INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4218, 26 September 1874, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

NORTH ISLAND. WELLINGTON. At tha Wanganui Police Court on August 31, a man nampd Cutten was committed for trial on a charge of cattle stealing. It may be remembered by many residents of this town that the accused was in business here some eighteen months ago as a butcher, and that a peculiar circumstance brought liis name rather prominently before the public. He reported the 1033 of a sum of money, about £IOO, which, he stated, had been stolen out of hi 3 desk, and offered £25 reward for such information as would lead to the conviction of the thief. The police, in whose hands the matter was placed, did not put much credence in the report; the thief was never discovered, and shortly afterwards Cutten turned insolvent. The thorough-bred horse Opawa has been sold by Mr. J. Murphy, of Marlborough, to Mr. Jackson, of Wanganui, for stud purposes. Mr. John Brown, ferryman at Kennedy's, TJpongongara, Wanganui River, was drowned one dark night recently by falling from his punt into the river while crossing for a passenger. Deceased wa3 a single man, aged about forty ; had been many years on the Wanganui ferry, and was much respected. The Wanganui papers are rejoicing over the number of immigrants who are now finding their way to that portion of the Province. Those who have been sent up there, from among the number who came out by the Strathnaver, are reported as men of "a very good stamp." No difficulty appears to have been experienced in finding them employment, excepting in a few cases where the number of children was large, but even these families were likely to be quickly provided for. Complaint is made that no single women are sent up. A minute incident in the experience of immigrants is thus related by the Wanganui Herald of the 10th inst: —" The immigrants who were sent out yesterday to Bulls returned to town, after waiting five hours at the Toll Bar. One of the horses of the conveyance broke down at 10 a.m., and the man who had been, engaged to take the immigrants came back to town for another horse. The immigrants waited on the roadside till three o'clock and then came back. Two hours afterwards the driver made his appearance with the horse." The Herald sagely adds : "A more responsible pei3on ought to be selected in future to convey the supply of labor to the country districts ; though it may have been impossible to know that in the present case the work would not be satisfactorily performed." Writing of the influx of immigrants to the Wanganui district, the Chronicle says : " Measures are at length about to be taken for supplying the want of house accommodation which has been so much felt by newly arrived immigrants. The District Engineer is calling for tenders for altering the Rutland Stockade into several two-roomed cottages. This might have been done before with advantage. If, however, immigrants continue to arrive here at the rate they have been doing lately the proposed alteration of the Rutland Stockade will not provide nearly sufficient accommodation." The following item 3 of district news are given by the Wanganui Herald: —Mr. Woon received no fewer than eight applications for the situation of teacher in the Native school to be established up the river, but a 3 yet it has not been decided who will be the successful candidate.—The up river Natives are ordering the necessary plant for another flour mill to be erected up the,river. This will make the fourth, and we are glad to notice that so much attention is being paid to thisindustry.—Ameeting of Natives interested in the land on the river bank will probably be held ere long, to discuss the advisability of leasing some of the land to Europeans. The subject appears to be viewed with favor, and encouragement is given by those who have some influence among them.

The following items of Wairnrapa news are furnished by the Standard .-—An effort is likely to be made to re-organi3e the Greytown Cavalry, and a meeting for that purpose will shortly be called.—The contractor for the bridge over the Ruamahunga river at Te Ore Ore has been making great progress with his work lately. The stringers will all be laid across by the end of this week, and a 3 the hand-railing is, we believe, being prepared beforehand, there is but little doubt that the work will be finished within the specified time, which elapses in about five weeks.—The contractor for the Government immigrants' cottages at Masterton, Mr. Egan, has commenced operations. He had to bring all his men up from Wellington, we believe, as carpenters are not procurable in this township at present, on account of the numerous buildings that are going up. Mr. Allen, too, has commenced work on the Greytown ones.—The Rev. E. Neilsen is a Norwegian missionary of the American Methodist Episcopal Church. He recently resigned an income and position in his native country in order to minister to the Scandinavians who are now scattered throughout this Colony. The Government kindly offered to defray his travelling expenses while -visiting the various Scandinavian settlements of the Colony and preaching to the settlers of that nationality in their own language. He ha 3 already visited the camp beyond Masterton, and held five services there. The people there expressed much gratification in having an opportunity of listening to a clergyman from their own country, and promised to support him as far as lay in their power. On Thursday evening la3t he preached in the Wesleyan Chapel, Greytown, to about twenty Scandinavians. He left the following morning for Wellington, Palmerston, and Napier.—The Bank of New Zealand has decided upon opening a branch office at Masterton. A convenient site has been purchased, opposite Messrs. Edmondson, Sellar, and lorn's new premises, on which the new office will be erected. In the meanwhile, if temporary accommodation can be obtained, the office will be opened before the new building is completed. AUCKLAND. Mr. L. G. Beckham, son of the District Judge, Thomas Beckham, Esq., has received an appointment in England, »3 Sub-lieutenant of Engineers. It is reported, says the Tliam.es Advertiser, that the Native Minister and Dr. Pollen are likely to visit Auckland immediately after the close of the session, and that something will then be done towards opening the Upper Thames district. The first instalment of the immigrants' cottages has arrived in Tauranga, by the cutter Hose, from Auckland, and the remainder, says the Bay of Plenty Times, may be expected very shortly. Each cottage will have four comfortable rooms. There is now a prospect of telegraphic communication with Kaipara being completed at an early date. The line was commenced some months since, and the work has steadily progressed. The whole of the posts, says the Auckland Herald, have now been erected, and the men engaged in the work commenced to suspend the wins on Wednesday last. The Opotiki correspondent of tho Bay of Plenty Times, writes to that journal that Captain Simpson has arrived from the survey of the famous Motu block, on the line of road between Ormond, Poverty Bay, and Opotiki. This large block of land is, it is supposed, intended, by the Government as an immigration settlement. It is situated in the valley of tho Motu or Maraenui River, about midway between Opotiki and Ormond. Captain Simpson describes it as consisting of mostly bush laud, partially clear of undergrowth, the soil a rich black alluvial to a great depth, being the result of decomposed vegetation. The oidy means of communication to the proposed new settlement, will be by means of the Opotiki and Ormond Roads, now in process of formation by Messrs. L. and P. Simpson. The City Council aro applying for tendors for £20,000 secured on the city endowments, which aro daily becoming of greater value. A large contract for railway gates has been entrusted for fulfilment to a Colonial mechanist. The Herald states that tho work of constructing no less than forty of these gates has boon entrusted to Mr. Peter Birley, of High street. He is constructing them of tubular iron, so that they will combine strength with lightness ; and so far as can be judged from those already

completed, they are well calculated for the purpo. e they have been designed for. A fire occurred on the night of the Ist inst. at Aravimu south (beyond Malcetu, 011 the Great South Road), by which a four-roomed dwelling house and furniture, the property of a Mr. Parr, were destroyed. Mr. Parr, who was absent from homo at the time the disaster occurred, is stated to be a heavy loser. He was insured for £3O0 —the house for £2OO, and the furniture for £IOO.

The new premises erected on the site of those I destroyed by the fire in Queen street, generally known a 3 Henderson and Macfarlane's fire, to distinguish it from other fire 3 in Queen street, are now completed. They are a handsome and substantial block of buildings, comprising three large stores or warehouses under two roofs. The first store has been built for, and is already I occupied by Messrs. Stone Brothers, whose premises were destroyed by the fire referred to. It comprises four floors, including the basement, under one roof. Each flat measures 33 feet by 80 feet. The second building will be occupied by Messrs. Cruiekshank & Co., merchants, of Canada Buildings, and the third by Messrs. H. P. Anderson & Co., ship chandlers. These buildings are of about, or nearly the same size as Messrs. Stone Brothers.' An attempt was made on Sept. 2nd to serve a detainer on the ship Miltiades in Rangitoto Channel while going out. The detainer was issued from tho Admiralty Court, at the suit cf the crew of the Lady Bowen, for salvage. But the crew of the Miltiades threatened violence to the officer of the Court if he attempted to board the vessel. He therefore tied the writ to the cable, and retreated. The ship sailed during the night. The difference at issue was settled this morning by the owner of the Lady Bowen offering the crew £SOO out of £1625 award, which was accepted. Dr. Brown, who was charged with lunacy some time ago, has been fined £5 for a breach of the Medical Practitioners' Act, not being duly registered. The total gold return for the month is reported to bo 10,0000 z., of the value of £27,500. The summit of Mount Eden has now been fenced in and planted with about three hundred trees. An additional Native school is about to be established in the Bay of Plenty district, between Cape Runaway and Opotiki, where there is a large Natire population. A large greenstone mere has just been completed by one of the jewellers of Auckland, for Major Wilson, of Cambridge. The mere is intended for a present for one of the Maori chiefs. It has taken three months to cut and polish. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Horticultural Society, held a few days ago, a balance-sheet produced was not of a very satisfactory character. The subscriptions and donations received during the year only amounted to three guineas. The receipts at the November exhibition were £43 13s. 6d. There was an overdraft of £22 at the baidc ; the Society had not paid all the prizes awarded; a number of debts were due ; and tho only a3.set was a marquee. The report was adopted, but the mover and seconder both spoke of extravagance of management, and thought " a little more care should be exercised in the management of the Society." A very perceptible earthquake shock was felt in Gi3borae during a heavy storm of wind and rain on Wednesday the 10th. It occurred at about ten minutes past ten, and lasted several seconds. A road from Cambridge, to join that between Taupo and Tauranga, is described as very much wanted. We (Waiktto Times) understand that the road could be made for about £IOO per mile. It has been suggested to make a road direct from Cambridge to Tauranga ; in our opinion, this road would not be so useful as one made to join the main line between Taupo and Tauranga, and the former route would be more costly. The advantage of making the line we suggest would be the facilities it would offer to travellers to proceed to Taupo, and thence to Hawke's Bay or to Tauranga.

The City Council of Auckland are applying for tenders for .£20,000 secured on the city endowments. These are daily becoming of greater value. The rentals now amount to nearly £3OOO per annum, and in the course of a few years will, by the falling in of present leases, more than double the present receipts. Sections 3 and 31 in Queen Street are covered with valuable brick buildings. Mr. Von der Heyde, it appears, ha 3 again been elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Waitemata district—this time by a majority of 53. In the interval since his first election he has been converted into a subject of Her Majesty within the Colony, and there is not likely to be any further dispute as to the validity of his position as a member of the House. The Loch Urr has arrived from London, after a passage of ninety-four days from Gravesend. No passengers. A seaman, named Carlson, fell from the main rigging on his head, and was killed. Te Whaka, the chief who murdered Nuku at Hokianga in 1868, sentenced to death, and afterwards committed to prison for life, but escaped from gaol three months afterwards, and who has been living concealed with friends, came into town with the Hokianga Resident Magistrate on September 12th and received a free pardon. A reform league has been formed at Auckland, and has held its fir3t meeting. The following resolutions were adopted :—" First, ' That the time has now arrived when the Provincial institutions in New Zealand should be abolished.' Second, 'That members of the Reform League be enrolled on a yearly subscription of five shillings' " We learn (says the Waikato Times) that tho p.s. Luna will shortly tow a hulk of about 600 tons into the Waikato Heads, to be used as a depot for railway and bridge material, large quantities of which will be brought to their destined place by river. HAWKE'S BAY. The Hawke's Bay Times is informed that Mr. Thomas Ritson, a driver in the employ of Messrs. Hart & McKinley, died about daylight on Saturday week, at Mr. Viller's Hotel, Petane. He was suffering from a severe cold, and or. arriving at the hotel on Friday afternoon, was so unwell that Dr. Gibbes was sent for, though no one suspected the serious nature of his complaint. Dr. Gibbes responded promptly to the message, and was in attendance on Ritson at the time of his death. This beiDg the case, no inquest was held. We learn from Poverty Bay that the bridle road from that district to the Wairoa is now fairly under way. The Herald says that the work is being carried out by natives, and taking into consideration tho season of the year, they are making very good progress. The road is being constructed seven feet in width, and thero are at present thirty-one natives employed at the end, in charge of Mr. B. Lambert, whilst the number will probably be reinforced by twenty others in the course of a few days. Operations have also been commenced at the Wairoa end of the road, several parties being at work, in charge of Mr. Hastings, and wo may conclude that if all goes on smoothly, the road—which will bo about seventy miles in length—will be completed in somo two or three months. It is anticipated that tho railway between Napier and Paki Paid will bo completed and trains running before tho end of tho year. The station works in Napier are now well advanced.. A now road is being opened up at the expense of the Province to connect the central business portions of the City and the station. The Taupo correspondent of a Hawke's Bay contemporary furnishes the following particulars of the trial trip of the b.s. Victoria, recently launched on Taupo lake, and built to the order of Messrs, Watt Brothers, of Napier: —" Steam having been got up, tho Victoria left Tapuaeharuru at 11.47 a.m. with a number of passengers for Tokano, taking the cutter Lady of the Lako in" tow. At noon cast tho cuttor off, and proceeded on her voyage, stopping twice to allow tho bearings of the engines to cool. Arrived at Tokano at 3.47 p.m., having steamed at tho rato of eight and a-half knots throughout, steam having been kept to 501 b. pressure, the revolutions being 122 per minute. On tho return trip, left Tokano at 11 a.m., and arrived at Tapuacharnru at 2.30 p.m., thus making tho passage in threo hours

and a half, the computed distance being thirty miles. At the trial of speed, the Victoria did the six measured miles in thirty-eight minutes. The dimensions of this smart little steamer are as follows :—Length of keel, 60ft.; over all, 68ft.; breadth of beam, 12ft. 6in.; depth of hold, sft. Gin. She is rigged as a fore-and-aft schoouer, and presents a handsome appearance. She is fitted up with fore and aft cabins, and is substantially finished throughout. She is propelled by a fifteen-horse high pressure engine, manufactured by Mr. Nasmith, of Napier, and the building of the vessel was superintended by her master, Captain Sellara. TARANAKI. Some improvements which are quietly taking place in this Province, and which seem to botoken a season of increased activity and prosperity are thus described by the News : —ln the midst of the broken land on the west side of the Fraukley Road, just beyond the boundary of the town, Mr. Hirst has, at a considerable expense, erected a cloth factory and manager's house. He ha 3 also utilised the Waimea Rivulet, and has, thereby, obtained first-class water-power. The works seem to be awaiting only the machinery in order o proceed at once in the manufacture of woollen cloth. There are two decided improvements between town and Waitara. The land at Mangoraka formerly held by Messrs. Plight and Devenish, and from which they were driven by the combined efforts of Governor Eitzroy and the Maoris, i 3 now securely fenced and under cultivation, after lying in a state of worse than nature for twenty-six years. The swampy diversion of the main road on the west of Mahoetahi is about to be done away. A cutting is being made through the hills where the Waikatos were defeated in 1860, which will render the road high aud straight from the Mangoraka to the Waingona. A very substantial bridge has been erected over the Waiwakaiho, on the Inland Road, which opens up a direct communication between the town and the Mountain Road. The bridge was designed and constructed by Mi - . Sands, and has not shown the least deflexion since its erection. Numerous fires were burning in the East Waitara district before the late rain, indicating that the Maoris are preparing their land for crops. There seems to be a growing taste among the Natives for houses in the European style. Tahana lias constructed a very respectable cottage residence at the Oropuriri, aud Air. Colson's house at Bell Block hag been taken down and re-erected as a Maori residence at Kaipakopako. The Hon. Major Atkinson (says the Herald of the 19th inst.) has been actively engaged since his arrival here, in making arrangiments so that the Provincial Public Works policy he so successfully inaugurated during the last session of the Council, should in no way be impeded by his taking a scat in the Ministry ; but he will put things in such order that the opening up of the country and the peopling of it will be carried on as is intended it should be. The action he took when he ioined the Provincial Executive, has already had the effect of causing the Agent-General to despatch a vessel direct to New Plymouth, and as will be seen by our telegrams, the ship Hourah, with three hundred and eighty emigrants, left England during August, for this port; and another ves3el, with two huudred on board, was to leave in September. We also learn that two hundred and fifty emigrants, selected by Mr. Burton, will be despatched from Home every other month, so that twelve moutli3 hence we may reckon on having an addition to our population of about two thousand persons.

SOUTH ISLAND. OTAGO. A valuable collection of shells, brought by the barque Victorine from the Mauritius, has been bought for the Dunedin Museum by a number of private gentlemen. We are very glad to say, writes the Lake Wakatip Mail, that the anticipated heavy loss from sheep, owing to the late unparalleled and protracted winter season and heavy snow falls, is not likely to be realised. Old ewes have mainly suffered, and so have lambs. Tho loss will be above the average of the usual winter ; but not so as to cause any alarm. A large portion of a superior farm, lately purchased by Mr. Larnach at Green Island, is now being surveyed into business sites and villa residences. The situation, says the Daily Times, is highly eligible, being intersected by the branch railway from Saddle Hill, and fronting the Main South Road. On his return from Melbourne, Mr. A. Brown contemplates surveying a large portion of his farm into villa residences near the station, and from its favorable position and proximity to coal, it cannot fail to attract purchasers. It is also probable that others whose lands are contiguous to the Main South Road will place them ere long in the market for townships. The Cromwell Argus congratulates its readers on the astonishing number of buildings which have recently been erected, or are in course of erection at Cromwell, the most important among them being a school-room, an Athenajum, a Church of England, and a stone structure by Messrs. Hallenstein and Co. The latter building, when completed, will be the finest in the district. Tenders are also called for the erection of a district hospital, to cost about £9OO. Two years have now (says the Otayo Times J elapsed since the Chain Hills tunnel has been commenced, but such have been the unforeseen difficulties encountered at the approaches that comparatively little progress has been made. On the Dunedin Bide it will bo some months before the mouth can be attained, in consequence of the landslips blocking the entrance. On the Taieri side, however, better progress has been effected, the tunnel being substantially built with brick and moi-tar so far as it has been excavated. On either side the rails are laid down to tho works, and the dilapidated Btone bridge over Abbot's Creek is being temporarily propped for the conveyance of a million of bricks, which have been manufactured on ground close to the station. By the time the tunnel is finished, howover, it is very probable the line will bo in full working order from the Taieri to the terminus. The Southern Hotel Company (Limited), is advertised in the Dunedin papers. The capital of tho company is to be £40,000, in 40,000 shar of £1 each, of which amount it is proposed to call up 10s. per share, on easy terms to shareholders. There are fifteen Provisional Directors, all well-known citizens. The prospectus states that the company is formed for the purposo of erecting in Dunedin a first-class hotel, similar to those existing in the largo cities of Europe and America—one that will not only supply existing requirements, but will offer inducements to tourists and travellers to visit that part of New Zealand. It is proposed to build n hotel with 200 bedrooms, and other necessary accommodation. The cost of the freehold land and building is estimated at £29,000, and tho furniture and fittings at £6OOO, thus making tho total outlay required £35,000. To meet this a capital of £20,000 will be sufficient, as the balance can be borrowed at a moderate rate on the security of tho land and buildings. A recent visitor to Riverton speaks in hopeful terms of the appearance and prospects of the district. He writes :—" Tho numerous farms and cultivated plots with which the district abounds afford ample evidence of its adaptability to a high class of agricultural pursuit. I am not in a position to furnish statistics ; still, the fact is tolerably well established by the collateral evidence which can be adduced. For example, tho enterprising firm of Messrs. Whittingham Brothers and Inston, Riverton, lias just completed tho purchase of the p.s. Comerang, which is to bo regularly employed in the local trade, the carriage of agricultural produce forming one of its chief items. Then thero is another enterprising firm, Messrs. Reid and Sons, who have just completed a flour-mill and agricultural implement manufactory, a few particulars regarding which will be sufficient to show the faith which exists in the future of tho placo. Tho building covers an area of 46ft. by 24ft., and is 20ft. in height. It is snb-divided into threo fiats, and has an engine-house, 30ft. by lCft., attached. Tho machinery is driven by a horizontal engine, of fifteen-horse power, which was made to order by tho firm of Dalgety Brothers, Aberdeen. The flour ia received on the lower

fiat, where it is bagged, and otherwise prepared for transit. The second floor is fitted up with two pail's of Erench burr stones for grinding flour, and one pair of Derbyshire stones for the manufacture of oatmeal ; also a silk-dresser 25ft. long ; and an improved horizontal smutter and rotary screen for dressing tho wheat prior to its being ground. The hoppers, &c, are constructed on the top flat, the entire machinery aud appliances being of the most improved description. Tho agricultural implement manufactory established in conjunction with the mill is equally characteristic of the progress and general prosperity of the place. It covers an area of 74ft. by 40ft., the building being 18ft. high. It is sub-divided into two departments, one being used for preparing the iron, aud the other the wood work. The former is fitted up with four forges, and affords constant employment to five smiths and four wheelwrights. The establishment as a whole speaks well for the enterprise of the firm in question, and the extent to which their labors are in demand stamps the place as one of the more promising agricultural districts of Otago." An excellent sample of fire clay has been procured from tho railway cutting at Green Island, aud tho clay is now for sale in Dunodin. The bridge across the Molyneux, at the. Beaumont, is approaching completion. There hai been much delay, waiting for timber. The bridge has three spans of 55ft. each; the two centre spans, 90ft. each. Each wooden girder weigli3 sixteen tons. The Oamaru breakwater has lately had a severe test. The North Otago Times says : Tho sea rolling into the bay on Monday aud Tuesday last was something terrific, but at the same time grand. Sea after sea hurled itself against and over the breakwater, at times submerging the entire structure, and apparently threatening it with utter annihilation. We have subsequently seen the' contractors, and are truly glad to hear that not the slightest injury has been sustained. Besides gold, other minerals appear to he plentiful in the Carrick Ranges, in the Province of Otago. A special reporter of the Daily Times, in a recent letter, says : —A reef of black antimony was discovered last summer by Messrs. Buchan and Co. The reef is 2J feet thick, backed up by about 0 to 8 inches of quartz ; the presence of gold has also been discovered in the quartz. Messrs. Buchan and Co. have sent to England six ton 3 three hundredweight of tho antimony for the purpose of ascertaining it; commercial value. This reef runs vei-y nearly north and south, and underlays to the north-cast it an angle of about one in five ; it can be distinctly traced upon the surface for three-quarters of a mile. Messrs. Buchan hold a lease of 50 acres. From samples forwarded to Dr. Black, that gentleman returns the result as 75 per cent, of sulphate of antimony. The same parties, and who appear to possess , considerable knowledge of minerals, also found a reef of plumbago. It is 15 feet in thickness. Dr. Black gives it as his opinion that the plumbago contains too many impurities to permit of its being worked with profit. A reef of cinnabar the same parties also assert they have discovered. They describe it as one inch aud a-half thick, the ore containing 82 per cent, of mercury. Mr. David Hunter, contractor for the Waitaki Bridge, has been accidentally drowned. Duty amounting to £I2OO was paid on drapery alone at the Custom House in Dunedin one day last week. It is stated that Mr. E. E. Gillies, who has for some time acted as visiting officer for the National Bank of New Zealand at Invercargill, has been appointed manager of the branch of that institution there.

The Southland News ha? the following : "A sailing boat with a party of six men arrived on the 3rd with 94 skins on board. They left Paterson's Inlet on tho 19th ult., and proceeded to Codfish, where six seals were captured, thence to Masons, where ten more were procured. They then sailed for Redhead, where 40 skins were added to the number, and on the 25th sailed to Mold Island, where they obtained 24 skins, and afterwards proceeded to the South Cape and Western Island, where they raised the number to 94. Considering the short time they have been out, and the price skins aro realising at present, they have done remarkably well." The lessee of tho Auckland Islands (Dr. Monekton), says the Southland Nexus, nothing deterred by the difficulties that beset the previous cruise of the Mabel Jane, has lost no time in laying the tight little schooner on again, this time with a cargo of sheep, which experience has shown will bo much easier to handle at first than cattle. She takes also several thousand feet of timber and other materials required for the construction of building*, &c. Mr. K. Mclvor goes in charge of the expedition, and is accompanied by a married couple and two or three single men, whom it is purposed to leave on the island to commence carrying out the work 3 required to be performed in terms of the lease, together with the construction of the stockyards and houses that will be necessary for the management of the horned stock which it is intended to take down. We may add that the schooner is now fully manned and equipped, and will sail from Riverton with the first slant of wind.

A thorough appreciation of the advantages o£ comfortabe board and lodging provided by the Government, is not solely confined to new arrivals. A "heathen Chinee," one day last week at Arrowtown, made himself conspicuous by refusing to leave the interior of Her Majesty's gaol in that Municipality when informed by the gaolor that the term of his month's imprisonment had been shortened by fourteen days, and that he might depart a free man. Eor some act of petty larceny, John Chinaman had been sentenced by the Bench to one month's imprisonment, with hard labor, but in "tricks that are dark" this "heathen Chinee" was deeply skilled, and he proved almost a match for his custodians. He certainly would take his wheelbarrow, pick, and spade out with him every morning and afternoon, but he professed a total ignorance of their uses, while his course of instruction by his guardian policeman necessitated so much labor on the part of that functionary that the honest, good-intentioned preserver of the peace found that the Bentcnce of hard work had really fallen upon him, and his dilemma was the cause of much merriment. The upshot was, that as this "heathen -Chinee" was the only prisoner under sentence, and his offence a not very venial one, it was decided to extend to him the usual clemency of the law in regard to prisoners undergoing sentence. The wily Celestial, however, thought differently, and notwithstanding that his quarters were considered by Europeans more death-dealing than agreeable, could not be persuaded to " savee" this commutation of sentence. An action of ejectment to remove a prisoner objecting to leave a gaol was not to be thought about by the police, although such a course was resorted to by the Provincial Government, desirous of dislodging some obstinate immigrants from the old barracks. Summary proceedings were at once resorted to, and the gaol doors were duly locked, barred, and bolted against this eager candidate for prison fare and lodging. Another, and this time a fatal accident, has occurred in connection with tho construction of the Waitaki Bridge. Tho following arc the particulars as furnished to tho North Otago Times .-—At eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning last, it would appear that Mr. David Hunter, of the firm of McGavin and Hunter, contractors for building the Waitaki Bridge, was standing on a girder superintending the placing in position of a cylinder. By some cause unexplained ho missed his footing, falling into the river, which at that point was about ten feet deep, and wa3 carried rapidly down tho stream. Life-buoys were thrown out and a boat immediately despatched to his rescue, but Mr. Hunter, being unable to swim, sank before tho boat reached him. Tho body was recovered goon after. Deceased, who was thirtyfour years of age, leaves a wife and two children. Tho accident excited considerable sympathy, and the funeral, which took place at Oamaru, was numerously attended. From tho Lakes district wo (Times) learn that tho frost has broken up, as far as tho lowlying country is concerned. The miners have all sot to work, and tho supply of water for ground sluicing is plentiful. Panning operations can also bo resumed. The wheat crop will this season be a small one; owing to the difficulty of finding a market for that cereal,

but little has been sown. It is generally supposed that the losses amongst the sheep fanners, owing to the unprecedently late fall of snow, will be severe, but some time must elapse before the extent of damage can be known. A special Queenstown telegram says that splendid specimens of gold-bearing quartz have been brought into Arrowtown from Bush Creek and Macctown, apparently »3 rich as the Cromwell Company's stone at Bendigo. Mv. J. L. Gillies has been elected Secretary of the Harbor Board. It is understood that the Rev. Mr. Salmond, Free Church Minister of Barry, Forfarshire, Scotland, has been offered the Professorship of Theology in the Otago University. The Corporation of Oamaru announce that they will receive tenders, up to 11th November next, for all or any portion of an issue of £25,000 Corporation bonds, bearing interest at 6 per cent., and redeemable in 1904. As two fishermen were proceeding down the Lower Harbor, they noticed something swimming across the channel towards the Heads, and on proceeding to it discovered it to be a deer, which, after some trouble, they succeeded in capturing. The project of a railway from Dunedin to the Ocean Beach and Portobello seems to be actively promoted. Mr. Proudfoot has undertaken to give gratis that portion of his land at Anderson's Bay required for the railway. The Otago Guardian learns that the appointment of Assistant Analyst has been offered to and accepted by Mr. Saul Solomon, a student at the University. This gentleman, at the last New Zealand University Scholarship examinations, took honors in the chemistry classes. Mr. Solomon is one of Dr. Black's most promising pupils. The Ocean Beach at Dunedin cannot be a "very safe place for equestrianism, if the following statement be correct :—On Saturday afternoon Mr. John Jolly, jun., of George Street, proceeded to the Ocean Beach by the St. Kilda Road. He states that when walking on the beach, in a direct line with the St. Kilda Eoad, the quicksand, which was very dry and apparently firm, gave way, and he suddenly sank to his waist, and only succeeded in extricating himself after considerable difficulty. CANTERBURY. A daily coach has been started between the Ashburton Railway Station and Timaru. The total traffic returns on the Canterbury railways for the month of July, amounted to £0740. The total receipts for the corresponding month of July, in 1873, were £5332. The railway to Ashburton which was opened a few days ago is the first length of railway of the 3ft. Gin. guage, constructed by the Colonial Government in the Province of Canterbury. It was opened under the management of the Provincial Government. The line forms a link of about eighteen miles in the main line, which will ultimately connect the North and South of the Middle Island. Prom Christchurch to Rakaia, at present, the railway is worked upon the sft. 3in. guage, so that a break occurs at Rakaia, but this inconvenience will shortly bo done away with, as the whole line to Christchurch is in course of conversion to the narrow guage. Mr. Elliott, the eugineer appointed to report upon the harbor improvements at Timaru, has arrived from England. The value of town properties in South Canterbury seems to have lately increased considerably. The Timaru Herald, of Aug. 31, says :—The rates at which freehold properties in the town have been disposed of lately show that land has increased considerably in value during the last twelve months. Quarter-acre town sections, in convenient situations, are now realising from £SO to £6O, and two quarter-acre allotments in the old swamp, opposite the Timaru Hotel, fetched the other day £550 each. A quarter-acre section, with small wooden house thereon, in Bank Street, realised £230 recently; a fourroomed stone dwelling-house and section, on the main road near North Street, brought £450. A small section, just off the main road in Church Street, about 25ft. in width, was sold at £l2 10s. per foot frontage. At the sale of Timaru town sections of Government land the other day, the sixteen offered realised from £25 to £37 10s. each. Mr. Roberts' dwelling-house and four acre's of land on the town belt were put up to auction last week by Mr. Turnbull, but did not find a purchaser. They were bought in for £1350. Properties in all the towns of South Canterbury have increased in value lately. The Government quarter-acre sections at Waimate, at the recent Bale, fetched from £ls 10s. to £2l 10s.

The Timara-Temuka Railway has been opened experimentally, but without any demonstration.

Dr. Haast has read, to the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, a most interesting paper on " Results of excavations and researches in and near the Moa-bone Point Cave, Sumner Boad." The publication of the paper has not yet been completed. On Sunday morning last, as Captain Calvert, of the brigantine Elizabeth o*l6, which was lying off the breastwork, near the Export wharf, Lyttelton, was hauling taut the stern line of the vessel, he was alarmed to see the head of a man rise out of the water. He and his men at once got into their boat, and proceeded to the spot, and found a man's body supported under the arms by the warp. The body was conveyed on shore, and was recognised as that of John Cain, who was cook of the schooner J. G. C'oleson. He had been missing since Saturday night, Sept. 5. NELSON. The Mail considers that Nelson has reason to be gratified with the position she holds as having a more temperate community than any other of the principal towns of the Colony Such at least is the conclusion arrived at after a perusal of the following official returns furnished by the Registrar-General, from which it will be seen that the per-centage of convictions for drunkenness in Nelson is exceedingly small as compared with other places : Convictions for Town. Population. 12 months. Nelson ... 5,534 ... 84 Napier ... 2,179 ... 80 Invercargill ... 1,960 ... 75 Wanganui ... 2,390 ... 178 Wellington ... 7,908 ... 179 Queenstown ... 562 ... 36 Hokitika ... 3,572 ... 101 Blenheim ... 741 ... 36 Christchurch ... 12,466 ... 295 Lyttelton ... 2,551 ... 41 Timaru ... 1,418 ... 56 Greymouth ... 2,181 ... 11l Dnnedin ... 14,857 ... ' 700 Auckland ... 12,937 ... 1247 Tho above statistics are taken from the returns for 1871; but, so far as Nelson is concerned, our contemporary is informed on good authority that the proportion of convictions to the population is still smaller now than it was then. . . The Mec/ton Courier of the Ist inst. says : We have received information that it is more than probable that the Nelson Provincial Council will bo called together early in the month of October next. The chief motive for the step is as yet unexplained, but it in believed that the necessity has arisen through certain communications made by the Premier, and which it is deeraod advisable to lay before the Council as early as possible for consideration. . Most favorable reports reach the West Coast Times by private hands from Westport of tho general activity manifested there sinco tho commencement of the railway works. Numbers of business peoplo aro diverting their attention to that locality, and new buildings aro being rapidly erected. The town population has increased considerably within tho past few weeks, and on Saturday evenings tho main street is quite a busy thoroughfare. Prices of sections in tho main streets have iuoroascd about twenty-five per cent., and the Westport folks, after many years of weary waiting, aro now beginning to realise the fact that the Bullor stars are now fairly in tho ascendant. A road is about to be constructed, at tho cost of tho Province, between the Devil's Grip and tho Owen. This is the placo which Mr. Vogel playfully suggested might be more euphoniously but equally suggestively named " tho Superintendent's Grip."^

Captain Marshall, who arrived from Wellington a few Jays ago, has been appointed to the charge of the Nelson Militia "and Volunteer district.

A late patient of Reefton Hospital Beams to have been rather a rowdy character. After he was discharged cured, having conceived some ill-will to Constable Meredith, he used his recovered strength to assault that officer in a most desperate manner. For that assault he lias been tried at Ahaura, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour. Her Majesty's ship Blanche, drawing 17ft. of water, has entered the harbour, and now lies snugly at anchor, off Cross Wharf. She is an object of great attraction to the public. Some of the sailors, who belong to a lodge of Good Templars, attended a meeting of that body, and spoke very strongly as to the good effects they had felt from belonging to the body, and of the kindness they had received from the lodges wherever they had been. Fifteen of the officers and crew had a game of football with a Nelson team, which is thus described by the Colonist: —" ' Kick-off' was followed by a terrific charge from the sailors, who came plnckily down on the landsmen, only to be sent back after the ball, which kept unpleasantly near their goal. Many hard-fought scrimmages took place during the first twenty minutes near the touch-line for the possession of the ball, which at last was sent by a neat kick from Speed over the bar, thus scoring one for Nelson. Nothiug daunted, the sailors continued the game, but want of practice now told on them, and in a short time Bluudell had scored a second goal for the town. Play continued till five o'clock without any further result, and when time was called, the victory rested with Nelson by two goals. The sailors throughout played pluckily and well, and in ' following up' gave our players a lesson well worthy of imitation. A great number of scrimmages took place, partly in consequence of the neat way the sailors had of stopping a player attempting to run. - They had themselves peculiar ideas of the relative effects of concussion and rebound, for generally when a sailor charged a landsman he would, if resisted, cannon off on his nearest neighbor, and with him come to the ground. With the exception of an unpleasant blow on the head, received by an officer belonging to the Blanche, no accident occurred, and throughout the game was played with the utmost good temper. On leaving the ground, cheers were given for the visitors and heartily returned." At Westport, a Good Templars' lodge has been opened by the Rev. D. McNicol, Wesleyan minister. Our obituary notices lately included an intimation of the death of Mr. William Smith Atkinson, of Nelson. His death is thus alluded to in. the Taranaki Herald; —" The late William Smith Atkinson died at Nelson on Thursday, the 3rd September. This announcement, which was published in Saturday's issue, will, we feel certain, be read with sorrow by all who knew him. Mr. W. S. Atkinson came out to the Colony in the year 1845 ; and, on the arrival of his brothers at Now Plymouth, in 1852, he travelled from Wairarapa to join them. He was an excellent Maori linguist ; and, in those early days of the settlement, this was a very useful acquirement. On the war breaking out in 1860, he was appointed captain of a Native Contingent Force ; and, during the whole of the disturbance, was of great service both to the Government and the officers of the Imperial troops. In 1865 he, was appointed as Crown-Agent to look after the interests of the Government in the Native Compensation Court. In 1867 he filled the offices of Curator of Intestate Estates and Inspector of Bankruptcy for this district ; and was also Lloyd's Agent for Taranaki. In 1868 he was gazetted Resident Magistrate at Wairoa, on the East Coast ; and in 1872 he accepted the office of associate to His Honor Judge Richmond, with whom he remained up to the time of his death. Amongst his personal friends and those who had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with him, the deceased gentleman was much esteemed for his intellectual and social qualities ; and his death will be deeply regretted by all." A large number of Germans from Nelson, the Waimeas, and Upper Moutere congregated at the latter place on Sunday week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the arrival of their pastor, the Eev. J. W. 0. Heine. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Meyer, of Ranzau, in the tastefully-decorated German church, which was crowded to excess. Shortly after the conclusion of the service, about "130 persons sat down to a friendly luncheon in a building suitably fitted up for the occasion. After luncheon a Bilver tea and coffee service and a purse of sovereigns were presented to the Rev. Mr. Heine, with an address. After the rev. gentleman had addressed the assemblage, a congratulatory address was handed to him signed by the Lord Bishop of Nelson and the Church of England clergymen residing in the district.

A fatal accident is reported from the French Pass on September 1. Two Maoris and a white woman, named Eliza Smith, attempted to cross from Durville's Island to Ehnlie's in a dingy. The boat was sucked under by a whirlpool and the Maoris were drowned. Smith kept herself afloat by the paddle, stripped, and swam for shore. Her cries were heard by Elmslie, who, with her brother and Webber, put out and rescued her just as she was sinking. A curious case came before the Nelson Resident Magistrate. A lady passenger by the s.s. Wellington was sick and in so nervous a condition that even " the rude music" of a concertina was distressing to her. There was on board a musically-inclined seaman named Greenleaf, who liked to play on the instrument just named, and who had none in his nature of the gallantry which the poets have always ascribed to the British sailor. Greenleaf would persist in playing while the ship was in Nelson, and the lady importuned in vain that the irritating musical noise might cease. At last Captain Carey was asked to interfere to stop the annoyance. He did so, but the obstinate musician still refused to cease his noise, and the end was that he forfeited two days' wages and went to gaol for seven days. Greenleaf must have been " music mad." Mr. Cockram, who was an exhibitor of pottery in the Nelson Exhibition, has applied for a lease of the Cattle Market Reserve, where he intends to commence manufacturing articles in this industry. A ball to the Captain and officers of H.M.S. Blanche took place at the Provincial Hall on Friday evening, and, despite the bad weather, there was an assemblage of about one hundred and. fifty persons. The baud of the Blanche attended. • The Westport Times states that "the subcommittee appointed from the Kynnersley Memorial Committee received by the last mail a series of designs of granite monuments from Aberdeen, some of which are very appropriate for the purpose intended, and at a price within the means of the committee. A meeting will be shortly held to decide on the choice to be made and other incidental matters." The old coal workings on Higgs' land, at Richmond, have been recommenced by Mr. Denne, who has after considerable labor, cleared the 40ft. shaft, and having sunk a few feet lower, has again come to tho seam, but, apparently, better in qualify than the upper, of which for the last four years something like a hundred tons have been got out, and used in tho neighborhood for steam and other purposes. A ton of coal from tho newly found part of the seam lias been sent to town, and will be tested at Mr. Baigent's steam sawing yard in Waimea Street. WESTLAND. There is a division of opinion among subscribers to the Hokitika Literary Association as to whether their rooms should be open on Sunday, and tho dispute is only likely to be settled by an appeal ta a general meeting. Tho Mayor of Greymouth has received a telegram from His Honor the Superintendent, stating that tho erection of the now Telegraph Office, at Greymouth, will be delayed, in order to enable the Government to come to some arrangement so as to securo tho Hospital sito for public building purposes. The confusion that prevails at every meeting of the Westland Waste Lands Board in Hokitika has long been the dread of reporters, and as land is more sought after, and the transactions of tho Board become

more complicated, this is intensified considerably. Regarding this the West Coast Times remarks: tainly undignified manner .in which the Jionvii ait hehmd-a counter, with a lot of eager customers in front, might certainly be changed for the better by using either the Magistrate's or the Supreme Court for the J purpose. Advocates of various kinds could ! be better heard by such transition, the Press might be able to give a more connected account of the proceedings, and the business transacted would happily lose the higgledypiggledy characteristics that now pertain to it. As to the facilities for reporting, whether designedly or not we cannot say, they are as abbreviated as possible. A table is placed in a narrow place in the very midst of an excited throng of applicants, agents, or oppositionists, and the scribblers have to do their ' level best' to write fragmentary sentences, caught at intervals from the magnates, who preside and hold confidential discussions amongst .themselves. The business of the Board is likely to increase largely as time rolls on, and these remarks are meant in the most friendly spirit, with a hope that the complaints may be met in the same way." Several notices have lately appeared in the Westport papers, of the progress of exploration and mining for coal in the Mokihinui district, to which considerable attention seems to have been recently directed. The following is the latest which appeai'3. in the Times : —" At the Mokihinui coal wharf a large heap of coal is now waiting shipment, having been taken out by Seaton and party, who expect that if the weather favors, the Go-Ahead will call there for a cargo on her next trip. The coal brought down by the Result is of very good quality, and there should soon be established a steady trade in the article. In reference to the situation of the seam from which coal is now being obtained, there exists a difference of opinion as to the right of possession. Two leases adjoining each other have been taken up, and • license to mine for coal has been granted by the Waste Lands Board, the one to Rowlands and party, and the other to Seaton and party. The former assert that the latter party, instead of working on their own ground, as first pegged off, have crossed the boundary and encroached nearly half a mile, and are now getting out coal from ground they have no right to occupy, while the latter party declare they are not encroaching. This is a matter that the Provincial authorities show culpable neglect in allowing to remain in dispute. There is a wide and profitable field for investment in. coalmining in the Mokihinui district; in each of the two areas under notice several workable seams of coal exist, but investors naturally enough fight shy, and the promoters themselves are debarred from any defined course of action, so long as uncertainty exists as to right of. possession. Under any well organised system of survey or competent form of Provincial rule such matters would be settled off-hand. Tardy action in this and many other similar matters tends to provoke remarks from the fiublic that the Nelson authorities are not free roin other influences than a desire to impartially discharge public duties."... - The new buihlmg for the Bank of New Zealand in Hokitika is fast approaching completion, and winj-wkoi finisheiL—be_an ornament to the architecture of Revell StreeT. Externally, though of less altitude in its walls than its predecessor, it will be exceedingly neat and imposing as a one storey structure. On Wednesday a work which was practically commenced some weeks ago—the construction of a coal railway from Westport to Ngakawau —was " inaugurated" with some formality, followed by rejoicings such as suited the tastes and the resources of the local community. It is not alone the local community that are entitled to congratulate themselves on the commencement of the work. The railway is one which has as intimate relationship to the industries of the Colony as any which has yet been undertaken. Its purpose is to connect what is probably the best port on the West Coast with what is decidedly, so far as is yet known, the largest and most valuable coalfield in the Colony. Along its course, the line approaches at several points portions of the coalfield from which supplies may be readily drawn, and terminates at a coal-mine the working of which has already been commenced, but the value of which is at present reduced by the absence of proximate facilities for shipping. The country over which the line extends presents no particular physical difficulties, and the energy with which its construction has been undertaken indicates that it will very speedily be completed. In point of time, its completion will probably succeed that of the Greymouth and Brunner railway, which should be finished in five or six months, but it is a line of equal importance, and when the two lines are in working order the Colony should be no longer dependent for its coal supplies upon the other Colony from which these are now, if not exclusively, almost solely obtained. The wharf at Hokitika is now abundantly lit by gas lamps. The progress made in agricultural operations in the bush-covered country of Westland is indicated by the fact that an Agricultural Society has been formed in Hokitika, under whose auspices a ploughing-match is shortly to bs held. Several of the exhibits at the late exhibition at Hokitika have been photographed by Mr. Tait, and the photographs are to be presented by the exhibitor, Mr. Johnston, to the Governor before His Excellency leaves New Zealand. The Coast papers record the death of Mr. J. Fitzsimmons, an old and respected resident of the Five-mile Beach, near Okarito, who met his end on Thursday last, having been gored to death and afterwards fearfully mutilated by two wild bulls. The deceased was highly respected throughout the whole district. He was about thirty-five yeara old, a native of Westmeath, Ireland, and leaves a wife and five children to deplore his untimely end. The contractors for the Waimea Water Race are experiencing no little difficulty in driving the tunnels on many of the sections. There exists in the terraces a kind of soft reef or false bottom, which it appears stands well in driving, but after being exposed to the air for sometimethe reef expands to such an extent as to completely smash up the timbering in the tunnels, the pressure being so heavy as to force the rata props and caps into the reef to a considerable depth. This, of course, loosens the laths, the consequence being that the roof comes tumbling down, bringing the laths along with it. Through this cause, the West Coast Times learns, many of the contractors will sustain serious loss, and the time allowed to complete the contracts being greatly infringed upon, of course the completion of the race is delayed. We learn, says the West Coast Times, that the completion of the Kanieri Lake Waterrace, as far as the Hau Hau, will not be delayed beyond the beginning of the year. Mr. Tabart, who is chairman of the Board of Directors stated positively that contracts for the remainder of the race would be signed this week, and it was not probable that any hitch would occur to prevent the whole of the main race being completed at the time mentioned. Although the race has up to the present time passed through country more or less auriferous, the best country in that respect is considered to be in the ground adjacent to the new contracts. From Scribnlings' Creek to the Hau Hau, the land is all highly auriferous, and though much of it has been partially worked, yet with a good water Bupply, hych-aiilicing, and ground sluicing can bo advantageously carried on. We hear that it is intended to form a company to work the old leads in the Big Paddock. The same thing was mooted some years ago, but Was not carried out owing to the difficulty which then existed of obtaining an adequate water supply. In addition to the ground in the " Paddocks," there exists a good deal of sluicing ground about the old Gaspipe and Shallow Rush Leads, that no doubt will command tho attention of the miner, and which, we understand, could be worked to advantage under the system of special or extended claims. The extensive leading.terrace at the Kanieri, will no doubt also attract attention, as soon as labor on the various public works is no longer required, and wo believe that the Company, ere many months are ' over, will be induced to conctruct a branch race to command this, and other likely - looking terraces in the same locality.