THE otago Daily Times "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNKDIN,THURSDAY JANUARY 5. NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. 1865.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 948, 5 January 1865, Page 4

THE otago Daily Times "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNKDIN,THURSDAY JANUARY 5.

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. 1865.

The LyUetlon Tinn-.i, iti an article on the Panama Contract, blames the Po.t-master-Gcneral for the unsatisfactory ; nature ofthe Act pasted during the late session, and affects to believe that it does not represent tbe wishes of those who constructed it. It insinuates that the Post-master-General departed from the policy ol his colleagues, and even ventures to imply tbat a considerable majority ofthe members, would have supported the contract in its integrity. It ends by suggesting to the Government to exceed the powers conferred by the Act, and to rely upon obtaining an extended money vote from the House next .Session. Journalistic etiquette will not permit us to point out why the Lyttelton Times is specially desirous that Air Crosbie Ward's arrangements should be carried out, nor why the subject is one with which our contemporary should be thoroughly acquainted. It is enough to say that such is the case, and that being so, it is much to be regretted our contemporary should have recourse to expressions of opinion not warranted by fact, and to counsels which, if the Government ventured to follow them, would certainly lead to another Ministerial crisis. It is not true that a majority of the House would have supported the contract in anything like its integrity, or have admitted that the Colony was bonnd by it. Something tantamount to it was implied in the Governor's opening address, and in the reply to the address it was attempted to pledge the House to the same. But the Government saw that if they pressed it, they would be defeated, and instead of saying that the credit of the Colony was involved in giving effect to Mr "Ward's contract, the words were altered into a simple pledge to take into consideration the subject of Mr Ward's "negotiations." It was then understood that the Postmaster General who had charge of the matter, was determined not to allow the Colony to be pledged by Mr Ward's arrangements. A special motion war proposed to the effect that the Colony was not liable for the contract; but it lapsed, owing to the discussion extending over the time allotted to the Orders of the Day. When tlie second reading of the Bil came on, a similar resolution was proposed as an amendment. This w«as lost on the voices, but it was distinctly explained that it was not supported because the House relied on the promise of the Postmaster-General to accept only so much of the contract as the House was prepared to endorse —in fact, to enter into a new contract, and not to consider himself bound by that into which Mr Ward bad entered. It was further promised that in Committee clauses should be introduced descriptive of the nature of tlie contract which the House was willing to approve. Our contemporary is quite Tight in saying that there was evidence in Committee of a considerable amount of cross purpose. It was apparent that the members of the Government were not at one on tbe subject, and yet that they were anxious to obtain larger discretion.ary powers than the House was inclined to accord. In effect then the battle was fought out, and the victory was gained or was supposed to be gained by tho.e who contended that the Colony was not bound by the absurd arrangements entered into by Mr Ward. Far from there being a majority of the House in favor of the integrity ofthe so called contract as asserted by our contemporary, a very warm feeling had sprung up against it, and the regret was expressed by a large number of members that they had not supported the resolutions which affirmed distinctly the nonliability of the Colony. That regret became more strong when | it was known that in the Upper House Mr i S.well ventured to pooh pooh the restrictions contained in the Bill and to hold out the hope that the Government would not be bound by them. It was found also that one of the restrictions was framed in such an evasive manner as to leave a sort of discretion with the Government as to giving it effect. This quibble, it seems, our contemporary relies upon because he assumes that the Government mean to avail themselves of it. . ~.. , . .... SALE BY AUCTION

There is no doubt the House was violently :Opposed to the: monopoly clanse^ut the contract, and meant to veto it, and thought it had. done so. But the clause in the Act says, "it shall not be " incumbent on the Governor to enter into "the contract unless" the monopoly clause is struck out, and the Lyttelton Times contends that this is not equivalent to forbidding the monopoly, but that it leaves the discretion with tbe Government. The attention of members was afterwards directed to the evasive terms of this clause of the Act, and the indignation promised, if the Ministry ventured to take advantage of the "loophole" (our contemporary's phrase) was of a nature that should induce tbe members of the Government, if they are prudent, to refrain from u«i_g it. Their term of office after the House met would be short indeed if they dared resort to such a discreditable mode of ignoring the wishes of the Legis-lature. And we may express the opinion that, apart from the fear of the consequences, we do not believe they would attempt any thing of tho sort.

It will be asked then what chance there is of the Panama Contract being carried out. The House has voted the same sum for tbe service, .exempted from all the objectionable features, that tbe company was to have received with them included. Thus the Coleman contract is not to be prolonged, the additional provincial service contracts are not to be given, the monopoly of all the inter-colonial services is not to be promised, and the time is to be shortened by about four days without any bonus being paid for the reduction. Each one of these alterations represents so much ofthe contingent profits the Company relied on to supplement the contract price. Mr Ward and the company both agree that these conditions were regarded in that light, and it is not possible to suppose the Company would abandon them without a money payment. But the House has only voted the £63,000 which was to be paid for tbe service between Panama and New Zealand ; where is the amount to come from to compensate the Company for renouncing the other conditions? In one of the last letters published the Chairman of the Company seems to consider that an annual payment of -.37,000 weuld about represent the value of the changes that the New Zealand Government desired to make; and he offered, for £100,000 annually, instead of £63,000, to shape the agreement into the form which subsequently met the approval of the Assembly, and which is embodied in the act. Captain Vine Ilnll has come out as agent for the Company, with it is understood some discretionary powers, and it is possible he may abate a little on the amount named. At the best, however, he is not likely to take less than £90,000, and again we ask whence is the difference between that sum aud the £63,000 voted by the Assembly to come ? The Lyttelton Times suggests that it may be obtained by a little jugglery, by a little convenient misunderstanding of the wishes of the House, by a little hopeful reliance on, the generosity of members next; Session. Our contemporary would perhaps care little if the contract were ratified at the expense of the existence of the Ministry. But the Government probably will not be willing to play the old fable of the cat and the monkey, and pull the hot chesnuts out of th_ fire for the delectation of those whose sentiments the Lyttelton Times represents.

The money may be made up in two ways—New South Wales may possibly contribute something. We confess, however to very little hope of a substantial contribution from- this source. It ia notorious that tlie necessity for economy has been forced on the neighboring colony, and under the most favorable circumstances it is doubtful whether it would derive much postal benefit from the service as proposed. There is another source from which the difference may come. When the late Ministry desired to negotiate for a revision of the terras of the contract, the Canterbury Provincial Government, io a most unwarrantable manner, stepped in and offered to make itßel. liable for the whole amount of the subsidy. The offer was a mere piece of bravado. There was no money difficulty in the way then. The obstacle was the conditions which the Government objected to, and which Canterbury had no power to ratify. The offer amounted to a mere promise of political support in the Assembly, and was calculated to interfere with the" attempted negotiations of the Executive. But now the conditions have become reduced to a money value, and Canterbury, if it would not stultify itselt in the face of all New Zealand and of all England is bound to redeem its rash pledge. An annual subsidy of between j£27,000 and -£37,000 would enable the Government to complete the contract. Canterbury most solemnly assured tlie contractors it was willing to guarantee at least that amount to give effect to the agreement, and what answer can it make to them if it now decline to do so, except that it is accustomed to boast "without feeling itself called on to give effect to its boastings. We believe Wellington also promised a contribution but this would have to be managed by some mutual arrangement with Canterbury, as the General Government would only be OF 1960 BAGS SOGAKS.

justified in accepting tbe guarantee of the latter, for which by the hypothecation, of lands it could take security. It is as well however, to say that in making such a contribution Canterbury should divest itself of all idea, of being recouped any portion of it. The Assembly in assenting to the subsidy of £63,000, did sounder the hope .that a considerable portion would be repaid by the Colonial postal revenue, aud by the postal contributions received from Great Britain and from some ofthe neighbouring colonies. These sources of revenue would have to go in diminution of the £63,000, and Canterbury must look for no alleviation of its burden excepting from its ally Wellington. The £27,000 or £37,000 a-ye_r would not seriously press on the resources of our wealthy neighbor, and probably in the long run he would receive more than a return for it, if, from the lesson it would teach him, he abstained in future from ostentatiously pledging his means. .At any rate Canterbury must produce the money or consent to appear very ridiculous in the eyes qf all who are acquainted with the course it has pursued. __________

The following- is n list of exhibits already sent down from the Lake District, for tho New Zealand Exhibition :—7 cases and 2 bags geological specimen*, including no leas than 100 different kinds of fossils ; 6cwt. copper ore from Moke Creek, and I case carbonate copper, mixed in tho vein stone; 2cwt. quartz, from the Arrow Reef: specimens of various indigenous woods—goai, red birch, black pine, totara, &c ; Moa bones, of a giaantic size, and in perfect condition ; the head of a real rara avis, found at a depth of three feet on a terrace behind Queenstown — this specimen cannot be identified as belonging to any known species, it is upwards of a foot iv length, with a bill like a hawk. .Samples of gold and washdirt from every part of the district. Flax, manufactured in Queenstown by Mr Proctor, from the phormium tenax, growing in the Gorge. Photographic views of Lake scenery, and the various diggings, taken for tho Exhibition by Price and Payne, ot Queenstown. Specimens of job printing, and a copy of the " Wakatip Mail," beautifully printed on silk.

It is gratifying to learn from our correspondent at Mount Benger that the damage done to M'Aulifl's race is completely repaired, and that somo parties who had depended upon it for a supply of water have resumed work. The resumption of labor is not by any means general, Christmas tide having intervened to prevent it. At Miller's and Moa Flat races and other sports were enjoyed on Boxing Day. and at the Teviot that and the day following were devoted to amusement. The sports were attended by great Durabers of people.

The Christmas Sports at Arrow Town appear to have been conducted with great spirit and success. They consisted of Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, races in sacks, throwing the heavy stone, flat racing, leaping, quoits, vaulting with a pole, and other athletic feats. A ladies' flat race was projected, but no competitors could bo found-

Our Lake correspondent states that tho Superintendent has refused to grant the mining lease which was applied for by Small and party, at the Twelve-Mile, Wakatip, and which was petitioned against by several persons, who lodged objections at the time. The ground is therefore open to be worked by the holders of miners' rights.

A case of stabbing occurred on board a sailing boat on tho Lake, on tho passage between Kingston and Queenstown. On Tuesday, the 27th of December, two men had a quarrel, when one drew a knife and wounded the other on the scalp. The aiffair will be investigated by tho Police.

Notice has been given to all persons wishing to apply for agricultural leases between Frankton. Arrow Town, and Arthur's Point, that the Government do not deem it advisable lo grant any in that district, as" it is intended to offer the land for sale at an early period.

The Arrow School was opened on the 19 th May, 1864, with 13 pupils, varying from 4 to ia yearn of age. At the dose of the year tho number had increased to 21, of whom, at the time of admission, 10 could not read nor write. At the examination it was found that all could read, great progress had been made by some in arithmetic, and a large proportion were receiving instruction in gramma", geography, and other branches of an English education.

Mr William Logic has been appointed Cattle Inspector for the Province of Otago under the " Diseased Cattle Act, 1861."

The half-yearly statutory meeting of the Education Board is appointed to bo held at the Government Offices to-day, at noon. The business proposed is stated in the "Provincial Government Gazette'" to be to "Fix and determine tho minimum rates of school fees for tho several schools, and resume considera.tion of the appl'cations of the School CommitbEes of the following mentioned educational districts for the levying of a district school rate, viz. •—•Dnnedin, Wakari, Caversham, Green Island, North Taieri, East Clutha, Port Chalmers, Portobello, NorthEast Valley, Kaihiku, Lake Waipori, and Blueskin."

We observe that the annual parish meeting of St. Paul's Church will ber held in the schoolroom adjoining the church this evenisg, at 7 o'clock. •'-'.■•:

The Invercargill "Weekly Despatch," of the 31st, contains the following paragraph relative to the Superb-tendency of Southland _--",The Council stands adjourned until Wednesday, the lith January, when the question of tho election of Superintendent will again be brought on. One of the former supporters of Mr Heale will probably the absent from his seat on that occasion, as Mr Dairies Is in Melbourne on business. It is not likely thai. Mr Holmes will be in the Province,

and it is understood that he would not vote for Mr Heale if he were. Mr Gillow has resigned his seat." There is little eliance, therefore, of ten votes being rccoried for cither of the two gentlemen recently proposed, and in case of the failure to obtain that number in favor of any candidate, Dr Menzies will still continue to act and to be Superintendent of the Province."

Our advices from Hobart Town are to tho 23rd inst. Tho " Mercury" of that date saya : _" The young salmon at the Plenty are still growing, and look healthy and lively. All connected with them is going on in a very satisfactory manner; and the experiment may now, therefore, be looked upon as a triumphant success."

By proclamation in the "New Zealand Government Gnzette," under date "Auckland, 20th December," it is announced that the Licensing Ordinance, 1864, lias; been left to its operation by the Governor.

Via. Melbourne wo have advices from Queensland to the 3rd ult. The " Courier " savg : —•• By private advices which have beeu received iv Brisbane, we learn that Queensland Government Debentures, to the amount of £223,000, were sold, realising an average of £103 10s each."

The annual meeting of tho Ayrshire Association of Otago, will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, George street, on Wednesday, tlie 25th instant, nt seven o'clock. Great preparations have been made to pass ofF the " Poet's Night" agreeably.

Mr Alexander M'Farland has been appointed Lieutenant in the Duno.in Artillery Volunteers, and Mr Gibson KirVe Turton, to bo Captain in the Dunedin Rifle Volunteers, No. 1 Company. The resignations of Captain Moss and Ensign Fargio of the Dunedin Rifle Volunteers have been accepted.

The "Deniliqnin Chronicle" says that three children, respectively aged eight, four, and two years, were lately lost near Marengo. The father, a shepherd, who, with others, was searching for them through the night, about one o'clock, in nnswer to a lusty "coocy," thought he heard a faint response ; again ho gave a shout, which was more distinctly answered, and upon hastening towards the spot, he found all his little ones snugly ensconscd in a hollow tree, as dry and as warm as a nest of young 'possums.,

"We take the following from the " Lyttelton Times :"—We observe by the " Otago Daily Times" that at the examination of the High School, on tlie 21st instant, the senior prizeman, who came out as head of the school, was the eldest son of Mr F. Dillou Bell, the wellknown politician ; and Mr B.ll's second son, a lad of twelve years of age, highly distinguished himself in the senior form, especially by a Prize Essay written in school iina limited time and without assistance of any kind. The essay, -which is upon " The English Navy of the time of Elizabeth," won a handsome prize given by the proprietors of the "Daily Times,' and is printed in that paper. In length-and style of arrangement and composition it is equal to most leading articles which we are in tho habit of seeing. Mr Dillon Bell will be congratulated, not only by his personal friends, but also by every ono who takes an interest in the future of the colony, that he has sons of such quality to take his place in the next generation of New Zealand.

A general meeting of the Otago Jockey Club was held last evening at the Provincial Hotel, to arrange preliminaries for the annual Dunedin Races. The following gentlemen were elected as the Acting Committee for 1865, viz., Messrs W. Logic, J. Maclean, J. Milner, M. R. Miller, S. Jones. C.E. Bird, B. L.Fargeon, C. J. Hoyt, W. D. Murison, S. James, and R. H. Fotman. These gentlemen will meet at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening, at the Provincial Hotel, to apoint officials and stewards.

The Canterbury Government have received an account stating that there are about 800 diggers .n the West Coast, but no details of their prospects arc given.

The quarterly return of the quantity and value of gold exported from New Zealand during the quarter ending 30th September, is published in the "Provincial Government Gazette" of yesterday, by which it appears that 041oz had been exported from Auckland , 31250„ from Ne!son,2Bloo_ fromMa.l!.orough, 30220z from Havelock, 51390z from Lyttelton, 8f>,3450z from Dunedin, 1804oz from Invercargill, and 7oz from the Bluff Harbor. The total official value of tho gold thus exported is £.393,458.

The Commissioners appointed by the Government of Victoria to inquire into the causes of pleuro-pnoumonia and its results, recently presented their report, in which they stated tbat the disease is not infectious or con - tngious, diseased and healthy cattle having been herded, and even stabled together, without any injurious effect being produced on the latter.' The Commissioners, therefore, recommend that no legislation shall take place on the subject; but, as the conclusion they have arrived at is at variance with the opinion of a large number of practical men, it is probable that the advice they off.r will not Ihe followed.

We take the following from the-"Tara-naki Herald" of the 7th December."--"'The murder and decapitation of an unarmed soldier...at Mataitawa, on the 28th November, was followed, on the 29th, by a still more cowardly attack by the aebel natives on a party of friendly natives,: living at Waihi on the north of the Waitara River. The Waihi natives were engaged incollecting shell fish on.the sea coaali, when suddenly, and without pr»vious warnings a volley was feed into them. One boy, a mere lad, named Hapurona, after William King's fighting, chief, to whom the lad is related, wag Bhot through the arm j and several' others narrowly escaped from the rebel bulkt-. One rebel actually loaded and fired several times at two women concealed txjbind a rock, and yet these ' braves* had not the courage openly to attack a mere fishing party of unarmed VALUABLE LEASEHOLD

natives. Two of the party, how.*.., wtIC recognised, and as there was no doubt that the rebels belonged to Onaero, information was at once sent to the neighbouring tribe, and to the town, whence a force w.i_ i ram .. diakly sent for the protection of ths frieadly chief Nikorima and his tribe. The Waitara natives had, howeter, responded more rapidly to tho call • nnd on the arrival of the is. men of the 43rd, under Lieut-Colonel Sy_ R e on the evening ot the 30th, at Waihi, fiOctti miles this side, they found that the friendly natives had taken the ii.itiative — had a.. tacked the rebels, burned two of their village —Tirikohua and Pohonga—and Imd driven the rebels buck to Kaipikuri, a village situate, half way up the ranges bordering the sea coast. It was to this point accordingly that tho efforts of the troops were directed, and after tin early inarch of nearly twelve miles, on tho morning of the Ist December, the* reached tho foot of the ranges, as usual, ia timo to se. the enemy retire before them. The friendly natives, som-; fifty or sixty in number, set fire to and destroyed not only tlie whares, but an immense extent of scrub and bush whicii burnt up the bill side, exposing a long lino of riflo pits on the crest of the bill, from which we woultl have imaitined a very small number might havo opposed succe.sf_Hy the onslaught of an army. When the troops approached the ranges, the rebel Maoris were engaged in their devotions, and so intent wcrethey in endeavoring to cast the spell of the prophet 'Tc Ua* round tho approaching enemy, that they almost forgot to run away ; and it was not until a cloud of dust, raised by thi; rush of Captain Mace aud several ofthe recently disbanded Mounted Corps, who volunteered and as usual did good service, that the rebels were convinced that discretion was the better part of valor."

The body of a man named Frederick Adams was found, a few days ago, iv a well near the Royal Hotel, Timaru. From the evidence given at the inquest, it appears that the deceased was in the employ of Mr Green, and that ho was sent at eleven o'clock on the night of tho 27th'inst. to fetch some water from the well—after whicii time he was not again seen .live. A man going to the well for water discovered that something was down it, and, upon hooks being procured, live deceased was pulled out. In consequence of there being somo slight wounds upon the body, a post-mortem examination was ordered; but Dr M'Lean gave it as his opinion that the wounds wcro not sufficient to cause death, nnd that tho deceased di.'d by drowning. The verdict was—" Drowned, through falling down a well."

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of Mackay's "Otago, Southland, and Gold Fields' Almanack" for 180.3. It contains 13! i pages of close printed matter, comprising a vast amount of information on a variety of subjects bearing on the history of tho two Provinces. In addition to the usual calendar and astronomical tables, it contaias a farm and garden calendar, and some valavable statistics of population and trade. A history of the gold fields for the past year, and a narrative of events, are also given, as also information concerning tho navigation of the coasts and harbors ofthe Provinces. That portion of tho volume devoted to directoriesof the country districts is unusually complete, and the whole work is well compiled and excellently got up. As a book of reference, it is most valuable, aud will, no doubt, command a large sale.

There was but a poor attendance at the Princess Theatre last night. The "Brideof l/ininiermoor" was the first piece, and notwithstanding the damping influence of the thin house, it was played with great care, and the majority of the characters were well sustained. Miss Rosa Cooper was Lucy Ashton. a pretty difficult put, but to which, she did full justice. Mr Cunningham made an excellent Caleb Baldcrstxm, and rendered amusing enough the eccentricities of the faithful old servant who wishes at all hazards to maintain the honor of the house. Mr Carey's Edgar Ravenswood, was one of his best efforts, and frequently called forth loud applause. For the afterpiece. "The Duel in the Dark" was repeated. For this evening three pieces are announced, viz., "The Russian Campaign," "Craraond Brig," and "Tlie Angel of tho Attic."

Tho "Wakatipu Mail" of the 31st Dec reports tho following:—" A sad and fetal accident occurred here on Saturday last, the 24th instant, by which a fine boy, between 10 and 11 y<?ars old, the son of Mr O'Brien, storekeeper, lost his life. The little fellow and his sistsr went out together, and after some time tho little girl came home without her brother. The boy not returning search was made for him, and ho was found perfectly insensible in. tho paddock of the claim, right opposite his parents' door. There was eleven feet of water in the paddock, and although every remedy was used for his recovery, hedied shortly after being taken out of the water, and about an hour before Dr Scott— who was instantly t ent for—arrived- An inquest was held on Monday morning, at which a verdict of "Accidental Death 1- was returned.. . I. am happy to say this is the second death only that has ever occured on tho Nokomai—tho first being nearly two yeara ago."

A rather striking instance ofthe reforming effects of imprisonment on old offenders, was brought to our knowledge last night. It will be remembered that rather more than a year ago a cash box was stolen from the Caledonian Hotel, Walker street.and a man riamed Samuel Ken worthy, alias Longbottom, was convicted of the ofifence, and sentenced to twelve montlis' imprisonment- This worthy j received his discharge from gaol on Tuesday, • after having served his sentence. T^oo to his old instincts, or probably bearing ia affectionate romembranoe tho comforts of his late lodgings, and desirous of an early Teturn to the kind care of Mr Stoddart, this light fingered gentleman having, no doubt during bis periods of exercise at the Bell Hill excavations, noticed that tho toola employed were allowed to toko cans of -thanselTes, xesdlrtd. f PROPERTY,

to appropriate some of them to bis own use. Accordingly, at a late hour last night, he, in company with a congenial " pal," paid a visit to tho Government store, at the foot of Bell Hill, and took possession of sundry implements lying about outside the building. But he had calculated too little on the possibility of detection, for whilst making his exit with the articles in question, he was suddenly pounced on by a trusty warder named Macsamara, and then and there made prisoner. Hi. accomplice succeeded for the present in „.KiD£ away. The culprit is one of those delightful characters whicii a lengthened residence in Tasmania occasionally developcs, and "is well known to the police." It is to be hoped our hero's sojourn in the Dunedin «_ol may be of longer duration than before, and be made less agreeable to him.

The ' Melbourne Age " says : —" Serious apprehr-nMous are entertained with regard to the crops, and .hould no improvement take place, it is to be feared that the harvest this year will bu a very small one. Not only has the wheat in some places been attacked by rust, but the oat crops present a very poor prospect from the same disease. The causes which have rendered this scourge so prevalent cannot he ascertained, and the farmers are almost nt a lots what to do, as the grain is attacked whether sown in well or ill-drained land, on tho hill top, or in the valley. The Board of Agriculture, alive to the necessity of doing something to avert a repetition of the evil next season, has caused a number of experiments to be made with a view of ascertaining, it possible, the cause of the disease. It is proposed to obtain an analysis of the ■oils in those localities where rust is more prevalent than in others, and compare them ■with the results obtained from localities which are free from the disease. In some of the western districts the cropß are almost a total failure, und hundreds of acres of wheat have been cut down for .hay."

At tho Kaiapoi (Canterbury) Christmas sports, a Baby Show was included in the programme. The "Lyttelton Times" says : —" This was undoubtedly the great event of the day, as testified by the eager jostling of the crowd who were anxious to get a good view of the youthful progeny nnd their protectors. Upwards of thirty specimens of tho youthful fry wore exhibited, representing on the whole a hopeful sample of'yonng Kaiapoi. Much merriment and no little music from the subjects for competition was caused, as the judges, Dr.s Du'lluy and Ileswick, gravely inspected and discussed the merits of each Juvenile iifpirant. After due consideration, their decision was given amidst rounds of applause. The first pri.o was awarded to Mrs Toner's infant, and the second to Mrs Swan's, both of Kaiapoi. For children of I*2 months and under, the first prize was gained by Mrs A. Lee's baby, and the second by that of Mrs 11. Wicklow, also both of Kaiapoi."

A man was recently found dead in his house at Wellington. Tho " Independent " gives the following particulars : —" On Sunday morning a man named Kichard Chester was found dead in his house. Qtiin street. The deceased was hist seen on Friday evening, the 23rd inst, and was engaged iti a scuffle in a public house, but went home apparently uninjured, lie was nut seen about after that time, and the neighbors' suspecting from the barking of the dogs on his premises that something was wrong, broke open the door of his house on Sunday morning and entered. A deplorable night then met their gn/.e. Chester lay dead in a back part of the house, where the fowls were kept, with a. blanket thrown over him. A sum of money and other property belonging to tho deceased were found by tho police. There will be an inquest, as a nicilicitl man who had uttt-iul.tl Chester states that he had sullcred from disease of the lungs for some years. It is supposed that the excitement of the seufll. iv whicii he had been engaged, accelerated the death of a man previously in a very critical state. The deceased wus v very eccentric character. lie lived iihino and made great pets of his dogs and fowls. lie often could he overheard talking to tho former for hours together. At one titn. lie was in the employment of Mr G. 11. Lu-f'ord as a drover, and was most familiarly known under the soubriquet of " Dick the Devil."

At tlm Kinpirc Hot?!, last evening, Robert's, tlie JJilliiinl Chiinpion, again played Mr Perotti; but on tliis o;oa<ion h>! nave 7CO pomt ', fcchif! 100 more 'Jinn when he fir->t li.id Mr l Jcrotti :sr an opponent, and CO wiort than in the sconri inntch l)t''Wi;en them. The odds proved too groat; for the Olisiiupion played with luck gn/atly againut liim, anil Mr !*cr Hi playing with more confidence nail hatter limit or. nny previous evening, •won, Vuvini: not his p.eoro to 1000 when the Cbnnipior.'s was only 853. Mr Pcrotii made a nice bre&k cf 32, including five cinscoutivft red losing haznn!« ; ono of 25, of which ]."» were by following spot atrukes. ■which lie tnmla amidht much laughter and applaiißS; ami ono of 21. He also made several capital winning hazards fin'l canons. As we have wild, lack seemed to bo decidedly asnimt the Chnnip'.oii. lie iften cot tbo spot Ftroke, but l:e never randc it more than five or si.v times consecutively; the balls breaking » shade npain«t him, uo us !o lead him ts some other stroke, or <'le the ri({ht- hand corner packet baulking him, as it ha; done more or less on almost every evening ihnt bs> Ins pluje'l. When thn K^»>e stood at 702 to MO, tlm Chwnpion made hla bent break, fcorinp 14., but constantly having to play some Tory awkward stroke in order to keep going. Ho misled two or threo seemingly easy liazirds, and , ■*o had proruiaiujr bre-«k8 spoiled ; nad wlien, nt lenpth, he reached .100, Mr Perotti was 897, thun Laving male 47 over the half of the score lie had to f;et. Flaying earnestly, tlm Champion raised his rcore to 610 a<i against Mr P^rotli's 91 1: siTul th" irnnw puhsequcntly stood, 773 to to 957. HM to 031, and. as we hava said, 853 to 1000. When Mr Perotti commenced his last brenk, ho lind 0 lo make, lie played ft long l)nck canon, and bandy got it, two others followed, and then a good winning hnzird completed the ovenltifr's w jrif. The Cbamoion made three cr fonr breaks of from 30 to i 0; and h!s play wna mnjt int'ie'tinjr from the fertility of resource shown in overcoming bad luck, or in to ftrlviog as to deceive success. There wan a capital attendance ; and the match excited very decide! Interest Miroueiiont. This evening, the raattb. ■wijl be with Mr Norcliffe, who will receive 600 puinta out of 1000. KNOWN AS Tim

I . ■" —~ Very wible progre** ie now beinff made fn th I arrangement of exhibits; but supposing every thing to go on as favorably a% can poshibly * hoped, all concerned wlfl assuredly bare to c! ' tLeir utmost in order to hare, the Exhibition in presentable state on tbi* day week, the l?8{b in»! 1 which is fixe-l for th"S opening day. That tb ' Commissioners and their officers may he enaMri • to work ai wb know they desire to do it fa m»n . tialthat the Eam«ay. from London, should be ii l port by theen'l of the week, a' the latent; tba ; the Aboukir, frnrn Glasgow, sbou'd aluo fiav . arrived ; and that local exhibitors w!io hay hitherto culpably n*Rlecte:l to send in thei J goods, should awake to the necessity of tbeir 8 doing. It in strang* that, after thf tnany urgw reruori'trancf) bddrevted to exhibitor* in thi , Province on thi* en*ject, the re xbould §»iil be *i many to whom it iB neces a-y to repeat th<? re monstrance, tlat by their neglecttiiejr are adiiini ' difficulties to the tusk of the Cominis-ioneis — i > task which, with th«; most ready compliance fr n » contributors, and the mOBt perfectly organised Kiaff, procurable in the Home coin try, in always a nioi» ! trying one. ewi with Jixbibitinni of ie«s ext' m » and variety than that which i» now heinu go! , together in Dunedln. It may he well to him that (he (."oTiinmnioaeni will be able p;ih y to use, anl to u«e well, every inch of available »j>ace. ever i if many tilings for which space has been allotted should be altogether excluded. The under-gallery area allotted to Otngo, ii 1 now pretty well filled with paekag-s of floods, i or with glanD cws that are ready, or ucarlv bo, | for the reception of exhibits. We noticed yesterday the uani'es of Matheson and Campbell, MacI Uggan Htreet; Bcntley Brothers; llinvy Brothers ; Grant P. Farquhar, Hrinceii j-trett; i and James MMlSusn, upon upright ca«es for the display of saddlpry. boots, prep'red leathers. &c. The representative of Mr W. Kennedy, of Jetty street, was opening out collections of the American patent portable stoves, for cooking by g*s or kerosene, which we recently described, an 1 1 which seem as compact in their arrangementl! for ! bikinz, boiling, and grilling, as i* pos»ib(e. Mr Reeve* ha» his todawater ftand complete ; and Mr Pelting, lozenge manufacturer, hoti a small wall case thoroughly well filled. Pa-wing1 Into 1 " Kngland," we found one large stall in three heights cimpletcd, and another in progress, , which we learned are to he devoted lo the rnanu- ' fncturen of Mmsrs 8. W. Silver and Co.. of Hisdopgate Street Within; the former leinu i<t;nded i fur military nnd naval accoutrement", saddle bags, &c, toucher with portmanteaux and tra--1 veiling Kt-ar, nnd Ihe other for multifarious pro- '■ dncUons. cliff fly in tndia-rubbsr nnd (;utta percba, [ which have been sent by the India-Rubber umi , Outta Poroha and TelegrapLic Wire Com- ; piny (Limited), who«o works nre sit > Kilvtrton, K*»«x, and in which the firm named am largely interested. The imliarabher and pulta-porcba gooda include nruny articles of ornament na well m of widely diffrtrinif uses. Tbfr.: is <i long counlor *tand wniiinp for the vari'HJH cootilbitlons of china, crockery, &2., v/hich form part of the frcipht of the Unnmy A fide counter Is alrcany filled with ariicfe^ of saddlery. Messrs Silver's poods have arrived: and so, fortumlc'y, have n good many other ct'es containing KruliHh exhibits. A fuw Eteps tik<; ua intu " Aackland," all the exhibits of which F'ovirce have arrived, and are now beii^g arranged by Mr John Mason, of Durham utreet, 1 d'.'kland, the agent, for that purpose, ot the Provincial Government. This collection was exhibited In Auckland, and cur correspondent there has already enabled us ta Rive some (cencral def.criplion of it. On one of the two large stand* in this section there is a well executed imdel of n bridge now b^ing; erected over Ihe Tamaki, nt Panmurc. The length of this bridge will bu •078 ft with a 20ft roadway, 45ft above the river Iqm-1, and having near one end a swivel nprninir 40ft wide. The engineer is Mr W. Weaver. A.1.0 X., and the coutruoiors, Meßsri M'N'eil and Wileon. Upon tlic model of the bridge will be pliicci (i liirK« modal of a Maori war canoe, roallv nn excellent, bit of wood carving, sent by hia Kxcellettoy the Governor, lo whom it was preHented by a chic. The Oovcrnor'H contribution nnibrnces several cf the (tods of the Maoris of old, numerous ucapons, nnd Severn! walking: sticks. If the Maori* are ignorant of " the nice conduct of a clouded '■nn<»," as it was practised by our great grandfathers they hfivt a str>>nir t if peculiar, notion o( n tint is foppi'h in the way of walkintr iitickc, an will be evident to any one who exaniiaen the Hpfcimciiß in this section. There is a ntimeiou' collection of specimens of wood, prepared tour: tima nzo by Mr Muboh. Eiich i« in book-form, nnd opens on hinges; there being (*nvitie« in the interior lo contain a ncction of a branch bj a» to »how the bark, and also a cample of the foliage and il nvor. Thine ijptcimens are arranged on three shelves of a combined book owe uid Be!;retuiro, made by Mr Mason from wco'ls iu(tiKcnous to the Nmth Island, and nice'y inlaid. The A ivklaud collection in a very varied o c; but we nef'd only mention further that the-re me Bevcnl b^x^s of coal from the recently opone 1 Kuw.i Knwa Mine, Uiy of (slan'ls, which has bwn testcl on board I£.M screw steamer Filcon find other vessels, nnd has in each ciso besn 'I'darcicl to b'tixo<;ll«ut for fcteain purposes. In the section nllo'tol to Southland there «ro only a fow uiickng's, nnd they are unopened; nnd Wellington, although better represented ut regnrda I'ullc, has not ynt made much display. (Jantorburjr is progreaslDg sati«factori!y under tho superinteni'.enre of Mr R. L. Holmes, the Provincial a<rent. The geological apecimsna ire nTiinprcii i" tbreo c!iafi« and labelled ; a number of geological sketch maps await hanging, us do many lareo frames containing1 beautiiully displayed specimens of the Wt/ine flora of the Province. There arc botanical specimens to fill a cunmodiouß ca«e. Architectural drawing* and plsotorrraplis arq i)retty numerous; and by mains of photographs and s"i!tion<, the modi; of work in the railway tunnel through the Ljttelton hill, and the progress made, will t« clearly shown. The machinery sent by Canterbury has been placed in the annexe ; aud her wools and cereals are with the like exhibits in the gallery. Nelsorfu contribution Cannot yet be well intliensd ; but it seems to include "n eood many models. Hawke's Bay shows well forward. We hive beforo described the collc:tion promised by Mr Colenßo, M.P.0., M.U.R., and this forms a cmpirtion of the Provincial whole. Asecndine to Otago'a section of the gallery, we find that Dr. Hector and his assistant* have completed the arrangement of tho Geological Mu-tcnm belonging to the Province, with various additions, including that made by Dr. Lander Lindsay, nnd which has" before been enumerated by us. The labelling of this extensive aad interesting collection is now being proceeded with. In the other portions of thia section of the gallery, numerous central, side; and wall caiies are completed, and waiti r their Intended contents; and there are many models, not yet permanently placed. Thrs Great Britain section has one huge three-height counter, anil a long upright double glass case, waiting for the Indian Museum and other exhibits now on board the Ramsay. Passing into the Wools and Cereals section, we sco many tightly packed bags nnd a few glaw cisee; the hßg< sorted into lots, but nothing else done towards di-iplayinpr these most important produota. Australia is bare at present: but the Farnlture section is Retting1 well filled with sideboards, tables, chair*, &c, all at present carefully enveloped in holland covers. In tho tower space, between the Furniture and Otago's Geological Museum, Mr Kdmnnd Thoma* Brown, the clever anil most persevering constructor of the model of the township of Alexandra (Manuherikiii). and tho surrounding1 country, has far advanced in putting1 his work together. The storm of Tuesday caused him some trouble, not to speak of inconvenience. Rain, beaten in through the louvre boards in the tower, fonnd its way through the ceiling*, stained part of the hills nt tho back of the township, and washed off some of the hillocks, which were made of pipeclay. A repetition of this has b«m prevented. Tho model is 12ft Oln long and Bft 91n broad; its length representing half a mile of country. Everything is to scale and from a CROWN HOTEL,

*urv.y. the mode of conatrnc'ion of every store and .welling, within tfie exrent represented by the model, can be cleariy seen, aa well ea every claim and tbe mode of working tt. One bit of ingenuity deterves mention. Mr Brown made a roan mould anl a hor*e-monld. and has cast many tiny men and horses of --lead; they have beer, or will'be, 'improve l by cufing. when necessary; and the nature of tne metal will allow each to be put into its proper a'titu'e after it has been find The mod. 1 was exhibited in Alexandra, and curious instances of miners' appreciation of its exactitude were afforded tine party of men held a louc. argument over tbe model as tv the exact po.ition in which the pegs of their claims were ; and when a man venture! to imggest that a particular tent was a little ont of po-ition, be received a box on the ear from it* owner, and wi-a told be knew nothing about the matter. Near this mode), there are several of mining ma hinery, made by Mr A. Bib-rlt. mechanic tl engineer Melbourne. They comprise— Prize puddling ma bine, by Mr Bobardt. with planetary motrm; common t uddling machine, with horse and steam power ; Hart's amalgamator, aud Hart's paddling machine.

With respect to tbe Central Hall spaa;, we un-dcr-tand that it hat been decided to rrmov> into the corridor the fountain contribute, by M'jstb Park and Carle. In the corridor, amidltt plants and Sowers, the fountain will be most appropriately placed ; ani io its present position occupies part of tbe ground required for a large cisc which will conrain all the g-d I cpfc'niens contributed hy the Banks. One small stand oi*e wa« visible yesterday, in which are ao many of tne specimens of Jiumtan manufactured jew. lryao have been contributed by Meuirs Goodwin and Barlow, of that pace. Thp re are rinjc, brooches, and pins, of slmpl* gold, or with fellings ; and whether in excrlleme of work orchastenes* of deelm, they are a great credit ro the Province. If the other contributions are of equal merit, our go dfielrfs gold-workers will contribute much to th. beauty and interest of the Kxhibltion. There are some other timllar case?, but so jealously wrapped, that their contents are not discoverable. The finishing touches are being given to the front of tbe Wellintrton organ, built by Mr Joaes. and sent by Mr Lewis. A semi-circular dais of three heights is being conducted for his Excellency the Governor, on the opening day; and a rich canopy is to be placed above it. Tho oil paintings and water-colour drawings, at present numbering nearly 120, have been removal to the room prepared for them, oft the corridor, but tho banging cannot be carnmencel until all promi-ed have been »ent io. The pan-died reilfng of tbe ani tor is nearly completedl ; nnd side tables for flowera and plants are bring erected. The decoration of the PefreshmenJ Department ia completed. It has been done by Messrs Holmes and Amos for the lc..ec, Mr James john«ton, of'ho &fel"onrne Hotel, who has nim-s-f»tipe in'en'fod what wood work was necessary. A kitchen and pantry are beinar erected adjoining the corridor; the former will contain a stove and ram-c, and all other neceawry appliances. One of tbs arches formed at Ihe back of the main building has been assigned to the la.cc as a beer cellar, for which purpose it is excellently adapted.

pSeveral men were at work yesterday, putting together mnchines thit are to be exhibited in motion; and nil the heavy work of erecting the engine has been ''one except the placing of the fly-wheel, which is some Mr. it diameter. The boileru have been surrounded by an iron fence, aud tbey are belli* bonded in. We learned la<t evening that the Aboukir has arriveil at the Hearts; »n-l we hop 3 that the Ramsay will very speedily be in Port.