SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7875, 18 May 1887, Page 5 (Supplement)

SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

PERSONAL

Mr W. A. Stout, 8.A., LL.B. (New Zealand University), has been admitted by his Honor Mr Justice Williams as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court.

Mr E. Pritchard, formerly of this city, has purchased the right to use in the colonies Julien's patent for tramway propulsion by electricity, the price paid being £10,000. Mr Pritchard left Sydney about a fortnight since for Brussels, all agreements having been signed before he left.

A writer in the Argus draws the following pen-and-ink portrait of the new bishop of Melbourne :—" A man of very distinct individuality, though of a very different type from either of his predecessors. Well aged, but in no way withered, hair gray, and a broad patch of whiskers beneath the chin, grey also, bushy eyebrows pent-hpuse-like over bright eyes, a mouth thaUooks better in nature than photography and chin indicating with tolerable clearness th its owner has made up his mind upon the lea. ing matters of life."

The death is announced by the Mataura Ensign of Mr Richard Wallis, of Gore, a colonist of many years' standing, who came to Canterbury in the ship Maori in 1855. He carried on business in Christchurch as a fellmonger for a number of years, and subsequently at Dunedin, Oamaru, and Timaru, sometimes as manager, and sometimes on his own account. About four years ago he started business in Gore with his eldest son.

At. the Granc Hotel a few days ago Mr J. F. Watson, sharebroker, who is leaving for England, was the recipient of a complimentary address and a gold Maltese cross from the members of the Dunedin Brokers' Association. The chairman in proposing Mr Watson's health expressed the regret of the members in parting with Mr Watson, and on behalf of the associa-

tion wished hi.m and his family bon voyage. The Earl of Aberdeen arrived at Auckland by the Wairarapa on May 10, and was formally welcomed by the mayor. The Government telegraphed on May 10 to Mr J. P. Maitland, chief commissioner of Crown lands, stating that Mr John Logan has beeu appointed a member of the Otago Waste Lands Board.

The Gazette notifies the appointment of Captain A. Burus (North Dnnedin Rifles), and Captain J. B. Callan (Dunedin Irish Rifles), to be majors of the lst Battalion Otago Rifles. The Rev. Dr Stuart, acting on the advice of his medical adviser and in accordance with the desire of the Knox Kirk session, has retired from active work for a short time, and spend a wellearned holiday at Queenstown. On Wednesday the harvest festival was celebrated at St. Martin's, North-East Valley, by holy communion at 8 a.m. and full choral evensong at 7.30 p.m., sung by the choir of St. Paul's, Dunedin. The sermon was preached by the Rev.Quartus Bacon, and the following clergy took part in the service:—Venerable Archdeacon Edwiirds, Revs. W. Ronaldson, H. J. Freeland, F. B. Watson, and B. M. King (curate in charge). The decorations were very tasteful, and the font was specially admired. After the service the ladies of the congregation entertained the visitors at tea. The collections during the day amounted to £3 9s 9d.

The parishioners of St. John's Church, Roslyn, met in the schoolhouse on the 20hh April, to present the Rev. R. A. Kerkham with an illuminated address on the eve of his departure for England. Mr Mander, on behalf of the vestry and churchwardens, said that all that they wanted to do was to wish Mr Kerkham joy and happiness in his trip, and that when h<; came back again he would find the parish ready to welcome him. Mr Kerkham said that it seemed to him almost: impossible to form into words the thoughts and feelings that were uppermost in his mind. He assured them that the practical proof put in the address would be highly valued by Mrs Kerkham and himself. He said the object of, his going Home was partly to see his friends and partly to raise funds for the extension of the church. He expected to return again in about eight months''time. He sincerely thanked those of his friends who had been instrumental iii presenting the address. News has been received by the Itew Zealand Shipping Company of the death of Captain Holbeche, of their ship the Wairoa, who died at sea on the 19th February. Captain Holbeche was only married a short time before leaving Lyttelton on this trip Home.

A Press Associationjtnessage records the death at Auckland on the 28th April of an dldeolonist named Captain Kell.who came to New Zealand in 1839. The deceased was the first white boy to land at Hawaii, where Captain Cook was murdered.

Mrs Livingston, another old resident of the city, has passed away. With her husband,.Mr Thomas Livingston, the deceased lady had resided here about 20 years. One of their family was third engineer of the Tararua, and lost his life in the disaster to that vessel. Mr Livingston put down the first asphalt paths in Dunedin.

The funeral of the late Mr Thomas Thomson, the well-known monumental mason, was very _ largely,,, attended, „. between 200 and 300 persons forming the cortege. Among those present were a great number of old residents and many directors and members of the Caledonian.Society, of which body the deceased gentleman was *. tor many : years a prominent member. The Rev. Mr Porter, of Morningtoui, officiated most impressively at the grave. j

A meeting of the Dunedin Orchestral Association was held sonje weeks ago, principally with,the view of bidding farewell to, Mr E. Mears, Jone of the most prominent members of the society, who has taken his departure •for England. During the evening Mr Martin, the society's conductor, said a few words of farewell to Mr Mears, referring to the great services he: had rendered to the members. The health of Mr and Mrs Mears was afterwards proposed and cordially responded to. Mr Mears, in returning thanks, congratulated the members on keeping so well .together. As treasurer of the society 1., announced that there would remain, a balance in hand of £23 7s 6d after deducting £.'*}o he was taking Home to purchase instp maenis.

Te Whangapiri, the great ancient Maori prophet or tohunga of the Arawa tribe, died at Rotorua on the $th inst. at the ripe old age of J. 20 —so say the Maoris, ft was only the other .day that he assisted in the opening ceremony of the Rotorua railway. Re maintained all his faculties to the jast, and passed away almost in his sleep. /"During the last 50 years of hjs life his seryicea were often in requisition to r.emoye tapufcom any particular person qr -buSdiotf, for which he often got large sums.

An old and respected settler in the person of Mr Wm. Barr, of the Kaikorai Valley, died suddenly on the 10th of May. He arrived in the mOM by the ship Philip Laing, and for some years represented Kaikorai in the Provincial Council. The deceased gentleman leaves a grown-up family, one of whom is the well-known solicitor Mr J. A. Barr, of Dunedin

For marny years past Dr Hocken has taken great interest in everything relating to the early history of the colony, and the material which has heen used in his lectures before the Otago Institute has beep collected with trouble aud expense, whv>h oply an enthusiast would devote to it. He h#s jjiigt .completed the purchase in* Wellington o^ spn&e ptniportant papers to assist him in his research 'j&esie papers Include files of old newspapers, *uoh as the New Zealand Gazette, Wellington Independent, the Spectat3r, and the Cook Strait Guardian, &c., together with early files of Hawke's Bay and other papers.

A presentation of a handsome gold Maltese cross was made to Mrs. Alfred G. Price recently at the South Dunedin Council Chambers, in recognition of her bravery in saving the life of Mrs Jardine at the St. Clair baths a short time ago. The cross was the gift of a number of Wellington ladies. It was made by Mr Hislop of Dunedin, and bore the following inscription: "Presented to' Mrs Price for saving life at St. Clair, by a number: of ladies. March 3,1878." ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. A man named Walter Davidf on, of Collingwood stireet, Auckland, attempted to commit suicide on the sth of May in a fit of temporary insanity. He cut himself in a shocking manner about the throat and abdomen, and is now in a critical condition. Davidson was formerly a steward on the Northern Company's steamers.' lie is an able elocutionist, and was to 1 aye re* cited two parts at the Burns- Club coi.cert.on Thursday uader the patronage of the Farl and Countess of Aberdeen. It is (reported that he was suffering from religious mania, resulting from fbfcendpg Mr Dowie's faith-healing XBtssion,

Mrs John Duncan, of Cherry Farm, Waikouaiti, met her death by accident last month. She was on a visit to her daughter, Mrs Shand, of Keith Hall, and intended paying a visit to the Henley Dairy Factory. Iv getting into the buggy her foot slipped, and she fell. She only made a joke of the occurrence, however, and got into the trap. Very shortly after she complained of feeling unwell, and was driven back to Keith Hall; she was put to bed, and on Sunday she died. Internal injuries had been inflicted by the fall. She was an old identity, having arrived in Otago by the Mooltan in December 1849. It may be remembered in connection with the Mooltan that she arrived at Port Chalmers on Christmas Day, and that there were 13 passengers died of cholera during the: voyage. Mr Alexander Smith, of Mosgiel, arrived in Otago by the same boat. A lamentable case of suicide occurred on April 27. Mr E. S. Hay, a well-known solicitor of this town, was discovered at his residence in George street at about half-past 3 or 4 o'clock in a dying condition. He was undressed, and had committed suicide by cutting his throat with a table knife, which was found on a chair near the bed. The deceased gentleman was unmarried and resided with his sister. Miss Hay had seen him twice in the morning, and knew that he was in a nervous and unsatisfactory mental condition, but never apprehended that he was in a state that rendered it unsafe to trust him alone. On returning home in the afternoon, after a short absence, she visited his bedroom, and discovering what had occurred, at once summoned Dr Stirling, who lives in the adjoining house. When the doctor arrived the deceased was pulseless and blood ceased to flow, although death did not actually take place for an hour or more afterwards. Dr Coughtrey was also sent for, but nothing at all could be done. The deed had been accomplished with a certain deliberation, but the manner of its execution nevertheless showed clearly the mental condition of the deceased at the time. There is evidence that he was subject to delusions, and the night before his death he refused to take a sleeping draught, which was pressed upon him, asserting that. if was Jpoisoned with antimony. _On the morning of May 2 the dead body, of Mr J. J. de Lambert, wine and spirit merchant, of Oamaru, was found lying upon a sofa in his office. He left home at about half-past 6 o'clock the evening previous, bidding his family good-bye, and saying he was going into the country and would be home for luncheon. Dr Wait was callel in, but life had been extinct for some time. The deceased had purchased a quantity of prussic acid from Mr Dodds, chemist, saying it was to poison a dog; and on the morning of his death two small bottles smelling of this acid were found in his oflice—one beside the sofa and the other under the body on the sofa. At the inquest evidence was given that tho deceased had complained-several times of suffering from insomnia, and medical evidence was given that insomnia if long continued would ■ render a man irresponsible for his acts. No evidence was given to assign any cause for the act, and the post mortem showed that the deceased had taken suflicient of the acid to kill several men. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased died by his own hand while in a state of insanity. The deceased, who was in a fair way of business, leaves a widow and eight children. His life was iusured in the Government office for £500

We (Bruce Herald) regret to announce that Mr J. Mortimer, of North Branch, has met his death as the result of inhaling the fumes of phosphorised grain. He obtained the grain early last week for the purpose of poisoning rabbits, which are very numerous about his place, and placed itin an outhouse. Shortly afterwards he went into the same place to clean a gun, and while there observed that there were white fumes about, but paid no particular attention to the fact, not thinking it of any consequence. Some time afterwards he felt very unwell and commenced to throw up black vomit, and was soon suffering great pain. This went on more or less for a couple of days, when Dr Stewart was sent for. There being no known effectual antidode for poisoning by phosphorus, the doctor administered magnesia as the best thiug under the circumstances, but the vomiting still continued. On Sunday morning, howeverj there was an apparent changed for the better: thesufferer was hiccoughing a good deal, but the paiu was partially gone. The doctor succeeded in stopping the hiccoughi. Mr Mortimer felt much better, and thought he would get over it. A reaction set in, however, and he shortly breathed his last. The vomit, we are informed, was quite luminous in the dark. Mr Mortimer was an old and respected resident in the district, and much sympathy is felt for his widow under the sad /ircumstances which attended his death.

- Robert Corse committed suicide at Dobsontown on April 20 by drowning himself in the river. He was unsettled in his mind owing to his inability to get work or to provide for his wife and four children. Seeing so little food in the house on Wednesday morning, he committed the act.

A man named Matthew Armour was admitted to the hospital on the 9th inst. suffering from fracture of the skull. He fell a distance of 25ft ta 30ft. He is making progress towards recovery.

Two men were burned at the Wallsend mine, (W.C.) on the 9th. They put iv a shot which blew out the tamping. This fired the brattice cloth, which ignited some coal dust. Fortunately this was damp and no damage resulted. There was no gas present, the place having been tried just before and after the accident.

Mr Braithwaite, an old Waikaia resident, sustained a painful accident on Saturday. While sledging timber from the bush he was knocked down, both horses and loaded sledge passing over him. Mr Braithwaite has sustained severe injuries to the left shonlder blade, and bas besides dislocated the left hip joint. < An accident which terminated fatally, happened at the railway overbridge at Crawford street recently. It appears that as one of the girders of the bridge was being raised by a crane it fell, owing to the chain slipping, and struck a man named Thomas Hall on the head aud back. The sufferer was removed to the hospital, when it was found that he had been very badly injured. On the following morninglhis life was despaired of, and at about half-past 3 o'clock in the afternoon he expired. He was a yonng unmarried man, 23 years of age, and lived at Green Island. Another accident, though not of such a serious nature, also occurred on Saturday afternoon. A young man named Richard Edwards had his leg badly bruised while at work on the trucks on the reclaimed ground. He was taken to the hospital, and is now progressing favourably.

A serious accident is reported by the Press to have occurred at Mr H. Mardon's flax mill, Rangiora, on Thursday. A youth about 16, named Sloan, son of Mr H. Sloan, Southbrook, was engaged washing flax near the water wheel, which was not working at the time of the accident. By some mischance he fell into the wheel, which then revolved, taking the youth with it. His mates, missing him shortly afterwards, found him under the wheel, and succeeded, after great, difficulty, in extricating him, but not before he I was seriously crushed. The sufferer was removed to his parents'home... ""'-'' RELIGIOUS. ; The Rev. Mr Dowie, the faith healer, delivered, an address in Auckland on tbe privileges, duties, and responsibilities of Christians in regard to public, affairs. Commencing with a denunciatory commentary on the pulpit, he next, in a tirade of abuse, attacked the Ministry of New Zealand from the Premier downwards, the latter more especially in his capacity of Minister of Education, and urged his hearers to insiston a change. He said that a man who denounced the Bible and cast it beneath his feet was not fit to control the education of the youth of the colony, and that New Zealand, as a Christian country, should have a Christian Premier., Mr Dowie made a violent attapk on tfte j^inistep of Justice, and winding up with a vehement tirade, said that a Jew and two infidels were the Government of this Christian pountry. Ijte concluded by an onslaught on the press/saying he did nofc psre igt .criticfspi, apd hp 4pnonnped the newspapers as vile, mercenary, &n4 ijnsprupulous . .•''.'■ i

The erection of New Zeafond into aa Archbishopric of the Roman' Cathojic Church was made public on April 30 as follows:— "Wellington is to be made the archdiocese of the province of New Zealand. It is intended that the metropolitan see shall jn.clude- Wellington, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Nelson districts, and also part of \Vestland. The archbishop bis jurJsdi,ction immediately upon his election, but Dr Redwood's formal investment cannot take place for some months, as it is necessary that he should first apply to the Vatican for his 'pallium,' as an additional part of his robe is called. The pallium must be brought from Rome by a bishop or some other high ecclesiastical dignitary, and on its arrival the ceremony of its presentation will probably be conducted by the senior bishop of the colony, Dr Moran, of Dunedin. His grace the new archbishop is not likely to return to Wellington for about a fortnight, having yet. to visit . New Plymouth and also to preach at the laying bf the foundation stone of a new church at Onehunga. Meanwhile telegrams of congratulations are reaching him from the bishops, priests, and laity of the . colony. Cardinal Moran, of Sydney, has also cabled to his grace in complimentary terms. It may be mentioned that Bishops Duun (Brisbane) and Reynolds (Adelaide) have also been. elected to archigpiscopal rank." In response to the invitation of the respective pastors, Mr D. Wright has been during the last few weeks conducting special missions at Ashburton, Flemington, Wakanui, Rakaia, South- | bridge, Akaroa, and Kaiapoi. He ha# now begun work in Christchurch, and will remain xrT f rxTth? e weeks. Thp Rev. R. Erwn, M.A, of North Belt, and Rev. J. Elmslie, of St. Paul s, will be associated with him". ' X. A'}t- a' .harveßfc festival service held in St. Matthew s Church, the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, M.A.., delivered a short address, in which he made pointed reference to the debt on the' Cburjhes. He said they were from year to year doing nothing to reduce the debt, but on the contrary the ordinary expenditure ■ was considerably more than the ordinary income, and the difference had to be made up by extrabrdmary efforts of a kind of which perhaps the less said the better. The clergy were all overworked, and the church was paying on her debt interest that would be sufficient to support more clergy. They talked of hard times, but let them think of the amount spent on luxuries, costly amusements, ostentatious dress and entertainment, and then think of the amount—thepitiful amount—of self-sacrifice an ordinary Christian man was capable of ancl exhibited for the sake of his church. It was aridiciilously infinitesimal self-sacrifice any one of them—clergy or laity exhibited for the sake of the church. The present condition of things, he argued, would tend to cripple the churoh jn the future,

In consequence of medical advice, the Rev. H. J. ; Freeland did not consent to be nominated for the incumbency of St. Mafc.thew's. The announcement has been received with great regret by the parishioners, for the reverend gentleman has been most successful in working up the parish and largely increasing the attendance at the services. Mr Freeland intends to stay at St. Matthew's until an incumbent can be procured.. The annual social meeting in connection with the Caversham Presbyteriaii| Church was held m the Oddfellows' Hall, Caversham, last week, and was largely attended, about 250 persous being present. The following ladies presided at the tables:—Mesdames Hurst, Milne, Baxter,^ Sidey, William Barron, John Barron, Mackley, Park, Sibbald, Alexander M'lndoe, J. S. Smith, Allen,; Rennie, Dobie; Misses Scoular, Boyce, M'Laren, and Wilkie. After the tea had been disposed.of reports were read, which showed both the church and Sunday school to be in a flourishing condition. There was a considerable addition to the membership of the church. The receipts for the year had been £434 16s 6d, and the expenditure £389 17s. The Sunday school comprised 22 teachers and 200 scholars, the average attendance being 180. After the reports had been read addresses were delivered by -.the Re.vs. Fraser-Hurst (pastor of the church), Toukinson, Bannerman, and Mr W. Hutchison. The choir, under the 1 ;adership of Mr Dickson, also rendered a number of musical selections at intervals during the evening, and Mr French presided at the organ. -The Waikouaiti congregation, following the general current.of opinion, have resolved upon an '_'innovation "in favour of instrumental music. The Palmerston Times says that at a meeting of the kirk session held on the 18th inst. the voting papers on the question were examined, when it was found that there were 39 members for and 10 against; 51. adherents for and 22 against. The session agreed to transmit the result to the presbytery, with the recommendation that the use of instrumental music be granted.

b' . MISCELLANEOUS. The Southland Frozen Meat Company have ' made an agreement with Messrs Tyser and ? Co., of London, to run four steamers annually \ between the Bluff aud London, carrying frozen ' meat. The first vessel is to sail in September '. next. The company has been compelled to I take this course owing to the refusal of the direct steam companies to send their steamers ' here to load. The vessels to be employed will be 50-day boats. Messrs Tyser and Co. are the firm who broke up the Australian freight ring. ■ A movement is on foot to approach the Government re landing the mails and passengers at the 1 Bluff by the Harbour Board's tug, now that the direct steamers do not call at Port Chalmers. The Chinese are said so far to have succeeded ■ pretty, well with their tobacco farm on the Waitahuna road. The crop has been success^ fully cut, and the leaves are now being dried. They expect to be able to turn it to very good account, and that their labours will be profitably rewarded. The manufacture of the leaf into the-marketable commodity has commenced, the factory being situated in Stafford street, Dunedin.' The usual order of things is in this instance reversed, as instead of white men employing Chinese cheap labour the Chinese are employing white labour—the factory being under the charge of Messrs Dempsey and Son, and white labour only being employed in it. Consequent on a recent difference of opinion betweenthe Invercargill Borough Council and the Union Bauk re the former's method of drawing on municipal funds for harbour works in their dual capacity of council and New River Harbour Board, the council have transferred their bankiug'account to the Bank of New Zealand. The Auditor-general having cautioned the council that their practice was illegal, the Union Batik declined to honour cheques for "harbour works; hence the rupture. The, Salvation Army appear to be over-zealous in the neighbourhood of Gore. The health officer (Mr G. T. Stockwell) writes as follows to the mayor and councillors:—"l am instructed by the Waimumu subdivision of the Lindhurst Road Board, per the chairman, to inform you that members of the Gore Salvation held a religious.meeting in and about the house of Mr Jas: Stark during the interment of a child, the cause of death being scarlet fever, and others sickening in the house at the time. Although warned, they persisted in entering." The Board of Advice in connection with the newly-established Labour Exchange has held it* first meeting. The secretary reported that he had sent; out posters (as approved of at the last meeting) to all postmasters in the provincial district, and circulars to all runholders. He intended sending posters and circulars to all railway and police stations. A "list of 96 persons who were unemployed had been sent in by Mr T.Bracken, M.H.R., and these names had been ■ent in to the police officers for report. Repliesregarding 48 had beenreceived.and all of these men, except about 10, were deserving of having work found for them. After some discussion, it was decided that when Mr Ussher returned to town Mr Allan should call a meeting of the unemployed, and explain to them that work would be given a certain number on the Romahapa railway, _ provided they took up sections alongside the line on the homestead system. It was pointed out that the men could hardly be expected to take their families down to the land in the first instance, but must be allowed a reasonable time to make homes for them. The secretary reported that through the exchange one housekeeper had been engaged at £30 per an.'num.one ploughman at £45, and a lad at 15s per week. He had on his list a number of both. married and single ploughmen and farm servants.

The'customs revenue collected in the colony last month was £119,402, as against £108,631 for the corresponding month last year. The amounts collected at the principal ports were-— Auckland, £30,144; Wellington, £17,672; Lyttelton, add Christchurch, £25,768; Dunedin, £25;82:1. The beer duty last month was £454), being an increase of £40 over the corresponding month for 1886. Auckland contributed £10*8; Christchurch, £859; Dnnedin. £905; Wellington, £508. A meeting was" held at the Chamber of Commerce on the llth of May to consider the question of closing the chamber at the end of the present year. It is not contemplated to break up the chamber as an organisation, but to close the hall itself,and reorganise the body in a more modest habitation. The present ambitious premises have proved altogether beyond the means of the chamber, and have run it into arrears to the extent of some £500. Tbe original anticipations that the haU would be used as an exchange and be frequently hired for public meetings have proved delusive. The Sydney Chamber of Commerce is understood to be in a somewhat similar position.

An extraordinary general meeting of the Accident Insurance Association of New Zealand was held at the association's office, High street, on Tuesday,, Mr Eley being in the chair. A resolution passed at a previous meeting, providing that the association be wound up aud that Messrs Edward Smith, of Christchurch, and George Esther, of Dunedin, be appointed liquidators, was confirmed, the chairman having previously stated that he had proxies amounting to 32,801 shares in favour of the motion.

A very interesting collection of New Zealand native birds has been shown at the establishmeat of Mr C. Bills, George street. They have been got together for export to Germany to tho order of certain zoological societies in that country, and the collection, comprises ten kiwis, three young kakapos, one kea, and two kakas. All are excellent specimens of their tribe, and are well worth inspection. The Maori Parliament at Shelley Beach, Kaipara, which was opened on the 13th ult., under the presidency of Paul, of Orakei, has just closed. The resolutions unanimously adopted were:—Claiming the right to manage their own affairs, according to the Treaty of Waitangi; condemning the Native land Act of last session 'f .as the culminating point of oppression of the Natives by the Government": and deplaring that t^ey wjll ijpt submit to such a law on their lands. Copies are to be forwarded to the Premier. Native Minister, and Sir George Grey. The Parliament represents the Ngapuhi, Parawa, Epga, Timaru, and Ngatiwhatau tribes. '

A movement is on foot on the West Coast to found a home for miners. The proposal (says the West Coast Times) has met with such fayour in the centres of population recently visited by Mr Bevan, that active steps are going to be taken to bring tbe matter to a successful issue. Meetings about to be called at Rimu with that object in view, and' it is proposed to send delegates to the central committee in its furtherance. At Woodstock, Kanieri, and Ross the' same feeling prevails, so that it will be judicious on the part of the meeting to be held at the Town Hall on Monday night to await the result of the deliberations of the miners themselves on this all-important subject ere any conclusion is arrived at; but under any circumstances we feel satisfied that, whether the idea receives a fulfilment in celebrating the jubilee or not, the matter will ere long be successfully and practically affirmed by the people of these districts.

The Tuapeka Times says that amongst those who availed themselves of the excursion from Lawrence to Dunedin last week were several grown-up people, born iv Tuapeka, and who had never been in a railway train before. There were others who had not been in Dunedin since they arrived on the goldfield some 20 years ago, one settler riot haviug seen tho metropolis since he left it with his swag in 1863.

ThtLcountry papers on the line of route all approve of having the Otago Central railway constructed by a private company, in view of the poor prospects of the Government ever taking it.to a paying point at the present rate of progress. The Mount Ida Chronicle, commenting pn-the declaration of the member for the district bn this point, says:—" may bethought, therefore, of Mr Scobie Mackenzie's idea of inducing a company to take over the Otago Central, it h£s now beciime evident to all) as it -seems to have been to himself last year, that in that direption lies the onjy hope of its completion within a reasonable period to Maniototo Plain. Before condemnation is passed on his scheme two things should be borne in mind: The first, the success of the Wellington-Mana-watu ? Railway Company in a similar undertaking'; and the second, the demonstrable fact that to insist on the line being completed by the Government, and the Government only, is only a roundabout way of blocking the railway altogether."

It is estimated that the matter ejected in the recent volcanic eruption in New Zealand amounted to 5,000,000,000,000 cubic yards weighing 6,000,000 000,000 tons—not quite a cubic mile—but it would take more than the National Debt of England to excavate it. M'Donough Bros., the discoverers of the Mount Lyell goldfields in Tasmania, have discovered on the Rocky creek, six miles north of Pieman river, a gold-bearing reef, 20ft wide, believed to be the source of the largest nuggets obtained in Tasmania, found by M'Ginty and Griffin in the early part of 1883,