SOCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4264, 19 November 1874, Page 3

SOCIAL.

The Chief Justice leaves Wellington for Auckland about the 20th instant, for the purpose of swearing in the new Governor —the Martinis of Normanby—who will arrive at Auckland from Sydney about that date. The returns of the Wellington-Mastertou railway for the month of October amounted to £458 75.; of that amount the freight of merchandise produced £63 15s. 3d., and parcels £8 6s. Id. The number of passengers was large, being 9508. It is announced through the Gazette, under date the 22nd inst., that “His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Walter Kennaway, Esq., to be Secretary to the Agent-General's Department in London.” The Eight Kev. Dr. Kedwopd, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington, is expected to arrive here by the s.s. Albion, on her next trip down from Melbourne with the English mails via Suez. The locomotive for the tramway connecting Palmerston -with Eoxton was landed from the Phcebe a few mornings ago. It was constructed by Messrs. Fraser and Tinne, of the Phoenix Foundry, Auckland, and attracted considerable attention on the wharf. Preparations for extending the Colonial Museum according to the plans prepared by Mr. Clayton have been commenced. On Tuesday a gang of men were busily employed excavating the ground, which is to be made level with the present footpath. Tenders are called for by the Provincial Government for the construction of two bridges of some importance—the one over the river Tauera, near Masterton, and the other over the Silver Stream, at the Upper Hutt. Both are very necessary works, and will greatly facilitate and lessen the danger of travelling in the Wairarapa. On Monday night, Oct. 26, after practice, the members of the Volunteer Artillery band payed the officers and men of the French man-of-war, Vire, now in Port Nicholson, the compliment of a serenade. The night was beautifully fine, and the harbor as smooth as a mill-pond. The band went off in small boats, rowed round the Vire, and played a number of appropriate tunes. The effect was vei-y fine. The Frenchmen appeared to appreciate the compliment, and heartily" applauded their serenaders. We recently reported the wreck of the brig Alice Maud, ou Barren Island, on her voyage from New Zealand to Melbourne, and the rescue of the crew. There would seem, however, to be some doubt as to what has become of a lady passenger who was on board. It appears that, with the other passengers and crew, she reached Goose Island, from whence they were taken, all but herself, to Melbourne by the Southern Cross. Wishing to go to Tasmania, she remained to be picked up on the return voyage of the steamer, but advices from Hobarton state that she had not ' arrived. The friends and relations of the young lady, who is married, and has an infant with her, reside at Strathloddon, in Victoria. Mr. Wm. Allen, for many years manager of the Wellington Trust and Loan Company, has formally tendered his resignation of that office. Mr. Lipman Levy, who performed the duties of the office during Mr. Allen’s absence, will henceforth control the business of the company, as managing director. The brigantine Isabella, having completed her trips with water-pipes to the West Coast, is now being fitted up as a whaling vessel, and will proceed shortly on a cruise. We understand that she has been fitted out by Messrs. Krull and Co., aud it need hardly be said that we wish them every success in their spirited enterprise. The time was when several vessels were sent home annually, loaded with oil and bone obtained from the shore stations on this coast; and we should be glad if our merchants were enabled to do so again. The coasters frequently fall in with schools of whales, but they are unable to capture any fish from the want of proper appliances. We trust that the success which this vessel will meet with will be the means of inducing her owners to increase their fleet, aud others to follow their example. The annual meeting of the Caledonian •Society was held on October 27, at Mclntosh’s New Zealander Hotel, the President, 6. Crawford, Esq., in. the chair. ■ Amongst the members present were Messrs. Gilligan, Buchanan, Graham, Mclntyre, Mace, Thomson, Drausfield, McKenzie, McDowell, Duncan, and Eayer (secretary). The secretary read a statement of accounts, which showed the society to be in a satisfactory position, financially, and the election of office bearers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, resulting as follows :—President, G. Crawford, Esq,; VicePresident, T. Buchanan, Esq.; Hon. Treasurer, Capt. Mclntyre; Secretary, Mr. Eayer; Directors : Messrs. McKenzie, Grant, McKirdy, McDowell, Greenfield, Graham, Gilligan, Capt. Bishop, Young, Eayer, Dransfield, Thomson, Mace, Lockie, Dune in, aud J. Martin. The business specified for transaction being concluded, Mr. McKenzie proposed a vote of thanks to the President for the active interest he had displayed in securing the welfare of the society during the past year, and the energetic manner in which he had sought to maintain its prosperous condition. The motion was seconded, and carried unanimously. Mr. Crawford thanked the meeting for its expression of good-will, aud in reviewing the proceedings at the successful gathering in January last, intimated that it was intended to offer a prize for tilting at the society’s next gathering. Votes of thanks were also passed to the VicePresident (Mr, Buchanan), and the Treasurer (Captain Mclntyre) ; and Air. Eayer was appointed to canvass the city for funds for next year’s sports. The meeting then adjourned till that day fortnight, when a draft programme will be submitted, and other arrangements made for the forthcoming gathering. The following natives are gazetted as assessors under the Native Land Act, 1873 :—The Hon. Wi Tako Ngatata, Wellington ; Ihaia Porutu, Wellington ; Eauiera Te Iho, Turanga, Wairarapa ; Ihaia -Whakamairu, Masterton, Wairarapa; Manihera Te Eangita.kaiwaho, Greytown, Wairarapa : Hemi Te Miha, Turanga, Wairarapa; Hoani Meihana Te Eangiotu, Manawatu; Major Keepa Te Eangihiwinui, Wanganui; Paori Kuramate, Waipakura, Wanganui ; and Hoani Taipua, Otaki. His Excellency the Governor left Wellington on November 2nd on a visit to the West Coast of this province. He arrived the same evening at Otaki, where a large number of natives of that and surrounding districts had assembled. His Excellency was warmly welcomed by Wi Parata, Martin Te Wiwi, and other influential natives, some of whom had come a long distance. His Excellency visited the townships in the Eangitikei and Manawatu districts, and returned to Wellington overland early on Saturday morning.

The Gazette which reached us on Oct. 30th contains a return of the revenue received through the Custom House for the quarter ending on the 30th of September last. The total amount was £311,631, as compared with £213,325, or an increase of £68,306. The great increase, of course, is through the ad valorem 10 per cent, duty, the yield of which was £106,315, as compared with £51,320. In “other duties not specified,”'there was a decrease of £6BO. There was an increase in the receipts for imported spirits of £8832, and of £1750 on colonial spirits ; on cigars and snuffs, tobacco (excepting sheep-wash), wine, ale and beer (both in bottle and wood), tea, sugar, and goods by weight; but a decrease in coffee and opium. Measurement duties, which contributed £12,110 in the September quarter of 1873, being abolished, of course do not appear in the list for the past quarter. 'By far the largest contributor to the revenue through the Customs was Dunedin, which figures for £91,212; the other chief ports following ns trader : Auckland, £63,510 ; I/yttelton, £43,946 ; Wellington, ! £34,647 ; Nelson, £10,850 ; Napier, £10,743 ; Greymouth, £10,509 ; Hokitika, £8648 ; and Invercargill, £7373. Of sugar, the importations amounted to 5,749,200 lbs. ; tea, 615,880 lbs, ; tobacco, 205,800 lbs. No return was received from the Chatham Islands during the quarter. The imports of spirits at the principal ports returned the following sums to the Treasury ; Dunedin, £l9,l3B(Auckland, £13,338; Lyttel£l2>*63; Wellington, £7BOO ; Napier, '•967 ; Wang-nui, £3086 ; Nelson, £2581 ; \yrnouth, £’2w ■ Hokitika, £3014 ; West- , £2131 ; l ir “*-u, £2460 ; Invercargill, 4 ; and Oamaru, ~ r^.

According to the assessment handed in by the city valuator, the property in the city has increased nearly 50 per cent, since the valuation of last year. The iucrease is of course accounted for principally by the large number of buildings erected during the past 12 months. The following statement shows the assessment for the past and present years, and the value of the property in each ward : 1374-5 „ r , rev ;? us Increase, nua o. Valuation, To Aro .. £57,398 ..,£38,361 .. £19.535 Lambton 40,979 .. 23,703 .. 1->2lO Thermion 23,308 .. 20,202 .. 8,184 £127,261 !! £37,320 £39,935 The assessment of’ last year brought the Corporation a revenue a little over .£4OOO ; this year the income will.be The assessment roll will be open to the inspection of ratepayers in a few days. „ “The first present of the King of Fiji to the Queen of England, on the cession of the islands, consisted of five turtles and a new canoe. The King is said to bo delighted to have got nd of his Ministers. We regret to observe from the 11 cstland Register that Mr. John White, 31.1111., has been suffering from serious indisposition for some days past, aud has been confined to his house by medical advice. Owing to this fact Mr. White has been prevented from addressing his constituents as early as he had intended. It is stated on good authority that a redistribution of the Judges of the Suffl-eme Court will take place at the conclusion of the sittings of the Court of Appeal. Sir George Arney is to remain in Wbllington, Judge Johnston will remove either to Dunedin or Auckland, Judge Eichmond will probably remain in his present location, and so probably will Judge Gressou. Judge Chapman is expected to retire from the Bench, and Sir George Amey goes home to England in February next, when, it is said, he will he succeeded by Mr. Prendergast as Chief Justice. The plant of the Wanganui railway bridge is now on board the barque Cordelia, which has arrived at Port Chalmers from Liverpool. She was to leave for Wellington on November 13th. The Napier landed the immigrants by the Star of India, without accident, on November 13th Numbers of them were to be seen about the streets during the day, and a more orderly and well conducted lot of people never landed in Wellington. The Provincial Government have resolved to sell the foreshore at Thorndon, which is about to be reclaimed. It is proposed to dispose of it in one lot, under the hammer of Mr. K. J. Duncan, on the 21st of December, and plans and conditions of sale will be ready for inspection by the 18th of November. The following is a return of the patients in the provincial hospital during and ending the month of October :—Admitted —Males, 10. Discharged—-Males, 7; females, 3. Died— Males, 3. Left in hospital—Males, 33; females, 3. Total in hospital, 36. Mr. District Judge Weston proceeds from Napier to the West Coast, where he will preside in the Westland Courts. So little has the Court at Napier found to do that the local journals recommend that no successor should he appointed, and thus £7OO a-year be saved.

It is stated that during his late visit to the North the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs was able, in his interviews with the natives, to remove the difficulties in the way of the extension of the electric telegraph between Opunaki and Stoney River, and also the opposition shown by some of the natives of Taranaki to the erection of a lighthouse on Cape Egraont. The correspondent of one of the 'Wanganui journals states that the law costs in the late libel cases heard in Wellington amount to not less than £592, although the damages were only £4O. Although it is only a few days since the ship Helen Denny landed her immigrants at Napier they have all already found employment. This speaks well for the prosperity of the province of Hawke’s Bay. It was mentioned a few days ago in connection with the accidental death of a waggon-driver named Joseph Raison, on the Wairarapa road, that his life had been insured for some years in the Mutual Provident office, but that it was feared the policy (for £100) was vitiated by the non-payment of a premium due a short time before his death. It is stated—and the news has been received with great satisfaction in the Wairarapa district—that the directors of the company are likely to take a view of the case favorable to the widow. The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, accompanied by Mr, Seed, were passengers from Ouehunga to New Plymouth on a late trip of the Ladybird. During Tuesday (20th instant), says the Taranaki Herald, Mr. Reynolds inspected the public buildings of the town; and next day he visited the Waitara, accompanied by his Honor the Superintendent (F. A. Carrington, Esq.), Mr. Parris, Mr. T. Kelly, and several other gentlemen. On their way, the party stopped at the proposed junction of the Waitara railway, at Sentry Hill, where it was agreed to set aside some twenty acres ’for a town site. It was proposed to go as far as the Mountain-road ; and then Mr. Reynolds would take his departure overlaud for Wellington, Mr. Parris proceeding with him as far as Hawera, Those who have been anxiously waiting during the last two or three years for a fall in the price of timber are likely to experience some further delay. The severe weather of the past few months has not only shortened supplies, but added a few shillings to the price per 100 ft., so that building operations have been greatly retarded in many cases, and the erection of numbers of dwelling-houses' indefinitely postponed. The supplies from the country mills, each of which usually turns out from 80,000 to 100,000 ft. a month, have been reduced to 15,000 or 20,000 ft., but the fine weather will no doubt produce a different state of affairs in the course of a few weeks. The present rates per 100 ft. are :—Red pine and matai, 16s. to 17s. ; kauri, 20s. ; totara, 235. to 255. ; which is an advance of about 3s. per 100 ft. on the rates ruling a few months ago for the descriptions of timber mostly used. Mr. George Donne, M.P.C., of the West Coast, is the successful tenderer for the right of advertising on the following lines of railway ; —Auckland to Mercer, Nelson to Foxhill, Pictou to Blenheim, and Brunner to Greymouth. Wellington is about to lose Captain Salmon, of the barque Edwin Bassett, for a time. He has, we understand, come in for “ a slice of good luck” at home, and is about to proceed thither to realise it. He purposes returning with a ship of his own to resume his connection with the intercolonial trade. The arrangements for the suppression of fires in this city are now as perfect ns in any other of the advanced cities of the world. With a water supply of sufficient force to cover any building up to a height of 80 feet, there need bo little apprehension as to the possibility of a destructive fire occurring in any locality within range of the hydrants. During the last few days, the position of the fire-plugs has been carefully noted, and the locality indicated by the customary plate being posted in their vicinity. Xu proof of the extraordinary advance in the value of city property in Wellington it may bo mentioned that two sections on the reclaimed land, opposite Stephenson and Stuart’s store, changed hands on Saturday at £3OO each, being in reality a bonus of £OOO to tho original selector. Considering that tho land is leasehold property, each section being 85ft. by 35ft,, and subject to an annual rental of over £SO, the price is certainly a very long one. Messrs. Thompson, Shannon and Co., who at present occupy stores .in Willis-street, were the purchasers. There were a largo number of applications on Monday for the unsurveyed Crown Lands in the Wairarapa and East Coast districts which, for a* short time past, have been advertised as to be open for selection on and after Monday, tho 2nd iast. A largo number of intending selectors attended at the Land Office during the forenoon, and altogether thirty-five applications were lodged, for an aggregate of about 15,000 acres, tho amount paid to tho Receiver of Land Revenue being close on £7,000. The bulk of the land was taken up at 10s. an acre, and some pastoral country at 7s, od, There will probably bo a considerable additional amount of land selected from the large area thrown open.

Speaking of the prosperity of the city and the want of household accomraodatiou, it may be a circumstance worthy of note that during his peregrinations in the preparation of the assessment roll the city valuator found the sum total of all the vacant houses in the city to amount to not more than six. Moat places can boast of their “deserted dens,” “ruined cots,” “ chancery villas,” aud “ ramshackle cribs,” of an uninhabitable character, hut if there are such structures in Wellington they seem to be turned to very profitable account. Among the passengers by the s.s. Alhambra, from Melbourne was the Eev. Mr. Stanclrin, who was accompanied by Mis. Standrin and family. The reverend pastor belongs to the Primitive Methodist Church, and has been resident for seventeen years in .South Australia, and is now, under direction of the English Conference, on his way to Manawatu, where a new district in connection with his congregation has been established. He is to open the mission. The births in Wellington registered in October were 55, showing an increase of 3 ou the September births. The deaths were 13 males and 11 females, a total of 24; being 11 fewer than were recorded in September. Thirteen of the deaths were of children under five years, and 11 of persons over five years of age. There was only one death from influenza, which caused 11 deaths in September. One death occurred from diphtheria, 2 from pneumonia, 3 from phthisis, and 2 from diarrhoea. Three infants succumbed from weakness, aud one death was caused by an accident. Masters of vessels can now obtain full information as to the state of the weather by telegraph, at greatly reduced rates. These messages must be sent to the HarborMasters, and are to be forwarded as “ replypaid” telegrams; the cost to the sender beingonly sixpence,practically redupesthe amount charged to threepence each way. Our seafaring friends have thus the advantage of being able to receive information upon subjects specially connected with their calling at a very low rate—a privilege not enjoyed by any other class of the community, and for which they are indebted to the Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Commissioner of Customs, whose well-known interest in matters connected with shipping has induced him to exert himself thus favorably in behalf of our mercantile marine.

A distressing accident happened on Wednesday on board the Halcione, by which Mr. Johnson, of the firm of Hindge & Johnson, stevedores, sustained very severe injuries. In course of loading the ship, it was the duty of one of the hands employed by Mr. Johuson to tumble the dumped bales of wool over the combing of the hatch, and let them fall into the hold. Some “ double dumps,” two bales pressed together, were being stowed at the time of the accident, and through want of proper precaution, either on the part of Mr. Johnson or the man who lowered the bales, one of them fell upon Mr. Johnson, who was standing under the hatchway. The bale knocked him down, and fell on his side with such force as to break several of his ribs, and fracture his thigh. Drs. Diver and Harding were immediately sent for, and Dr. Diver being first on the spot, means were at once adopted to coimtei-act the effects of the shock to the system. Mr. Johnson, who is a man approaching fifty years of age, suffered great pain, aud was conveyed to his residence, where he was attended by Dr. Diver.

A proclamation appeared in a late Gazette stating that the seal or badge to be worn in the Hnion Jack used by the Governor of New Zealand, when embarked in any boat or other vessel, shall be the Southern Cross, as represented by four five pointed red stars, emblazoned on the white shield aforesaid, and the monogram N.Z. in red letters in the centre of the Southern Cross. During the month of October the estates of eleven persons, who died intestate, were placed in the care of the Public Trustee. Four of the deceased were drowned, one fell over a cliff and was killed, and one was killed by a fall of earth. One poor fellow, who was known only as “ George,” left but a few shillings ; four left less than a £5 note each; three were possessors of nearly £2O; and the estates of three were under £SO. By proclamation in the Gazette of Thursday, under the Native Lands Act, 1873, the Chatham Islands have been added to the Province of Wellington. The Ministry have thought it necessary to prevent for the present the importation of grape-vines and grape-vine cuttings, and a proclamation to that effect has boon published. An excellent arrangement has been arrived at by the Superintending Engineer of the New Zealand Railways as regards the fares of children travelling to and from school. It is provided that annual second-class tickets shall be issued to such children, irrespective of distance, for a sum of three pounds for the year 1875, with a proportionate reduction on tickets taken out in the second, third, and fourth quarters of the year respectively. These tickets, of course, must only be used by school children, and penalties are attached to their use in any other way. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins (Miss Colville) are understood to have left New York on their return to New Zealand, in accordance -with the intention they announced before leaving Wellington. Miss Rosa Towers—unable to obtain an engagement in Melbourne, in consequence of the contracts entered into in England and America by the management of the Theatre Royal—is now playing in Sydney, where she appears to have made a decided hit. Mr. Eugene Beda, the one-legged gymnast and vocalist, having abandoned his intention to proceed direct from the Bluff to San Francisco, is now in Christchurch, where, with other artists, he is about to give a series of performances. New Zealand is not to be allowed, without a struggle, to obtain possession of the steam trade with Fiji. The annexation has been followed immediately by a determination on the part of the Australasian Steam Navigation Company of Sydney to send one of their vessels monthly from Sydney to Levuka. Messrs. Sutton Brothers, the well-known breeders of Lincoln sheep, says the Southland News of the 31st October, shipped on Thursday, per Tararua, for the Melbourne market, a selection of two-tooth rams. They were preceded a few weeks since by sixteen sheep of the same class intended' for competition at the National Show to be held at Melbourne. The high character of these sheep is justly celebrated all over New Zealand, and, we have no doubt, will be sustained in Australia. Themissionauxiliaryscrewschooner Southern Cross returned to Auckland a few days ago from her first cruise amongst the islands. The vessel is reported upon as having proved herself admirably adapted for the service, and the mission work seems to be jjrogressing satisfactorily. Tho labor question, however, seems to demand more attention than ever. Although Her Majesty’s cruisers are active, the slavers are still more so. These slavers are called “ labor vessels.” The war between the lawless rovers who sail them and tho natives is deadly, and it appears to be evident that tho number of Her Majesty’s cruisers is much too small to contend against them. Yet the traffic is not a little perilous to those engaged in it, as may be judged from the following extract from the report of the master of tho Southern Cross : —“ There were throe labor vessels at Ambrym —the Jason, Donald McLean, and Lady Darling. Tho captain of the latter vessel told Mr. Kenny of the massacre, at Tasico, of tho captain, mate, and four hands of the schooner Zephyr. While at Savo Mr. Codrington was told that the mate and Government agent of tho labor vessel Southern Cross were killed at Venikora. The snatch-snatch vessels are as numerous as over ; counted twelve during our cruise.”

A despatch from T.ord Carnarvon, dated Downing Street, 13th August, to His. Excellency the Governor, informs liim that “ Her Majesty has been pleased, on my recommendation, to give directions for your appointment to the dignity of a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.” It is mentioned that Californian apples and onions are now being, sold in Auckland at prices which leave a considerable profit to the importers. There is some room for- greater energy on the part of the farmers of the colony when it is found that the public must look to San Francisco for onions, and Victoria and Tasmania for potatoes.

The 5.9. Mikado, Captain Prank Moore, is appointed to leave Auckland for ban Francisco, via Honolulu, on Wednesday, 25Hi inst., at two o’clock p.xn., with the English mails from New Zealand. The Manawatu sailed on Nov. 7th with the first instalment of the Wanganui waterworks plant for that port, 1 A first-class carriage on the American plan, lias been tried on the Port Chalmers railway. Pour boxes of choice New Zealand plants are being forwarded by the ship Halcione to the Royal Gardens at Kew. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand will hold its next sitting in Wellington, commencing on the 4th December. The Rev. Robert McKinney, of Mahurangi, Auckland, will be Moderator, and the question of amalgamation with the Presbyterian Church of Otago will be discussed. A finer day than Monday, Nov. 9th—the anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Wales—never dawned, and the citizens of Wellington took every advantage of it for recreation. Early in tho morning picnic parties sallied forth, with baskets in hand laden with choice edibles, ai)d they monopolised the many pretty places .surrounding the town. Oriental Bay, and the grassy nooks off - tho road leading to the Slip, afforded many sites for pleasure parties. The Botauicaj Garden came in for a fair share of pleasure seekers, as also did Polhill’s Gully. Vehicles were not to be had after an early hour, and every waterman’s boat was eagerly seized upon. The harbor presented an exceedingly gay appearance, the fleecy sails of the many yachts qnd pleasure boats as they glided about the bay enhancing the view in no small degree. His Excellency’s yacht and Mr. Pearce’s schooner Aurora cruised around tho harbor during the afternoon, and a race out of port by three of our trading vessels added not a little interest to the day’s proceedings. The receipts of the Hutt Railway on Monday must have been considerable, not a small proportion of_ tho inhabitants of tlie city having found their way to the pleasant valley of the Hutt._ All the vessels ia harbor were gaily decked with bunting. j Since Mr. Hunter intimated his unwillingness to stand for the office of Mayor, several leading citizens have cast about for an eligibly candidate for the office. Mr. Draiisfield’s namt has been very freely mentioned during tin past few days, and it is understood that he i( to be nominated. Mr. Dransfield’s opponents, determined to be nothing behiud-hand, have also made a selection, and it is understood that in response to a deputation who waited on him last week, the Hon. AV. B. D. Mantell has consented to contest tho election. Mr Mooi-house, the well-known solicitor, is aim spoken of. I A Jeremy Diddler named Brown, who his been anxiously sought after by the police duriig the past five months, was captured on Saturday by Constable Byrne, at Greytown. The prisoner was formerly a publican at Sandon, but sime giviug up business he has victimised nearly all the publicans and storekeepers in the Marawatu and Wairarapa, by means* of valuehss cheques. He has dodged about from one clstrict to another so cautiously as to avoid Ihe vigilance of the district constables for mmy months past, but at last he was apprehended as described. j A mail robbery is rather an unusual occurrence in this province, but tho police on Saturday, Nov. 7th, received information of a rather clever theft having been- perpetrated during the passage of Young’s coach from Wangami to Otaki. When despatched the mail bag contained a registered letter, covering a watch ind chain, but on arrival at Otaki it was tomd that the watch and chain, the property of Mr. Booth, R.M., had been, abstracted without disturbing the post-office seal. The coach was delayed during the journey overland through the pole of the coach being broken, and it is supposed that the theft was committed while arrangements were being made for the rqjair of the pole. The police were quickly oiri the alert, and a man arrested who had been working in the neighborhood. The evidence obtainable was not sufficient to convict and the man was released, but further inquiries will be made without delay. Mr. Young has offered a reward,of £so,.and the Government have done, the same for the discovery of the offender or offenders. A leisure hour could not ho more satisfactorily spent than by a visit to the Provincial Hospital. Twelve mouths ago the patients who found the benefits of medical skill and the comforts of a home obtainable in this institution, were little more than half the number that at present occupy tho wards ; but notwithstanding this great increase, so well devised have been the arrangements made to meet it that no appearance of over-crowding is evident. Eor a building erected sc long back as twenty-five years ago, the Hospital bears its age remarkably well, although the kahikatea, of which the well-whitened floors are constructed, denotes too plainly in ■ many places the necessity for a new structure. All the floors are as white and clean as itis possible for hard scrubbing to make them, and the appearance of the walls, ceilings, bed-clothing, &c., in the several wards is decidsdly pleasant. The kitchen, lavatory, store-rocm, and other offices connected with the hospital are scrupulously clean and tidy, and everything appears to be done which tends to the! comfort and speedy recovery of the sick. Those of the patients who are able to get about and enjoy the pleasant, though short, walks round the grounds, and the well-kept flower garden, speak in unmistakable terms of the attention and kindness displayed toward ,-them by all connected with the institution, j A longer list of cases has never been presented to the Court of Appeal thin that of the present quarter. Eour more coses were set down on Monday, tho following lleing the complete list :—Yennell v. Brandai, Dodson v. Macandrew, Barton and others v. Howe, Receiver of Laud Revenue Southland v. the Queen, Cashmore v. Manoy, Passmore v. tho Bank of New South Wales, Vincent v. James, Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company v. County Council of Westland, Burns v. Otago and Southland Investment Company, Harding v. Galbraith, Straclian v. 1 -Von, Bussell v. Sealy, Allen v. Anderson, Otago and Southland Investment Company! v. Burns, and Tully v. Ngatuore. REVENUE. Quarter ending 30th September Increase. 1871 ... ■ ... £183,722 1872 203,277 ... £19,555 1873 243,325 ... 40,048 1874 311,631 ... 68,306 This shows an increase of £168,354, or more than 50 per cent, over 1872, and an increase of 70 per cent, over 1871 ; whilst the unfavorable nature of this winter for business is proved by the following results, derived from the table compiled by Mr. Gore, dated Ist October, published in this journal last mouth for June, July, August, and September, compared with an average for same months made over several years :—Rainfall —the average of several previous years for four months, 20'203 inches; this year, during similar four months, 33 '735; rainy days, 61; and this year, 92 — out of 122 days, or three wet days against average showing two wet days. The revenue and rainy days have kept nearly equal pace apparently ; hut, in fact, it took tho rain four days what the revenue accomplished in three days—or four months to three—to yield even tho 50 per cent.

WELLINGTON BOTANIC GARDEN.