PROVINCIAL AND GENERAL.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 359, 30 October 1868, Page 5

PROVINCIAL AND GENERAL.

Speaking of the long-reported gold-bearing quartz reefs in D'UrVille's Island in Cook's Straits, to which we would bring the attention of Mr Grove, the, "Nelson Mail" says: — "We believe that we are divulging no secret in stating that the final arrangements were concluded on Saturday last, by which an agreement has been effected between certain parties in this city and the Maories to whom the proprietorship of D'Urville's Island exclusively belongs, for the lease, for 21 years, of an area of two miles, situated at the extremity of Port Hardy, and in the immediate vicinity of Mr Pritohard's run. It is stated that quartz reefs, perfectly corresponding in character • with those which have proved so highly auriferous • on the Thames goldfield, and with which they have been compared, exist on the island, together with indications of the existence of alum, petroleum, as well as of copper and other valuable minerals. We understand that Mr O. Elliott left by the Airedale for Wellington, in order to obtain the sanction of the Government to this arrangement, of which we shall doubtless be able to report more fully." A severe storm passed over Auckland and its vicinity on the 2nd instant. At the native settlement of Orakei large trees were blown down, and two boats were whirled up into the air to such a height as to be smashed to pieces in the fall. — Daily Times. The members of the Trinity 'Amateur Ringing Association lately performed thn mournful duty, for the fifth time, .of ringing a muffled pealed. On the present occasion, the ringers assembled as a mark of respecfc to the memory of the late Mr James Arthur Woodin, whose funeral took place during the progress of the ringing. W© are informed that the deceased — who was some time since a member of the Amateur Ringing Association — recently expressed a desire that, at his death, the amateurs would not omit ringing a muffled peal in remembrance of him. — Tasmanian Times. The following account of a new method of growing potatoes in a email space is given by the " Louisville Democrat :" — " Irish potatoes in great quantities can be grown by any one having four by eight feet of spare ground in his back-yard. The process is simple. Procure a crate, suoh as chinaware is imported in, and place in the bottom about six inches of straw, then more potatoes, and so on, until the crate is full. Wet the contents of the crate thoroughly, and every evening afterwards throw a bucketful of water over the top surface. The potatoes will grow and produce abundantly. When they are large enough to be eaten they can be easily drawn out, and will be found to be perfectly white, with a very thin skin. The writer of this article has seen them cultivated successfully on board an ocean steamer." On the 25th instant (writes the " Daily Mail") a little boy, between three and four years of age, the son of Mr Jennings, lost his life by drowning in a well.- He had been missed for some time, and a search was made by one of his brothers, who found him lying dead at the bottom of the well. It is supposed that in order to gratify his curiosity he lifted off tbe cover of the well, and in so doing tumbled in. It will be remembered that a shepherd named Alex. Boyle was drowned on the 31st August last, while crossing the river at Upper Taieri. The body was only found on Wednesday last, about 25 miles down the river opposite the farm of Mr George Ford, West Taieri ; it wat conveyed to the hotel of Mr Hollands, Greytown, where it was identified by his friends. The accident having been observed by his employers, Messrs Boyd, it was not thought necessary to hold *n inquest, and the body was interred in the .Dunedin cemetery on Saturday last. — DaUy Mail.