SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4120, 4 June 1874, Page 3

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA.

MA Y-JUXE, IS7I (For transmission hy the It.M.S. City of Adelaide, via Fitii Francisco: or hy the s.s. Tararua, via Melbourne and Slice.) POLITICAL. Hid Excellency the Governor is still in the North, though his precise whereabouts is riot known. He sailed some time ago from Auckland in his yacht the Blanche, with the intention of seeing the coast towards the North Cape, probably to return to Wellington byway of the west coast of the island, but the party have not since been heard of. To the portion of the island which Sir James Fergusson proposed to visit, the telegraph wires do not extend ; and probably the first news we may receive of his whereabouts will be from New Plymouth, should the weather permit of a visit to the Province of Taranaki ; or by the appearance of the Blanche in Port Nicholson. 11.hi.8. Blanche proceeded to the North in company with his Excellency's yacht, and will probably return to the harbor of Wellington at the same time as she does, ns the Blanche is understood to bo the ship of the Australasian squadron which will ho stationed here during the coming session of Parliament. The General Assembly, however, will not be in session before the first -week in July. Some curiosity has been occasioned in Wellington by statements in the journals of Sydney and Melbourne to the effect that his Excellency has been in direct communication with the Governors of New South Wales and "Victoria, on the subject of their mutual official correspondence. Sir James, it is said, proposes that the Governors of the Australian Colonies —and as Mr. Weld, the Governor of West Australia, and Mr. DuCane, the representative of her Majesty in Tasmania, were lately in New Zealand, they may have been consulted also—should communicate with each other on; all official matters directly, and not through their respective responsible advisers. Mr. Parkes seems to have been communicated with at once on the subject by Sir Hercules Eobinson, and Mr. Francis by Sir George Bowen. What the Premiere of those two colonies would say in such a matter is not open to doubt, and we are, therefore, quite prepared to believe, as the newspapers of those cities state, that both Mr. Parkes and Mr. Francis at once intimated their decided dissent from Sir James Fergtisson's views. They held that the suggestion—for probably it amounts to no more—was inconsistent with responsible government. So far as we can gather from the information given to the journals referred to, the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria approved the views of their responsible advisers. Nothing has transpired on the subject in New Zealand, and probably we shall hear no more of it. ' The session of the Provincial Council of Wellington was short, hut not uneventful. The Address of the Superintendent, of which we gave the more salient points last month, was not agreed to without, considerable opposition—so much so, indeed, that the Provincial Government narrowly escaped a defeat. On the 11th instant Mr. Andrew moved the reply to His Honor’s Address in a lengthy speech. He stated that he wished to be “ extremely cautions in the terms he employed,” but he thought that in His Honor’s statement of the case as between the General and the Provincial Governments in the matter of the auditor’s warrant—appropriating the whole of the vote of the Council in it 3 previous special session—was “entirely disengenuous.” He disclaimed any hostile intention towards the Government, and submitted Iris amendment mainly, that it should not he supposed that the Council, by receiving the address without placing on record their views regarding it, approved of its statements. The essential portion of the amendment was the following paragraph : “The Council regret that they do not concur in the view expressed by your Honor on the disallowance of the Bridges and Hoads Act of last session, and reluctantly find themselves unable to approve of the action in the matter of your Honor and the Executive, ns shown by the correspondence with the General Government, and as explained by your Honor.” Mr. Andrew went on to state that he did not, in that paragraph, mean to state that tho Council knew the whole facts of the case, and “ desired to pass condemnation upon his Honor ; but that so far as his Honor had laid his ex parte statement before them that ex parte statement was to their minds by no means satisfactory.” Mr. Hunter replied on the part of the Government. The debate was protracted for some days, and resulted in a division of 10 to 13, the Government having the majority". It is not to pass unobserved, however, that in the majority the votes of three members of the Provincial Government and of the Provincial Solicitor are included. It is also worthy of a passing remark that some friends of the Provincial Government, apprehensive apparently of an adverse vote, or so close a division as to make even a single vote important, put themselves to the expense and trouble of despatching a special mesjenger to Christchurch, who returned with an honorable member who took an early opportunity of speaking, and voted with the majority. It may be worJ.li wlule to report the division, which was as follows : Ayes (against the Provincial Government). — Messrs. Andrew, Beethara, Cruielciihank, Hutchison, Lowes, Ludlam, W. S. Milne, Morgan, 0. Pharazyn, aud E. Pharazyn. Noes (for the Provincial Government).— Messrs. Boriase, Buckley, Bunny, Carter, Crawford, Dalrymplo, Graham, Hunter, I voson, A. Milne, Pearce, Watt, and Wright. While the debate was hanging fire the Provincial Secretary had carried through the whole of tire votes proposed for the year, and had passed the Appropriation Act. The result of the debate was, therefore, a matter of hut minor importance for the time ; but the check the Provincial Government has received will be a valuable lesson to them for the future. It was clearly made apparent to them in the course of the debate that the reputation of somewhat dangerous smartness attached to them, and it may, perhaps, bo less noticeable in the future. The debate over, and the Appropriation Bill having been received, the session came to an end, the results so far as legislation is concerned having amounted to—nothing'.

Since thou the Judges of the Supreme Court have decided, in the case of the At-torney-General v. Bunny, in favor of the General and against the Local Government, in the litigation arising out of the effort of the General Government to keep the Provincial Government strictly within the pale of the law. The Provincial Hall has been occupied since the prorogation of the Council by the General Synod of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, the sittings of which have been presided over by the Primate of the Church in the Colony, The subjects they have dealt with have been too numerous and—wo may say—too technical to bo summarised. Her Majesty’s birthday was observed here with all the usual demonstrations of loyalty aud respect. In the absence of his Excellency, no levee was hold ; but the day was made a general holiday. The Volunteers turned out aud fired the salutes proper on the occasion. At the Hutt, there were foot races aud walk-ing-matches. So groat was the number of people who took advantage of the occasion for an excursion by rail that, the weather becoming unfavorable in the afternoon, not a little inconvenience resulted. The resources of the railway authorities arc being increased to meet the unexpectedly largo traffic the railway is developing. Considerable changes have taken place in the members of Provincial Executives during the month. In Otago, a political crisis has happened . through the sudden resignation of the Executive. It appears to have occurred through internal disagreement, but chiefly through a feeling on the part of Mr. Turnbull, its leading member, that attention to private business was incompatible with proper care of the public business. Hr, Webster was sent for to form a Cabinet, but failed. Sir. Donald Held was next importuned, and lie lias formed a Ministry, of which both Mr. Turnbull and Dr. Webster are members. The following are the members of tiia Executive Council which met the Provincial Council of Canterbury at its meeting on the 29th of May :—Messrs. W. Montgomery, E. Jollie, T. W. Maude, and T. G. Joynt. In Nelson, a motion moved by Mr. G. Donne, to bring the Executive under direct responsibility to the Council, was earned by fifteen to six. The Executive subsequently resigned. Mr. Greenfield, who had been Provincial Secretary, was asked to form an Executive but declined. Mr. E. J. O’Conor, who unsuccessfully contested with Mr. Curtis the ’ late election for the Superintendency, was next invited to undertake the task. He did so, and the Executive now consists of Mr. O’Conor, Air. Pitt (Provincial Solicitor), Mr. Simpler, and Mr. Eout. Air. O’Conor unites the offices of Secretary and Treasurer. In Taranaki, .Major Atkinson has been called upon, to form an Executive, and has done so, taking for himself the office of Provincial Secretary. Air. Thomas Henderson has resigned his seat in the Assembly. He was member for one of the electorates in the Province of Auckland. Air. W. L. Eees and Air. Dargaville are spoken of as probable candidates. Proposals have been laid before the Provincial Council of Otago for the construction of new branch lines of railway, aud the Superintendent will apply to the General Assembly to sanction a loan for that purpose to the extent of half a million sterling. A motion has also been adopted by the Council for the appointment of a harbor trust for Dunedin, with power to borrow £250,000 for the purpose of deepening the harbor, so that the largest ship trading to the port may be able to go up to the wharves in the centre of the city. It has been ascertained that in the sea-reach or estuary from near Port Chalmers to Dunedin no rock exists, and that the work of dredging will be comparatively easy. Some difficulty appears to have arisen about the granting of land in the district of Hawke’s Bay to Air. Vesey Stewart, for a special settlement for a band of well-to-do immigrant farmers from the North of Ireland. The General Government entertain doubts on the subject, because no guarantee has been offered by Mr. Stewart that his professed objects will be carried out, and, it seems, in consequence of misrepresentations by Mr. Stewart in letters which lie has sent home. It has transpired, through a communication from the Premier to the Superintendent of Taranaki, that the General Government lias resolved to limit the number of immigrants to New Zealand during the next seven months to a total of 25,000. The Superintendent of Auckland, and the Executive and officers of the local G overnmont, lately made a general tour of the Province in order to “ascertain by personal inquiry and observation the extent of the facilities afforded by each district —in the possession of suitable blocks of land, and in the demand for labor—for the location of immigrants as well as for the prospect of promoting special settlements. They inspected large blocks of land that were purchased and others that were available, finding, as a rule, that the Natives were very generally disposed to soil. On the East Coast they found settlement so fairly progressing as to warrant the Superintendent in asking the Council to create facilities for regular steam traffic with Auckland. Everywhere public works were being proceeded with, and the settlers wore so pronounced in their opinions as to the value of these, that he felt justified in recommending a continuation of them. On the Thames goldfield everything was satisfactory, and promised to bo more so when certain needed public works should be completed. On tire West Coast all was flourishing, and the Council will be asked for means to provide regularsteam service to that portion of the coast of the Province. Tire late meeting of natives at Kaivvaiki has ended in a general resolve to use every effort to obtain better representation for- the iSlaoris in the Parliament of the Colony. The leader in the movement, Ilcnarc Matua, of Napier, v#ll send a monster petition to Parliament, with the object of securing a representative for each principal Native tribe. If succeesfnl, the Native representatives will bring their influence to bear upon the Government in order to secure concession, and probably forinquiring into all land transactions. Hunaro Matua is said to intend starting a newspaper in tire Native language at Wellington for the purpose of advocating his views. Particulars have been received from Fiji of tiro murder of Eoss Lcwin, a planter- at Tanna. Ho was shot by a Native in revenge for shooting a pig in his garden, lie requested that his body should bo buried hr the sea, lest the Natives should dig it up. His wife went out in a boat to fulfil his request,

whan she was driven away by a gale, and, afterenduring great privation, was picked up by the schooner Donald AlcLean, engaged on a labor cruise. Bloodshed had previously occurred on board the vessel, the mate having been lulled with an axo by Natives, while "a sailor- was struck in the mouth with a poisoned arrow, and two others were wounded. The San Francisco mail arrived so well up to time last month as to give assurance that, long before the ships that are being specially built are ready for sea, the contractors will have been able to fulfil all the conditions of tire service. The outward and inward mails should have arrived at Kairdavau on the Kith ult. but as the marls were somewhat late in being despatched, it is satisfactory to know that the City of Adelaide, from Sydney, reached that port on tire 17th ult., and was followed at an early hour on the 19th by the Cyphroues from Auckland, aud the Tartar from San Francisco, which cutor-cd the port almost together. It was intended that the City of Adelaide should go on to Sarr Francisco; but it was found that time would be saved by coaling the Cyphrenes from the City of Adelaide, rather- than transhipping that vessel’s New Zealand cargo. The Cyphrenes coaled and went on. The Tartar sailed for- Sydircy on the 19th, the Cyphrenes for her destination, and the City of Adelaide for New Zealand ports, on the following day. The marl was due at Arteklarrd on the 22nd ult., and was therefore ortly some two days after time, nearly one and a half of which were lost in the coaling operations. The Tartar made the run down from Sarr Francisco to Ivarrdavau in such time that, had there been no delay on the American side, and no detention in Fiji, the marls would have boon delivered in New Zealand nearly two days before contract time. SOCIAL. The Queen’s Birthday happened to be one of tiro finest days of the season, and the number of holiday makers in Wellington was unusually large, while the means of enjoyment were multifarious. Eailway trips at excursion fares, a trip outside the Hoads in the Phoebe, and the novelty of welcoming the Wenningtou new-comers before the actual conrpletiorr of their long voyage, a cricket match, in which the Fire Brigades for once opposed their forces, and the attractions of suburban rambles and picnics left but one difficulty, the difficulty of choosing between these various methods of spending the clay. The railway trains were literally besieged by passengers proceeding to the Hutt, where some out-door sports were held, and it was with groat difficulty the railwav- authorities could accommodate the crowd, the rolling stock being at present somewhat limited. In the evening the Theatre Eoy.al was crowded, aud there was a large attendance at the Oddfellows’ anniversary dinner and soiree. As a whole the weather during the past mouth has been of a very broken and boisterous character; but in Wellington this has not been the case so much as in other parts of the Colony. At Auckland and Grahamstown, a recent gale did considerable damage to sailing craft; at Greymouth, lately, there was a peculiar succession of gales; and severe vveather has also been felt further South. Eecently a more perfect system of meteorological reports has been instituted by the Commissioner of Customs, and has already proved very useful to mariners, though it is yet capable of being considerably developed. Messrs. Calcutt and Holdsworth, who were selected by the General and Provincial Governments, to examine certain districts of the Province, with a view to settlement on the deferred payment system, have returned to Wellington after an extensive tour throughout the Province, and it is understood that they have been able to give a most encouraging report as to the character of tire country which they visited, and as to the prospects of a good selection of blocks of land being made. Air. Holloway, the deputy of the English agricultural laborers, has already travelled over greater part of the Provinces of Otago and Canterbury, and intends also visiting Westland before coming to the North Island. He was present at the mid-winter show and dinner of the Canterbury Agricultural Association a few days ago, and spoke very favorably of the Provinces which he had visited as a field for settlement, and of the institutions of the Colony with which he had already become acquainted. A Air. Mnopheraon, who refers to himself as a member of the Canterbury Working Alen’s Association, lias lately been demonstrating in Dunedin and Alelbonme by attacking the policy of the Government of this Colony, and endeavoring to persuade people that the Colony is not in a thriving state. He has been sharply and sufficiently answered by journals in this Colony and in others, and what ho states is thus emphatically contradicted by one correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, Air. W. Begg :—“ I have travelled over nearly the whole of both islands, and from my own observation am prepared to say that there are largo, rich tracts of country yet available for settlement, that wages are considerably higher than at Home, while articles of daily use are in very few instances higher, and that the demand for labor of all descriptions, more especially skilled artisans and house servants, is very great indeed ; and what more convincing proof can wo have than this fact, after a trial of the scheme of 1870 for three years, which, as can be proved by statistical returns, has, as you truly remark, been productive of great and increasing prosperity.” The value of the imports at Wellington during the March quarter was £237,573, as against £177,851 during the corresponding quarter of 1873. The value of the exports was £333,731, as against £265,733 in the first quarter of 1873. A very clear aud interesting report has been made to His Honor the Superintendent by Air. Halcombe on the colonization of the Manchester block. It is of especial interest in this Province at the present moment, from the fact that arrangements arc now being made for setting apart four blocks of land of 20,000 acres each for this purpose. After giving a short account of the circumstances under which the settlement was begun, Air. Halcombe proceeds to show how the immigrants are introduced into the. Colony after being selected by the corporation in England, and mentions the fact that all heads of families are, immediately on landing, required to insure their lives for a sum of £IOO each, as a protection to the corporation for their indebtedness, and a provision for their families, in case of accident, Tho report then goes on to show how tho actual settlement is carried on, and in the views Mr. Halcombe expresses, and has given practical effect to so far as has been in his power, ho has shown himself to bo fully capable of grasping the principles on which a settlement should be founded. The great principle which seems to guide Mr. Halcombe throughout is that of cooperation in its most enlarged sense, viz., that of capital and labour, vvitli tho view of systematic settlement under ho ordinary difficulties, with the smallest possible waste of either, and with a minimum of inconvenience to the settlers thcmselvo Trade is rapidly increasing at Wanganui. The Herald reports that —“Mr. E. Hammond, of York Farm, has just commenced tho erection of a large receiving store at Alarton, with offices attached. It is his intention to put on two more teams at once. Air Hammond- informs us that ho has at the present time no leas than fifty waggon loads of timber and produce waiting to come into town. If tho carrying trade between Alarton and Wanganui goes on increasing at this rate, there is every chance of tho railway vvjicn once opened paying something more than working expenses.” Alcofcings of the Standing Committee of tho Church of England and of tho vestries of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s have been held to

consider the advisablenoss of erecting a third church in the City. Liberal subscriptions have been made towards the erection of a now Presbyterian Church. The Caledonian Society of Nelson have presented a silver medal to Daniel A. Hamid for his heroic conduct cm the occasion of the wreck of the ship City of Newcastle in Cook Strait. The medal is chastely designed by Messrs. Kirkwood and Sons, medallists, of Edinburgh Father Cummins, who has left Wellington for Reefton, was presented with an address, as a parting gift, from the children attending St. Philomena’s School, Willis Street, who desired to testify their gratitude to him as one of the founders of the school ; ami at a special meeting of members of the Homan Catholic Church, at which Mr. Walter Johnston presided, he was presented with a more substantial gift, in acknowledgment of his services during his sojourn hi this city. The Government had advices of the sale in London of .£(572,0 0 0 of -U- per cent, debentures, nominally at £OB, but with allowances for interest which reduce the price to £9(5 9s. stl. This is part of the one and a-half million which has been offered for sale. The balance is to be sold at the same price. The General Government have received from California. oOlbs. of the seed of the Chilian Alfulfa grass for distribution by Dr. Hector, who, judging by the description of the plant and its valuable character, is likely to have many more applicants for the seed than ho will ho able to supply. A destructive fire occurred lately at Wanganui. The Led Lion Hotel and Gordon's livery stables were totally destroyed, and six horses were burnt to death. At Wellxmrne, Taranaki, Mr Brown’s saw-mill lias been burnt down. Several of the earlier residents of Westland seem to l)e betaking themselves to fresh fields, and Wellington City and Province are apparently selected as suitable situations for their enterprise. One new firm now being established in this City as wholesale drapers—namely, Messrs. Thomson and Shannon, includes the -leading partner of the firm of Messrs. Thomson, Smith, and Barkley, of Greymouth, Westport, ami other towns on the Coast. Another new firm established here includes Air. Mace and Mr. Arkell, who are now making the preliminary preparations for starting an extensive brewery, such as they have managed with success elsewhere. Mr. Findlay, of the firm of Findlay and Haworth, of Hokitika, has lately been in the interior examining some of the timber districts of the Province, and Mr. William Evans, importer, of the same place, is in search of a new locality for settlement. By the steamer Claud Hamilton [there was received a select and valuable addition to the sheep and cattle stock of the Province—one of the most valuable importations that have been made for some time. The importation consists of eighteen pure Merino stud sheep, two Leicester rams, a Hereford bull, and an entire draught horse. These constitute a purchase recently made in Tasmania by Mr Edwin Meredith, junr, for the Kiversdale Station, Wharehama. In addition to this importation, Mr Meredith has also brought down a number of hares, which he proposes turning out at Wharehama. Amongst the La Hogue’s cargo was a case containing the sum of £425 in, silver coin, consigned to the National Bank. The introduction of so largo a quantity of silver is most acceptable just now, when silver in exchange for gold or paper money is almost unobtainable. Among things not generally known, it may be mentioned that daring the March quarter of this year, as many as 23,-112 rabbit skins were exported from Wellington, their value being £O4l. The only other port from which similar exports were shipped was the Bluff, hut there the number was only 500, value £lO. After a meeting of Natives from Napier and Wanganui, recently held at Kaiwaiki, a chief well known by his English and official name of Major Kemp, not only assaulted his wife (who, fortunately, is now recovering), but had also attempted suicide, luckily failing in the attempt. It is stated that the author of the outrage ascribes the assault on his wife, which seems to have arisen out of sudden passion, and his subsequent proceedings, to the effects of “ bad rum,” supplied to the Natives at the meeting. The annual dinnorof the Wellington Builders’ and Contractors’ Association was held at Urwin’s Post Office Hotel. Over fifty members of the association sat down at the tables, and in addition’there were a number of guests present, amongst whom were his Honor the Superintendent, his Worship the Mayor, the Provincial Engineer, Mr. E. W. Mills, Mr. J. R. George, and others interested in the welfare of the building trade. The chair was occupied by Mr. McKirdy, the vice-chairs by Mr. Loeldo and Mr. S. Brown. News of the location of the immigrants by the Golden Sea at Wanganui, Foxton, and Foilding is encouraging. The demand existing was sufficient to absorb all the supply at wages considerably above rates ruling at homo. The immigrants express themselves as very favorably impressed with the districts in which they have been settled. The first sod of the river contract of the Wellington and Masterton railway (Mr. MolCirdy’s) was turned lately, and the work is being proceeded with vigorously. The Wellington Building Company call for tenders for the erection of fourteen houses on the five acres of College reserve in Tory Street, leased by the company for a long term. Eleven of the houses are to contain six rooms, and the other three, fronting Cambridge terrace, eight rooms. These buildings are to be provided with every accessory in the shape of water, gas, proper moans of drainage, etc. The annual prizes of Messrs. Brandon, £lO ; Izard, £5 ; Lowes, £5; and Hirst, £5; were fired for at the Tawa Flat Butts, on May 13, by the Pahautauni, Porirna, and Kaiwarara Rifle Volunteers. There were 43 competitors. The prospects of floating a now Bank, to be called the Colonial, appear to bo encouraging. Over 35,000 shares have been applied for. The Bank’s temporary offices are in High Street, Dunedin. Wanganui papers report the death of a wellknown settler, Mr Lawrence Daniel. Mrs Putt, who arrived at New Plymouth by the first vessel that came to that settlement, has died at the age of eighty-five years. The Herald states that she leaves a largo number of descendants ; amongst them many great grandchildren, some of whom are eight or nine years old. One of the immigrants by the ship Woodlark, named Francis Cotter, has died in the hospital at Wanganui. He met with a severe fall a few days preyio.usly, by which his shoulder was much injured. Exposure soon after resulted in fever, which proved fatal. Ho was only twenty years of age, and a native of the county of Waterford. In Hawke’s Bay late floods have again submerged over 8000 acres of valuable land in the immediate vicinity of Napier, and destroyed the feed tor the winter; fences have boon swept away, and valuable stock has been drowned; a great deal of private and public property lias been damaged, and - the lower levels of the town have been inundated, A fatal accident occurred in the harbor last week. A man named Joseph Hawkins fell overboard from the steamer Paterson, and, although picked up alive, died shortly afterwards. At Wharehama, last week, the body of a man named Thomas Abbott was found in a stream, in the neighborhood of which lie had been wandering for some days in an insane state. The immigrant ships which arrived lately at Wellington—the Wennington and La Hogue —came into port with their list of passengers increased by births on board, but some deaths occurred on and after the dates of their arrival. One of the Wenuington’s passengers died while the ship.was at anchor at the Heads, and on the La Hogue, after arrival, a child named Dnfficld and Mrs. Ashton, the mother of six children, died. Since then, another of tho'immigrants, J ames Payne, died at the barracks from dropsy. Anniversary meetings of Odd Fellows have been held in Wellington and Groytnwn, a novel feature in connection with the anniversary at the latter place being a cricket match

and foot-hall match with the local lodge of Foresters. Satisfactory meetings of Colonial Coal Companies have recently been held—one at Oroymouth, the other at Auckland. In the one case the Greymouth Company are able to report favorably of their prospects, and of the progress which they have made in getting machinery on the ground, and in the other ease the Bay of Islands Company, after an outlay of £SOOO for pumping engines, have received a dividend of 10 per cent, for the past year. On the Napier railway a trial trip with an engine has been made for a distance of four miles, and the lino will, no doubt, soon be open for that distance for regular traffic. At Napier a man named Michael Nolan has been crushed to death between two steamers in tile harbor. A change has taken place in the Blenheim newspapers. The Marlhorowjli Hews 'is defunct, and the Mtirlhorou;)h Times has risen out of its ashes—a decided improvement upon its predecessor. In Christchurch a new paper called the Glohe is published by the Press Company. In Auckland there has this week been another fire, but fortunately not one so serious as those which had previously occurred. It happened at Newmarket and destroyed the buildings of i McNeil, baker, Witherford, ironmonger, Jenkins, draper, and Morgan. The insurance will not nearly cover the loss. While good accounts from the Thames mines continue to be received, there are equally favorable reports from the reefing district of Inangahua, in Nelson Province. One claim—the Wealth of Nations—has yielded 4Goozs. of melted gold for 2(5 days’ crushing, and other claims have given highly profitable returns. An archery match took place last week between the Auckland Cl ub and the Thorndon Club (Wellington). The conditions were—four dozen arrows each ; distances, ladies at 50 yards, gentlemen, (50 yards ; six ladies and throe gentlemen a side ; and the result was that the Thorndon Club was defeated by 104 points. The scores do not come up to the general average on either side, the Auckland Club having boon somewhat thrown out of practice by the loss of their usual ground, and the representatives of the Thorndon Club having to struggle against the inclemency of the weather. The ceremony of receiving into the Order of the Sisters of Mercy three postulants was celebrated lately at Sc. Mary’s Cathedral, in the presence of a numerous congregation. From a return Just published, it appears that during the ten years ended on the 31st December, 1573, eight persons in the Province of Wellington were fined £SO each for sly grogselling. Mr. Cook, of Foxton, is the successful tenderer for the lease of the Foxton and Palmerston Tramway and Foxton Wharf. The lease is for one year, the Government declining a longer term at present, as it is intended to supercede the present wooden ones with iron rails, probably before the close of the term for which the lino and wharf have now been lot. Already an offer has been made to place a locomotive on the line, in connection with an extensive sawmill which It is proposed to erect on the Manchester Block. The libel case heard in the Supreme Court, Dunedin, namely, Macassey y. Bell, has led to a number of complications, the last of which was the publication of what purported to bo telegrams addressed by Judge Ward to the Premier, making- insinuations against Mr. Justice Chapman as to ids hearing of the case. The alleged telegrams were published in the Otayo Daily Times, and their contents telegraphed throughout the Colony, but Judge Ward has since pronounced them to be impudent forgeries. Many old residents of Dunedin and visitors to that city will regret to hear of the death of a once well kown hotel-keeper there, Mr. John McCubbin. Mr. McCubbin proceeded to Port Darwin, where he died on the 23rd of January last. The mineral resources of Marlborough are attracting somo attention. The antimony reefs at Endeavor Inlet, Queen Charlotte Sound, are soon to be worked, and the company are laying ninety chains of a tramway to the reefs. A splendid bed of limestone has been found in Shakespeare Bay, near Pieton. A reef exists near Havelock, and the people there are raising a fund to try whether there is gold in it. At the half-yearly meeting of shareholders in the National Insurance Company, held in Dunedin, the report and balance-sheet were adopted, and, after discussion, it was resolved that a dividend of 5 per cent, for the half-year he declared. In accordance with a suggestion made somo time ago, the Postmaster-General lias obtained a supply of English stamps, and distributed them to the various offices for sale in limited quantities. Persons can now, throughout the Colony, obtain those stamps to enclose for return letters ; but a wise restriction has been placed upon them so as not to interfere with the money-order office. MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. The English Opera Company, under the management of Mr. Allen, have commenced a season in Wellington. Miss Alice May, the prima donna, is most favorably kuoum throughout the Colonies. The other leading members of the company are—Mass Lambert (contralto), Miss Florence Howe, Mrs. Lovison, Mr. Hallam (tenor), Mr. Templeton, Mr. Vernon, and Mr Raiuford (basso). The chorus is numerous, well-selected, and experienced, having boon well trained on the Melbourne and Sydney boards. Mr. Allen conducts, and Mans. Floury leads the orchestra. The company opened on Monday with “Maritana”; played “ The Lily of Killarney” on Tuesday ; and gave “The Grand Duchess of Gerolsteln” on Wednesday. They have every prospect of a highly successful season. A dramatic company under the management of Messrs. Steel and Keogh closed a season of about a month on Saturday last, with the wellknown “moral” drama of “Jack Sheppard.” They played an immense variety of pieces during their stay, from tragedy to pantomime, and did all they undertook most creditably. The leading lady was Mrs Walter Hill, who proved herself a most excellent, careful, and versatile artist. Her daughter, who assumes the name of Miss Lily May, was also a member of the company, and showed an aptitude for stage business which gives promise of future success. Miss Bray, Miss Maimvaring (Mrs Douglas), Mr. Douglas, and Mr Hesford were also of the company, the leading members of which have now proceeded South. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. IMMIGRANT SHIPS. This is the class of vessel which most interests our home and outside readers, and on no previous occasion have we been able to report so favorably of them. From all ports of the Colony the telegraph has recorded the arrival of immigrant ships in first-rate condition, and of quarantine wo hear nothing, nor of illness of any kind on board. More complete arrangements, careful treatment, and skilled doctors, have worked wonders. Since our last summary, four weeks ago, ten immigrant ships have arrived at the various ports of the Colony, and all of them reported “all well,” The several lots of immigrants having all arrived in fine health, only in one instance has unpleasantness occurred, that of the barque Sehiehallion, on the arrival of which at Napier four of the crew were charged with mutinous conduct, and some of the immigrants with broaching cargo. An enquiry is still pending. The names of the ships and their ports of arrival are as follows :—■ At Wellington, the ship Wennington, Captain McEvoy, 125 days out from London, arrived off the heads on the 23rd of May, blit was unable to got in until the 25th, when she was towed in by the steamer Phoebe. Her 300 immigrants speedily found engagements in Wellington and Wanganui and surrounding districts, at wages of £OO to £7O for married couples, 10s. to 12s. a week, with board, for ordinary servants, and (is. to Bs. for nurse girls, rates which have ruled generally. On the following day, the La Hogue, Captain Carvasso, arrived, ninety-four days out from Loudon, with 500 souls on board, also all well. In

a few clays after her arrival, the majority of her immigrants found remunerative employment, and only a few, chiefly married couples with children, still remain in the barracks for a time. On board tlie Wenningtou there were eleven births and three deaths, the last of a woman named Eliza Hume, which occurred when the ship was at the Heads. On board the,La Hogue, three deaths of children occurred, and a woman named Ashton. James Payne, gnsfitter, aged 41, died of dropsy while in the barracks. Both vessels are now discharging their inward cargo. The Wenningtou will load hero for London, and the La Hogue will proceed to Sydney. At Auckland, The Kooparelle, 90 days out, with 308 immigrants, arrived on the 30th May. At Napier, on the 27th May, the barque Scbieballion, 96 days out from London, made her appearance, and her immigrants were at once in great demand at good wages for all classes. At Lyttelton, two ships have arrived—the Vanina, from Glasgow, on the 27th May, with 212 statute adults, all well ; and the Callochinoylo, 97 clays out from London, on the Ist of June, with 383 immigrants, all well. No difficulty has been found in rapidly obtaining profitable employment for all. Port Chalmers, as usual, had the lion’s share of the home shipping. The Asia arrived there a day or two after our last summary was issued, until a large number of immigrants. It was reported that a considerable number of the single girls on board her were shipped from the workhouse at Cork, and altogether the shipment bad so bad a name, even before the arrival of the vessel, that several of her immigrants were unable to obtain employment. The reports were set down in the Provincial Council as being greatly exaggerated, and since then the aversion to engaging the Asia’s immigrants has worn oft'. The James Nichol Fleming' followed the Asia, arriving on the 23rd May with 301 statute adults, all well. Grave charges of neglect were made on board against the doctor, and the immigrants signed a jietition requesting the captain to take sole charge of them. There will be an inquiry into the matter. On the 29th of May two ships arrived at Otago Heads simultaneously—the Buckinghamshire, 77 days out from the Start, with 405 souls on board (some of whom arc for Wellington), having lost two children on the voyage ; and the Janet Court, with 475 immigrants. This concludes the list of immigrant vessels, and it may bo said that they have arrived with unprecedentedly good health prevailing, and that all the immigrants have easily obtained employment. CAIIGO SHIPS. The Inverallan, one of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s vessels, arrived in Wellington Harbor on the 2Sth of May, ninety-six days from the Lauds’-end, being the third English ship within four days which entered Port Nicholson. She has a general cargo. The Jubilee, 114 days from London, arrived at Auckland on the lath of May, and the Huntly Castle on the 28th of May. At Lyttelton, the New, Zealand Shipping Company’s vessel Auriga, 113 days out from Gravesend, arrived on the 13th ; and the City of Agra, eighty days from the Downs, with twenty-two passengers, on the 29th. The Hudson cleared out on the 14th with a cargo of grain and tallow, of the value of .£20,000 ; and the New Zealand Shipping Company’s eighth ship Inverene, with a large cargo of grain and 356 bales wool, on the 19th. At Port Chalmers, the. Yungfrau, barque, sailed for Loudon on the Bt.li inst., and the Warrior Queen on the next day. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s ship Marguerite Galbraith, the eleventh wool ship of the season, cleared on the ISth with a cargo valued at £54,289, wheat and flour making an item of £5,219. INTERCOLONIAL TRADE. Trade with the other colonies has continued brisk, and several vessels have arrived from Western Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Large quantities of grain, have been taken from the grain-producing districts of the Provinces of Otago and Canterbury to interprovincial and intercolonial ports ; and Messrs. McMeckau, Blackwood, and Co.’s Melbourne steamers have made grain a specialty in their cargo during all their late trips. The coal trade with Newcastle, N.S.W., is still brisk in New Zealand ports. Generally speaking, the past mouth has shown a large increase of shipping communication between Australia and New Zealand. THIS AMERICAN MAIL AND TRADE. Since last summary we have had the steamer City of Adelaide on the coast. She arrived at Auckland on the 25th of May with the London mails of April 7, having taken them from the Tartar at Kaudavau. The Macgregor, although in a crippled state after her late stranding in ICandavau harbor, arrived safely at Sydney on May 9, after a passage of nine days. The City of Adelaide is now on her way up tlie coast with the outward New Zealand mails of June, and will leave Wellington for Auckland this afternoon. The passenger traffic from Sydney and New Zealand by tliis route is very large, and there is every indication of tlie line being a commercial success, and of the contract dates being faithfully kept. Trade with America by sailing vessels is on the increase, and a number of vessels averaging about 500 tons are loading at New York, Boston, and other American ports for New Zealand ports with general cargoes. Freight is average, ami the demand for the peculiar class of American goods is considerable. , Signs of a prosperous commercial intercourse with America are evident. With tlie facilities for communication between merchants, and rapid mails afforded by the San Francisco route, this branch of our trade is attracting much more attention than before. INTERPROVINCIAL TRADE. Communication between the several principal ports of the Colony is on the increase, and the regular coasting steamers carry full freights from port to port. The extensive line belonging to the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, which lias for a long time been the main line of tlie Colony, and that most supported by local interests, is now open for sale by tender. The steamers comprised are the Phoebe, Taranaki, Wellington, Ladybird, Eaugatira (screw steamers), ami the Mauawatu, a paddle-steamer. These vessels, pending a sale, are running as usual. The coasting barque and schooner-rigged vessels have been fully occupied hi the carriage to various ports of grain and other produce, freights ruling high, and leaving a good margin of profit. A fleet of some dozen schooners is employed in conveying huge iron pipes, brought out by tlie ships City of Glasgow and McCallum More, from Wellington to Hokitika for a water-race there, which, when finished, will bo of the utmost importance to the miners. The Canterbury and North Otago grain trade gives freight to another largo fleet. Trade and commerce throughout and between the Provinces, shows considerable increase in extent and activity, and the steamers available can hardly keep pace with the demand on their capacities. Reviewed as a whole, tlie shipping intelligence is gratifying. casualties'. The only serious casualty we have to record occnrredontlieflStllof May at Wellington, when the barque Earl of Southosk, Captain W. A. Frodslmni, belonging to Messrs. Anderson and Marshall, of Melbourne, missed stays during a baffling wind, and struck on tlie outer rock of Barrett’s reef, at tlie entrance to the harbor, going down a few minutes afterwards bead first in eleven fathoms of water. Tlie crew barely escaped until their lives, and lost all their clothes, &e., and have boon since supplied with necessaries, by subscription in the town. The wreck of tlie barque sold for only £l4 10s., as she broke np altogether under the southerly swell. An enquiry has since been held, the evidence at which wont to show that the accidcnt was in no wise attributable to bad seamanship j but the decision of tfle Court has not yet boon made public. The three-masted schooner Melanie was blown ashore at Manukau harbor on the night of the 27th, but was subsequently got off without damage. Tile ketch Emu capsized and went down in Lyttelton harbor, but no lives were lost. SHM’IIUILDINR. A good deal of shipbuilding on a small scale is being carried out, especially hi Auckland,

where several schooners of very creditable workmanship—notably the Helena and Gnu ard —have been launched. \V itli the timber and means at command this branch of industry is certain to grow ajiacc. New Zealand built steamers have already been launched from New Zealand stocks, and in time we shall have to record the christening of larger vessels. The trade is attracting considerable attention. SHIPS OF WAR ON THE AUSTRALIAN STATION. H.M.S. Rosario has been cruising in Fijian waters, visiting Kaudavau and Levuka, and gathering information as to the resources and prospects of the islands. She is shortly to be ordered home for good. H.M.S. Blanche has been cruising in the neighborhood of Auckland, in attendance on his Excellency Sir James Fergusson. She will be the man-of-war stationed at Wellington during the coming session of Parliament. H.M.S. Pearl, carrying the flag of Commodore Goodenough, has been in Fijian waters, during tlie negotiations for tlie annexation of the islands. She is- expected to arrive in Wellington harbor towards the end of the session, H.M.S. Challenger has got into Australian waters on her scientific cruise, and is to take soundings for the laying of an electric cable between Australia and New Zealand, arriving here at the end of June or early in July. The rear schooner Alacrity is now in Sydney, and tlie other vessels equipped in Australia for the surveillance of the Polynesian labor traffic, are doing good sendee amongst the South Sea Islands. Of foreign ships of Avar, the French frigate Yire, which rendered such eminent service at the wreck of the immigrant ship Surat, at Gatlin’s river, Dtago, is now stationed at Noumea, Ncw Caledonia. The German war frigate Arcana, Avhich lately paid Australian ports a visit, has received instructions to proceed to Japan. Late telegrams state that H.M.S. Basilisk, whose last cruise to Neiv Guinea attracted such attention, has again been doing good service in those strange Avaters, having discoAuretl a ncAv channel Avhich Avail shorten the route from Sydney to China by tivo days. COMMERCIAL. Our town trade has been rather dull by. comparison daring tlie past month, caused, most probably, by the large influx of goods into this market, owing to the almost simultaneous arrival of three London ships having led to tlie supposition that importers will have to submit to lower rates to effect sales, the retail trade having shown no signs of depression. The trade with the ontports has, on the contrary, been exceptionally brisk, and our wharf crowded with coasters to an extent that lias brought about an incident of olden days, an English ship discharging cargo in the stream, owing to insufficient accommodation at tlie wharf. We may observe, by the Avay, that great complaints are made respecting the high rates of wharfage charged on transhipped goods, and as this port is essentially, from its central position, a redistributing port, such an evil ought to he remedied. Prices of most imported goods continue low, with the single exception of brandies, Avhich have at length shown a considerable rise, several large transactions having taken place in this article during tlie month, A shipment of Yarraville sugar was sold by Mr. Vennell, by public auction, on 20th May, at tlie following rates:—Yellow, £2B to £3O per ton; light do., £32 IDs. to £33 10s. per ton; Avhite, £35 10s. to £33 per ton (in bond); ami at Mr. Duncan's sale, on the 27th ult., the following prices were realised;—Saddles, 255. to 425. each; American brooms, Iss. to ISs. per doz,; rice, £lB per ton; marmalade, Ss. 3d. to 9s. per doz,; -Hcnnessy brandy (in case), 575., duty paid; United Vineyard do., 625.; sperm candles, lO'.d. per lb.; Sultanas, 71-d. per lb.; I sardines, 6s. Cd., I- do,, 10s. Cd per do’z.; I.C. sugar, £44 per ton; D.P. crushed loaf, 51d. per lb.; 10 trunks boots at moderate rates. Our arrivals from London have boon the Weimington on tlie 2Sth, the La Hogue on the 2Gth, and the 1 nverallan on tlie 2Sth May; and the City of Adelaide with the San Francisco mails on the 29th. Vessels Expected and Loading in London.—The Weymouth, cargo ; Waikato, cargo and immigrants ; J. A. Thompson, cargo and immigrants ; Conflict, cargo and immigrants ; Euterpe. The Kangaroo, from Adelaide ; and the Eureka and the Marion, from New York. Dank rates unaltered from last month. Amount of duties collected at this port from May S to Juno 3 inclusive, £9552 3s. lOd. Ale and Porter (duty paid : draught, Is. per gal.; bottled, Is. 3d.)—At this season of the year the demand for bottled beer is comparatively trifling, and as our stocks are large prices are much depressed, and the amount of business done hardly sufficient to warrant quotations. Frst-class brands of bottled ale and porter are not higher than 12s. and X2s. Cd. per dor. Bags and Woolpacks (duty, 10 per cent.)—Cornsacks arc loav in stock and worth from 13s. Cd. to 14s. per doz., the demand having been mainly for the Southern Provinces. Woolpacks meet with no enquiry. Candles (duty, Id. per To.)—Business has been quiet during tlie month and stocks of candles are accumulating, with a downward tendency in value, already very low ; wo quote Price’s Belmonts 105 d. per lb.; other brands a shade lower. Cement (iuty Is. per barrel)—Stocks have again become exhausted in imptorters’ hands, although we believe the contractors are supplied; ive quote 225. to 235. per barrel as current rates. Coffee (duty 3d. per lb.)—Recent English-arrivals have supplied this market with raw coffee, of which there lias been none in first hands last month ; prices remain firm at Is. 4d. to Is. sd. per lb., in bond. Chicory (duty 3d, per lb.)—Fair slocks, at Old, to (i;d. per lb. Confectionery (duty 10 per cent,)- Ample stocks. We hear of sales having been made, to arrive, at Old. per lb., duty paid. Fruits (duty Id, per lb.)—Currants are scarce and in demand, at 41 d. to 4J,d. per lb., several shipments per La Hogue having been quitted at about that figure. Eleme raisins in prime condition are worth sid. to Cd. per lb., market fairly supplied ; sultanas. Oil. to 7d.; muscatels scarce, good fruit being worth Is. 2d. per lb. Dried apples very scarce, at 7d to Sd. per lb. Prunes, none. Flour (duty 20s. per ton,)—No Adelaide flour in the market. Hops (duty 3d. per lb.)—lt is impossible to give any quotation for English hops, the demand being nil; 1872 fetched Cd, by auction. Colonial hops arc in good demand, and Avorth Is. Sd. per Ih. Halt (duty Is. (id. per bushel.)—ln this article also the colonial interferes greatly Avith the imported article : prime English malt in tanks cannot he quoted higher than 11s. to 11s. Od. per bushel. Metals (dutv, 10 per cent).—There lias been a good demand for galvanised iron, 20 pnago, (hiring the month, owing to the increasing activity in tlie building trade. We quote £3l 10s to £36 -per ton. Fencing wire has moved off freely. Nos. 0 7 ami S arc selling at £25, £2O, and £27 respectively. Wire nails are stocked at £23 per ton. Sheet lead meets with inquiry at £3O to £3l per ton, and sheet zinc at £-13 to £44 10s per ton. Oils (duty Cd. per gallon).—Kerosene has moved off freely during the month at 2s. 4d. to 2s. Sd. per gallon, d.p., and stocks in bond have considerably diminished. We hoar of sales to arrive at Is 7-jd., in bond, two vessels from New York with about 0400 cases tor tills market being just due. Paint oils have mot with active inquiry, and a good trade lias been done during tlie month at 4s 10(1 to 6s per gallon for linseed in drums. Colza oil is in moderate demand r.t 6s. Gd. per gallon. Castor do, ss. Cd. to 6s. 9d. per gallon. Oilmen’s stores (duty. 10 per cent).—Oilmen s stores of every description cflntimie in fair demand for trade requirements, hut owing to large stocks and strong competition among importers with continued forced sales, prices are kept down to a remarkably loav llS ilice (dutv, id. per lb,)-Well stocked.—Clean Patna, Avortli £27 to £3O per ton. Salt (free)—Fair stocks, no alteration in value. Spirits (duty, 12s. per gallon.)—Brandy has advanced in value during the month, and a strong speculative demand has at length been OAluccd. Several lines of Hcnnessy's .and Martells in quarters have changed hands at 9s. Cd. per gallon, holders now asking 10s. to 10s. 3d. Case brandy of same quality is worth 31s to 325. We report tlie sale of a shinment of Bisquit Duhouclic's brandy, consisting of 400 cases, and 100 quarters in one lino at about 235. per case, and 7s. 3d. per gallon, and we hear the lot has been since resold at an advance. Rum—Largo stocks, little doing. Lemon Harts, 10 o p., 4s. to 4s. 2d, per gallon, 30 0.p., 4s. Cd. per gallon. Red Heart Rum, in case, 235. to 2;ls, Cd. per dozen. Geneva—With OA T er 2000 cases in bond, and little demand, prices continue loav and unaltered. Whisky—Large stocks of hulk Avhisky. No demand at 4s, to Cs. per gallon forSootch. Case being worth 15s. to 17s. Gd. . Sugar (duty, Id. per lb.)—There is no change to report'in sugars if anvthing the market having a clOAViiAvard tendency. The first shipment of neiv company’s Yarraville sugars was sola by auction, ami realised* fair prices for the best qualities, this loAver grades not being suitable for this market. We quote Melbourne Sugar Company's 1.C.. £43 ; (J., £42 ; Y., £3B per ton. Mauritius sorts rule the hB Toa (duty, fid. per Ih.)—Stocks ample for trade requirements, with no largo amount of business doing at prices unaltered from last month's quotations. Loav teas are in good supply- , , T , , ... Tobacco (dutv, 2s. Gd. per lb.)- Largo stocks with fair trade doing. ShcUard's twist. Is. ,R to Is. od. St. Andrew, Is. 7(1. to Is, Sd. Black Swab, is. Cd. per lb Tens Venus Cvgnct, Is. 4jd. to Is. od. per lb. Wine (duty. 4s. per gallon.)—Sales of only a retail character can lie reported, with large stocks in bond. Champagne has adA-anccd ss. per dozen on former quotations. KKW SKAtAXI) rROt>rCE. Butter.—Prime salt but ter meets with improved demand and is quoted at Is. to Is. Id. per 11>. Stocks are IHit, and as the quantity likely to conic forward (luring the next lavo or three months is small, prices must advance. , Cheese.—Fair demand tor good Canterbury cheese at Sd. to 9d. per lb. Flour.—Large shipments have been sent in from Canterbury and Oamnru during the month, and prices have a slightly doAvmvard tendency in consequence. We quote good brands of Canterbury at £l3 10s. per ton for sacks, bags ss. to 10s. higher. Oauiaru flour, £l3 15s. per ton. Hams and bacon are scarce, and much wanted. Good cured bacon isivorth S|d. per ih. Oats.-—Supplies of oats haA-o come fonvrml to a considerable extent during the month, and aa’C hear of a lino of 400 sacks being quilted at 4s. 7d. per bushel. Dealers Avholcsale quotations are, hoAA'CA'er, ss. to ss. 3d. per bushels.