SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

Evening Star, Issue 7251, 30 June 1887, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

AUCKLAND, June 29. The Road Board of the Mancare District his been lately duped to a shameful extent by some stonebreakers who took a contract for breaking about 200 yards of stones. The quantity of stoL.es stipulated for was scemintfly broken all riirht in two largo heaps; and, after being carefully measured, the contractor was paid in full for the work, which appeared to be woll done. When the cuting-out of ono of the hcapß took place it was found that, to a great extent, it consisted of large boulders at the f ottotn and riirht up to the top, the angles cf the heap having been interloaded with fine Urge thistles, whioh were very artistically arranged to prop up the broken scoria-stone on top of the boulders. Fully ono-thlrd of the heap consisted of Urge boulders; and the second heap is expected, when openad, to prove the gam.). The worst of the matter is tint tho contractor has left thrdistrict.

The ' Star' says there seems to be room for a (rood solid British arowl at the Wni'ndous rates charged for the carrying of small parcel* by ocein-goini steamera, and particularly at wharfage, storaeo, other dues, the iffectof which is to practically prohibit the receiving or sending of such packages Thero is surely Bomo method devisable whereby small packages could bu checked and delivered without consienecs being put to such trouMe and expense. The best remedy would be the establishment of a par-els pout between England and the colonies; but until our poital authorities have given us the long-promised inland service we suppose it is useless for us to talk to them about foreign (xehange. Letters to the 'Star' show that charges on small parcels from England and Australia reach as high as 10s, in addition to the freight, which is often in exoess ot the value of the parcel. Hall, the Timaru poisoner, is reported to be slowly but surely dyiDg of asthma. Ho suffers terribly from the malady, wh:ch renders him unfit to work or sleep. He complains that ho has fowcr p ivileges allowed him here than at Lyttolton, and seems to consider himself entitled to more cinßidcration than ordinary prisoners. He receives letters at stated intervals from his wife and mother. WANGANUI, Junk 29. Captain Sommerville, of the New Zealand Riflo Association, informs me thr.t Sir G. Whitmorn expects the new repeating rifles here next month. They are of the tvpe known us the Remington-Loe, with a detachable 'magazine, and, judging by the drawing sent out, arc hindsomo weapon?. The Birouffh Council list niiht voted the Mayoi's salary at LIOO, to meet the demands mado on his purse by the reoent jubilations, the cost of which the Council recognise should not fall on the Mayor.