SOCIAL SUMMARY
NEW ZEALAND. Oamtbropby. The growing of European fl**, it U sauifactory to observe, appear* likely to become widely popular among the farmer* of Uanter* bU ThV vital statistics for Timani for ( Vie month were i —Birth*, *l6 j deaths, 121 marriage*, 4. Tli* Customs revenue f<r the month amounted to £1409 16* 6ti, and | or „^ i 0 corresponding month last year £lnf>7 6* va, A presentation of a *ilycr tea sorvloe wa* made a short time fine# by a few friend* of the Free Methodist Church, Sproydon, to Mr* Peters, in recognition of her torvicos at tho huraioitium during tbi last four year*. The following are tho Registrar * return* for Christchurch and diet riot for the month ending August SI ;-r Birth* 173, marriage* 87, and death* 61. Tho return* for tho corresponding period last year wore - Birth* 200, marriage* 42, and death* 58. During tho lait half-year 81,255 Kngliih, 4889 Scotch, 4156 Irish, and 683 foreigner* emigrated to Au«trala»m, while during the first six month* of 1882 only 9107 English, 2388 Scotch, 8228 Irish, and 624 foreigner* embarked from British port* for the southern Colonic*. Tho Government hare completed arrangement* with Mo9«r9 Dobson and Son*, of this city, for a surrey of tho West Coast lino from Horsley Downs to Lake Brunner, through tho Rurunui and Toremakwi volleys and over tho Teremakau saddle.; the survey to be completed in time for tho opening of the next session of Parliament. H. Morris, the Now Zealand Blondin, has received a request from Mr J. Joubert to proceed to Calcutta for tho of performing ot tho International Exhibition. Mr Joubert, being fully aware of Morris' capabilities on the high rope, has selected him in preference to all other tigbt-ropo perform ore. The engagement has been occupied by Morris. , . A Maori, named IhaiaToawanui, belonging to Eaiknura, fell from the train which leave* Christchurch at 4 p.m. when still in tho tunnel, and about 10 chains from the Lyttelton end. It appear* that ho wa* with some of hi* companions in the train, and wishing to smoko went on to tho platform of tho carriage, whence, it is said, being under the influence of liquor, he foil, fortunately landing clear of the lino. On the arrival of the train at Port he was missed, and fearing a fatal accident, an engine wa* sent in search. Teawanui was found with no bones broken, but badly shaken and out about the head. He was at once removed to tho Casual Ward, and attended to by Dr Macdonald, and no serious results ore apprehended. Shortly after 10 a.m. on cept. 22 Mr J. E. Redmond, M.P. for New Rose, Ireland, with his Secretary, Mr Walsh, reached Lyttelton on board the Wanaka. At the Port he was met by a few friend*, who cordially welcomed him to the South Island. Messrs Bedmond and Walsh left for tho West Coast on Tuesday, taking the overland coach. They intend to lecture on the Irish National League in the principal!; owns of the West Coast, where no doubt they will meet with many sympathisers, and thence will go to Inveroarg 11, coming up the East Coast and calling at Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, &0., till they again reach Christchurch. Mr Bedmond will defer addressing the public of Christchurch till his second visit.
Mr A. Lovegrove, who for the last 12 years has been beach mining, and who has been for a short time on the Ninety-Mile Beach, has supplied the following particulars :—He says the ground is very patoby, and only men with great experience in the use of several chemicals, which are absolutely necessary, can make a living. With regard to men with only a little money, he strongly advises them not to go near it j at any rate, not just at present. Bor this there are reasons, notably camping and living, food being dear, and because the wind alternately blows from the north-west and south-west, both of which prevent operations being carried on till sometimes there are not more than one or two working days in the week. Consequently, the cost of food ie frequently above the amount of gold obtained. Furthermore, the banks, of which there are two ot Southbridge, have not as yet made any provision for purchasing gold, so that a man who is compelled to sell frequently, does so at a disadvantage to one or other of his fellow-diggers. Affaoas occurred on August 80, in connection with the Salvation Army meeting in the Qaiety Theatre.. One of those present misconducted himself, and a member of the Army proceeded to expel him, oalling on another man, named Israel Hyams, to assist him. The obnoxious individual was expelled, but several of the youth of the city who were present sympathised with him, and endeavoured to take vengeance on the man Hyams, who had assisted in his expulsion. A crowd of about fifty dogged Hyams’ footsteps on his way home, but as ho was shepherded by a policeman, refrained from any active molestation till his convoy left him, at the corner of High and Lichfield streets. Here Hyams was struck by someone, and be seized a man named PragneU,and held himtillOonstable Oleary came up and took him in charge. A considerable number of the youths aforesaid followed their companion’s fortunes as far as the Police Station gates, but dispersed as soon as Prengnell was lodged in the lock-up on a charge of assaulting Hyams. Prangnoll was brought up at the B.M. Court this morning, and as there appeared to be a doubt whether Hyams had laid hold of the right man, he was discharged with a caution to keep better company. About 8 p.m. on August 30, Miss Lucy Hibbard,second daughter of Mr Benjamin Hibbard Timaru, was mirsed by the other members of the family, and on search being instituted the horrifying discovery was made that she had fallen into an underground tank, the top of which had been inadvertently left open. On the body being taken out it was found that life was extinct. A letter which deceased had received in the morning from a newly-married sister was found floating in the water, and it is surmised that when engaged at the tank deceased let the letter fall in, and in attempting to recover it lost her balance. Deceased was over twenty years of ago, and had been in excellent spirits all day. The family ie well known and highly respected throughout the district, the deceased having formerly been a teacher in the Public School. An inquest was held on Saturday, Sept. 1, before J. Beawiek, Esq., Coroner, and a jury. The evidence of a visitor to the house of the father of deceased, and of Dr M'lntyro was hoard, but nothing was elicited that threw ony light on the rad occurrence, or weakened the supposition that deceased accidentally fell into the open tank. The jury immediately returned a verdict of “ Accidentally Drowned." It is said that a case of forgery of a rather peculiar nature will come before the Christchurch Bench in a short time. 'Jho alleged culprit is a man who was formerly a saddler in Christchurch, and more recently a farmer at Bwtmnanoa, but who is at present serving a tom of imprisonment for larceny. His plan of operations was to write to various tradesmen in town in the name ot well-known residents of different localities, his own place of residence excepted, and order goods to bo sent to certain places on the railway lino, generally choosing some “ flag station," where there was no station master or other official to receive the articles. The astute individual, who seems to have been an adopt at disguising bis handwriting, and indeed in managing the whole affair, took most of the goods to Bangiora, where ho placed them in an auction mart for sale. Some few articles ho kept for bis own use, but these ho carefully altered, so as to prevent them being recognised by the original owners, By following this plan, he succeeded, it is said, in victimising two wine merchants, fonr saddlers, a general merchant, and a firm of agricultural implement makers. His career was out short a few months ago, when ho was convicted of stealing a coil of barbed fencing wire, and lodged in gaol. Since his arrest, a number of the shove facts have come to the knowledge of the police j some few of the articles obtained by the forged letters have been recovered, and the ease will orobably come on for hearing before long.
On Sept. 17 a man, who stated that he wm engaged in working (he auriferou* tend on the Ninety Mile Beach, called in at tho Mining Kxohaoge with a nice little button of emelted geld, weighing 18 pennyweight*, which he said he had obtained from tho sand in question a* the mult of a week’* work. Arrangement* are in progrew for providing for the custody of the torpedo boat for Lyttelton, which, it i* elated, is expected to arrive herein about a couple of month*’ time. Mr Acidenon, the Government storekeeper, paid a viiit to Port a few day* ago, in order to *ee about proouring a site fora shed to receive the boat.
At Southbrook, on Sept. 10, a little boy five year* of age, tho son of Mr J. Busch, by some mean* got holdofaquantifcy of gunpowder —a quarter of a pound, it is raid—-and threw it upon the house firo. Tho explosion which followed burned the boy about tho face in a dreadful manner, and also linged off (ho greater part of hi* hair. Hi* mother, hearing tho explosion, ran into the room, and on finding hi* condition, eent at onco for Dr Williams, who promptly attended and did hi* best for tho relief of tho sufferer.
Thomas Hodgson Parkinson, of 'Kaituna, an old and wealthy colonist, died on Bept. 28 at Lyttelton after a long and painful illness. The deceased arrived in Now Zealand from Melbourne in a schooner called the Gil Bias about tho yoar‘lß6B. Ho ha* for many year* boon connected with tho farming interest of Canterbury, and before purchasing the beautiful estate of Kaituna from Mr fi. H. Rhodes, ho was manager of the farm for that gentleman, and to hi* indomitable energy and psrseveranoo may be attributed his success in life. He leaves a widow and a large family to mourn Hie loss.
The promoters of tho private proepeotmg Company formed in the Northern district a short time ago hold a meeting on Tuesday, Sopt. 4, at the Junction Hotel, Bangiora, to take into consideration a proposal to form a public Company to test tho gold-bearing capabilities of a reef discovered by Messrs M’Pherson and Bevell when on their recent prospecting expedition. After some discussion it wae decided—" That, in view of tho extra expenditure necessary to open up tho reefs and properly prospect the ground taken up, a Company should be formed with 120 D share* of £1 each."
During the recent flood, considerable injury and loss was sustained at Mr Johnson’s fishbreeding establishment at Opawa, chiefly through the escape and mixing up of the various descriptioasand ages of fish; tho water having risen to so great a height as to render nearly useless all the precautions taken to guard against such a misfortune. So fur as can bo at present ascertained the losses include a largo number of breeding trout of both American and English vorietios, American salmon, several hundreds of beautifully coloured goldfish, and some thousands of young American brook trout. Fortunately only a portion of this season’s hatching bad been removed from the boxes, so there are still several thousands left of this beautiful and game variety. It may be considered by future anglers that the recent flood was by no means a misfortune, since it will probably have stocked the Heathoota river with valuable fish.
On Friday, August 31, the officers of the Telegraph Department at Christchurch presented Mr L. W. Qegan (on the eve of his retirement from the service, where he has been engaged in the electrical -branch for over seven years) with a handsome gold albert chain and locket. The presentation was made by Mr J. W. Mason, officer in charge, who, on behalf of himself and the staff, wished Mr Gegan every success in his future career, and assured him that ho carried with him the best wishes of all in the office. Mr Q-egan, who was moved very much at having to say good-bye to so many old friends, accepted the souvenir with great pleasure, and returned the officers his warmest thanks for the kind manner in which they had testified their feelings towards him. He assured them that in whatever sphere his future might lie, he would never forget hia old friends in the Ohristoburob This community, our Good Templar and Bine Sibboa friends may be interested to learn, continues to swallow a very fair proportion of the spirits imported. According to the Bonded Warehouse Account, published in the Gazette just to hand, (he following quantities were delivered from the bonded warehouses of Lyttelton and Christchurch, for home consumption, during the quarter ending Jane 30 last (the quantity being in each case stated in gallons) Brandy, 8776; Geneva, 3183; gin, 965 j rum, 2432 ; whisky, 12,346; other kinds, 313; port, 8546; sherry, 1883.. These figures produced a total of 33,944 gallons for three months. Whisky, it will be noticed, is the more popular tipple | but of this “ comfort" (he Dunedin folk used 21,798 gallons during the same period. If the present weather continues long, we should imagine there will be a very lively increase in the next quarter's return.
The lasttribute of respect was paid to the remains of the late Mr James Walls, of Kaiapoi Island, on Friday, Sept. 7. The funeral oorthge left deceased's late residence i about two o’clock, for the Church of itngUnd . Cemetery, The Rev Mr M'Qregor, Presbyterian minister of Kaiapoi, conducted a short funeral service, and delivered an impreseivo address before the procession"'started. He referred in feeling terms to the many good qualities of deceased, and dosed an affecting discourse with prayer. A largo number of Mr Walls’ friends were assembled and followed his remains to the grave, including many traps, nineteen horsemen, and many pedestrians. On arriving at the cemetery they were met by the Bev Yere-White (Church of England), who read the service. About 100 more persona were at the burial ground. It may be mentioned, to show in what esteem the deceased was held, that mourners attended from Timura, Ashburton, houthbridge, Christchurch and Bangiora. Captain Smith, of the Salvation Army, was fined 10a at the Timatu Resident Magistrate’s Court on Sept. ,21, for obstructing tho street by causing a crowd to collect, the information being laid under clause 4, subjection 26, of “ Tho Canterbury Police t , Ordinance, 1858.” Formal notice of appeal to the Supreme Court was given. Tne presiding Magistrate, in inflicting the penalty, addressed defendant pe follows: “We do not wish that the ordinary proceedings of your processions should be interfered with, but there must be some limit to tho conduct of those processions. You have a right to pass along the streets with band and banned, but it will be well to bear in mind that while you may consider you are doing everything that is right and proper, you may be causing annoyance to a great number of people in town. I think 1 might ask you to use some discretion and endeavour not to raise a feeling of opposition against you, Tho Bench in this case inflict a' penalty because they have to administer tho law as t hey find it.” A second information was withdrawn. Seven members of the “ Skeleton Army " were charged with the same offence as Smith, and a conviction agreed to on tho same terms, each of them being fined 10s and oasts. The Native Land Court sitting at the Kaiapoi pah was concluded on Saturday, Sept. 16, having disposed of some 200 Claims of one kind or another. Most of these were claims to succeed, ne next of kin, deceased owners of land formerly granted to Natives, and were disposed of without much trouble, beyond the exercise of oontiderable pat ience on the part of the Court, who had to listen to almost interminable pedigrees totally unintelligible to the uninitiated. Some of the claims were of a mare serious character, tho applicants claiming largo territories, and in one instance nearly tho whole of tho Middle Island. On being reminded by Commissioner Maokay that the Court had no Jurisdiction in those oases, the Chief Judge recommended the claimants to petition Parliament. The recommendation appeared to excite much merriment among (hose present, about onehalf of whom belonged to tho gentler sox. A feature in the proceedings throughout was the prominent part taken by tho women, who frequently expressed their views in a most outspoken fashion. The behaviour of the Natives during the sitting was most goodhumoured, even in oases where the claims wore disallowedf and bis Honor the Chief Judge, at the close of the proceedings, took the opportunity to compliment them on the good example they bad set.
At Ashley on Sunday, Sept. 28, a little boy between three and four year* of age, belonging to Mr John Devenport, had bis skull fractured by a kick from a bone. Dr William*, of Kangiora, rendered surgical rid, and the child is reported to be getting on nicely. A meeting of person* interested in establishing a Woollen Factory in Timaru wa* held on Sept. 6, in tho office of the interim Secretary, Mr Stubbs. There wa* a good attendance, and Mr A. Orm*by presided. It wa* shown that share* to the value of £3OOO might be counted upon to be taken up, and it w»* believed that tho employees would take up at least £IOOO additional. After some discussion, it was resolved to register the Company immediately, and a working Commktrc was appointed to osrry oat details. The meeting then terminated. Messrs Bird and Gegan, who have been experiment ing in tho direction for some time past, nave applied for Letters Patent for a”decondary Battery Coll for storing or conserving electricity.” They claim to have discovered a mean* by which they obtain a far greater capacity, in a given space, than ha* been obtained in any other storage ba’/tory in use. A* the great objection to storage batteries is their weight, Ibo invention of Messrs Bird Gegan, if it can bo economically worked, will help, so far as electric lighting is concerned, to remove a groat difficulty which now stands in the way. Tho experimental cell* were charged by Messrs Ounuiogton and Kant’s dynamo, and are, *o far as i* known, tho first made in New Zealand. It i« proposed to exhibit tho battery in work at tho coming Exhibition.
A Woodend correspondent writes Quito tt gloom has been cast over the village by the sudden death of Mrs titokes, the wife of an old and respected settler. It appears that she had been suffering from a severe cold for some time, and at one o’clock on Wednesday morning she was seised with a violent coughing or choking fit. Mr Stokes at once got up to prepare her a warm draught, and for that purpose went into the sitting room, whither hie wife followed him. Directly afterwards, to his dismay, ho saw her sink upon the sofa, and although he immediately sprang to her assistance, she expired almost at once. Mrs Stokes bad been suffering from an affection of the heart for eome time past, but it is assumed that the fit of coughing brought on an acute attack, which ended in her death. It is expected that a post mortem examination will be held. On Saturday, Sept. 18, “ Major” Barker, the officer in command of the Australasian branch of the Salvation Army, arrived in Christchurch from Timara. Owing to the admirable arrangements made by the police his reception was unaccompanied by any serious dots of violence. He wa? mot at the railway station by upwards of 300 soldiers, with their bands, and drove in procession through Manchester, Armagh and Durham streets to tho Oddfellows Hall, Sydenham, where a “free-and-eas;” was held. A crowd of about 2000 persons was assembled at the Bailway Station, the larrikin element being very strong. The nolice, however, both in uniform and plain clothes, were strong also, and the blackguard* portion of the gathering deemed it prudent to confine the expression of their disapprobation of tho proceedings to a little hooting when tho "Major” mounted hi* "chariot." A plan bad been formed, it appears, to “rush” the vehicle, but'the courage of the assailants,such as it was, evaporated when the time for action came. Tho only actual hostilities indulged in, in connection with the reception of “ Major ” Barker on Saturday afternoon, occurred when the procession was passing the building now in course of erection at the corner of Oashel and Manchester streets, where some bags of flour were thrown from one of the upper windows. The police detected a man named Thomas Patrick in the act of doing this, and at once proceeded to arrest him. He resisted being taken, however, urging that, os ho was_ driving tho donkey engine engaged in the work* •« wornd be very Inconvenient for the builders if he loft it before they knocked off. The foreman of tho work backed up his representations, and Inspector Pender allowed him to remain, in charge of Detective O’Connor, until about 4 o’clock, when ho was taken to the lock-ap, but was at once bailed out. At the B.M, Court on Monday morning, Patrick was fined £2 for the offence. A little disorder occurred when tho " Army ” reached the Oddfellows’ Hall at Sydenham, owing to a number of youths endeavouring to rush into the hall before tho Salvationists entered. The police, however, soon succeeded in restoring quiet, and the remainder of the proceedings passed off without any approach to a disturbance. In the evening, Mtu Banker presented a flag to the Sydenham corps, and yesterday a series of special meetings took place, those in the afternoon and evening being held in the Tuam street Hall. All were largely attended, the seven o’clock " knee drill ” having a master of about 1000 persons, while at least 3000 were present at each of the services in Tuam street. In conclusion, it may be remarked that the " Major,” in point of manner and oratory, is very similar to the other " officers ’’ who hove held forth in Christchurch, his education being evidently about on a par with theirs. Westland. The Customs duties collected at Greymouth daring August amount to £224117s ; for the corresponding quarter 1882, £2626. The gold du*y amounted to £lO4, and the beer duty to £43. An accident occurred at Biverview, near Ahaura, in the claim of John Thomas and William Beece. While standing at the head of the claim tho bank gave way, precipitating both 60ft almost perpendicularly. Thomas was covered up, but Beece, who escaped uninjured, obtained assistance. Thomas, when extrioatod, was found to be seriously crushed on the head and back. He was taken in a canoe to tho Greymouth hospital. A man named Charles Macfarlane shot himself through the head on Sept. 3, in the hut of a man named Irvine at Bimu. The weapon belonged to Irvine, who was absent when the occurrence took place. Macfarlane was getting a good living by lotting horses to diggers to draw up wash-dirt. No reason is assigned for the suicide, except that deceased had been drinking. Macfarlane was unmarried and a native of Ireland. Otago. The following ore the returns of vital statistics for Oamaru for Augustßirths 83, marriages 10, deaths 8. The Customs revenue for Dunedin for the' month of August was £40,867 18* 2d. The same month last year it was £43,108 17s. The steamer Bonstanten takes 5971 frozen sheep Homo. Tho British Queen, which arrives early in October, is expeoted to take 9000.
A railway guard named Crawford had a narrow escape from instantaneous death at Mercer station. His head got jammed between a waggon and piece of timber. Ho was removed to the Hospital with his head badly out. At Fort Chalmers, where the licensed houses are all closed at ten instead of midnight as formerly, the arrests for drunkenness have been 18 during July and August, compared with 87 during the same period of tbo previous year. Returns collected by the Chamber of Commerce show that between Juno 30,1882, and Juno 80,1883, the various woollen factories in the Colony purchased 5706 bales of wool, valued at £7-1,805. The value of the articles manufactured from the wool is estimated to exceed £260,000. A meeting was held at Oamaru on August 20, to consider the advisability of establishing freesing works. The meeting was largely attended. Two propositions were before the meeting, one to establish a local company, and the other that a branch of the Dunedin Company should bo invited. It was decided to establish a local company. The meeting, however, was not unanimous. Tbo Dunedin Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 20 resolved to co-operate with the other Chambers of the Colonies and the Chamber of Commerce, London, in devising means to secure the adoption of an equitable form of bill of lading, and to forward copies of resolutions passed to Sir If. D. 801 l and Mr John Boss, asking them to 00-operate with the representatives of other Chambers for that purpose. '
Daring last ceuon, that is tbo spring and samnaer months, when there is no snow, the quart* re»fs at Macetown, in Lake County, yielded 4300 ounces, from 8200 ton*, or an average o! loz 7dwt per ton, The incoming season is csported to be very prosperous. ft the Chamber of Commerce meeting the (Ti'tirman read statistics showing that last ui intb 32 vessels of 8349 tons discharged at Dunedin whams, and 35 of 5394 tons loaded there. The total tonnage at fort OWtners during the same period was 29,463 tons inward, and 27,557 outward. The deration Army opened a campa : ?>i at OamaruonHept 3. In the evening the Volunteer Hall was crowded, but the audience was rowdy in the extreme, Binging, whirling, and talking were indulged in. This led M«j r follard to remark that O*ntru had lcs« regard for religion than any other (own in fiew Zealand ho had been in.
A wilier named William Bn/iiaf, of Abbotsford, was V.dled at 1 a.ro,, on Succlay, bept. 16. Ho who going home, when ho wee overtaken by some horsemen, H* mounted a horse, stying ho would have a ride ; when, just os ho got into tho saddle, the uni '.si gave a sudden swerve and fell on itn side, and II ami ay had his skull fractured. He lingered four hours. He was a married man, with a family. The following price* were recently obtained at the sale of draught stock, the property of Mr Jamei Turnbull, Camara - Boy mare, Maggie, lOOgs, Finiinson and Co ; grey mare out of Queen by Tonug Banker, lOOgs, J. F. Heid } bay mare Bell,B6gs, J. F. Beid •, grey mare, 77ig», Finliwon and Co s bay mare, 70gs, Finiinson and Oo.j grey mure out of Queen by Sir Win, Wallace. 62gt, F. Bromley ; grey mare Queen, 62gs, James Cattanacfa. A barmaid at one of tho loading hotels,, feeling insulted by some remark made to her on Sept. 2, by an individual notorious for his attentions to the fair sex, told bin he wo old bear more of it. She waited upon the alleged insulter tho following afternoon at his offl ce, and producing a horsewhip from beneath her dress, used it pretty freely acroi* bis face, neck, and shoulders, and to such an extent that he did not consider flight ignominious. Tho affair has naturally cause a good deal of excitemer-t.
still another scheme is proposed for making a decent harbour 0! the shallow basin in front of Dunedin. The author is Hr A. Smaill, and be propoies to form e, ship canal from the Ocean Beach to Dunedin. He has laid his plans and estimates before the Chamber of Commerce. The cost of this channel, which would be 150 ft wide, and having a depth of 35ft of water at high tide, be estimates at £330,000 ; but against this he calculates that the material excavated would reclaim 250 acres, valued at £500,000.
There was great excitement over the arrival of Major and Mrs Barker, of the Salvation Army, from Melbourne on Tuesday, Spot. 11. An immense crowd assembled at tho railway station, from which the visitors were driven to the barracks, headed by a brass band with torches blazing. Tho procession was accompanied by a largo number of larrikins booting and yelling. As the barracks were approached rotten eggs were produced and thrown at tho Falvationists, and for about an hour there was a tremendous commotion. Some women fainted in the crush, and others were crying from the rough usage they received. The police eventually managed to clear the streets. At tho half-yearly meeting of the Foresters the report showed that there were 18 Courts in the united Otago district, numbering 1316 members, with funds to the amount of £16,160 3s B£d, most of which was placed on mortgage, realising 8 per cent on the average. During the past half-year the Courts had paid away in sick pay £325 15 1, for doctors and medicine £Bl6 9s 4d, and £BO for funeral claims. It was resolved that the question of establishing a branch of Juvenile Forestsrs for lads under eighteen years of age be left in the hand* of the officers to make the necessary enquiries from Home, and to bring up a scheme at the next half-yearly meeting in February, 1834; also to bring up a scheme for life assurance for members, similar to that adopted by the Foresters in England. The parade of entires at Dunedin was very successful on Sept. 20, over 50 being exhibited. Among them was the Clydesdale, Lord Salisbury, imported some years ago at acost of 1500 guineas. Tho Daily Times says that after tho horse parade at Dunedin last week a number of horses were offered at auction, but there were very few buyers present, and very little business was done. Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. effected the majority of the sales. Privately they disposed of the Clydesdale stallion Wait •a • Wee to Mr James Allan, of Hopahill, Taieri for the very satisfactory price of 600 gs. At auction they sold Lord Clyde to Mr James Gall, of Edendale, for 136 guineas ; Lord Chelmsford to Mr J. Duthie, as agent for Mr Wo. Montgomery, Tokomairiro. at 155 guineas; and Young Scotsman to Mr Hutchins at 25 guineas. Messrs Maclean and Co. disposed of Prince to Mr Millar, Fast Taieri, at 51 guineas.
Whilst engaged in dredging in tho Upper Harbour on Sept, *B, the men employed on the Priostman dredge picked up the body of a young man named Snow. Deceased had been employed by Mr Patrick, butcher, and had been missing since bis employer’s return from Australia, about a fortnight ago.' Snow was recently married, and it is believed to be a case of suicide induced by embezzlement. An inquest was held on Sept. 10. Snow was twenty years old, and had been married a short time. It was shown that ho suffered from his head, and had to bo taken *from school on account of his studies affecting it. On the night of his disappearance, he bad been working at his employer’s books. Ho was very excited, and complained about his head. He said, “ There are pains in my head which stupefy me,” and talked incoherently. He went outside, saying he would be back in two or three minute*, but was never seen again. He left his books open on his desk. It was also stated that his books had been found to bo wrong, and an information had been laid against him. A verdict of “Found drowned ** was returned.
The “ Vagabond ” tell* his experience of an up* country wedding in Otago ss follow!A number of men, their horses’ tails and manes ornamented with ribbons, greet us vivaciously. Eow and why in this early cold morn ? “ They aro coming from the wedding,” the courteous driver tolls me. At a well-known and popular hostelry along the road, the daughter of the home was yesterday married, and the festivities are only just over. Shortly we arrive at tho place. There has been a real high old time. O'er* prsit with liquor and sleep, prostrate forms aro strewed on the door of tho parlour. They have fallen like leaves in Vallambrosa. Every room in the house is so occupied, and the bride in her wedding dress is washing up the glasses, whilst the bridegroom, sober, but sleepy, asks all our party to have a drink! We take on board some young damsels who have been at tho dance. It is astonishing how fresh they look after being up all the night. The tiddler is also a passenger. Ho is re* ported to be the “ boss " player on tho goldfields. At tho present moment ho is about as drunk us it is possible for mortal man to be. We have hoard (says a Dunedin paper) r r . good many amusing creditors’ mootin ’ , one which took place in tfco City mo other day revealed about as queer a stato of things in regard to tho debtor as well could bo imagined. It appeared that his wife hold property apart from him, and while ho incurred all the liabilities she claimed all tho assets. She owned the house iu which he lived, and whenever an unfortunate creditor issued an execution and attempted to levy distress it was found that tho wife bad u bailiff in- possession for rent. Tho daughter of the insolvent was recently married, and the “lodger,” having very conveniently bought her wedding outfit and furnished her house for her, the tradesmen who gave him credit will now rank on tho estate as creditors. Some of the creditors at the meeting were inclined to be very wroth when they became enlightened as to tho way in which things had been carried on j but the majority were inclined to treat the affair as a huge joke, and the nature of the interrogations put to tho debtor, and his answers, created much mirth. We are informed that the proceedings are indescribable, and that nothing bat a verbatim report—-which, unfortunately, Is not available —could do them justice, !
The retail price of flreponce. 41 a^v »nc«i tc The Upper Weitaki Fnv p. , Oaroarn, owned and occupied by « wm destroyed by fire early on * 6 ' T , h ® building one furn tur, A J,a, V*. insured for fICCO. 1 > *e :e A boy named Bradbv, and fire years, vm j'.n =t S,'"' r : the St David i*rr-:t ?f -/ n l “• ?«. at quarter to four o’clock ,>.m. on ceased was runrbg fctt o»s »•-, / . lj * dray, and did not * 6e t >,.‘ * 1 :,JB - a coming, and before t'.-j <:rv t * ,7 V conld pall np the boy was V : ;^ei and killed instaiPansonsly. j quest on Wednesday, Bept. 12 without retiring, foonr a T. ; rd : .cr'cf ■'*'?> death. It was shown that t'c-» camo suddenly out from beVr'l' (irsy, and that at !7i »i K , „ e ; n ‘ 'f c'-.ildrcn about, the tram drirerV-’ ably reduced the speed. " ' • ‘-i!is r . At the October sitting of *K ], T -. , r , Margaret Lamtj socks a 7. r . from Charles Lave-fy. Sue the night of their /nwr.-.g* in A.’,..' her husband threatened t-, huc-i ” ‘ ’ "7 abused her, snd offers-; her c- q’“ ! S T would desert him, Ttre-j cjv* -/v ~71 Kt threatened to shoot h»r, er. j 7' : ‘ e loaded gun at her, which hi.* I’ 1 charged, fearing blood would ; .e to further threat# she iUd f..,7 V,/ ’« and they hare since been living a- ' ‘ ! ’- Two incidents which a-e Wakatipu newspapers snow ' - tops character of 11 mountains . '/.)[ tnc . In one esse a packer wa> team down the Arrow Vu.'iey tr*.i leader was pushed off the track brV/,' the hones rosbirg tast him. Ti,” ■ went dashing ar.d tctr.blirV precipitous face of the r 7! landed a shap*h»s mail 7. ■■-7',7‘ 5 below. When Hoad (the pyi hone falling he “ cao-.ed ” to ■ • of men who were just, be p new dray road, to clear cut cf **, x 7 had barely time to do to whes »• /“** nate hone came taunderirg d-.77.7*' great was the momentum h-j n his deecent that he bound 'd vroad a» if he were an inn i~.~ • , jl* tho other case a butcher a' Q- V- -.' seven bullocks out of b • v '^l for the hills. The own.-.-before his eyes they j.-Zj’, other, over a precirhie ; 37,- av.'wj' smashed to piece*. SOvTTHIA.-rD. On Wednesday, sept. 12 7 Grace Aitben, four ye-or# -. • ....'^-* Aitken, farmer, I-ongbu,;-;. - \.... ,-„j bush, which had been , y. 'it eff. abe sat dovr. j,: l , _. ' WJ£ 1 still smoalderirg, anfire and burnt up to her woht extinguished. The r::- c‘..j : -.-reiy burnt, and the doetc- ;s l; ;7'7 ,f - 2 survive the shock to il’ ;y : . A man named John -I rr -.r. «:--.‘.-v-iat 1 M'Callna and Go.’* siwc-;ll. f.-l. in •••7 ot a taw and came in contact vi± ■ -i.v.-ei. 1 On being extricated he w?,i cp.t.-x--. ;3 Hospital, whore he was found --1 tained fracture of the rkuli 5 :-7. tba beck exposing the spine, ac-1 a i-r mi across the thigh. Th* euiTerer l : e- r. ;•=.• carious condition. Work 10-i r.. began at tho mill and the saw was no; 1 ing at the nsssl spe-:d, othsrwhs .7 7. kjuries must have been indictee. ; A destructive fire occurred at v. y-.ibiz. orPAugust 30. The buildings d?*t* .■ D. Milne’s Fanners* Arms Hc-cl ■>.'; :G attached) and J. Baskin’s store. ; broke out in the hall, cod so g-.r:- -:o.» t: 1 save a large quantity 0: furcitur:- 7 r hotel. The insurances amount tc £ir •; up as follows:—Hail, £3OO i*. ; hotel. £2OO in national, £675 in 7::.. Magdeburg, and £325 in United ? I:-. •:-? £IOO in Hatiocal and £353 in the 7 » Zu land. Bankfn’o stock—£2oo in j ';r Zealand and £6OO in the couth Brt -7: building being insured In the same ;r f:; £IOO. Of the insurances in S.:7;r -i-; £250 is ra-iniured with the L7:r ... m London and Globe. At the Invercargill Suprcr.r 7 :c Sept, 6, the only case cf ;c‘*r**: Hornsby (Lake Count’i Tret-) (Lake Wakaiipu Hail) for feetained ia the following eitrsct i-o tie 1 Arrowtown correspcndeci cf tie Ifrl :: the occasion of a lecture :y : cz 1 Ireland: —“Ireland has cn-e :r.-e tc cry ‘eave me from my f:fend.-.' L:: Je:t: : ref 1 appears to have an r >:: tint for ‘ ‘blood snd murder.’ • reap; in his early youth, at h? -.ismacja,. ' and it has before f as' ; :-u teat his 1 lineago is to be traces in the rcrui ci the 1 Chatham Isles. rbis_ccc:-u-.ts nt ;;d «• ' coses a great deal.” Ihe ;' :r 7 £ JTe * 7etclct > for £SO, the claim h Wry Vm £707 The ' Judge reserved the law punts muz cr ce- • fendant for a nonsuit. 1 Ksis-:>'. A body was found on the sii-s near .1. residence of Mr Green, and rmc't to town. : The head is gone, and nearly -■ y:sbut the waistcoat, shirt, trcusc-f. zzz are on it. The rents v. 3 arc ev:r.cc..y ">• of Stader, drowned four _uc -k? 2 ? : pilot boat catastrophe. The beets er been recognised by the mar wee t—for Reader. The Bridge Hotel, kop’ bv Tt? Tamsr. ** destroyed by fire early n du-.-tiy. t/pThe stables and outhouse* w;r: wue difficulty saved. The ’j It was insured in the Colonial Culj? : : ri ,'’,7’; stock and furniture in the same emre ier to secure 3 mortgage. The :m.> - the kitchen whila Mr and 37; in the front of the house. Wr - it was impossible to get to they, - ■ ■ water was nearer than 100 y;>r.:s. * - : 7 was saved beyond a piano and a east :: .- L ’,v; Mr Tafner lost bis personal etT-rs 3"-'- iv * in notes. MißtnosoraH. The whole of the shares in the ■ r ’ ’7‘7 Freezing Company hare r. .u _ Applications ware received ter eZ ? r --“' more than tho whole capital. WBLLIXGTOy. An elderly men 'j'.', penter, dropped dead on Set t. was 64. . -;1 It is said that at the O'*,7j7 6ept.2l.it was arranged th.; " il -.' 7 Treasurer and Mr Ulircc : ' 7'7:'J members of*> the Oovercu-c; r attend the Intercolonial tVr.urer.cc yAnnexation question to be uc— Sydney. . . . y e A Norwegian named Gahruuf.u;, r ',- J .JX sorted from the ship Oxtcro, or 77 ho was employed a* sailmakor, wa- '•■•yj,;!, the beach otOharui on Sept. 15, by IT V hands ia a very exhausted oonciitmuion asserts that he had not tou.-;u.. ’-■■V’ 7, sixteen days, and that durirg_ i'- _‘ r . had not seen a living a-mi. s.ni : 7; J jV. ;n , the appearance of haviuc 7c.u He was sent into town c..-.d rut i ''7y‘;7 the hospital, where he received • • V‘-;ow The AVjc Zealand Times nuke.* 1- . ing remarks: —The harbour n-4-j- • schema for Wclliogton p.vgro>:as s-yv Harbour Board seem to J o ia > t y’ 7 _ V ;ty fresh impetus from ofus:.-’- - 7 v ,r,.'. within is not great. A '7 ~ the scheme one short s -' , 1 “‘771.:.- only »o;t defeated yesterday, b.’U’.g . ' '-7., rr .v by tho Chairman’s csating v,.u'. posal was that Mr Napier 17-r if known consulting engineer, l c . willvited to visit Wellington for a c - -'.‘7' 7*_ r y txmemben, to ascertain wba - - pence would bo necessary to j soundings of tho harbour , WI 7. 7,7 i ii ir ' lars,ae the basis of a comp hour improvements, eo tna- J‘ ! , contemplated by the Boaro p- Jlr out a* parts of a well clo";-c.: I Bell’s first requirements wmumuch expense, the iaca 7 r ’ ;: i3, D* be authorised to draw up » s- c which tho Board would p->) b } f this plan could be exscu’.cu m 7" . ,; : a w 45 time to time. This P«P°f “ thrf l voted on, and the pic-s a--- , ,u a prep®-* 9, and three, the Chairman csrr.. E^bt , r w sf by his casting vote- to P u ? 7 elected some roont * it via _ on a scheme of r -;7 - s:i evident from thi* j. has a heavy weigh'-.
Meat Freezing Company Tb® .Ti of mutton, and 20001b* •* n A, vr ibe Doric. fh iim'ial region of tbo Ohureh of Dod> tho r6J - deDt hop in hi* opening address, oi Wellington, parliament which f OD I LrrUe with a decked wife'* ® g fer ard liou-d t-W no clergyman in this ~i (' celebrate tho ceremony. In ff* Hrrcviaan had consulted him rea and bo had adit. .. , His tho Governor visited ” tc n Sept, la, to witness a ploughing ,-1. ) r.triv .1 an address of welcome “® r ro( r.-fd. Before proceeding to the Tlmiehin match his Excellency was enterfined a- hsnchste,«t which he enoko pnnir resrcr.se to the toast of «'The Army L P d S’stt " ‘ He said he had lived to see his Svioa regarding Colonial fortification* carried out in other Australian Colonies, and he hoped to be able y d to serve New Zealand m a isir.ilur manner. „ . . A fire which occurred early on Kept. 4 destroyed the premises occupied by Messrs Phillips and P.-llard, photographers. The fire appeared in the first instance in a room over the operating room, and had a good hold when observed by a pazser-by. Tho premises, which were owned by Mr Toomslb.were completely ratted, and the stock was destroyed. The building was insured for £350 m the New JksUr.d office, and the stock for £2OO in the ftcM’ish Imperial- Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. . 4 boiler used for the purpose of driving a wo-d cutting machine at 8. Brown’s wood #rd cool yard, Tory street, exploded at one o’clock on fchpl. 1L The concussion was felt over the greater part of the town. . The shed in whi'a the boiler is situated was completely wrecked, and large shce's of corrugated iron were carried into tho neighbouring yards, some distance away, A horse standing within fire vards of the explosion escaped uninjured ; but a cart was twisted about considerably, ces wheel being wrenched off, and such other damage done as to render it unfit for use. The boiler itself is a mass of broken iron plates, being torn as if of brown paper; and some of the heavy parte were lifted to the opposite side of the yard. Fortunately no person was hurt. A woman was in tho yard picking up wood at the time, but beyond the fright she rreived no injury. The macsg--? and one of the workmen were in a shed adjoining, taking thtir dinner, when tho accident occurred, and they can in no way account for the explosion. A large number of windows were smashed by the concussion. Wasgasti. The following arc the vital statistics for the month Births, 27; deaths, 5; mannoses, 3. The Customs receipts amount to £956 17e oj, and the fcser duty to £16115s Id. Mr Bryce, Nat ire Minister, who arrived in town on Wednesday last, had an interview with Major Kemp at Upokocgoro on Sept. 11. It was "a most cordial meeting, as if no strained relations had ever existed between Major Kemp and tbe Government. After a short interview they parted on the best terms. A good number of natives were present, with several Europeans. News arrived in Wanganui on Sept. 24, that the survey party under Mr J. A. Thorpe, engaged on the survey division of the Murimotn block, were stopped by Natives under a Chief named Aropata Haeketuterangi. When they came back to where the tent was Mt on Sept. 21 they found everything gone, tent and all; and on search being made it was found that they had been tsken by the Chief, who refused to give up possession unless the jorrey is abandoned. Mr Thorpe has sent a messenger down to the police. No violence is reported. Hawse's Bat. Customs returns, £2853; beer, £2G6. Vital statistics: Births, 51; marriages, 6; deaths, 14. I A man naned George Ness, a fellmonger of ; liikorai, was missing on Thursday, August 30, ■ 31; employers and others went in search of ‘ j;ra on the hill, as be had appeared to be in a J driposcisg state of tnird lately, bis ueusl j ' regular remittance not having arrived last * mail from Aberdeenshire, where hi# relations occupy a wealthy position. On August 31 ( they "discovered the man’s b;dy in a hole J in the KikorM Creek, with an old iron pump | tied on hia back. *
A very large meeting of sheep farmers ] yfii held at Napier on August 20 to re* ] ceire the reports of the Committee appointed by the settlers of Hawke's Bay 1 asd Waipawa Counties in reference to ' the approaching invasion of the rabbit j plague. The report stated that tbs rab- ’ hits were on the immediate boundary cf . the Province northward of the Akitso river, • and recommended the erection of a rabbit* 1 proof fence from the coast running inland 15 1 miles towards Woodville in the Seventy mile 1 Bush. Another report recommended the erection cf a fence and condemned the lino of the artificial boundary between the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Provincial Districts. Jhe estimated cost of the fence is £3OOO. Sheep farmers representing a million and a quarter o? sheep agreed to pay a farthing a* head to defray the cost, all sheep owners in the district will be asked to contribute, and the Hawke's Bay members have been requested to communicate with Government with a view to secure assistance. It was subsequently decided to have the fencs erected, Potesit Bat. Poverty Bay is very lively a l '; present, a large cumber of Natives being in Gisborne, attending tbo Native Land Court, which has been sitting for the last month, and will very likely r.ot terminate before tn- cud of October. The Court is doing excellent work, defining titles which bare been hung up for numbers of years. The ascertainment of dormant titl-s has already given an impetus to the cfttilcment of the district, and is enhancing the value of all properties. Tauasaki, Acbargc of child murder against Josephine Green was proceeding at Ha were on Sept. 6. Detective Beniamin, Con*tables Manning of Bulls, Motley of Woodville, and M‘Ananiy of Foxton, Imre given evidence. hey deposed that they had made exhaustive inquiries, but bad been unable to discover anything cf Williams, the reported father of the mis-ing child. Motley, who is postmaster at Woodville, avid no letter had been received there for Williams for 12 months past, except one a month ago, and that had not been called for. The esao was remanded for a week, William Clark, hotelkeeper, late of Wellington, and formerly of Blenheim and Piclon, »bot himself through the heart on August 30- He had agreed with Middleton Bros (from whom he had purchased tho hotel five months ago) to give back possession, and an agreement was drawn up to that effect. Clark appeared to be in pood spirits this morning, and was working in I be storeroom. Whilst one of the men helping him went to fetch a tomahawk, he shot himself. An inquest was held, and the jury returned a verdict that oecesfcri shot himself while of unsound mind, Josephine Green was on Wednesday, ugmt 29, brought up at Hswora, end emandfid on a charge of child murder. e Rev Mr Williams, Wesleyan minister, to j * > ° !n \ n '\ k'H said sho had given the child, t“ at k® had only ispoken to her once, know nothing of the child, A baby’s ees and flannels much soiled wore found jj hedge down in a gully. Mrs flinn u’ m: ,^ wi^e > Ba 'd sho had made the wh.J.l’ and t!:o c bild was wearing them , took her awa y- She thoor? George Wi'W that th - ? hild WM JP Ten to f a »i* ''u-.atns, a roamed man, who is its Portv’vri w „* u PP°ss.d to be living at the Ktw * effort hail been “We t. find h lm but without avail. Thai, j , Atjckiakd. en z i ne „ h of Ho " r y Harris, harbour dredge found floaHn°-r nC fl ° n 8 0^ urda l’’ Be Pf- *. waa Fiaio river ° n Sept- 8 ln tho Harbour, near in aid of St drew » crowd*j. nd at the Opera House to • -here were over Katia Fernand* o** 0 ** ***7 dreiSo » co 't £BOO. Andrew e S 6 d six, daughter of °f th a Britomart Hotel, fip a ladX L llC u °? B «l*- e - She went *PP» store* roof jd v, at the tkere f»U tv,,„ I ard ’’hde feeding pigeons Ceuti Ulaw, a depth of over 80
The Customs duties for August lor the port of Auckland are tho largest for years past, amounting to £33,803. Crimean veterans from all parts of the Province, to tho number of 60, celebrated the fait of Sebastopol by a public dinner. Interesting speeches were made. £IO,COO ha# bsen paid by Government to the Bay of Islands Natives for blocks of land Co mo Natives have now paid storekeepers’ accounts given up as hopeless. A petition is being prepared by Mr J. A. Tole, M.S.R., for transmission to Samoa for (denature* by the Samoans, the prayer of which is that the Islands bo annexed to Now Zealand, Mr M’Kelvie writes that ho is sending a number of valuable pictures for tho Auckland Art Gallerv. One of these is by Mr Armitage. 8.A., and Mr M'Kolvio has been offered £3OO for it.
Mr Oopenheimor despatched hi* first parly of gum diggers, 20 in number, by tho Manspouri, viA Sydney, for Now Caledonia, to work his concession on the gum fields there granted bv the French Government. ‘Charles Fletcher, a butcher at Mercer, committed suicide by drowning in Mangatawhiri Creek on Sept. 16. Ho had been drinking heavily, had been suffering from rheumatics, and was also in pecuniary difficulties.
Judge Gillies, who has been experimenting on sorghum culture, says in a paper read at tho Auckland Institute, “Tho results astound me, and prove sorghum, as a sugar-producing crop, to be valuable beyond my wildest expootalions.”
Tho etesmer Penguin hos arrived from Fiji, bringing intelligence of the wreck of the barque Prince Alfred on the North Astrolabe reel. Captain Smith and crow reached Suva rifely. Tho vessel is partly owned by the Captain, who loses heavily by the wrack. A telegram has been received by Government slating that a number of Natives at Kawhia havs destroyed tho buoys recently placed by the Hinomoa to mark tho entrance to the harbour and the chancel. Tho Natives looted the store there and ordered the storekeeper to clear out.
Major Barker, Captain Pollard, and their comrades are re enthusiastically received by the local Salvationists. Crowded meetings were held in the Theatre Royal, afternoon and evening, on Sept. 25, when addresses were delivered by these officers. There was a crowd at the steamer on arrival, but proceedings were orderly. Captain Haultian, of the ketch Reliance, was knocked overboard through the ketch jibbing j early on Friday, Sept. 14, off Whargurai Heads. He swam for bal f-an-hour, cooeeing in vain, then stripped off bis clothts and made for the shore, three miles off, gaided by tbe light. He landed on tho beaoh nearly dead after irTrimming three hours in a heavy sea. A scone occurred at the Police Court on August 30, A rather notorious woman named Anna Yesey was charged with using abusive language. While the principal witness, a woman, was giving evidence, tho prisoner dre-w a saucer from tho folds of her dr.'ss and struck the witness twice violently on the head, covering her with blood. The Court sentenced tho prisoner to trro months’ imprisonment. King Kalakaua, of Hawaii, will visit the Australian Colonies next June. His Government has sent a protest against the Polynesian annexation scheme to all the European Governments, as well as America. It lays stress on the results that have been achieved there through the islands being guaranteed their political independence by England, France, and America, and claims for the kindred people of Polynesia a similar opportunity. A fire has been reging at the Thames since Sept. 1 in the old working of tho Caledonian mine at No. I level, in the vicinity of thefamous run of gold, where thousands of tons of firewood have been utilised in filling up the elopes. It is likely to burn for eomp time, there being no means of checking its spread. The Waitohi, Golden Crown, Caledonian, and other mines are prevented from working, owing to the consequent rise of gas, and over 70 men are thus temporarily thrown out of employment. Mr Lundon, formerly member for tho Bay of Islands, writes from Samoa, that a great deal of discontent prevailed there amongst both Natives and Europeans with the _ nature of the Government, and that a petition would bo generally signed, praying that tha island should be annexed to New Zealand. The matter has been laid before Sir G. Grey, who recommends that a form of petition be drawn up under the Annexation Acs of last session, and forwarded to Mr Lundon to obtain signatures. The mail steamer Zealr.ndia left for San Francisco with £150,000 in specie, shipped at Sydney, and 15 boxes of gold, shipped at , Auckland, valued at £57,756. Captoin Savory, late master 1 of the schooner Energy, is a passenger. He goes Home to superintend the construction of a 600-ton iron steamer, intended to rur with coal between Greymouth and Auckland. The steamer, which will cost £IO,OOO, will be on addition to the present fleet owned by Messrs Stone Bros.. Auckland, on behalf of which firm Mr Savory has undertaken to superintend - the building of the vessel and bring her out. The total gold return of the Thames district for August was 65070zs 15dwts. The new Prince Imperial return for the month’s operations is 32890zs of melted gold from 717 loads of quartz and 28 cwt cf picked stone. The Directors have declared a dividend of Bt, absorbing £7200, and making an aggregate sum of £30,600 distributed by the Company since-®commencing work upon tho present run of gold. The Bright Smile Company has crushed 63 loads for a return of 446azs of gold. A second dividend of 6d per share,representing £SOO in all, has been declared. Tho Deep Level Cross monthly yield is 363czs from £37 loads, Tho Thames Golden Crown Company from 30 loads has obtained Xlsozs of gold. A sad accident occurred in tho Thames harbour on Bopt. 1. Tha brigantine Seabird, arriving from Auckland, Captain Bayldon, harbour-master, put off for tho purpoco of piloting her up the river. Among tho crew was a young man named Henry Harris, engineer of tho dredge. Upon reaching tho vessel a rope was thrown from on board, to which Harris and another man held. Tho brigantine was travelling at the rate of three knots. They wore ordered to let go, but Harris did not appear to hear, and continued his hold. He was drawn overboard,’and after continuing at the end of the rope about 200 yards, sack and did nob re-appear, Dragging operations have since been carried on, but without success, Harris had not been long at the Thames, and was formerly employed on the s.s. Kennedy. Ob August 31 tho Natives residing nt MaagaVutaro obstructed the Government survey party under Mr Cusssns, who are laying off a Government road through that country. The Natives came down to where the Europeans were working in the evening and ordered them to desist at once. The Europeans immediately complied with the request until they should hear from head quarters. Mr Ouesens wont out on Saturday morning and explained matters to the Natives, who, it appears, are divided among themselves, and have fought with each other over the question at issue. Mr Ouseons has been successful in arranging tho difficulty for the present. Had the Natives not yielded, or offered any farther obstruction, the Constabulary stationed at Cambridge were under orders to proceed to tha scene of disturbance. The Auckland Tobacco Company are pushing on work vigorously- A careful examination of tho leaf now cured at tho Company’s place at Pahi (says the New Zealand Herald) shows that fully a ton of first-class leaf is available for cigar mannfftOftire this year, Xho Company intend to carry on tho work of cigar-making at tho farm, instead of in Auckland as was at one time contemplated. Tenders are about to bo called for the necessary buildings, and skilful cigar-makers are wanted. Tho quantity of cured leaf on hand is estimated to be capable of producing about a quarter of a million of good cigars. All the necessary details have been arranged with the Customs authorities for tho work. Tho Company are preparing to plant 10 acre# of tobacco this season, and it is expected that a very considerable supply of leaf will bo obtained from the neighbouring settler*. Some of these have resolved to plant one acre, some half an acre, and so on, according to tho spare labour they
Tho Rangatira, champion cutter of Auckland for years past, was wrecked at tho Great Barrier. T'wo of tho crew died of exposure.
Two boy* named Bydder, 16 years, and Hughes, 18, wont out seagull shooting when the former's gun went off accidentally. The ball, which was a marble, struck Hushes on tho neck, travelling down hi# back and lodging in tho lower part, Tho marble has since been extracted, and the bay is doing well. The growing trade between Auckland, Fiji, and tho adjacent island* induced the New Zealand Herald to send a special commissioner there. letters, now being published, show that settlers are dissatisfied with the modes of government in existence, and especially with the Crown Colony of Fiji, where great official tyranny prevails. Tho immigrants, by tho Doric aro spoken favourably of as healthy and respectable. There wore no complaints by immigrants as to treatment on board. More than half tho single young women of 'good stamp wore engaged to-day at wages of 8s to 10s a week j cooks, 15s. The others aro holding out for situations as parlour or housemaids, but the demand is only for general servants. 'Warned by the discreditable scones in connection with tho Westmeath's girls, tho immigration authorities have taken especial care and supervision of the single women, and a married police constable will be posted day and night at tho Immigration Dep6t till the girls have got places. A Native disturbance has broken out at Waitou. Pirripa Whatawaio, head of the Ngatingarongo tribrs, against whom a decision in tho Waitou case was given at a recent sitting of tho Land Court, having failed to obtain a re-hearing of the case, has gone on to tho block with his followers with the object of ousting Harry Simmonds and hia people, who are at present in possession. They commenced by digging trenches across Simmonds’ private roads through tho block, and foiling trees across the road through the bush, bringing timber cutting operations to a standstill. Simmonds being a very intelligent law abiding Native, though his followers far outnumber the aggressors, has resorted to civil law for settlement of the question.
AUSTRALIA. VICTOBIA. Victoria lost £750,000 through rabbits last year, Tho Secularists have resolved to build a Secular Hall in Melbourne. The present season is reported as tho best in tho north-western district for 10 years. Biverina squatters are importing large numbers of ferrets to cope with the rabbit question. During the past 18 months *(tho Border Watch states) no loss than 20,000 kangaroos have been killed on the Glencee estate, at a cost of £SOO.
The licensee of the Temperance Hall hos been fined for allowing tho lobbies and gangway of the building to be overcrowded at a Salvation Army meeting. Agitation in favour of irrigation continues to increase in Victoria, and tho Irrigation League havo decided to ask the Government for a Commission ou the subject. As lush a price as £5 17s 6d per acre is being refused for lend near the Murray, on the Victorian side, which land could have been bought for £3 an aero twelve months ago. In 1857 the tonnogo of vessels arriving in Victoria amounted to less than 700,000 tons. Last year there visited Melbourne alone 1625 vessels of the tonnage of 1,222,000 tons, manned by 50,253 men. Mr John H, M’Cullooh has sold his recently imported five-year-old Clydesdale stallion Bonnie Hawthorn, sire Eier (1167), dam Blossom by Grand Duke (306), to Mr James Stephens, Koroit, Werrnamboo), for £9OO cash.
Doctor Sandfora, the new Bishop of Tasmania, arrived by the Orient on August 28, The Bishop of Melbourne, whose guaat, he is during bis stay, proceeded down the bay in a launch, accompanied by a large number of clergy and laymen to welcome Bishop Sandfora. The championship oE the football field in the Colony of Victoria rests between Geelong and South Melbourne, as far ao-actual results have gone, but Geelong have more dash and ore bettor kickers, and arc therefore held in greater esteem. Ko Club, however, play better together than the Southerners. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company are erecting a warehouseinMelbourne which is to cost £75,000, and will be the largest building in Australia. It covers one acre of ground. It is'eix storeys high, the two lower storeys being of blue stone, and the other four of Oamaru stone. The building is described os having a fine appearance. Wangaratta has produced a centenarian, in the person of a lively old female, who asserted that she had attained the ago of 111 years. The poor old lady chatted away very freely, ond showed more teeth left in her gums than many young ladies and gentlemen under twenty can boast of. The charitablydisposed of Barnawartha got up a trifling subscription to defray riio poor old soul’s expenses to Beech worth, with a view to her admission to the Benevolent Asylum. At a sale of stud sheep in Victoria a ram from the stud cf Mr John Gumming, of Torranbun, after a spirited competition was knocked down at 3150 guineas to the Hon T. T. Gumming. The competition was between the buyer and Messrs W. Gumming. This is moro than double the price ever paid before. Another ram, from Mr Charles H. Grey’s ilook, was sold for 1000 guineas. The highest price paid for an Eccildouno ram was 300 guineas. Much regret is felt at the announcement that the Rev Ohae. Strong, Minister of Soots Church, has resigned his position. Various causes induced his action. About two years ago be wished to resign on the ground of illhealth, but was persuaded to take six months’ leave. Ho promised to remain twelve months after hi* return. Since then notice hos been given to libel him in Presbytery, so he considers it bettor for all concerned that ho should resign. In case his resignation is accepted, he will probably quit the Colony in the course of a few weeks. An Irish Australian Convention is to bo held in St Patrick’s Hall on Nov. 7, by which time the Redmond’s will have completed their tour of the Colonies. Mr J. K, Redmond will preside and offer an inaugural address on the object of the Convention, for founding and organising an Irish National league in Australia on a permanent basis. South Australia, New South Wales, Tanmania, New Zealand, ond Queensland will send delegates. Dr CDohorty, M.L.0., and Mr M'Oroasan, late Minister of Public Works, will represent Queensland. The police kept a watch on Ocpt. 17, on the arrival of the Saghalion from Sydney, as it was reported that the informers Kavanagh and Hanlon were aboard. Government have received no official notification that the prisoners have loft Sydney { nevertheless Inspector Mackey boarded tho Saghalien shortly before her arrival at Williamstown. He soon discovered Hanlon and Kavanagh aboard the vessel travelling third class, Hanlon assuming tho namo of James Boyle, and Kavanagh that of John Reilly. The men seemed very desirous of settling in Australia. They promised to stay aboard during the vessel's stay in the harbour. Tho vessel sailed with them for Europe on Hapt. 20. A serious railway accident occurred at Newmarket on the Jfiesendon lino on August 28. A train, consisting of on engine, two ordinary carriages, one American carriage, and a guard’s von, left Spencer street at 9.45 with about 80 passengers. After stopping at Newmarket the driver, finding tho signals against him, was informed Hint the semaphore woa out of order, and a white light was wared os a permission to proceed. The train then started, but instead of proceeding to Kssendon, it ran into a cattle siding on the Flemington racecourse lino. It had only proceeded a short time when it ran into a cattle train. Fortunately tho train was proceeding at a slow rate or tho damage must have been moro serious. The fireman of tho passenger train was thrown off and badly hurt in tho side and hip. As soon as tho news reached town a special train with doctors was despatched. All the passengers were able to go homo except tho fireman, John Bent, who wos conveyed in a cab. An official report hae not been received j but about 20 persons were
1 In the Divorce Court a divorce wee granted to tho husband in tbe ease Hiokling v. Hickling. Kespondont h»* £OOO a year in her own right. At a sale of stud sheep on Sept. 6 one of Mr John Cumming’s four-tooth rams, by Lustre, was sold for three thousand one hundred and fifty guinea* to Mr T- F. Gumming. Fire resident* of Horsham have taken up 800,000 acres of land* 600 miles north of Perth, W.A., and have since been offered, but hove refused, £2OOO on the transaction. In the Eohuoa district many of tho farmer* are turning their attention to tho cultivation of tho vino. A ropoiE soys that this industry will in a few yeov* outdo wheat-growing in the Goulbnrn Valley. There is some talk of a wrestling mftoh (Grraeo-Roman style) for £2OO a-side being arranged between Professor Miller and W. Muldoon, the American wrestler. Muldoon offers to wrestle in Australia or America.
Telegrams are to hand from Geraldton, on tho West Australian coast, stating that a tidal wave was experienced there on August 27. The sea receded fully a hundred yards, and enabled people to pick up a quantity of stranded fish.
Tho Melbourne Presbytery met again on Sept. 20, to consider the charge of heresy which has been preferred against the Bov Charles Strong. After discussion, it was resolved to refer the o»se to the General Assembly of tho Scotch Church. By the s.e. Newcomen there have been shipped from Melbourne for the Indian Government six pure-bred Southdown rams. This is tho second shipment made to order for the Indian Government, which desires to improve the breed of sheep in that country. Tho execution of Burns, who murdered Michael Qainlivau in 1830, took place at Ararat Gaol on Sept. 25. Tho condemned roan received tho announcement of his execution with the utmost nonchalance, and confessed that ho had committed eight different murders, five in Victoria, and throe in New South Wales.
Tbe report of tho Education Commission for 1882, shows a decrease in the attendance of children of over .8000, as compared with tho previous year. Various reasons are assigned, amongst them tho excessive amount of sickness, and tho greater reduction of Roman Catholic children through going to their own schools.
The Bov Charles Strong has resigned tho charge of Scots Church, at the same time intimating that he does so from a desire to spare his congregation inconvenience arising from the action for libel whioh ho understands the Presbytery intend to institute against him in consequence of tho speech bo made on August 26. A disastrous fire occurred in a wooden house at South Turrs, occupied by W. Nash, a squatter, and five children wore burnt to death. In half an hour tho whole place was reduced to ashes. A domestic servant, named Maiy O’Mara, mysteriously disappeared. She ran out of the house in her night-dress, and has not since been heard of.
Amongst the passengers by the Messagories steamship Saghalion, homeward bound for Marseilles, are the Irish informers Hanlon and Kavanagh. The men ate travelling under assumed names, but their identity has been completely established, end they were not permilted to land. The vessel sailed from Melbourne with them on Sept. 20. The Argus correspondent at the Now Hebrides writes per Duploix, dated Sept, 8, from the Island of Tanna Ho states that the feeling of the Natives ie very hostile to the French, The chiefs say that they will resist by force any attempt at annexation on the part of that nation. They are not averse however, to annexation by Great Britain. A curious case is reported. A man named E. Wood was fsund in a helpless state in a corner in Campbell street, Melbourne. He states that ho was kicked (by some person unknown) in the stomach and knocked down, and that liquid was poured into his mouth and eyes, depriving him of his senses. His body show* marks of violence and he has not yot fully reooveipad hi* speech. ' The Dutch Consul-General in Melbourne received a telegram on August 30 from Admiral van Gogh, commanding the naval fcrocH in Java, confirming the statement that a tremendous seismic eruption has occurred in tho Straits of Sunda, and that the charts of those seas can no longer be relied upon. The lighthouses in tho Sunda group have also been overthrown.
The end of November has been fixed as the time for holding the Federal Convention. Tho representatives of all the Colonies will meet in Sydney to discuss questions bearing directly on Federation and the annexation of Now Guinea and other Pacific lolands. The number of delegates has not yet been fixed. Victoria, New Booth Wales, and Queensland are favourable to sending four each, whilst New Zealand* Tasmania, and South Australia are disposed to limit the number to two. Fiji has been invited to join in the Convention, and Western Australia will send one delegate. There has been a recurrence of stormy weather in Victoria, but taking tho Colony generally, both pastures and grain crops are in a most hopeful condition, though in certain places a considerable area_ of grain has been destroyed by floods. A little injury has been also caused by frost in certain places, though upon the whole, tho prospect is very cheering, so favourable a season not having occurred for many years, and farmers are looking forward to well-filled granaries, and the moans of recouping some of the losses of previous years. ' In the northern portions of the Colony, it is already estimated that tho next harvest will exceed that of any previous year. It has been determined to celebrate the Jubiloo anniversary of tho founding of the Colony of Victoria by holding an Exhibition at Melbourne in the latter part of next year. To tho ordinary features of exhibitions will bo added Juvenile and Fisheries bronchos, the latter modelled on the lines of the undertaking which has been such ap enormous success at London. Various special awards are to be offered in addition to' the regular medals (double tho usual number of which will be given), while the size of the medals is to bo reduced, so that they can bo worn as personal ornaments. Advantage is to be taken of tho Annexation Convention in November to urge on tho representatives of the Colonial Governments there assembled tho desirability of furthering tho project by all the influence they possess. In tho Legislative Assembly on Sept. 19 Mr Service, Premier, replying to a question, took occasion to remark that Lord Derby completely failed to appreciate the importance to Australia of the deportation of French convicts to Pacific islands. Ho declared that, if England permitted this deportation, tho Colonies would themselves be obliged to devise moans for preventing convicts landing on their shores. Mo considered tho French proposal to populate Pacific islands with criminals from French cities contrary to the acknowledged principle of international comity, and that it justified tho abrogation of any agreement between the English and French Governments with regard to those islands. A debate on tho question ensued on the motion for adjournment, various speakers unanimously declaring that such a calamity must be averted by any moans.
A lively scene occurred on Mondoy, Sept. 8 in what is known as tho disputed territory between Narraooorto and Apsley, on the borders of Victoria and New South Wales. At about 4 o'clock on the previous morning Joseph Bennett, a contractor, who hos lived in Narraooorto (or several years, and was rather deeply in debt, loaded three drays and a spring cart with different kinds of goods and started with his wife and family for Victoria, so as to evade tho payment of bio debts. The heavily-loaded drays got bogged in tho bad road over tho disputed ground, which detained Bennett. The foots of the case coming to the knowledge of three of his creditors they rode after him, and subsequently four other men with ropes followed, intending to tie him down at the border until the bailiff could arrive with a warrant from Narraooorte. Bennett threatened them with an axe, but on a revolver being produced, and other signs of determination being shown, he gave in, satisfied the claims of the three creditors, end then continued his journey to Victoria. Bennett’s departure was not generally known until late ia tho day, or probably others of his creditors would have taken
At a meeting held at BalUrat oil Sept. 23, resolutions strongly supporting annexation of tho Pueifio Islands were passed. A plague of grubs has made its appearance near Nhill, in the Wimmera district, Victoria, and much damage has been dene to the crops. Hop-growing j* being extended in every district of Victoria where the plant ha* hitherto thriven or it is supposed will thrive. Four stallions, of the Norman Peroheron breed, which lately arrived in Melbourne, are attracting more than ordinal y attention, and aro regarded useful homes for Australia. News ha* been received at Melbourne that the steamship Sorrento, while outward bound for Adelaide, sprang a leak, and was compelled to throw a large amount of cargo overboard. New South Wales. The volue of the A.J.O. Derby was £526, and that of tho Great Metropolitan Stakes £IOO9. Communications havo been opened with the other Colonies, with a view to the establishment of a federal system. Steps are being taken for a scientific exploration of New Guinea, to be undertaken conjointly by all the Colonies. Seven shocks of earthquake were felt in various parts of the Colony, and' there have been tidal disturbances on the coast. The decision of the Judges in. the Herald contempt case has raised a storm of indignation in the Press of the Colony, and is generally condemned.
New South Wales this year devotes a sum of £IOO,OOO, and South Australia £40,000 towards introducing immigrants. Tasmania £lO 000 a year for three years. Ministers reoently were banquetted in various parts of the country, bat no expositions of the Ministerial policy in regard to the Land Bill have been made. Parliament meets for the despatch of business on Oct. 9. Several light showers of rain have fallen recently in New South Wales, and the agricultural outlook is brighter than it has been for some weeks. There are no complaints regarding cereal crops, and a fair yield is expected. The shearing is turning out well. News has been received that the French war steamer Bruat has recovered the remains of the wreck of the La Peyronse expedition. Tbe Bruat brought from Noumea three cannons and three anchors. A public demonstration took place at the reception of the relics, whioh will be sent to Franco. The master of tbe brig Fawn, fromTimoru, reports that he witnessed a curious atmospheric phenomenon on August 80. Tho weather was thick and dirty, when a bright light burst forth and illuminated the sky for some seconds. After its disappearance the sky became red, and continued so for ten minutes. Tho half-dozen bookmakers (says the Sportsman) who attended the Hawkesbui-y Meeting on Saturday netted £IO,OOO between them, being fairly rushed by the public in the paddock. First Demon’s name was written but twice, and then only for small amounts. One well-known outside bookmaker, who as a rule only bets in a small way, cleared £2,500 to his own cheek.
A rather destructive fire broke out on Sept. 17, in the warehouse of Messrs Niooll, Wothevill, and Co., Pitt street. The fire broke out at the back of the buildings, whioh were burnt to the ground before the fire was mastered. A great portion of the stock was destroyed } it was valued at £7OOO or £BOOO, and was insured for £3OOO in the Commercial Union, £2OOO in the Scottish Imperial, and £IOOO in another office. The fire attracted a vast crowd.
The following are the results of the five matches played by the New South Wales team in Queensland :—Against combined Queensland, the latter won by 12 points to 11; against Wallaroo, Now South Wales won by 33 points to nil ; against Brisbane, New South Wales won by 4 points to 2 ; against Boma, Now South Wales were victorious by 17 points to nilf and against combined Queensland in the return match New South Wales won by-13 points to nil, Tho following amounts were paid over for tho Kawkesbury Haoes :—MrJ. Mondy, £531 6b ; J. Stewart, £268 6a » W. Benson, £170; W.J. Forrester, £163; W Kite, £140; J. Monaghan, £128; J. P. Jost, £120; Hon. J. Sales, £120; W. Lee, jun, £106; W. Archer, £104; Hon J. White, £52; Bell and Bons (as breeders of Le Grand), £SO; T. Brown, £2O; J. J, Pearce, £2O; G. Mathews, £ls; W. Gosper, £ls ; 0. T. Roberts, £ls; G. Donnelly, £10; W. Forrester, £10; T. B. Smith, £5, Total, £2056 10s. The settling over the late Spring Meeting of the Australian Jockey Club took place at Tattersall’s Hotel, when the following sums were paid over:—Mr John Mondy, £987 9s; Mr J. P. Jost. £915; Mr J. Mayo, £879 ; Mr E. Keys, £428; Mr E. D. Mestre, £4lB 14s ; Mr 0. T. Roberts, £281; Mr J, Alsopp, £281; Mr J. Monaghan, £200; Mr 0, Fleming, £195; Messrs Robertson and Wagner, £180; Hon J. White, £160; Mr G. Donnelly, £150; Mr A. F. Kmart, £146 ; Mr B. G. Cook, £125 ; Mr H. Herbert, £IOO ; Mr E. M'Oarty, £100; Mr J, Stewart, £B3 17e ; Mr H. J, Bowler, £SO; Mr J. Mackenzie, £SO; Messrs G. Matthews and Son, £SO; Mr T. Sampson, £25; total, £5795. Katoomba in the Blue Mountains is tixty miles from Sydney. Yot it is possible with the naked eye to see the outline of the city. With good binoculars terraces and detached houses in such elevated localities aa Wavetly and Burrey-hills can bo easily distinguished. The great stretch of white sands at Botany Bay can ooaily bo seen with the unaided sight, and the new light at South Head may also bo eeen <on a clear night. The tall steeple of a church at Campbelltowa and other landmarks many miles from the mountains are olso discovered by tho aid of moderately good binoculars or a telescope. Some time ago, a man residing ut Moore Park was crushed through the breaking of a crane-chain and a consequent fall of stone. Tho poor fellow was taken to tho Sydney hospital, where he lingered six days, daring which time he was constantly visited by his wife and children. Afler his death, orders were given for the removal of hie body to hie late residence. Tho hospital servants performed the task and laid out tho corpse, the family of deceased being looked out during the ceremony. But when the distressed widow at last entered tbo room, where tho cold clay of her husband was supposed to be, she was horrified to find tho glassy eyes of a strange dead man fixed with stony glare upon tho ceiling. The body of her husband, she concluded, had already been laid in a pauper’s grave. Ultimately, however, tho right body was obtained from tho hospital. , Writing of England’s promised gifttheSydney M'oho says “ Ten thousand families of London destined for Australia. We scarcely know how to take the news. There will be no difficulty in absorbing the 10,000, and wo shall lay up tioaeures of gratitude with tho Mansion House people by accepting them. But what is tho origin, what tho oause, of tho movement? London crowding may be. London has been crowding for many years, and London ia bo vtwt and »o doneo that tho wooding out of 10,000 will hardly make a perceptible difference. Besides, this sending out is very well illustrated by reversing tho old proverb. It is lotting out at tho spigot and taking in at tho bung. There is more omivrKtion to London than to. New South Be im ‘vvery year. Tho fresh blood, the bright hope, and tho strong purpose of the world stream into tho city gates and some* times rise to tho palaces and the towers, and at others sink to the slums. We mav bo sure the palaces and towers will not bo drained for tho purpose of supplying us with ■ people ; and are wo prepared to accept 10,000 families of tho slums P They are going to drain their great cask a little, but will g it bo only a drainage of tho lees P Wo shall derive no advantage from thorn. If wo Jake them it will be for chanty. They may bring us some of tho carols and more of tho ,S of Cockayne. Wo can do without either. Also, they may live contentedly about our narrow filthy court*, and feel themselves nftpfeofclv at homo in tho most meogro of terf”±.«if. °uld be bHte te• tj. «brt courts should bo cleared and the terraces burned if they are not fit for tho habitation of people accustomed to a reasonable space of earth beneath and a fair breadth of heaven above. Ton thousand families of Londonfifty thousand sallow faces, voices, meagre bodies and barren minds! Wo must have run largely into debt with the world a metropolis if wo can only discharge it by ac-
A proclamation wa» limed on Sept. 6, summoning the New fionth Wales Parliament to meet for despatch of holiness on Oot. 9. Now has been received in Sydney that the second mate and four of the crow of the schooner Lavinia, and the Government Agent, have been murdered by Natives at Apia. Air Whitton, brother a f the Engineer-in-Chief of Railways, committed suicide by blowing his brains out at his brother’s house. He had been in bad health and depreseed spirits. Severe shocks of earthquake have again been experienced in the aouth of this Colony. The shocks were most severely felt at Bungondore and Braidwood, and lasted from ton to twenty seconds, A severe shook of earthquake wae experienced at midnight on August 30, at Kisms, a seaport 90 miles south of Sydney. The dwellings in the town and neighbourhood were severely shaken.
The Australian Steam Navigation Company’s Ranelagh struck a rook in the river Fitzroy, and knocked a hole in her forohold. The water decomposed a quantity of lime, and the vessel has since been beached.
At the- requiem mass celebrated on Sept. 20 in St. Mary’s Cathedral seven Bishops were present, and there was a large congregation. Bishop Redwood preached an eloquent panegyric on the late Archbishop Vaughan. It has transpired that the deceased prelate has left all his property, which has been eworn at £9826, to the Church.
„ _ South Australia. A magnificent harvest is expected in South Australia, and it is certainly time the farmers of that Colony had a good season. Reports from Terowie, South Australia, state that grasshoppers exist in myriads within 40 miles of that township, and the country for many miles to the north oast has been absolutely stripped of vegetation. The Male elm Ostrich Farming Company have purchased the whole of the ostriches recently imported into South Australia. The industry is in a flourishing condition there, a large number of eggs having been hatched by means of incubators.
A visitor from tbe Northern Hundreds, South Australia, reports that at Barndiyoota and at Hookina Plain the destruction by grasshoppers has boon very great; at the former place only two farmers escaped the ravages of these insects.
The totalisator and bookmakers are to be abolished in Adelaide. After June next any one plying tbe vocation of a bookmaker will be fined for the first offence, and treated as a rogue and vagabond if brought before the Court for a second offence.
Sir W. Bobinson, Breaking at Adelaide on Sept. 7, referred to the annexation question, tie said that if the Hoipe Government did not immediately approve the action of the Colonies, the latter ought not to take umbrage. The Government must consider the interest of the Empire, as a whole. Inferring to federation, he said that he was a warm advocate of the movement, but he considered that they should not try for too much. He would not advocate a complete federation of the Colonies, similar to Canada. It was not necessary for the good of the Colonies that their individuality should be destroyed. He wanted to see the Colonies invite joint action, so as to enable them to speak with authority when making known their feelings upon such questions as federation. QUEEKSXiiHD. The progress of Queensland in settlement is occasioning a strong demand for heavy draught stock. Two thousand five hundred and seventyfive tons of sugar have been exported from Queensland since the beginning of July. It is supposed tha? nine Chinamen recently left Cairns for Johnston Stiver have been murdered by blacks near Eussel Eiver. In Queensland a reserve of 60,000 acres on the Southern and Western railway has been proclaimed as open for family settlement. Farther election returns received show that, from eight electorates, five Oppositionist, three Ministerial, and one Independent candidate have been returned to the new Parliament. Captain Frier, of the Julia Mavery, which has arrived at Oooktown, reports finding at Onsibz, near Kalnmar Island, the blankets and clothing of two Frenchmen, who were killed by the Natives. The barque Ceres was wrecked on Augusts on Brampton reefs. Two boats loft the vessel. One was picked up at sea with the crew in an utterly desiitute condition, but the captain's boat has not since been hoard of. The steamer Duke of Westminster arrived with small pox aboard. She brings 500 immigrants, and has landod some passengers at ports on the coast. The vessel was placed in strict quarantine, and several now oases have occurred. It is announced that Government has concluded arrangements with the Orient Steamship Company for the conveyance of mails between London and this Colony, on the same terms as the agreement recently made by the Company with the New South Wales Government.
The Bohooner Lavinia, which left Maekay on June 21, reached Apia on August 24, where she landed some islanded. Next day Captain Smith sent a boat ashore, which wao attacked by the Natives. The second mate, a seaman, and the Government agent were terribly mutilated. Two whites and two islanders were also killed. The remainder saved themselves by swimming half a mile to the vessel. As an instance of what may be accomplished in sugar cultivation in the Rockhampton district, it may be mentioned that one grower, who chopped up his _ crop pud brought it into town, a distance of eight miles, obtained £3 per ton for it. Putting the yield at 25 tons per acre, a somewhat low estimate, it will be seen the handsome sum of £75 per aero is obtained, simply for cane cut for feeding purposes. The meat preserving works at Rockhampton were totally destroyed by fire on Bept. 13. The loss is estimated at £40.000, of which £22,000 is covered by insurances. The following ore the policies held by New Z-aland offices Colonial Insurance Company, £ISOO (throe-fourths re-insured) ; United insurance Company and Houlh British, each £3IOO ; Now Zealand Insurance Company, £2IOO, of which £876 is re-insured ; Union Insurance Company, £SOOO ; National Insurance Company, £6OO. The remainder is held by English offices. The entire works, comprising several large buildings, were totally destroyed, only some machinery being saved. A cargo of frozen meat which had been prepared for the steamer Fiado, was also consumed. Wksthhn Australia. The Bari of Carnarvon has leased 6-1.000 acres, and Sir Julius Yogel a similar acreage, of land in the Euola district of West Australia. Tasmania. An official statement published shows that altogether fifty shocks of earthquake wore felt in Tasmania during the month of August. The Supreme Court at Hobart was crowded on Sept. 4, among those present being a number of racing men, during the hearing ot the action brought by Mr C. S. Agnew against the Stewards and Committee of the Tasmanian Turf Club, to recover £oooo duim»HC9 for libel. f .£bo notion tiroso out ot the disqualification ot Mr Agnew by the defendant, in consequence of _ alleged improper conduct on his part in imputing cuehonest motive* to the defendants in connection with their decision id favour of Rhesus, the winner of the Immu-edou Cup in February last, when Mr Agnow, as the owner of The Assyrian, the horse that came in second in the race, protested against Rhesus receiving the stakes, because that homo was alleged to have run round a post. She plaintiff, and several witnesses on his bclmlt, having been examined, three of the defendants \vsro_ put by Mr Qiblin (the plnintiif'e counsel) in the witness box in order to give them an opportunity io deny on oath the imputations mode against them. Tiiey having done to, the pminliu, through his counsel, withdrew the imputations alleged by the defendants to have bsen made by him against them, oud expressed his regret that the imputations hod been made, it they ever were made by him. The defendants accepted the apology, and withdrew the dw qualification. By agreement between the parties, a juror was then withdrawn, and the case ended. A full report of the trial will be found in the columns of the Tatmaman Mail
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Lyttelton Times, Volume LX, Issue 7050, 3 October 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)
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15,459SOCIAL SUMMARY Lyttelton Times, Volume LX, Issue 7050, 3 October 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)
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