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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1072, 6 August 1869, Page 3

New Zealand; Institute. — A well attended meeting of the members of the New Zealand Institute was held at the Colonial Museum on Saturday evening, to listen to the addrpss delivered by his Excellency the Governor, as President. The address was chiefly occupied with a review of the progress of the institute, and with comments on the development of the Australian Colonies — apropos of this being the centenary anniversary of Captain Cook's first landing in New Zealand. Mr. Stafford, in a few words, returned the thanks of the meeting to his Excellency, and expressed his gratification at the success which, had attended the Institute. Dr. Hector then gave a most interesting and graphic account of. the geology of the gold fields, illustrated by diagrams and maps, which was listened to with great attention. A considerable portion of the remarks made by the doctor were embodied in the paper read by him at the recent meeting of the Philosophical Society but his thorough knowledge of this particular subject, so interesting at present, and of geological, matters in general, enabled him to place his views before the meeting in new and attractive language. We understand that a meeting of the members of the Institute will be held every Saturday evening in future. — Evening Post, July 26. The Pacific Railway. — The American advices refer to the probabilities of traffic on the Pacific Railway. It appears that the preparations making contemplate a weekly emigrant train at the beginning, to be increased as the demand may require, and at cheap rates. But those cheap rates will not be as low as they have been- by the Isthmus route, emigrant tickets by which have been as low as £10 from New York to California. The charges at present contemplated by the railway are approximately estimated as follows :— From New York to Chicago, 960 miles, £3 15s; Chicago to Omaha, 496 miles, £3 10s; Omaha to Salt Lake, 1 070 miles, i£B ; Salt Lake to San Francisco, 775 miles, £15 10s; total, 3299 miles, £30 155. In the statement of distances, add* ing six miles for ferriage from Oaklands to San Francisco, gives a total of 3305 miles. It is said, however, that the company has promised to reduce rates after the Ist of July next, when the cost of a through ticket will probably not exceed £23. The costs of meals and other incidental expenses are estimated at a total of £5 for the trip ; and most third-class passengers would lessen this item by furnishing their own supplies. <J At these rates," it is observed, " to say nothing of the labour and fatigue of a railroad ride of 3000 miles, there will not, in the nature of things, be many pleasure travellers, and there is much diversity of sentiment as to the amount of freight, local .or through." Treaty of Waitangi. — In the Legislative Council, on July 27, the Hon; Mr. Mantell moved that there be laid on the table a literal copy of the original Treaty of Waitangi in Maori : also of the signatures thereto ; with the late Mr. Baker's annotations thereon, — as prepared in 1865 by order of the Minister for native afiairs. The motion was agreed to. The Military Element in Taranakj* > — The settlers of this Province are undoubtedly a military body, and nothing shows this more than to hear military phrases used and obeyed unconsciously in a court of justice. We noticed yesterday, that while the common jury were being sworn in, the gentlemen who had taken the oath were told to "fall to the rear," which theyjaccordingly did to make room for others, as naturally as if they had been on parade.— r-Taranahi Herald. Military Arrangements on West Coast. — The Government, having decided to organise the Auckland Militia, fixed upon Colonel Lyon as the most suitable officer to undertake that duty. Colonel Lyon will consequently leave by the first steamer for the North. Major Noake,. hag been temporarily placed in command. Col. McDonnell returned from Patea on Satur- " day, and yesterday proceeded jip. the river upon the business entrusted to him by the Government, which seems closely allied to that of a Civil Commissioner.'— Wanganm Chronicle) July 27.