THE GOLD EXPORTS.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 16, 18 July 1879, Page 2

THE GOLD EXPORTS.

_? The return of the gold exported from this colony during the half-year ended 30th June, 1879, shows a signal falling off as compared with the corresponding half-year of 1878, the respective values being £589,665 for 1879. and £711,301 for 1878. The decrease is greatest in Auckland,T?here the export is less than half that for the corresponding period of 1878. There is also a considerable decrease in Nelson and Otago. The actual export is the largest and the decrease the smallest on tbe West Coast cold fields. Marlborough shows an export of £3040, as against nil in the first half-year of 1878. • i

The Hinempa leaves at 6 o'clock this evening, for Opunake and New Plymouth, to bring down another batch of Maori prisoners who will be landed in Wellington on Sunday morning. In the Legislative Council, this afternoon, the Hon Mr. Scotland will move — " That, in the opinion of this Council, when, owing to exceptional circumstances, the available police force is considered insufficient for the preservation of order many district, the proper manner of supplementing it i« for the Magistrates to swear in special constables, and not for the residents to take the law into their own hands by constituting- themselves a Vigilance Committee, such as the one lately formed at Waitara, Taranaki." The Hon. F. A. Buckley this afternoon will move the Address in Reply to the Governor's speech in the Legislative Council. Mr. Curtis will to-day ask for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Licensing Acts. Soon after the House met yesterday, Mr. fiowen asked the Minister of Justice for certain information relating to the sale of the Supreme Court House at Wellington some months ago. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan, in reply, stated that the property was sold to Dr Buller for £16,371, of which sum £3456 was paid in cast), while bills at six, nine, and twelve months, bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent, were given for the remainder of the purchase money. The first of the bills was met when it fell due. He explained that after the sale the Government had rented the building from Dr. Buller for six months, and on the expiration of that period the time was extended to the end of the present year. The interest on Dr. Buller's bills went as part payment of the rent, which was therefore considerably lower than it appeared to be. He explained, further, that a contract had been accepted for new Court Houses, which, however, would not be ready for occupation for about eighteen months. The swearing-in of the Hon. J. W. Thomson and the Hon. H. Nahe as members of the Executive Council of New Zealand and the resignation by the Hon. \V. Swanson of his seat in that Council are gazetted. The next boat for Banjoewangie will be the Atjeh, leaving -Port Darwin oa Friday, 25th instant A detachment of the Wellington Artillery, under Quartermaster Scott, went on board H.MS. Emerald this morning, and witnessed the men-of-war's men go through "heavy drill." The men were "beat to quarters," and went through all the manoeuvres as if the ship was actually in action. The neatness and celerity with which they went through the evolutions excited great admiration. The visitors were also v*ry courteously conducted all over the ship by the first lieutenant, Mr. Clarke, who, in addition, showed them the latest rocket experiments. The artillerymen left the vessel very much pleased with their visit. Next week a match will be fired at the Rifle Range, Follhill's Golly, between the men-of-war's men and the artillerymen. A meeting of tbe St. Peter's Church Building Committee was held yesterday, the Yen. Archdeacon Stock in the chair. The report and balance-sheet for the year were presented, and approved for presentation at the annual general meeting to be held on Friday next, the 25th inst. The chairman reported that one lady member of the congregation had very liberally offered to present tbe new church with stained-glass windows, at an estimated cost of ' about £300, as a memorial of deputed rela-

tive?, and that another, in a like liberal spirit, bad offered to provide some portion of the new rhurch or its accessories, also as a memorial. Both offers were accepted with a cordial vote of thanks. The chapman drew attention to the desirableness ot appointing some other member of the committee than himself as treasurer of the building and debenture funds, his position as commissary for the Bishop in regard to the building loan, and the guarantors tending to cause complications if he also were treasurer. The committee approved, the suggestion, and the Rev. C De Castro was appointed to the treasurership. After tome other business of a routine nature the committee adjourned. A return of the holders of pastoral leases in the Land District of Canterbury has been presented to Par lament. The total amount of rent payable from this s-ource on Ist January, 1878, was £82,231 19s 3d. Among the largest holders are — The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency, 646,537 acres, the total rent of which amounts to £9464 6s sd ; Trust and Agency Company of Australasia, 427,427 acres, rem £8472 63 7d; W. Gerrard, 143,309 acres, rent £2301 7s 4d; Canterbury and Otago Association, 115.950 acres, rent £3233 12s 2<J ; New Zealand Loan and Tru«t Company, 105,419 acres, rent £2866 19s 6d The holdings by the Banks are as follows: — Bank of New South Wales, 34,983 acres, rent £1204 6s 6d; Union Baikof Australia, 34.701 acres, rent £1691 12s 6d ; Bank of New Zealand, 19,788 acres, rent £222 12s. The average rent per acre paid for the runs appears to vary from about 2Jd to llfd per year. His Worship the Mayor has called a meeting of the ratepayers for Saturday, 9th August, at 8 o'clock, at the Athenaeum Hall, to discuss the proposal to raise a loan of £130,000 for the purpose ot carrying out the Wainui-o-niata Water Scheme. A meeting of importance to publicans and brewers is advertised to take place on Monday, at the Star Hotel, at 4 p.m. It is a remarkable fact tbat not a tingle death of the class described by the Registrar General as " violent" — i c from other than " natural causes" — occurred in New Zealand during the month of June, 1879. Such a ''clean sheet" is very unusual in this colony, the "violent" deaths commonly numbering from 8 to 10 monthly — the majority from drowning, which at one time used to be called " the New Zealand death." For some years past there has been no month without at least one " violent" death being registered. The sterling merits of the " Mammoth Minstrels" are becoming more generally recognised by the' public of this city. Last night the audience at St. George's Hall was sufficiently numerous to occupy all the teats. The programme presented was an excellent one. In a company of such merit it would be almost invidious to criticise the efforts of the individual members. The performance was frequently applauded, and the antics of the corner men were provocative of much mirth. The total quantity of gold actually exported from New Zealand from the first discovery of the precious metal in this colony up to the present date is 9,107,1960z, valued at the enormous sum of £35,594,938. A sitting in Banco before his Honor the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Richmond was held to-day. The case of Houghton v. Moody, argument on rule nisi, was still proceeding when we went to press. At the conclusion of the case against the five Maoris at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr. Bell withdrew the second charge against Toto. Huirua, Renau, Kohi, Rangi, Te Hama, Te Rerewa, Ikaroa, Rangihaeata, Takuta, Taurus, Wiremu Kingi Matakatea, and Tama Noho Mai, were then charged with trespassing on the land of William Bailey, at Te Nunao, Tnranaki, on the oth July. The evidence of Sergeant- Major Dunneen and of Constable Taylor— a half-caste, who had acted as interpreter to Inspector Goring in warning the Maoris off the land — was to the effect that on the sth July the prisoners were seen by them on the land of Mr. Wm. Bailey, on which there was a flour mill. They were at work erecting a strong pig-proof fence around the land, in place of a fence they had pulled down. They refused to desist, and were then arrested. All of the accused were committed for trial. ¦Some extraordinary proceedings on the part of a lunatic are reported by the Feilding Guardian to have occurred at Cheltenham The man, whose name is John Levarty, a native of Ireland, was noticed walking up and down opposite the Cheltenham Hotel in the pouring rain, tearing bis hair, and conducting himself in an extraordinary manner. The landlord, Mr. Anderson, very kindly invited him in to have some dinner. Like the man with the famous cork-ieg, however, Mr. Levarty was unable to remain still.and resumed his violent fit of walking. Next, he went into a room where Mrs. Levarty was feeding a baby, and taking up the plate containing the baby's tood, " greedily devoured the contents." Owing to the man's extraordinary behaviour, Mr. Anderson had to " keep sentry-go " all night, and next day " requested several of t.e residents near the hotel ti hold' a meeting as to which | course should be pursued." A resolution appears to have been solemnly carried, to the effect, that the local policeman at Feildlag I should be sent for This was done, but as it was late in the evening when the messenger reached the town, the constable sent a pair oi handcuffs to represent him, and went himself on following day. Meanwhile, we are told, several of the residents kept watch the whols of the night, while Levarty was in the hotel. On the man being arrested, it was found that he had £145 in bank-notes in his pockets. It is thought that his miserly habits had affected his brain, and that he bad been starving himself, as he was in such a weak state when he was found. From the official meteorological report for the month of June, 1879, it appears that the I mean temperature of the air was slightly below the average at all stations, the deficiency being greatest at Dunedio, and least at Auckland. The highest shade temperature recorded was 68 Odeg., at Nelson ; the lowest, 25'7deg., at Cbristchurch. Atmospheric humidity was greatly in excess at Wellington, being "90, as compared with "79 in previous years. The rainfall at Christchurch was more than double the average amount, and at Dunedin nearly double the average. There was a slight excess at Wellington, but a deficiency at Auckland, Nelson, and Hokitika. It is curious that although less rain than usual fell at Auckland, the number of rainy days was greatly above the average, numbering no fewer than 27 out of the 30. At Nelson and Hokitika also there was an excessive number of wet days, although the amount was below the average. The chess tourney now being played was resumed on Wednesday. Scores are as follows: — Whittem won 5 games; Hullett, 4; Barraud won 5, lost 1 ; Willis won 3, lost 2 ; Brown won 2, lost 1 ; Kennedy won 2, lost 1 ; Wright won 1, lost 3 Messrs. Chas. Benbow and £. C Hullett will represent Wellington at the Christchurch tourney on the 19th prox. Courts for hearing objections to land tax valuations in the Wellington District will be held as follows: — Hutt County, at the Court House, Wellington, Tuesday, sth August; Greytown, at the Court House, Gr"eytown, Thursday, 7th August; Wairarapa West, at the Court House, Carter ton, Friday, Bth August; Masterton and Wairar.ipa East, at the Court House, Masterton, Saturday, 9th August; in each case at 10 a.m. Mr. C. F. T d. Newman has been appointed a surveyor in the Survey Department of New Zealand. Mr. James Mackay, J.P., Colonel Reader, J.P., and Mr. J. Woodward, J.P., have been appointed Visiting Justices of the Prison at Mount Cook, Wellington. The temporary premises of Messrs. Graves and Fleming were closed this afternoon, for the purpose of taking in the balance of their stock saved from the late fire. The premises will will be re-opened to-morrow, and the sale continued. The Reform Football Clubs play a match in the Hon. John Sheehan's grounds, Hobsonstreet, to-morrow afternoon. Dr. Leighton Kesteven is gazetted as Honorary Assistant- Surgeon in the Wellington City Rifles. The Choral Society had a good practice last 1 night of the choruses for the coming concert. The final full rehearsal takes place at the Athenaeum tomorrow evening, at half-past 7 o'clock punctually . The services of no fewer than 22 new volunteer corps, mostly in the Taranaki district, have been accepted by the Government, and s notice to that effect gazetted. The Opera Company very wisely abandoned the idea of repeating " H.M.B. Pinafore " last evening, but substituted "The Bohemian Girl" instead, a suitable explanation and apology beiog made by Mr. Simmonds, who also announced the sudden illness of Madame Le Couteur, whose part was to be taken by Miss Alice Johns. The audience received the explanation very cordially, and "The Bohemian Girl " was given, on the whole, very creditably, Miss Johns taking the arduous part of Arline, at only a few hours' notice; but nevertheless acquitting herself extremely well, and eliciring a hearty encore for " I dreamt I dwelt." Mrs. Florence was encored in her song, and Mr. Browning received a similar and well-deserved compliment for his singing of " Tne heart bowed down," which was capitally given. Mr. Florence met with a very cold reception, but did his best to reinstate himself in the good graces of his audience by singing well and carefully in the part ofThaddeus. This evening " Maritana " will be performed, and being the company's best effort, in likely to be well patronised. The popular concerts, initiated by Mr. Cary, will be carried on nnder the auspices of the Reform Football Club, at the Athenaeum Hall. The surplus money, if any, after the expenses have been paid, will be divided amongst the local charities. The ship Pleione, which lias just arrived, has oo board seventy-six eases, containing 2000 rounds of cartridges, amounting to a total of 152,000 rounds. There are also 119 caws of

fuses and tubes on board, all of which ate eon-* signed to the Government of New Zealand. At the District Court this morning, Mrs. Hedgers gained a verdict against tie City Corporation lor the sum of £154 — doctor's expenses end law charges. Air. Bell, instructed by Mr. Qllivier, appeared for the plaintiff Great interest has tfeen excited by the discovery, mentioned in out last issue, of a bottle containing a paper — to all appearance a genuine document— pufpof ting to convey tie intelligence that the iongimissing ship Strathnaver was on fire off " Putty Beach," with a heavy sea running, on 20th April, 1876, and bearing the signature, •• W. Waller, Chief Officer." There are some discrepancies in ins iuscr ption, which possibly may be susceptible of eaplanation. For instance, the Strathnaver left Sydney on the 27th April, 1875, not " 1876." In the neat place the initial letter of the chief officer's Christian name was "5.," not "W." It is very sensibly suggested by our correspondent that Mr. Lowes, the finder of the document which, if genuine, conveys so important a clue to the fate of a long-missing vessel, should send on the paper to Wellington, where there exist ..pecimens of Mr. Waller's handwriting, which ;ould be compared with that on the paper found on the beach. It is with regret that we have to record the death of Mrs. Holmes, principal of the School of Arts, whose death will be severely felt, and whose place it will be difficult to find a successor for, who would so merit general esteem as did the deceased lady. Mrs. Holmes, whose death from heart disease occurred on Wednesday, waa a lady of varied talents, and was the sister of Mr. John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works. In consequence of the death of Mrs. Holmes, the classes usually held at the Athenaeum on Saturday will have to be postponed until a successor is appointed. At the Feathereton sale yards, on Wednesday, a lot of fat sheep, yarded by Mr. Wardell, were sold at 12s 6d per head. Another lot, entered by Mr. Tully, fetched lte 6d. The Manawatu Times learns, "on good authority," that the local coroner, Dr. Rockstrow, has sent in his resignation. An announcement of a very interesting entertainment at the Athenaeum Hall, this evening, appears in another column. A lecture on astronomy will be delivered by the Rev. D Uutton, F.R.A S., and some choice pianoforte selections will be played during the evening by accomplished lady amateurs. We believe Mr Dutton will make special reference to modern discoveries in connection with the Sun, and will use appropriate diagrams with illustrations. It is said that the 100 odd navvies on strike at Woodside have a grievance other than that that of the rate of wages. Their pay is, we (Wairarapa Dally) believe, six or seven weeks in arrear, and it is the irritation consequent on their being deprived, tor an unreasonably long time, of the money which they have absolutely earned which has caused them to come prominently before the public latterly. The usual weekly meeting of the Young Men's Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society took place last night, at St. John's Schoolroom. Two short essays by members were read. The next meeting will be held on Thursday. Tha total receipts of the Electric Light football match amounted to £74 13s. The expenses in connection with it were heavy. The sum of £17 6s lOd has been given by the committee to the Mount View Lunatic Asylum. A meeting of the Vestry of Stl Peter's Parish was held at the parsonage last evening, the Incumbent (Archdeacon Sock) presiding. A letter was received from Captain Kreeft,tendering his resignation, on the ground of ill health. On the motion of the Senior Churchwarden, a resolution was unanimously agreed to express- | ing sympathy with Captain Kreeft, and detp regret to lose his services in the work of toe parish. The Churchwardens made a report in' general terms on the financial position of the parish, directing special attention to the large amount of pew rents still outstanding, and the extreme difficulty still experienced in inducing many of the congregation to pay these debts of honor, it was agreed that the vestry should meet again half-an-hour before the general meeting of parishioners on Friday next. A long discussion then took place relative to the musical conduct of the church service, and an opinion was expressed that there had been some misconception on the part of the choir as to thu views of the vestry on the musical question, there being no intention to curtail the music beyond the point at which it had remained for some years past. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. R. C Hamerton on his retirement from the post of organist and choirmaster, which he has held during the past eight years, for his able and valuable services in that capacity. The vestry then adjourned until Friday next at 7.30 p.m. A sitting of the Bankruptcy Court was held this morning, before his Honor the Chief Justice. Orders for complete execution were made in the following cnses : — Frederick H. Wood, James Harvey, and John Adams. Mr. J. T Steele, of Lambton Quay, announces a epecial cheap sale of drapery, in order to reduce stock Full particulars will be found in an inset in this evening's paper. The following are the players who will represent the United Club in the football match on the Basin Reserve to-morrow : — Astill, Atkinson, Brown, W. Ballinger, Howe, Crowther, Fraser, Kutchen, M'Girr, Northcroft, J. Read, T. Reid, R Scott, A. Scott, C Stewart, and Wyiie; emergency men, Sunley and Chatwin. The Press says : — The work of raising the stranded barque Bells is in progress. The diver, Mr. Cannell, is engaged at it. Chains have been put under tho stern of the vessel, and it is proposed to take the two coal hulks alongside to lift her. It is probaole that the steam pminp service of tha tug Lyttelton will be employed to pump her out. At the upper hall of the Athenaeum last evening the Star of Wellington Lodge held its usual weekly session. A large number of persons were proposed as members. Although the weather was unfavorable the attendance was good. The ,odge adjourned at 8 o'clock, in order to attend, according to previous arrangement, the Olive Branch Lodge in Sydne>street, where a discussion toon place respecting the need oi establishing a Good Templars' Working Men's Club and Sailor's Home combined on temperance principles. Mr. A. Sample, of Lambton Quay, has sold his business, and aunouncus a clearance sale in order to reduce the stock tor his successor, who takes possession on the Ist August. Under the heading of a " Powerful Medicine," the Lytte.ton Times tells the following singular story : — " A man took a bottle ot medicine yesterday morning to the Police Depot with a request that the sergeant in charge would have it analysed. He said he had obtained it from a chemist in town to try and get a little strength, and on taking a dose it blew the drums of both ears out, nearly took halt of bis nose away, and his hat had vanished beyond recovery. He added that he was ao old soldier, and had never seen anything like it during his many campaigns; his only hope now was that the result ot the analysis might enable him to recover damages from the chtuiist for giving him a compound ot such extra strength. The medicine was, we believe, jalap. The police believe tne applicant to be sane."

Dwan, Eirton and Co. will sail at their rooms at 2 p.m. to-morrow, a large quantity of merchandise, also a. consignment of furniture. Mr. Francis Sidey will Bell to-morrow, at 11 o'clock, 84 lot° -^redeemed pledges. Messrs. Ijaery and OampbeU will hold their usual Saturday horse s» .le io-inorro w, at 2 o'clock, when saddle journey Ir-acka, and draught horses will be offered; also, drays, spring cart, &c. I'he highest tribute to the genius of any medicine is tne lace that the profession, who are antipodal to everything tnat is not embraced within the range of their prescriptions, lend to it their unqualified approval, by strongly recommending it. This the faculty have done to Udolpho Wolfe's Sobxbdau abomatio ScHNAPPb, by not only- testifying to its merits, but even prescribing it, in many known and recorded cases.— [Advt.J Notice.— Sandeb & sons Eucalypti Extract, under the distinguished patronage ol his Majesty the King of Italy; the most reliable curative, preventive, and disinfectant known. See report of cures, <fee, on other page.— [Advt.l