Monthly Summary.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XVII, Issue 1724, 8 February 1862, Page 3

Monthly Summary.

Spectator Office, Sth February, 1862. The retrospect of the past month does not present many topics worthy of particular remark. Our monthly c'omm'umcatitins with the seat of Government do not usually occur until after the departure of the Mail, so that in political matters we have no news of any importance. His Excellency Sir George Grey is daily expected at Wellington, having no doubt been detained at the North by business connected with Native affairs. The Ahuriri Natives have sent to his Excellency a special invitation to visit that district about the 28th of this month, when a large gathering is to take place to celebrate the tangi for Moananui, and where Sir George Grey will receive a cordial welcome, so that there is every probability of his coming Southward during the present month. This subject may be dismissed in a few words: peace and quiet prevails, with every probability of its continuance.

In commercial matters the principal event during the past month has been the establishment of a branch of the Bank of New Zealand in Wellington, which now boasts of three banking establishments. The late fine dry weather has been very favourable to shearing operations, which at the majority of tbe sta. (ions are for the most part concluded. The Asterope, the first wool ship of the season, sailed on the 19th January, with a full cargo of wool and other produce, valued atT33,887, for London. The lITW Duck is loading with wool for London, and another vessel will pro bably be soon placed on the berth for the same destination. Commercial affairs are progressing smoothly and favorably and give promise of continued improvement. The gold diggings at Otago still attract diggers from the neighbouring colonies, and the weekly escort shows no falling off in the yield of the precious metal. An important meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held at which the desirability of steam communication with Melbourne' and the carriage of the English Mail for this Province by steamers from Melbourne via Otago was warmly agitated, and no doubt ttis project may shortly B'e realised, as it will be fraught with many advantages to- this' Port.

Indications have been found of Gold at Otaki and Turakina on the West Const, and although it would bo premature to' give a decided opinion at present,- enough is known to warrant the expectation of valuable mineraj discoveries in this Province whenever it shal] be fairly explored by a competent person, nnd its capabilities made known. No doubt the liberal reward of £lOOO offered by the Provincial Government for the discovery of an available gold field will stimulate those who arc prospecting, to fresh exertions that may be attended with important results. The trade between this port and Otago is increasing rapidly. During the month nine

vessels have left here for Otago with cargoes ol ea.tlo, sheep, timber, and produce, exclu she of the mail steamers, an I there are two vessels on tlie berth at present—the barque llernllne and the brigantine Sioortl Fish, and one or two vessels are daily expected up from the South to load with stock. The catlie and produce which have been taken down has, we understand, brought very good prices; and with the steadj’ increase of the population at Otago, good fat stock is likely to realise good prices for some time to come. The following is the quantity of produce, cattle, A'c., exported to Otago during tbe month :— 448 bullocks, 8 calves, 1349 sheep, 87 pigs, 00 geese, 153 kegs butter, 72,392 feet timber, 10 tons and 380 bags potatoes, 1 1 do. onions, ■3OO bags bran, 20 do. pollard, 4 hhds. ale, 2 bales leather, 27 pkgs, tow, 28 doz. lines, 7 coils wool lashing, 2 pkgs, mattresses, and 704 pkgs, merchandise.