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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5500, 3 July 1879, Page 4

The news from Taranaki to-day is somewhat less threatening. The story about Te "Wetere ordering the Europeans fi'on. Mokau has turned out not to be true, as we supposed it would, aud the natives in that quarter are anxious to avoid all participation in the acts of Te Wliiti. The friendship of Rewi, we take it, quite secures the quiet of the country as far as Mokau. We have, ourselves, received reliable intelligence from the Waikatos with Tawhiao at Hukurangi and Kawhia, and learn that the King and those about him care nothing about Te Whiti's movement; they do not desire to be in any way connected with it, and have not the least intention of giving him any aid. The arrests of natives have put a stop to the ploughing near Js"ew Plymouth, but a further " haul" was made yesterday at Waihi, a place near Hawera, and where the people are closely connected with Te Whiti. We should have expected resistance to be made there, if anywhere. Preparations have been made to capture the ploughmen at Urenui, the other end of the disturbed district.

The question of colonial defence against external aggression which, in the dependencies of the empire, has been chiefly regarded from a local standpoint, and in the United Kingdom usually from a British; point of view, has formed the subject of two 1 exhaustive papers read by Captain J. C. E. Colomb, R.M.A., before the Royal United Service Institution of London. It would occupy too much of our space to follow the ' Icctarer through all his facts and figures, nor is it neccssary. It will be sufficient to note his condemnation of the absence of any plan for making the forces of the colonies available with those of the United Kingdom for resistance to external aggrtssion, of the want of any Imperial development of colonial,s military, and naval resources, and the necessity for both. The lecturer has evidently been at great pains to bake himself familiar with' the armaments of the colonies, and what he terms their undeveloped military resources in men, horses, produce, commercial marine, &c. In one respect, however, he appears to fall into an error. He assumes that the Pacific colonies would be unable to contend against the attacks of such Powers as Chili or Peru, and to Bhew it quotes, the naval resources of those two countries. He forgets that both Victoria and New South Wales have either provided for the adequate defence of their principal ports, or are about to complete it. In the main points, however, to which it was his object to direct public attention, the position taken up by Captain Colomb appears unassailable ; and it has to be remembered that he is an officer of large experience, and therefore speaks with authority. He insists that the Admiralty should have naval arsenals in the colonies, for that must be taken to be the meaning of his objection that instead of reserve ships being laid up in colonial ports, they have to be sent out in time of war. He thinks with much truth that they would bo invaluable as a centre for naval instruction, and adds:—'' I £ the maritime power of the enormous mercantile marine of the colonies is incapable of ready-conversion into visible form, and furnishes no practical resource whatever for what we term the Imperial fleet; it is simply because wo do not choose to provide the machinery, nor to make the improved arrangements necessary to turn it to account." It must be understood that Captain Colomb does not advocate any interference with the independent action of the colonies, but reciprocal arrangements. The withdrawal of British troops from the colonies was based on the concluding paragraph of tho report of the Select Committee of the House

of Commons in 1861, on the question of defence. It runs thus : " Your committee submit that the tendency of modern warfare is to strike blows afc the xieart of a hostile power, and that it is, therefore, desirable to concentrate the troops required for the defence of the United Kingdom as much as possible, and to trnst mainly to naval supremacy for securing against foreign aggression the distant dependencies of the Empire." This was much more a British thau an Imperial policy, but appears to have been received with assent by the colonies. It is not quite clear, however, that the desirability of concentration divested the Imperial Government of some responsibility as regards the pecuniary burden thrown upon the colonies in the matter of defence. Indeed, this responsibility -vas practically admitted when the gift of the turret-ship Cerberus was made to the people of Victoria. Be that as it may, however, the remark- of the Commons' committee, that the defence of the colonial dependencies must rest on the naval supremacy of England, gives force to Captain Colomb's advocacy of reserve ships being stationed in colonial ports. His remarks as to the forces of the colonies being mere disjecta membra, instead of parts of one harmonious whole, are generally true. Immobility, except within the colony where they are raised, is the principle which underlies the military and naval elements of the dependencies. A feeling of honour and patriotism would probably modify this arrangement in the event of an emergency, but notwithstanding, the insistence of Captain Colomb | on the necessity for a scheme of Imperial defence which would include the whole | empire, and agreed upon by a conference of representatives of all the colonies and the British Government, excluding the military i stations and Crown colonies, is sound on the face of it, and though it has frequently been advocated, comes with special force from an ! officer of his standing.

We publish elsewhere telegrams giving the opiniocs of several of the Southern newspapers upon the split in the Cabinet. The OtagoDaibj Times, in wh:ch thelatoAttorneyGenera!, Mr. Stout, is a shareholder, appears to have changed its independent attitude into one of extreme hostility towards the Premier. Mr. G. E. Barton, M.H.R., returned to the colony yesterday by the mail steamer, and will proceed South in the course of a few days. The Bank of New Zealand forwards today by the mail steamer to Sydney three bcxes of gold containing 26050z3., of the value of £10,526. When the mail which reached Auckland vesterday closed in London on the 22nd May, the lacest dates in London from the Australasian colonies were as follows :— Melbourne, 25tb, Sydney, 27th March ; and Auckland, Ist April. The new contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for the conveyance of the Australian mails, will commence in January next. The service will be fortnightly, and the contract time from London to Melbourne is 39 days. In answer to the Bench yesterday, at the Police Court, Thomas Burke, a lad nine years of age, said, if he told a lie, he would go to hell. Mr. Tyler said he spoke jrnore decidedly on that point than he would like to do. The Clerk of the Court said he hoped there was not such a place. Mr. G. W. Griffin and family, the newly appointed United States Consul for Auckland, arrived in the steamer City of New York yesterday. This gentleman has for many years occupied a similar position at Copenhagen, and previous to that was identified with several daily journals in the Union. A charge against Emma Xe3sall for assaulting Thomas Burke was heard at the Police Court yesterday, and occupied the whole of the afternoon. The case was of no importance to the public, being only a row between neighbours, neat Mount 2den Gaol. It resulted in each party having to pay their own costs. The next steamer will bring a great speciality burlesque and gymnastic troupe from San Francisco. They will play a brief season here, and then proceed to Sydney. A month or two ago. Mr. Robert Charles Patterson, M.1.C.E., read a paper before the Institution of Civil Engineers upon "The Best Methods of Railway Coniitruction for the Development of New Countries, as Illustrated by the Railway Systems of South Australia." The paper was a lengthy one, and was chiefly devoted to a description <if the railway system adopted in South Australia. In the discussion which followed, exception was taken to the author confining his remarks to the South Australian syßtem as being beat adapted for all new countries. Those who took part in the discussion severely condemned the system adopted in Australia of different guages in the several colonies, and Ehewed that the day was not far distant when the different guages would prove very detrimental to the advancement of Australia as a whole. The paper and discussion have been published, a copy of which came to hand by the mail yesterday. A correspondent under the signature of "A Sufferer" writes upon the subject of envelopes. He suggests that an improvement might be made in the quality of paper of which these are made, so that they could not be wetted without the fact being known at a glance. As at present made, he says envelopes are too easily opened. He says :— " Bankers cheques are printed on paper that cannot he tampered with. Registering letters with bank-notes in them, only serves to draw attention to them, and the notes are easily extracted." The suggestion is worthy of consideration. The Rev. George Brown will arrive in Auckland by the Hero. We are glad to learn that a telegram has been received announcing that the fever from which he had been suffering had taken a favourable turn, and that he was much better. Joseph Welling, an elderly-looking man, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment yesterday, for stealing a fish, worth Is, and was sentenced to one month for assaulting the owner of the fish. Prisoner said he thought it rather fishy to be sentenced to 14 days' for stealing one fish 4 inches long. Some trouble was experienced yesterday at the Police Court in obtaining a Justice of the Peace, and it was after eleven o'clock when the Court business commenced. We have received a printed copy of a portion of the argument of Mr. Arthur Crosby, of the Committee of Prosecution, in the case of "Common Fame versus Rev. T. De W. Talmage, D.D.," delivered before the Presbytery of Brooklyn on May 2nd. The pamphlet containing his speech has 52 pages, but as several o£ the " specifications" preferred against Talmage were still to be reviewed, the conclusions he had come to are of course not brought out. The organ recital, which was given at St. Paul's Church about three weeks ago in aid of the organ fund, was repeated last night, and the appreciation of the first entertainment was manifested by the largeness of the audience who attended on this occasion. The programme was the same as on the previous occasion. Mr. Martin Swallow presided at the organ, and the performance from first to last was a real musical treat. Entertainments of this sort being eminently calculated to elevate the musical tone of the public, we hope they will be frequently produced, and feel certain that the hearty appreciation which has hitherto been shewn, will not be wanting on the part of the populace.

There was a considerable amount of business yesterday in the Supreme Court. Lj the case of Craw v. Knight, His Honor gave judgment upon the demurrer argued at the'previous sitting. The decision was in favour of the defendant, with leave to the plaintiff to amend her declaration. There was some formal and routine business, possessing no public interest. The bankruptcy cases were more, numerous than usual. Harry Warner Farnall and George Isles Panter were discharged. George Kitchen, brass-founder, Lorae-Btreet, was opposed by the Colonial Bank, but he also received his discharge. The proceedings will be found detailed in another column. The performance at the Theatre last nighfc ' was for the benefit of Mr. Charles Harding. The opera was " Girofle Girofla," which was presented for the last time. There was a good house, and the acting and singing was excellent throughout. So far as Mr. Harding himself is concerned, his performance of the role of Marasquin attains a very high standard of merit—not eveu excepting professional merit. Mr. Riccardi's Mourzouk, Miss Teague's Pedro, Miss Hunter's Parquita, and Miss Heath's Aurora were excellent in every respect. Aliss .Leaf's Girofle-Girofla is an impersonation which manifests great taste in a variety of ways. She displays in this part more aptitude for the lyric stage than in any other Bhe has e3S»yed. Sho take 3 her benefit this- evening in the title role of Wallace's " Maritana." The part and the music suit her exactly. She will no doubt make of both a very great success. The industry, energy, and perseverance which are associated with her musical career reflects upon her the greatest credit. Messrs. Hodson, Wilson and Love have occupied a special position in Mr. Riccardi's company, but the large measure which they contributed to the success of these comic operas deserves specific recognition.

"The Royal illusionists" repeated their performance last night, in the Lome-street Hall, to a full house. Some of the ordinarytricks are astonishingly clever. But the chief interest is taken in the second part of each evening's entertainment, •which is devoted to the exposure of Spiritualism, Spiritism, and their manifestations. They perform the Davenport cabinet trick, Professor Fay's coat trick, Mr 3. Holmes's flower trick, the pillory trick, which were formerly ascribed to the power or intervention of spirits with the greatest success. Theoe things are so clean done, the performance is so rapid, that the the imagination halts in the attempt to find a possible solution of them. Of course, Chevalier Thorn says it is the easiest thing in life to do these things, bnt the audience appear quite incredulous. They see, however, that the result presented is a trick—a trick is a trick, and there is nothing spiritual abont it. These performers are more skilful than the Davenports, as proved by the very open, way in which they allow themselves to be inspected. The committee of local gentlemen on the stage last night were Messrs. Took?, Symon, and Williams. This evening Dr. Slade'a famous seance of the spirit-writing under the table will be explained and illustrated. An evangelistic service for the young will. be held at the Wellesley-street Baptist Church this evening. Mrs. Bodle and other speakers will address the meeting. The Victoria Loftu?, comedy, burlesque, and speciality Company, arrived in Auckland yesterday by the mail from San Francisco under an engagement to Mr. DeLias, of the Theatre Royal. The company consists of sixteen members, all and each of them having a high reputation in America. They will commence their season after the expiration of the Chaplin-Osborne engagement, which will extend over a psriod of twelve nights. The quarterly meeting of the "Star of Freedom Lodge No," 1.0. F.T., was held in - the Oddfellows' Hall, Cook-atreet, on Tuesday evening, July Ist. After the usual business the installation of officers for the ensuing quarter was proceeded with, installed by Bro. George Warburton, sen., G. W.C.T., assisted by Bro. W. Donaldson" as G.W.S. . and Bro. G.McKoy, as G.W.M., as follows :— W.C.T., Bro. W. Pithketley; W.V.T., Sister Poley ; W.S., Bro. George E. Warburton. . jan., (re-elected); W.F.S., Bro. J. N. hlnnt, (re-elected) ; W.T. Bro. Hurley; W.M., Sister Niddrie; W.D.M., Bro. Hoggard; W.T.G. Bro. Moselem; W.0.G., Bro. Pivot, (re-elected); W.K.H.S., Sister Lucy Grant; W.L. H.S., Sister Freeman; W.A.S., Sister Rosanna Grant. A cordial vote of : thanks wad accorded to the retiring officers, after which a pleasant evening was spent in harmony. The Amberley correspondent of the Lyitlt' ton Times writes to it:—"lnformation has been received to the effect that a, man named Michael Flynn had been found in a dying. state on the Teviotdale run, near the Spring Valley hut. The poor fellow was discovered by his mate almost dead, and the latter being unable to get him to the hut in conseqaence of the creek bsing flooded, covered him with blanketß and put np a tent over him, but Flynn died an hour or so afttr being found. Flynn had recently taken a contract to plough 500 acres for Mr. Greenwood at Tsviotdale. The Sydney Town and Country Journal of a recent date, in an article on the question of capital punishmen l ", gives the following table,, shewing that in the decade from. 1564 to IS7-1: three-fourths of those condemned to death ia the Australian celonies received commutation 3 of their sentences :—Sentenced to death —Tasmania, 32; Victoria, 96 ; Queensland, 21 ; New South Wales; 141 ; South Australia,. 13; New Zealand, 150. Hanged—Tasmania, 6; Victoria, 38; Queensland, 18 ; New South Wales, 35; South Australia, 4; New Zealand, 22. Reprieved—Tasmania, 26 ; Vic« toria, 5S ; Queensland, 3; New South Wales, 106 ; South Australia, 9 ; New Zealand, 128. Where these statistics have been culled from, it would be hard to say, as New Zealand figures at the head of the list, both as respects number of cases of capital punishment and commutations of the death sentence. With regard to the first statement—that loO" executions took place in New Zealand between ISG-i and 1874—we very much doubt whether that number has taken place even since the foundation of Ike colony. The commutations of the death sentence for the same decade are given by the above journal as 128. The only passible explanation of this is that the writer has included the large batches_ of Maori prisoners who were tried here as being concerned in the East Coast rebellion. For the murders of Mr. Fulloon andMr.Volkner, sentence of death was pronounced on some thirty or forty Maoris, but the sentence was commuted in all the cases except five. Our native difficulty has led to a good many executions in New Zealand, but even, taking all the cases we can think of into account, we are persuaded the figures cannot be correct. The statement made by our Australian contemporary is wholly misleading, as giving an exaggerated and erroneous impression as to the crime of the colony and our criminal statistics. The following are the latest items in our exchanges relative to the Sydney Exhibition :—" Four thousand feet of space in the Exhibition has been applied for by the Japanese Commission. A commissioner from France is to arrive and remain during the. whole time of the Exhibition. California has applied for 6000 feet of space. The Duke of Richmond has undertaken to ask her Majesty for pictures on loan for the Exhibition. Mr. John Plummer is to be ia Sydney at Exhibition time, to represent the Graphic and other English papers. The London School Board have bean applied to> by the Exhibition Commission for books, &c.> illustrating their system, of teaching."

Mrs. HardiDfje-Britten, the spiritualistic medium, has at least given the Dunedinites food fcr thought and discussion, even if she has not made many converts. Recently she delivered a lecture ou "Satan, or the King and Kingdom of Evil," in which alio sought to prove that Satan wai a mythical personage, and notwithstanding that the " myriadminded" Shakespeare has recorded bis belief that the Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. A Mr.- Green, following in Mrs. Britten's footsteps, is delivering a series of lectures on "Spiritualism Unveiled." In oue of these discourses the lccturer quoted from several books written by Spiritualists, shewing how they contradicted one another in reference to the reincarnation or transmigration of souls. While some American aud French Spiritualists believed in this doctrine, Mrs. Har-dinge-Bfitten was utterly opposed to it. He touched on the dans-era of spirit-medium-ship through being hurtful to individuality, power, r.U'i self-control, as well a3 being an incentivo to the commission of crimes. "Civie," in the Otago Witness, gives the following as a specimen of the fanaticism which has taken possession of some of tbe disciples of Spiritualism in Dunedin " ' Mr. J. Jaokson, Dunedin,' reports to the Star a list of miracles done in his house, which makes one doubt which center}- wo are living in. Prophecies ar. uttered, and, more marvellous—fulfilled ; a heavenly light attends J. J. and his fri-uds whenever ill-luck compels th-.ni to perambulaie a back street at nig it. The orations of Dr. Copland aud Mr. Bright are simultaneously repot ted at the very time of their delivery in another part of the town ; the sick are healed aud, in short, all the prodigies recorded in the Acts of the Apostles or the Acta Sunctorum are done or out-done, excepting the raising "f the dead aud the casting out of devils. A clergyman, recently paying a visit of condolence to a newly-made widow, happened to inquire -what doctor had attended the deceased, ' Ho did'nt have a doctor,' was the reply, ' the circle prztaibdl for him /' The poor fellow, getting worsts under the treatment directed by the ' communications,' was at the last conveyed to the hospital, and here incontinently died. The ' .l'eeu'.iir People,' who ' heal the sick' by anointing with oil, have been required to answer for occasional failures of this sort in a trial for manslaughter."

We have received a specimen of the gra?s popularly known as "Job's Tears Grass" (Cui-c lachryma), but no particulars accompany it as to by whom it was sent, where grown, or whether it has endui ed one or more winters in this climate. The grass has been grjwn by several settlers in the neighbourhood of Auckland on a very small scale during the past summer, but the plants were raised from seed last spring ; and no opinion can, from this experience, bo formed as toit3 suitableness or otherwise for cultivation iu this part of New Zealand. Tli-.t it grew ■well during the summer season and autumu up to April last, there can be no doubt, but whether it will survive a slight degree of frost remains to be seen. It is a native of the East Indies, and the southern portion of Japan, auJ in countries where the climate is suitable grows very freely, and yields a large amount of herbage. Several jvars ago it was introduced into Australia, and in Queensland it grons freely, and is spoken of very highly as a grass of much promise. In the southern portions of Australia it has also been introduced, but it appears to have thriven better in the Botanical Gardens at Adelaide, than in any of the other southern colonies of Australia. In Britain it is frequently raised iu hot-houses, on account of the beautiful appearance of the grass when growing. The large, round, shining fruit beau, when ycuug, presents considerable resemblance to heavy tear-drops, hence the fanciful name which has been given to it—" Job's Tears." Its medicinal qualities are said to be strengthening and diuretic, and for these qualities it i 3 frequently used in the countries where it grows. It is not likely to prove a grass suitable for grazing, but it will probably be well adapted for cutting, and being fed to the cattle green, or made into hay for winter use. By an advertisement in the Weekly News, we notice that Mr. J. Mayo, of Drnry, has seeds and plants for sale, and settlers, especially those of the northward of Auckland, should obtain a few plants or seeds, and see how the grass behaves on the varieus classes of soils our settlers have to cultivate. Under any circumstances it is likely to prove only a summer grass, like many of the other grasses already introduced into Auckland from warmer countries. Among these which should receive more attention than has already been given it, is that vigorous grower, Panicum spectabile, Although it dies down in the winter season, the roots, which penetrate deep into the soil are never injured in the Auckland district with the winter cold, and each spring they send out fresh and vigorous shoots, even when planted iu comparatively poor soils. Throughout the summer its growth ia most luxuriant; it flowers and ripens its seed freely, and may be regarded as thoroughly acclimatised. At the edges of streams and water-courses, where the soil is liable to be cut away with the running water, it will prove of great service, as, if planted there, in a short time it will make such a matted mass of roots as will go far to preserve the banks of creek 3 where it is planted.

The Dunedin Morning Beralil, referring to the fact that two Presbytarian clergymen in Dunedin have completed twenty-live years of service says.:--"ThePresbyterian chnrch holds a predominant place in Otago ; in Danedin alone it claims one-third of the people, while up-country there are parishes where an Episcopalian or a Catholij is quite a rara avis. The early founders of this province came eut with three high purposes —national, religious, and domestic. They would have a Scotch colony—the symbol of the thistle was to bristle and glow over every institution. The Free Church was to be established, untrammelled by the rivalry of other sects—the burning bush was to be carved on every church porch, and homes were to be founded upon freeholds that no Duke of Sutherland could clear away for deer-stalking or high farm, ing. Men still remember how a Southern acceDt placed them in the worst bunks of the barracks, and sometimes drew upon them a surly refusal of any accommodation ; but though Scotch clannishneas still makes Otago a promised land for Sandy, John Bull and Pat O'Connel are a'de to get a very good footing notwithstanding. In religious matters, the Old Identities have been more conservative. They were not the firnt religions commnnity here, though they strove hard to be the only one. The Wesleyans were really the pioneers in this district. "Father Watkina'" memory is still preserved at Waikonaiti in the Mount that bears bis name. In Dunedin, the early efforts to found other Churches were resented aB a violation of the original compact, and dealt with by Dr. Burns and his colleagues in very vigorous language. Even now, the attempt to gather a congregation of some other name outside Dunedin and the larger towns is counted an intrusive invasion, only less misohievous than the rush of Victorian diggers. Otago was meant to be an enclosed Free Church paddock ; the tradition still lingers among some of the people ; and other sects are looked upon as poachers upon Presbyterian preserves. This sentiment is happily wearing out; and the wholesome and neighbourly rivalry.of different communities goes to stimulate the older societies in the good works in which they have never been slack."

On Friday evening Mr. J. A. Tole is going to address his constituents in the Newmarket Hall, at half-past 7 o'clock.

In connection with tho information telegraphed with respect to tho natives ploughing Mr. Livingstone's land, near Hawera, the following extract from " Holiday Rambles," in the Jfanawatu Times, will, doubtless, prove' interesting:—"From Carlyle to Hawera the distance is about 20 miles further, and, on the way, the traveller will get a fine view of Mount Egmont, with its cloudy mantle spread ovor it, and which rears its head some 8200 and odd. feet above the level of the sea. As I looked at this giant production of Mature, I could not help wondering what an influence it must have had on a man of the character ascribed to To Whiti, who, perhaps, believes that hia race has been unjustly treated by the pakeha, and who imagines that he, and he alone, can rectify tho misdeeds of the past. The respected Chairman of the Patea County Council, Mr. McGuiro resides in Hawera, and not far distant one of the oldest settlers in the district, Mr. Livingstone, who lost his all in the last war, and had to begin life ovor again. Jt was he who, after the fall of the gallant Von Tcmpsky, led the colonial troop 3 out of a very perilous position, his knowledge of the country being of invaluable assistance. Like a good many bravo men, Mr. Livingstone is not at all ovor-anxious for another war. In a conversation which I had with him he said that it was very well for newspaper editors in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and other places to talk big, but if they were in a similar position to a lot of the out-settlsrs, they would perhaps be inclined to think and speak differently. Neither doe 3ho aud a number of other settlers around imagine that we have all the right on oar side. The feeling is pretty general that had ample provision, in tho shape of reserves been made, aud had tha surveyors not been so childish and foolhardy as to have surveyed right through tho potato gardens of the natives, tbe present feeling of disquiet and discontent might have been averted. There are others, however, who hold a contrary opinion. They state that, no matter how liberal the Government would have been, nothing short of a fight would satisfy the natives, and that light it must be sooner or later, even if th-s late Sir Donald McLean or the Hon. Dr. Pollen had been Native Minister, instead of the colonial 'John the Baptist.'"

In the Spectator's review of Mr. Gudgeon's " Reminiscences of the war iu New Zealand," the work is commended as a whole, but the writer points out certain faults, as follows : —" No attempt is made to explain the relations among the various Maori tribes, and between them and the Government—relations which are not only essential to make the narrative interesting, or even intelligible, but which would on their face form the best vindication of the colonists from the calumnies which \»ere once current against them. Mr. Gudgeon errs oftener on the side of undiscriminating good-fellowship than of unkind prejudice. Only once we find a glaring instance of personal bitterness—a gratuitous attack on Mr. Parris, ono of the best, bravest, and most; devoted of the many good servants of the colony, and one of the most judicious friends of the Maori. Schoolboy witticisms, such as are common in light military narratives, can be easily forgiven ; but the book is disfigured in several places by stupid jokes and sneers unworthy of a Hew Zealand colonist, at instances of Maori barbarism. It is right to point out these faults, for a book i 3 yet wanting on the New Zealand wars ; but Mr. Gudgeon's narrative is generally truthful and fair, 3nd will greatly help any reader who has other sources of information."

As an incident in conne.ction with the late fire, we may mention a conversation respecting the fire and the land tax, which may be thus summarised :—A cynical friend, who was making merry at the expense of the department yesterday, was very anxious to know whether the debris from the lire, which littered the ground, were to be deemed improvements or not, because, if so, ho was prepared to sell his share of them very cheap. One of the party gravely assured the questioner that the brokeu bricks, curled sheets of iron, &c., could not be termed improvements, but, strictly speaking, represented the Attorney-General's ' 1 unearned increment." The conversation then degenerated into a discussion as to what proportion, if any, of the land tax would now be payable by the ex-tenants, who bad lately occupied houses on the land, but had been forcibly ejected during the currency of their leases. Such abstruse points of law were quite beyond the capacity of any ordinary layman, and it wa9 resolved to refer them to some learned gentleman of the law at the first opportunity. The following question was then propounded : If the Opera House were standing, what would be a fair ground rent for the site of the Nag's Head Hotel for an hotel business 1 And what is a fair ground rent now 1 The reply was to the effect that the ground rent would be worth nearly twice as much with a theatre as without one. —New Zealand Times.