News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 40, 28 October 1871, Page 11

News of the Week.

The Brogden Contract. —lt will be seen from our Parliamentary report that the compromise embodied in Mrßeynold’s amendment was carried by the largest majority on any division this session. One Wellington member voted against it —Mr Andrew. Another was absent without a pair—Mr J. Bryce. Mr Edward Pearce, who was suffering severely from indisposition, was obliged to retire, bub paired with Mr Collins. The others voted for it. Mr Vogel, in replying, referred to the vituperation he had received out of doors on account of the contract, and was greeted with vociferous sympathising cheers from all parts of the Souse. Insurance Offices.— Government Insurance and Annuity Offices have been opened at Masterton, Peatherston, and Marton, in this province. Customs Revenue. The Customs’ revenue for the colony amounted in the September quarter to £183,722, as compared with £190,499 for the correspoding quarter of 1870. The revenue at the port of Wellington was £13.836 for the quarter of this year, and £15,374 for the corresponding quarter of last year. The Late Mr Thomas Fraser.— The funeral of the late Mr Thomas Fraser took place yesterday, and was numerously attended by citizens of Wellington and by friends of the deceased from different parts of the province. It is said that, by his will, the propertj' of the deceased gentleman has been bequeathed to five of his relations in Scotland. Press Dramatic Club.—A meeting of the Press Dramatic Club, for the purpose of making arrangements for the performance which they intend to give on Monday next-, was held on Saturday evening.

At this meeting the club was asked to permit the presentation of the bat and mallet to Mr Bromley at the performance, which is to be in aid of the improvement of the cricket-ground—a matter in which Mr Bromley had prominently interested him-self—-and the requestwas at once complied with. The Governor and Lady Bowen, as well as a large number of influential citizens, have promised their patronage to the performance, and the members of the club are themselves industrious in doing everything to ensure its success. Chinese Immigration. —The Select Committee on Chinese Immigration have submitted to the House of Representatives their first ad interim report, a copy of which we have received. In this report, the Chairman, Mr W. J. Steward, prefaces the record of the evidence taken by the following remarks: —Your committee, immediately after their appointment, took active steps to collect all available information on the subject. Circulars were sent out, containing a number of queries, to chief officers of police in the various provinces, to wardens of goldfields, and to various gentlemen of the medical profession, replies to most of which have been received, and have been considered by your committee. Your committee have also forwarded, through the Hon the Colonial Secretary, a request to the Governments of the neighboring colonies of Victoria and New South Wales, for the furnishing of such data as the experience of those colonies, with regard to the Chinese question, will enable them to afford. Your committee have also examined a number of witnesses, whose attendance was procured without any expense to the colony, including Mr J. T. Thompson, C.E. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Otago ; Mr John Ah Tong, Wellington; Mr Maitland; Captain Bishop, of the ship Halcione; Dr Hector; G. M. Webster, Esq., M.H.R.; and C. E., Ilaughton, Esq., M.H.R. On the receipt of replies from Victorian and New Wales, your committee will have concluded their labors, and will bring up such recommendations as may appear to them expedient. The Petition oe Lundon and Whitaker. —The following is the report presented to the House of Representatives by Mr J. Shephard, as chairman of the select committee to whom was referred the petition of Messrs Lundon and Whitaker :—“ That, having duly considered the whole circumstances of the case and taken evidence thereupon, they have come to the following conclusion: (1) That the petitioners had a legal title to the land when the Native Lands Act, 1869, was passed ; (2) that this legal title was obtained by fair and equitable means; (3) that, considering the Native Lands Act, 1869, did interfere with petitioners’ title, they are entitled to compensation from the colony ; (4) that the amount of money proved to have been actually expended by the petitioners in the premises has amounted to £1544 6s 8d ; (7) that the statement made by Mr De Hirsch, that the petitioner, Frederick Alexander Whitaker, in bis professional capacity, prepared a deed for him, and claimed the land included in it, is devoid of truth. Your committee would refer the House to the report of their proceedings, and the minutes of evidence hereto appended, and they desire to recemmend the claims of the petitioners to favorable consideration.”

Gold Exports. —A comparative return of the quantity and value of gold exported from the several provinces of New Zeaiand, for the quarter ended 30th September, 1870, and 30th September, 1871, has just been published. According to this return, the exports from Auckland have increased to an extraordinary extent. In the quarter of 1870, Auckland exported 16,106 ozs, and in the same quarter this year the exports from the same province amounted to 126,229 ozs. All the other provinces, with the singular exception of Marlborough, exhibited a decrease in the quantity of gold exported. In the quarter of 1870, Marlborough exported,'433 ozs, and this year 678 ozs. Nelson exported 27,961 ozs this year, against 33,9910zs last year. And the following are the figures relating to the other districts : Westland, 36,1280zs in the quarter of 1870, and 35,131 in 1871; Otago, 37,4900zs in 1870, and 31,2750zs in 1871. The total exports amounted to 124,0470zs in the quarter of 1870, and 221,304 in 1871, the difference being due to the increased exports from Auckland. Found Drowned. —The man named Doughty, who had been missing for a week after leaving Taranaki after receiving his pension, has been found drowned by some natives in the Waiongona river. The verdict at the inquest was “ accidentally drowned.”

Tea Meeting. —An anniversary tea meetingwas heldon Monday evening in the Webb street Primitive Methodist’s Chapel. The room was neatly decorated with flowers and evergreens, and the tables were well supplied. There was a good attendance. After tea hour, the room was prepared for the public meeting, which was opened at seven o’clock. After the singing of a hymn, Mr Hedge was voted to the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. J. Dean, and

Messrs Woodward, Hedge, and Ward. The choir also sung some selections, which contributed much to the enjoyment of the evening, Barraud’s Art Union. —The drawing for the prizes in Mr Barraud’? art union took place on Monday. The following are the names of the first fourteen out of the seventy-five prizewinners:—Mrs Oldham, Mr M'Kelvie, Mr Hughes, Judge Johnston, Mrs Hector, Mr Calder, Mr J. Moles, the Hon. J. Hall, Dr Knight, Dr France, Mr Jameson, Mr R. J. Duncan, Mr Toxward, Mr F. A. Krull.

Curious Accident.— A peculiar accident happened at Nelson lately to a young man named Faine. His arm was broken immediately above the elbow while he was in the act of throwing a stone. Employment of Convicts.— The Government of Victoria have at last determined to employ convict labor on usefu public works, which would not be undertaken without that assistance. Thirty prisoners selected at Pentridge was lately forwarded to Portland, to be employed on the break-water about to be constructed there, as a shelter for vessels in the bay in south-east winds. Mr Thomson’s Diagram Lecture on Life Assurance. —Mr Thomson, travelling agent and lecturer for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, gave his lecture at Kaiwarra on Thursday night, at the schoolroom. The superior merits of the mutual system formed the first division, showing the profits derived from life assurance generally, and the lecturer advocated that this profit should be solely the property of the policy holder. The origin and progress of the Society was fully explained. The many diagrams fixed on the minds of the audience the figures and various modes of assurance. The relative merits of each system were explained, and amusing anecdotes and interestingstatistics given. Mr A. Cameron occupied the chair, and a vote of thanks to the lecturer from Mr Wyatt, commenting on the advisability of teaching the people by diagram the advantages of the mutual system, terminated the meeting. Land Sale. —At Mr Duncan’s unreserved land sale on Thursday, one town acre in Oriental Bay, near Wilkinson’s tea gardens, brought £95 ; 100 acres in Porirua road realised £280; 24 acres, rural district, and four towu allotments at Mandeville, in the province of'Canterbury, sold for £35 ; £55 was bid for 100 acres at Ohariu. All the lots were sold for cash.

Earthquakes. —The statement of metrological observations for the month of August describes that, during the month earthquakes were reported by telegraph on Ist, 8.52 p.m., Cromwell., Otago; I6th, 12.25 and 9.30 p.m., Tau« ranga ; 22nd 7.45 a.m. at Maketu ; 27th, Lyttelton ; 21st, 2.5 a.m. at Wellington, White's Bay, Chevoit, Kaiapoi, and Kaikora. Supreme Court.—Bankruptcy Examination —On Thursday the examination of H. J. Perham, solicitor, Wanganui, was resumed in the Bankruptcy Court before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston. The counsel by whom the petitioner wag examined were Mr Pharazyn, who appeared for him, and Mr Buckley, who appeared to oppose. A great deal of evidence was also elicited by questions from the bench. The examination was of a very discursive character, and, having frequent reference to documents, it is almost impossible to represent its results intelligibly in a report. Mr Buckley contended that it was necessary far a full investigation that the evidence of Dr Curie and of Mr Douglas should be obtained. The grounds on which lie opposed were that Mr Perham had received £330 from Mrs Bracey for investment ; that he did not carry out her instructions; that he took a security which was not such a security as she intended ; that, contrary to his practice, he did not inform her of the nature of the security : there was a suspicious circumstance of his having lent the money to Mr Donglas who was his own clerk, and of whom he was a creditor; and further that he paid the money away before he had taken the security ; although as he (Mr Buckley) was instructed, Mr Douglas denied having ever received the money. He thought Mr Douglas’s evidence, therefore, essential, and also that of Dr Curie, as to the extent of his agency between Mrs Bracey and the petitioner. His Honor said, if the case was one in which Mr Perham could ask for a discharge, the presence of Mr Douglas might be of the greatest importance. He did not wish to put a harsh construction on the circumstances, but he was bound in such a case as this, of all others, to take the greatest amount of trouble to investigate the whole matter of the petition. He thought the case should be still further investigated. The Court was not then in a position to give a decision. Even if no further evidence had been asked for, he should have taken time to consider it fully, as it was an exceedingly anxious ease. The worst suspicion, and one which, he trusted, was not well founded, is one of gross collusion. He had not expressed any conclusion on the matter, but he agreed that they should go further with the investigation. It wai

true, as urged by Mr Pharazyn, that the .petitioner would thus be put to inconvenience, but there was a far greater question at stake, and the petition could not complain of it as the fault of anyone. The further hearing of the case was accordingly adjourned for the attendance of Dr Curie and Mr Douglas. Literary. —We have to acknowledge receipt of an altogether unique volume, the title to which is “ The Philosophy of Love • a Poem in six cantos ; with other poems, by W. Odder, author of JNew Zealand Survey, &c.” The book is printed at Mr Golder’s amateur press, Mountain House, Hutt, and is dedicated to Lady Bowen “ as a memorial of her ladyship’s loving welcome among the people of Wellington, August 3,1871.” St. Stephen's Church, Marton. — The foundation block of the Marton church intended for the members of the Church of England, and bearing the above name, was laid by the Lord Bishop of Wellington, on Thursday. The following characteristic telegram has been received by an influential member of the House “ Dunedin, 25th October, 1871.—Take no notice of bobtail meeting. Ten thousand signatures could behadforßrogden’s contract and progress. Agitators and bobtails troubled with worms, and who do not know when they are hungry, are'fussing round.” Sudden Death. —A child, only a month old, named William Hall, died somewhat suddenly on board the steamer Gothenburg, as that vessel was nn her passage hither from Nelson. It was intended that an inquest should be held, but the coroner being satisfied that the death was the result of natural causes, an inquest was deemed unnecessary, Dunedin Gas Works.— lt will be seen by our telegrams that the ownership of the Dunedin Gas Works, originally established by a company eight or nine years ago, and subsequently the property of Mr Stephen Hutchinson, have been purchased by Mr Larnacb, Manager of the Bank of Otago, for £17,800. The Colonial Conference and the Mail Service. —The writer to the Melbourne “Leader,” from “Under the Yerandah,” has the following remarks on the proposed mail service : —I do not think Mr Duffy has very much improved his reputation for political sagacity by the proceedings at the recent conference. In all the arrangements entered into, Victoria* which contains half the population of Australia, had no more voice or influence than Tasmania or Queensland. The result is not particularly pleasant. We have had to give up the Cape route, to loose two days in the Suez mail by the detour to Adelaide, and instead of having a line of steamers by New Zealand to San Erancisco, are obliged to submit to their going via Sydney and Moreton Bay, Victoria did not have her fair share of representatives. She had only two delegates, one of whom was in the chair, while both had their parliamentary, political, and departmental duties to attend to. The representatives of the other colonies were in a better position; they could concentrate the whole of their attention upon the conference, and both New South Wales and South Australia had three delegates against our two. I think Mr Duffy attempted to do too much, and as a necessary consequence broke down. Floods in the. Grey Valley. —The weather in the up-country districts of the West Coast has recently been of the worst description. Eain commenced during the night of Wednesday, the 11th, and continued with occasional breaks until Friday, at midnight, when one of the most terrific storms ever remembered by the earliest settlers in the Grey Valley took place. The wind blew a perfect hurricane, uprooting trees, blowing down long reaches of fluming, unroofing houses, and doing other damage. The wind was accompanied by an unprecedented downpour of rain, interrupted now and then by a sleet and hail storm of unusual severity, while the lightning and thunder were almost continuous. AH the creeks and rivers were swollen and impassable during Saturday, and traffic was stopped. The weather moderated a little during Saturday and Sunday, until sundown on that day, when it got worse, if possible, than ever. It rained all night, and at midday on Monday, the Upper Grey and Ahaura rivers were higher than they have been for years. The Ahaura especially was greatly swollen, and from the immense quantities of drift timber carried down by it, the rainfall must be very great in the upper parts of the country. Up to Tuesday morning there was no report of human life being lost. Berkley, Sepb. 1869.—Gentlemen, I feel it a duty I owe to you to express my gratitude for the great benefit I have derived by taking 4 Norton’s Camomile Pills.’ I applied to your agents, 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, jours truly, Henry Allpass. —To the proprietors of Norton’s Camomile Pills.

, The Cassius Claim. —The accounts which we had previously received as to the richness of a claim recently purchased at Eoss, in Westland, by Mr Michael Cassius, are confirmed by Greville’s telegrams. According to a telegram published elsewhere, the claim is yielding at the rate of forty ounces of gold per day. Another private account describes the proceeds of the claim as equal to £IOOO per week. Cobb’s Coaches. —The Taranaki “Herald” states that Mr A. Young (formerly a partner of the late Mr Shepard), has taken over the line of coaches running between Wanganui and New Plymouth. Mr Young’s name is a sufficient guarantee that the service will be carried on efficiently. Hutt Bridge Hotel. —ln the old country it is customary at the commencement of any buildings of note that some distinguished person should have the honor of laying the first or foundation stone; but in this, our province of Wellington, the honor is in the driving or laying the first pile. But a few days since the Hutt was honored by the presence of his Excellency the Governor (who has always taken a sincere interest in the welfare of the colony and its settlers) and a number of the Provincial Council and members of the General Assembly, to drive the first pile of the new Hutt bridge. And on Monday last we were pleased to notice the first pile of a new hotel, to be called The Hutt Bridge Hotel, was laid by George Crawford, Esq , of this city, in the presence of the Hon. J. Paterson, several other hon. members, C. B. Borlase, Esq., and other gentlemen from Wellington, in which a great number of the inhabitants of the Hutt joined. Mr George Crawford, inlaying the first pile, said he had much pleasure in so doing, as he was well aware the host of the new hotel, Mr Nathaniel Yalentine, would, as he had always done, be a most obliging and attentive caterer to the public. He was well aware, as were all present, Mr Yalentine had been a great sufferer by the inroad the river had made upon his land, and he sincerely trusted, on the completion of the new hotel (as hitherto) his friends would rally round and prove to him their appreciation of his universal attention to their convenience and comfort. After laying the pile, the party returned to our worthy hosts and partook of a most excellent luncheon, provided by, to use the familiar phrase, our old and respected host Nat, The “ Taranaki Herald” is responsible for the following story, which is too good to be true : —Some years ago a philanthropist of the Exeter Hall stamp, who came to New Zealand for the express purpose of reclaiming the “ noble savage,” invited a few chiefs to dine with him.. Of course they were treated to many delicacies they had never seen before, and displayed a perhaps excusable inclination to “ go through” the bill of fare. A young chief who had partaken of nearly everything on the table, had been eyeing the. mustard for some time, no doubt thinking that such a pretty paste would taste as good as it looked. At length, an. opportunity appearing, he reached forth in a dignified manner, took a liberal spoonful, and swallowed it without moving a muscle of his countenance, but in spite ot his utmost exertions, the tears soon streamed down his cheeks. An aged chief opposite to him, who had been watching the whole proceeding, leaned forward and enquired what he was crying for. He replied, “ I was thinking of my poor old father, who died a short time ago.” Soon afterwards the “ aged,” being unable to restrain his curiosity, also solemnly took a dip from the mustard-pot, and swallowed it without the quivering of the muscle ; but his eyes were not as strong as his will, and the little tears soon trickled down It was now the young red man’s turn. Leaning forward he inquired the cause of the grief, to which the elderly party replied, “I was thinking 'twas a pity you hadn’t died when your poor father did.” The New Eush in Westland. —Accounts received in Hokitika from the rush at the Totara punt are very encouraging. Some of the claims have been averaging £lO per week per man, and in a few instances even more had been obtained. One or two stores are being erected, and the locality is fast assuming the appearance of a settled diggings. Several parties passed through from the Gveem stone, and some few have even come down from the Grey district to try their fortunes at the new ground. The inducement has not come from the Press, but men on the ground have written to their friends so favorably as to their prospects as to attract a crowd which is daily getting larger. Last week Hokitika was crowded with miners from various localities, who were making arrangements to cross the river for the scene of the rush. The Eobbery at Opunake. —We reported last week that a robbery had been committed at Opunake, and that Mr Parris, E.M., bad proceeded there to try the case. The native, whose name Tamati Waka, pleaded guilty to the charge, and was sentenced by the Court (under clause 105 of the Eesident Magistrates’ Act, 1867,) to return the money

and pay a fine of £5 and costs. Mr Parris, E.M„ and Honi Pihama, Native Assessor, were oh the bench, and the natives assembled respected the law in a way that speaks well for their peaceful intentions towards the Europeans. After A he proceedings of the Court were over, says the Taranaki “ Herald,” a deputation of natives headed by the chief Mira, waited upon Mr Parris and requested he would ask the Government to erect a court-house and lock-up in their district. The Civil Commissioner informed them that he would communicate their wishes to the Government, immediately on his return to New Plymouth. . Copper Ore- —Ye mentioned the other day that a sample of copper ore had been given to Captain Bishop of the barque Guiding Star, during his stay at Timor, by a Scotch gentleman resident there, and who stated that there was plenty of it on the island. Captain Bishop has forwarded the sample to the “ Otago Daily Times” office, and it is spoken of as looking very promising. The following is the letter received by Captain Bishop along with the sample from Mr Drysdale, the gentleman referred to as resident at Timor : —“ Capt. Bishop, commanding the barque Guiding Star. —Dear Sir, I take the liberty of sending you a small sample of the copper ore from the locality where we have obtained a concession of nine square miles. You will greatly oblige me by showing the same to any of your friends in Australia, or to the Chambers of Commerce. As my object is to give publicity to the existence of valuable copper deposits in Timor, and perhaps induce capitalists to form a company to work the copper fields, for which we have obtained a concession, I may add that these mines are situated at about. twelve miles distant from the place of shipment, and being only twenty-figft miles from the capital city of Timor,.tlwro is no. danger to be apprehended from the natives. 1 am, &c., Thomas C. Drysdale. Timor, Koepang, 12th August, 1871. Mr. Brogden, the railway contractor, while the steamer Wellington remained at anchor in the Taranaki roadstead, went on shore and visited the works of the Pioneer Steel Company. Melancholy Suicide.— A very melancholy case of suicide occurred during the passage of the steamship Claud Hamilton from Lyttelton to Wellington. A man named Pay, who *as a passenger from Dunedin to Melbourne, with his wife and five children, was seen by his fellowpassengers to be rather peculiar m- nis manner. This peculiarity culminated m his going to the side of the ship aud in seizing a belaving-pin, immediately atfcer which he jumped overboard. It was a wild night at sea, and it was utteily impossible to save him. .What means he may have had was in his possession, and a subscription was at once started on boaid the vessel for his unfortunate widow and children, and the amount collected was supplemented by subscriptions made m town on the vessel’s arrival. Singular Accidents.— A miner from Fox’s was brought to Hokitika, last week, having met with an accident which was very near having a fatal termination. He was engaged in blasting a border in his claim, and, having fired the fuse, ran some thirty yards away under shelter. Immediately after the explosion lie incautiously looked out to see the effect, and a piece of the stone came down upon his head, fracturing the skull-bone in several places, but glancing off without inflicting mortal injury.—An Invercargill paper states that a singular accident occurred at Winton a few days ago- A horse, the property of Mr Bremner, ot the Bank of Otago, sustained some damage about the hoof, which was t rea t e d by an application of arsenic. Not h avin £ been properly protected by bandage, the horse was enabled to lick off the ars enlc and the consequences was that the animal, reoorted to be a valuable one, died immediately afterwards from of the poison. This should act as a caution to parties having occasion to apply deleterious compounds to their live stock. A Trumped-up Case. —The Eesident Magistrate at Balclutha was engaged for four or five days last week, and also on Monday and Tuesday, in hearing the ease ofßrayshawv. M'Neil, which was a claim for money compensation for injuries alleged to have been received by the plaintiff’s wife at the hands of the defendant. The case excited considerable interest in the locality, on account of the seriousness of the charge involved, it being nothing less than one of attempted indecent assault, and the position of the defendant, who is mayor of Balclutha. Even that portion of the evidence which is published in the “ Bruce Herald,” is, in the words of our contemporary, sufficient to justify an opinion that the whole charge was trumped-up for mercenary purposes. The magistrate, in dismissing the case, stated that Mr M‘Neil left the Court without a stain upon his character. Adelaide. —A recent Australian telegram stated that the Eoman Catholic Bishop Shiel had excommunicated the Lady Superioress of the Sisters of the Convent of St. Joseph. There appears, says a contemporary, to be some mistake

in this paragraph. There is no conventual institution in Adelaide, and no Lady Superioress of the order of St. Joseph. A scholastic institution was formed by a few young ladies during Bishop Shiel’s late absence in England, and the head of the establishment may have assumed the name of Lady Superioress without authority. Special Jurors.— ln answer to a petition presented to the House suggesting that special jurors should be paid 21s per day and that country jurors should be specially arranged with, the Public Petitions Committee have recommended that the matter should be considered by the Government during the recess. Chinese in Southland. —Orepuki is to have its “ peaceful invasion” as well as the other diggings of this favored province. The first instalment of Celestials, numbering thirty-five, with all their “ dunnage” and bamboos, arrived atEiverton on Sunday week, en route for the above-named locality. They are said to have been brought down from the Nokomai by a “ pioneer Chinaman,” who, having visited Orepuki, came to the conclusion that a better opening for the employment of his coolies was to be found there than at the inland mines. We understand that another batch is expected to arrive in a few days. New Zealand Flax. —The “ Sydney Mail” publishes a leading article in praise of New Zealand flax rope. It says The character of the rope made of the phormium tenax is excellent. Most of the captains that; have given it a fair trial prefer it to Manilla for running gear, oil account of its superior elasticity, durability, and softness. There are qualifications of this statement, it being said by some to be not so good as Eussian hemp rope for water purposes or for standing rigging, though the latter would be soon driven from the market if the phormium rope were sold at 45s per cwt. In strength it stood the British Government test well —nay, in the “ breaking machine” it stood just double what that test for new hemp rope is. The hemp testis 841bs. Some of the flax strands stood at 2101bs. There seems thus no doubt about the rope making capabilities of this fibre. Arrest for Forgery. —The young man William Thomas Bray, who was arrested at Hobart Town, on board the barque Bella Mary on a charge of forgery, alleged to have been committed at Auckland on the 25th Auguat last, was brought up at the Police Court, and charged with the offence. Mr Graves appeared for the prisoner, and pointed out that he was illegally in custody, the warrant on which he had been arrested not being properly authenticated, nor countersigned by a magistrate of the colony. The learned gentleman commented on the want of proof that the document was authentic, and remarked that if the magistracy and police authorities of New Zealand neglected to comply with the requirements of the law, our magistracy and police authorities should not strain the law so as to cover their laches. The Bench, on hearing the learned counsel’s argument, intimated that before coming to a decision they would like to consult the Attorney-Gen-eral, and to afford them an opportunity of doing so they remanded the prisoner till Monday, intimating that if the Attor-ney-General advised them that the proceedings were informal, the prisoner would be discharged forthwith. The Police Magistrate afterwards had an interview with the Attorney General, and as a result of that interview the accused was discharged at three o’clock on Saturday afternoon. The Hobart Town “Mercury.”— We notice that the old familiar imprint of this leading Tasmanian journal has given place to another. Mr John Davies, whose name has been so long associated with “ The Mercury,” ceases his connecttion with that journal, for which he has done so much to secure its present high position among the Press of Australasia. He is succeeded by his sons, John George Davies, and Charles Ellis Davies, on whom has virtually devolved the management of the paper for some months past. Copper Ore. —Captain Bishop, of. the barque Guiding Star, which has arrived at Port Chalmers from Hong Kong, reports that at Koepang a Scotch gentleman gave him a fine sample of copper, nearly pure, obtained on the island. The gentleman said he was unable to avail himself of the discovery of this ore, owing to the ignorance of himself and the natives of mining operations. It is the intention of Captain Bishop to submit the sample to the Chamber of Commerce of Dunedin. The Chinese Question.— A new feature, the “Arrow Observer” says, has sprung up in connection with the AntiChinese petition. The Chinese . themselves are wishing to sign the petition, as they say they consider there are quite enough of them here already. Not only are they anxious to sign, but willing also to contribute to the expense incurred by the Arrow Miners’ Association in. its circulation. Hitherto the liberality of the Celestials has not been put to the test. Immigration in Otago.— The returns of immigration and emigration at and from the pent of Dunedin during the

quarter ending on the 30th of September, show that during that period 1,903 persons (1723 males and 180 females) landed from places outside New Zealand, and 264 persons (213 males and 51 females) left for places outside the colony. The details are as follows Immigration : From the United Kingdom, 182 males and 132 females; from the Australian colonies, 205 males and 48 females; from other British ports, 1,328 males; from Foreign States, 8 males. Emigration : To the United Kingdom, 19 males and 10 females; to tfce Australian colonies, 171 males, and 40 females ; to Foreign States, 23 males and 1 female. The balance in favour of immigration is thus 1,639. Of the immigrants, 1,400 were Chinese, who arrived as follows : —By the Jean Sands, from Hong Kong, 316; by the Golden Sea, from Hong Kong, 478; by the Tien Esser, from the Mauritius, 5 ; by the Noord Brabant, from Hong Kong, 348 ; and by the Taranaki, ex Joshua Bates, from Hong Kong, 253. This does not include the 199 (of whom 9 have died) who arrived by the Guiding Star, as that vessel came into port after the expiry of the quarter. The Thomson Boad Steamer. —The Canterbury Government steamer has been tried between Bolleston and the Selwyn with very satisfactory results. A load of twenty tons was attached, and the distance between the two points named was satisfactorily accomplished. The alteration to the tubes —according to the suggestion of MrNancarrow, the General Government Engineer—appears to have effected a great improvement, and the only apparent obstacle to the working of the engine now is the ignition of the grass by live coals dropping from the fire box. The Government have received several applications for the engine, and if the fault referred to could be overcome, it is believed that no difficulty would be experieneed in utilising the steamer. The Fifty Thousand Acre Sale.— The Mount Benger correspondent of the “ Tuapeka Times” writes :—"Theengrossing topic here is the sale to Clarke of 45,000 acres on the Moa Flat Buns. The worst feature of this act is, that a block of 5000 acres, which had been lately cancelled from one of these runs, surveyed into sections of about fifty acres each, and promised to be thrown open for sattlement under the provisions of the agricultural leasing system as soon as the survey plans were ready, is included in the sale, clearly showing that no trust whatever can be put in the good faith or honesty of our public men. I have never seen such intense disgust and indignation exhibited here before; not even on the occasion of the Island Block job.” A public meeting, to consider the action of the Provincial Government in the matter, was held on Thursday, the sth instant, when the following resolutions were carried : —“ That it is the opinion of this meeting that the sale of 50,000 acres of land to Mr Clarke of Moa Flat Buns, including the 5,000 acre block recently surveyed and promised to be opened for occupation under the provisions of the agricultural leasing system, is an unparalleled breach of faith on the part of the Provincial Government, and calculated to destroy settlement in this district for all time to come.” “ That in the opinion of this meeting the sale of land on runs 212 and 215 to the pastoral lessee by the Provincial Government is destructive to the best interests of the country, and calculated to destroy all confidence in the honesty of public men.” “ That this meeting is of opinion the Provincial Government, in the recent sale to Mr Clarke of 50,000 acres on Moa Flat Buns, have acted in defiance of all law and the provisions of the Waste Lands Act.” Trial by Juey. —ln the course of an argument in the Supreme Court recently, Mr Justice Chapman expressed an opinion that the knowledge of the fact that a i'udge could only detain a jury for twelve lours after they had retired to consider their verdict, had had the effect of causing juries not to agree, and mentioned some of the means adopted by them for whiling away the hours of their detention, instancing in particular a recent case in which a refractory juror amused his companions for some time by singing songs. To this may be fairly added the case which occurred not many months ago, in which several of a jury that had been locked up passed away the time by cardplaying. '

The Island of St Paul’s. —The little Island of Sb Paul’s is in latitude 39' S., about halfway between the Cape of Good Hope and Australia, far south in the Indian Ocean. It was discovered by Yan Diemen, in 1633, and has several times been visited by exploring expeditions. Lord Macartney visited it in the ship Lion, in 1793, and published a short account of it; and it was again visited in 1858, by the Austrian frigate Novara. It lies nearly in the track usually made by men-of-war on the voyage to Australia, but somewhat to the north of that followed, as a rule, by merchant ships. The island is claimed by M. Ottovan, a ship chandler of St Denis, in the Island of Bourbon, who sends twice a year a small fishing vessel of some 30 or 40 tons. The

fishermen, generally fifteen or eighteen in number, spend about two months on the island in summer and about the same time in winter, taking, packing, and salting great quantities of Indian cod They fill up their spare time in winter by planting wheat, maize, barley, and potatoes, which they reap, gather, and lay by for the next winter during their short summer sojourn. A Frenchman, named Yiot, who flies the tricolor on the approach of a strange sail, has visited the island every year since 1841, as overseer of the fishery. He has imported goats, pigs, geese, rabbits, cats, &c., and has several times stayed for a year at a time, with only one or two negroes for companions. The island is volcanic and rocky ; hot springs exist, and considerable volcanic heat is still felt in parts of the soil. The top of the crater can be seen from some distance, and the basin is now washed into on one side by the sea, and affords a safe anchorage for small vessels, though the bar is dangerous in heavy weather. There are several graves on the island, one of them that of an Englishwoman, who died in a merchant ship off the island, and another of a skipper who was drowned in crossing the bar into the basin of the crater. Crested and hopping penguins are found in great numbers, and it is the home of the vast flocks of sea birds which circle and skim over the waste of waters around, and rear their young in the vast ocean caves of the island. The Hokitika Coal Company. —The “ West Coast Times” of the 18th inst, gives the following particulars of the starting of a company for the working of a coal seam up the Hokitika river : —A meeting of gentlemen interested in promoting a movement to prospect for coal up the Hokitika river, was held last night at the White House Hotel. There were about eighteen present out of thirty-three who had subscribed. Mr Hoes was in the chair. Mr Meyer stated the object of the meeting. 'He said that coal had been found cropping out in two different places up the river, about 400 yards distant from each other. This was from personal observation of his own. The largest seam was 4ft 6in thick. Coal had also been found cropping out about half-a-mile south of those two places, and also about three miles further south. The conjecture which he deduced was that coal ran right through the hill. To test the ground, protection had been obtained for three miles square For the purpose ot prospecting, it was proposed to raise a fund of £2OO, and £175 had been subscribed in three hours, and there were numerous applications made after the list had been closed, but they were declined. He suggested that a committee should bo formed to conduct the business of the association. Mr Gawne moved and Mr Klein seconded —“The formation of a committee consisting of five members,” which was carried. Mr Klein moved, and Mr Keller seconded —“ That the following gentlemen form the committee :—Messrs Meyer, Gawne, Hoos, Kortegast.” The motion was carried. It was resolved that the committee bring up a report on Monday next, setting forth the made of operation, &c. Mr Meyer was appointed secretary and treasurer, and it was ordered that a call of 5s per share be made payable not later than Saturday next, or in default that the shares be forfeited. All those present immediately paid the call, and the meeting then adjourned until Monday next. Australian News’. The steamship Gothenburg, with late dates from Melbourne, arrived off Hokitika, but could not be tendered. She has remained off that port, in expectation of being tendered on this morning's tide. The following are some additional items of intelligence received by the Claud Hamilton:—Melbourne, October 7. —The Ecclesiastical Court has found the Bev Mr Woollaston guilty of injudicious and reprehensible conduct. Under a misapprehension Mr Yilleneuve Smith, a barrister, horsewhipped Mr Armstrong under the Yerandah. The new Literary Guild is progressing; it is likely to be a great success. The foundation stone of the new Temperance Hall has been laid. Young Bedford beat Mary easily in a five mile foot race. Signora Patti is engaged for the colonies. The question of Sunday recreation is much agitated. Sydney, October 7. —Mr Trollope has returned from Queensland. Adelaide, October 7. —Two ships are chartered to load wheat for England at 80s. Nine thousand bushels of wheat for England sold at 4s Launceston, October 12. —A meeting of the unemployed has been held. The Government has employed the married men in stonebreaking, at 2s 6d per yard. Western Australia, October 7.—The Midas and Antipodes are loading in Yasse Geographe Bay with jarrah piles for New Zealand. The Member for Mount Bengee.— The following is the text of the memorial to Mr Bradshaw calling upon him to resign :—“ To J. B. Bradshaw, Esq, M.P.C., M.H.B. —■ Sir, — We, the undersigned electors of Mount Benger and Waikaia districts, having in view your action in respect of the sale of 50,000 acres of land on Moa flat runs, and taking into consideration your repeated promises to do all in your power to forward settlement in

these districts—promises which you have broken in the most flagrant manner—would now call upon you to resign your seat in the Provincial Council and House of Bepresentatives, as being no longer fitted to be entrusted with the representation of those districts.”

■Apple Tree Blight. —Mr Lightband, senior, of Nelson, has for several years treated the American blight by grafting an anti-blight tree, a species of winter apple, on a diseased one. Mr Lightband’s operations have been most successful. The juices of the fresh graft after awhile permeate the whole of the diseased tree, transfusing as it were a new life and fresh vigor into it. The aphides avoid infesting it, the leprous bark exfoliates, and a clean sound bark takes its place ; the tree continuing to bear two kinds of fruit—that of its original stock as well as of the antiblight graft. These, however, will no doubt in time merge their respective types or qualities the one with the other.

Goal at Panama. —An unexpected and most important discovery of coal beds on the Isthmus of Panama, made three or four years ago, has recently been brought practically to public attention by the trial of the coal at Aspinwall. The coal beds lie on the Biver Indio, about thirty-five miles from Aspinwall.

The Matrimonial Times. —All readers of the New Zealand newspapers, remarks the Nelson “ Mail,” must have noticed that the announcements under the head “ Marriages,” or, as an American paper puts it, “ The Altar,” have been gradually becoming fewer and fewer, but I trust there is now good reason to anticipate an improvement in this direction. A Mrs Barling —benevolent creature, she should have spelt her name with a D—advertises in the Auckland papers her intention of publishing shortly a “ Matrimonial Times,” with a view, as she expresses it, to meeting the requirements of settlers in the out-districts, who are debarred from- forming acquaintances among the opposite sex. Dear, disinterested benefactress of the human race ! If it were not for an unfortunate allusion to a trifling 2s 6d fee that will be required at the hands of those who may avail themselves of her services, I should be inclined to look upon her philanthropic—a crusty old bachelor has in my hearing called them misanthropic—efforts with a favorable eye, but all the romance that might, under other circumstances have attached itself to the “Matrimonial Times” and its editress, has faded away before that wretched half-crown. What a pity it is that such benevolent institutions cannot be carried on without a drain on the pockets of those whom they are to benefit, but then philanthropy without fees is so very rare!

Magistrates and Auctioneers.—A recent case is reported by the “Charleston Herald” as having created some interest. It was decided before Dr. Giles and C. Whitefoord, Esq, Justices. It was a complaint laid against Mr Broad, B.M. by Mr Dwan, auctioneer, for that the said Mr Broad, on the 22nd day of September, not being duly licensed, did sell certain property, declared by him at such sale to be a coal-mining lease, by way of auction, contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided. Mr Shapter most ably argued the case on behalf of Mr Dwan, while Mr Broad was represented by' Mr Pitt. The “Charleston Herald” says the Bench gave the following decision : —“ This is an information laid under the Auctioneers Act, 1858, and the question is whether the sale held by the defendant is within the exemption clause of the Auctioneers Act, 1862. The defendant being a brother magistrate it is very satisfactory to us that this a matter in which he is in no way * personally’ involved ; that it was a sale authorised by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and undertaken by Mr Broad at his request. The questions we have to consider are first, whether the lease under which the sale took place was a lease at all. Second —lf the lease was valid, is the sale of a lease included in the words sale of Crown Lands in the said act. We have come to the conclusion that it is not for us to consider the validity of the lease in a proceeding for a penalty. We have only to look at the honajides of the defendant, and we think that in this matter the defendant did not act in bona -fide , and believe this to be a bona fide sale of an interest in Crown Lands. And we think that even if this lease was bad, there was an equitable interest to be sold. Then the only remaining point to consider is whether this sale comes within the term ‘ sale of Crown Lands.’ Mr Shapter has quoted various acts in support of his argument when the Legislature intended to refer to sales of limited instruments as well as of the freehold, that specific words to that effect were used. But following out the principles of a decision on a proceeding for a penalty, under the Gaming Statutes, in the reign of Queen Anne, we think it right to give the largest possible meaning in such a case as this to the words ‘ sale of Crown Lands,’ in fine, we think the greater includes the lesser, and dismiss the information. Costs were applied for and granted at £5 55.”