GENERAL NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 39, 25 August 1880, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS.

The late Mr. George Hunter's property has been estimated at from £130,000 to £150,000, which will be divided among his four children.

One result of English administration of Cyprus is that the value of imports and exports in 1879 was thrice as great as in 1877.

Tho Rev. C. H. Schnackenberg, Wesleyan missionary at Raglan, died on the passage up to Auckland. He has been in mission work for 35 years, and was a native of Germany.

Here's a nut to crack for our local Acclimatisation Society : — Mr. Bowm ,n, nurseryman at Remuera, near Auckland, had 500 choice treos b irked and destroyed by two hares, which were watched and shot. The damage is estimated at about 4600.

The Taranald News says: — "Several rumors are rife respecting a find of gold in Taranaki. We have seen a specimen of rich auriferous quartz, said to have been found in the district, and that is all we can communicate to our readers on the subject."

At an extraordinary meeting of the Wellington Gas Company, a resolution was carried authorising the appointment in England of a person* to accept and register the transfers of fully paid up shares in a register of transfers to be kept in that country.

Judging by the local paper, cash is not plentiful down Southland way. The people have consequently token to bartering by means of rabbit skins. Ten skins purchase a bushel of oats ; ten skins buy a pound of butter ; three skins procure a nip of brandy ; and so on.

The report at half-yearly meeting of the Bay of Islands Coal Company showed sales of coal of 25,277 tons for the halfyear, being an increase of 1000 tons on the previous twelve months. A dividend of 7£ per cent, on capital was declared, and £1069 carried to tlie reserve fund.

Mr. J. C. Brown, who spoke against the Maori Priaonerfa Bill, concluded by

remarking : — " If there is anything which will make me vote for this Bill it is the statement of the Colonial Treasurer that he will resign if it is not carried. I intend to vote to keep the Government in during the session." — Mr. John Lundon said : — " The idea often thousand people, one thousand troops, and this House of Parliament being frightened by 130 Maoris. Bah ! I'm ashamed of it."

We would call the attention of our country friends (remarks the Taranaki Nowb) to the value of prairie grass for winter food. Now, in the depth of winter, while cocksfoot presents a wretched appearance, prairie grass is green and vigorous. It is a sweet grass much relished by cattle, grows all the year round, and will flourish either by itself or mixed with other grasses.

The people of Napier have been somewhat excited of late, by a rumor having gained currency that a volcano under the sea has been discovered at a place called Blackhead, which is situated nearly 100 miles from that town. The phenomenon is on the coast near Porangahau, and the water is being constantly thrown at a great height.