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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 819, 19 January 1867, Page 5

Me. James Hamlin. — The Wellington correspondent of the Wairarapa Mercw% under data January 3, says: — "A case of most unju3t persecution and dismissal of a well-known Provincial Government officer has taken place, of which the fbllowing are the brief particulars : Mr. James Hamlin, interpreter to the Land Purchase Department, had a letter from the Superintendent a few days ago, telling him that he was suspended from office pending an investigation into his conduct. On His Honor's return to town, Mr. Hamlin sought an interview with him, in order to have the investigation held, but was unable to meet him until today, when His Honor told him that his services were no longer required, and gate as the reason for the dismissal that Mr. Hamlin had ' thwarted him in the Manawatu purchase.' No investigation whatever was held, . and thus summarily has the Province been ; deprived of the services of a most useful officer. I believe that Mr. Hamlin proceeds shortly to the Wairarapa district, to effect negotiations for the purchase of native land for some private parties." Scene in Otago Provincial Council.-— The Waikouaiti Hetald says the final hours of the Otago Provincial Council were marked by a scene which formed a fitting pendant to other points in its history. The election by the Council of an emigration agent had been looked forward to with some anxiety by the public, not only because the appointment is itself of importance, but because [of the rumours which were abroad that a little Old-identity job was to be perpetrated on the occasion. No public announcement that an agent was required, inviting application for the office,- was made. The whole thing was left to go haphazard by a ballot of the Council. The Government positively: refused to nominate an agent, or even to offer a recommendation. It was not till eight o'clock on the last evening of the session that the matter came on. Mr. James Adam, of Tokomairiro, was known to be earnestly seeking the billet, and it was generally feared that he had secured a support which must carry the day. A promise had been obtained from Mr. Macandrew that he would act if spontaneously elected by the Council ; he declined to be openly a candidate. Several others were also in the field, the candidate having the support of the Government being Mr. W. G. Rees, of Queens town. Strangers were ordered out of the Council Chamber as soon as the question came on, and were not re-admitted for two hours and a-half. In the meantime, after repeated balloting out, there remained two caudidates to be decided between — Messrs. Adam and Macandrew. It being pi'etty well known that the bill would be dropped by Government if the latter gentleman should be elected, many who strongly objected to him voted for him as against Mr. Adam, and by a division of 16 to 15 he was elected. Then rose a storm such as has not been known before in the by-no-means peaceful annals of the Provincial Council of Otago, and the like of which, let us hope, we may never hear of again. Mr. Macandrew's name and fame, and the conduct and motives of his supporters were furiously assailed by Messrs. E. B. Cargill, Reynolds, Major Richardson and other; and finally Major llichardson resigned the speakership and left the house. The bill was reported, and the third reading was brought on. The Appropriation Ordinance No. 2 passed its final stage, and his Honor appeared upon the scene and bowed the council out of existence. Cure fob, the Aphis. — A correspondent of the Batlmrst Times states, for the benefit of farmers and gardeners, that he applies coarse snuff to his cabbage plants, cauliflowers, and fruit-trees, which, he says, " takes all sorts of aphis and crawling things away from them." He says he has a good crop of cabbage now. The following is the prescription : — Put a small quantity of snuff, : every night after sundown, around the root/ and in the heart, of the plant, till you see ; the aphis disappear. About six or seyenV applications will suffice. Do the samjj-jtsi :.your fruit-trees but with a little water Jo the roots. Scented snuff ia useless.