MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4259, 8 July 1875, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

The olil llax-niill at Mercer, having been extensively altered by Messrs. J. Kobin.«on and Co., is now opened as a saw-mill. The erection of the requisite additional buildings (says the )Y(iik<ito Tim*#) was commenced about three weeks ago ; anil even now, though not fairly commenced, the mill is turning out 20,000 feet of timber weekly, which in the coming spring will be increased to 40,000 feet. The company have on hand a large stock of splendid blocks and other building materials, which are sold at a considerable reduction on the rates which ruled previously. Alterations an a large scale are rapidly proceeding, and the most improved modern machinery is being fitted up. It is being driven by steam power, and the Waikato Company's coal, which in used for the purpose, is highly spoken of. We congratulate Mercer, and the district generally, upon these evidences of improvement ami material progress. We hope, when the mill is completed, to be able to publish a full description of it.

It is satisfactory to learn that the new issue of shares in the Auckland Steam Packet Co. are being gradually taken up. Several leading merchants liavc lately sent in applications for allotment of shales, and in all probability the list will be complete within a short pcri /d. Twelve and a huh" per cent, per annum, with prospect of an increase, is no mean dividend for a steam-packet company.

A Miranda correspondent writes: —On visiting Mr. l'oote's property situate at the Miranda coal and :ieM, Mr. Fonte \va« kind enough to show me over his property. In No. 1 shaft I found 17 feet of coal ; iix No. 2, 20 feet, and a bed of ironstone 8 to 10 inches thick, which would yield at 1 '-OSt 70 per cent. On going to No.

3 shaft the same seam of coal and ironstone was found running about 1 foot, and fireclay in any quantity. On going to No. 4 shaft, ironstone was found in large quantities. Two beds of ironstone, about 10 feet from tho surface, from G to 0 inches. Mr. Foote informed me that ho would be willing to let the ironstone to any company on easy terms, and give them every encouragement to work the same. The coal can be purchased on the ground for 7s per ton. from Mr. G. Clarkson. Mr. Foote intends to proceed to England for the purpose of forming a company, should the matter not be taken up by tho inhabitants of the province. There is a navigable river for boats of 50 tons during tho year. We are informed that a circular has been addressed to immigration officers by the Under-Secretaryfor Immigration, instructing them to receive and forward to the head of the department any letters addressed to them by foreign immigrants in tho colony, and especially Germans, who may be desirous of informing their friends at home on the subject of their experience and prospects in New Zealand.

The following are the correct insurances on Flcxman's tannery, near Dunedin, -which was destroyed by fire on Saturday night last: — Transatlantic, £2,000 ; Royal, £1,000 ; Victoria, £1,000; Norwich Union, £800; National, £SOO ; New Zealand, £900 ; Standard, £500 ; South British (not total loss), £500 ; Australian Alliance, £500. Total, £S0l)0.

Another report comcs from MaUurangi that a good sample of gold has been found iu that district. The turkeys are not credited with being the discoverers this time.