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New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 4050, 5 November 1874, Page 2

The monthly meeting of the Domain Board was held at noon yesterday. The Board agreed to transfer a small portion of their land, which is required in order to make the site chosen for the new hospital available, to the Provincial Government in exchange for a similar area of the land of the Hospital Reserve. Ten pounds was voted as a grant to the cricket ground trustees, to be expended upon rolling the ground. It was stated that gentlemen interested in cricket Bad dene much to make tlie ground fit to play on, and the grant was made in order that its present good condition might be maintained. Several letters were received, and other business transacted. A report of the proceedings appears in another column. We understand that the preliminary arrangements connected with the Naval Training School at Kohimarama are being pushed on as expeditiously as possible. The contractors are Dusy at work in repairing buildings, &c., and kohimarama is assuming somewhat of an animated appearance. Captain T-reton, who is to be in charge of the establishment, removed there last week. At the Rifle Association firing on Tuesday, Volunteer Kohn retired after the second shot at the 500 yards range. It is only right to state this in explanation of the score which appeared in yesterday's issue. •

Writing in reference-to;, the tests'which have been made at'. the Thames of the - Miranda coal, the reports of which w& Have already published, our Thames correspondent says :—" From the result of these tests it is evident that the coal possesses good steaming qualities, -which would doubtless improve at a greater depth by becoming more sold or increasing in substance and bod}-, which is necessary ere it usurps the place of that j which is now used by the machines on the field. The coal just tested is from a new shaft, about 15 feet deep, and has resulted in a more satisfactory test than that tried at the Hauraki battery some years ago, and upon which the prospectus was based. The test made at the Queen of Beauty battery shews that 2i tons of this coal would be used per 24 hours, or equal to 15 tons per week, which, at 25s 6d per ton on the wharf and 2s cartage (usual rate), would amount to £20 12s 6d per week. This calculation of cost of coal delivered here is from the prospectus, and also confirmed by one of the directors, with whom I had some conversation respecting the price. He stated that, in course of a year or so, when the company was in full swing, it might be delivered at a greatly reduced rate. Of Bay of Islands coal the same battery consumes H tons per day, or 9 tons per week, which at the price delivered at the battery, 30s per ton, equal to £13 10s ; shewing a saving in the Bay of Islands coal per week of £7 2s 6d, and that in a battery of 20 stampers. It is very probable that the freight on Bay of Islands coal will be reduced 2s per ton as soon as the wharf is e.vtcjulcd, which will allow large vessels to haul alongside, and even then the reduction will not bring freight down to what was current a year or eighteen months ago. The Bright Smile test shews that one ton of Bay of Islands coal goes as far as one ton and a third of this conpany's, or equal to a saving of 0s Sd per ton by using the former company's coal. From the foregoing tests, it is evident that if a slight reduction be made in the freight of the Bay of Islands coal, say of two shillings per ton, the Maramarua coal will have to be delivered here, at the batteries, at ISs 6d per ton, so that the machine proprietors can use it in preference to the Bay of Islands without suffering any loss. The above calculations are based on the public trials, and are done in a spirit of fair criticism, not with a view to injure one company at the expense of another, but are done solely in the interests of the mining community. The price of fuel at the present moment on this field is unprecedentedly high, and any company would receive encouragement, if they could in any waycheapen our supply of coal. Although the cost of this company's coal, to bring it on a par with the Bay of Islands, would have to be ISs Gd per ton, yet this does not say it would succeed at that price, for it is a wellknown and recognised principle in all commercial circles that to gain a footing in a market or a house it is necessary to undersell those who had hitherto supplied the market, and with many managers 1 say that the coai must be delivered at about 10s per ton ere it can gain a footing. There would be the fire bars in many instances to be altered, the extra labour incurred upon the engineer or stoker by the extra quantity of coal to handle, besides other incidentals. The promoters have met withlittle encouragement here in the disposal of shares, ana their brokers, Messrs. Frater and Fougliey, have recommended them to amend their prospectus, ere it can find favour with the public.

The polico officer stationed at Xewton cannot be everywhere at one tunc, but an evening visit to the neighbourhood of the Eden Vine Hotel might prove beneficial. A number of larrikins, for want of better employment, constantly assemble at night at the corner of the Ivyber Pass lioad, and offer a speciesof insult and annoyance to personspassing. Several of the cabmen complain of their behaviour. Their practice is for one of their number to either sit or lie down on the road, and dare the cabman to drive over him. He is compelled to pull up his horses and drive round the fellow for fear of causing an aeeident. If he remonstrates, he is assailed with foul epithets, and threatened with violence. A few nights ago a cabman was passing with a family of young ladies in his cab, whom he was taking home from the Choral Hall, when this conduct was repeated and some very gross language made use of within the young ladies' hearing, and concerning themselves. Such disgraceful behaviour merits severe punishment, and it is to be hoped that Constable Clarke will be able some evening to pounce on the scoundrels while at their little games.

The Church of St. Sepulchre's is now being considerably enlarged. It is not many months since'it was found necessary to increase the dimensions of this building, ard an extension of the trancepts, so as to accommodate about SO more worshippers, was then effected. This at the time was deemed to be ample, but the congregation has increased so considerably that a still further enlargement of the building has been rendered necessary. The alteration now being made is in tiie nave of the building. The nave at about 12 feet to the rear of the belfry lias been severed from the building, and moved nearly to the road —a distance of 30 feet. The space thus made will be built up, giving the nave two additional windows on either side, and very materially increasing its size. The present alterations will give nearly 150 sittings.

Free vaccination will be performed as under, "by order":—Mahurangi: Public Hall, Warkworth, first Tuesday in eacli month, at 12 noon. Matakana: Schoolroom, Matakana, second Thursday in each month, at 12 noon. Bay of Islands : Resident Magistrate's Court, Waimate, first Monday in January, March, May, .Jul}', September, and November, between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Ditto : Schoolroom, Okaihau, third Monday in February, May, Augjst, and November, between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Ditto : Schoolroom, Pakaraka, first Thursday in .January, April, July, and October, between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Albertland : Post-oilice at Albertland, first Tuesday in December, March, June, and September in each year, between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Manga wai : Residence of Mr. Mooney, at Mangawai port, first Tuesday 111 January and July ill each year, between 12 noon and 2 p.m.

Yesterday we inspected tlie very handsome tea-service and claret jugs, presented lastevening to G. M. Gliorke, Esq., from his Onehunga constituents, as a mark of personal esteem. The service, &e., is of solid silver, the various pieces being richly ornamented after Etruscan and Egyptian patterns, with chased and engraved figures. The groups represented consist of ivarriors in chariots and on foot, returning from a victorious campaign, bearing trophies of war with them. The claret jugs bear the following inscription, which is tastefully engraved : —" Presented to George Maurice O'liorke, Esq., member of the General Assembly and Provincial Council, from his Onehunga constituents, as a mark of their esteem." The service is a beautiful specimen of the silversmith's art, and was designed and executed at the atdkr of Mr. 11. Kohn, jeweller, Queen-street.

• His Honor the Chief Justice left Auckland yesterday morning by the s.s. Wellington, for the South, to attend the Court of Appeal. He transacted some public business in the morning. We understand that it is not the intention of the plaintiff in the case of Williamson v. tlie Improvement Commissioners to bring the recent judgment of His Honor in favour of the defendants before the Court of Appeal. In the matter of the application by Mr. MaeCormiek in the case of Ireland v. Brogden and Sons, heard last Court-day, that a nonsuit should be entered, His Honor granted a rule the plaintiff to shew cause at the next banco sitting. There was a good deal of formal business transacted in chambers. We notice that the Public Works Department advertise in the Wellington papers for the supply of 150 tons of coal for railway purposes at Napier. It appears that the Superintending Engineer lias no knowledge that the coal could have been procured in Greymouth or at the Bay of Islands. No doubt Newcastle coal will be supplied from Wellington, and this is how the Government fosters natnre industry!

■ We are informed that Mr. Gordon Thorn son —whose interesting narrative o f earl .Victorian experiences we published, aV» days since (says the Melbourne Am,,*) vT presented to the Public Librarv two curing relics of Australian history. One is the ■=+.-• axe (referred to in his story) which was nried by Buckley for 20 yean;, and which wJpresented to Mr. Thomson by that adven turous fellow as a parting gift." The other i* a nugget of gold saved from the wreck r.i r\l Royal Charter, in 1559. As our readers can recall, this terrible accident resulted "in t"n e loss of three-quarters of a million of bullion nearly all the 390 passengers, and crew of 130 men. One of the passengers, named William Ferris, had a belt of gold dust and nuwets round his waist. Swimming ashore, dashed against the rocks, his belt hurst, arid the nuggets were washed into the' Ferris was saved, however, and having up a nugget in the sand near the he was dragged ashore, preserved it as a memento of his escape. Returning- home "he mst Mr. Thomson in Ireland, aisd'presentel that gentleman with the fragment of t'oW which, with its history attached, is now de' posited in the Melbourne Museum. The axe of William Buckley has also its little tale of travel. The "wild white man,'' as he was called, gave it to Mr. Thomson in 1 S.IG in 1553 he presented it to the muaoirm sf Belfast, Ireland. Upon returning to this colony, however, and seeing how fine an institution the colonists had created ilr Thomson considered that theproDcr pla.- e for Llic liac -vroa the Public and wrote to the authorities of the museum at E-.-lrVs*-requesting them in consideration of the p«u'. liar circumstances of the case, to break their rules and return him his donation, in order that he might place it in the Public Library of Melbourne. This request was verv graciously acceded to, and on the 12th of August, 1574, the companion of Buckley's wanderings was formally placed in the museum of the Library. Thus the fragment of greenstone, having been fashioned into an axeliead in ISIG, passed 20 years of its life of usefulness in Buckley's belt, 21 years in the museum of Belfast, and making two vovaacs of IG,OOO miles each, to its natiTe land in 1574.

The death of Major Tillers Le Marchant Butler, of the 65th Regiment, is reported in the home papers, under the following circumstances :—" The deceased, who had served in India and some of the colonies, was the youngest major in the British army. Whilst engaged in the late Maori war iu Xew Zealand, lie received a bullet in the abdomen. Lately ho arrived in London from Jersey, and took up his quarters at 50, Beau-mont-street, Regent's Park, where he had resided on and off /or twelve months. On Friday evening he arrived home at half-past nine, and retired to rest about eleven o'clock. The following morning his landlord knocked twice at his bedroom door, but receiving no answer, went in, and was shocked to find him lying in his night-dress on the flcor in a pool of blood. D. \Y. E. Stewart, nf Weymouthstreet, was called in, and by the Coroner's order opened tha body, and found that the cause of death -was a rupture of an aneurism into the aorta. Several of the brother officers of the deceased was present at the enquiry, and stated that he would be buried with every mark of respect that his brilliant services and kindly bearing to all with whom he came in contact deserved.

The training ship system which is advocated in this colony has taken deep root in England, in proof of which it may be stated that more than 57,700 boys have been trained and sent to sea. The name of the man who first sowed the seed of the flourishing plant which has proved to bear such good fruit is not generally known. To Jonas Hanway belongs the undying honour of being thy first to conceive and carry out the plan of rescuing boys from the streets and training them for the sea. This far-seeingphilanthro-pist, in the year 1750, joining himself with 31 r. Thornton (Wilberforce's friend), Lord Uoumey, and other men of like mind, founded the -Marine Society. In 17 So the Society place"! the first training-ship—a merchant vessel called the Beatty on the Thames, at Doptford, and now, fifth in succession, the Warspite tloats at Woolwich. From these ships upwards of 57,700 boys have been trained and sent to sea, either in the Royal 2vivy or merchant service.

A writer i 1 the Thnaru Herald thus describes an Auckland mob:—"lc is a very sentimental mob, always getting into a state of passionate excitement over matters whieh d j not affect it practically at all. It reads newspapers and listens to orators. Its idok are rag, bone, and bottle merchants, gentlemen who have ' been in trouble on the other gide,' and anybody who bawls very loud, and looks very dirty. It does not object to wealth, so long as it has been earned by the ' sweat of the brow,' and its possessors have taken 110 steps to remove the proofs. Many of its favourites are very rich, but they never wash the filth oil their lucre 01 thernsslves. These are the people wlio used to throw stones and mud at Sir George Grey in the streets." A description of the writer of the foregoing, from a pen as facile in in imagination as his own, would, no doubt, be equally as pleasing a picture.

The Grey River At-yus (Westland) thus irreverently discoursed upon the late eclipse of the moon :—" The mot.ll took everybody by surprise here on Sunday, and totally eclipsed herself without the slightest provocation, as far as anyone was aware. Wlieu the 'luminary of the night' c-ame up from behind the hill over Cobden, shortly after sundown, it was remarked that her face was very dirty ; but no great notice was taken of the circumstance, especially as she was at the time at the Xelson side of the river, and very little attention is now paid in Greymouth to anything dirty connected with kelson, for actions aud objects which may be described as such are witnessed so frequently lately, that people have ceased to wonder at them. "

A Wellixigton correspondent of the LyHclton Tim*< writes as follows:—"It is rumoured that at the next election, Mr. Pearce wi'! retire in favour of Mr. Vc>gcl, as a candidate for the representation of this city, and will get a seat for the Wairarapa, if he can ; and if not, he will be content with one in t.'ie Legislative Council, which would 01 course be open to him if he made way for tile Premier. This is the little programme which one or two gentlemen have drawn out, but I fancy they reckon without their host. Mr. Yogel, if he stood for Wellington, would not be at all certain of being returned ; indeed, I very much doubt whether he would have the ghost of a chance against some men wlw would certaiidv oppose him."'

The last lecture of the Park Ttoad Mutual Improvement Association's popular science course will be delivered by Mr. Martin this evening, in the Grafton Road Weileyau Church. G. M. Reed, E,q., will take th chair at lialf-past seven. Subject. lue Chemistry of l'ood, illustrated by numerous objects and experiments : I.ite—its origin, development, and necessities ; Food- its nature, qualities, ;\iul eiiect ? : Education - mental discipline aud training. lhe leetuie will conclude with a i;yrcti-elinical dispia) o: electricity in va-cum (from apparatus kindly lent by J. gooda'l. Esu.).

Two young men plea-Aod uniitv at the Police"Court'yesterd iv «>f having assaulted their wives. The Eeside .t Magistrate censured their conduct ir • '.es?rvedly severe terms, and ordered t'.iem ro Ihiti sureties tor their good behaviour in rntf-re. The parties connected wit-li these >ae recent arrivals, and came to the colony as G overinnent immigrants. We learn, from tlie I ■'< •' i that the hospital of ">Vai'_r.ui:ii is so patients that application?- lurther admissions have been refus.-d._ "A I.irge of the patients are immigrants, and are a» destitute of colonial -c;U:r.n-i as they are o funds. They neither pay f..r their attendauce nor yield rapii.ll> t > the treatmeii they receive." A lunatic named Mr.thew Clarke escaped from tlie Asylum at tLc \Ykau at 10 ocloc■' on Tuesday "morning kisr. lhe informed of his escape at 2 p.m., and I befo nightfall he was arreted on the wharl y Constable Sampsou, r» d returned to Asylum.

A writer of a leading article in the Nelson Colonist of the.29th is a genius at logic. He thinks that a dock in the Nelson harbour must be a success, for "there would be various circumstances connected with it whi-h would induce masters of ships to come here (Nelson) in preference to the docks of Auckland or Dunedin {sic.)." One of the logical arguments used—and the main one— islet forth to be that the Nelson dock will he smaller, will therefore cost less, and consequently " «'c can charge less." Another brilliant reason is given as being favourable to Kelson over Auckland, and that is that "there are more line days here than there." We detect in the penmanship of the article the Roman liaiul of one who knows that «nch a statement is, first, without foundation. and, secondly, without consequence, lint we don t envy our neighbours their duck for all this.

List year the largest number of marriages in any of the Xew Zealand provinces took place in Auckland, being MjG ; Otago comes next with 554; Canterbury, 4-12; Wellington. 254. The total marriages were 2.270. "The principal religious bodies represented were— United Church of England and Ireland, <125 : Free Cburcli of Scotland, 4-lb : Human Catholic, 300 ; Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, 300 ; Wesleyan Methodist, 211. There were 211 marriages

'lerfomied by Registrars, and in 27 instances the happy couple each scored a mark for their signatures ; in 67 instances the bridegroom did so, and in 179 the bride. The youngest husband was between IS and 19, and there were two between 05 and 70. There were il wives between 15 and IG, and one between GO and G5.

Bookmakin:g must pay. The Melbourne Ilerttld says:—"Mr. Joseph Thomson, the bookmaker, is building a superb mansion in Albert-street, a little past the Hon. J. G. Francis's. Mr. Thompson's bouse is nearly fuiislied, and will cost altogether, with its furniture and the price of the land, probably not less than K20,000. The place is of very elegant architecture, stuccoed, with iron verandah aud balcony in front, of airy design. It is built close to the road, with an iron palisading and gates, bearing the inscription 'Don Juan House,' named after the great racer with which Mr. Thompson made such a coup last year." We wonder how many of the betting public outside " the ring" have been able to build mansions worth £20,000 out of their profits.

Most of our readers (says the Wellington Tribune) arc acquainted with the singular growth of the rata tree. Another curious fact in its history came out incidentally in connection with the case of bushburiKng yesterday. It appears that once ignited, after a slight blaze, the tire will smoulder in the rata for months, some even go the length of sa3"ing for years. Rain docs not extinguish but rather preserves the fire. The ash formed bv the burning becomes, by the action of the water, a coating of cake, under which the tire exists, until some day of all others a mighty wind sweeps across the forest, and ic is fanned into a dull blaze communicating itself to the neighbouring trees and spreading or not, according to circumstances.

In December, 1573, the estimated mean population of New Zealand being set down at 287,752, the births were 11,222; marriages. 2270 ; and deaths, 3G45. The total births in each province were as follow :• —Auckland, 2552 ; 23 cases of twins, and 25 illegitimates. Taianaki, 193 births, 3 illegitimates ; Weli'ngtOH, 115S births, 5 eases of twins, 12 illegitimates; Hawkc's Bay, M2S births, 5 ca.es of twins, 3 illegitimates ; Marlborougn. 22S births, 2 cases of twins, 11 illegitimates : Kelson, 745 births, 9 cases of twins, 1 case of triplets, 10 illegitimates; Westland, 520 births, 5 cases of twins, 10 illegitimates: Canterbury, 230t> births, 17 cases of twins, 40 illegitimates ; Otago, 314S births, IS caces o; twins, 1 of triplets, and 45 illegitimates.

It has been reported (says a West Coast paper) that Judge Harvey is likely to succeed Judge Gray, as District Judge for the Otago golcfiields.' We understand this is likely ;: > be correct, and that as soon as Judge Gray retires. Judge Harvey will take his place. For the vacancy thus created in estland there are several applicants, amongst whom, we understand, are Mr. South, Crown Prosecutor of Westlaml, anc. Mr. William T--J,

of Reeiton ; but it is most likely that the Government will select Mr. \\ eston, the present Judge of the District Court at Napier, whose duties hitherto have been almost nominal.

We (Thvne.s regret to learn that the Shortland saw-mill has nearly eaten up all the logs hitherto brought down the river, and that it will have to come to a stop within a day or two. A large .quantity or t'mber, some four or five million feet, is now lying in the Waiwhakaurunga and its tribnV'ries, to be brought down by the first fresh, whenever that may be. It is to be hoped that such a fresh may not be long delayed; for the constant employment of the Shortland saw-mill is of no small importance to this district.

The total authorised capital of th© British railways amounts to £G7G,GSIv">B6. The number of passengers, exclusive of season ticket-holders, last year was 455,320,155. The total receipts from all sources amounted to £57,742,000, of which 55 per cent, was from goods traffic, and 41 pel* cent, from passenger traffic; 53 per cent of tlie gross receipts w r as consumed in working expenditure, leaving £'2G,959,152 for net receipts. This was 4.59 per cent, on tlie total paid-up capital, as against 4.74 in 1572.

Eight persons were in custody at the police-station last evening. Two of them had been arrested for drunkenness, one for being absent from his ship without leave, two for disobedience to lawful commands, two on charges of larceny, one for malicious injury to property, and one for the somewhat common offence of wife-beating. The prisoners will be brought before the Court this morning, and tried upon the respective charges.

The mainmast intended for the ship Condoren, which is at present undergoing extensive repairs at Auckland, will be out of McGregor's bush this morning, and conveyed to the wharf during the afternoon, says the Coromaiuhl It measures over 90 feet, and is pronounced by competent judges to be in every respect a first-class spar of its dimensions, and well suited for the purpose for which it has been purchased.

The refreshment-booths, &c., for the sports to be held at the Ellerslie Gardens, on M onday next, will be sold by -M essrs. I'. Tonks and Co., at noon to-day. The same firm will also sell, by order of the General Government, on the ground, at noon to-day, a house (to be removed) adjoining the railway arch in Mechanics' Bay.

Prince Arthur and the Duke of Edinburgh are both good practical photographers, and ! liave taken most successful portraits, not only of the Queen and of tlieir brothers and sisters, but also of most of the superior members of the Royal household. In 1873 there were registered in 2sew Zealand S4 cases of twins, 2 of triplets, and. 15!) illegitimate births. The top scores in the latter particular were, Otago, 45 ; Canterbury, 40 ; and Auckland only 25. Miss May Howard, the great American actress, who has made arrangements to pay Auckland a professional visit at an early date, is reported in a Sydney telegram to have been dangerously ill on the 23rd. The undermentioned gentlemen have been appointed public vaccinators, to perforin gratuitous vaccination :—G. L. Smith, Esq., M.D., Mahurangi and Matakana ; K. M. Williams, Esq., Bay of Islands. The Dally Time* says:—"A gentleman who left this place some months ago, with the intention of digging for gold at Samoa, has returned to Xew Zealand. He got no gold, and never reached Samoa." We (Thames Advertiser) believe that Captain Fraser, Major Keddell, and Mr. Allom are now engaged in drawing up rules and regulations to be enforced under the Mining Districts Act. The following telegram from Christchurch ™ been placed at our disposal:—" A hotel was burnt last night. It wati insured in the National for £600, and in the London, LiverPool and Globe for £400."

Here is a fact that might be introduced into the next edition of Jesse's "Gleanings" (says the Otago Guardian). - A more remarkable instance of animal sagacity certainly never occurred. About a fortnight ago the jetty-keeper at the Old Pier called at our ofiiee to complain of the non-delivery of his matutinal Guardian. Inquiries were duly made, and the runner averred that he had delivered the paper in due course by placing it under the door. Again the jetty-keeper came in, lamenting his un-guardianed circumstances, and a "ain the runner declared that his papers liacl been regularly delivered. And the mj-stery continued, till one day our respected constituent thought he would clear out his ollice. In doing so he came upon a Norwegian settlement of free immigrants, that is to say—rats. And then he found the fragments of his lost Guardians. The rats, being of a literary species, had got up early in the morning and taken in the paper. And, not satisfied with perusing its contents merely, these literary rats had taken it home to read to their youngsters at breakfast-time, and thereafter, in the true spirit of economy, the intelligent creatures had converted it into a soft and easy bed. We shall always respect rats after this. Their zeal and discrimination in the cause of literature is lrghly commendable, and we know some bipeds to whom this lesson should act as an incentive to induce them to take in a morning paper.

The charms of some fair damsel of Taranaki have proved too much for a susceptible member of the literary staff of the A'eius, whose glowing description of his inamorata is but faintly disguised by being written in the plural number. This is what he says : — " While it has always been an acknowledged fact that the Taranaki women are the fairest in New Zealand, yet the half has not bee; l , told of them. Their forms are perfect models of ease and grace, and there is a certain style and gesture in their walk which is not possessed by one out of a thousand in the rest of the colony. Their features are regular and handsome; their skin fair; light waving hair : dark blue eyes ; and a peachy bloom on their cheeks, which makes them almost irresistible. Their forms are much better developed than other momen, and, chough slender enough around the waist, their muscle is sufficient to curb the fiery steed upon whose back they take their morning exercise.''

Here is a Maori's view of the pakeha practice of "straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel" : —" Major Ropata, who visited Australia with the Defence Minister, has been describing to his countrymen, through the Wuka Maori, what he saw and heard in the various colonial capitals. His last contribution is from Melbourne, where he visited all the public institutions. One day he went to the Exhibition of Arts, aud says of it 'In this building there are some shocking things—images. Really the pakelias are a most extraordinary people. They are shocked if a button falls from a man's shirt-collar, and exclaim, " Mind ! mind the button of your shirt! It has fallen off. The ladies will.see your throat." And yet they manufacture naked images of stone, and exhibit them to travellers. Who can comprehend the mystery of their ways ?'

An extraordinary marriage is reported by the East Sttcccx jS'cics to have taken place at Jevington not long ago, the ceremony being performed by the Very Rev. Archdeacon Philpott, in the presence of a large congregation. The nuptial pair both belong to the parish of Jevington ; but the singular part is the fact that the bride lias no arms, and the ring had to be placed on the third toe of her left foot. At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony she signed the register, holding the pen with her toes, in a very decent "hand." The bride has accustomed herselfto use her needle, aud do many other useful things with her toes.

The following correction of a recent telepublished by the Xew Zealand Press, appears in the Melbourne Aryits of tlie 24th : —" Sir, —In your issue of this morning you say—' A memorial has been presented to the Attorney-General by the friends of Mr. G. 11. Supple praying for his release.' Will you allow me to make a slight correction of this statement 1 A petition to the Governor in ' '-miic'l has been sent by Mr. Supple's five sisters, who are resident in New Zealand, praying that their brother, whose health has beeii seriously affected during his four and a-haif years' incarceration, and who is a'-nost blind, may be released on condition of his leaving the colony never to return. —H. X'. E." According to the JVeiy York Tribune of August 11, Colonel Richard Ten Broeck, a name well known in English as well as in American sporting circles, was shot, and, it was reported mortally wounded, at Oilman's Station, Louisville, on August S, by General Walter Wliittaker, a lawyer of the city. Whittaker has already killed two men, and was regarded as a desperate character. It will be"remembered that Colonel Ten Broeck brought a number of American horses to England some years since, and matched them against English runuers. Speaking of the death of James Speight, the child violinist, at Boston, the London Era says :—" This was the poor, overtasked, precocious genius, whose last words, overheard by his father in the darkness of night, are among the most touching ever spoken — ' Father in heaven, make room for a little fellow.' In the morning the child was dead." In December last there were three fire brigades in Auckland, with a total of 49 men; one in Grahamstown with 25 ; one in Shortland of 22; ono in New Plymouth of 27 ; one in Wangaimi of 20 ; two in Wellington of St; two in Xclson of 44 ; one in Christehurch of 40 ; one in Kaiapoi of 2 ; one in Timaru of IS ; one in Dunedin of 25. In continuation of the report rejecting the plot to seize Fiji, concocted by some of the Windward chiefs, we may mention (says I the iSi/tlmy Empire) that orders for a ton of bullets, for shipment to the group, have been executed in Sydney within the last fortnight. The framework of Blondin's enclosure in Melbourne '(rill cost for erection £500. The framework is 50 feet high, and encloses a space of 250 feet in length by 200 feet in width. From a return shewing the strength and number of the Volunteer corps in each province on the 31st December last, we find the total strength to have been 0,911 ; of this ■ number 1,311 were Cadets.

The Melbourne papers state that a gang of female pickpockets have lately been operating on travellers in omnibuses and cabs in that city, and numerous robberies have been reported.

We would direct attention to tlie important sale of lands in the province of Wellington, advertised in another column. There are about 500,000 acres of Crown lands open for sale on application at the Crown Lands Office, Wellington, and about 25J acres of land under contract for reclamation will be sold by public auction on the 21st prox., at Wellington. A final dividend of 14s in the pound,to a'l creditors whose claims have been proved against the Nil Desperandum Gold Mining Company, is declared, by the Official Agent, and also a final dividend of 12s Gd to the creditors of the Bonne Esperance Gold Mining Company. Both companies are now fully wound up and extinct. A musical and dramatic entertainment is advertised to be held in the Choral Hall. 'Syinonds-street, on Monday next. The performance will be under distinguished patronage, and will conclude with a select quadrille party. A cricket match has been arranged to take place in the Domain on Saturday afternoon next, between the West End and Ponsonby cricket clubs. The entries for the Caledonian games and sports, tobe held onMonday next, at Elierslie, close to-morrow evening. The re-drawing of the Melbourne Cup sweep will take puce at 8 o'clock on Friday, evening, at the Occidental HoteL 1 A full rehearsal of the Ponsonby Musical Society is announced for this erening.