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Otago Witness, Issue 316, 19 December 1857, Page 6

Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 7th December, 1857. TTIS Honor the Superintendent has ■*-■*- been pleased to direct it to be notk fied that he has appointed - John Turnbuii. Thomson, Esquire, to be Civil Engineer for the Province of Otago. Appointment to date from Ist October, 1857. By his Honor's command, John Logan, > % ' Clerk to Superintendent ? Superintendent's Office Dunedin, 7th December, 1857. TTIS Honor the Superintendent has -*■-*- been pleased to direct it to be notified that he has appointed John Gillies, Esquire, R.M., to be an Auditor under the " Board of Audit Ordinance," Session 11., No 2. By his Honor's command, John Logan, Clerk to Superintendent.

Transportation of Convicts to New Caledonia. — We observe in a copy of the Debaisof July 25.th, 1857, the following :— We read in La Patrie that the commission appointed for the consideration of the question of transportation to New Caledonia have come to the termination of their labours. It is expected that, on the return of the Emperor to Paris, the Emperor will make a decree in conformity with their recommendation. It is said that the voices of all the members of the commission are unanimous in fixing on New Caledonia as the place most desirable to us for the establishment of penitentiaries." How Ale Strengthened Him. — We believe we have got hold of an original anecdote that never was hinted before. A student of one of our colleges had a barrel of ale deposited in his room, contrary, of course, to rule and usage. He received a summons to appear before the president, who said, " I am informed that you have a barrel of ale in your room." "Yes, sir." " Well, what explanation can you. make ?" " Why, the fact is, sir, my physician advises me to try a little each day as a tonic, and not wishing to stop at the various places where the beverage is retailed, I concluded to have a barrel taken to my room." •• Indeed, and have you derived any benefit from the use of it ?" " Ah, yes, sir. When the barrel was first taken to my room two days since, I could scarcely lift it. Now I can carry it with the greatest ease." We believe the witty student was discharged without special reprimand. — American Paper. A Northern Revivalist.— The Edinburgh Express publishes the following interesting account of the labours of Mr. Brownlow North :-r " During the past week various Free Church and Baptist pulpits in this city, including that of Dr. Candlish, hare been occupied by a laypreacher of singular power and earnestness, His name is Brownlow North ; he is a member of an aristocratic family, being a lineal descendant of the famous Lord North, by whom the island of Arran was possessed before it passed into the hands of the Hamilton family. Mr. North appears to be upwards of 40 years of age. Until a few months ago he was a man of fashion ' about town,' given to sporting and the more common forms of time-killing prevalent among the upper classes. He was then brought to a knowledge of the truth, and straightway became as active in the Evangelistic as he had previously been in the sporting field.^ Beginning in the Aberdeen and Elgin pulpits, he has been gradually making his way south ; and his ministry has been attended, in some cases, with the most remarkable results. In the history of the Scottish pulpit, there has never been such a man as Brownlow North. He is the first of his kind who has declared for the right side in the form which his energy and zeal de\elops. The Haldanes were lay preachers ; but, before they were converted, they always had been earnest and thoughtful, if not spiritual men. Here we have a 'fast man' of the aristocracy turning from the evil way in the prime of his manhood, entering the pulpit with a small stock of, theology, and great command of words, and somehow taking the hearts of the people by storm. The spectacle is unique. We listened to this remarkable preacher on Sabbath evening, when he preached from the pulpit of Dr. Candlish. The church was crowded an hour before the sermon began and hundreds were unable to procure admittance. Mr. North made his appearance in a simple but fashionable suit, such as is usually worn by a gentleman of his class. A gold' eye- glass dangled on the breast of his overcoat ; and but for the simple earnest gravity which rested on his countenance, he. looked the impersonation of the smart, loose, and attractive man about town. He led the services, calmly at first, and with the utmost simplicity. But, before he had got. through the first prayer, his frame became con-nuXsed, his bosom heaved, his hands were^clendße^ together with vice-like tenacity,. and -Jms tears streamed over his cheeks as he -implored the blessing of God upon his labour's ainSg. unconverted souls. The greater part of^^/' lecture was addressed to backsliders.- There was not much elegance in his elocution, although it was. always natural ; and his scholastic knowledge was evidently far from extensive. But, somehow, there was that in what ne said which infused a wonderful vitality into ( old. sayings, which, in estimation of some,= have become threadbare and common place. „ With the preacher many of the bearers were .dissolved in tears, and wenever saw a Scottish congregation pervaded the same thoughtful calm when it arose tc£disperse.