WEEKLY EPITOME OF NEWS.

New Zealander, Volume XX, Issue 2068, 19 March 1864, Page 2

WEEKLY EPITOME OF NEWS.

The past week has been very barren of news. General Cameron returned to the front in the early part of the week, and it is probable that before he has been there long wo shall receive some stirring news. It was reported in town on Thursday that the Maoris had evacuated their position at Mangatautari, This rumour appears, however, to be devoid of foundation, although it is by no means improbable that they will evacuate this place, as they have before abandoned so many other strong positions. The only news of any actual lighting, in our own Province, that has been received since we published our last weekly epitome, was that which arrived on Saturday last by the s.s. Corio, to the effect that a skirmish had taken place between the loyal natives of Maketu and a body of rebel natives from Opotiki, and other places on the East Coast. The carnage does not appear to have been very great, having been confined to three or four killed on the side ot the East Coast natives. The Maketu natives had applied for military assistance, and a force of about two hundred men had been sent from Tauranga to their aid. It was reported that a body of East Coast natives had placed themselves in a predicament against which Maoris usually carefully guard, having taken up a position where they must, if attacked, either show fight to their assailants, or be taken prisoners. They have not taken the usual Maori precaution of ensuring the means of retreat in case of being worsted. The next visit of the Corio from Tauranga will be expected with interest.

The Government have resorted to the very questionable expedient of arming some of the friendly natives ; about forty stand having been sent down for the use of those near Rotorua. On what ground the Government would defend this step, it would be hard to determine, unless it were on the old principle of “ divide and command.” The effect on the mind of the natives cannot but be prejudicial, as they will no doubt, see in this step, a confession of our inability to cope with them, unless we can, as was the case in our weaker days, procure the assistance of some of their own race. The experiment is a dangerous one, of placing arms in the hands of those on whom loyalty to the Queen sits so loosely as it undoubtedly does on most of even the so-called “ friendly natives” and how those in office can now defend themselves in this matter, after their sweeping condemnation in private circles (as well as by their public acts) of Messrs. Domett and Bell, who were in August of last year, charged by them with arming, on a small scale, some of these self-same natives, remains to be seen.

The occupation by our troops of the rebel positions of Paterangi, and Pikopiko, has revealed the extraordinary fact, that though the Maoris had exhausted all the resources of the art of fortification, in the front of their positions, they had entirely neglected the rear, which was left totally unprotected. This is the more remarkable, as there were no natural impediments offered to an attacking force coming from that direction. Such a combination of a high degree of skill, with utter negligence, is hard to be accounted for.

The evacuation of these Maori positions has enabled the withdrawal of the greater part of the troops from the camp at Te Rori. This is a fortunate circumstance, as that camp was found to be the most unhealthy of all in the district of the Waipa, This unhealthiness was chiefly owing to the nature of the soil, which in dry weather becomes an impalpable black dust, which permeates every thing, loads the pores of the skin, and even brings on ophthalmia, a disease so rare in New Zealand. The river steamer Avon had been raised and is now undergoing repairs. A slight skirmish had taken place between six of the Forest Rangers, and some Maoris whom the Rangers had fallen in with, at a village a few miles distant from Kihikihi, The Rangers behaved well, and exchanged shots with their adversaries, but as far as is known, without effect.

A considerable degree of illness still prevails at the camp at Drury. Much of it is doubtless owing to the creek water which the men are still compelled to drink, though excellent water can be had in great abundance by sinking about forty feet. Why, in the name of all that is sensible, is not some effort made to obtain wholesome water for our men at the Oamp ? especially as it has been determined that it is to be a permanent one. In a well which has been sunk, to the depth of only forty feet, by a private individual in the immediate vicinity of the camp, the water has risen to within ten feet of the surface. But it is not improbable that some of the sickness may be owing to sheer weariness of an objectless mode of life, combined with frequent recurrence of heavy, and by no means pleasant labour. Another cause may not improbably be, that the men are compelled to lie on beds made of a little fern or tea-tree laid on the ground, slightly raised. Sleeping-places, which could be provided at small expense, would doubtless be found very conducive to health. The Military Train with two howitzers, four large mortars, and numerous ammunition waggons, arrived at Drury, on Friday night last (March 11th), and proceeded towards the Front on Saturday morning. The local Committee of the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, are making strenuous efforts that this Province may be creditably represented on that occasion. It is to be hoped that their efforts will be successful. On Monday afternoon Professor Below gave an exhibition of his art for the benefit of the fund for the relief of soldiers’ wives and children. The lecture was unfortunately very poorly attended. An exhibition of a very interesting character, has been held every evening this week, at the Brunswick Hall. This was a Diorama of the sad story of Burke and Wills, and has been very fairly patronised. Its attractions have been much enhanced by the admirable music of the Band of H.M.’s 50th Regiment. We are informed by the Immigration Agent at Auckland that the Emigration Agent at the Cape of Good Hope, appointed by the late Provincial Government, has not been removed. Mr. Berg still acts, and has, it appears, recently advised the Government of Land Orders he has granted. He states that he could send many emigrants, but for the difficulty of getting a ship. We are glad to learn from the same source that the General Government intend to work the forty-acre system on the Waikato, for persons paying their own passage, and appearing to possess some amount of capital. With regard to the terms offered by the General Government, to immigrants from Great Britain and Ireland, we are informed that they will not be required to enter the Waikato Regiments, but only to settle, and reside for three years. Rations are not promised them, but they are to have employment for a time on public works.

When, some few weeks ago, on the occasion of the death of one of our townsmen, we felt ourselves called upon to comment in somewhat severe terms on the unfeeling treatment which the Auelaud Volunteers and Militiamen experienced, we fondly hoped that the madness, if nothing worse, of our “ rulers ” had reached its climax. We almost hoped that when they saw the harvest of disease and death which those ill-fated corps were reaping, while acting in obedience to the mandates of those who controlled their movements, they would have permitted their withdrawal from a spot made so unhealthy by sheer mismanagement. But we were mistaken in the men with whom we had to deal. It is true the presence there of the Auckland Volunteers and Militia was of little or no service in a strategetical point of view. There was no enemy in the field from whom the death dealing blow might come. The duty of tho*e corps was not to hold their position against the Maoris. There was, at that time, little reason why those corps should be kept in the field. There is at present no reason whatever, why they should be kept there, yet there those devoted corps still remain. We are constantly told of the mischief that disease is working In their ranks, we learn that over-work, and bad diet, and insufficient rest, are producing their inevitable results. It is natural therefore to conclude that there is some hidden object, some unavowed purpose, to bo attained by the detention of these poor fellows at a station, where their presence is so harmful to themselves, and so little beneficial to the public interests. What that object may be, it is not for us to determine. It would hardly be seemly to imagine that men, to whom it falls to wield the destinies of so important a Colony as that of New Zealand, could stoop so low as to take measures with the view of screwing the last obtainable £lO exemption fee out of the pockets of those who might be chafing under the bondage imposed upon them. Or could it be that any old spite, still rankling in the bierAs of those happening to be in authority, /or want of due reverence shown to Jiemselves at some former period, leads them thus to gloat over the sufferings of their victims, sufferings which the pronouncing of a ringle word would altogether dispel? Or is it that they are so bent on schemes of conquest, or so engrossed in plans of personal aggrandisement, that it has altogether escaped their recollection that their own fellow-townsmen are needlessly sickening and dying no further off than Drury ? There is no more false position in which a Government can be placed, than in one of suspicion. Let the motives and intentions of a Government once come to be regarded as likely to emanate from unworthy motives, and the moral power of that Government is gone. The members of it may still cling obstinately to power, but the almost filial confidence with which a Government ought to be regarded by those beneath it, is dispelled irretrievably. Even those actions, which are prompted by no unworthy motives, do not escape the general condemnation. A Government, ought to be, like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion. It is no wonder that a Government is regarded with distrust, when that j Government exacts from its subjects irksome duties, for the exacting of which no specific necessity can be alleged. But more pernicious still is any appearance of favouritism, any symptoms of a tendency to relieve one man from duties, which are imposed the more heavily upon another, owing to his absence. Nor is the matter mended when the Government stoops to the undignified course of making a lame apology for its conduct, and endeavours to prove that two men can do the work of four as easily as if all four were present to do it. All the letters we receive from Drury, and all we can learn from those who return from there, fails to show that the Volunteers from Australia, to obtain whom it was said that the £lO exemption fees were applied, are employed in lightening the toils of our Auckland volunteers and militiamen. Take the case of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers. We do not know the exact force of that corps when it last marched to the front, but we will suppose it to have been three hundred men. A correspondent, whose letter appears in our Thursday’s issue, stated the number of men of that force who paraded at Drury, on March 9th, to have been just twenty-three. Where were the ,two hundred and seventy-seven men by which the force was deficient ? We should doubtless be told that they were in Auckland, following their various avocations ; and that their places were filled by two hundred and seventy-seven Waikato Militiamen. This might be the case; we are not prepared to say that it is not; but we must own to be very sceptical on the subject. If this were the arrangement, the handful of Auckland men who remained could not complain of having extra work forced upon them by the thinness of their ranks. But they do so complain, and we believe with reason. Where are the £lO exemption fees gone to, which were paid and received on the understanding that they were to provide substitutes from Australia ? The substitutes have arrived, but their services have been diverted from the purpose for which we were told that they were designed. But this is not the only, nor the greatest hardship, to which the present Government have condemned their fellow-citizens. It would naturally have been supposed that those who took up arms in defence of their country, but who had no idea of making a profession of arms, or even of following that profession, till they were safely located on a fifty-acre farm at the Waikato, would have met with at least an equal degree of consideration with those who came to the Colony j for the express purpose of fighting. They were | not so fortunate as to obtain any such consideration. On the contrary, they met with the hardest work, the hardest fare, and the least care and attention when sick. It is no pleasing task to have, again and again, to return to this topic; but we will return to it again and again, so long as there is an Auckland Volunteer or Militiaman in Drury whose health and life are endangered by the scandalous neglect of those who ought sedulously to have studied his welfare. On the very morning on which our correspondent wrote (March 9) we learned, from another quarter, that no less than thirty men of the Auckland corps were paraded as sick, and requiring the medical gentleman’s assistance. AH these men were labouring under the same disease—dysentery. This complaint has been common in town of late, and is due, very probably, to the same exciting cause which makes it so prevalent in the camp—bad water. This exciting cause cannot very easily be removed in town; in the camp it might be obviated by digging a well or two, where pure and wholesome water might be obtained at a moderate depth. That is not done, and the men are still forced to go to the creek, and obtain the water from its bed, where it is obtainable only when the tide is out, and where It must naturally be more or less brackish.^ Bad bread, too, to which we adverted in our last article on this subject, is still served out to the men, and is a fertile source of disease. One young man writing to Auckland says, “ The overnment are killing us as fast as they can— pm soning us- with bad bread and bad water. o wonder then that the other day a mother was sen for to a sick son, the hope and stay of her family, who waa too weak to come to Auckland. * or

Lim, ns for Ralph Tattersall, his comrades had done their best, but it is much to be feared, that in this case also, another victim will be added to the list, another victim of neglect and incapacity.* We cannot take leave of this subject withoutreiterating the question—why are the Auckland Volunteers and Militia still kept out at Drury? Where is certainly no ostensible reason for their kept there. What reason there may be below the surface we have no divining-rod to indicate. It is certain that for the conduct of the war, or the defence of Drury, the handful of men who are out there now can be of little avail. Besides on the showing of the Government themselves, the danger has passed away from the neighbourhood of Drury. The settlers are tacitly permitted to return to their farms, if not actually invited to return. The only conclusion at which we can arrive, is that either these settlers are permitted to run into a danger, of which the authorities are fully cognizant, or else that no danger exists, and that the Auckland forces arc needlessly and causelessly detained where there is no necessity for their services. Our citizen forces have always hitherto come forward, cheerfully and promptly, at the call of duty. Is this treatment likely to make them come forward with the same alacrity, should their services be again in requisition ?

One of the most prominent points in the scheme for settling the land taken from the insurgent Maoris, which the authorities are at present engaged in working out, is the locating of the Waikato Militiamen in their various Agricultural townships. This scheme is certainly, in theory at least, a most “ promising ” one, but we must own to a fear that its practical development will not be found quite so successful as some may anticipate. It is no new thing that this discrepancy should arise between theoretical expectations and practical results; and it is therefore the more necessary that every precaution should be taken to ensure success, so far as it can be ensured. There doubtless are many “roving spirits,” among the Waikato Militiamen whom we have obtained from Australia, whose willingness to enlist was caused more by a love of adventure, than by any intention of settling down to the plodding work of a farm. However that maybe, it is clearly our duly, and our interest, to remove any plausible excuses which these unsettled rovers might urge, for not fulfilling their part of the contract. When our part is fulfilled to the best of our ability, we shall have a clear right to expect that the other parties to the bargain should fulfil theirs also.

One very essential portion of the agreement entered into with these men, was, that they should be located on their land as speedily as possible. But the advisability of effecting this location is not the point upon which we are just now about to enter. The consideration we propose to urge is this :—We have these men here : nobody will suspect the present Government of any other desire than to keep them here; it is then, we venture to suggest, their wisest plan to endeavour to keep them as contented and comfortable as they can. It is not by thoughtless indifference, or ill-advised procrastination, in providing things necessary for them, that they will induce them to become permanent residents on the locations designed for them, or lead them to engage willingly in the duties for which they took service. Now to secure this, we would not by any means advise a wasteful and lavish expenditure. On the contrary we think that timely forethought will avoid this. War is an expensive operation at the best, and from the nature of that in which we are engaged, it will become, we fear, a very serious matter, financially, before we see its close; still, without affecting to be generous, it is our duty to be just, and fulfil our engagements promptly and accurately. It was a part of the engagement made with the Waikato Militiamen, that they were to be supplied with pay, with rations, and with clothing. The supply of clothing is our present theme. The recruits we have obtained from Australia have all arrived during what may be called our summer months, —many of them in the height of summer. The clothing served out to them was, in general, of good quality, and has not been in use so long, so far as we know, as to become by any means unserviceable for the remainder of the autumn. But very much of the wear and tear of of clothing depends on the nature of the work in which its wearer is employed. The man who is engaged in garrisoning a redoubt wears out far less clothing than he who is engaged in Land Transport service, or in “ scouring” the bush. Of all the duties in which a man can be employed, marching through tall fern is most destructive to clothing. There is a sharpness and rigidity about the leaves and leaf-stalks of the fern against which even leather will not long be proof, and which soon destroys any garment made of wool or of cotton. Moreover, even under the most favourable circumstances, clothes will wear out, as certainly as even “three millions” of money will in time be exhausted. Ihe consumption of the Treasury chest must be recruited by further loans, or additional taxes. The wearing out of one suit of clothes can only be remedied by its replacement by another. In the summer season, a man may put up with a small amount of “ looped and windowed raggedness,” but, in our winters, warm and comfortable clothing is essential to health.

We return, then, to the proposition with which we started. We have the Waikato Militiamen here ; we are supposed to wish to keep them here ; and to effect this desirable end, we must use them well, and fulfil to the letter all our engagements with them. Our stipulation to clothe them was one of the engagements Into which we entered, and we must therefore see to it in time that they are properly clothed. The winter is approaching with its cold, sleety, rains .and biting winds ; and we repeat that it is the duty of those in authority to see that before its arrival the men are provided with seasonable and comfortable clothing. It is not now by any means too soon to take steps in this matter. Preliminary arrangements are already being made by the Imperial Commissariat for providing the regular troops at the various stations with dry and healthy lodging. It is high time that steps were taken to secure to the Waikato men also that other great condition of health—proper clothing. We think it our duty to lose no time in calling attention to these matters, for we have seen many instances of the way in which such concerns are ordinarily managed. Were those who have the control of Colonial affairs left to their ordinary course of proceeding, nothing would be done till the necessity for providing this clothing could no longer be ignored. Then, at the last moment, excuses, as on former occasions, would be made for inviting private tenders; —it would be easy enough for such a man as the Defence Minister to plead that the pressing emergency of sudden change from moderate to severe weather would afford no time for giving due publicity. But the effect of this proceeding, of course, would be to shut out those who might be inclined to tender for this supply, from being able to do so from the shortness of the public or

• Since the above article appeared, we are very glad to learn that the young man alluded to is recovering from the severe attack of the disorder which has been recently so so prevalent at the Camp.

even private notice given. Xor would those persons who were not among the initiated in Government secrets, venture to lay in a supply in anticipation of the future demand. They would know full well that at the last moment it would probably turn out that some one, versed in the “ secrets of the prison-house,” would be found to have forestalled the market, by laying in a stock of the articles required. The man who thus had the advantage of making use of the information he possessed, would be able to make his own bargain and obtain his own price. This might be a very satisfactory state of things to the individual or individuals benehtted, and it would no doubt give a great deal of pleasure to some in authority, to be able to oblige a “ friend;” but it is hardly probable that the colonists in general , who will one day or other have to pay the “little bill” of the costs of the war, would feel quite so much delight at this peculiar mode of doing business. The expenses entailed by the war will be divided, with a laudable impartiality, among tie various provinces of New Zealand in due proportion to the resources of each. A desire to purchase in the cheapest market is not an unnatural result of a knowledge that one must bear a share of the cost of the purchase. When partners in a Government contract are bought out, as in recent instances, for a douceur of say £IOOO, £2OOO, or £3OOO, it is a very natural inference that the contract might have been taken at a somewhat lower price, and yet have been a paying one to those who took it. The only way to purchase in the cheapest market, is to give all possible publicity to the fact that a contract is required, and thus to secure for it as large a competition as possible. That which can be obtained in Auckland itself only on the most exorbitant terms, from the limited nature of the competition, might be obtained on far more reasonable terms from persons who would deal with Sydney, or Melbourne, or Otago. But, to procure what we might want from those places, due time must be given for correspondence, and due notice that the tenders are invited. To abbreviate the time between the giving notice that tenders are required, and the time when the tenders must be supplied, is virtually to shut out nil opportunity for communication with places at a distance. Articles obtained at a short notice wjll always be proportionately expensive.

It is, no doubt, satisfactory enough to see a large Government expenditure in Auckland, but justice to other Provinces forbids that any such selfish consideration should be entertained, Economy in Government expenditure is necessary as a matter of right to those who are partners with us in the debt we are incurring, and as a matter of the most urgent necessity for ourselves. Let us hope that in this case the necessity for it will not be overlooked, but that timely notice will be given to those who might compete for supplies of whatever articles may be required during the progress of the war.

On Saturday morning we published the subjoined extra, containing intelligence from Tauranga of an impending internecine struggle between two tribes, as we anticipated in our issue of Monday last. The news is all that was known by Captain Turner, of the Carlo, when he left Tauranga on Friday :

u New-Zealaoer Office,” Saturday, 10 a.m By the s.s. Corio , Captain Turner, which arrived here this morning at 9 a.m., having left Tauranga yesterday, at noon, we learn that a partial engagement had taken place between the Maketu Natives and those from the East coast, with loss of three or four killed belonging to the latter tribes. An application had been made by the loyal Natives of Maketu to Col. Carey, for assistance, and an expedition had been organised, and started on Wednesday last, consisting of upwards of 200 men of all ranks, for Maketu. It was also reported that a body of about 250 East Coast natives had been hemmed in on a position from which there was no escape without fighting.’

The Melbourne Herald , of the 27th ult., contains the subjoined account of heartless desertion on the part of one of our military settlers, who arrived in company with Col. Pitt’s recruits in the ship Gresham :—

An example of how some of Col. Pitt’s militia-men desert their wives was brought under the notice of the presiding magistrate (Dr. Pluming) at the Sanclridge Police Court, on Wednesday. A young woman named Charlotte Lloyd, who, it was stated, was the mother of three children, was charged with attempting to commit self-destruction on the previous day, by throwing herself otf the Railway Pier. The unfortunate creature was suffering from hysteria, and could not appear in Court ; she was consequently remanded for seven days for medical treatment. Mrs. Lloyd’s tale is, that her husband joined Colonel Pitt’s volunteers in Melbourne, under the name of Edwards, and promised to meet her at Sandridge to sail in the Swiftsure for Auckland. Instead of keeping his appointment, the heartless rascal went away in the Gresham, and when his wife came to town from Ballaarat, where she was living, she found that the vessel had sailed and left her behind. Being without money, and also having no way to provide for herself and family, she was tempted to commit the rash act, which would have cost her her life had it not been for the timely assistance of one of the stevedores who prevented her carrying her design into execution. It is a pity that the authorities here cannot inform Col. Pitt of the conduct of “ one of his fine young men.”

AN UNSAVORY TOPIC. - There is no more puzzling problem to solve in uor present day than the disposal of our moral and the physical filth —our convicts and our sewage. With the best mode of disposing of our convicts it is not now our purpose to deal, beyond remarking on the very singular arrangement that those members of the Waikato Militia who have been guilty of any misdeeds should be punished by not being allowed to do the hard and dirty work that falls to the lot of their innocent comrades in arms. Our present purpose is to discourse briefly on our sewage—that disgusting topic which is always forcing itself on our olfactory nerves, and prejudicially affecting our health. One great difficulty in dealing with sewage is its immense bulk. Sewage is a thing that must be got rid of in some way; and which when applied to the land increases its productive powers to an extent that is perfectly wonderful. But, then, to produce this good effect in any great degree, an enormous quantity must be applied to the ground, as much we believe as two hundred and fifty loads per acre. Of this vast bulk a very great portion is water; the solid and actually fertilizing portion might be compressed into a very much smaller compass. If we employ water to get rid of our sewage, we only increase the magnitude of the evil. We dilute it, certainly, but every gallon of water thus employed becomes impregnated with the same nasty constituents, and is ready to give off the same unsavory gasses. In the assaying some kinds of metals there are two ways of arriving at their value, the humid way and the dry way. These two methods, where both can be applied, mutually correct each other ; that is to say, if we arrive at the same conclusion by each method, we may be pretty certain that the conclusion arrived at is a correct one. If there be a difference in the results, we may be pretty certain that an error has crept into the one process or the other. With the sewage, our present mode of dealing may certainly be called the humid method ; as we treat it with a great quantity of water, and spread it over a great extent of land, or a large surface of sea, in our attempts to get rid of it, and are halfpoisoned meantime by the unholy smells we evoke. But there is also a dry method of dealing with this troublesome material. The credit of the discovery of this method, one of those little discoveries which seem so obvious, and yet are so tardily made, is due to a clergyman, the Rev. H. Moit.k. This gentleman found that the addition of occasional layers of dry pulverised clay to the contents of a cess-pool not only completely and thoroughly absorbed all evil odours, but brought those contents to a half-solid form, in which they could be removed without any unpleasant results

It is almost incredible how small a proportion of this dry and pulverized clay produced these happy results. The quantity prescribed is a mere film scattered over the surface every week or two. The pulverized clay appears to act by fixing and detaining all the gases, which however noxious when permeating the air, are most beneficial to the land in the form of manure ; and also by rendering the whole mass more manageable and compendious. Even in cleaning out the contents of a cess-pool which has been thus treated, no evil smell is produced. In every respect the dry way of dealing with our cesspools seems to be the best. We are not plagued with a filthy liquid, soaking in all directions through the soil; we have a manure which is easily conveyed to any place where it may be required, and which contains the most fertilizing ingredients; and our noses are saved many a disagreeable assault. We must get rid of our sewerage in some way, and that way must he the most advisable which is the least offensive, and which enables us most easily to take it from the town, where it is most pernicious, to the country, where it is most beneficial. Mr. Moule, first made known his discovery in a paper read before the Philosophical Society, in which he gave an account of several different closets which he had designed for carrying out his scheme. We much regret that we have not had access to the recent “Transactions” of that Society. For such information ns we have been able to obtain we are indebted to the Melbourne Argus.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OTAHUHU, ANNIVERSARY SOIREE.

Tin-: anniversary of the New Presbyterian Church, Otahuhu, was celebrated by a soiree on Tuesday evening, and was largely attended by members and friends. The refreshments provided for the occasion were highly creditable to the fair purveyors, who presided and gave the trays, and were served out liberally. The proceedings were opened by'prayer by Mr. Wallace, Sen., an old and Lighly-respected deacon of the church. The chair was occupied by the Pastor of the Church, The Rev. Jno. Macky, who alluded briefly to the absence of that hilarity and zest which had prevailed at former meetings on so auspicious occasion. They should, however, be thankful for the past, and take courage for the future. He had to apologise for the absence of speakers that evening, though it was not through any unwillingness on the part of friends, but want of opportunity, which left them so bare that evening. The war had something to do with it, for their old friend, the Rev. T. Xorrie, would have been with them if he were not called to labor at Nguruawahia; the Rev. Mr. Brown would gladly have been there if it were not for the augmented work he had to do since the arrival of the military settlers' wives at Onehunga; and increased work also kept away their old friend the Rev. Mr. Reid. The Rev. Mr. Bruce and Mr. T. Macfarlane had promised to be with them if all was well, and he expected them to arrive shortly. About ten years had elapsed since he obeyed the call of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland to proceed to New Zealand as a labourer in the cause of missions. Prior to this he had been devoted to a flock in that country, upon which time he had always looked back with pleasurable emotions, and regarded as his first love. It was almost impossible to maintain such love for ten years with the same warmth, but he thought the ties were now stronger which bound him to his old friends. To the Church in which he was at present labouring he was bound by ties of duty and affection ; and it would be to him the greatest cause of grief if anything transpired which tended to weaken these ties. He had never had occasion to doubt the affection of his flock, or the sincerity of their wishes for his welfare. He should rejoice to be enabled to go forward in the line of duty without the intrusion of any retarding object. They had, he rejoiced to say, reason to be thankful that the congregation was in a flourishing condition; they had no debt on their church, no financial difficulties ; and he trusted, withal, there were indications of some spiritual advancement during the past year. Although they had not, as a congregation, entered upon any fresh work—that had been rather the want of anything to do than lack of will to do it. The spirit of charity preponderated, and had been satisfactorily exhibited so far as the Church was concerned, as the contribution of £6O for the year to the mission cause clearly showed.

Mr. Wm. Macky here read the Treasurer’s account for the past year, which showed the Church to be in a very' satisfactory' position. The previous year’s revenue was £ls, whilst the revenue for the past six months had exceeded that amount, and would enable them to pay off the whole debt of the Church.

Mr. T. Adams followed in a brief speech, and after some further remarks from the Chairman, The Rev. Mr. Buttle rose to address the meeting. He went on to narrate a few episodes in his missionary' labours amongst the Maoris, which were of the deepest interest.

The Rev. D. Bruce, Mr. T. Macfarlane, and other friends followed, but as we wefe obliged to leave the meeting early, we were deprived of the privilege of reporting them.

THE DIORAMA. On Tuesday evening, Mr. Everiste gave another entertainment on that most interesting and painful subject, the Australian Exploring Expedition. The room was well filled with a very select and fashionable assemblage. His Excellency the Governor and suite, honoured the Brunswick Hall, and seemed to pay great attention to the lecture. During the narrative, the Intensest attention was bestowed by the audience. Last evening’s lecture was the most successful yet delivered by Mr. Everiste. Of course lectures are like all other public performances, which often require to be repeated to enable an audience cl early Jto understand them, and without which it is sometimes a matter of impossibility to judge or appreciate. The “ Historical ” Diorama of the sufferings of the unfortunate Wills and Burke, in which the course of those events that have astonished millions of people during the last three years is closely followed in the scenes, which are necessarily numerous, a great deal of character and much skill in composition is displayed, and though there are a few details that will not bear criticism, it may be surmised that the artist, in order to produce his general effect, has studied pretty teduously. While, as a work of art, they are remarkably well executed, and cannot fail to bear an interest of their own, as pictorial illustrations of the melancholy sufferings of the ill-fated expedition. The whole is, to say the least, a success, and the audience seemed to agree with us, judging from their continuous applause. The music, too, was a decided improvement. The pieces selected were of a less melancholy character than those performed on previous occasions, while each of the airs suited the moving Diorama admirably. At the commencement some very lively and sparkling pieces were performed, especially our old friend, the overture to “ William Tell,” which, though old, is always fresh and pleasing. We would suggest that the names of pieces to be performed by the 50th band be printed in the handbills in future.

POST OFFICE IRREGULARITIES. Our contemporary, the Southern Crons, in an article on this subject, instances a number of eases in which it has suffered from this cause. We can endorse the greater portion of the writer’s statements, as our own experience has been somewhat similar. Scarcely a mail arrives from the front which does not contain communications from some of our numerons military subscribers concerning the delay in forwarding, or loss of copies of the Xew Zealander. We give an extract from a letter we have just received:— “ Camp, Ngaruawahia, “ March 10th, 18G4. “Sir, —* * * * The newspapers have been very irregular for the last quarter. For instance, I have not received the Xew Zealander since the 28th of last month, but I suppose it will turn up some day or another. I attribute no blame whatever to your office for this delay. The Post-office has been in fault this time, inasmuch as a message has been received here from the Queen’s Redoubt requesting to send down the mail bags, as the newspapers could not be forwarded unless they were sent. It is a curious fact, sir, that after all the money that is being spent, the authorities of the Post-office cannot afford to buy a sufficient number of bags to convey newspapers to the seat of war. The soldier has no books of any kind —nothing to read in his spare moments but a newspaper ; and it is very hard that he cannot be supplied with that at the proper time, or at all eventsj within four or five days after. A hint from you, through your valuable paper, might be the means of stirring the authorities to a little more energy in this matter.” FRIENDLY NATIVES. It may he in the recollection of our readers, that when the expedition went down the Thames, under Col. Carey, the natives were engaged in digging rifle pits, which were abandoned on the troops taking them in the reai ;

amongst those who made their escape on that occasion were Ngakiti, Ngati, Abraham, and Hoero, chiefs of the Ngapawa tribe, and a small party resident on the Thames, and we are informed by a reliable person (lately arrived from Taapo,) that Mr. Shortland gave permission to, or rather sent Mr. Monk after them to persuade them to return. Mr. Monk’s labour of love was, however, in vain the so-called friendly natives, being so far in the enemy’s country that he was unable to reach them; and our informant states that another attempt has been sanctioned by Mr. Shortland, and that Mr. Monk had again started for the same purpose. This tampering with natives who have proved their loyalty by running away with the rebels, cannot be too highly condemned, and more especially in the case of Hoero, who was one of the natives who some years ago made an attempt to rescue the Maori taken up by the police and lodged in Gaol, and intimidate Governor Grey by landing a war party in Mechanics’ Bay when his Excellency was in Auckland before.

FUNERAL OF A VOLUNTEER. Military Funerals have, of late, been of so frequent occurrence as to pass unnoticed, unless—like one which took place on Wednesday—they are accompanied by circumstances of special interest. The mere burial of a member of the Auckland Rifle Volunteer Corps could not have drawn together so large a concourse of people or excited so much attention, had not the deceased been respected by a large circle of friends. The late William Williams, whose remains were interred on Wednesday, was a member of No. 3. Company, or Parnell Rifle Volunteers, and although young, had been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Company. On the local forces being called into the field, he was called upon with his comrades to endure the hardships and exposures of camp life, and it is to be feared that the heavy duties thus imposed induced disease in a constitution otherwise healthy and vigorous. He died on the 14th instant, at the early age of twenty'. An invitation having been given to the volunteers now in town, to attend the funeral, most if not all responded to the invitation, and assembled for that purpose in front of the Council Chambers, at 2 p.m., from whence they marched to the house of the deceased’s parents, in Parnell. The Funeral procession was then formed in the following order : A firing party from No. 3. Company'. The Volunteer Band playing the “ Dead March.” The Rev. Thos. Ruddle, Wesleyan Minister. THE COFFIN, Borne by' his late comrades and covered by' the new and handsome colours of the A.R.V. These were supported on either side by four non-commissioned officers. A long train of mourners, and friends of the deceased. The children of the Parnell Band of Hope. Rifle Volunteers and Militia. Officers of the Volunteer Corps and Militia. The Volunteers were under the command of Major Campbell. Lieutenant Le Roy, Ensigns Tole, Andrews, and Thompson, were also in attendance. The funeral service was impressively read by the Rev. Thos Buddie, after which the parting vollies over a soldier’s grave were fired, and the last concourse of mourners and spectators dispersed. THE “PRINCE ALFRED.” The General Government have just purchased the paddle steamer Prince Alfred, which came up from the South under offer to the Government, for the sum of £4,000. Her draught of water is about eight feet, but we are informed that her engines and fittings are in splendid condition, and are all that the Government require. Mr. Loder, the Engineer of the Sandflg, who in company' with Messrs. Whitaker, Russell, Jones, and Captain Butler, held a survey' of the vessel on Tuesday, pronounced her machinery perfect, and worth some £2,500. The same gentlemen then went over the small paddle steamer Sturt, which only' draws some three feet of water, with the view of ascertaining its adaptability for the river transport service, but after a careful survey', they were compelled to condemn her as unfit for the purposes of the Government. It is said that the Sturt has since been purchased by some Auckland speculators, but to what use it will be converted we are unable to ascertain. PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. Messrs. Appleton and Anderson, veterinary surgeons, have fonv'arded to the Provincial Government the following report on the outbreak of this terrible disease in the Tamaki: — “ Auckland, N. Z., “ 11th March, 1864. “ Sir, —We have the honor to report for ymur information that agreeable to the instructions received from you, we proceeded to No. 1 farm, Tamaki, on the 10th instant, and examined a herd of cattle, in company with Veterinary Surgeons Austin, Calvert, and Inspector Snodgrass, and from the symptoms we observed in the living subject, and. the morbid appearances presented on making a post mortem examination, we are of opinion that all the animals are more or less infected with pleuropneumonia, and beg to recommend that the present regulations regarding the importation and transmission of cattle from place to place cannot be too rigidly carried out, more especially, until further information can be gleaned on the subject of this disease. “ We have, &c., “ W. Appleton, V. S. 4th Batt. M. T. “ John Anderson, V. S. Rl. Artillery.”

PROFESSCR BELEW, THE HORSE TAMER. This gentleman visited Otahuhu on Wednesday, and gave one of his exhibitions of Horsemanship, in the afternoon, in the presence of a very good class of pupils. The subject presented for the Professor to try upon was a wild horse belonging to Mr. Hall, which was considered one of the most vicious and ill-tempered animals in the neighbourhood, using its fore and hind feet with remarkable dexterity. This was, perhaps, the best feat in the way of a subject, Professor Belew has met since his arrival in the Colony, as no one ever dared approach the animal. The Professor, however, appeared to experience no difficulty in his manipulations, but few minutes elapsed before he placed the halter over the animal’s head, and proceedec to exemplify the various modes by which he obtained the ultimate and complete subjection of the animal; and although the horse at this moment made every resistance, and was evidently fully determined to oppose the charmer, yet he was compelled to succumb to the powerful influences brought to bear upon him, and at the close of the performance followed Professor Belew round the stable as obediently as a trained dog. The Professor proposes visiting a few other places on the Great South Road, and returning to Auckland on Tuesday next, to give another performance.

STEAMERS FOR THE WAIKATO. It seems to be a regularly understood thing now, in the other Provinces, that whenever a steam-boat becomes unserviceable, the best way to get rid of her is to send her to Auckland, and there sell her to the Government. We mentioned on Thursday that the General Government had purchased the Prince Alfred, to be used as a steamer on the Waikato. It really seems as if the country would be ruined by a plethora of riches. We are to borrow this “ three millions,” and our sapient Government think that all they have to do is to spend it, even before the loan is managed, as fast as they can. They seem to have heard, somewhere or other, the old French saying, that “ money is made round that it may roll,” and to have made up their minds, first to take care of themselves and their friends, and then to keep the rest rolling in the most approved style. Here is a vessel drawing six or eight feet of water purchased to ply between the Waikato Heads, and Rangiriri, where, in many places, as ' this summer has proved, the utmost admissible draught of water Avould be eighteen inches. It is a pity that one at least of the “ learned attorneys,” who pass their “opinions ” on maritime matters, could not be amputated from the august body to which he belongs, and a good, sensible, hard-headed Yankee introduced .in his place. An American, if he bad been one of the “ Board of Survey,” would not have committed the blunder of buying a boat drawing eight feet for an intricate river navigation, and might by degrees persuade his coadjutors that a good broad flat bottom was the thing for Ja river, troubled with shoals and snags. A little common sense even in such little things as the purchase of steamers, or stone-breaking machines, would save the Colony thousands of pounds.

Accident at Newmarket. —On Tuesday, as a carter named Holmes was passing along the highway between Newmarket Tcll-gate and the Junction Hotel, a herd of young horses passing were so restive as to cause the shaft horse to bolt, throwing the driver and breaking the axletree of the dray. The dray fell on the unfortunate carter, and rendered him insensible. His leg was found to be severely injured, and bled profusely. We have not yet ascertained whether he sustained any internal injuries, as no surgeon arrived during our stay.

REGATTA MEETING. A meeting of the Regatta Committee, IS6I, took place at the Waitemata Hotel, onWe’n sdiy, at vhich th"s following business was transacted : —Mr. Edwards in the Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, it was resolved that the. Secretary he instructed to write a letter to Messrs. Shaw, Savill, & Co., of London, thanking them for their splendid present of the silver cup run for at the last Regatta, aud also to Messrs. Lewis Brothers, for theirs, of a silver oar, on the same occasion. It was then resolved that a letter of thanks should he addressed by the Secretary, to Captain Evans of the Light Brigade, expressive of the thanks of the com mittee, for the handsome manner in which he placed his ship at their disposal, and sending to himself aud his officers their acknowledgements for the kindness and courtesy displayed on that day. It was then preposed and seconded, that a committee of four gentlemen be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for inviting Capt. Evans, and the officers of the Light Brigade, to a supper, prior to their departure for England, in testimony of the kindness constantly shown by them on the day of the Regatta. Some conversation then ensued, and the meeting broke up.

POSTAL IRREGULARITIES. —COMMUNICATION

WITH THE FRONT. It will be perceived, from the following communication which we have received from G. Elliott Elliott, Esq., Secretary of the Postmaster-General’s department, and to which we gladly give publicity, that the postal authorities here disclaim any responsibility for the present delays and losses sustained by correspondents, in letters and newspapers, past Drury ; the postal service beyond that station being conducted by the military authorities for their own benefit, other correspondence is simply carried by courtesy. We trust that the hope held out in the concluding paragraph of the letter may be speedily realized : To the Editor of the New-Zealander. “ General Post Office, Auckland, “ 16th March, 1864. « g IR) —Having observed that several correspondents of the public journals of this city have lately complained of delay in the transmission of letters and papers from the “ front.” I beg to inform you that the existing contracts for mail service on this line provide for their conveyance only between Auckland and Drury. Beyond Drury the service is performed entirely under the control of the military authorities, and established tor the conveyance of their correspondence, and any other letters and papers are carried by them only as a matter of courtesy. “ So soon as the country beyond Drury becomes settled, a postal service under the management of this department will be organized, but in the meantime, any irregularities beyond Drury are out of the control of the Post Office authorities. “ I have, &c., &c., “ G. Elliott Elliott.” TESTIMONIAL TO CAPT. JAMES YOUNG, AND OFFICERS OF THE SHIP “ GLADIATOR.” Ship “ Gladiator,” Auckland, March 12th, 1864. Sir, —We the undersigned passengers having arrived safely at the port of our destination, cannot leave you without expressing our deep gratitude for all comforts and care for life and property during the voyage out. Wishing ysu every comfort in after life. We remain, John Morgan. John Snowdon, Peter Fisken, Joseph Green, George Duncan, Sirs. Green, and family, Mrs. Duncan, and family, Thomas Good, Samuel Shiels, Mrs. Good, and family, Mrs. Shiels, and family. To Capt. James Young. [reply.] “ Ship Gladiator,” Auckland Hir’iour, March 12th, 1864. Gentlemen, —On behalf of myself and officers, I heartily thank you for your good wishes. We have done no more than our duty towards you on the voyage, and now on parting wish you every success in the land you have adopted for your future home. I am, &c. James Young. To Mr. John Morgan, and the other passengers.

Coal Discovery at the Bay. —The Sea Breeze , which arrived from the Bay of Islands on Monday, brought specimens of coal which had been found at a distance of about a dozen miles from Russell, at a place called Kawakawa. The block is a barren uncultivated piece, and of a very poor description, so that the finding of coal so near to the surface as this is represented to be, is of the utmost benefit to the vicinity. The coal is said to be found remarkably close to the surface, and those who have tried it pronounce it of the best quality. Drunkenness. —At the Police Court, on Tuesday, there were no less than eleven charges of drunkenness to be disposed of, and the Judge very wisely announced his intention of inflicting the full penalty of the law for this offence in future, in lieu of the too proverbial infliction of ss. and costs. We therefore warn the inebriate that he will not escape so cheaply for the future. Military Funeral. —A private of the 43rd regiment was interred with military honours on Tuesday last. Military Stores. —Messrs. Ridings and Dowden announce a public sale of condemned Military Stores, in the Albert Barracks, on Tuesday next. Land Sales. —Messrs. Ridings and Dowden announce a sale of suburban, and other allotments, at their mart, on Tuesday next, including lands at Drury, Port Albert, Albert Township, on the great South Road, at Dedwood, and Newtown. Mr. S. Cochrane also announces a sale of land at Taukau, and Camerontown ; said to be close to the proposed terminus of the Drury railway, and called the Havelocktown ship, on the 18th of April. The ground is the property of Mr. Selby. The Gas Company have made a call of £1 per share payable on or before April 15th. Harmonic Society. —lt is pleasurable, week after week, to note the progressive improvement of the Auckland Harmonic Society. The members both vocal and instrumental, have attended to practice most assiduously, and under the present able management it would be a singular thing if something like proficiency did not attend their efforts. On Thursday evening a full practice of the Oratorio, now under discussion, took place in the Odd Fellow’s Hall. Miss Beale presided at the Piano-forte in an efficient manner. Mr. Beale kept a watchful oversight over the instrumental performance, whilst Mr. Brown did the same for the vocalists. The subscribers and nonperforming members who were present could not be otherwise than pleased with the evening’s performance. In consequence of the Brunswick Hall being required by the Bazaar in aid of St. Paul's Church, on the 29th inst., the full rehearsal has been postponed for a week. Sale of Alma Place. —On Tuesday, Mr. Samuel Cochrane sold by auction the property of Mr. J, Campbell, called Alma Place, in Freeman’s Bay. A substantial luncheon was provided prior to the sale, and the first allotment started at £2 a foot, and realized, as will be seen by reference to our commercial column, a very high price, as did the rest of the allotments sold. A spirited competition was kept up, and the price maintained showed the augmented value of city and suburban lands. A full account will be seen elsewhere. Auckland Saw Mill Company. —At a special general meeting of the Auckland Saw Mill Company (limited), held on Tuesday, at their office, it was unani, mously resolved that Mr. D. M'Lennan. of Queen-street, be appointed agent for the company.

Alarm of Fire. —On Monday, about eight p.m., we were alarmed by hearing the fire-bells sounded, but on making for the spot we were agreeably surprised to find that it was simply a chimney being fired, at a small house at the rear of Claremont boarding-house, Princesstreet. The whole subsided in a few minutes, and some time before the arrival of the engine and fire-brigade, who were promptly wending their way up Shortland-street to the scene of the disaster.

On Monday evening last,' during the rush following the alarm of fire, a woman and child were knocked down opposite the New-Zealander office by a horse, passing up Shortland-street at a canter. The horseman and the passenger were each striving to steer clear, but in so doing came into collision. The horse fell on the woman and child, but fortunately without causing serious injury to either. The two were taken into Mr. Watt’s shop, and were speedily recovered from the shock sustained by the occurrence. No blame can be attached to the rider, as he used every effort to evade the crowd passing up Shortland-street at the time.

Militia Appointments. —The Gazette of March 12 contains the following appointments in the Auckland Militia ;—F. W. Ruck, to be Captain ; E. Shilson, to be Lieutenant; Ensign J. M. Roberts to be Lieutenant; J. B. Hamilton to be Ensign ; O. O. Irwin to be Ensign! Sherrett, to be Ensign. Lieutenant W. Percivftl, of the Auckland Militia, to be Captain in the Taranaki Militia, and Lieutenant O’Callaghan, to be Lieutenant in the same.

Maoui Brawlers. —On Monday we observed* larg? number of Maorics at the Hostelrie in Mechanics’ Bay, assembled probably for the purpose of celebrating nonso memorable event or some annual festival. There were no less than eight canoe-loads present, and early in the dav numbers were rolling about the streets in advanced stages of inebriation. IV c think it is high time such proceedings were stopped, and can only regret that Slitdetermination come to at the meeting for the KeDcfcl Soldiers’ Wives, to convert the hostelrie into a wash-house for their use has not been carried into effect, and so rid the public of a crying evil whilst at the same time doing good service to these needy ones. Horse-Taming.—Mr. Below gave a performance ot Monday, on behalf of the fund for the Belief of Soldiers' Wives and Families. We were sorry to see it so thinly attended, not more than between thirty and forty person* being present. The subject, a three-year old filly of Mi. Dilworth's was operated upon most successfully, and the spectators were much delighted with the whole proceedings. The band of the 50th Regiment was in attendance, and added greatly to the pleasure of the performance.

The military settlers’ wives and families, ex .Yd reify, from Sydney, were on Saturday last conveyed in cargoboats to Ilowick, where they are provided with shelter bv the Government.

The GBth Band went to Drury on Saturday last, itt which post it is to be stationed for the present. This is much to be regretted, as the Auckland public have by this means been deprived of an occasional musical treat. A New Zealand Gazette waspublished on the 32flk Marli, ccontaining a despatch from his Grace the Ihcte off Newcastle, K.C.8., to his Excellency the Governor, and the latter’s assent to “ The Railway Commissioners' Act. 1804,” and other Bills of importance, wrltifit wuT Jw found reprinted elsewhere. The Gazette also oonJaint. an authorization of additional postal regulations, which we purpose giving in our next; an Order in Cornscil dtclaring “ that satisfactory provision has been made fat the railway, and the efficient working thereofproclamations by the Superintendents of Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, and Otago, under the “ Diseased Cattle Act, 1861 declaration of infected district in the Province of Otagoj prohibition of importation from Gipps’ Land and Morsington ; contract for mail service between Melbourne and Dunedin, and other matters of minor importance, Sunken Boat.—On Saturday, March 12 a smallcutter sunk in the harbour, with two persons on board, wbc swam until picked up by a waterman. The outlet; which had onl}' some two tons of ballast on board, drifted down to the wharf, where it became entangled, and win not raised for some hours.

Onehunga.—The following vessels were at anchor cat the I2th March, in this port: —H.M.S. “ Harrier, fi-s. “ Alexandra,” paddle steamers “ Sturt,” “ Prince “ Lad}' Barkly,” and “ Blue Nose,” s.s. “ Kangaroo,'” barque, “Eucalyptus”; brigs, “Dart” and “Susan”;; schooner, “ Maid of Kent.”

Officers Unattached.—ln the Gazette we tint the following undermentioned officers are to be considered on the unattached list:—Captains Mclntosh, Eliott. Eliott, Macdonald, Mitchell, and Heaphy ; Lieutenants Mellsop, Eliott, Taylor, Tabatoau, and Tonks; Ensigns Kelly and Andrews. Charles Heaphy, Esq., was on March 12 gazetted to the appointment of Chief Surveyor to the General Government, in which capacity he has now been for some time very actively and very usefully employed. Lieutenants Day (Auckland Militia), and Kirkwood, (Onehunga Bides), together with Ensign Hadga, also of Onehunga Rifles, have respectively resigned their commissions.

Acclimitization. —The ship Scimitar, which came into harbour on the 12th March brings from the Zoological Society of London—a number of birds for Sir George Grey, There were shipped 48 English birds, which comprised 10 English and 10 French partridges —all of which (tied on the passage, as most others have done before them—and 28 pheasants. Out of their number 12 hen and 8 cock-pheasants have arrived safe, with one raven, is charge of Mr. B. Gee, together with six silver-grey rabbits, with a litter of eight, in charge of the Captain. Special Settlement Immigrants.—By the arri.vsE of the ship Scimitar, from London, with 250 passengers, we have an addition to the special settlement immigrants under the auspices of the Church of England Emigration Society.

City Board.—At a meeting of the Commissioneiy held on Tuesday, Mr. Macfariane resigned his seat ate x, member of the Board. Mr. Ashton also wrote «cwt Me resignation, but did not hand it in to the Chairman.

Plburo-Pneumonia in the Commissariat Cattle. —Grave rumours were about on Tuesday, respecting: the discovery of pleuro-pneumonia in some comraissariai cattle at Pokeno. Tlie Deputy Commissariat Geiwnfl was informed of a boast having died of' the disease, bat we much question the ability of the parties to judge of the prevalence of the disease, and attribute the alarm to the ignorance of the persons in charge.

The Bay Coal. —The sample of coal to which inalluded in our last, as coming from Kawakawa, has beer tested at Mr. Davidson’s forge, and is found to be *ll that could be desired, some even believing it to gtcporecltithe Nelson or Drury coal. It is, as usual, well ad£]tree for steam or gas. We hope the next discovery will he that it is equally useful for household purposes, especially as the price of firewood is so high at present. Street Water Carts. —On Saturday we had great pleasure in seeing a new water-cart in full operation along Queen-street, much to the comfort of pedestrians. Two have been constructed by Messrs. Vickery and Masefield, to the order of the City Board of Commissioners, and give great satisfaction, we understand. On thin-oc-casion the machine was worked at the expense of the City Board, but we are told that it is their intention to make the shopkeepers sustain them, if they are to be kept it operation. The Board announce their unwillingness t« provide them with attendants, and it is for the public to take the matter up, so that we may not be deprived itf such a boon.

Shout of Water. —The necessity of a more ample supply of water for the augmented number of the inhabitants in this city becomes daily more apparent. Wells are drying, and others are being dug in many parts of the town. At the foot of Barrack Hill the City Board have dug a well thirty or forty feet, and expect to reach sixty feet before coming to a supply of water for the inhabitants of that populous vicinity. We trust a water supply, a matter of the most vital importance, will be a t once attended to by the authorities. The sewerage, two, is a matter which demands equal attention. These ought to go hand and glove together to ensure success ie. the sanitary department. • Heartless Desertion. —On Wednesday, anon-com-missioned officer in the Waikato Volunteers, in chargeof a small party proceeding to the front, having occasion to go a short distance from the line of march, found <t» his return that his “ fine young men,” forgetful alike of esprit du corps and the charms of fifty acres and a town section, in the Garden of New Zealand, had perfonnefi the rather questionable feat of laying down their arm* and taking to their heels. The hapless “ non.-eom/, meeting some travellers on their way down, desired them to report at the first redoubt that he had been “ left all alone in his glory.” Ships’ Anchors. —A new description of ship’s anchr/L, invented by Mr. Martin, and ordered by the Lord Corruniv sioners of the Admiralty (as stated) of Her Majesty’s «hr; Edgar, Rear-Admiral Sydney Dacres, C.8., was on Saturday tested by the hydraulic machinery in Woolwich dockyard. A number of scientific persons were present to see the working of the apparatus, for which a medal was last year awarded to Mr. Martin by the Commissioners of the International Exhibition. The weight of the anchor testeb is 24cwt., 2qrs. and 121t)., and that of the steadying bar lewt. 2qrs. and 2113. Its construction and shape in m war resemble that of any other anchor yet in nse. It consists of a shank, two palmed flukes, and a sector with palms, and has no stock. Both flukes take hold of the ground at the same time, leaving no part exposed to the danger of fouling, or being fouled, however shallow the soundings anti anchorage may happen to be. At the test on Saturday, the tensil strain commenced at a pressure of IS tons, which gave a deflection of Jth of an inch; at 20 tons of £ of an inch ; and 24 ton at 5-16ths of an inch, that being the required Admiralty test. The permanent set, 9 tons, gave a deflection of 3-16ths. The strain oft, the anchor returned to the same point at which the pressure commented, and exhibited no permanent deflection. The proof was thoroughly satisfactory. The anchor will be removed thk morning to the smithery, and will be fire-proved—namely, heated to a low red heat, to discover if the metal is £w* from flaws or defects. Arrangements have been enteret into to carry out the manufacture of the anchors on a large scale. For that purpose a company has been formed, of which Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir Montague Stafford., K.C.8., is the chairman ; Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Raikee Thomspson, and Rear-Admiral W. H. Hall, C.8., director of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and other influential persons are the directors. Adimidl Stafford, Mr. Martin, and various other members .-of the company, were present at Woolwich, and also the .Commodore-Superintendent, Sir F. Xicolson, C.8., Mr. Turner, master shipwright, and the principal officers of the yard.— Times,