The Oamaru Times,

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 343, 4 September 1868, Page 2

The Oamaru Times,

AND WAITAKI REPORTER.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1868.

It is not often that we make the writings of our contemporaries the subject of comment, yet we can scarcely pass over, two very remarkable articles which recently appeared in the •' Otago Daily Times," — articles diametrically opposed to each other, and yet which appeared within forty-eight hours in that journal, the one being published in the issue of Thursday, 27th ult., and the other in that of Saturday. Further on we shall place portions of the leaders in question in juxtaposition, in order the more forcibly to show the completeness with which our contemporary has eaten the leek. The " Daily Times" seems to have a partiality for this species of diet — at any rate, it is not the first time that that journal has publicly partaken of that, to ordinary nostrils, mal-odorous vegetable — yet, in this instance, it seems to have devoured it with a gusto which is absolutely surprising. C/mgun a sou gout, as the French say ; or, to put it into the vernacular, " Everyone to his taste, as the old lady said — " well, let us say, on a certain occasion on which her taste was not very favorably exemplified ; but, in a paper which claims to be, and should be, in the foremost rank of the journals of New Zealand, such eccenti'ic aberrations are to be deplored. People can hardly be expected to have confidence in a journal which asks them at breakfast-time one morning to believe one thing and two days afterwards, without giving them any reasons for so doing, modestly asks them to believe the opposite. We do not say that a public journal may not change its opinion — that, if it finds it&elf in the wrong, it should persist in what it has previously said, merely because it has said it ; that would be to advocate journalistic dis honesty ; but we do say that, when circumstances arise, or additional facts are brought to light which show that opinions previously expres&ed were unsound, then, in common honesty, let there be a fair avowal of the fact, and let it be seen why and wherefore a different strain is adopted. Such a position as that commands respect, whereas the course taken by the " Daily Times" produces an exactly reverse result. The captain of a steam-ves&el sometimes finds it necessary to reverse his engines ; and, although we confers to a prejudice against " going astern," as a crab-like mode of progression, which an Irishman might describe as advancing backwards, we should by no means object to this mode of escaping a rock ahead j but, for a captain who has undertaken to convey his passengers to a given port, to suddenly shape his course, without any apparent cause, in the opposite direction, would argue an ignorance or irresolution on his part which would be suggestive of grave doubts as to his reaching any port at all. And yet this is very much what the " Daily Times" has done. On Thursday last the editor devotes a column and a half of his space to a long tirade against the conduct of the British troops,

at the attack upon Pokaikai ; he compares it to the massacre of the Highland village of Glencoe, says it is "an idelible stain upon the reputation of the Pakeha," the details of the fight are referred to as " sickening," and he records with " pain and indignation the fact that English troops were found so lost to all their pride of race as to assist in such barbarities." He talks of the English troops as " savages prepared to sneak up to an unsuspecting foe, and violate the sanctity of the bed-chamber with the bayonet ; " applauds Mr George Graham for signing a protest against " a Report which sanctioned carnage and brutality of this kind," and adds a hope that the matter will not escape the notice of Parliament. On Saturday a wonderful change has come o'er the spirit of the editor's dream — a change so sudden and marvellous as to remind us of the " Arabian Nights" and the wonderful lamp of Aladdin. The editor has by this time discovered that, " theie is no possibility of deciding warfare with savages except by means of pitched battles" — (the italics are our own) — the Maoris have become the " savages" now, whereas the Pakehas were the "savages" on Thursday — and adds, "if we cannot succeed in catching the Maoris as we caught them at Pokaikai and Ngutu O Te Manu, we shall make but slow progress." What was " carnage and brutality" on Thursday is on Saturday a " triumph of military skill" and ''genius." What was a massacre on Thursday is an " affair accomplished with economy of blood" on Saturday. Let our readers peruse the following extracts placed side by side, and let them solve the riddle, if they can. Let them look on this picture, and then on that : — " Daily Times," Aug. 27. " Daily Times," Aug. 29. Should any future his- The storming of the pah toiian endeavor to carry Ngutu o te Manu is some out the parallel between compensation for the lethe Maories and tho iligh- vcises which tho Colonial landers, he might describe Forces have met with siuce the attack on the native the commencement of the village of Pokaikai in 1866, present war. It will serve as Macaulay has described to revive the confidence of the attack on the village our troops and to damp of Glencoe. Ever} one must the aidoi of the Maoris, recollect those dramatic who have no doubt been chapters, in which our great gieatly emboldened by historian tells the stoiy of their lecent successess. the Highland massacre. Tho tide has now turned. The men nun del ed in Up to the present moment, their sleep — the women we have been defeated at rusuing to the hills — the eveiy point, and under flames, the smoke, tho circumstances which rendesolation brought to pass deied the defeat itself by the British butchers peculiarly annoying. From who disgiaced the unifoi m the surprise of the redoubt of the Biitish army— every at Turuturu Mokai to the feature of the dismal scene escape from the Chatham must have started up in Islands, every thing seemed tho memoiy of those who to go wrong with us. A heaid for the first time the conviction was rapidly talc of Pokaikai. We do gaining ground that th not wonder that this page Colonial Forces were dis in our annals should have organised, and that no been made tho subject of reliance could be placed a Parliamentary Commis- upon them either in camp sion. The stain cast upon or in the field. But the the reputation of the public will be re-assured Pakeha is indelible in any on this point, not so much case : but at least it ia by any formal report on satisfactory to know that the discipline of our army, some attempt to do justice as by the vigor and deterto tho outraged Native has miuation displayed by it in been mnde,— some protest the present instance, entered against the perpo- Colo no l M'Donn«ll ev itration of atiocities in the dently understands his name of War. * * * work. Ifc is only when They (the witnesses be- the enemy are taken by fore the Pokaikai Commis- sui pi ise that we can siou) all agree in repre- look for decisive victories, senting the assault as There is no possibility of having taken place in the deciding warfare with sadead of night, without a vages by means of pitched word of warning to the battles; and yet, to judge slumbering Hauhaus. It from language we sonieis with no little pain and times hear, the impression indignation that we record apparently exists m some tho fact that English quarters that a campaign tioops were found so lost with the Maories may be to all their pi ide of race as settled by one or two doto assist in such barbarities, cisivo engagements. We Had these Natives been are told now, as we were called upon either to sur- told years ago, that theie render, or to come out and is little fear of the war fight — had they been being protracted; that the offered honorable terms struggle need only be for capitulation on tho ono "short, sharp, and decihand, or a fair field and no sive," and there will be an favor on the other, the end of it. But the time probability is that they for such a delusion is past, would have complied with If W e cannot succeed in one or other of these con- catching the Maories as we ditions. They would either caught them at Pokaikai have resisted \is to the and Ngutu o te Manu. we death, or they would have shall make but slow promarched out of their gress. For triumphs of whares with di urns beating that kind we must tmst and colors flying. Either to the military skill of event would have been Colonel M'Donnell. His just to them and honorable tactics in both these into us ; and whether we stances display a genius lost the fight or gained it for Avar which has not often - whether wo planted the been met with in New British standard on their Zealand, and which rechimneys or became a "roti m i n d us not a little of the a la Maiengo" for the achievements of "Stonevictors- there would have wall" Jackson in Amebeen no cause to blush for ji ca . By a swift and the result. What is the secret night match, folresult now? What im- lowed by an overwhelmpression has been made i ng attick on the pah, he upon tho Maori mind with carried everything before regard to the candor and him— cut down the Maothe honesty of the Pake- r i eg who resisted, burned ha? Can they ti ust us in their defences to the war or admire us in peace ? ground, and in a few hours Can they regaid us as began his march bact to other than savages, pre- Patea. This was done pared to sneak up to an WJ th the loss of tkreo unsuspecting foe and vio- killed and eight wounded, late the sanctity of the i t W<13 done, too, in one bedchamber with the bayo- hour. The affair at Ponefc;! t , .,* * kaikai was accomplished Well might Mr George WI fc u th e same dash, and Graham sign a pioteat the same economy of against a Report which blood, sanctioned carnage and We ironically compared brutality of this kind, and it the other day with the oxoneiated fiom all blame tiagody of Glencoo, in the officers who contiived allusion to Sir Geoige it- Eowen's historical paiallel We require it to bo shown between tho Maoues and th.it theie was any neces- the Highlander ; but at sity whatever for distuib- Glencoo thoie was brutal ing the slum ho «, of Pokai- ti eachery "» without milikai; that thei e was any tary genius, while at Pooccasion to pester the Hau- kaikai there was military haus with demands for genius without treacheiy. submission ; — that they w e suppose, however, that could not have been left Mr Geoigo Graham will in peace to fill their kits have no objections to urge with potatoes and pursue against tho attack on Nguthe harmless occupations tu o te Manu. of their race. These aro points for consideration which escaped the not.ee of the Commissioners appo'nted to inquiie into the ' case- of all at least except Mr George Giaham. Wo tiust that they will not escape the notice of Parliament; and we also trust that in the next Despatch which His Excellency shall send from these shores, he will. not omit to call the attention of His Grace of Buckingham to the startling parallel between Pokaikai and Glencoe. Now how does the "Daily Times" endeavor to account for this startling inconsistency? Why, by in the most innocent manner saying, "we ironically compared it (the Pokaikai affair) the other day to the massacre of Glencoe, in allusion to Sir George Grey's historical parallel between the High-

landers and the Maories." Well, that is a most startling announcement, and, premising that the statement will probably, like a certain mythical personage, to wit, one Mr Fergusson, be refused lodgings in the mind of most readers, we venture the assertion that either the editor is right in supposing the public of New Zealand to be gullible in the exti'eme, or that he has no capability whatever for irony, in fact does not seem to know what irony is, for, if ever an article appeared to be written in good faith, and to have but one intention, the " Daily Times' " leader of Thursday is such an article. We remember in our school-days a certain drawing-master -who recommended his pupils to write underneath their various sketches, "this is a cow," or " this is a horse," etc., in order that there might be no difficulty in ascertaining what animal the said sketches individually represented, and, in future, when the " Daily Times" intends to convey any other impression than the natural meaning of its words, it might be worth while for that journal to append or prefix to its leaders a la the late lamented Artemus Ward, " this is sarkasm," this is irony," or, " this is figgerativ," as the case may be. The conduct of the " Times" in the present instance, brings to our recollection an anecdote told of a certain celebrated pleader to whom a brief foe rae prisoner had been entrusted, and who. &• the surprise of the Court, proceeded to 'i 1- .<•- ' e jury in a manner the most darnag - , o - 'Hent, but, on receiving a billet from t ) - " •-. ■• counsel, on which was hastily wrL r ou are re- j tained for the defence," very adroitly said — j •' Gentlemen of the jury, these are the arguments which my learned friend will probably make use of," and then proceeded to knock down what he bad been building up, and actually got a verdict. But the position of a barrister whose bounden duty is to do his utmost to gain the case of his client, independently of his own opinion as to its merits, is very different from that of the journalist whose aim should be to lead public opinion in the right direction — to enable his readers to form a true and correct judgment as to the events of the times, and for the credit of New Zealand journalism, we exceedingly regret the position which our Dunedin contemporary has taken up. in his fable of " the Satyr and the Traveller," tells of a man who blew hot and cold with the same breath being expelled from the house in surprised indignation, and we heartily concur in the following paragraph from the " Application" appended by Dr Croxall to the fable in question : — " In the moral sense of the fable nothing can be more offensive than he that blows with a different breath from the same mouth, and unless the tenor of a man's life (we will say his writings) be always true and consistent with itself, the less one has to do with him the better." We do not think that our contemporary's plea that the article of Thursday was ironical, will be received by any common-sense reader. If he meant it so to be understood, we are sorry that hp.- should. be__mi ; but, if not, then he has made the lamest and most miserable ajDology for running from bis colors we have ever met with. Had the " Daily Times," in an open and manly way," avowed itself in the wrong and retracted its words — had it stated that its premises had been ascertained to be incorrect, and that therefore its conclusions were false — had it in any shape or form given an honest reason for a change in its opinions, no one could have demurred ; but, as it is, having first said one tiling and then another within forty-eight hours — having written strongly on one day against the conduct of the troops in the Pokaikai affair, and two days afterwards bestowed the warmest encomiums upon it, and having endeavored to escape from the charge of inconsistency by the ridiculously-absurd plea that the first article was ironical, we feel that it has forfeited public confidence, and has assumed a position which has fairly earned for it the right to quarter a chameleon upon its arms, and to adopt a weathercock for its crest.

A meeting of the Municipal Council took place last evening. A report of the business transacted shall appear in next issue. Mr Brunton gave a lecturo at the Meeting-house, Tees-street, on prophetic subjects generally, last night. "We must withhold our notice till Tuesday. The weather since our last has beeu mild, with frequent heavy showeis. We understand that an entertainment, in compliment to Mra Mitchell, is being arranged for, to come off early in October. The Papakaio Ploughing Match comes off to-day, on ground belonging to Mr J. Peattie, Papakaio plain. At the monthly meeting of the Oamaru Land and Investment Society, held on Tuesday, the cash sold for L13. There has been no business in the Resident Magistrate's Couit since our last issue. A meeting of the Oamaru District School Committee was held yesterday. Present — Mr Gibbs (in the chair), Messrs Black, Sumpter, Shrimski, Ashcroft, and J. Booth, Hon. Sec. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A communication from Mr Hislop, Inspector of Schools, was read, stating that he wonld hold an examination of the school on the 15th inst., and expressing a hope that it should not interfere with the public examination on the 11th inst., when the parents of children and the public are invited to attend. Applications for the Head Mastership were then read —eleven in number. The decision was left open to a future occasion. The meeting then adjourned. On Tuesday last, the day appointed for the usual quarterly Licensing Meeting, the following applications were recrived :— License of Boundary Creek Hotel fiom F. Schleuter to Arthur Dansey ; Kakanui Hotel, G. A. Harris to H. Newey ; Ma,ero\vhenua Hotel, H. Newey to G. A. Harris. Bottle License — J. and J. Crawford, Kakanui. There not being a quorum of Justices present, the applications were referred to the Superintendent. The Dunedin "Evening Mail" having wound a loud " mort" upon its own trumpet, died on Saturday, the 29th ult., with the word " Kesurgam" upon its lips. It is to arise, phoenix-like, from its ashes as a daily journal, under the name of the '* Otago Daily Mail." One of the Northern papers says : — " A gentleman has arrived from Sydney on behalf of an extensive paper manufactory situated near that city, for the purpose of leasing a couple of thousand acres of Government land in the Waikato, where it is proposed to grow flax on a very extensive scale. The flax will be prepared in the best possible manner, and will then be exported to the "manufactory at Sydney for tlie purpose of paper making."

At a meeting of the members of the Oamaru Horticultural Society, held on Wednesday evening, at the Northern Hotel, there were present Messrs Steward (in the chair), Mackay, Falconer, Sheppard, Simpson, Meldrum, Paterson, Hartley, and the Hon. Sec. Mr Lemon. The Chairman, in the absence of minutes of the previous meetings, explained what stops had been already taken, and called upon Mr Stemson, as convener of the sub-committee appointed at the last meeting, to read the rules and prize schedules prepared. Mr Stemson complied, premising that the rules were almost identical with those of the Otago Horticultural Society. The rules and prize schedules were, after a few trifling emendations, unanimously alo 4 >t'd. It was resolved that there be two exhibitions in each year, one in the month of January, and one in Match, dates to be advertised. Subscription lists were then opened, and Messrs Lemon and Mackay were appointed to canvass for members of the Society. It was resolved that the next meeting be called for the first Wednesday in October, at the Northern Hotel, at half-past seven o'clock, to receive the report of the canvassers. After a rote of thanks to the chair the meeting adjourned. A man named Henry or Harry Reeves broke his leg, while what is called " larking," on Saturday evening. It appears that as Mr Charles Ross was walking along Wansbeck-street, a person named Long jumped upon, his back by way of joke, and to carry it out the more completely, Reeves jumped on the back of Long. The bearer of this unusual bmden finding himself imposed upon beyond his capability, slipped down, his friends as a matter of course, coming down with him. Unfortunately, Reeves found himself unable to rise, and stated that his leg was broken. At first the others thought he was shamming ; but Dr Fleming happening to be passing at the time, came and examined him and reported that it was only too true, the leg having been broken at the ancle. The patient was immediately attended to and is progressing favorably. The following extraordinary epistles have been re. ceived by an hotel-keeper in Oamaru. Their contents would be sufficiently alarming but that enquiry shows the writer, whose name we suppress, to be subject to similar illusion?. Omitting also, the name of the person referred to in this strange correspondence, we give the letters as a curiosity, and ulso, with the intention of putting our fellow-citizens in possession of information which will prevent alarm, in the event of their receiving any such dreadful communications. The letters are on this wise, " verbatim et literatim." Tiruaru, August 30, 1868.— To Mr . Dear Sir,- You have a low scoundrel in your township called , a vilan that is what the world terms a witch a man that robs people of their health and illuses people EYE SIGHT and that cowardly that he causes children to loose their ; EYE SIGHT by his low actions, be kind enough to place this paper on your bar and yoii will oblidge yours respectfully -, Timaiu." "Timaru, August 2nd, 1868.— To Mr Dear— I sent you a letter. I hope you placed it so as the public can see what a low scoundrel you have in your township. If the public knew about him what a few of us know they would hang him but when the public find out what a low vilan he is they will consider hanging to good for him they would burn the vilan. I hope you will do your best to expose the wretch that his he his what the world terms a vilan and a murdei er he is coward enough to illuse childien eye sight and causes illness in the country through his beastly actions. We have fool pi oof of what we say and intend bringing the same low scoundrel before the public. — do not forget to show this letter as well as the other to the public the wretch's name his Oatnaru, and I beg to remain gentlemen." We learn that the chairman of the County Petition Committee has received a telegram from Mr Campbell, M.H.R., informing him that the "Oamain Municipal Reserves Bill" was being drafted, and would be brought forward immediately ; also that he would give notice to bring in the "Oamaru District Board Bill" immediately after the bringing down of the budget. We may therefore expect to heai something definite as to the result of the movement very shortly. The " Saturday Review" of the 20th of A.ugust last in a notice of a work entitled " Gleanings from French Gardens," makes the following allusion to the subject : — But the plant of which our author would have us boriow the out-door use from the French is the " phormium tenax" or New Zealand flax. "They grow it by thousands for the decoration of rooms, and in the gieat nursery of the city of Paris, at Passy, there are ten thousand plants of it, chiefly used for the embellishment of the Hotel de Ville." It does well out of doors in the southern and western districts, and looks best plunged in the grass, or for the centre of a bed. But all thes>e need a greenhouse, more or less. Mr Robinson has made his notes of comparison among the herbaceous plants at the Jardin des Plantes," and at our Botanical Gardens, to meet the needs of those who have not this luxury. With reference to this the " Daily Times" obseives : — " The next thing we may expect to hear about it is, that the market for the raw material as well as the manufactured article is forestalled by the French agriculturists, while New Zealand giowers are puzzling their intellects as to what they should do with their native plant." We are glad to perceive that in Christchurch the subject of a weekly half-holiday has been mooted. In a report of a meeting of the Winter Entertainments Committee giveu by the " Press," we find the following paragraph :— " The chairman read a letter from Mr J. P. Jameson, suggesting that the Committee should endeavoi to induce merchants and others to give the persons in their employ a half-holiday in the middle of the week, say on Thursday, and expend such portion of their surplus funds as might be necessary in effecting this object. We learn from Wellington telegrams in a contemporary that Mr Haughton's motion for a reduction of the Gold Duty has been negatived by 23 to 21. Mr Reynolds moved for the introduction of a Ballot Bill, which was carried by 28 to 21. A Soiree was to take place at the Scotch Chuich, to welcome the Rev Mr Pattorson, and to piesent 100 guineas to the Rev Mr Hall, who has been supplying for the last twelve months, but is now going to Hokitika. Dr Hector's paper, read at the Philosophical Society, stated that a convulsion of unusual magnitude must have produced the late earthquake waves. It has been very much greater than that in Japan, in 1854. By the "Daily Times" we learn that " Mr Bell has moved in the General Assembly that L1500 a year be devoted to the endowment of six English University Scholarships, of three years, each L250. Two to be competed for annually. Mr Macandrew moved as an amendment that there bo fifteen scholarships, for five years, of L100 each, to a Ne<v Zealand University. Three to be competed for annually. The debate was adjourned on Mr Fox's motion, until after the delivery of the Budget." We take the following from the " Australasian" of the 15th ultimo : — " An Imperial despatch has been received by His Excellency the Governor, replying to the loval addresses sent from this Colony after the attempt on the life of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. It states, ' I am to inform you that not only does the Queen appreciate in the fullest manner the expressions of unbounded loyalty and attachment to the Royal Family which this event called foith from the inhabitants of New South Wales, but Her Majesty feols in a peculiar degree on their behalf the indignation which they have displayed, that a Colony so earnest in its affection to the person of the Sovereign should be the scene of a traitorous attempt on the life of one of Her Majesty's sons. Her Majesty is desirous that her sentiments on this point should be made known to the people of New South Wales, and commands you (the Governor) to take at once the most fitting and effectual means for that purpose.'"

At Tuesday's sitting of the Supremo Court Mary, Borthwick pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing money from her employer, and she was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. The trial of the indictment against James Jeffrey, for stealing a watch at Oamaru, occupied the Court several hours j and it resulted in a verdict of not guilty. — John Morrison pleaded guilty to indictments for uttering forged cheques ; and the Crown Prosecutor stated that he would abandon the forgery counts. — Alfred Charapness, who was indicted for ob* talning money by false pretences as to valueless cheques, pleaded guilty in one case, and not guilty in the other ; and Alfred Horley pleaded guilty to two similar charges. The prisoners were remanded for sentence. At Wednesday's sitting, Edwin Lovell, for forging a cheque, and uttering the same, was sentenced to two year** imprisonment, with hard labor' — George Ennis, for an unnatural crime, was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude ; the Judge saying that that was the lowest penalty allowed by the law, the sentence having, until recently, been, without option to the Judge, one of death recorded. — Thomas Edwards was found guilty of stealing seven LI notes, in Dunedin ; and it was ordered that he shouldbe brought up next day for sentence. — Ben* jamin Henry Bartlett and Paul Brown were indicted for having, at Switzeis, obtained goods by false pretences. They were found guilty, but were recommended to mercy. Sentence postponed. The •* Provincial Government Gazette" contains a statement of the Revenue and Expenditure of the Province for the quarter ending June 30th. The total re* ceipts are set down at L47,793 2s. 7d. The various sources from which that amount was derived, are stated as follows : — Crown Lauds, including gold duty for April, 1,28,239 14s. 6d. ; Customs Revenue, L11.495 10s. 6d. ; Haibor Dues, L881 6a. 8d.; Jetty Dues, L984 9s. Id. ; Sheep Assessment, L2 5s. 6d. j Dog Tax, L1405 10s. ; Licenses, L800 15s.; Rents, L3 5s. ; Immigration Repayments, L613 10s. ; Education (school books and school fees), L193 4s. ; Hospitals, &c, repayments, L89 10s. 5d. ; Gaol, L20 10a. 6d. ; Tolls on Roads, L2.445 13s. 5d. ; Lithographic Maps, 3s. 6d. ; Incidental receipts, L374 9s. 3d. ; Telegraphic Messages, L154 5s. 9d. ; Education Reserves, L88 13s. 9d. ; Tonnage Dues, 5s. 9d. The expenditure for the quarter under votes and appropriations, was L63,480 16a. lid., of which L21,346 3s. Id., was on roads and public works. Information has been brought by the Banshee (says the -Daily Times), "that H.M.S. Brisk and Challenger were at the Fijis during her sojourn, and that the British Consul gave the Commodore information that the natives in a village on the Rewa River were troublesome. The Challenger's boats, with the Com* mander, were despatched up the river with sailors and marines, and, after firing a few shells, landed at the village, and burnt seveial houses a single native only being occasionally seen. Thinking the destruction wan a sufficient warning not to be troublesome for the future, the boats returned down the river ; in doing so, they were fired upon from the scrub by a large number of natives, and a marine was shot through the lungs. A settler, named Creelman, who was also in the boats, received a gunshot wound, and died from its effects. The boats returned fire, and proceeded to their ship. As an indication of the number of natives killed, 42 sticks were sent to the king, which are said to correspond with the number killed in warfaro. Wheu the village was being bombarded and fired, the natives went back to some European settlements, and burned sir houses, leaving sdme of the settlers entirely destitute. The above are only a few meagie particulais got by our reporter last evening. The Brisk had Railed foi Sydnev pievioua to the attack, The Cliaiybdis, man-of-war, wa< shortly expected at the Fijh." The Salamander, say? the "Daily Times" "hn's^ brought a number of Sj-.niish merino rams, tianshipped in London ex steamer Sado, from Lisbon, with most Buprisiug good fortune — not having lost one on the voyage, which has been extremely rough. From the Cape downwards she encounteied a succession of heavy gales accompanied by snow showers, and a terrible sea. This will prove that this pui e Spanish merino breed, as he is on the high bleak hill of Old Castille, is not such a delicate animal as is generally surpased, for these sheep have been travelling since the 12th of March* We believe this is the first importation of Spanish merino sheep direct from Spain into any of the Australian Colonies. Mr Thomas Reynolds, their owner, has accompanied them in all their wanderings through Spain and Portugal to our shores, and spared neither expense nor trouble to effect his object of introducing pure Spanish merino blood into New Zealand." The "Taranaki Herald" says :—" The difficulties that have hitherto existed in melting this ore, which lies in abundance on our beach, are gradually disappearing. We shall shortly be able to run off any quantity of iron at a price that will compete with the English and foreign markets. The process is simple, and the ingredient required to separate the sand from the iron is at our very door. We were shown two bars of iron — one crude, the other brightly poliahed, and with sharp edges. The process as shown us was this : — A loam was made of Urenui clay and iron Band, in proportion of one-third clay to two-thirds iron sand ; this was made into balls and dried. A smith's forge-fire was then blown up, and one of the balls put into the fire. We witnessed, as the blow-pipe was kept going, the gradual change of this mixture, and the occasional sparks of the irou that flew out. After being in this state for some time, it was drawn from the furnace and plunged into water, and on its being taken out it resembled a clinker. This was again put into the furnace, and heated as an ordinary piece of iron to a white heat, when it was taken out and beaten into bars. One of these bars was filed and then put on the lathe, when it assumed a most brilliant polish." The season for enormous gooseberries not having ai rived, the Hobart Town public havo been gratified with the sight of a leviatluan crab, captured off Maria Island, east coast of Tasmania. This shell-back extraoidinary weighs seventeen pounds.