OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7158, 24 January 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

San Fbanoisco, December 19,

We ara now close on the holidays, and will very soon close our accounta for the year. It has been a most unsatisfactory one taken all round, and tho Pacific Coaat haa come in for its share of dull times. But the resources of the country ara so vast, and so little roally | bas beaa done to develop them, that one can I afford to look forward complanently to tho future. Should tho nasv Administration lay resolute hold upon the revenue problem, and release tho vast coin accumulations in tho Treasury, tho industries of tho couutry would soon become active, and good times sat in again. I think this will happen. Mr Cleveland is a clever, sagacious man, with a great daal of tenacity, and tho way he discourages placebuuters gives one a wholesome idea of tho character of his administration. It would not surprise me in the least to find an attempt mado to reduce the duty on raw materials, thereby cheapening production and enabling us to competa in degree with English and French manufacturers. When one roads of a dividend of 15 por cent, declared payable by a Naw Zealand woollen mill, and considers that even in California woollen mills are closing because they are not paying expenses, while Eastern milla are also closing for tho same reason, it is quite plain that the fault is not in the demand but in the cost of pro | duclion. Protection to the woollen industry has bean carried the length of strangling it. So long aa wool came in free the manufacturers made money rapidly, but whon wool was equally "protected" with tba made article the profits of manufacture were cut. _ The tendency was to cheapen raw material in foreign markets and raise the prico heie, the duty upon line wool staples imported being a very serious item. In any general reduction wool will not be overlooked. Indeed, the present Republican Administration has been whittling away Protection by diplomacy, and if Arthur had bson continued in office thero is no telling how far he might have gtna in thia direction. RKCIPROCITJT TREATIES

have been negotiated with Mexico, Spaiu, and Sau Domingo, aud I understand a trade convention is being negotiated with Canada, through the British Government. Tho Presideut, in his annual message to Congress, recommended their ratification, and suggested that bills giving them effect Bhould be introduced in the House of Representatives. He also suggested the renewal of the Hawaiian troaty for seven years, and the Secretary of State has signed it. The Republican Press is furious at thia attempt to establish Freetrade by a sidewind. Californian horticulturists and vignerons stoutly oppose the Mexican treaty, which would subject them to formidable opposition in the homo and Eastern markets. _ Louisiana sugar-growers oppose it, because it opens the ports to Mexican sugar; and the tobacco intereat join the sugar-men in opposing all these treaties, because tobacco is to be on the free list. Should Congress give effoct to these treaties it will revolutionise theso two industries. lam inclined to think tha treaties wiil become oparativa, in which case both sugar and tobacco culture must bo abandoned in this country, owing to tha coat of prodtictiou in the shape of wages, interest on money, and taxes ; but other branches of agriculture will be stimulated by the free markets craatod in tha Spanish West Indies and Mexico. Opposition is also mado to the Canadian treaty by lumbermen and wheat-growers. As the Senate is Republican there may be difficulty in passing the revenue bilh incident to these treaties, and all except tho Mexican one have to ba ratified by the Sonata. My own judgment is against reciprocity treaties, aa we necessarily pay a bonus upon trade equivalent to the remitted duty. A uniform tariff, for revenue only, would bu best for all interests. But we are paying off the public debt so rapidly, aud reducing State and municipal debts all over the country as well, tbat wo can afford to muke fiscal experiments of this kind v/ith impunity. Indeed, this debtreducing process ia raising a very serious question as to contraction of currency, and if persevered in must result in a radical change in our monetary system. The Secretary cf tho Treasury has Eounciod a noto of alarm on this hoad, as has also She Controller- of tbo Currency. Tho latter official is usually au advocato of the National Banka, however ; whilo the present Secretary, Mr M'Culloch, waa the vory man whose contraction policy, in the sam 9 position in Grant's Administration, led to the formation of the famous "Gold Ring "and the ruin and misery of the nevev-to-be-forgotten "Black Friday" in 1873. His views have been modified sinca then, but be is still a mono-metallist, aud opposed to further coinage of silver. I do uot think that Congress will act upon hia suggestions, backed as they are by the President. Indeed nobody pays much attention to any recommendation of an outgoing Administration, and this ona gives place to a Democratic Executive on tna 'tih of March noxt, when Cleveland will be inaugurated. POSTAL SUBSIDIES.

The President's message dwelt upon the necossity for providing for the payment of a sufficient sum for the carriage of the United States mails by soo, and called attention to the state of the law whicb renders""it optional with shipmasters to tako a mail on board their vessels at all after April 5,1585. The Auatralian mail is specially intended in this matter, but it will also apply to tha Mexican, Central American, Brazilian, and China mails. The Postmaster-general in his annual report points out the necessity for action iv this matter, taking the ground that it is unfair and impolitic to throw all the burden on New 'Ma,land. The Superintendent of Foreign Mails likewise reports in favour of a subsidy for the Auatralian service, taking up tho same idea. I have every reason to hops that Congress this session will make a satisfactory settlement of this question, Mr Creighton has been in furthor correspondence with members of Congress on the point. It is to be hoped that the English Post-rißce authorities will give way to the Colony in the mattor of forwarding your mail via San Francisco, They might very well abandon their claim to payment for transportation across this Continent, and 1 have no doubt whatever that ware Minister West instructed to apply to the Washington Government for an entire remission of this charge on tho Australian closed mail, hiß request would be complied with aa a recognition of the importance of strengthening our Australian trade. The Agent-general might bo asked to sound the Home authorities on lhe point It would not take anything out of the Imperial Exchequer, and would be a substantial boon to the Colony. Were such a step taken by this Government it would meet genoral approval by the Presß of this country. THE NICARAGUA CANAL PROJECT,

The Unitod Stales haß made a treaty with Nicaragua which opens the route across that Republic to the Atlantic and Pacific. Concessions had heretofore been made by Nicaragua to privato individuals of land and right of way, but these lapsed through non-uaer in the present year. Tbe Nicaragua Canal Company, which was formed to build an interoceanic highway by the route indicated, did uot succeed, and as it has always had tho preference by American and Euglish engineers over the Panama route, the American Govornment took tho matter up and concluded a treaty which renders the construction of tha canal a certainty. It will be under American control, Whether the provisions of the ClaytonBulwer treaty can be made to apply is a matter of doubt, although Earl Granville is very tenacious on that point. But American interesta in the North Pacific are now so very much larger than those of Great Britain that it is hardly likely the United States would now recogniae an equality of interests, represented by joint control, which that treaty contemplates. The secrecy which was observed in tha negotiations with Nicaragua leads ona to infer that in this matter the United States has determined to act alone. It would be of the foremost importance to California and our Northorn territory to have the ocean passage to Europe shortened by one-half, and ol courso British Columbia would share in the advantage of a short sea route to England, but its industries are very backward, and it will take years of development before it begins to cut any figure as a commercial community. The opening of a ship canal acros j Nicaragua would likewise be of vast help to Naw Zsaland trade, bringing that country Beveral thousand miles nearer the Mother Couutry in point of transportation than at present. The direct steam service would then ba able to compete, as a postal route, with the San Francisco line, and it would also stimulate Colonial industries and production. The Sinate has to confirm thia treaty, when a bill will probably be introduced to enable the Government to build and operate the canal. Captain Bedford Pym, R.N., is iv New York, and spoke enthusiastically about tbe Nicaragua route. He condemns the Panama project, and says that it cannot be completed for anything like De Lessepa' eatimate. There haß bean a graat deal of sickness at tha Isthmus, and the chances are decidedly against De Lesßeps. Captain Pym estimates the cost of the Nicaragua Canal at 200,000,000 jol, and offers to raise that amount in London ou a joint guarantee by tbe United States and British Governmanta of 3 per cent.—that ia, 14 par cent, each—upon that capital sum. It would not take a great adept at finance to manage an operation of that kind with two such endorsers. The United States has an estimate from Nicaragua for 40,000,000d01, wbich is probably too low; but having gone carefully through Lieutenant Menocal's surveys and estimates when ha was hare promoting his original acheme under the Nicaraguan concession, I am satisfied it is not far out. The lake and the San Juan River are to be utilised. Nicaragua cedes a strip of terrjtory three miles wide from ocean to ocean to the United States, with an Atlantic and a Pacific port, the United States undertaking to build and protect the canal against all comers. JIBXIOAN AFFAIRS.

General Diaz was inaugurated President of Mexico on December 1, and at once entered upon tbe duties of his office. Before tbat event there was some talk of conspiracies, and President Gon?ales certainly did pqt several prominent Mexicans under locjt and key for safe keeping. This gave rise to a good deal of talk, but nothing came of it. Everything passed off quietly, the President-elect walking unaccompanied into the Legislative Chamber and taking the oath of office in presence of the assembled Senate and representatives. He then drove to tha paiape, and at once formed his Cabinet. Tbe Conservative opposition is dying out, and appearances are against the Cburcb party making any headway in Mexico, although young Iturbide, tho adopted heir of Maximilian, professes to think that a revolution is inevitable. He is a pronounced Republican, but his tone is that of a man who would not refuse a sceptre if it were offered him. He is likely to remain Republican, however, because Mexico is not enamoured of the

Imperial idea. President Diaz is a full-blooded Indian, a man of fino parts and liberal education. Ho is vory popular alao, and that goes a long way in Mexico. His predecessor made a huga fortuna during his four years' tenure of office, aud Iturbide declares that Diaz has leathered his nest in the same way. The country is very poor, however, and muat do pond upon foreign capital for its development. The commercial treaty with the Unitod States would go a long way in that direction, but its ohancos aro not over good just now, weighted aa it is by co many similar treaties;, a few only of which I have mentioned. Honduras, Gnate mala, and tho United States of Colombia ara on the treaty-list, bssidos those already named. Tho settlement of the English debt claim has also given great offence in Mexico, Gonzales having agreed to a proposnl that the ptrties negotiating with the English creditors should be paid £2,250,000 for their services—rathar a libsral commission it must be confessed. There is a steady movement of population to Mexico, aud as land is cheap and very fruitful, while labour is abundant and low priced, it follows that it is a desirable placa for capitalists to anttle in. It is Baid tbat Mexico haa arranged with China for a supply of cooliaa, and this has raised a very serious queation in raspect of tho reciprocity treaty with the United States. We exclude coolies to protect our own industries, but uudor the troaty we would subjsct Americau labour to direct competition with the products of coolio labour in Mexico. This would bo illogical and absurd. If Ruch a convention exists between Mexico and China, it is probable that it will not be published until our C'jugi'ona haa finally decided about the troaty. But the labour question is a very complicated oue, any way. California is briugicg coloured men and womon from Alabama to cultivate its coltonfiolda in Keru county, tha nigroea being cheaper and more reliablo than Chinese, Groat depression exists iv manufacturing and mining centres East owing to dull 'homo demand, no export trade, and, especially in the iron trade, to Southern competition — tha South now turning out hunuivds of thousands ot tons of the vory beat hind of iron cheaper than it can bo made in Pennsylvania aud Ohio, despite European contract labour. Thus it will ba seen that questions are involved in the Mexican and other commercial treaties besides an interchange of commodities on a reciprocal basin. Production, wbich involves the interests of labour, is a prima factor iv tbe case. Furthermore, it is announced that England has stolen a march upon tho United States, tba Mexican Congress having just ratified a treaty with Great Britain containing " tho most-favoured-nation clause," This gives England equal tariff advantagea with tho United States in Mexico, which is not what thia country bargained for, but it hung firo so long about bringing its treaties into forco that nothing may ultimately como of it. Ona thing I feel convinced of, however, that there is a grand immediate future before Mexico. THU WORLD'S MEAT SOPI'LT.

The National Convention of Cattle Raisers at St. Louis, which came off a fortnight ago, was notable in many ways. It represented immense capital in herds of cattle in the various territories, several of tho Western tier of States, aud Texas, and for tho first timo English and Scotch syndicates were represented. Tho object of tho Convention was lo obtain national recognition, and practically to monopolise tho entiro pastoral area to the exclusion of agricultural settlement,. These "cattlo kings," as they are styled, make a demand on Congress that a strip of territory 30 miles in width", from Texas to the Canadian border, bs proclaimed a " national trail," to ba for ever set anart for tho use and convenience of stock raisers. This would ba tantamount to declaring that this vast belt of country, containing somo of the most valuable laud in America, should not bo settled, bacausa settlement in tho true sense would ho impossible along the lino of this great cattle trail. Pubic sentiment has already declared against it, and it is pointed out with much truth and force that threo fourths of tho ''froo grass" in the Territories has boon monopolised by British capitalists and thoir hired man to the exclusion of American citizens. Tho London Times has taken up the cudgels for those squatters, who neither pay rant nor taxes, and do not owe allegiance to the cuuntry which is enriching them ; and, with questionable tasta and siogular want of tact, it declares that Americans aro vory uugrataful to speak as they do, bacausa this great cattle industry could uot have been developed but for Euglish capital. It forgets that tho profits mainly go to alien absentees, thia country gaining nothing whatever by tbeir operations, because lhey mako no improvements and depend wholly upon natural pastures. There are also vast estates held by British nobleman and commoners in this country, and it is aaid that these land monopolists are colonising their estates ia Dakota by tenants selected from their home properties, thus transplanting to the far North West tiie vicious land system of tha Mother Country, These charges are made in the Press, and aro not denied. I fancy that Mr John Walter, of The Times, who was recently in this country, ia mixed up wilh this pastoral land scheme; henca the advocacy of it by "the Thundarer." Depend up it that the great landowners of England and Scotland are wise in their generation. Thay will talk Colonial and Imperial Fedoration, and pat tho freehanded self-reliant Colonies on theback.butthey put their own money all the time in the United States,where it is immediately productive and is not overburd'-ned with taxation. Tho Australasian Colonies ara tha milch cows of tha Imperial farm, but the freo pasturage of the United States is to furnish tbe beef cattle for the Engliah markot, the drovers and graziers baing the great landowners of tho United Kingdom. As New Zoaland has entered on the meat-pro-ducing business, this is a question which interests everyone in it. The National Cattle Raisers Convention wants a trail right through the heart of the country to Canada if possible, so a3 to bo able to ship store cattlo to England at the lowest possible cost, where they would be converted into beef to the profit of English farmers, who would thus be enabled to pay high rents. By this plan a double line of profit would be scored to the British cattlo syndicates. They could raise stock for nothing in tho United States, drive them over a national reserve to tho shipping point, and sell them to their tenantry in Eugland, who would ultimately pay them in the shape of rent the increased value of their stock as beef. Thia is what The Times contends is a baneficent arrangement, being mutually advantageous to both countries. But, aa I have said, there will be no national cattlo drive set apart in thia country, and the United States will enforce the law against illegal fencing. Moreover, public opinion will compel the exclusion of foreigners from the public lands, and State laws will, as in California, require the owners of realty to become citizens, or residents who have declared their intention of becoming such. The store cattle cf the territories will bo fattened in the Ohio Valley as at present, and exported in carcasses, for the reason, were there none other, of the difficulty of enforcing adequate quarantine aud inspection before shipment this side the Atlantic. Captain Bedford Pym, of whom I bave already written, has formulated a scheme for a railroad from tho Pan Handle of Texas to Hudson's Bay for the transportation of cattle for shipment to England. He thinks this is an international question, and that tho United Statea and England should jointly guarantee 3 per cant, on tha capital. This done, he is prepared to raiae it in London in a fortnight. Anybody could do that, but the guarantee will not ba forthcoming, As already shown, the United Statea would really profit nothing from thia enterprise, and it would hardly guarantee intorest on an expenditure for the purpose of shutting up its territory againat settlement in tha interest of foreign squatters ; while England could hardly bo expected' to pay a subsidy to create unfair competition with the Australian and New Zaaland shippers of frozen meat. You sco, the moro enterprising you becomo in the Colonies tho closer you press upon tho field of international politics, Canada hastieaty-making rights, and a similar right has either been or ia about to be extended to the British West Indies, which desire a reciprocity tariff with the United Statea.

IMMENSE PRODUCTION OV POBK, Following naturally after comments on the production of maat, come considerations regarding pork production. The Unitod States leads the world on hograiaing and pork packing, and it is noticeable that although European markets are being gradually closed againat our hog products tho supply is steadily increasing, lowa being the great pig-breeding State ; and tbe tendency is still in that direction, for causes which I ehall presently state. Owing to the low price of wheat primarily, and to exhaustion of the soil in a secondary degree, the area planted to winter wheat in the States and California ia very much less than last season, while the Bpring wheat Statea will not nearly make up for this decrease. Farmers aro turning their attention to stock-raising, and the output of dairy products will therefore ba greatly increased. But tha ever-faithful and prolific porker is the stand by of Western farmers, and much more attention will ba given to hog-raising than to Bheep or dairy stock. A glut of swine is feared in tho Wost, if the leading agricultural papers are to be believed. I think probably they are about right, as the following facts would indicate. Take one day, Dacember 5, at Chicago, bb a test. The arrivals that day from the West numbered 66,597 live hogs, bo large and fat that they averaged 47 animals to oach railroad car. Ona thousand four hundred and twentytwo cars were filled by tbem, which, if coupled together, would make a continuous train eleven and one-third miles in length. Tho live hogs arriviug at Chicago from tha West for the week ended Dacember 5 filled G7OO freight cars, wbich would make a continuous train 53 miles in length. Fancy this going on all winter and spring at Chicago, not to mention Cincinnati, St. Louis, and other pork-packing places; and, by-tbe-way, San Francisco is becoming an important place for handling hog products. A curious calculation was made by a Chicago paper, tp the_ effect that if the live hogs which arrived during tho week in question were placed singlo file they would form a " pig line " of 328 statute miles. Just think of 32ij miles of hogs 1 This, however, shows tho nature of t|io competition Colonial producers may count upon in the meat markets of the world from America, The prico is not satisfactory to the producer, but the pigs must be marketed, and so must tbe pork, Tho highest price, live weight, was 4dol, 40 cents per 1001b; the lowest, 4 dol. Tbe farmor netted 3.1 cents per pound live weight. COMPANY OHEKBEMAKINQ. |

I was agreeably surprised and pleased at the record of progrosß made in this direction in tbe Colony, judging from the synopsis of a report presented to Parliament which appeared in the Daily Times. Thara is something tangible in this. It is an enterprise that lies straight before you, and needs very little bolstering, now that you have fast ocean steamers and

chillod air-chambers for stowage. To show tho ! valua of thia industry to a country, I bhall mention some figures as they oocur in our Government statistics. Io tho lineal year ended June 30. 1884, tho Uaitad States exported 0 20,62r,374;b of butter—an iaoroaio of 8,278,733 ib on thn previous yoar. Tha cheese export was 112,8G9.6751b lr..it fiscal year—an incroaso of 13,649,1u8ib on tbe preceding one. Thoso figures Bhow tha magnitude of our dairying interest, which is chiefly centred in tba Atlantic Slopo Stater.—that is, the New Eugland aud Middle States, excluding Rhode Island and Delaware. A great dial nf cha?---o i 3 also made in the Ohio Valley, but New York, Pennsylvania, Naiv Jersey, and tha New Eugland States ay.) the leaders. Of courso wa must supply the Homo market, which id a big item, thoro being fiity bU million mouths to feed, with the number steadily increasing, Much American cheese is sent from England to the Colonies as English cheese, that made iv tho valley of the Hudson being equal la quality and flavour to tha very best oheoae made in England, the famed Stilton uot excepted. In conversation witb a merchant hare I learned that very little pf tha prime Hudson Valley or Massachusetts cheese comes to California, or oven goes into consumption East, tha season's " crop" being usually contracted for in advance by Euglish houses who keep buyers in this country. It was suggested to mo that cheese might ba shipped here from Naiv Zealand with advantage; but I would not advise it except to - order, ns you would be at tho mercy ci the trado, which would combine to "cinch" the shippers. Australia, Eugland, India, the Mauritius, and China aro open fields which you might cultivate; but not America, with- ; out cauttoa and forethought. CANNED MSH.

I notice that Mc Sou;, in advocating the payment of a bonus for canning fish, is reported to have said that the fish-export of the United Statoa exceeded tha total exports of Now Zaaland. This is a mistake, ua the following figures show: Value of domestic Gsb exported in tho fiscal yoar endeJ June 30, 1884, •1,742 DSldol, or £1)18,680. Canned salmon wns the largest item, being 2,323,020d01; shellfish is set down at Soo.sl7iiui; the balance being made up of cured fisb, either dry or wet. The export product of tho whala-fishing gave an additional 871,180J01, making in all 5,G14,H1 dol. Tha truth ia, the United S;at~s is a fithimporting couutry, although California and a few Massachusetts hounea do export considerably. Tho imports of fi-ih by tho United States iv the fiscal year ISB3 4 wore represented by a total value of 3,72C,166d01, or within 1,010,765 dol of tho export value of food fish. Although not so important as Mr Stout supposes, our fisheries certainly aro a source of great wealth, and steps ore being takon to develop them thoroughly. This should not discourage you in the least to develop your fisheries. My own experience on the coast of Naw Zealand is that you havo as fino food fish as there are anywhere else in the world, and many yoars ago I endeavoured to get a substantial bonus aud grant of land and boat harbour from tbe Government for tho purpose of drying the fish and nets, and otherwise conducting the fishery business profitably in the neighbourhood of Wangarei, ou behalf of soveral worthy Nova Snotian settlers. But the Government of that day would do nothing to help tho project. I boliove an attempt at canning was subsequently made, but I have not heard if any great succasa has resulted. The Auckland Provincial Council voted a small bounty upon export, but as it was found impossible to push the dried fish into consumption owing to the prejudice of tho people against home products and tha opposition of importers, whoso profits and commission were in a maasuro jeopordised by tha now in dustry, I think tha bounty never was paid. I am writing from recollec'.ion, howevor, and may ba in error in thi3. I think a bounty should ba paid to fester doap-saa and coaat fishing. Should the American salmon be established iv your waters it should prove a great source of wealth to tbe Colony. It may be shipped in refrigerating chambers to Australia, and find ready sale there. We shipped Oregon salmon to New York, but tho railway charges were too high. Tho Union Steam Ship Company would treat your struggling industries in a very different way, or I greatly misjudge the men who control its affaire. But whether the American salmon ba acclimatised or not, you>- available fisheries are ample. I think also the Stewait's Island oysters and North Island rock oysters should be conserved and utilised as articles of commerce outside the homo demand. In past years (of courso I dou'c kuow how it is now) the settlers north of Auckland gathered' rock oysters, piled tham iv heaps, and burned them to make lima. Thia was a groat, waste, but thero was thon no demand for oysteis. We formerly brought oysters from the East to Sitn Francisco, but latterly thin trade has been discontinued, the small domestic oyster superseding the larger and mora costly Eastern bivalve.

Speaking of canning fish reminds ma that fish which do not possess natural oil fufiiciant to keep the Hath moist, aa is the caso with salmon, will nut pay to can. The quality of other fish necessarily deteriorates as tha flash becomes dry and stringy. It is a mistake to suppose that salmon ia preserved in oil. If oil or any foreign- substance wore pit in the tins with tha fish, tha flash would become rancid. If Amorican salmon is acclimatised, as there seems to be some probability, judging from reports from Auckland, in time Balmon-canning will ba a profitable industry. But it requires largo capital to couduct it successfully. Most of tha work is done by machinery and Chinese labour on this coast. The price at the Columbia River canneries averages about 50 canta per fish. There is an unlimited supply of salmon in Alaskan rivers.

In this connection the fishery statistics of the Canadian Dominion will necessarily be interesting, bocaus3 the United States imports nearly all ita fish from Canada under the Treaty of Washington. The total value of tha Canadian fisheries in 1883 was 10,958,192d01, being an increase on the year of nearly 200,000d01, including Manitoba, which has " fiah to fry "as well as " wheat galora," Cod is the great standby of tbe Nova Scotian fishermen, and was rated at 4,507,110; herring, half as much ; and lobster, salmon, and mackerel, in the order named, average about onethird ths codfish tako. Oysters and "alowives" wind up the liat with 150,000i0l odd respectively. Nova Scotia yielded 7,C59,374d0l of tho total, or nearly 50 per cent. New Brunswick, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island follow in the order named. Inspector Rogers, of Nova Scotia, writes: "Never in tha history of thia province was tha fishing industry so prosperous or thoßO engaged in it so happy, comfortable, and contented; and never did the future look so hopefully bright." OULTIVATINfi HOSES.

Fred. Grant, son of tha old General, and a member ol the bankrupt firm ot New York bankers and brokers of whom I wrote some time ago, has subsided into a very quiet citizen. In the short spall of hia fraudulent prosperity he spent 10,000dol building conservatories on his placo at Norristowu, New York, to grow winter roses for his city house. This ia all that is left for him now, and ho has turned his extravagance to account in raising rosos for the New York market. He can make from three I to four thousand dollars a yoar, and he says ha ■ia .content. Ha wants no more of Wall streot. Showing the demand for flowers in Naw York, it may bo mentioned, on tbe authority of the Tribune, that at tbe recent Astor wedding in that city 10,000 rare roseß were used in decorating the houso, The veil of lilies of the valley from the high mantel in the art gallery to the floor had 3000 sprays. It was looped up on tha side by a big cluster of La France rosos, to represent a bow of ribbon. Pots of Japanese ferns, Euglish ivy, ornhida, car-, nations, passionflower, and maiden - hair fern were in profusion, Colonel Grant has therefore a home market for his roses, This branch of industry is not peculiar to New York, however. It is general oil over the Unitod Statoß. An insurance agent of San Francisco told me recently that he had gone into the business of rosa growing for market, and that it paid better than his agenoy. I fancy that were flowers more used in house decoration in tho Colony many persons would aid to their income by floriculture—a pursuit at once pleasant and profitable. Dunedin and adjacent couutry could not well be excelled for the perfection of its flowers, unless natural conditions have changed since I was there. A NEW ZSALAND WIND PATENT.

I was amused reading in the Daily Times that a patent had been granted in New Zoaland to a person claiming to have originated tha idea of adapting windsails to ploughs, &c. Why such patent was granted I am at a loss to understand. The idea is not a new one either here or in England, A correspondent of the Scientific American recently described a "machino rigged with large windmill sails, which was expected to draw 10 ploughs four miles an hour." Commenting on this letter, Mr W. C. Dodge, of Washington, D.C., dug up an application for a patent by W.Stoddard, of Lowell, Massachusetts, January 26, 1858, which shows an arrangament of wind, sails, and ploughs. Of course the thing novor worked, even if it wore tested. Stoddard made a claim to tho exclusive use of the I arrangement on the ground of originality, but it was rejected on an English patent of 1849, in which no such idea was embodied. Tho English patent simply provided for an improvement in steam vessels and steam ploughs. It follows, however, tbat tho New Zealand patent does not uot describe an original idea, but it does not matter, inasmuch as it must be inoperative. "The wind blowoth wharo it listeth," and cannot be harnessed to a plough for any effective work. I allude to this because I don't think anyone should ba prevented from utilising wind-sails in any way one pleases. THE NEW ORLEANS WORLD'S I-'AIK was opened on the lfith inst. by President Arthur. Thia event ia ono of the moat convincing proofs of the progress of electric science. The President, of course, could not be present at the ceremony, but it was arranged that he should sat tha machinery in motion by electricity. Accordingly the President, Cabinet, -Embassadors, and high functionaries, to tha number of 200, assembled in the Executive Mansion, and at tbe appointed hour tba address and other formal matters were telegraphed from New Orleans; the President's reply was read and talcgraphod, and at the word "ready" theProsidonttouchedtheinstrumentcomploting tha circuit, and at the instant the machinery in the vaat building waa sot in motion, The affair was successfnl from every point of view. The New Orleans Exhibition buildings will cover about 100 acres, and will be more extensive and complete than the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. California makes a rematkable exhibit of fruit, wine, brandy, redwood lumbar, whoat, barley, &c., but its minerals are not well represented. What it shows takes the lead of all other States, but Colorado's mineral exhibit is simply j marvellous. I think it is a pity the Colonies ara not represented in their wool and cereals,

whilo New Zaaland furnituro timber ehoud cartaiuly ba on view. It may ba too late to apply for npaco in the Exhibition, but stops should cartainly be taken to bavo an exhibit a New Orleans during tbid chow. A market for your lurnitura timbers might very ea.i:y ba opened, wbich would piy you boltur than burning off your forasts to mike rom for grass. The Graat Eastarn i-i to ba an annexe of tho Exhi bitiou, and will be moored alongside the lovea. Sha will ba fitted up as an hotel, and used to save balls, concerts, aud entertainments as well. Spies on board will also ba sst apart "or the display of fancy goods for which room cannot ba found in tbe Exhibition. In fact, she will ba v graat bazaar. Tho charter ia 75,000.ial (£15,000) for tha Exhibition period. Taa Uaited SnUoi Treasury made a loan cf £200.000 (l.OOO.OOOiol) to tbo Exhibition commiaaiunsrs. It will be repaid probably; but tha advance to the Centennial Exhibition Association never has been. The Southern States will ba greatly banefited by this enterprise ft will bring viaitorj from all parts of tho world, and spread knowledge abroad of tha marvalloua mineral and agricultural wealth of that soction, which had been supposed (tood lor notbiag but raising cotton, With the excaption of tha Pacific coast, there is no part of tha country to equal the South, and this ia bacoming unpleasantly impressed upon tbe North by tho increasing competition of the South in its leading staples.

PROGRKSS OF SETTLEJIKNT. The superb climate, fruitful soil, cheap land, and low rate of taxation iv California are stimulating settlement, now that a check lias baen tfiveu to Chinese immigration, I fancy that nearly 50,000 people will have come to thia State and goue upon the land during the present year. It is impossible to get a record of all arrivals, but available statistics point to this conclusion. It ia announced that a colony of 1500 Scotch settlers have secured a location in tha northern part of Los Angeles county. This is a fino district, but has drawbacks in occasional droughts. But water is tasily obtained by sinking wells, and thero is no ustd for half the irrigation resorted to. In short, irrigation has beon greatly overdone, as fruitraisers have learned to their cost insomosections. Tbo Christian Brothren, or Campboliites, have bought atract of IS.OOO acrea of railroad land near Redding, at the head of the great Sacramento Valley, for Idol 75c an acre (aeven shillings), aud 20,000 acres of Government land adjoining have been takeu up. A colony of " Christians "isto be founded chare. It 13 a grand country for fiuit, viticulture, cereals, stock, and minerals, and is close by quite a large settlement of British and "old Colonials " in the sama county of Shasta, These are mere indications of tho set of population to this coast. It ia calculated that the Scotch colony will expend _£GO,OOO purchasing supplies, &c., for the firat season, and the " Christians " in the Eastern States are raising the needed capital by subscription. Although we bave dull times through'stock-gambling and unsound business methods, economic and industrial conditions are sound on this coast. ODDS AND ENDS,

The Washington Monument has baen completed, and ia the highest piece of masonry in the world. From ground to Biimmit it is 550't high. A flagstaff 50ft high is to surmount it, making tbe entire height of the shaft and attachment 600 ft. The foundation stone was laid in 1848, and the mason who handled tho trowel on that occasion was present at a meeting of the trustees held on the platform at the summit on its formal acceptance as complete. It stands up from the Potomac flat a most unsightly object in my judgment, and obstructs the charming views to bo obtained on all sides.

Tha new Bteel dispatch-boat built by John Roach for the United States Governmant broke down on her trial trip, and had to bo towed into harbour. She was going at 17 miles an hour, when the poliahed steel ahaft which drivos the engines broke, and she came to a full stop. As usual with Roach's work, it was all show. The material was rotten. Doubtless otber parts of tin ahip are equally faulty, This is the result of closo protection and the absence of competition. John Roach ia ako engaged building four steel cruisers for the Government, and an attempt will be made to inspect the workmanship, but every Government inspector in this country may be "squared," and Roach always has funds available for an emergency. An attempt is being made in Congresß to get back the forfeited laud grants from tbe railroad corporations, but the Senato contains too many railroad lawyers and beneficiaries for any chance of success. You bave had soma experience of how this thing worka under your District Railways Act, but with us it is thirty million times worse. You can understand, therefore, how difficult is the task of those who endeavour to enforce the provisions of a contract against tho laud-grant railroads. Tho third Plenary Council of tha Catholic Church at Baltimore was a very imposing and influential gathering. A Papal Nuncio waß present. The powers of tho hierarchy in America have been enlarged by the Pope, and judging from what has been published the Council appears to have done its work with much tact and discrimination. It is idle to deny.the influence of the Catholic Church in tbe United States or its growing strength. The Council endorsed Republican institutions as being in accord with the teachings and history of the Church, but condemned secular education, and declared that Catholic children should only b3 educated at Catholic schools. I leave others to reconcile these points, General Grant has refused a pension, and the bill providing for one has been withdrawn. Vanderbilt haa obtained judgment against him for 150,000d01, borrowed the morning before the collapse of Grant and Ward. He still haa an income of 15,000d0l a year, and has taken a contract to wiito tbe history of the battles of the Civil War for the "Century" magazine, which will pay bim handsomely. He will probably be restored to his army rank with full pay.

Doubtless many persons aro engaged in fruitraising in Otago. It may intereat thnm to learn that 11,000 acres have been planted in Iruit trees in Santa Clara county, California, this season. Other counties in the Stato are also planting largely. In Napa and Sonoma counties alone 500,000 French prune trees hava baen planted since fall. There aro 240,U00 acres in grape-vinos in California, the sailing value being quito 00,000,000d01, or 12 millons sterling. Owing to the fault of the London Poßt-offlce in shipping the middle portion of tho California mail on tho City of Montreal, a notoriously slow boat, the mail has bean detained till Wednesday, Dacember 24—four days after schedule time. The last portion of tha mail arrived two days before it in New York, and will be here on the 21st. This fact shows how easy it is for the English postal authorities to give the San Francisco service " a black eye."