News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 39, 21 October 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

The Wellington Loan Bill. —Our readers will be glad to see from our parliamentary report that there is every prospect of the loan of £IOO,OOO being passed. Wanganui Bridge. —We notice that a Wanganui committee, appointed tomake arrangements for the opening of the new bridge, have resolved to invite his Excellency the Governor to open the bridge, and to ask information from the Provincial and General Governments as to what they propose in celebrating the occasion. The Members’ Ball. —ln the House on Tuesday Mr O’Rorke made a formal notice that the Assembly Chamber be placed at the disposal of the House Committee from the hour of its rising on last night until meeting on Tuesday, the meaning of the motion being that the House should give its permission to the holding of the members’ ball to be given next Monday. Provincial Councils.— A new shade of opinion has been given expression to for the purpose of rendering more useful the functions of these bodies. Mr Taiaroa has given notice of a motion asking the Government whether they intend to bring in a bill authorising the sitting of Maoris in Provincial Councils.

Acclimatisation. —By the Wellington from Manukau, Mr Huddleston, of Nelson, received twenty-five brace of the brown Australian quail, the full number put on board having arrived there safely. Wellington Races. —We are sorry to learn that the meeting advertised to take place at MTntosk’s Hotel, on Thursday, came to nothing, as there was no attendance. It is to be hoped, however, that some further effort will be made to excite public interest in the subject, and that arrangements will yet be made for the holding of a race-meeting during the ensuing spring or summer. Patea Land Sale.— We notice from our exchanges that the Patea land sale has been advertised in the West Coast papers. The s.s. Wallabi has been laid on for a special trip from Westport to Wanganui, to convey passengers attending the sale, tickets being issued at the rate of £5. Retrenchment. —The many discussions which have taker, place in the House on the subject of retrenchment, and the many utterly impracticable suggestions made, have culminated in a sensible motion, which has been placed on the order paper by Mr Macaudrew. The motion is one that stands a good chance of being carried, as it does not necessitate the taking by the Assembly of any convulsive or illconsidered step. The resolutions proposed are: —1. In the opinion of this House, the cost of the Civil Service has assumed dimensions altogether beyond the circumstances and requirements of the colony, and must needs be curtailed. 2. That the Government be requested, during the recess, to amalgamate offices in every direction, where such can be effected without serious detriment to the public service ; and also, that in framing the estimates of expenditure for the next financial year, all salaries, whether under the head of Permanent Appropriation or otherwise, in excess of £4OO a year, be considerably reduced, save and excepting the salaries of political officers of State, of the Agent-General in England, and those held under special engagement for a limited period. Resolved further, that in giving effect to the foregoing resolutions, it is inexpedient that officers of the General Government should receive salaries in excess of those paid to the Ministers of the Crown, with the exception of the Chief Justice of the colony. Death oe Mr Thomas Fraser. —Our obituary to-day contains a notice of the death of Mr Thomas Fraser, who was a resident of this part of New Zealand even before the arrival of the first party of settlers from England. His death occurred yesterday morning at half-past one o’clock —exactly the hour at which, it is said, his twin brother Alexander died on the morning of the 18th October, 1868. In Wellington, and in other parts of the colony, Mr Fraser was widely known, and was highly respected by all who enjoyed his friendship or acquaintance. Since the death of his brother Alexander, to whom he bore a striking resemblance, he was an intimate associate of Mr Richard Hammond, and it was during a visit to the house of his friend that his death occurred, after an illness of a few days. His brother and he, it is said, came to Sydney from the old conntry so long ago as 1830. They were coopers by trade, and worked out an engagement of several years with Messrs Tooth. In 1837, they came to Xapiti, and commenced trading with the whalers and natives. They afterwards built vessels for themselves, and employed them in whaling and trading with Sydney; eventually they purchased the island of Mana, which they stocked with sheep, adding grazing to their other business. In. the early days of Otago they took up a sheep run near Moeraki, which they sold, about 1857, for £IB,OOO. After this

time they continued to reside principally at Porirua and Mana, in prosperous circumstances, until the death of Alexander at Wellington, in 1868. -Thomas -continued after that event to reside in Wellington, taking occasional trips to Wanganui and Rangitikei. The property he has left is known to be considerable, and is variously estimated by rumor from £20,000 to £40,000. Legislative Council.—Two members of the Legislative Council—Dr Menzies and Mr Buckley—were passengers for the South yesterday by the s.s. Phoebe. Lieut.-Colonel Cargill was a passenger by the same vessel. H.M.S. Basilisk. —This vessel returned to Wellington harbor on Wednesday, after a short visit to Auckland. New Opera Troupe.— The “ News of the World” saysWe have to mention a fact particularly interesting, we should suppose, to our colonial readers. The States Opera Troupe, which has played a most successful engagement here and throughout California, and which came with the very highest endorsements from the Eastern cities, leaves by the steamer conveying this mail for Honolulu, New Zealand, and Australia. The company consists of seven persons : Madame States, a host or hostess in herself; Cecchi, an admirable tenor ; Orlandini, a splendid baritone; Susini, a superb basso; with Giorza, an excellent singer; and Bisi* chanti as impressario. The company will stop over one steamer at Honolulu, thence proceeding to Auckland, where they expect to meet with the like warm reception which greeted them here. They will probably perform in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin, and later in Melbourne. We bespeak for them a hearty welcome.” The troupe remained at Honolulu, and intended to leave for New Zealand by the Nebraska. Curiosities of the Census. —A comparison of the figures of the census relating to the different provinces reveals some curious facts respecting the ages of the people. Comparing the two principal provinces, Auckland and Otago, the “ Southern Cross” finds that the former province contains a far larger proportion of aged persons than the latter ; while of persons of the “ working” ages Otago possesses a number beyond what from its relative population might be expected. While the population of the two provinces does not materially differ, Auckland province has almost twice the number of persons aged 65 and upwards as compared with Otago ; while of persons between the ages of 21 and 40 Otago has in round numbers 17,000 to 13,000 possessed by Auckland. The contrast is even more remarkable in the case of Westland as compared with Auckland, there being in the county, in a population of 15,000, but 40 persons who have attained the age of 65 and upwards; while the population of those who are of the “ working” age, as compared with other ages, is excessive.

The Gold Discoveries at New Caledonia. —From a private letter just received by a gentleman at the Thames from Noumea, New Caledonia, we learn that additional ground of a payable character has been added to the auriferous district of this territory. It appears that for some time past the Government have had prospecting parties out with this object, causing tbe interior of the country to be more thoroughly examined and explored. Tchalobell and the auriferous slope of Manghine have proved payable, and the most recent discovery spoken of in the letter in question, is one at a place situate some fifteen miles from the last opened grounds, some 150 miles north of Noumea. The stone or sand is of the same character as that discovered at Manghine, and loose free gold is found in the creeks, indicating the presence of reefs yet undiscovered. The ground is still being prospected in expectation of coming upon the run of gold. The complaints are very great of the miserable character of the machinery on the ground. Nelson. —The body of Wm. Webber, lately drowned at Nelson, has been found, much mutilated.—Mr'William Good has had his arm chopped to pieces by becoming entangled in a steam-driven chaff-cutter.

The Waitara. —The “ TaranakiNews” notices that there have been several new houses erected at the Waitara during the past year, and that sixteen more are being built. A few settlers who formerly lived in town have taken up their residence there altogether. Volunteers for Fiji. —The “Thames Advertiser” states that a number of young men there and in Auckland have enlisted in a corps to serve for a certain time under the Government of Cakobau, at Fiji. It is said that each volunteer will receive a substantial grant of land. A former member of the staff of the Thames valunteers is taking a leading pari in the recruitment.

The Caledonian Claim. —Thames telegrams of the 13th, to the Auckland papers, give the following report of the condition of the Caledonian mine : —9.25 a.m.—The water is increasing in the crosscut towards the big reef. The ground towards the specimen leader is very soft. No change elsewhere. No signs of the reef or leader. 3.25 p.m.—The Caledo-

nion plummer-block lias just broken again. 9 p.m.—The new plummer block in the .Caledonian, for driving wheel, broke'this afternoon, but is now being repaired, and pumps will be at work in a few hours. About 300 ounces of gold is melted, and the yield for the month is expected to be about 4700 ounces. Opening of the Ohinemuei.-—By the arrival of the steamer Phoebe we are in receipt of one day’s later files from Auckland and the Thames. They contain some items of intelligence which, if reliable, are somewhat interesting. We are informed in the first instance, on the authority ofthe “Thames Guardian,” thatthenatives have agreed to the construction of the electric telegraph between Tauranga and Grahamstown, and, in the second place, on the authority of the Ohinemuri correspondent of the “ New Zealand Herald,” that they have come to the determination of opening that district for goldfields purposes. After reciting the results of a visit made by Mr Puckey to the Ohinemuri district, the first authority says * “Mr Maclcay visited the obstructives, and suggested that, instead of being troubled with mails and roads, they should allow the wire to be erected. Three lines were pointed out, either of which would suit the Europeans; one from Katikati, the present termination of the Tauranga line, to Ohinemuri and Grahamstown, one from Katikati by Te Rereorukahia to Cambridge, or from Katikati by the East Coast to Wangamata, thence to Hikutaia, and from that place to Grahamstown. The last was most favorably received of the three, but then not agreed to.” It is added, however, in another part of the same narrative, that this line was agreed to, and is now “ in Mr Mackay’s hands.” Of the other and equally important alleged determnation ofthe natives, the “Herald’s” correspondent says :—“The owners of the fee simple were not the people opposing the opening of the country, and whatever has arisen between them, the native agent for the Government (Mr E. W. Puckey), and Mr Mackay, the natives have determined to throw open the country for gold digging. There is, therefore, now no longer a reason for keeping this country closed.” Robbing a Museum. —We learn from the “ Southern Cross” that the museum in Princess street, Auckland, has lately been broken into and plundered of a number of rock specimens. It was at first stated that among the rock specimens taken were several of the rich specimens received, from the Thames ; but the police authorities deny that portion of the rumor, and say the specimens stolen were pieces of copper ore, maganese, &c. The entrance seems to have been effected by cutting out a pane of glass in one of the windows, and thus undoing the fastening and securing an entrance. This robbery is the more remarkable, seeing that one of the Armed Constabulary resides on the premises.

Fatalities at Taeanaki. —Telegrams published by us vesterday reported that Mr Thomas M'Kenzie, of Tikorangi, had been accidentally killed, and that a man named William Doughty was missing. The local papers to hand by the steamer Wellington give the following particulars : —lntelligence was brought into town on Wednesday morning, of the accidental death of Mr T. M‘Kenzie. It appears that lie, some days previously, had with another settler, felled a large pine tree, and bis axe being under it, he had gone to get it. Having dug the earth from under the tree, he must have attempted to get at his axe, when the log rolled on him, causing instant death. An inquest was held on Thursday, when the jury returned a verdict accordingto thefacts. The funeral was attended by a large number of settlers. Mr M'Kenzie leaves a wife and large family. He was an old and much respected settler, and his loss will be felt more especially atTikorangi, where he has resided several years.—The police have received information that a man named William Doughty, of Manutahi, has not been heard of since Monday last. It appears that Doughty came into town to receive his pension from the Imperial Government, and drew the sum of £45. Part of this, we believe, he placed in the bank, and the remainder he took with him. He left town during the day, and was seen this side of the Waiongona in the afternoon, but since then nothing has been heard of him.

# Native Industeies.— A correspondent signing himself “ Colonist,” sends us the following memoranda on some subjects recently referred to in these columns:— Paper-making —About the best site in the colony for a paper-mill, or for other manufactures, is at Cruickshank’s Mill, in the Upper Hutt. He uses a driblet only of the Mungaroa, while the whole body of the stream might be utilized through his tunnel for other mills. Sorghum Sacca. ratum—Th.\& plant is grown in large quantities in Australia, and I have seen considerable patches of it in the neighbourhood of Auckland. I have grown it in Wellington. It flourished vigorously until damaged by south-easter. It would probably thrive well on the West Coast. Beet root sugar —If books on the growth and manufacture of this product

are consulted, it will be seen that a considerable capital is required, and also extensive combinations between the manufacturer and the grower of the plant. Can these combinations be effected in our present state of farming ? That the soil and climate of this province, particularly of the alluvia of the Manawatu and other rivers, would be admirably suited for the growth of the plant there can be no doubt. Blue Gum. —The following addition to the many uses of the blue gum is related by a correspondent of the “ Wakatip Mail” “ Take fresh gathered branches of the blue gum, place them in or about a rose .bush infested with blight, and an immediate immigration of the insects takes place. The gum leaves should be changed as soon as withered or the scent gets faint. If this is done two or three times it effectually relieves the roses of the presence of the pest.” The Beogden Conteact.— The Canterbury “ Press” of Thursday says The petition to the General Assembly against the ratification of the Brogden contract has about 1000 signatures attached to it, and is about 20 to 23 feet in length. The petition will be forwarded by the s.s. Taranaki this day, and also letters from the Town Clerk to the members for the province, asking them to support it. In all probability it will be presented to the House at its sitting on Tuesday next.

New Zealand Wheat and Floue in Melbouene. —The “ Timaru Herald” gives the following from a correspondent of a well-known Melbourne house to a firm in Timaru on a cargo recently arrived ex Fawn from Timaru:—“lt has not come to a good market, grain of every kind has been pressed in so fast that the price has fairly given way, and notwithstanding the increased duties, New Zealand wheat, duty paid, cannot be sold over 4s for good samples; some indifferent lots will not fetch 3s 6d ; and the very best oats are not worth more than 3s. The arrivals have been enormous.” Speaking on further of the probability of there being a good Australian harvest, and the prospects of New Zealand wheat being sold in the Victorian market, he says:—“ It (the harvest) might be prolific, and there would not then be any room for New Zealand produce. This is what our protectionist Government is arriving at, viz., to shut New Zealand produce out of this market altogether. This week at auction New Zealand silkdressed flour sold, duty paid, at £lO-the duty is 455. It would almost 'pay to ship it lack” (the italics are our own;. Again, the same writer speaking of a well-known buyer in Canterbury, says *•—“ Mr is here, and seems quite disgusted with the state of affairs. New Zealand bran, after paying 4Jd per bushel duty, has been sold at Is Id, bags given in.” Two New Investments. - A Melbourne contemporary publishes the following amusing paragraph : —Two highly interesting new companies are before a confiding and cheerful public. One is the “ Syren Musical-Boat Co.;” and the other is the “ Waio-Karaka Quartz Goldmining Co.” There is a charming halo of poetry around both ; but, perhaps, the Musical Boat idea gets the better of the Waio-Karaka notion, for the reason that its realisation is a nearer, if not a dearer possibility. To get gold out of New Zealand is, at the best a distant prospect; but to start an ambulating barrel-organ on the Yarra Yarra is at least practicable. History records how, even at the famous Thames the owner of an empty barn once made a hit by affixing to it the telling notice, “ Scrip Stored Here and history repeats itself at Waio-Karaka, wherever that wonderful spot may be, and elsewhere; but the Sirens (with an i, O printer) have never yet suug to us upon our polluted river, through the unhappy medium of a barrel-organ. That sensation is still left to us. Of quartz we have all heard ; concerning gold, in connection mainly with calls, we have listened to the voice of the charmer ; of the marvels of New Zealand Tookeydom the romantic sound has reached us from the remote shade of the Veranhah ; but a Syren—with a y to say nothing of the wherefore, —a Syren Boat Company is a-veritable novelty. As the screws turns, so will the organic play. “ Turn ahead” will be the signal for a burst of organic minstrelsy ; “ Easy astern” may be expected to produce tender andante movements, and “ Ease her, back her, stop her,” a grand, and touching finale, as affecting as a winding-up order in any Court of Mines. Would it not be possible to utilise Parliamentary wind somewhat in this way, in connection either with the Town Hall organ or a monster JJColian Harp. Hailstoem in Auckland. —A heavy hailstorm was experienced in Auckland on the 3rd instant, and still more severely in some of the surrounding districts. At the Tamaki a belt of the storm broke over the district with terrific force, many of the hailstones being fully two inches in 1 diameter. - Windows in exposed: situations were broken, and some growing crops destroyed, including several paddocks of potatoes. The storm was felt i much more severely in one part of the district than in any other. On one veran-

dah hail accumulated to a depth of nearly . two feet, but was of course an excep- j tional case. The hailstorm, however, raged violently over a large stretch of country, and was the most severe that has 1 occurred near Auckland for several years. The Ship Electea.—Accident. —This vessel, after a passage of ninety-five days from London, arrived off the Heads at two o’clock on Monday afternoon, and, being boarded by Mr Holmes, beat up the channel and to moorings in the harbor, against a strong north-west wind. When in the narrows, between Barrett’s reef and the Lighthouse, and while the ship was iu stays, the boatswain was knocked overboard from the forecastle, by the foretack. The occurrence of such an accident at that particular moment was somewhat serious, as endangering the safe and successful handling of the ship, but fortunately the boatswain, though no swimmer, was picked up in a few moments after the alarm was given “a man overboard.” He came up amidships, and, catching a rope which was thrown to him, was drawn on board. Alter this incident the vessel beat up the harbor in fine style. She has had a fine weather passage, one of the heaviest breezes she experienced being encountered on Sunday in the Strait. Steep Railway Geadients.— Mr J. 0. Richmond has addressed a letter to the “Nelson Examiner,”in which he suggests a method of overcoming extremely steep gradients in railways. Mr Richmond’s attention was directed to the matter by a contemplation of the difficulties of the railway line between Nelson and the West Coast, and by an invention by Mr Handyside, an ingenious resident of the Upper Buller district. Briefly described, Mr Richmond’s plan consists of making the locomotive engine haul itself up by means of a cable which may be either of rope or chain, firmly secured at the top of the gradient, and passed twice or thrice round a small drum upon the driving-wheel shaft, or other more convenient axle on the engine. The letter is rather too lengthy for us to quote in our present number, but we shall do so as soon as our space permits. Wool Shipments to Amekica. — Messrs Greville and Co., in their report of the wool-market, at Sydney, on Oct. 4th, state The arrival of several American wool-dealers to purchase and establish business relations with Australia caused a little excitement, and has already led to large transactions here, for although our wool season cannot be considered fairly opened, those who have received portions of the new clip met with the demand without waiting for further advices from England, in order to secure an introduction for Sydney wool to America. Operations here have been sufficiently large enough to provide freight for one vessel. The ship Game Cock and the barque Goleonde are advertised to load with wool, the former for New York and the latter for Boston. At auction, yesterday, competition was brisk, and some good lots sold. Scoured at 9dtol7d, fleece, I7fd to 18d ; greasy, 7|d to 9fd ; sheepskins, 5d to 7f-d. Me B. L. Faejeon’s Christmas Story, to be published by Messrs Tinsley as the Christmas Number of their popular magazine, bears the curious title of “ Blade ’o Grass.” His “ Joshua Marvel,” says the “ Home News,” is in great demand, and has proved the genuine success predicted for it. A two shilling edition of “ Grif ” has also been published, and many thousands of copies have already been disposed of. These are sure tests of Mr Farjeon’s rising popularity. The San Feancisco Exhibition. — The eighth Industrial Fair has closed after running successfully for a month. As many as 21,000 and odd persons have visited it in one day, and it has been generally voted a success. The gross receipts were over 60,000d01. (£12,000) and after deducting all expenses, the Mechanics’ Institute, the managers of which were the organisers of the exhibition, will net about 34,000d01s (a little under £7000). This sum will be applied to the extinction of a mortgage on their building, and the purchase of new books, &c. Peintee’s Ekeoks. —A curious typographical mistake occurs in the “News of the World’s” summary of European intelligence. The “News” says:—“A deputation of French citizens arrived in London, August 17, and proceeded to Ireland, their object being to thrash the people for the aid afforded to the wounded soldiers of France during the war.” The real object of the deputation was to thank the people. The printer probably had some recollection of the amenities of Donnybrook, where Pat “ meets with a friend, and for love knocks him down.” The Opposition and the Seat of Goveenment. The Parliamentary correspondent of the Auckland “ Morning News” writes :—Notice was given yesterday of a motion “ that in the opinion of the House the next session should be held at Dunedin.” It is generally supposed it will be carried/ Everybody is heartily sick and tired of this place. It is certainly quite unfit for a seat of government or place of meeting for the legislature of the country. It is unhealthy- to begin with. Many members either are or have been

exceedingly ill, some of them seriously so. The Hon John Hall has been so unwell that as soon as he is fit to bo removed, he will have to return to Canterbury. I think the seat of Government must eventually be removed to some place of importance in the colony. Members will not consent year after year to be shut up within the ranges that confine the city of Wellington, where nothing can be done and nothing can be seen, and where even it is impossible, unless you have the activity of a chamois hunter, to obtain that amount of exercise required for the maintenance of health.

Mastekton Flax Co., Limited. —As only about 350 shares out of 500 which have been issued have been taken up, the directors of this company, confident of the undertaking, deem it necessary, in order to enable them to push on operations vigorously, to make a call of ten shillings per share, which they request shareholders to pay at the Union Bank of Australia immediately. Gas at Wanganui. —The “Herald” states that there is some intention of starting a gas company in Wanganui. It is said that £3500 of the £SOOO of capital required has already been promised in Wellington. Phoemium Fibee Shieting. Two samples of colored cloth for shirting, manufactured from New Zealand flax fibre, have been left at the “ Southern Cross” office, Auckland, for exhibition. They were cut from off a piece sent out to Mr R. Hampton, of Sbortland-street. The cloth has a silky appearance, and is soft and flexible. It appears, to be well adapted for shirts, and could be equally well used for sheeting, &c.

The Ueeweea Expedition. —An Auckland paper has been favored with the following extract from a private letter relating to the recent expedition into the Urewara country under Captains Mair and Preece From information gained from a native named Himiona, whom we took prisoner going through the bush, we found out that Te Kooti with very few men was at a pa close to us, and did not think we were so near him. We halted for the night, and before dajffireak advanced on the place, ivhich was surrounded by a ditch ten feet wide and ten feet deep. At it we went, and into it most of us went, the only two who succeeded in fairly jumping being Captain Mair and one native. They immediately rushed at the whare close to where we crossed. Three niggers rushed out, and Mair instantly shot one down the native firing at and hitting one of the others, who together with the unwounded man, made a bolt off with it. Mair was after them like a shot, and collared one by the neck, and in a brace of shakes his goose was cooked. Mair thought it was Kooti himself, and was tremendously sold when he found it was the one the native had already hit, and that while he was finishing him the brute had got clear away, and in the uncertain light there was no chance of getting him. He must have got away unhurt, but I do not think he will be long loose.” Lunatic Asylums. —The joint committee of the two Houses of Assembly have agreed upon certain resolutions, which are to be moved in the Legislative Council on Friday next by the Hon Dr. Buchanan. The resolutions are : That the Asylums in the colony have not (save in some localities) either proper or sufficient accommodation for the reception and care of lunatics. (2.) That it is expedient that the General Government should take measures to cause proper provision to be made in those parts of the colony where the pi-esent provision is insufficient. (3.) That a duly-qualified Medical Officer from the United Kingdom, having special knowdedge and experience in the treatment of the insane, be forthwith engaged and appointed, and who shall have the supervision and control over all the Lunatic Asylums in the colony. (4.) That the question of a general central Asylum be postponed until next session,by which time information will have been obtained from reports of the Inspecting Medical Officer, which will serve to guide the action of Parliament. (5.) That whilst steps should be taken to improve all the Asylums in the colony* the state of that at Karori, near Wellington, urgently requires immediate attention and reform. That the honorable the Speaker be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the honorable the Colonial Secretary, for the consideration of the Government, with the view of their being carried into effect.

Where the digestive powers are so weak as to cause imperfect Assimilation, and in many cases laying the foundation for Counsumption, and Wasting, the use of Savory & Moores’s Pancreatic Emulsion and Pancreatine, already, so highly approved by the Medical faculty, wfll be found among the most,potent remedial agents ; they effect the digestion of Cod Liver, Oil and prevent nausea, while they efficiently supply the place o i'the oil when the stomach re-T jects it. These facts are attested by the records.of medical men, extracts from which acco'mpany, each.bottle,, pricp,. from 2s to 21 j Savory & Moore, 143, New Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. Note—Savory & Moore’s name and trade mark on each bottle. April 22 1871. 52w.

Sea-Damaged Flax.— The reports that were brought a few months ago by almost every mail of the large quantities of New Zealand flax that were landed m England in a damaged condition, and the heavy loss sustained by the colony from this cause, led the Commissioner of Customs to think that it would be very desirable if this matter could be looked into by some trustworthy person on the spot. As Mr Chilman, the Collector of Customs at New Plymouth, about the time referred to was on the point of leaving for England, Mr Seed wrote to him, and asked him to endeavor to be present when any of the JNew Zealand laden vessels might be discharged in London, and afterwards, if possible, to trace the flax through the various warehouses and brokers’ hands until it reached the manufacturer. Mr Chilman readily assented, and by the last mail Mir Seed received a letter from him, containing some interesting and valuable information on this subject, which has been communicated to the Flax Commissioners. In that letter Mr Chilman says “ I have investigated the question of sea-damaged flax, and had a good opportunity of doing so, inasmuch as some shipped in the Melita by the company I am interested in, was classed as sea-damaged, I went to the warehouse and saw the wharfinger, with whom it appears the classification rests, and he pointed out to me the bales so classed. It appears that if a bale were discolored, sayji foot square, or even less, it is put down as sea-damaged. I had a bale opened, and drew the wharfinger’s attention to the fact that even in the slight portion of the fibre that was stained the strength of the fibre was not injured. He admitted this, but said that change of color was a proof of damage more or less ; so that if a single hank is discolored, or even a few strands in a single hank, as I pointed out in one instance, a bale of 3cwt is to be branded. The wharfinger said that if the damage was only slight, the purchaser would take this into account; but I am satisfied this is not so ; at all events I shall attend the public sale on Wednesday next, i and shall then be better able to judge; but I am afraid it is a case of giving a dog a bad name, and that the produce suffers by this arbitrary action. There is no doubt that the damage, more or less, occurs on board the ship from sea water. . . . Covering with Hessian, as we have done, is also a useless expense; it does not prevent the sea water from getting to the flax, and from its being so open I am not sure but what it spreads the stain over a 1 larger surface. I hope this information may be of service. I shall see any parties in London interested in flax, and get them to co-operate with me in a strong representation to the brokers respecting the sea-damaged flax, as there is no doubt that it would be better to take out all hanks that are discolored, than to let this bugbear affect the price of the whole bale.” Gold on Banks] Peninsula.— Again the public are invited to believe that there are payable quartz reefs on the Peninsula. Mr John Winterbine, who has had large experience on nearly all the diggings of the Australasian colonies, including those of Coromandel and the Thames, and who has been prospecting in various parts of Canterbury for nearly two years, assures the “ Lyttelton Times’ that there is a well-defined reef, in which gold exists in payable quantities, about a mile and a half north of M'Queen’s. It is known as Higgins’ reef, runs north and south, and can be traced for several miles running through private property. Higgins has driven on the reef about eighty feet, and has gold in his possession now which he has taken from it. About one hundredweight of the quartz from this reef will be sent to Melbourne by the Tararua to be tested. A Steangee. —A large turtle is reported by the “Taranaki Hews” to have been found on the beach at Moturoa on Thursday afternoon. It is alive and 1 ively, measures four feet in length and two feet nine inches across the back, and weighs close upon two hundredweight. Fatal Accident. —A few days ago, whilst a man named Robert Caxr was at work in a cutting on the Port Chalmers railway, some earth fell and broke his ribs on his right side. He was brought to the hospital in a hopeless state, and died on the day following.—At Flaxtown, in Canterbury, a young man named Henry Bloomfield has had his skull fractured by being thrown from his horse. - Life Assueance.— The Commissioner of Insurance, says the Wanganui ‘ Herald,’ has intimated that the late Mr Shepard’s insurance policy will be paid at once to the proper claimant. Berkley, Sept. 1869.— Gentlemen, I feel it a duty I owe to you to express my gratitude for the great benefit I have derived by taking ‘ Norton’s Camomile Pills.’ I applied to your agentß, Mr Bell Berkley, for the above named Pills, for wind in the stomach, for which I suffered excruciating pain for a length of time, having tried every remedy perscribed, but without deriving any benefit at all. After taking two bottles of your valuable pills I was quite restored to my usual state of health. Please give this publicity for the benefit of those who may thus be afflicted.” I am, Sir, yours truly, Henby Allpass. To the proprietors of Noeton’s Camomile Pills.

Geological Exploeations.— We have received a copy of a work published by command,” and edited by Dr. Hector, as director of the geological survey of the colony, containing numerous and interesting reports of geological explorations during 1870-71. The letter-press occupies upwards of 160 pages, and there are many maps and sections illustrative of the geological peculiarities of the different districts surveyed. The reports are by Capt. Hutton on the Waikato coal, the geology of Coromandel, the Caledonian mine, the Perseverance Company’s gold-mine, and the Collingwood Company’s coal-mine; by Dr. Haast on the geology of the Waipara and Amuri districts, and on the geology of the central portion of the Southern Alps; by Dr. Hector on the geological structure of the Malvern Hills, the geology of the Cape Colville district, and the geology of the Hawke’s Bay district ; by Mr E. H. Davis on the geology of the Thames and Nelson province ; and by Mr Skey on the processes in use in the Thames district for the extraction of gold from the matrix. The reports by Mr Davis are apparently . the result of much laborious investigation, and their perusal cannot but revive the regret felt at the loss of one who was so capable of taking part in the geological survey of the colony. It is intimated, in the preface to the work, that the customary review of the progress of the survey will appear with a geological map of Hew Zealand, which is in course of publication. Peeseevation Inlet Coal. —We take the following from the “ Southland Hews” of Saturday last: —“The schooner Edward, of this port, now lying at the jetty, is laid on for Preservation Inlet. The owner and master of the vessel, Mr T. J. Thompson, proceeds with her in pursuance of an arrangement made in Dunedin with the company formed there for working the well-known Preservation Inlet coal seams. A cargo or two of coal was some time ago obtained from the company’s mine, but the expense was too great, and the workings were temporarily suspended. Mr Thompson’s mission is to ascertain, by personal inspection and practical test, whether it is not possible to work the mine with greater economy.” Flax Shoes.— ln the window of Mr Healey’s boot and shoe warehouse, in Bridge-street, Helson, is placed for exhibition a pair of shoes made of woven fibre of Hew Zealand flax, manufactured thirty years ago. The soles and lining are leather, and' the woven fibre has received a black coating, to resist the destructive action of the sea-water, as well as to make them water-tight A specimen of the woven fabric, contained in a glass case, is exhibited with the shoes.