GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6272, 19 May 1881, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

Between the Ohariu Valley and Pareora an auriferous reef has been discovered, and a party are putting in a drive to cut the reef. They are about fifty feet in, and have great e-xpeotatiens of striking something good. A shipwright named S. William?, in the employ of Messrs. Coffey and Dixon, met with an accident at the Clydc-quay Slip on 27th uit, by which one of his legs was broken. He was assisting in floating a heavy log, when it suddenly turned over and on his leg, breaking it near the ankle. Williams was attended by Dr. Collins, and removed to his residence. The Hawera Star says “ The settlers cn the Plains are increasing in numbers daily, and many of them are very busy harrowing their laud previous te sowing it do*wn in English grasses. Considering the short time which has elapsed since the land was first occupied, a good deal has been done. Grass seed is now nearly twice as dear as it was three or four months ago, and those who bought early are thanking their stars that they did so.” An ordinary seaman named Robert Tidball, on hoard the barque Himalaya, had a very narrowesoape from a dreadful death on Monday, 25 th ult. He was on the royal masthead attending to his work when he fell and was miraculously caught on the topgallant crosstrees, breaking his thigh. The accident happened when the ship was abreast the lighthouse, and a message was sent ashore to the Pilot Station. Dr. Diver was then telegraphed for, and he accompanied the man to the ship and set the fractured bone. The unfortuate sailor was taken with the cramp and let go his hold. He has been since removed to the Hospital. We have received what appears to be an excellent sample of coal taken from the recently discovered seam within a quarter of a mile of Picton. The prospector, Mr. W. Pugh, states that the deposit is 4 feet 6 inches thick and is within a few feet of the water’s edge. The latter being deep, a vessel of any draught can lie alongside the embankment and have the coal shot into the hold. The sample ia of a bright jet color, rather brittle, and bums remarkably clear. The owners of the land upon which the discovery has been made intend sending a shipment of the coal to some port where a practical test of its qualities can be made.

The following tenders were received by the Public Works Department for the permanent way contract. No. 1, Otantau-Nightcaps branch railway:—Accepted—H. Whittaker, Dunedin, £1979. Declined —J. Cranston, Dunedin, £2094 ; Bennett and Springfield, Riversdale, £2406 ; Martin and Hughes, Invercargill, £2457 ; Stuart and Lamb, Dunedin, £2552 ; D. Robertson and Co., Dunedin, £2558 ; J. M. Watson, Dunedin, £2563 ; C. W. Harvey, Invercargill, £2614 ; J. Innes, Duuedio, £2615 ; J. Coates, Christchurch, £2617 ; C. McKay, Invercargill, £2735 ; M. Duffy, Dunedin, £2867 ; S. Rennie and Co., Invercargill, £3006 ; Mathesoa Bros., Dunedin, £3273 ; Heffernan and Co., Invercargill, £3315 ; H. Cook, Dunedin, £3406 ; W. Henderson and Co., Duuedio, £3442 ; J. W. Forde, Invercargill, £3492 ; A. McDonald, Dunedin, £3789.

Rabbit-killing in the Wairarapa is at the same time sport and profit. Our Greytown correspondent states that two men, with between thirty and forty dogs, have been rabbiting in the locality east of the Ruamahunga, and destroy weekly nearly 2000. They get station rations, with powder, shot, and caps, served out weekly, and in addition, are allowed 2d. per skin. It may be fairly premised that the “game” supply the pack of dogs with food, and the expenses, with the above supplies, may be fairly set down at nil. The 4000 pence, therefore, represent no less a sum than between £l6 and £l7—not a bad division for two men. It is not probable that this is a usual yield, but even taking the income at one half, rabbitting must certainly, on the whole, be a very profitable pursuit. Since the Wairarapa rabbit district has been constituted, no doubt increased activity in the destruction of the pest will be shown, aod a number of additional persons employed.

His Grace the Duke of Manchester has been making a tour through the Wairarapa district, and visiting the Manchester Corporation Block. He was accompanied by the Hon. Johu Hall, Premier; Mr. Levin, M.H.R. ; and Colonels Reader and Pearce. The party left here on Saturday, 23rd ult., and reached Maaterton the same evening. A stop was made there for the night. Next morning they passed through the Forty Mile Bush. His Grace was particularly struck at the grand forest scenery in this part of the country. He had no idea that there was such an extensive wooded country in that portion of the Island. On Monday they left Wbodville, and continued their jouruey to Feilding by way of Ashhurst. This township showed his Grace the eastern boundary of the Manchester Corporation Block. They drove all the way through the property, and reached Feilding' by 12 o’clock. Here an halt was made for an hour, and after refreshing themselves and horses drove on to Halcombe, the western boundary of the block, returning in the evening to Feilding. The Duke was astonished at the resources of the country, and the amount of progress made on the block. The development of the country far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. The weather was glorious during the whole journey, which gave the party an ample opportunity of seeing all the surrounding country. His Grace left Feilding on Tuesday morning for Wanganui. From thence he proceeds to the Waimate Plains, staying there two days, and then resumes his journey to New Plymouth. At New Plymouth he will take passage by the Penguin to Auckland, and from thence to Sydney in time to catch the incoming mail steamer. Colonels Reader and Pearce accompany him as far as New Plymouth.

We have received No. 3 of the Crown Lands Guide, just published, by the authority of the Minister of Lands. This new edition presents many improvements on the previous issues, and particularly in the reference maps, which show, in distinct coloring, the various classes of land in the colony—viz., lands already passed from the Crown, held under pastoral lease, for • sale or immediate payment, or deferred payments, on the homestead system without payment, in course of preparation for sale by survey and roads, native lands in course of purchase by Government, nativelands original or Crown tenure, towns, railway, roads, county boundaries and land district boundaries. All these are clearly defined, and thus at a glance any intending purchaser can tell the location of the particular kind of land he wishes to obtain, as also the means of communication, contiguity to towns and settlements. In the preface to the Guide the statement appears that thirty-four millions of acres of Crown lands still remain for disposal, of which fifteen millions are open grass or fern country, ten millions forest, and nine millions of barren mountain tops, lakes, and worthless country. Under the headings of the various provincial districts the areas of land for sale or selection in each are carefully classified and described, the terms of sale or selection fully explained, and in short the Guide will be found on perusal to give every item of information that can possibly be required in reference to the Crown lands of the colony. It is issued at the nominal price of sixpence per copy, a sum infinitesimal in comparison with the value of the book and the cost of its production. An address of welcome was presented to his Grace the Duke of Manchester, at Governmen House, on April 22, by the Orange Institution in Wellington, which ran as follows : “To Brother His Grace the Duke of Manchester, K.P.—Your Grace, —We the undersigned, on behalf of the Orange Institution in Wellington, embrace with pleasure this opportunity of according to your Grace a hearty and fraternal welcome to our city. We trust the visit to the colonies of one of your exalted rank, and the high position you hold in our Order, will prove beneficial to the cause which all true Orangemen espouse. Hoping you may long be spared to continue your influential support to our loyal and noble institution, and wishing your Grace Godspeed on your return journey home, we have the honor to be, fraternally yours, Thomas Barr, W.M., J. E. Baker, D.M., E. B. Haughton, T.M., T. E. Young, secretary, D. Dutton, chaplain.” The address, which is beautifully illuminated by Mr. W. R. Bock, was replied to by his Grace as follows : “To the members of the Loyal Orange Institution, Wellington. Gentlemen,—l thank you for the hearty and fraternal welcome which you accord me. I hold the object of the Loyal Orange Institution to be the maintenance ef law and order and the support of the Constitution of the Empire as was established by Parliament. I shall be proud to think that I can in any way contribute to that object whether at Home or in the colonies. lam grateful to you for your good wishes, and trust that the loyal principles which inspire you, and in which I heartily sympathise, may be effectually upheld by our successors in future generations, when these colonies will be a repetition on the other side of the globe of the wealth and greatness of the Mother Country. Your obedient servant, Manchester.”

At a recent meeting of the committee of the Wellington Choral Society itr/as decided not to carry on the ordinary work of the society until it could be placed in a sounder financial condition, To this end the committee propose giving a series of popular concerts during the winter months. As similar concerts were attended with great success last winter, we hope to see them equally successful during the ensuing season. At the meeting of College April It was agreed to give Mr. McKay, the newly-appointed principal, a four years engagement, also to allow him full control of the working of the College, and to choose his own staff, No intimation that the meeting was to take place having been forwarded in the usual way, we are unable to give a more extended report of the proceedings. The Taranaki News, in an article on the frozen meat trade, says ;— £; It costs about £6. a lb. to convey meat from Waitara to Auckland to sell say at 5d.; it costs about 2d. alb. to freeze and convey meat from any New Zealand to England to sell at say /d. This gives the frozen meat the advantage of Jcl. a lb. But supposing this -M, is absorbed in other expenses, the export to England is in as good a position as the export to Auckland,” Always a convenient ra«ecourse and one o the beet appointed of the colony, that of Wan* garnii is undergoing improvements that will add still more to its pre-eminence. Tree planting in every position of vantages steadily pursued, and we were pleased to notice, during a visit we paid to the place the other day in company with Mr. Freeman Jackson, that the building containing the weighing and Press rooms was being considerably enlarged. The course had also been levelled and rolled, and although dry and parched then from the drought, needed only a few showers of rain to perfect its condition. That ram has fallen, and we have no doubt the course will be everything that can be desired at the steeplechase meeting on the 24th mat.

One of the largest transactions in dramatic copyright that has ever been completed in New Zealand was consummated on 3rd inst. between Mr. E. T, Gillon, as agent for Mr. J. C. Williamson, and Mr, Cary, our well-known and respected townsman. The negotiation was for the exclusive right of performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s last, and, as is stated, best, comic opera, styled ,£ The Pirates of Penzance.” It is said that this piece transcends even “The Pinafore,” and that there must be something peculiarly attractive in it is shown by the fact that it has been played 340 consecutive nights in London, and that it has reached the ninth week in Sydney to full houses. We understand that Mr. Cary intends to gather a first-class company together to produce it, and a better “ maestro ” could not be found. His term for the exclusive production is eight months, and the price paid is no less than £SOO. We hope sincerely that our plucky little townsman will be handsomely rewarded for his enterprise, and that the public may soon have a chance of hearing and seeing this, the last and dief d\cuvre of the talented authors.

The thirty-second annual report of the Australian Mutual Provident Society presented on the 27th of April last is as encouraging as the most sanguine shareholders could wish. It states that during the year ending the 31st of December last they received 9623 proposals of assurance amounting to £3,308,253, of which 3072 were declined, withdrawn, or not completed, these amounting to £1,127,000. The proposals accepted amounted to £2,181,258. This business included non-participating policies assuring £67,450. The total new premiums were £74,066 15s 9d, The claims that have arisen through the deaths of 235 members have represented the sum of £121,413 2s. lOd. The accumulated fund now stands at £3,879,610 10s, 7d., being an increase of £445,713 3s. sd. The number of policies issued since the establishment of the soe'ety till the end of the last year was 59,000, assuring £21,854,008. Some of these have been discontinued, but there are left 43,206 policies, representing £16,030,994. The annual income from premiums amounts to £540,969, interest on investments £218,708 ; making the total revenue of the society £759,768. The report concludes with a reference to new offices opened and the meeting at which certain directors retired and others were appointed. Altogether the report is a most encouraging one, and goes far to show the stability of this as well as other Australian and New Zealand institutions.

The quarterly returns of money order and savings bank transactions, up to March 31, in the several postal districts of New Zealand, have been published. The returns for the corresponding period of 1880 are also given. During the past quarter there were in the whole colony 179 money order and savings bank offices open, as against 167 last year—showing an increase of twelve. The number of money orders issued this year was 32,705, for an amount of £110,277 135.; whilst last year 33,611 (representing £116,581 19s. Id.) were issued. A singular fact is shown—viz, that whilst the above number were issued, only 26,174 (representing £86,502) this year, and 25,715 (representing £87,447 9s. lOd.) were paid, so that, in round numbers, £24,000 were not claimed in the quarter of one year, and £29,000 was floating unclaimed in the other period. In savings hanks during the last quarter 5635 accounts were opened, and 3117 closed; against 4122 opened and 2990 closed in that of 1881. The amount of deposits this year amounted to £281,840 6s. 4d., which is about £93,000, or about oue-third, more than the like term in 1880, when £197,911 2s. Bd. only was deposited. A more convincing proof of returning prosperity could not be given. The amount of withdrawals this year was £210,947 19s. 3d., and in 1881, £196,735 ss. Bd. Another marked feature, farther corroborating the improved condition of the colony, is that, at the end of last quarter, the excess of deposits over withdrawals was £70,892 7s. Id.; whilst at the end of the same quarter in 1880 the excess was only £1175. A death by drowning occurred in the harbor on the 30th ult. A man named George Barnes saw the body of a man floating in the water at the end of Harbor-street, at about 10 o’clock, and at onoe gave the alarm. With the assistance of one or two men who happened to be in the neighborhood, he got it out. Sergt, Burtenshaw was quickly on the spot,- and, under his directions, it was taken to Bennett’s Commercial Hotel. Dr. Harding had in the meantime been sent for, and although he came without delay, and a few minutes later had the assistance of Dr. Diver, all efforts to restore animation proved fruitless. The deceased, who was bout forty-eight years of age, arrived in the ship Pareora a few days ago. He was a native of Waterford, Ireland, and had come out to join his daughter and other relations at Greymonth. Mr. Eobert Kirwan, a cousin of the deceased, states that he locked him up in one of the berths aboard the ship on Saturday evening, because ha was drunk. Someone, however, let him out, and he was afterwards seen in company with a sailor named Carlisle, near Harbor-street. It is supposed that he went to the urinal at the bottom of the street, and there fell off the unprotected breastwork. The sum of £1 7s.’ and some papers were found in his pockets. An inquest was held before Dr. Johnston at the Morgue on Monday morning on the body. No additional facta were elicited, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death by drowning, adding a rider calling attention to the danger arising out of the unprotected condition of the breastwork at the lower end of Harbor-street. The rider was well timed, and deserves notice at the hands of the Council or Harbor Board, whichever body now holds sway. There is nothing to prevent a few posts and chains being erected, for there is no wharf. Had such been put up previously, the unfortudate man Kirwan would not probably have lost his life. The annual meeting of the Wellington Patent Slip Company was to have been held at the Chamber-of Commerce at noon on 26tb ult., hut there being no quorum of shareholders present, it now stands adjourned till a future day. ihe following is a copy of the report for the past year ; —“ The number of wool ships taken up during the past twelve months has been less than usual, but in other respects the Slip has been used as much as in previous years. The company’s land has been brought under the provisions of the Laud Transfer Act, and in return for a right of road through the same, and in compliance with the contract with the Provincial Government, the company has been granted 10) acres of land below high water mark. The Government Inspector having notified that before next examination the boilers would have to be lifted, and would probably require repair, tors decided to provide new boilers of improved construction. These, together with other renewals, have caused an unusually large expenditure daring the year. The directors recommend the payment of a dividend of five per cent., when the subsidy is received from the Government. Two directors retire by rotation viz., Messrs. W. M. Bannatyne and F. A. Krull, but, being eligible, they offer themselves for re-election.”

According to the Wanganui Herald, the Corporation of Wanganui has received a claim of £13.000 from the trustees in the estate of Mrs. Hair, that sum being demanded as compensation for taking Virginia Lake and surrounding land, in all about 37 acres, for waterworks purposes. Emblems of mourning were draped within the Wesleyan churches on Sth inst., at Thorndon and Taranaki-street, out of respect for the memory of the Wesleyan ministers who lost their lives on board the ill-fated p.s. Tararua, Subscriptions on behalf of their widows and offspring are being collected and the appeal will, without doubt, be liberally responded to. The Mr. Marsh, who lost his life at the wreck of the Tararua, was, it appears, a highlyrespected settler at Halcombe. Having determined to establish linseed and papjr-mills at Kakariki, on the Rangitikei river,he joined the Tararua in Wellington, it being his intention to proceed Home for the purpose of procuring the necessary plant. His son Ins recently left for the South for the purpose of identifying his body should it be washed ashore. A lad named Jeffries, in the employ of the Wellington Biscuit Factory, received an injury to his hand while engaged * { feeding” the dough machine on the 29th u*t. His attention was apparently deviated from the work he was engaged in, the result of which was that his right band was drawn under the rollers. He was at once taken to Mr. Fitzgerald’s, chemist, where the wound was washed, and, in the meantime, Hr. Collins sent for, who, on examination of the injured part, found it necessary to amputate the first joints of the thumb and first and second fingers. It was fortunate for the lad that the accident did not result more seriously.

A mau named Robert Miller, a carter in the employ of Captain Williams, met with a serious accident while excavating clay for ballast, off Willis-street, on Tuesday, 26th ult, The face of the bank at which he was working had been left very steep, and at 3.30 p.m. a considerable quantity of earth came down in a lump and fell upon him, causing a number of severe bruises about the body and bead and breaking the great trochanter of his right thigh. Mr. Fitzgerald, chemist, was immediately sent for, Dr. Diver arriving shortly after. Miller was then taken to his residence in Arthur-street, where his injuries were carefully attended to. The Navals assembled at the Drillshed on 11th inst. for captain’s parade. After a few movements in manual drill had been gone through, a “ march out ” took place, the brigade, headed by their fine band, doing the principal streets of the town. On returning to the drill-shed Captain Johnston intimated having received a handsome sterling silver cup from the Honorary Surgeon, Dr. Diver, to competed for by the first-class shot-: belonging to the company. We may remark that the above is the second cup presented to the Naval Brigade by its officers during the past month, and the fact goes to show more than anything else the interest taken in the brigade by those in command. The example may be followed amongst other companies if the volunteer movement is considered worthy of encouragement. A meeting of the committee of the proposed Industrial Exhibition was held at the Athenzcum on the 10th inst. It was arranged to open the exhibition on Monday, the 23rd inst., and that his Excellency the Governor be asked to open it. The admission fee to the public was fixed at Is.; but it was also agreed that packets of tickets, containing six, shall be obtainable at 55.; children half price. Mr. A. King was appointed acting secretary and manager, and a sub-committee was named to arrange preliminaries. It was further arranged that exhibits should be received on and after the 10th instant. We understand that already a considerable number of applications for space have been sent in. The room used by the Chamber of Commerce has been place 1 at the disposal of the committee os a reading room in connection with the Exhibition. On the Queen’s Birthday the Exhibition will be open from 10 a.ra. until 10 p.m., and ou other days only from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. On Sunday, Sth inst., Mr. Singer, who has for* some time past occupied the post of master in the Pahautanui State School and who was also a local preacher, delivered hi* farewell service in the local chapel. On the following evening a number of his friends met him and his family in the chapel and presented him with a testimonial coexisting of a time piece covered with a glass bell, and bearing the words “ Presented to Mr. Wm. Singer by the settlers of Pahautanui as a token of their esteem, May 9ch, 1881,” and slso with an appropriate address. Messrs. Pearce and F. Brady acted aa spokesmen. Mr. Singer expressed his gratification at the marks of esteem shown him and his family, and in return wished his friends prosperity and happiness in the future.

By instruction from the Minister of Education, a circular has been issued to the various secretaries of the Education Boards within the colony, notifying that, after the 30th of June, 1881, capitation grants will not be paid to boards on account of the attendance at public schools of children under five years of age. The circular also requests that the attendances of all children under five years of age be excluded from the attendance summary for the current quarter, on which the next quarter’s payments are calculated, and the advisability is suggested of the Boards of Education forthwith issuing instructions to School Committees and teachers to exclude the attendances of all such children from their school attendance returns for the present quarter. The Athenaeum Industrial Exhibition Committee met on the 6th iust., when it was decided to invite His Excellency to open the Exhibition, to make arrangements for the attendance of one of the Volunteer bands, and also to offer space to exhibit specimens of pianos, on condition that the exhibitor provides some competent person to play on the instrument at intervals. Sewing machines will also be allowed to be exhibited on condition that exhibitors show them at work. A large number of fresh applications were received--sufficient indeed to ensure the success of the Exhibition. Those who have not yet sent in their applications should do so at ouce in order to allow of the committee apportioning the space.

We have received a copy of Ererettts Directory of the principal Newspapers of the World for 1881. It is similar in many respects to the guide kuowu as Hubbard’s Eighthand Kecord, published in America, but is the first book of the description published in England. It shows evident signs of care in compilation so far as Home publications are concerned, though if the information published as regards the New Zealand Press may be taken as a criterion of the general measure of correctness attained, these is reasonable grounds to assume that the next issue will show many corrections. In the list of New Zealand papers some very minor papers are given prominence, while journals long established are conspicuous by their absence. The detailed reports of the recent accident >n the Eoslyn tramway, show that the method of controlling the movements of the car was supposed- to be almost a perfect guarantee against the possibility of accident. A stationary engine keeps in motion an endless wire rope, laid down a couple of feet under the roadway, and travelling at the rate of five or six miles an hour. A couple of rails are laid down on the surface or the road, ami on these the cars run. A narrow opening in the road is left above the whole course of the rope, and through this projects a gripper fixed iu the bottom of each car, this gripper seizing the rope immediately on the turning of a screw in the body of the car, and thus setting the vehicle in motion. To stop the car the screw is reversed, and the gripper relaxing its hold on the rope, the motive power is lost and the car instantly comes to a stand-still—that is to say, on level ground it would come to a stop, but of course in making the ascent of rising ground it would immediately commence to run back. Their natural tendency to run back is checked by the car being fitted with powerful brakes, which act, not on the wheel*, but on the rails. They are simply flat blocks of wood which, on being screwed down on to the rails, effectually stop the car’s progress. Toe complete command over the car which they give the driver, has been repeatedly shown since the opening of the line by the engineers giving them very severe trials, they allowing the cars to run down the line at' tremendous rates of speed and stopping them whenever they pleased by a simple turn of a handle. But in the best-arranged machinery of any kind something now aud again goes wrong, and it appears that while the passerger car was roundirg a bend in the line the side strain on the rcqe caused it slip from the hold of the grippu—an occurrence which the Dunedin papers assert had frequently occurred before — but had been met by the brakes being instantly clapped on until the gripper caught the rope again. On the occasion of the accident some hitch occurred, and, before the brakes were on, the car commenced to run down hill, gathering fearful impetus as it progressed, and in a few minutes the catastrophe culminated in the maiming of the passengers as repotted.

A meeting of the Wellington Gardeners Mutual Improvement Society was held lately. A bunch of grapes, weighing 31b?. 3*azs., was exhibited by Mr. Gibb, gardner to Mr. F. Cooper, The variety was “Barbarossa.” The evening was taken up by a general discussion relating to business matters, grapegrowing, &c. The president made a few remarks on the crossing of primulas for the purpose of obtaining improved varieties.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the working of the Try-again Claim, better known as Brothers Claim, on the beach between Cape Terawhiti and Ohau Bay, was held at Mr. H. Elliott’s office on 9th in?t. It was resolved to form a company with a capital of £2OOO in 400 shares of £5 each. Only a few of these shares will be offered, the remainder being already secured. Several men have for some time past been engaged on the ground in driving a tunnel, and about twenty-fiVe feet have been excavated. So far the stuff has proved exceedingly loose, and great care had to be taken in lining the tunnel. Large quantities of broken quartz are brought out, many of them containing a very good show of gold. It is supposed that they have come from a leader which has gradually been worn away. A bottle containing gold obtained from stone which has originally come from the reef may be seen at Mr. Elliott’s office.

The Committee of the Wellington Horticultural Society held a meeting on 9th inst, when the annual report and balance-sheet were prepared. It was resolved to hold the annual meeting in room No. 4 at the Athenaeum, at 8 p.m. ou Thursday next. The proceedings of the past year have not been attended with satisfactory results, as the balance-sheet shows that the society is in debt to the amount of £B, although the year commenced with a surplus. Though an institution of this description does not make it an object to accumulate money, the committee is of opinion that the lack of support has been so great as to justify the temporary suspension of the society’s operations. A clause recommending this step has been inserted in the report. Numbers will regret to learn that Mr. T, W. Kirk, who has filled the office of honorary secretary for the past six years, and whose efforts have in no email degree contributed to the success of the society in former years, has determined upon resigning that position. The committee will meet with not a little difficulty in finding a gentleman possessed of the necessary qualifications, and who is willing to fill the vacancy. The first cable message under the arrangements which were come to at the Meterological Conference recently held at Melbourne was received by Dr. Hector on the 10th inst. It * came from Mr. Ellery, Government Astronomer, of Victoria, and conveyed the information that a depression was passing from west to east over Tasmania, the inference being that a storm is approaching New Zealand. It is believed that it would require 36 hours for a depression to pass from Tasmania to our coasts, and in that case rough weather may be expected in any part of the colony at almost any hour. The area from which warnings will be sent includes the whole of Australia and Tasmania as well as New Zealand, advantage being taken of the telegraph stations at the extremes. A code of cyphers is used for the transmission of the messages.

An inquest was held at the Morgue on 9th inst. before the coroner, Dr. Johnston, touching the death of Annie Smith who died suddenly at her residence Argyle-street on Saturpay afternoon. From the evidence adduced it appeared that the deceased had been of intemperate habits. At the time of her death she was in a very weak state and was being dressed when she suddenly fell down and expired. Dr. Harding, who was sent for immediately, stated that the deceased died from syncope brought on by the failure of the heart’s action. The coroner in summing up made reference to the practice of ignorant people seeking remedies from chemists. Chemists served people without stating that they were duly qualified practitioners, and were thus enabled to do a certain amount of business over the counter. The Act which had been passed to prevent such a state of things, had left a loop-hole for non-practitioners to practice with impunity so long as they did not call themselves doctors, or say they were duly qualified. In the present case Dr Johnston thought the jury could only bring in a verdict to the effect that deceased died fromfexcessive drinking.

In reference to settlement in the Parihaka block, the Hawera Star of the 23rd ult. has the following ;—“ Seven sections of deferred payment land, and five sections of ea-h land, have been sold in the Parihaka block within the last day or two. Altogether, about 350 acres of deferred payment land, and 513 of caoli lauO, liavc becu uf. It/ la aaUafactory to find that there are at least a few persons who are prepared to uphold the official valuation of the land, and to take it up for settlement at the upset price. It will be seen that the larger portion of the land has been taken up on deferred payment. About 500 acres have been bought by Messrs. Stent and Eeid, from Eangitikei. They have already commenced burning off the laud and sowing it for pasture, and Messrs. Nolan and Co., of Hawera, forwarded’a large quantity of English grass seed to them on Thursday morning. . . . It cannot be doubted that, if settlement at Te Whiti’s doors proceeds unchecked, Te Whiti ism will quickly die a natural death, and we shall be spared the painful necessity, which has hitherto been forced upon us, of publishing his semi prophetic nothings, knowing that, though they were rubbish, people wanted to know what he had said, and judge for themselves whether it was gospel or gibberish."

We have received a copy of a Bill which it is proposed to introduce during the approaching session of Parliament for the purpose of establishing an institute of surveyors iu the colony. It contains twelve short clauses, which provide for the incorporation of the association, the use of a common seal, the adoption of rules and regulations, the recovery of fees, and other matters. Under clause 3 the institute may “purchase, acquire, hold, possess, and enjoy, for any estate, or term of years whatever, any real or personal estate of any nature or kind whatsoever,” and may sell, or otherwise dispose of, thesame. Clauses 6,7, and S provide for the appointment of a council, the holding of general meetings, aud powers of the council. Clauses 9 and 10 regulate the examination of candidates, and define the qaalifications of membership. The gist of the proposed measure is contained iu the 12 th and last clause, which provides that any surveyor who is not a member of the institute shall have no legal standing in the colony. It reads as follows :—l2. No person practising the proaion of a surveyor in New Zealand shall be entitled to recover any fee or reward for any professional services in any court of law or equity in New Zealand, unless such person shall have been at the time of the performance of such services a member of the institute, by this Act incorporated; or be possessed of one or other of the qualifications enumerated and set forth under Section 19 of this Act ; and any contract to pay such fee or reward to such person, not being a member of the said institute, or possessing one or other of the said qualifications, shall be void.

The traveller by rail to the Wairarapa, after descending the dreaded incline and traversing a wooded mountain ravine, enters upontheplains. Upon his right is seen the broad waters of the Upper Lake, stretching away to east by south, and bounded in the far distance by hills. Six miles of rail brings him to the straggling township of Featherston, the railway from hence continues along the foot of the hills bounding the valley to the west, through dense bush, scrub, and desert-looking country, the journey continues to its termination at the south-western extremity of Masterton, The impression produced upon the mind of a stranger, whose observations are alone bounded by a simple railway tiip, are summed up in the words timber, stones, sterility. A gentleman from the other island recently paid this district a visit, and was about leaving it with the above impressions (so common to very many others under similar circumstances), when, acting upon the advice of a friend with whom he was staying, he hired a buggy and proceeded from Greytown to view the Lower "Valley—that part of the district stretching nearly forty miles to the southward. "Words failed to express his amazement and delight at the beauty of the scenery, and its capabilities under cultivation, were it but properly occupied, of supporting a large population. Some days were spent in :i doing ” Carterton and Masterton iu a similar manner. Space forbids more than the mention of one fact out of many which is of practical importance to those who are in search of investments in farming operations, and provided with the means of properly carrying out their intentions. Not far from Masterton a gentleman occupies a latrge tract of Iknd as a sheep and cattle run ; in parts it abounds with rabbits, wild pigs, wild dncks, &c. He is draining extensively with a view to further agricultural operations. Last year he sowed a breadth of laud, about 300 acres, with wheat, and oats about 30 or 40 acres. The recent threshing returns yielded, in round numbers, SOOO SusheJs,

The Telegraph returns for the quarter are published. The number of telegrams forwarded during that time was 340,521, against 342,802 in 1880. The revenue received was respectively £17,79*2 and £18,300. The value of Government telegrams last quarter was £6788. Mr. C. P. Powle 3 , secretary to the Board of College Governors, has received a circular from the Registrar of the University of New Zealand, stating that the subject which has been selected this year for the Bowen price of books, value £lO, is “The influence which the eea lias exercised on the development of English civilisation/ 5

We are glad to say that the Government have accepted two tenders for cement, each of 100 tons, to be manufactured iu the colony. By a memorandum courteously forwarded by the Minister for Public Works, we learn that the oiler of Messrs. Hibberd and Pick, of Dunedin, and that of Mr, D. Atkinson, of New Plymouth, were accepted, and the prices were respectively £4 3s. 3d. and £4 7s. 6d. A supplement to a late Gazette has been published, containing rules and regulations applicable to all servants on New Zealand railways. They are of formidable length, and contain no fess than 47S clauses. Clause 35, from the Malicious Injuries to Property Act, is also published as an appendix. In it, the punishments for placing wood, iron, or other materials on the line, with intent to obstruct any engine, are set out. We may briefly state that those convicted are guiltvof felony, and may be condemned to penal servitude for life.

Arrangements have been made by the Wellington Young Men’s Christian Association with Mr. Kenneth Wilson, M.A., late principal of the Wellington College, for the conduct of the winter educational classes under the auspices of that institution. The object of the association in establishing these classes is to put within the reach of young men the opportunity of prosecuting • their educational studies under the most efficient tuition at a nominal cost, the fees quoted being so low as to cover only the neb expenses. The value of the recently discovered coal seam, near Picfcou, referred to in these columns last week, is about to be put to a practical test, as we learn on undoubted authority that the local railway department has ordered sixty tons to be used by the locomotives running on the Welliugton-Masterton line. If the result of the trial comes up to expectation no doubt a large trade will quickly spring up between Picton and this port, a boon to be devoutly wished for, by householders particularly, considering the present high rate of fuel, besides being of great advantage to our team coastal service.

Mr. H. Vere Barclay, of Wanganui, has taken out letters patent for an invention for mechanically computing surveyors' calculations, and also problems in plane trigonometry and navigation. We understand that the Surveyor-General has expressed a very favorable opinion as to the value of the invention, which will lessen considerably the task of calculation to surveyors, nautical men, and others, as well as obviating any risk of error. Mr. Barclay has been for years elaborating his invention, which we trust wilt now prove amply remunerative. Mr. Hauslie West, who has been seven years in Invercargill, where he has followed the mu-ical profession, has accepted the appointment of organist and choir-master of St. Peter’s Church in this city, aud will, we u nderstand, leave Invercargill for hia new sphere of duty about the 23rd instant. The committee may be congratulated on having madeamost excellent appointment ; from what we know personally of Mr. Haustie West, we feel assured that he will not only give the greatest satisfaction in his official capacity, bat that his presence in the city will be soon hailed with pleasure in musical circles. He has won. golden opinions in Invercargill, and very much regret is expressed there at his imptnding departure. An accident, attended by somewhat serious results, happened lately to a young lad named Dudley Fountain, son of Mi. R. G. Fountain, under-secrefary to the Department of Justice. The hoy, who is but teu years’ old, attends the Terrace school, and at about 1 p.m. was in the playground exercising with what is known as the fly pole or giant’s stride, when through some cause, probably giddiness, he lost his hold of the rope and fell heavily with his face to the ground and Was rendered insensible. Mr. Young, the master, with great promptitude, sent for Dr. Kemp, who arriving iu very brief time, made a careful examination of the poor little fellow’s condition, and found that he had sustained a severe concussion of the brain. A ,t/ “>' a short while the 1 ■’- I —"wcrea consciousness and was taken home.

By the wreck of the steamer Tararua the Wesleyan Church of New Zealand has sustained a very severe loss. The Rev. Mr. Richardson, President of the New Zealand Wesleyan Conference, and well known in this city and the Hutt ; the Kev. Mr. Armitage, editor of the New Zealand Wesleyan; and Messrs. Connell and Mitchell, of Christchurch, were on their way to attend the General Wesleyan Conference in Australia. The Kev. Mr. Waterhouse, of Sydney, had come over to take his sun home. The wreck with its surroundings was alluded to in the sermons at the Wesleyan churches of the city on Sunday, and special prayers were offered. It is not a little strange that the Kev. Mr. Williams, lately removed from this city to Wanganui, and the Rev. Mr. Lee, of Nelson, both delayed their departure because they preferred making the voyage in the Te Anan, and that the Rev. R. Bavin, for a similar reason left in the Wakatipu on her last trip to Sydney. A meeting of sawmill proprietors was held at Redding on Monday, the 25th ult,, to take into consideration the existing railway tariff. According to the Manawatu Times, the speakers expressed themselves to the effect that the mills in the Manawatu District were at present working for a bare subsistence, and that many of them would he closed unless the tariff was reduced. The following resolutions were passed : —That a petition be drawn up and presented to the Minister for Public Works, asking for a reduction of 50 per cent, per 100 feet on the present rates of freight, or 25 per cent, on the truck, as with the present tariff the sawmillers of the Manawatu District find it impossible to export timber at a profit : while if the reduction asked for be granted, they believe they will be able to keep their mills fully employed, while themselves, the railway, and the district at large would be greatly benefited. We feel the more confidence in asking for the reduction, as the principal limber for exportation will be white pine, which is certainly one-third less in weight than other timber. And as there are in the district about 20 mills, supporting certainly not less than 1000 workmen with their families, we hope the Minister for Public Works will see the advisability of granting the request of the petitioners. That Messrs. Bull and Bartholomew he appointed a deputation to wait on the Minister for Public Works.

The Otago Daily Timea publisher a statement of the amounts devoted to the relief of the sufferers by the disaster at Kaitangata Mine. The accident, it will be remembered, occurred on February 21, 1879, and by it thirty-four men lost their lives. Several of them were single men having relations depending upon them, and to these relatives payments have been and are being made as circumstances demand. No cast-iron rule baa been followed, but each case has been treated on its merits. Twenty-four widows with their children have been regular recipients from the fund. Of the widows eight have again married, and as a consequence their allowances have been, reduced to a sum necessary for the children left f-therless. Others may, perhaps, follow suit. Generally speaking the conduct of them all has been such as showed their gratitude for the benevolence of the public. Bravely many of them met their difficulties. Two of them are industriously employed with sewing-machines provided for them out of the funds, fer which they are paying up by instalments. Others have removed to districts where better demand existed for such services as in earlier life they had been engaged in. To one the calamity came with terrible force ; reason left its seat, and her children are ophaus indeed. When applied for by any possessing encumbered property, the committee have paid off the debt, deducting from the fortnightly sum a small amount so as to recoup the advance, in the meantime holding the titles in their own name in case of misfortune. Of the children, several were at the time, and others have since become, able to provide for themselves, and also contribute a little to assist their mothers. In one or two cases ill-health has caused industrious girls to return to their homes, and one child has died. The fund so liberally subscribed by the public has been carefully tended by the committee. The sum of £13,700 is lent out on mortgage, yieliing an income of over £I3OO, which provides nearly sufficient for the regular expenditure, and as time passes on the claims from various causes will become less—so permitting the invested capital to increase, and thus mike provision for any other great calamity that may unfortunately happen in the colony.

G. G. Fitz Gerald, Esq., arrived in Wellington on Tuesday, on his way to Greycnoutl; where he will address the electors, and also b. the various centre? of population through ttm Grey Valley, as candidate for election to represent that constituency in the House of Representatives. His chance of election is said to be good, and many will join in wishing him success.

The curares for the colonies for the pro posed intercolonial football team about England will G-iys the Sportsman) comprise ■ five weeks tour in New Zealand, whifchei the team will proceed to Sydney, Melbourne \Tid be revisited subsequently, and the team, after playing in Adelaide, will proceed to India and England. It may be mentioned that the ev terprise is a co-operative affair, and is cm arranged under the auspices either of thr Southern Rugby Union or the New South Wales Football Association.

A bankruptcy case which recently cropped up in the Mauawatu District is proving somewhat lively for the creditors who proved In It. A debt of £2OO was incurred by the estate through wrangling over several points which cropped up in an incidental manner, and as the assets are not sufficient to meet these claims, which must, as a matter of course, b»paid in full, the creditors who proved their claims have been called upon to contribute t«' the extent of £7 each. What would be the result if some of them were to file declaration* of insolvency in consequence ■ The steamer Hinemoa, with 131 released Maori prisoners from Lyttelton gaol, arrived at the wharf on Sunday, 2nd inst., at 5 o’clock. Though there was a heavy shower of rain an.r nasty cold wind blowing, there were a number of people present to see the Maoris. The Hon. Mr. Rollestou and several gentlemen connected with the Native Department, accompanied the steomer round. The Hon. Mr, Hall and Hon. Mr. Johnston met the steamer on her arrival. There were 101 prisoners on board, 35 being from Dunedin -and 9*3 from Lyttelton. 36 oi their number were slightly unwell, and one, named Tohia Warena, seriously so. Tlv majority of them were a fine strong lot of men and appeared in excellent spirits. A FcilJing coi respondeat presents a new and good idea, lie wants to know why anothe r effort is not made to utilise the flax resource * of the colony and suggests the formation of a joint-stock company for the purposes of flaxdressing and paper-making. There is much to be said in favor of such an undertaking. In the old days of when failures in it abounded, the cost of carriage was immensely greater than now and the means of transitless. Moreover more light has been thrown upon the difficulties iu the way of cleaning flax, whilst owing to the vast increase in the demand for paper the production of that article in connection with flax dressing could scarcely fail to be profitable. At any rate the idea is worth consideration and we commend it to the holders of surplus capital. The various departments of the Service have their hands full just now, preparing for the coming session. We hear that many new Bills are being draughted, but th*t only the more pressing measures will be firr-t introduced, and those disposed of, it will be left to the House to decide whether it wil' take more. The Representation Bill promises to be the piece de r€sistance y albeit the exact form it will take is scarcely yet known. Very shortly, however, it will be brought under review. Licensing, Charitable Aid and Loc ' Government are also subjects for primary legislative consideration. So far as it is possible to forecast at present, the coming session promises to be brief and quiet; the calm, in fact, before the storm of a general election. The last Civil Service examination resulted in the passing of six candidates out of the thirty-six who presented themselves for examination in the junior class, W. H. Russell, educated three years at the Wesleyan dayschool, two years at the Buckle-street and Mount Cook schools, and two years at the Wellington College, being the only Wellington candidate. In the senior examination there were eleven candidates, five of whom passed, none of them being from Wellington. William Herbert Gibson, of New Plymouth, passed both examinations, occupying the place of honor in each. The second in the order of merit among the senior candidates is Charles Bruce Morison, of Maaterton, educated fouryears at Longhili School, Scotland, Elgin Academy four years, and Nelson College one year.

The Government Gazette published on the 12th inst. contains further rules iu regard to the adjustment of cases under arbitration and which His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon is High Commissioner. It is provided that if a British subject is willing to let a case proceed to arbitration or friendly settlement, he may leave such settlement to the officer commanding any of Her Majesty’s ships or schooners cruising in the Western Pacific, and such officer shall thereupon serve a writ or summons upon the defendant, and if the defendant, being a British subject, accept the arbitration, the questions at issue shall then be held to have been referred to arbitration ; but sections 310 to 321 of the schedule of 1877 shall not apply to the proceedings. The same powers are also conferred upon officers commanding ships with regard to assault or any offence not amounting to felony. The order applies only to such cases where no deputy-commissioner is resident on the island where the case has arisen.

We have had the pleasure of inspecting an exceedingly handsome silver tea and coffee service, consisting of five pieces ; also, a very pretty pickle frame, of silver, purchased from the establishment of Mr. A. R. Hi.-lop, Lambton-quay, for presentation to Mr. L. O' Miller, long and favorably known as a parser in the service of the 17.5.5. Company, Mr. Miller has recently retired from sea life, and has taken unto himself a wife, and, we understand, contemplates starting in business for himself in one of the cities of the colony. HD brother officers have therefore taken this opportunity o£ making him a valuable presentation, which hears the following inscription :—“ Presented to Mr. and Mrs, L. C. Miller, as a marl: of esteem, from the officers of the s.s. Rotomohahana. New Zealand, May 12, 1881." A testimonial also accompanies the presentation, which is duly signed and worded as follows “L. C. Miller, Esq.—Dear Sir—We, you:brother officers, hope that you will accept the accompanying service of plate as a token or our esteem during our many voyages together. Hoping that Mrs. Miller and yourself may enjoy long life and happiness, we remain, your sincere friends.”

The Nonconformist ministers residing in the city have forwarded the following letter <>■ sympathy with reference to the Tararua disaster, and the loss which the Wesleyan Church thereby sustained, to the Rev. W. Kirk :—My dear Sir, —The ministers assembled last Monday evening at the usual monthly meeting, have requested me to express to you, and through you to the ministers and members of your church in the Christchurch circuit, the feelings of deep sympathy with which they heard of the loss of your ministers and other delegates to the conference who were among the sufferers in the wreck of the Tararua. One of these, the Rev. J. B. Richardson, had resided here, and his memory will be long and affectionately cherished by all who knew him. To the bereaved families the loss is so great and irreparable that condolence can scarcely be offered, yet I trust that even they will fee! that sorrow is almost selfish. The Master has but called His servants home, and they now ‘rest from their labors,’ where there is ‘ni> more sea.’ May all be enabled to bow submissively before him who ‘ hath done all things well. 5 Permit me to add personally that my feelings go far beyond ray words, yet that if I could give them the fullest utterance, I should still fail to express all I ■was desired to convey.—l remain, my dear sir, yours very faithfully, J. Woodward."

Some sensation wag caused in town recently, says the Auckland Herald, by the odd and unaccustomed appearance of an Arab in flowing white tnrban and robe, who was leisurely perambulating Queen-street, and whose strange “ rig out ” caused equal amazement and admiration to a crowd of about fifty young Aucklanders, who constituted themselves into a suite and guard of honor to the distinguished foreigner. The stranger’s history, we understand, is as follows Towards the end of the Franco-German war thefArabs, encouraged by Algeria being nearly denuded of troops through the exigency of French home affairs, rebelled, but were eventually subdued by overwhelming reinforcements from France. The Arab who so astonished the youth of Auckland on Saturday, was one of the leaders of the insurrection, was taken prisoner and deported to New Caledonia. His time having expired, he took passage for Auckland in the schooner Policeman, arriving here on Saturday afternoon. He arrived in a sailor’s jumper, and, except by his remarkably fine manly appearance, did not attract special attention unti', after a hearty meal in a Victoria-street restaurant, he once more assumed the garments of freedom and of his race. He is here en. route to Algeria;