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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 207, 3 September 1869, Page 3

The New Steelworks at Tajranaki. — We with pleasure announce that the first smelting at the Pioneer Steel Works, has proved a success, and as far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. As an idea of what the returns will be, we may state tbat at the lowest Computation j the furnace now erected will smelt 21 tons ! of steel per week. Supposing the steel to I be worth say £25 per ton (which is merely a third of the value of similar steel from sand on the Island of Bourbon ), tbey would ■with only one furnace, be able to manufacture £625 worth of a marketable article per week. According to the returns of the first experiment, it is calculated that it will not cost over £6 per ton to make the ore and run it into steel; therefore £126 would be about the outlay, leaving a profit of nearly £400 per week — Taranaki Herald. A requisition to Dr Pollen asking him to permit of. his nomination for the Superintendency is now being extensively signed in Auckland and at the Thames. Br Latest advice Titokowaru. has returned to Nagatimaru, on the banks of the Waitotaro river, with 60 of his own followers. Shortly after his arrival there he was joined : by 60 of his Whanganui up-river Hauhaus,' and that appears now to, be the strength of his force. A

The improvement of the " times" in Auckland, consequent upon the development of the Thames goldfields, is everywhere observable. Instead of the numerous empty tenemeuts which abounded so largely in the city and suburbs eighteen months ago, it is now only with the greatest difficulty that new arrivals can find house accommodation. Property has consequently increased considerably in value, although it has not yet attained the height that "it reached four years ago. There is but little reason to doubt, however, that land -will go up to as high a price as it ever brought during the days of the "land fever." We no more see groups of men out of employment hanging about our streets, and, unless there is a larger influx of population before the beginning of the summer, there will not be anythiug like sufficient miners to work the numerous leases which have been taken up. The Evening Post says . — " It is reported that the vacant editorial chair of the Independent has been filled by Mr A. Follett Halcombe, who held the office of Provincial Secretary for a considerable time past, and is a nephew of the Hon. the Premier." Lawyers are not generally scarce in New Zealand, but it seems one is wanted in the Wairarapa. The Mercury says that there are now mauy deeds to be prepared and executed in the valley. A meeting of members of the Thames Stock Exchange was held on August 20, when the report of the provisional directors of the Joint Stock Company was received, recommending the ground irame- \ diately opposite the Governor Bowen as a site for the Exchange building. A monthly magazine, under the title of " Tbe New Zealand Masonic Magazine and Record," is to be published shortly in Dunedin. It will record all Masonic occurrences in the colony and other parts of the globe ; contain Masonic notes and queries, aud report lodge meetings all over the colony ; ' while space is to be reserved for general literature, science and art, and a general synopsis of the social affairs of the colony. Flax. — Now that flax is attracting so much attention in New Zealand, the following' extract from W. W. Tickle and Co.'s Trade Review, of lith June, may be of interest to some of our readers. The prices quoted will be considered very satisfactory : — Flax.— 2oth May— 497 bales and 50 bundles New Zealaud offered, and 97 bales sold at. £32 up to £38 10s for dressed; 4th to Ist class sea-damaged, at £26 10s to £30 ss. 2nd June— 73 bales New Zealand sold chiefly at £31 ss; a few lots better quality, at £30 5s per ton. 3rd June — Of 180 bales New Zealand 104 sold at £31 15s to £36 13s. 9th June— l 76 bales New Zealand sold, ordinary, £28 10s to £31 5s ; middling, £34 5s to £38 10s; good, £40 15s. — I am, &c, F. Fostbk. A Gentleman, who arrived from Coromandel on August 25, and who has expended a large sum of money in the district, informs us that he computes the present number of diggers at that goldfield .at 6000, and before tbe end of the month he believes there will be 10,000 persons in the locality. The New Zealand War Medal. — In the House of Representatives, on Aug. 20, Mr. Donald McLean moved that a select committee be appointed to take into consideration the question of granting the Imperial N. Z. War Medal to the Colonial Forces employed with the regular troops in past campaigns ; such committee to consist of Major Heaphy, V.C., Messrs. Brown, Travers, Cargill, Cracroft Wilson, C.8., Kenny, and the mover. An offer had been mado by the Home Government to furnish the Militia and Volunteers who had served with the regular forces with the medal, and the Government- proposed "the select committee to consider the details. It was estimated that about 7000 persons would be entitled to it. Mr. Stafford thought the committee should also enquire whether the medal could not be given to those Colonial forces who had served without Imperial troops. The motion was carried. A Coachmam extolling- the sagacity of one of his horses, observed that, "if anybody was to use him ill, he would bear malice like a Christian." ...