THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, THURSDAY JULY 20.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1117, 20 July 1865, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, THURSDAY JULY 20.

It is quite a new and refreshing thing to see so much excitement the pending elections are producing. The contest for the (Mayoralty seems to throw even that for the Superintenck-ntship into the .shade. Probably this, in great, measure, i.s be-enn-e the civic election is nearer at hand ; still it is a very tug/c-tive circumstance r.hrit Municipal offica tcms to be a-t much coveted and to evoke fully «<j much interest as Provincial Government office. It would hardly be too much to say that an instinctive fueling is beginning to permeate society, that the Provincial s; stem has attained to a condition which necessitates either an entire remodelling, or else a sweeping a^'ay. On the other hand a , scarcely less strong feeling prevails that a new and healthier system of Municipal Government is about to be established, and that it is Tor the interest of all clashes to aid its proper development. The two elections are respectively the type of the old and of the new. The Superintendental represents the worn out system, against which all men are ready to proclaim—the Municipal, the inauguration of a new system which all men are ready to aid. It indeeds want.? very little prophetic power to discern that in the course of a few years there will either be no Provincial Superintendent—or else that he will descend to the grade of an ordinary official, administering the behests of the Cieneral Government. Jf the Provinces continue divided the real power will pass into the hands of the General Government, upon whom they will depend for their finances. If the Provinces become consolidated, then the Provincial system will be one little more than in name ; the Superintendent will have powers scarcely short ot those of the Governor. It is true that a proposition for centralising the Provincial Governments, found little favor with the Provincial Council; but perhaps it was scarcely fair to expect that bod}' to do anything calculated to shorten its own existence. It is significant that, although—if our memory does not deceive us—the member for Oamaru showed himself entirely averse to 'the proposal—yet at a recent meeting in which that constituency was largely represented, a unanimous opinion wns expressed in favor of a reorganising or a sweeping-away the present Provincial system. And a practical proof of the strength of the opinion was given in the determination those present came to, to take no part in the criming election. At the nomination on Saturday Mr Dick showed himself very indignant at the opinion expressed in this journal, that the candidates were not of a kind the electors, if they had the choice, might desire. Yet] Mr Dick and his co-candidates them- | selves admit as much. Mr M'Glashan stated that Mr Dick was a better nrm than himself; and Mr Dick and Mr Clapcott (who has since retired) declared i that it was the refusal of Major Richardson that induced them to come forward; whilst Major Richardson himself was not very long ago defeated when he aspired to the office. The deduction is quite clear that, self-confessed, the candidates do not come before the electors on high grounds. It 13 folly of Mr. Dick to pretend that his feelings are wounded. Because th« opinion maybe general that the offic? of Superirtendent should have fallen into other hands, it does not follow that Mr Dick and his fellowcandidates were wrong in coming forward, in the absence of those others. On the contrary, supposing them all to have been instigated by a promise of support, they may have displayed some amount of selfsacrifice and public spirit. Still the fact remains, that the electors have the right to complain of the limitation of their choice; and that fact suggests very forcibly the deduction that the office of Superintendent is not sought after as it should be, if practically it was held in the estimation that theoretically is accorded to it. The separation of Victoria from New South Wales was preceded by the people of the former place electing to the local Legislature great English Statesmen who could not possibly accept the distinction. In other words, they renounced their franchise. We hope the candidates on the present occasion, will feel no annoyance at an analogy being drawn between them and. great English Statesmen; but the

result of the present election, be it what it may, will have a very strong resemblance to that which followed the return of Lord John Russell to the Xew South Walts legislature. It will set men thinking upon the necessity of a change. Let us take Mr. Dick, for instance, as the candidate who at any rate has quite as much claim on the electors as bis antagonist. Supposing he be elected, will it not necessarily be suggested that he will be no better as Superintendent than as Provincial Secretary; and he admits that his power will not be materially greater. On the other hand, people will ask themselves how it is that things have been going on quite the sarr»e as usual, although the Acting Superintendent is residing at Wellington. If Mr. Dick be elected, all the result will be that he will get £300 more a-year, aud change the title of his office; and as we have said -we have selected Mr. Dick as an example, because his claims are at least equal to those of his fellow-candi-date. People . will think ; and their thoughts must fall into this channel—that a consolidated Government in the Middle Island, especially now that the telegraph wires run through it, will answer every purpose, whilst it will supersede many abuses and promote much economy.

But as the power of the Superintendent declines, that ot the Municipal Government must increase. It is thin impression, more felt than expressed, which is renlly at tbe bottom of the new-born anxiety for Municipal honors. If a really good Municipal system be introduced, in a short time the position of Mayor.-will liecome superior to that of Superintendent. Nominally it may not be so, but Fubstanti-illy it will, because substantial duties will be attached to the office of the former—little more than nominal to the latter. We must not he understood to mean that with some men the Superintendent's office would become a dead letter. Its decay might to some c-xttnt bo arrested in some hand?. For instance, Major llichardson would leave hn mark on it—with him, its powers would not be nominal. lie would more control his Executive than his Executive him. On the other side, either of the present candidates would probably strictly conform to the theory of Constitutional Government, and reign only nominally. Perhaps it is far better so. It is better the Provincial Governments should die out through exhaustion, than that they should be vivified with fires not their own. fiut a new Municipal System meets an urgently felt necessity. The community has suffered from the want of it, and men are only too glad to take advantage of a fresli chauce to establish it. The interest they take in the election for Superintendent is an interest borrowed from the byegone—the interest taken in the Municipal election belongs to the to-come. We may add, that that interest is quite sufficiently l'vely to render it unnecessary for the journalist to adopt the task, sometimes forced on him. of advocating the claims of particular candidates. In the present instance the electors take very warm interest in the contest —and they are fortunate in having a wide range ot choice in the many candidates for their favor. It is only to be hoped that that choice will be exercised independently—that the electors will give t'neir votes, not through personal friendship, but to whomsoever they deem the best man.

Mr Henry Clapcott has issued a brief address to the electors of the Province, announcing his retirement from t'»e fit-Id as a candidate for the office of Superintendent. The contest will, therefore, lie between Mr Dick and Mr M'GUißhin.

A public meeting i-* to he held at the Princess Theatre this evenin;:, at which the whole of the candidates for the Mayoralty are exoected to be present nod explain their views. Last nieht, Mr J. A. -T. Maogregor addressed a meeting- of the electors in thu Imperial Hotel, Princes street south. We understand that at a speeinl meeting of Mr Mason's committee, hell last night, subcommittees were appointed for the various wards and a working committee to make the necessary arrangements to conduct Mr Mason'a election. The meeting was then adjourned to eleven o'clock this morning. A general meeting of the commi'tee is also advertised to be held at the Central Committee Room, this evening, at half-past six o'clock.

The following are the gentlemen who have announced themselves as candidates f>r the office of Municipal Councillor of Dunedin. The names of gentlemen who were members of the late Town Board are printed in italics. Belt. Ward : — G. Smith, D. Boss, John Luvell. Leitii Ward :— J. Turner, J. Barnes, 11. Driver, J. Wilson. South Waud :-./■. Griffon, J. Crat?, E. Chalmtr. High Wakd : —J. H. Barr, A. Carrick, W. Langlandsj J, Grey.

Tho nomination of candidates for the representation in the Assembly of the Bruce District, takes place at the Court House, Tokomairiro, to-day, at noon. Should a poll be demanded, it will be taken en the 26th instant.

There was a capital house at the Princess Theatre last evening, when the performances were for the benefit of Mr C. G. Smith, who has been connected with the Theatre in reudering assistance to Mrs Wolfe during her lessee-ship. "The Colleen Bawn" was produced as the first piece. The parts of Hardress Cregan and Kyrie Daly were

played by amateurs—and both "were played respectably, for amateurs, Cregan being the better performance. Mr George Fawcett showed the right sort of humour for Miles; a richer brogue. would have left little to be desired. Miss Joey Gougenheim's Ann Chute was a racy rendering of the high-spirited young Irish lady; and Miss Dolly Green's Eily O'Connor was marked by a charming simplicity and freshness. Sirs Crc-gan could not have been better played than by Miss Cissy Mathaws. The "cave scene" was very well put upon the stapp; and bat for a couple of hitches, the whole would have gone off satisfactorily. After the drama, Mr Smith sang "The Arab's farewell to his steed." The song is thoroughly suited to his really fine te.ior voice, and it was well sung and deservedly encored. A recitation was given by an amateur ; and then came what seemed to be considered by many tho event of the evening —Mr , John Barnes, in Hie rope-tying trick. There were half-a-dozen candidates for the duty of tying Mr B trnee, and some clamoring resulted from the inability of the occupants of the pit to agree who should be called upon to undertake it. Mr Barnes said that he had two chairs .and two ropes, and whichever chair was selected, the rope o-i it must be used. He had only come forward to aid Mr Smith because of the way in which Mr Smith had helped Mrs Wolfe; and if the audience would only agree which two men should tie him, he should be content. Two were at length accepted by the audience-, r.wl t!u-y set about their work with a grrat show of determination and c.f «pecin! skill. There were soon, how. rver, cries from the pif that what was being dine was " i.o tie at nil ;" and although those engage 1 went on twisting the rope roim i M r Birms, nnd knotting it, Mr Barres declared that he s-ho-.ild have p-i'f Trod being tied "a deal faster." lie cautioned the men to look out that he was not ofi' the st'i^e as soon as they wrre ; and he evidently had a justifiable contempt for the way in which he had been i dealt, with. A screen was put over him ; but in from five to ten seconds Mr Birncs [ called for its removal, and he roso free. There was some applause, and there wore some hisses. Mr Barnes said that ! whenever there was a performance for the benefit of a charity, he would come forward a<rain, and anylioly might tie him. A farce was announced, but none was played, owing, ns we hoard, to the indisposition of some of those who were to t:\ke part in it.

Mr Warden Aylmer, writing from Upper Shotover. under <lnte 8!h July, says:—"The district has been more or loss covered •with snow this week, rendering it both difficult and dangerous for travellers and packers. I am glad to siy that another application has been made for a mining lense next to the British and American Company's ground at Skippers It is to be known as the Vulcan Ompany; and is applir-d for by James Tyrie and party. The .application amounts to about '. ight acres. The Company intend prospecting the ground immediately, and seem very sanguine of success." The deputation appointed at the public meeting held at Laurence, Tnapeka, on Monday lest, waited upon the Provincial Secretary at si lste hour last evening, in anticipation '■f his departure from town this morning. The deputa-ion consisted of the following j gentlemen:—Messrs Mount, M.P.C., Campbell, Chalmers. Herbert, Walsh and Wcthcr!ey, accompanied by Mr Brodie, M.L A., and Mr Houghton, M.L.A. The purport of the petition which appeared in onr columns yesterday, shows that the residents of thn Tuapeka district feel verr strongly on the subject of the proposal removal of Major Croker, the Resident Warden. The matter was fully discussed regarding the alterations about to he introduced in the locations of the Wardens, and with reference to Mnjor Crokcr's ca?e in particular, the unanimous opinion of the deputation being that his removal would be a great loss to the district, sis he has acted in his present position almost since tin origin of the Tuapeka Gold Fields, and is thoroughly acquainted with every matter connected with the mining interests of the district. These could not be properly understood by a new Warden for many months to come, and in the interim the best irrerests of the district would suffer. Mr Dick listened attentively to the various arguments brought forward, which he promised to bring before the other Members of the Executive, at their first meeting ; and promised the deputation a decided answer on Friday next; meanwhi'e, he assured them that the Government were thoroughly aware of the satisfactory manner in which Major Croker had always performed his duties, and in making the change propose!, they had no intention whatever of reducing his position in

any way. The half-yearly Statutory Meeting of the Education Board will be held at the Government Offices, Dunedin, to-day, at 12 o'clock noon, for the despatch of business.

Mr Warden Hickson, on the 15th instant, reported from Upper Manuherikia:—" The weather has been remarkably fine, and there has been a hard frost every night daring the week—the only drawback being the limited supply of water, caused by the freezing of the races. There is nothing of importance to note this week. Mining operations are being carried on throughout the whole district in a vigorous manner. I have just heard there is a rumor (this day, Saturday) of a rush somewhere between the Woolshed and Blacks. I am unable to give any further particulars. I shall, if the rumor is true, visic the locality, and report more fully in my next."

Constable Patrick Gantley has been appointed Gaoier at Queenstown, vice William Donne, 355, resigned

The revenue returns of the colony of victoria for the quarter and six months ending the 30th of June last, are published ia the " Government Gazette" of that Colony. The net revenue for the six months.ending on the date named, amounted, says the "Age," to " L1,286,GC9 103 lid, showing

an increase in the revenue for the corresponding period of last year, wliich was L 1.277,428 3s lQd, of L 9241 7s lid. The revenue for the quarter was L 713.157 18s> being an increase of L 26.373 iSs Id on the corresponding period of last year, which was L68G.783 13s Ud. The revenue for the year ending the 30th of June last, was L2,8C0,954 68 lid, being all increase on tha previous year of L44.24S 3s 2d. Comparing the revenue actually received during the sbc months with the Treasurer's estimate, we find that there is :;n apparent deficiency of L2G 1,030 9s Id, the anticipated income being L 1.547.700, and the amount received L 1,286,669 10s lid. This deficiency is, however, easily accounted for. The revenue derived from tVie Crown Lands is principally responsible for it, and tho shortcoming in this item is consequent upon the fact that the Land Act has not teen long enough in operation to have any material effect in increasing the revenue. The faltiiv,' ofl in this one item amounts to L240.13C 10i Sd. The new dnties have not produced so much as was expected from them by L39,l 13 8s 4d ; and this is owing to the quantiti-s of goods kept in bond in the anticipation that tho new tariff may not become law. Generally Bpcaking, the returns are most satisfactory, and promise to be at the very least fully up to this Treasurer's estimate at the end of the year. The only item in which there appears any probability of a serious deficiency is in the railway income, and that exhibits, us compared with the estimate, a failing off for the s=ix months of T,2!>.i:57 2< Si; the expected income L 273.000. and the re.ilised L2!*s,Bfi2 17s 4d. Altogether, iho Treasurer may hecongratulated on the vc-ry favorable balancesheet which ho has produced."

The " Dtinstun Times," of the l.'th, under the head of " Mining Information," s«ys : — " The population at Bendicro Gully hns greatly increased within the last few weeks, and although the new comers have every reason to be satisfied, still it would bo unwise for many more to visit the ground until the weather becomes milder, so as to enable the j Rise and Shine Water Race Onipuny to bring in their race 4roni the high ranges. The chief articles of living are exceedingly reasonable in price, and the thrifty minor has every prospect at this plaei of laying by a satisfactory sum weekly. The various gold ! fields under the general heading of Thorn- { sons ure improving weekly in their prospects, especially the one known as Dry Jsre<:\d Gully. About a mile from this place a party j from Dunstan Creek have taken up ground, and in contradistinction to Dry Bnal have called it Full and Plenty Guliy, and, judging from the satisfactory results of the;- labor for the last three wt-eks, they are perfectly justified in using the term. So satisfied are they that they have commenced to bring in a water race of seven heads, and will have it complete most probably in two months. The fact of this new ground proving payable strengthens in a decided manner the opinion we have expressed that the neighborhood of Thomsons has scarcely commenced to make known its auriferous resources. There is abundance of water at all seasons of the year, and races to bring it in to the various terraces and gullies are only wanting." The MsiU despatched on Tuesday by this Albion, comprised 41 boxes', 10 ba-i?, and one packet, containing together 11,3-17 letters, and 12,738 newspapers.

The quantity of rutal land Fold during the past month in the Province, wuh 1068 acres 3 roods and 20 perches ; and the amount realised was LIOGB 2s Gd. The number of purchasers was sixteen. Mr J. B. Borton, officer in charge at Arrow River, writing thence on the 8:h insr., says : — "The damages caused to so many of the water races by the recent numerous landslips, have been already nearly rep v red by the untiring energy ami perseverance of those parties'interested. Ttavis and p.irty itt the Twelve-mile have npriin got to work, having replaced their extensive flum-, which had been carried away bodily by a landslip, estimated at GOO tons of earth and ro;:k.

The " Punstan Times"' Rives the following account of a serious accident, and fortunate escape:— li On Thursday afi'.'rnoon, as Messrs Pearce, Prondfoot, and Dr Corse w«;re riding in a. cart towards the Roaring Meg, whileproceeding along the road the two former gentlemen got out of the cart. Soon afterwards th'j horse shied, and going too near the steep bank of the river, roliert over, with the cart attache 1 to it, into the water. Ne-'lher horse nor vehicle were sten afterwards. Dr Corse had a most narrow escape. He was thrown down the bank some distance, but sustained no injury beyond a few bruises."

The newly erected Church of England (All Saints) in Cumberland street, will be opened fir divine service on Sunday next.

The Acting-Superintendent has appointed Dr Hulme, Mr James Beverley, and Dr Richardson to ba trustees for the purpose of organising a Provincial Museum.

Tha correspondent of the " Lake Wakatip Mail," writing from Maori Point under date 14th July, says ;—" In my report this week I am glad to state that operations are being carried on quietly at the reefa, and all are actively engaged in either driving or getting timber" for thtir claims. The severe frost 9 experienced lately have done much damage to sluicing parties at Skippers by causing the several races to break away. The Aylmer race gave way last week at a point where it had been tunnelled through the solid rock ; but, by amalgamating with the Mountain Kace party the combined efforts of the two companies—after the removal o£ hundreds of tons of debris—enabled them to successfully flume the water over the place with boxes. The Telegraph Company, Skippers, are at a standstill just now, a3 well as some others. The few parties, however, that arc tunnelling-, seem to be making wages. Ferguson and party are steadily working their way through the Gorge. Patsy Burke and party are also, by their perseverenee, overcoming all obstacles. Sluicing operations seem to be going

a-head in this district, particularly at the right and left ban;! brand us of the Shotover, where a few parties are doing a " good thing" on the quiet. The Enniskillea Com- ; pany (Law and party) have had a splendid | yield lately out of five days' washing up ; but I have not learnt the exact amount of the ]<rccious metal obtained!. The company arc in a fair way of being well paid as a reward for the almost unsurmotintable ob. stacles they Jiavo overcome. I regret to say, though, that many parties are prevented from realising equally g,)od returns by the continued hard frosts, whereby the sources whence the water is obtained are half frozen. Hallidar and party are making fair wages in their tunnel claim on the terrace, and have two or three years' work before them. Other parties are also doing well in long-neglected ground in tho vicinity. In my last I mentioned that Carr and party (late Barrett'a) had not bottomed on account of the breaking of the shaft of their driving wheel. They have repaired damages, and again got to work, with good results. I hear they have bared the rich gutter which Barrett's party traced under the crates ; if so, they will doubtless roap some good dividends shortly. Millaii and party are working steadily, and if the present dry weathet lasts will soon be able to give an account of their doings. The Inglewood Company are at a standstill, having been unsuccessful in bottoming their paddock. I am unable to say what steps they intend to take." We are indebted to a correspondent for not-.s of a meeting of (ho electors of'Kast Tdcri, held at (lie Schoolhouse tlu're, for the purposo of hearing an ;-;ldress by Mr Mueandrcvr, one of tlie cuvlilitM for the re-presentation of Bruce in the Assembly. Mr Todd having been eh-etcl chairman, Mr Murray explained that he hal withdrawn; from the contest in favor of Mr iUucandrew, whom he considered more likely than himself to be of service to the constituency. MrMacandrew referred to the condition of tho Colony when he represented the Taiori some years hack, and contrasted it with its present state. At that time the expense of the General Government were limited to L 50,000 a-year; now it was L"')0,00O, and was increasing, whi'.eadi-btof L4.ooo.oDOhadbeon contracted. This was chiefly owing to the political apathy of the people, and the absence of public opinion on political subjects After glancing at the difference between Mr Cargill's opinions and his own ou the Land Jle-gulations, he stated as his opinion that the General Government had nothing to do with the Land Kcpulations, but that the Provincial Council was the proper place lor discussing matters of that description, and that tho consideration of the present regulations should be postponed until they were further examined. The evils complained of wore more of administration than regulation. He was favorable to the introduction of Mr Torrens's System of conveyancing. K\ch province ought to contribute its quota to the General Revenue, but the General Government arrogated to itself powers which did not belong to it. In reply to a question, he' said, he could hardly keep his temper when he thought of the loss sustained by Otago in not securing the Panama Service terminus at Dune-din. The loss was eqnal to L24,00(> aycar; but that was not the worst feature of the case, as the city securing that advantage would probably become one of the emporianiH of the Pacific. It was a thousand pities, but it could not be helpa), unless advantage could bo taken of the jealousy exhibited by NewSouth Wales towards the rest of the Australian colonies -, and as Sydney had given 'L 50,000 a year, it was just possible a similar sum might bo obtained fro.n Melbourne, South Australia, Tasmania, and even Queensland. In reply to an tluctor, Mr Macandrew said ho would oppose any attempt that might be made by tho Assembly to deprive the people of their right of electing the Provincial Superintendent. The meeting closed with I the usual votes of thanks.

We extract the Jjllowing from Mr Warden Ch:ir!es Brojid's rf-port from Hamilton, Taieri, of the 7.lth instant :—" The weather during Wednesday and Thursday was very severe, a pretty heavy fall of snow took place at M'Crae'n Flat. I htM an inquest there on Wednesday, on the body of a nv.\n named William Campbell, who died somewhat suddenly. A verdict of dei»th from natural causes was returned. The Sh;ig River Race into Fullcrtons will not be completed before the end of the year ; it is a large undertaking, and the fluraing las proved very expensive. The race from the Sowburn, into Hyde, is rapidly advancing ; and great credit is due to the party for the energetic way in which they proceed with their work. I have proclaimed a space of ground at Hyde for double areas, at the request of the miners."

There was a sitting -i» Banco yesterday. The Court, on an appeal from a decision by Mr Warden Ilickson, declined to disturb that decision. The case was that of Tiernan and Party v. Wheeler and Parly. Eccles v. Taylor was mentioned, and the rule nisi was formally discharged, throwing the duty of appeal upon the defendant. The rule nisi in Mackenzie it. Menzies —the second branch of "The Southland Case"—was also discharged upon the same ground as in Eeclex v. Taylor, viz, that the Court could not agree.

At the Dunstan Creek, a memorial has been signed by about seven hundred persons, addressed to the Superintendent, praying for the re-instatcment of Mr Warden Hiekson, as Warden of the Dunstan.

We take the following-from the "Sydney Herald" of: the 29th inst.: —" An enterprising; mercantile firm in London, Messrs-M'Coll and Sloper, have upon a speculation for supplying the market there with cheap fresh meat from the Australian Colonies, and with this view they have patented an invention (which is also registered in this colony) for preserving meat by some chemical process* without the aid of salt. An agent oC the firm alluded to has recently arrived in this city, with a view cf opening the buai-

ness indicated. He purposes preserving and sending home some meat from thin •colony, to prove to those who may be sceptical on the point that it ran be •done; and should the experiment prove successful —as those who have it in hand have the utmost coiifHcmcc that it will—he will open an establishment for preserving fresh meat in large quantities for shipment to England. The gentleman alluded V) brought •with him a few tin* of fresh hj'.-f preserved in London in October kst, mv\ this, on being opened a fuvrdays since, was found to be perfectly good. With the exception that there was no gJo»3 upon it, the meat hcl (he appearance of bt-r-f that had been about two days killed. We are assured by a gentleman who had. a portion of this meat cooked and served at table, that its flavor was but <-l>ghrly aflected by the chemical process it had undergone."

A debating society has been started in connection with the Port Chalrner-i Atheniowm and Mechanics' Institute. The members met on Tuesday evening, and discussed the question of " Separation.'* There was a warm and intelligent debate, at the termination of which a vote was taken, when there whs a slight majority in favor of delaying the project of politically separating the two islands of New Zealand.

The " Nelson Examiner" gives the following account of the s;idd<-n death of the third engineer of the s'.eamcr Airedale : —" An inquest was Ik 15 ve^er'l.iy, before Tl;o:n:i> Connell, Kkij.. coroner, and a. jury, of whom Mr Frederick S'^icic cts (or'tnui, touching the death <,f .hiMV-'-i jfiinter, I:iU: iiiir ! engineer on ho-'.r'i th. ftteains'iiip Air..- I;:!:-. Yroin the cvidei.ee it .'i;i;i<-;uM tha*, rsbortiy aiv.-r breaki'.iht, deec.is'.'-i and the s jimsxl i :i;-iiiar were at work r^'.in;; tli-; n>.s.' of the bi!:.■!.•pump out. Jilit previom to hi* th-a'h, deceased was lying on his l.r-ast, leaning owr the engine-ro'.ni pUteti, and lifting the res: u<i through the floor. After Ik; hud ben about ten minutes in t'unt prjsiiioii, he was I.cud to groan and mAke a snorting miis", and would have fallen h?id he not been ennght hoi i of. When lifted up, d';co'ist! 1 s.ernwl to he in a fit. Dr I'viuo was sent for, and arrived in about twenty-fire minu'M, whrn hi pronounced llnnt:r to bo dead. Dr Irvine snid that, from s'k;h).!y examining t!i ■>. dcvi'iise'l, and from v/lml lie had heard, lie judged Clint deceased died from diswsj of the heart. The verdict of Uk: jury was, ' That deceased dicl on board liiu steamer Aired.lie. Middwiiy, from organic, t:i-:ease of tlie heart."

Writing front Wakalipu on Bth instant, Mr Wimien licethum reports :—'-The IJig Ik-aeh Company liavy been e.'iubleil Ui repair the damage 'lone to th'.-ir il an, a ldiire no.v pilui,:; a speedy termination m;vy now b; Jairly expected to >.Ii!« teilions underrating. The Ariel Kiice Company v.-.is'i'.-'l up List week, and the prospects wen: highly s:ttiafa':tory ; they are now fairly to work. The frost, I regret to Kiy, Ins Mopped a few parties engaged in sluicing operations, :is in many pl:i''(.j3 the sun dots no: remain sufficiently lopjr to tha«' the pro nous night's frost, leaving the surface consequently unworkable.