Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6701, 10 May 1883, Page 4

We hear from Adelaide that three j gentlemen have just selected 5000 ; acres on the western plains north of Port Augusta for ostrich farming. Some months ago it was stated that Mr. Malcolm, in the same colony, had chartered a vessel for the Cape to bring out one hundred ostriches for the breeding farm -which he has established. The industry has likewise been introduced into New South Wales, and by the Melbourne Acclimatisation Society into Victoria, from whence the first shipment of the feat!-, rs was recently despatched to EngLind. The feathers are so prized, and fetch so high a price, that the breeding of the ostrich, which is a most important business in South Africa, and is now taken up in the Australian colonies, it would be well worth our while to see about it in New Zealand also. There can be no difficulty in

the proper is pectili air Vf. ostrich tinent, but varieties of con * most valuable species in all these colonies. The em! I^enoua ous on the Australian plaint nUmera stunted ostrich, and W.£- merely b,auMul pi™ Jg, In New Zealand th* belonged to this family J?d the kiwi-kiwi or apteruL Tln , es also exceedingly sca r C e, became pursuit of the Maoris for the of the skin and fine feathers thl m ? esteemed ornaments of the* matsa °rS head-dress. The ostrich is . regarded as a creature of the S r f and therefore people often SU pp os „ could never find a suitable New Zealand, where, unlike Africa"- - Australia, the country has nothing of the and desert character. But * enlightenment on this •' afforded by a letter with much valuable " information which, with the signatu j < Capensis, appeared some time a ~ O in our columns. Our correspondent,"who - £ n0 , w f s , a " ® b ? 0t o ostrich, havin* » bred the bird in South Africa, says^, J' 1 ' 18 a .™ 'stake to Imagine that 'oatrichm only flourish on the Bandy wastes of th country, for they are quite as numerous ou the grassy boundless plains, and the humM -i semi-bush country, as they are unoa ? • deserts m aU latitudes and tempera J« ; - The climate of the Cape Colony, - of the country in the vicinity of I\rc Rib, • beth, which is the centre of the ostrich inV' dustry, is very similar to the climate of tU ' island, except that in the winter it j 3 mnc ? colder, and the rains are heavy. - , am fully convinced the birds would'd* well here as horses are doing, or any other animals wh.icb have been introduced." ■■•■y All nations, from the most hit'hlv civilized down to the savage, °u S e fealhers for personal and ■ for the beautiful plumes of the ostrich there will ever be a great demand Our correspondent tells us the value of feathers yielded per annum from birds twelve months old is £10 to £15 the pair; after that age from £15 to £30 ■ the pair. He remarks that,' thoU"h there is a very great production of. the feathers, the price has not noticeably-"*"' fallen during the last ten years;' and that even if the feathers were to fctch , only half their present price,: it would- ■ still mr.ke the ostrich pay better' than • any other description of like stock.

The wings of the ostrich orlyaid its - flight, and travellers describe it in the wild state as swifter than the'; greyhound, or the fleet steed of the Arab - hunter, who is only able to compass' by stratagem the killing or capture. Hence the allusion in time she lifteth up herself on high, she:, scorneth the horse and his rider Thef ostrich is about seven. or. eight feettall, lives to a great age, and has tho scrang© peculiarity of besides gravel, stones, pieces ; fofmetal, ■ and miscellaneous articles, 1 a curious as-i-f sortment of which is after death often.' found in the stomaeh.

.- The dodo, which once ''existed'in'*' New Zealand, and also in 'the Mau-vs ritius and some other African islands,* was, unlike the ostrich, a clumsy, un-V gainly bird ; but that it was of the same family is abundantly proved by the bones which are extant, and accounts and pictorial representations left by the early navigators. It may be interesting to the reader to know what this now extinct * denizen of New Zealand was like. The" old traveller Herbert quaintly says, in his book dated 1632 :— is' .

"A Portuguese name it is, and has reference to her simpleness. A bird which for shape and rareness might be called a phtfair were it in Arabia. Her body is round and extreame fat; her slow pace begets that eorpulencie ; few of them weigh lease thin fifty pound; better to the eye than the stomach. . . Let us take her picture : her visage darts forth melancholy, as sensible of nature's injuria in framing so great and ma-Bive a body to be directed by such small and c A mplementall wings, as are unable to hoise her from the ground, serving only to prove her a bird, which otherwisa might be doubted of. eyes be round and small, and bright as diamonds, her cloathing is of finest downe, he trayne is like a China beard of three or four feathers ; he stomack tiery hot, so as stones and iron are easily digested in it; in that and shape, not a little resembling tha Africk ostriehes.

Ostriches are stock very easily kept, and " Capensis" believes it would be a fine iadustry for small farmers;in this country. As he says, " All experiments are, as a rule, speculations, but an almost certainty of success can, I think, scarcely be called a speculation." Sir George Grey has, from his African experience, also recommended ostrich farming as a pursuit everyway feasible here. There is certainly full inducement -to establish the ostrich in this island, as is now being energetically done in Australia. The reader ivill observe that the idea of the: desert being its natural habitat is a popular fallacy, and doubtless originated from the fact that in Egypt and other longest known and most - thickly peopled parts of Africa, the ostrich is found in the desert or on its borders, not from choice, but to escape the pursuit of man. It appears that in the scarcely inhabited regions of the south, the ostrich fe a tenant of the grassy plains and thickets, just as his jraiall ..cousin the kiwi-kiwi is, or used to be," of our New Zealand forests, and open fern tracts where the Maori was l'accustomed to chase it with torches, and dogs. At one time the s , supply of ostrich feathers was altogether obtained from the hunters ; farnis for breeding the bird seeni'|; to' he a modern branch of enterprise. . Hah' a-dozen years back breeding*:;, birds could be only purchasedfor export at from £200 to £300 the pair. Our correspondent states they' can he no v.- had-of the same class at from £$ 3 to £90 the paii\ Young birds.twelrt months old, ready for plucking, can be had at from £15 to £"25 per pair- - As regards the extraordinary age they attain, he saw a pair in the possession of a Caffre chief, in whose family ft was asserted that they had been breeding for eighty years, rarely: missing a year. This sort of stock, 'swhich to" creases rapidly, is very hardy,and is inexpensive in the keeping, and }* e brings large returns, is certainly worthy of our attention. Ostrich farming is one of the many lucrative noi? 1 industries which are available., to our hand in this island. " ,

The manufacture of iron Dromiscs ertf long to be one of the staple industries o Auckland. The works which wore erected at Onehunga have apparently through their experimental stage, an * very large extension is about to be earn 6 out. The ore used is the practically in exhaustible supply of ironsand which along our western coasts, and wm® found in vast quantities in the shell . places in many of oar harbours ana creeks. By the experiments which been conducted at Onehunga it baa

c "~TTwTthe Taupiri coal serves all the found h t he more expensive wood purpose previously used, for <harC ° n,^Do 3 e 3 connected with the decertain pu P ore _ I'his is a discovery "fcrreat practical importance, as the cost of Eduction will thereby be very largely p j / The importance of the successreducea. iron in our midst canS'TSSSated Iron in some fnL or other, is an article which .a reform u pverv manufacturing under-lar-e or "small ; and when we beTthe producers of this commodity, at 3°prlce which fairly competes .ith the %,lv from Europe, wo shall find our ? iVVistlv increased, nnd openings made merchants which are now closed. Tt is estimated that with proper plant at n Phunffa "ood bar iron can be produced r ™ nrr i'ronsand at a cost le3s than that fnr which ordinary iron from Staffordshire be laid down on Queen-atreet Wharf If s0 > we 300 no reason wh y tL company now in course of format ion should stop at the preparation of bar iron, pig iro ". or even „: re although New Zealand consumes 23,000 tons of these kinds every or and Australia considerably over ujo 000 tons more. The ironworks at One(l.in^a are so situated as to have a frouta<*e to the harbour. Instead of confining "their operations to the preparation of these forms of iron, if the requisite nlant were procured for manufacturing Siip pla' 63 ' iron shipbuilding might be inaugurated there with every prospect of success The prospects oi the undertaking are highly encouraging. The ironed and coal are here in unlimited supply for at lenst several generations to come, and few things would 1 make New Zealand better known than converting the Manukau harbour into a miniature Clyde. Every industry' successfully carried on in our midst helps to add to our wealth as a community, but few manufacturing industries would have such a beneficial or permanent influence for good as that of iron-making. It is one which should receive every encouragement until it is fairly about on the sea of prosperity.

We are pleased to learn from our cablegrams to day that Her Majesty's health is improving and that the ill-effects of her recent accident at Windsor Castle ara being gradually overcome. Her Majesty returned to the castle on Tuesday. Yielding to the pressure of England, the Turkish Governmt-nt are now engaged in the work of administrate reform in Armenia. Earl Duff rin, who has returned to Constantinople, has informed Clierii Pasha tl.at the permanency of the new system of Government in Egypt will be gmrantecd by the English Government.' It is stated that circumstances have occurred which render it prob.ble that the Tichborne case will fce re-opened. The House of Lords have again rejected the Biil for Offering the public museums on Sundays. A stringent measure for the suppression of anti-Repub-lican demonstrations in France has been introduced by the Ministry. Prince Bismarck iias suffered another defeat in the Eeichstag, his prop r sals aneut the Socialist 32itation in Germany having been rejected.

Mr. Gamble, agent for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, has received a cablegram, stating that the steamship Australia left San Francisco on the 6th inst'int, being one day after time-table date, and may, there'ore, be expected to arrive 011 Sunday, the 27th instant.

Amongst the " frozen" cargo being shipped by the bsrque M.-.t.. ura for London, is a quantity of fresh mullet. Mr. F. Williams, the wel:-known fishmonger, of Queen-street Wharf, has a'ready shipped thirty-one dozen of this fine fish for the London market, and it is his intention to ship some thirty dozen more in the course of the next few days. It is to be hoped the shipment will not only reach home safely, but also prove piotitable to the spirited shipper.

An Order in Council appears in a New Zealand Gazette, published on the 3rd instant, extending the time for the preparation of County Council rolls. The preparation of the rolls for the ridings witbiu each county is extended to the 15th instant; the time for rolls to be open for inspection is fixed from tlie 20; ii May to the loth June ; the time for lodging appeals until the 30th June ; Assessment Courts may sit for bearing applicat ons Kith reference to the Eaid rolls until the 20th •July ; and the rolls have to be corrected, signed, anil come into force on the Ist August.

Business yesterday on the stock and share market, was somewhat quiet, the following telegram, received from the manager of the Queen of Beauty mine, having a somewhat quieting effect upon the market, so far as relates to that mine :— "Broke down five feet of reef at No. 10. No gold obtained, beyon'l some light colours of gold being seen; reef very rich with bright minerals, and looking well for gold." The market, which closed firm on Tutsday evening far this stock, opened at the same figure yesterday, but by noon sales were made at a decline of 6s. Towards afternoon the market firmed somewhat, sales being effected at 21s, at which price the market closed. Prince Imperials changed hands at 60s and 61s. Some 201bs. of very good specimens from the Success mine were on view at the office of Mr. Kirkwood, Queenstreet, yesterday, and attracted considerable attention.

Mr. GreeDshields, of Shortland-street, has on view at hit premises, a piece of auriferous quartz, which was got by Maoris whi'e procuring stones in the neighbourhood of Rangitoto, in the King country, for a "copper Maori." The stone had apparently been washed down a creek. The piece of quartz was originally, when found, as large as a man's fi3t, and was obtained by Mr. Spencer when searching for Maori curios. He has been using portions of it for putting in kauri gum ornaments. The gold is plainly visible on the face of the quartz, and appears to be distributed through it when the quartz U looked at with the glass. The great "fan tan" ca?e collapsed yesterday, by the Chinese defendants, George Wong and Ming Quong, pleading guilty (through their counsel, Messrs. Hesketh and Tyler,) and they were fined 20s each. Sergeant White was prepared to go into the game with thelearned counsel, butthrough the action of the defendants, the general public were bereft of the sight of the diagram, and o£ the lucid explanation that would have been forthcoming from that gentleman. We subjoin the following description of the game of fan-tan as given recently in some of the journals:—"There is a banker who stands at the end of a table. Before him i 3 spread a cloth, on which is a square boaid divided by a cross. The corners are numbered 1, 2, 3, j and i. The o'her materials are a quantity of 'cash,' which is a brass coin of small value current in China. Each coin has a square ! hole in the centre, and when ÜBed for money j they pass from hanri to hand, tied in bunch's I Of a recognised value. In the game, how- i ev er, they are loose. There are besides 1 buttons of different colourß, each representing sums of from 5s up to £5 or more. These are bought by the players, i and used for stakes. All being ready, 1 'he players place their stakes oh the board according to their fancy, the numbers representing even mODey or odds staked by the hank. The banker then takes from a heap a handful of loose cash, and begins to withdraw them as spread out by four pieces at a draw. Thi3 is not done by the finger 3; John Chinaman has long finger nails and long sleeves, to which latter he can convey bowers and other things with surprising Qeitcrity. He is, therefore, put beyond suspicion, though it is probable that practised bankers do now and then deal 2J)t altogether honestly with the. pieces, -i-fie banker withdraws the pieces by a pointed stick, resembling a bl;»ck leadlead Pencil, which he inserts iu the holes of the caa ' l ' It is evident that, at the last, there ~ttust be left on the table four, or some less number of pieces. If there are four left, the backer or backers of No. 4 on the board take e money deposited on that number, and Whatever addition from the bank that pre Scribed by the rules of the game, less 5 per cent, deducted from all winnings for the bene"t of the house ; and so with other numbers should they be the same as the remainder." The Pakuranga hounds will hold their nrst meet this eeason at Mr. Bainbridge's, Mangare. STke Rev. J. J. Westwood will deliver a ecture in the Wesleyan schoolroom, Pitt-to-morrow evening, the subject beiug .twenty.five Y tars' Missionary Travels and aventures in Australia, and Two Years in the Batiah Islands."

d ' d n °t arrive yesterday K-au, as had ? expected. He will not arrive in Auckland till next week. Mr. W. L. Kees howtoesi7p° b ' en dOWn t0 Kawau on a vi sifc above steamer' >' e3tcrda r tho 1 t„ T j, he WC l ekl ?' sitt '"S of the Supreme Court v«fo, a i r ba u a, fuptcy applications, was held yesterday before H. C. B-wer, Esq., Registrar. Charles Hooker, painter, applied ior and obtained. his final order of discharge. j em P> «lso a painter, was also discharged. Ihe particulars will be found reported m another column.. The Colonial Government steamer Hinemoa, Captain Faircbild, proceeded on a cruise aown the harbour yesterday afternoon, having on board Lady JVrvois and suite. The n a ? o ? er /iL?T C f ede , d a 8 far as the eastern passage (Motutapu), returning to town about o p.m.

Steps are being taken to remove the meteorological observatory from the Government Domain to the Auckland Museum, w ere the observations will be supervised , r - Cheeseman. The reason for it is that the Jarnkins, like the poor, are always with us, and they get over the Domain fence and damage the instruments. The present weather-gauge has been so battered about tnat it has ceased to be depended upon for accuracy of registration, and a new gauge, as wrli as some other instruments, wiil be supplied by Dr. Hector, from Wellington, it is expected that the new observatory on the roof of the Museum will be in working order in about a week or ten dayy.

Our readers may remember that some time ago we drew attention to the neglect which had been made by the Government in not defining the boundaries of highway districts, under the provisions of sub-section 9 of section 3of the Road Boards Act, ISB2. This neglect, it appear.', is now in course of being attended to. In a supplement to the New Zealand Gazette of the 'ifirh April, published at Wellington on the 30th' April, appears a detailed description of the boundaries of the highway districts in the South Island.

A block of land, estimated to contain 10,500 acres, in the County of East Taupo, bounded towards the north by the Waikato river, from the Wairakei 3tr< am to the Parariki stream, has been proclaimed a district under the Thermal Springs Districts Act, 1881 \ also a block of 1575 acres in East Taupo County, bounded towards the north by .Lake Taupo, and following the boundaries of the laki-, and southward of it, so as to include the thermal springs in the Tokano district.

Not withstanding the numerous brick manufactories around Auckland, and those about to be started, it is stated bricks are likely to be scarce for the next few months, and in too limited supply. There are a number of heavy building contracts on hand and about to be entered into, which, it is said, will absorb all the marketable bricks which can be supplied. Thi-i state of things should be a to the local factories to produce a good article, and make a large output.

Mr. Hellaby, of Shortland-street, has just presented to the Auckland Museum a natural curiosity, in the shape of a threelegged pheasant, which was sent down to him, among other game, from Pukekohe. The third leg is of the usual size and shape, and has grown out from the butt of the tail.

Mr. Ruddenklau, the Mayor of Christchurch, paid a visit to the City Waterworks on Monday, accompan : ed by senior Councillor Waddel and Mr. Errington, C.E. The latter geutlem in cinrteuously explained to the visitor everything of interest in connection with the pumping machinery, the reservoir, and the waterworks scheme generally. Mr. Ruddenklau was much pleased:with his visit, and expressed himself as much impressed with the admirable arrangements here for supplying the city with water, and als i regarding the splendid pressure in the mains for the suppression of fins.

The promotion of Mr. Albert Elliott, of Kamo, as insp.ctor of uherp and cattle in that di-trict, to the charge of the Marsden subdivision, vice Inspector C. Thomson, transferred to the Napier district, is gazetted. Mr. Superintendent Thomson has directed fresh enquiries to be made after the missing master of the schooner Ghost, A. Young, at the Thames, Coromondel, and Mercury Bay. It appears that on the 28th ultimo he collected £14 or £15 for freight at the Thames, and on the 30th sent up a Post Office order for £10 to his wife. He was subsequently traced to Tapu, which he left for Coromandel, overland, on the 3rd instant, since which date he has not been heard of. The track is a very bad one, and it is quite possible that the unfortunate man got off it, and lost himself in the bush.

A large amount of the waste lands in the Northcote district, it is anticipated, will be brought into the market at the next Government land sale.

Among the suburbs of Auckland perhaps none are making steadier progress than the district around Mount Eden. House building is going on, and the omnibus traffic is enlarging considerably.

A social gathering was held last evening in connection with the Excelsior Lodge of the New Zealand Order of Good Templars. There was a good attendance. Mr. D. G oldie presided. The programme was of a miscellaueous character, consisting of songs, lecitations, &c.

It is stated that the Auckland Coursing Club will run off the remaining first ties next week, and the meeting in all likelihood brought to a close on the 24th inst., Queen's Birthday. The club is also taking initiatory steps for the formation of a Plumpton Park Company. It is proposed to purchase 150 acres near the railway line, in the Papatoetoe district, and erecting a boundary hareproof fence, as well as a grandstand and keeper's residence. The coursing ground will be in the centre of the property, and the remainder of the ground otherwise utilised in connection with the objects of the company. It is intended to make enquiries from the authorities of the Southern and Melbourne coursing clubs as to the best methods of working such a company.

It was only to bo expected that a host of claimants would turn np for the late Mr. Costley's wealth, which he haa bequeathed to the charitable and public institutions of the city. First we had hi 3 brother, at Christchurcb, and now his widow is reported as resident in the same city, having been sepaiati d from her late husband for a period of from 20 to 30 years. His sisters, his cousins, and his aunts will probably turn up next. As the late Mr. Edward Costley had lived in Auckland in an unmarried state since IS4I, it is difficult to see how the present claimant to his name to say nothing of his wealth, can substantiate her position.

The Salvationists had a good meeting last night. On iriday evening they curry the war into the Parneil Borough, by holding service in the Parneil Wesleyan Chapel. Hitherto the Parneil larrikins have been out of it, much to their disgust. It is to be hoped that their opportunity will also be Sergeant Jackson's. Last evening a "converts' service" was held at 6.30, in the Temperance Hall, - wheu close upon one hundred men and women responded to the Bummons.

The meeting under the auspices of the Gospel Temperance Mission was held in the Sailors' Rest last evening, the room being crowded. Mr. Fell conducted the meeting, and Messrs. S. Parker and F. A. White gave earnest and telling addresses. At the close of the meeting a large number donned the "wee bit o' blue," and about a dozen newpledges were taken. To-night a large meeting will be held in the schoolroom adjoining All Saints' Church, Ponsonby. The chair will be taken by Dr. Knight at half-past seven o'clock, aDd addresses will be given by the Revs. T. G. Carr and J. Guy, and Mr. S Parker. Prior to the public meeting at 6.45 o'clock a prayer meeting wilt be held, at which it is hoped there will be a large attendance. In all the missions of the Blue Ribbon Army these prayer meetings are a special feature, and no doubt the success of the movement in America and the United Kingdom is largely attributable to these services. It is hoped, .therefore, that all in'erested in the movement will, as far as possible, make an effort to attend them.

A correspondent suggests that the principal sum coming to the Free Public Library should not be touched, but only the annual interest of it, and that thus would be provided for all time a handsome yearly sum for the purchase of books. He expresses the fear that if the principal is once broken into, the money will, in all probability, be frittered away at the outset, if not uaal-administered.

Mr. A. Linabury, the well-known draper, will, we understand, shortly open a new di apery establishment next door to his old place of business, Queen-street, with a large and carefully-selected stock of goods of the newest fashions, and from the best markets.

Our correspondent "C," in yesterday's Herald is, we are informed, mistaken in his idea that College-road or Richmond-road should have their names changed. The recommendation of the committee has no reference to changing the name of any street, save where two or more have the same name, and then that the street in the older part of the city should retain its name, and those in the new wards of the same name should be altered. The proposal as regards Ponsonbyroad is, that it should retain that name from Karangabape-road to the Three Lamps, and from the Three Lamps to Cox's Creek should be called Jervois-street or road. That part had in the olden time some other name than Ponsonhy-road, it is said. Would it not be desirable to call that part of Caßtomhousestreet, from Queen-street to Pornell-road, after the gentleman who is so liberally bestowing art treasures on Auckland, and name it Mackelvie-street ? That gentleman was a commcrcial man ; this is, eminently, a commercial street. There is no Customhouse in it, and probably never will be, and there are scarcely any streets of any note among those which are to have new names. On the western side of Queen-street the name of our worthy Mayor has been given, eo that it is to be known as Clark-street.

_ Not long ago the Waikato Land As-ocia-tion sold a portion of their magnificent estate at Tawhare, some distance from Hamilton, and are to stait a cheese and bacon factory for the benefit of those who have purchased farms from them. This is as it should be, and with proper care, and the employment of the requisite skill, there is no reason why a vast trade should not soon be established herein the products of onr grass lands. We hear that the Auckland Agricultural Company, which includes the lands held by Maclean and Co., and others, contemplate selling sever.il large blocks of their property beyond Cambridge. Among these blocks will be the one known as Horohoro. Although we understand they intend having from 30,000 to 40,000 acres of their property in the district surveyed into good sized farms, ranging from 200 to 500 acres. This is a size of farm which will prove very attractive to many farmers coming from Britain and elsewhere, and when all taken up will provide homes and profitable employment for a large population and capital. The rich pasture which th*. se lands carry tell of the quality of the soil upon which it grows. Large estates are all very well in their way, but sooner or later they will have to be subdivided if tbe fall resources of the soil are to contribute their quota to the general wealth I of the country.

The amusement of racing on bicycles has become quite common in Auckland of late, and the formation of a B : cycle Club has tended a good deal to popularise the sport. There are few evenings or mornings when bicyclists ara not to be seen passing along our streets on their two-wheeled carriages, providing enjoyment to many. In England of ln'e years this kind of exercise has become quite a pastime, and long journeys have been undertaken upon tbem. In the Southern provinces of this colony the practice has become quite common, and on several occasions the distance between Christchurch and Dunedin has been traversed on the bicycle. On Saturday first a series of races on the bicycle will take place in the Domain, and judging by the weather at present, there is every indication that those who patronise them will have an enjoyable afternoon The races are to be held under the auspices of the Auckland Bicycle Club.

The usual weekly meeting of St. James' Mutual Improvement Association was held in the lecture-room of the Young- Men's Christian Association on Monday evening. There was a good attendance of both members and visitors. The literary business of the evening consisted of a debate, " Was the Invasion of Egypt by Great Britain a Violation of International Law?" Mr. W. J. Napier opened in the affirmative, and spoke for nearly 3an hour in defence of his argument, and was loudly applauded on taking bis seat. The opener in the negative, Mr. H. G. Seth Smith, was unavoidably absent. Several members spoke on the subject, and on it being put to the meeting the negative side had a large majority. The business for next Monday evening consists of original tales, by Messrs. A. S. Reid, W. Diguan, and W. J. Geddes.

About a week ago. a fire took place at Kamo, which resulted in the destruction of Munn's Hotel, and tiFO other business premises. From information received, Mr. Superintendent Thomson despatched Detective Hugheß to Kamo, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the affair. As the result of enquiries, a fire inquest was directed to be made. From telegrams received yesterday, by Mr. Superintendent Thomson, the enquiry was then being held, but we have not received, as yet, information as to the verdict arrived at.

The Taupo correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald writes :—" If the great ProConsul would visit this place, and see the rapid strides that have been made in building and other improvements these last few years, he would no doubt address the Speaker in this wise:—'Sir, who knows but that this small rising township may be the germ of that distant Imperial city which will one day govern the de-stiniea of the human race ?'"

Mr. Harry Bennett, formerly providore of the N.Z. and Union Company's steamers, has purchased the lease of the Charlemont Hotel, and the extensive additions which have just been built to it were opened yesterday. These comprise a bar at corner of Rutland and Wakefield-streets, two bar parlours, with private side entrances to Rutland street, large dining-room, kitchen, &c. On the first floor there is a private suite of rooms, four bed-rooms and bathroom, as well as billiard - room and ladies' dining-room. There are on the second floor 20 single bed-roomß and three suites of bed-rooms, comfortably fitted up, and having lavatories on each floor. There are electric bellß in the various rooms, including the bath room. Ventilation has been carefully attended to, all the apartments having louvred ventilations. Connection is made between the new and old buildings by means of a corridor and staircase. The new additions are from plans by Messrs. Arnold and Smith, architects, and constitute a new departure in architecture in Auckland Over the bar entrance is suspended a handsome gis lamp, having an Argand burner of 100-candle power.

In all probability no attempt will be made to repair the landslip in. Picton-street this season. The object is to give the made ground time to settle down, so that a good job may be made of the repairs both in the way of reconstruction and drainage. "

Yesterday morning the Colonial Architect, Mr. Barrows, and the members of the Hospital Committee, went over the District Hospital for the purpose of ascertaining the repairs, alterations, and improvements necessary. The state of the drainage and the necessity for a new morgue were pointed out to Mr. Burrows by the committee, and he made a note of the representations made, so as to enable him to report to the Government. It is probable that the majority of these necessary work 3 will be attended to in due season.

There will be found in our advertisement columns to-day the prospectus of the Auckland Farmers' Co-operative Association, the proposed capital of which is fixed at £100,000, in as many shares of £1 each. Mr. J. Macky is the Secretary pro (em., and the objects of the association are stated to be, among other things, to erect flour mills in localities where they may be worked with profit; to purchase or erect stores in Auckland and other centres suitable for the purposes of the association ; to buy wheat and other cereals from the growers ; and to make reasonable advances to growers on grain for a short period at the beginning of seasons.

The monthly inspection of the No. 3 Company A.R.V. took place at the Drillshed last evening. There were 38 on parade, under command of Captain Isaacs. Lieut. Robinson, Sub-Lieut. Kitchen, and 35 noncommissioned officers and rank and file attended. The company was drilled by Sergeant-Major Haslem.

A roan named James Williams, recently working at Rubie's restaurant, West Qaeenstreet, was taken to the hospital yesterday by Constable Lamb, as He was suffering from hemorrhage from an old wound having broken out afresh. He was in a very exhausted state from loss of blood.

The Sugar Company are pushing on the erection of their wharf at the refinitig works site. For the first time, last Monday the Northcote ferry steamer was enabled to land and receive passengers at the company's wharf, and this will prove both a saving of time and a great convenience to all concerned*

The boy's of Nelson have taken to catapults to waken up, their elders, and the residents of Sleepy Hollow are indignant.