the seed. % 1 Perhaps some of our readers would endeavor j to get bold of a small portion for trial in [ fhe Clutha di-trict.

The usual meeting of the B del u tha Town Council ws-i held last evening. Present — His Worship tbe Mayor (in the •chair), and Couoeblors M'Neil, Stewart, -Kilgour. Dunne, and Mas >n. Mi-.utes -confirmed. Accounts by James Rattray, goods supplied, etc., L 2 14?., and R. Cramond, cartage, L 6 12-» 6d, were passed. Tenders for formation woik9 in Cljde*trefet were opem-d, and that of Messrs. Sinclair and Marr, Lj.2l 14-*, accepfed. The <Jlerk W.*»s instructed to inqai-e a id report 'as to the price of a weighbridge to weigh aeven tons. It was resolved to alter the nights of me> ting of the C uncil from Wednesday to Tutsd.y, so as to admit of the proceedings being fully reported in the Ct-tjtha Leader. There was no other business beloie tne meeting.

. A very distressing and fatal accident occurred at the native village, < >taki->, on the evening of Tuesday, last week. It appears t>-at recently a number of Germans arrived there and took up th^ir abole in tents at the rear of the White House Hotel. In one lived a man named Gutscbtlay, his wife and child, whose practice it was to keep a tin of hot ch'-rcoal in their tent all l-isht for the sake of the beat. > About ll o'clock on the night referred to, a neighbor bearing » creams rushed out, when he ob--served Gutschilay's tent on fire, and bim--self outside, bis head aud part of his body being in a blaze. T.ie neighbor at once rujhed to tbe tent and dragged out the wneand child. Tbe former was dreadfully burned, — almret charred — about the head, fiee, arms, &c, and was conveyed to the Dunedin hospital by Mr. M'Kegg the following day. She there lay in a state of semi* corisc ousness till Friday afternoon when ahe expired. The child was also severely burned, but is expected to recover. The husband suffered least. The origin of the fire was purely accidental, and was the re* suit of the charcoal having come in contact pith some of tbe furniture inside the tent.

The Corona, from London, with 500 immigrants on board arrived all well on •friday. Tbe following is a list of their rrades and occupations: — Farm laborer.*, 82; general do., 52; navvies, 6; miners, 4 1 gardeners, 6 ; farm servants, 1 ; sawyer, 4 1 carpenters, 18; mill-woTker, 1 ; b-ack-fimths, 3 ; general Binith, 1 ; country me obanicß,2; masons, 2; painters, 6; brickipsker, 1 ; tailors, 2 ; shepherds, 2*, brickfoyers, 5 ; platelayers, 2 ; tobacco-spinner, 1 j excavator, 1; axle-mtker, i- plumber, }$ engine-driver, 1; porters, 4; general servant, 1 ; compositor, I ; plasterer, l ; ff^Bver, I; printer, 1. Single women: — msch-Dist, I; laundre*?, 1; nurses, 2; matron, 1 ; cook, 1 ; housemaids, 4 ; general servants, 24. Summary : —England, ill ma-en, 24 females; Ireland. 19 males, 6 females; Scot. aid, 12 males, 4 females; Channel Islands, 10 males ; Wales, Russia, and Germany, each 1 male. Total : — 155 males, 34 females. Total summary :— Eug_and, 388 souls: Scotland, 42 souls; Ire* land, 56 souls ; Rus-ia, 6 souls ; Germany, 4 souls. Total : — 496 souls.

The lons talked of Bachelor's Ball took place at the Volunteer Hall, Milton, on Friday last, and despite the inclement weather, and prognostications of failure, it was a success. There were about eighty persona present, notwithstanding that all sorts of rumors had been going through the town premising that there would be hardly anybody attend. One it was said was not to be asked because be had no dress clothes to wear ; another, because of some supposed hymeneal misappropriation, others, sure, wouldn't come because they hadn't been asked so soon as somebody else — and bo forih. However, despite all obstacles, the affair came off successfully, and Mrs. Martin and Mr. Anderson's first- class muric, coupled with Mrs. Langley's able catering, to Bay nothing; of bright eyes and bewitching smiles, kept everything merry and lively till the early hours of tbe morning.

The children attending the Port Molyneux School are making rapid progress in vocal music under the tuition of Mr Miller, and although that genteman has only as yet been a short time amongst them, tbe improvement already effected is very marked.

The 1 Illustrated New Zealand Herald' for Augußt, both as regards its letter-press and views, fully maintains the high character this journal has acquired as an illustrated paper. Indeed every month seems to excel that of tbe preceding month. The present one contains views of tbe opening of the Victoria bridge, Brisbane ; six views from an overland sketch book;' t the free trade banqutt at Sydney; Slate River Peak end Aor«.ve Valley, Province of N\l son ; Aye- r*B Rock, Central Australia ; selecting io Riverina ; and coursing in Victoria.

The usual Monthly Sixpenny Readings were held in the South Clutha School on the evening of Thursday last, and, as usual, were a complete success. Miss Begg, Miss Hay, and Messrs Miller, Wilson, Shiels, Ande-sou, and Morton entertained the company with singing: and Miss Hay, Miss M'Ewen, and Mtssrs Beeg, Shiels, Wilson, Hay, M'Ewen, and Miller with readings. Altogetner, a very: enjoyable -vening was spent. We believe there was to have been a dance at the conclusion for ■■hose inclined, but for some reason or other the committee refused them the use of the school for that purpose.

The Port Mo'yneux usual Monthly Readings ancl Concert came off last Mon - day evening^ and, as the entertainment was fer the benefit of the Sick and Relief Fund of the dist ict Alexandra Lodge of O'-d---•eilowe, there was a large audience. Tne new school presented quite a gay appeirmce, as all tlje members of the Lodge were •n full regalia^ The jchair was very ably filkid by Mr Wm. Paterso-i, in his position >f N.G. of the- Lodge. After giving a detailed account ;of the income and expend! - Mire of the fund, he called upon the different ladies'and gentlemen to fake their part in the evening's proce> dings. Mrs liurns, Miss Hay, and Messrs Miller, Wilson, Pollock, and Todd responded to the call, and received hearty applau.e and repeated encores] The readings of Messrs Vl'Kwen, Miller, and Shiells also greatly .mused the audience. An as*-* mbly afterward-* followed,! the music bein." supplied by Messrs A.i Anderson. Lindsay, and Shedden. The; whole c . enmg'-i entertain ment passed off most harmoniously and bucce-sfully.

The Committee of the Balclutha Atheripenra met in the Schoolhou'-e on Tuesday evening. T. T. Ritchie, Esq, Vice Preni d ?nt occupied the chair, and there waH a good attendance of members. The chief business was the Felecting of a plan of the building, and fixing the am mnt ol the life membership subscription. A plan drawn by\Mr. Sauderson, was decided upon. Tbe reading-room will be 20 x I 9 feet, and two committee rooms in front, each 15 feet square. The building will be a very substantial one— will be well lighted and heated with four fire-places — two double chimneys being placed between the committee noma and tbe ball. It was resolved that! the .Government be applied to for the the Subsidy of L 250, the Committee bind ing themselves to proceed at once w th the erectjon of a buibiing at an estimated cost of L-fO^. The subscription ol life members was fixed at seven guineas.

The annual general meeting of the Tokomairiro Farm rs' Club wa9 held in tbe Council Hall, Milton, on Monday evening. Mr. James Scott, President of the Club, occupied the chair. The Committee's report, and the Treaeurer's financial statement were read, and from which it appeared the usual annuil shows and ploughing mat«*h had proved most successful Teere also appeared a credit balance of L 57 odds, but the outstanding liabilities would amount t ) about an equal sum. The past being the first year that the Club has occupied a •-elf- reliant and independent position, the result waa highly satisfactory. The following officers were elected for the ensuins year:— President, Mr. Scott ; vj cc .p res i. dent, Mr. Philp. Committee— Messrs. W. Fraier, Gordon, Bryce, L ; ndsay, Giodall, Duthie, Clark, Murray, Paton, Allison, Thomson, and M'Laren. Mr. J. A. Henderson was elected Secretary and Treasurer, (in room of Mr. J. S. Heminy, who has left the district) — silary, Lls per year with a commission of 10 per cent, on members' subscriptions, which were fixed at 10s. Atter some other routine business the meeting adjourned.

We mentioned in our last the accident which had again befallen the steamer Tuapeka. No time was lost in getting out the cargo, and although the wh-jat was necessarily* damaged, we understand the potatoes are found to be . but little the worse for their immersion. Exertions are now being made to raise the steamer, and it is anticipated this will be accomplished in the course ofa few days. It has been found on examinaifiJK-, however, that a portion of her timbers are now so rotten as to render her altogether unfit for the river trade without undergoing very extensile repairs. It is feartd that these would cost more than shie is worth, and after all she never was and never will be suited far the Molyneux river. Her engines are well adapted for the trade, and are in first -claß9 order* It is rumored that the owners intend to bave these removed and placed in a new steamer, which it is proposed to build expressly for the river trade. In tbe meaatime serious inconvenience must be felt by numbers of settlers who had not got their last year' produce remofed. Could no temporary arrangement be made to prevent a stoppage of traffic till a permanent steamer is secured P

A fi e brigade is in course of formation at Lawrence. A London telegram says :— -The Benchers of . Gray's Inn have disbenched Dr. Kenealey, the defendant's counsel in the Tichborne-Orton case, for libellous articles published in "his newspaper, the * Englishman.' s It is reported that Mr. Warden Beetham intends to reign his position as Warden, and offer himseif as a candidate for the representation of the Wakatip district in the House of Representatives at the next General Assembly. The Dunedin District Court was opened by his Honor Judge Bathgate on Monday. Both his Honor and the members of the bar were enrobed in wigs and gowns. A man named Burgess was drowned at Anderson's Bay on Monday. He was seen passing along tbe road which leads from the north side of the bay to Vauxhall, and was lost sitrht of near the bridge, where his hat and coat were subsequently found. The police at once went to drag for the body. The * Guardian * states that a son of Mr. Klahn's, of Kuri Bush, died of diptheria on Tiday last. He was 13 years of age. This is the third child of Mr. Klahn's that has died of the same complaint recently. His two surviving children are also suffering from symptoms of diptheria. In the General Government * Gazette,' No. 44, the boundaries "of the quarantine ground, Bluff Harbor, are defiued. The area is about 300 acres.

Mr. Yogel stared in tbe House of Representatives on Monday that the Government did not intend to hold a colonial exhibition, but if the matter was taken up as a private speculation, the Government might perhaps grant some subsidy. The Fernhill property,Dunedm,rogether with a block of land in the rear, has been purchased by Mr. John Hyde Harris from the trustees of tbe estate of the late Mr. John Jones.

Two seamen deserted from the Corona lying at the quarantine ground on Saturday. Tney floated ashore on tie ship's ladders. The whole of Mairi Bhan's crew also deserted the same evening. Messrs.Guthrie and Lam ach's temporary premises will be com pie* ed in ten day. His Excellency ihe Governor has issued letters of naturalisation to John Korno, carrier, of Balclutha ; Beda Siuger, warehouseman, of Dunedin; Nils Jepsen, liceused victusller** ; and James Goldsmith, merchant, of Dunedin.

The Kennedy's t*ave their final farewell entertainment in Dunedin on Siturday evening to a house inc -nvmiently crowded. Mr. Kennedy delivered a stiort address at the close, txpressing bis gratitude for the kindness he had everywiere met with throughout the colony. He said they expected to pay another visit to New Zealand in the course of six or seven years. Three enthusiastic cheers were then given by the wtole audience for the family. We understand they left by the Tararua for Melbourne on Monday. Members of the Sandhurst Mechanics' Institute have determined, by a majority of 85 to 19, that it is desirable to open tbe institution on Sunday. But the matter is not definitely setthd, and another meeting will have to be held. The Athenaeum at Wangaratta is opened on Sundays. It has beeu proposed to open the Melbourne Athenaeum, and no doubt the question wilt be brought before the subsciibers at no distant date.

A man named Renshaw, thirty-five years of ape, a native of Cheshire, England, was accideiitally killed by an explosion of litholracteur in a smithy at the Deborah Biy tunnel works on Friday last. Two other men were considerably injured. The accident seems to have occur, ed through want of due caution on Renshaw's part In preparing the explosive. Cremttion is legalised in New Zealand. Clause 14 of the Burial Ground Closing Bill pas ed by the A-pembly provides that * l It shall be lawiul lor any person, by will or dt ed duly executed, to direct that his or her body shall, after death, be disposed ol by buruing the same to ashes, instead of by burial in the earth ; and it shall be lawful for the executor or executors of such persons to carry into effect such direction : p*ovb<ed that such burning shall be conducted in a manner which shall not create any public or private nuisance,"

The ' Dnnstan Time** ' save : — A witnesg in a ca<*e heard before our Resident Magistrate, with the view of eliciting the probable loss a botcher might sustain per week through not having a sausage machine, was asked :^ " Is the making of sausaees a profitable part r.f a butcher's business ? " He Teplied : "It *11 depends upon what they are made of"

We * Daily Times,' have authority for stating tbat it i«* the intention of the Government to take immediate steps to reestablish the San Francisco Mail Service. With this end in view Mr. Thos. Russell will shortly visit Sydney on behalf of the New Zealand Government. Whether a temporary service in conjunction with New South Wales be arranced or not, we believe tbat Mr. Russell will thereafter proceed to England to make arrangements for a permanent service.

A s?ri^u9 accident happened on the Arderson'a Bay road on Monday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Welborn, settlers, of Portobello were coming into town in a spring cart when their horse was caused to bolt by a man cracking a stockwhip. The cart was upset and its occupants thrown out, the horse being so injured as to be rendered usele-8. Mrs. Welborn was picked up in sensible. She had been very much cut about the head ; and her husband had his hand and arm injured. A large number of eg?* that were in the cart were destroyed. — ' Daily Times.' Now tbat the session of Assembly is over, it appears to be Mr Vogel's intention to be off at once, as on former occasions, to other regions, and leave the affairs of the Colony to drift whether they may till the approach of another session. A telegram from the Wellington correspondent of the 'Daily Times,' published in yesterday's issue, says: — "Mr Yogel has strongly urged Mr Stafford to jo"n the Ministry, offering to resign the Premiership in his favor and go home himself. Mr S afford positively refused to join on any consideration, and objected strongly to Mr Yogel leaving the Colony until after next session. He said financial difficulties, for which Mr Yogel was responsible, were looming, and he must stay and face them. Mr Yogel B>.ys his health requires change of air, and if he cannot go home he will probably follow Mr Russell to Sydney. He is much disappointed at Mr Stafford's refusal and attitude."