Town News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 376, 26 April 1879, Page 16

Town News.

Mr. Francis Dart Fenton has been gazetted a governor of Auckland College.

A number of Inspectors of Sheep are gazetted Registrars of Brands.

His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond left yesterday to open the Circuit Court at Waiigamr, and will be aAvay about a fortnight. We undeistaud that Mr. Forwood, solicitor, is to be appointed the second Magistrate for Wellington.

Mr. Louis Dihars, of Ohinemuri, and Captaiu Win. Ncwland, of Wanganui, have been appointed native interpreters. The resignation, dated April 16, of Mr. Wason of his seat for the district of Coleridge is gazetted.

The Imperial Opera House lias been leased for one year by Messrs. Hucocks, Hay man, and Co., entrepreneurs. Forty acres of the upper harbor, Dnnodiu, are about to be reclaimed at Government expense.

In our telegraphic news elseAvhere, under the heading Balclutha, instead of reading that Mr. McAra “declined” a call from Gisborne, read that he declared Ins acceptance of it;. A proposal is on foot up at Masterton to form a Volunteer corps. Some 60 or 70 names have been enrolled, and a gentleman avas deputed to Avait upon Colonel Reader on Friday to ask him Avbetber lie Avas prepared to accept their services. The folloAving is the statement of postal revenue collected for the three quarters ended 31st March, 1879 : September quarter, £28,550 10s. sd. ; December quarter, £28,961 19s. Bd.; March quarter, 1879, £34,619 13s. 4d.; total revenue for the niue months ended 31st March, 1879, £92,132 3s. sd. We understand that one gentleman on the East Coast of this provincial di-trict expects to have 600 acres under crop next year. A neighbor of Ills hopes to have 400 acres down iu grain. There seems to be every probability of a considerable influx of grain iuto Wellington from that quarter.

We are authorised to state that the telegraphic notice that appeared ouThursday, to the effect that the survey aud road parties mi the Mountain-road, Taranaki, have been stopped by natives, is Avithout foundation. OuThursday both road aud surA'ey camps were visited by an officer of the Government, and they had not been disturbed.

Tlie Welliington portion of the Stad Haarlem immigrants are beiug pretty well distributed. On Monday several lots were despatched to Wauganui, Taranaki, Nelson, and Blenheim. This Avill leave very few iu Wellington, aud no doubt those remaining will soon find engagements, although in consequence of the general depression prevalent tho labor market is nob so brisk as it was.

A Gazette notice proclaims that cock-phea-sants and Californian quail shall bo open to be hunted, shot, takeu, or killed, within the counties of Wairarapa East and Wairarapa West, between the Ist May ami the 31st July, 1879, both days inclusive, hut only between the hours of sunrise aud suuset.

Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co. sold a cargo of kauri timber, ex Fiery Cross, from Manukau, by auction on Tuesday at the breastwork, which realised the following prices :—Tongued and grooA r ed, 5 x 1,14 a. per 100 ;6 x 1,14 s. per 100 ;9 x 1,10 s. 6d to 13s. (3d. per 100 ; rough timber, 9x2, 10b. 6d. per 100 ; 9 x and 9xl, 9s. per 100. Tlie attendance Avas good considering the inclemency of the weather. Native matters have so completely engrossed attention lately that the West Coast railway seems to have fallen out of recollection. It would be very gratifying to know when the line is going to be started, and how much of the vote taken for the purpose last session remains in the Treasury, It is much to be feared that the Wellington folks are being completely fooled by the Minister for Public Works over this line, and it would scarcely be rash to prophesy that the first sod will not be turned while the present Miuistry hold office. By means of prison labor the leased sections of the Hospital reserves on the Terraco ha\ r o been supplied Avith excellent roads, rendering them easily accessible. The Avork is nearly completed, aud certainly has been done very Avell. The trusteesstill have a large gang of men at Avork near the new Hospital, and arc likely to keep them there for another eighteen months. To those interested in prison management it may be stated that after the gang is set free from Avork at road making on tlie Terrace, they will be put to work enlarging tho cricket ground at the Wellington College, aud will next proceed to lower the level of tho street between Willis-street aud tlie Gaol, a Avork much needed to be done.

The quarterly conference of school committees was ou Friday held in the City Council room. Mr. Jonas Woodward, chairman of the Thorution committee, was voted to the chair. On the motion of Mr. E. P. Field a select committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Woodward, Stock, Macitityre, Blow, Gardiner, Kennedy, and Magiuuity, and the mover, to take into consideration the urgent necessity for various amendments®in the Education Act, 1877, and to report to a special meeting of the committees to be convened for this purpose on tho first Friday in June next. A desultory discussion ensued with regard to the advisability of establishing Penny Savings Banks in connection with the schools. Archdeacon Stock Avas understood to say that the bank iu connection with the 'L'e Aro School had proved very successful, and that he could not understand what possible objections could be made to these institutions. He thought, however, there Avas room for improvement in the printed regulations recently issued by the Mioister of Education,

Parliament has been further prorogued until Tuesday, the 10th of June. The terms of the Gazette extraordinary show that a further prorogation is intended.

Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan left in the Hinemoa on Wednesday afternoon for the Bay of Islands, with the object of attending the native meeting which takes place there on the 28th inst. The Kaiwarra Volunteers are to have their colors presented to them this afternoon. Miss Brandon, daughter of A. de B. Brandon, Esq., will present the colors. Auckland papers think it was a great mistake to direct the hop-growers who came out in the Stad Haarlem to the Southern districts instead of to the Northern ones, which are more suitable for their special occupation. The return of the land revenue receipts (net) for the quarter ended 31st March, 1879, gives the following totals :—Land sales, £45,362 4s. 10d.; depasturing licenses and assessments, £1039 3°. 5d.; rents and miscellaneous, £7SOS Gs. 2d.; total, £54,209 14s. sd.

The Executive Commissioner for the International Exhibition, Sydney, has forwarded the following reply to a telegram dispatched by the Royal Commissioners here: —“Congratulate New Zealand on his Excellency the Governor consenting to act as President Commission.”

A meeting of the Appointment of Teachers Committee, in connection with the Education Board, was held on Wednesday, when it was decided to recommend the Board to appoint Mr. Kay to the mastership of the Gladstone school, and Mr. MoFarlane to be assistant at .the Eeatherston school. The Jacksons Bay Commissioners returned from their West Coast trip on Wednesday, but the report probably will not be ready for some weeks to come. It is generally supposed however from what has transpired that the Commissioners will find the charges so freely made against certain gentlemen during the past two years have not been sustained. A meeting of the Wellington Naval Brigade waa held in the Central Fird Brigade com-mittee-room on Monday, when Mr. Johnston was duly sworn in as captain. The newly appointed captain then thanked the members for the honor accorded to him, and hoped that the brigade wonld be » success. Dr. Diver was elected honorary surgeon to the brigade. According to the Registrar-General’s report, during the months of February and March there were the following deaths from zymotic diseases in the four chief towns of New Zealand :—Auckland, 19 ; Wellington, 47 ; Christchurch, 20 ; Dunedin, 2—Total, 88. It appears that more than the half of the whole of this class of deaths occurred in this town.

The case Hedges v. the Corporation was to have been heard at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, but the record was withdrawn, the matter having been settled out of Court. The suit arose through plaintiff having sustained injuries by reason of falling over an unprotected or insufficiently protected embankment in Willis-street at the time the level of that street was being reduced, and plaintiff claimed £2OOO damage*. Under the terms of settlement Mrs. Hedges will get several hundred pounds and her costs. That is the way the money goes.

Some hundred and twenty-five Celestials arrived on Wednesday from Sydney by the Orneo, on their way to the Otago goldfields. From an interview one of our representatives had with “ John,” they are nearly all going to take up their quarters on the Waitahuna goldfields. At the present time there are about 200 of their countrymen at work, and making a very respectable living, in this locality. In fact, after about three years’ work a number of them leave for the land of their birth with their pockets well filled—at least sufficient to last them for the remainder of their existence in China.

On several occasions lately Avrong prisoners have been placed in the dock—of course merely by accident. It frequently happens that a man who has been charged with drunkenness finds himself in the dock to answer to some other graver crime, such as wife desertion, larceny, or maintenance. On Tuesday an unassuming, elderly-looking man Avas placed by the police in the dock. He was merely a “ drunk.” The Clerk of the Court read over a long, Avordy information, couched in legal phraseology, asking the unfortunate man Avhy he refused to contribute toAvards the support of bis three children. The unfortunate ninn looked aghast, said nothing, but evidently thought a good deal. He Avas just on the point of making some explanation, when the orderly of the Court feelingly observed that the Avrong man Avas in the dock.

A silly report anent the Agent-Generalship on Tuesday and on Wednesday found currency in some of our contemporaries, owing to circumstances explained in an extract from the Evening Post, Avhich appears in another column. It seems the rumor Avas concocted for the purpose of trapping certain dishonest journals, which, through au institution of their OAvn creation, filch the telegrams for Avhich more conscientious journals pay. It is perhaps rather too bad that the people of the colony »houl4» be misled and impressions created Avhich it Avill take a long time to remove, their falsity notAvithstauding, simply because half a dozen neAvspapers need exposing. However, the exposure has been very effectual, the more so because the statements contained in the telegrams Avere on the face of them very absurd. Even supposing Sir Julius Vogel had resigned so suddenly Mr. G. M. Reed Avould, happily for the colony, have stood little chance of being appointed Agent-General pro tern. Till the Cabinet here in Wellington had made an .appointment the Crown Agents Avould have filled up the gap just as Avas done when Dr. Featherston died. Mr. Reed eertainly has no higher status than any of the other travelling agents in Great Britain.

Tho following tenders were received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the Waipara contract of the Amberley-Brunnerton railway :—Accepted : Peter McGrath, Christchurch, £21,493. Declined : Thomas and Hill, Christchurch, £22,148; James Butt, Dunedin, £23,927 ; Thomas H. Parsons, Christchurch, £31,515 ; E. G. Wright, Dunedin, £32,947.

The Minister for Public Works is said to have assured a gentleman who recently interviewed him about certain matters of public interest, that, tenders for all kinds of public works that are now being received by the department are from 25 to 40 per cent, higher for the same Avork than they were last year. This points to the necessity of maintaining a constant influx of immigration Avkere public works are progressing. We understand that the tenders for the first section of the Grevmouth and Hokitika Railway, beginning at the Greymouth end, have been approved, and Avill shortly be accepted. There is still a small balance of the vote of £15,000 taken last session for the purpose left ou liaud. It is intended to spend the aforesaid balance at the Hokitika end, thereby connecting the railway link between these two toAvnsliips at each end. The friends of Mr. R. J. Duncan will be sorry to hear that a son of his, Bertie Duncan, Avhile out shooting with some other boys at Parker’s Bush, near toAvn, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder. His companions carried him three miles to the nearest house, but by the time he reached home he had lost so much blood that he died some three hours after being Avounded. Ho was only about 14 years old.

It is understood that the route between Amberley on the Canterbury side, and Brunnerton on the West Coast, has been so far decided upon that plans and specifications are being prepared Avith a view of at once calling for tenders for the first section on the West Coast or Brunuerton side. This is a very important work in that it connects the East and West Coasts of the South Island, and there are many who will be glad to hear that there is a chance of the work being shortly commenced. About 40 gentlemen met in the Star Hotel on Friday night for the purpose of making arrangements to organise a public gymnasium. Among those present Avas the Rev. Mr. Thorpe, who expressed himself in strong terms relative to the necessity of such an institution being established. The chair was occupied by Mr. Bate. After considerable discussion, the meeting decided to elect an influential provisional committee, consisting of a number of the leading citizens. It Avas agreed that a petition should be sent to the Government, requesting them to grant a piece of ground on the Thorndon reclamation as a site for the necessary buildings. Another meeting Avill be held shortly, when no doubt some definite plan of operations Avill be arrived at. The final trial pair-oared race between Campbell (stroke), Berry (boAv), and Beauchamp (stroke), Holmes (bow), was pulled off last Friday. The course Avas from Magazine Point to the GasAvorks. Just as the crews were starting a strong squall sprang up, Avhich made the water very lumpy. For the first one hundred yards neither creAV gained any advantage. After getting into the rough Avater Campbell’s creAV —evidently the stronger—began to forge ahead. Opposite the Baths Campbell caught a crab, which enabled Beauchamp to draw up, and eventually to get slightly ahead. Campbell and Berry then exerted themselves, and settled down to a grand spurt, Avinuing by a bare half length. The race was a most exciting one, and the best contested of the lot. Five fours are noAV in training, and the first contest Avill take place next Saturday. The prizea will be oak and silver mugs.

The result of the poll re the £IOO,OOO loan will be satisfactory to the majority of our townsfolk. The figures are as follows : —For the loan, 951 ; against, 571 ; majority, 380. The bad Aveather on Tuesday no doubt deterred many from recording their votes ; but the result is such as to confirm the opinion Ave had previously expressed that a considerable majority of the ratepayers were in favor of the proposal. Disease and death have been so busy among us of late, that the public in Wellington are not in the least likely to allow the expenditure required for improAung streets and footpaths, and for relieving the city of the pressure of population, to stand in the way of the far more important Avork of drainage, which Avill shortly be submitted to them. The loan for the formation of the streets and footpaths Avas a matter of choice ; —the immediate inauguration of the drainage scheme Ave regard as a matter of necessity. It simply must be doue, and that quickly ; and we anticipate that Avhen the sanction of the ratepayers is asked for there Avill not be any oppositien to it worthy of the name. Mr. Chas. Callis, secretary to the Sydney Exhibition Committee, has in his possession a copy of the first issue of the Victoria Times , oue of the early efforts at journalism in Wellington. It is dated Wellington, 15th September, 1841, is folio demy in size, and is issued at Is. per copy. The advertisements, leading article, and news Avere first Avritten, tAvo columns on a page, and then issued in lithograph, the fourth page of the paper being taken up Avith a lithograph map of Wellington. The leader makes it warm for a publication named the Neio Zealand Gazette, and correspondents evince a disposition to enter into a controversy with the editor of the said Gazette as to whether cow Avhales came into Port Nicholson annually in May for the purpose of calving. What may be termed a local paragraph seems to indicate the foundation of our present Athenaeum, for its states that “ an enlightened and respectable portion of our fellow colonists” intended waiting ou the Governor to seek his aid in the establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute. If copies of the paper could be reproduced by photo-lithography, they Avould form an interesting exhibit at the Sydney Exhibition.

The receipts from railways during the past quarter are set down at £210,965. The total expenditure on railways up to 31st March has been £458,608, out of a total appropriation of £1,703,500. This Avould leave a balance of £1,244,892 still unexpended. The charges and expenses on the Public Works Account have already amounted to £45,741, the appropriation for the year being only £30,000. A scene not very creditable to European civilisation occurred on the Avharf on Wednesday shortly after the arrival of the Omeo. The steamer came from Newcastle, New South Wales, and had on board about 125 Chinamen. These men Avere no sooner espied by a number of people on the Avharf than steps Avere taken to annoy them in every possible Avay, culminating in the poor Chinamen being pelted Avith lime, or . some such substance. The Celestials as a Avhole stood the treatment tamely enough ; but one man, Avho had received a blow on the side of his head, picked up a piece of coal and tlireAv it among the crowd. A nasty quarrel Avould probably have ensued had not the police shoAvn up. The following are the new postal regulations which haA’e lately come into force :—Letters posted within the colony, having the names and addresses of the senders printed on the address side of the envelopes, Avill, if not claimed within one month, be returned unopened to the senders, through chief postmasters. Letters posted within the colony, having the names and addresses of the senders printed on the address side of the envelopes, accompanied by a request that the letters he returned if not claimed AYithin a stated period, will also be returned unopened. Provided, however, such letters shall have remained in the post office to Avhich they may be addressed at least ten days. Letters, hoAvever, Avhich do not bear on the envelopes any printed endorsement as above described will be treated in accordance with the existing regulations for the disposal of unclaimed letters. A meeting of the creditors of Mr. R. J. Duncan, auctioneer, was held at the Supreme Court House on Wednesday, to consider the question of assenting to a deed of assignment made by the debtor. Mr. Bell asked for an adjournment. He wished to put some questions to Mr. Duncan, but for reasons which they all knew he could not press them then. The motion for the adjournment Avas carried unanimously. Mr. Duncan filed the following statement of his liabilities :—Secured, £10,738; unsecured, £8192 ; total, £18,930. Assets— Debtß owing, £3977 ; do doubtful, £2502, taken as £SOO ; property, encumbered, £8430 ; do unencumbered, £430 ; deficiency, £5593. The debtor accounts for his deficiency as follows :—Bad debts, £4439 ; doubtful debts, £2502, taken as £500—£2002 ; loss on. New Zealander newspaper shares, £175 ; making a total loss of £6616.

Mr. Charles O’Neill, C.E., presented the Governor with a copy of his new map of the city of Wellington, and received the following courteous reply:—“ Government House, March 31, 1879. Sir, —I am directed by his Excellency Sir Hercules Robinson to return you his sincere thanks foF your kindness in present! ing him with a copy of your excellent map of Wellington.—l am, &c., B. St. Johh,"’ A.D.C.—Charles O’Neill, Esq., C.E.” This map, which in size is 3ft. by 2ft., is complete up to the present date, and includes about 100 new streets, showing the wonderful progress of Wellington during the last few years ; in fact, without this map anyone might be puzzled to knoAV the situation of such streets as Pita Rua-street, Victoria-avenue, (Josephstreet, or Broadway-terrace, &c. The map shoAVS the suburbs of Kilbirnie, Melrose, VogeltoAvn, Wadestown, and road to Island Bay, &c., and the neAV city boundaries as defined by last year’s Act of Parliament,. the line of City Tramways, quarter-mile distances from the Post Office, and much general useful information, making it a valuable document of reference. The publishers are Messrs. Lyon and Blair, of this city. The Waste Lands Board had a special meeting on Thursday, for the purpose of taking into consideration the expenditure of the Government grant on certain roads. Mr. Macarthur, chairman of the Manawatu County Council, Avrote stating that he had been informed by the Under-Secretary for CroAvn Lands that the original apportionment of the vote of £IO,OO0 —to be expended on roads Avithiu deferred-payment blocks taken up prior to the Ist January, 1878 —had been adhered to as far as the MauaAvatu County was concerned, that was to say, a total of £IOBO was allowed to the county, £SOO of which was to be expended in the Palmerston North Block, and £SBO in the Kiwitea Block. Mr. Macarthur enclosed, for the approval of the Board, plans of the proposed roads, together Avith a statement of lioav it Avas proposed to allot the contemplated expenditure, special reference being had to the sections taken up on deferred payments. After due consideration, the Board confirmed all the suggested roads Avithiu the Kiwitea Block, but made certain changes in the Palmerston North Block. A fearful disturbance took place on Thursday morning between some Italian fishermen. One man had his nose bit off, and another had his stomach cut open Avith a razor. It appears that three of the men had been drinking together, Avhen a disturbance took place relative to the leasing of some fishing boats, Avhen one of them, named Betoci, had his nose bit off by Bernandez. A Avoman, the wife of the third man, then made her appearance on the scene, and struck Bernandez beloAv the ear with a stone. Betoci, who had lost his nose in the affray, made a rush at Bernandez Avith an open razor in his hand, and inflicted two terrible gashes across his abdomen. The man Avas conveyed to the Hospital, where he had his wounds seAvn up and attended to. Warrants have been issued for the offenders, but from Avhat Ave can learn they have succeeded in getting away from Wellington. A warrant was also issued for the unfortunate man now in the hospital, but of course it Avill be some time before he will be able to leave his bed.

A man named Jas. Marshall, avlio fell out of the wiudoAV of the Branch Hotel here last Aveek, and Avhose injuries at the time Avero not considered dangerous, died in the hospital on Saturday last from the effects of the fall. The agricultural statistics for a number of the counties appeared in last Aveek’s Gazette, but as some have already appeared, and the list is as }et incomplete, we prefer to await the publication of the full list before re-publisliiug any particulars. We hear that a specimen of copper has been submitted to the. Geological Department lately, which appears to be almost pure native copper. « However, no assay is likely to be made by the department, as the finder of the specimen has declined to disclose Avhere the specimen Avas procured.

Instructions liaA r e been received in Fiji from the Imperial authorities recalling the few remaining members of the Royal Engineer corps at present stationed in tlie colony. The men have received intimation of the fact, and by the next mail the last represeutatKes of Britain’s military power will have bade adieu to Fiji. Apropos of our recent remarks about the Telegraph Department, Ave have been shown a letter from an operator at a central station north of Dunedin, avlio states that he hills iu vain applied to be transferred to Dunedin, Avhere lie has a father in ill-health. Although one of the best operators in the service, he is getting only £IOO a year, working from four in the afternoon till four in the morning, without any prospect of advancement, and lie lias had no holiday for four years. The consequence is the young man Avill iu all probability leave for Victoria.

The Avails of the Parliamentary Library have just been graced by the photographs of members of the House of Representatives during last session, with one notable exception. They are nicely mounted Avithiu a frame, and are excellent pictures of the honorable gentlemen. The exception alluded to is that of Mr. Richard Turnbull, member for Tiuiaru, Avho, it may he remembered, declined to sit for bis photograph and also successfully evaded the enthusiastic artist who endeavored to “ take ” him from the strangers’ gallery of the House. At present Timaru is represented in the collection by an ugly blank, and no doubt Mr. Turnbull Avill at au early date cast aside his “ aiu’t going to he took” resolution, if only to rob the appearance of the collection of au unpleasant suggestion as to the character of Timaru’s representative. The photographs are by Messrs. Clarke and Hamilton, of Lambton-quay. The New Zealand Gazette, dated April 24th, contains notifications of the following appointments by his Excellency the Governor : Jackson Keddell, Esq., R.M., to be the Judge of the Assessment Court for the district comprised within the County of Coromandel. Harry Eyre Kenny, Esq., to be District Judge for the District of Hawke’s Bay ; a Resident Magistrate for the District of Napier and Waipukurau, with jurisdiction to £100; and a Visiting Justice to the prison at Napier; these appointments date from the 22nd instant. Edward ShaAV, Esq., to be District Judge for the Districts of Taranaki and Wanganui ; a Resident Magistrate for the District of New Plymouth, with jurisdiction to £SO; a Visiting Justice of the prison at New Plymouth, and chairman of the Licensing Courts for the Districts of Egmont, Waiongona, town of NeAV Plymouth, and Waitara, vice H. E. Kenny, Esq., transferred ; these appointments date from the Ist proximo. Andrew Turnbull, Esq., to be Registrar at Nelson of the Supremo Court, from the Ist proximo, vice E. Bainford, Esq., transferred. Arthur Sandys Brooke Forster, Esq., to be clerk at Palmerston North of the District Court of Wanganui. Andrew Thomas Maginnity, Esq., to be Assistant Secretary for Telegraphs; appointment to date from the Ist April, 1877. Gerhard Mtteller, Esq., to be a School Commsssioner for the Provincial District of Westland, vice E. Patten, Esq., resigned. The Australian Mutual Provident Society is an institution Avhose progress is so thoroughly illustrative of the history of the colonies that its annual report is always eagerly looked for even by others than members of the soeiety. The thirtieth annual meeting was held at Sydney on Wednesday, and the report then presented was of a most satisfactory character. The directors reported that the new business transacted iu the year just closed has exceded that of the preceding oue. Daring the nvelve months ending 31st December, 1878, there have been received 8864 proposals for sums amounting to £3,273,087, of Avhich 2655 were declined, Avithdrawn, or not completed, amounting to £1,097,145 ; leaving 6209 proposals accepted and completed, assuring £2,175,942. This business includes 310 nonparticipating policies, assuring £/2,186. Tha new premiums amount to £/4,816 6s. 3d., of Avhich £1684 13s. represents single payments. Claims have arisen under 239 life poliaies by the death of 209 members, amounting to £118,953 9s. 7d., including £13,278 9s. 7d. for bonus additions. Sixteen endowment assurances have also matured, amounting to £7807 18s., including £1757 18s. for bonus additions. The accumulated fund now stands at £2,619,187 17s. 9d., showing au increase of £349,295 15s. 9d., the balance of receipts over disbursements during the year. The number of policies issued since the establishment of the society to the 31st December, 1878, is 46,314, assuring £17,570,063, of Avhich 11,096 have been discontinued, leaving 35,218 existing policies, assuring £13,392,121. The annual income from premiums amounts to £457,679 18s. 6d.; from interest to £164,278 Us.; making tho total annual revenue of the society £621,958 9s. 6d. Tho actuary is proceeding Avith tho sixth quinquennial investigation of the society’s affairs preliminary to a distribution of profit among the members. Although there are in force more than double the number of policies that existed at the close of the fifth quinquennium, the Avork is so Avell advanced that th® directors anticipate being able to declare the result quite as early as on the former occasion

As was anticipated, the Royal CommiaBioners appointed to enquire into and report upon the condition of higher education in the colony have found that it will be impossible to satisfactorily conclude their labors before July, and they have obtained an extension of time. A substantial interim report will, however, be prepared in time for presentation to Parliament during the forthcoming session. The commission is now again in Wellington, after spending a month in visiting Nelson and Canterbury, during which sittings have been held daily, excepting on Sundays and on Good Friday, and when the commissioners were actually travelling. This week there have been present the chairman (Mr. G. M. O’Rorke), Hon. W. Gisborne, Dr. Hector, Rev. Mr. Mulgan, and Rev. W. J. Habens ; and the following gentlemen have been examined— On Tuesday, Hon. Dr. Grace, on University Education and the Education of Chemists and Druggists ; Mr. Kenneth Wilson, M.A., Principal of Wellington College, on University Education. On Wednesday, Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, chairman of Wellington Board of Education, on Educational matters generally; Mr. David Peat, of Wanganui, on Wanganui Industrial School and its endowment ; Bishop Had field, on Wanganui Industrial School and endowment, and other endowments held by the Church of England for educational purm poses ; Mr. Henry Jackson, late Chief Surveyor, honorary treasurer to Wellington College, on College Finance and the Education of Surveyors ; Mr. Robert Lee, Inspector of Schools, Wellington, on Educational matters in Wellington. Thursday, Mr. C. C. N. Barron, secretary to the Civil Service Board of Examiners, on University Education; Professor Kirk, of Wellington College, on Scientific Education, Technical Education, and the New Zealand Institute ; Mr. W. Clark, on the Wesleyan Educational Reserve in Wellington ; Mr. James McKerrow, Assistant Surveyor-General, on the' Education of Surveyors ; Mf. Justice Richmond, on Law Candidates’ Examinations, Law Degrees, and ■University Education. The commissioners will continue their sittings in Wellington for a time, and at the beginning of June will visit Otago.