News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 608, 25 July 1863, Page 5

News of the Week.

(from the daily iimbs.)

Eighty-one emigrants, from Bohemia, have arrived at Auckland in the ship War Spirit. They form the advance party of a large number of German aud other continental immigrants who are about to form a special settlement in the Auckland Province.

The Hntt Valley, near Wellington, •which is periodically flooded by the overflowing of the River Hult, has again been inundated, considerable damage being done to the roads and bridges, some of the latter being washed away.

At a review in Auckland lately, a volunteer through not holding his musket sufficiently high, shot his front rank man in the elbow.

The animal ploughing match of the Taieri Agricultural Society will take place at the farm of Mr James Todil, Southam, on Friday next. The ploughs must be on the ground by 9 a.m., and all entries must be lodged with, the secretary on or before the 22nd inst.

We arc informed that a prospecting claim has been applied for by a person who has discovered payable cold in a gnlly six miles from West Tnieri. The sinking, we are told, varies from S\ to 5 feet, and the prospect obtained £d.vfc to the tin dish. We believe that this morning a number of diggers leave town tor the scene of the new discovery.

A fact lias been communicated to us, in conncctioa with the sad story of the late Mr and Mrs Campbell, which is worth recording :—Failing to get a promise of temporary accommodation at Park House, Mr and Mrs Campbell, accompanied by the Rev. Mr Edwards, went to Cooper's family Hotel, in the Octagon, and there engaged rooms. Having done so, Mr Campbell advised his wife to remain with Mrs Cooper while he went to Port Chalmers for the children, servants, and luggage ; urging that she had already sustained too much fatigue, considering the delicate state in which sbe was. Mr Edwards backed the recommendation, saying that if she preferred it, she could walk across to the Parsonage and remain there. But Mrs Campbell was not to be persuaded. She must go down, she said, for she had already been long enough away from baby ; and besides, she would be able to bring him up more comfortably than nursa could. And so she went, and was drowned by her husband's side, and with their children cliuging around them.

The yield of gold from tho gold fields of Victoria for the three months ending 3rd July, amounted, accoiding to the escort returns, to 343,480 ounces. Tho largest weekly yield was in the last week of the period, 33,662 ounces, and the lowest, on the 29th May, 15,544 ounces. The average weekly yield was 26,421 ounces.

By a return published in the "Provincial Government Gazette," the sales of rural land in the Province of Otago during the 9th ot April comprised a total of 1,438 acres, and tho amount realised -L1 ,438. The number of purchasers was 17, and the number of sections sold 32. The largest acreage disposed of was in the West Olutha Hundred, being 425 acres. The other sales varied from 238 acres to 70 acres. The sales of town land during the same period comprised a total of 75 sections, the total acreage being 18, and the 'amount; realised L 1.323 ; the largest sale was in Oamaru township, Lf 86 being received for 7 acres. During the month of May 1,892 acres of country land were disposou of to 18 purchasers for L 2,020 ; of .this quantity 82 acres in Moeraki Hundred realised 51a per acre, jMo rest was disposed of ut 20s per acre. The town lend sold during the same month comprised Scores to 23 purchasers for L7"»l, the lurgest sale being at Molyneux township, 7 acres for L 641. Tiie. average price per acre of the whole town land sold was LBl 7s lOJ. During the month of June 4»HB acres of rural laud were sold to 16 purchase^, the amount realised being Ll,llß, and the I largest sal<S was in the Eut Clutha Hundred. The ktown. land sold during the same period comprised 1. 72 -sections, the total acreage 17, and the total y&mouut realised L 1,309. The largest sale waa ih Hihe Oamaru township, 9 acres fetching Isis. ] The average price per acre of the whole tojfw. land sold during the month was L 92 IU,U)JU ' One section containing 3 perches in the^wnbaip/ of Lawrence fetched at tho rate of L2l|tlß#Bd-|» acre - • *' The Squatters' Committee, organised^to.\pre-'.., vent the spread of Saab in New South' ;V|p§j^'j have decided on destroying all Vcabbjr "Bn^gr||§§£' Goverameafc paying two-third* of theit.valtt^sS ~

A.* • "ainku, a settlement on one of the arms of the Muiuikau Harbor, the inhabitants celebrated the lit-yal Maninge by lighting huge bonfires* on the adjacent hillb. T fie Maoris in the neighborhood, thinking the fires to be the signal for a general rising of the Europeans to destroy thtm, fled from their work in co-.'.sidcr.ible fear, and it ■was ■with some difficulty thuy could be persuaded of the peaceful significance of the signal fives.

"We glean from the Hawkes Bay Herald of tne 4tli instant, that the natives in the Mahia district are making preparations, which at the present crisis are somewhat ominous. Our Hawke's Bij contemporary says:— "With the return of S3me natives from the north, some months' since, there have arrived several artists, such as a gunsmith, who is now busily at work repairing such guns as had become useless, making screw nipples, &c, and with great efficiency; a caiver in wood, ■who has turneil out some good and handsome work, particularly in stocking guns; and a powder and shot manufacturer, who only awaits a supply of saltpetre to commence operations, which under the present law, he will not easily obtain." The General Government Gazette contains the I following memorial from the Girvan Uaud Loom | Weavers' Emigration Society, addressed to the Governor and Executive Council of New Z r.land: — " The Petition of the Girvau Hand Loom Weavers' Emigration Society, humbly sheweth — That your Petitioners are Hand Loom Weavers in the Town of Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, and owing to the depression of trade, and the low rate of wages (being on an average four shillings an,l sixpence per week), and only partialij employed for the last three years past ; makes our position very deplorable, and on account of the circumstances we are forced to apply to you for assistance to enable us to emigrate to j our colony. Our district being a rural one, we are all less or more acquainted with field operations, in seed time and harvest ; but, being necessitated by the depressions of trade, we are accustomed at all timub of the year to out-door labor — viz., sueli as making of roads, and all other useful employment*.. Your Petitioners cousidor that they would be useful to the colony in a general way by endeavor ing to advance it in piosj trity and wealth, and at the same time, raising themselves in tho social scale, and becoming useful raembeis of society. Under the above-mentioned circumstances, we humbly beg that jou will take our case into consideration, and grant us free passages, or in any other way to you seeming most fit and convenient, further the oWjecfc we have in view. We are also willing to come under any obligations and directions which you ciay coneider not only for our interest, but also ior the benefit of the Colony, and under the regulations formed br the different associations therein for the purpose of emigration. And your humble Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. Samuel Lyons, treasurer ; William John Ilervcy chairman ; William Stead, secretary." " We, the undersgned ministers and gentlemen of Girvan, knowing the circumstances of the petitioners, to be as set forth in the foregoing petition do very cordially support the prayer thereof. William Cowan, minister of Girvan ; David Chapman, minister ot South Church ; Adam Blytlie, minister of Free Church ; John Steller, minister of U. P Church ; R. Smith, J.P. ; David Andrews, banker ; Jno. Lusk, merchant; Matthew Brown, ironmonger. All communications on this subject to be addressed to the Parish Minister of Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland."

The schooner Osprey recently arrived at Auckland from Rorotonga ; she had a very line weather passage of twenty-one days from Dunedin lo Korotonga, where she took in a cargo of fruit ami

Bailed for Auckland on the 17th ultimo, expo- j riencing light and variable winds all the way across. The Tahitian misskmry (Mr Howe) previously reported dangerously ill, died at liorotonga on the 9th June ; he was a pieus, zealous man, and highly respected by all who knew him. The Osprey brought one passenger, Capt. Ii vine, ■who handed to the New Zealander the following, ■with reference to the slayers of the South Pacific : — "Intelligence was received at Rorotonga, on the 20th May last, by the whaler Triton, to the effect that a slaver (name unknown lu;i n '•< •• - ful clipper barque) touched at Sauday Lu«iu t in the beginning of May, and interred the bod i s of sixty natives, having previously committed '■nine forty others to the deep. This vessel had nude a clean sweep of one island, carrying off some 200 natives, but bad not proceeded far on her voyage before dysentery broke out amongst the captive 5 ?, carrying nearly the whole of them off. Pre\ iors to the Triton's sailing from Sunday Island, the slaver had left on a cruise among the islands, for the purpose of seizing other natives." In the present muddy and generally undrinkable condition of a good deal ot the water in Dunedin, me following extr.wt (nun the 5. M Herald may prove of service :~" During die late flood on the Lower Lachlan, the water was to

very dirty as to be all but unfit for use, and few

persons in these parts possessing filters, various methods bad to be adopted for endeavoring to cause a deposit of the impure matter. One plan was found to be very successful, and, being very simple, may, perhaps, be worth mentioning A cask, or any other vessel, being filled with wtitcr

you put into it two or three spades full of red In t wood ashes, and stir about rhe water with the spade. In course of two or three hours it will settle, all the impurities sinking to the bottom or the vessel and the watei will be found beautifull y clear and any ill taste that it formerly possessed will be entirely destroyed."

We extract the following particulars in connection with tl.e recent fljods, from the Dun-. tun

News of tbe Isth inst. .—Last Sunday night and rooming rain fell in almost a perfect sheet, c vising, as was anticipateJ, the river to rise agai'i far beyond the former flood. There was again a repetition of the former scone, logs and sawn timber coming down in almost endless confusion. One man aveis he distinctly saw a billiard table 11 wting down, as also the bodies of thiee horses. The flooded state of the various tributaries of the Kawarau, has rendered communication between the Lakes and Dunstan almost impassable. The Koaring M<g, not generally a diffi -tilt river to cro c s, was as much flooded asto render crossing extremely peiiloua 1 . Several pack-horses are reported to be washed away, and both load and horses lost. It is not known'if any human lives are lost in this locality, buc it is greatly feared there are. A rumour was afloat yesterday that a great many were drowned at Fox's and the Shotovcr. \Vith the known rapidity with which these rivers rise, overwhelming all before them, we fear the rumor must h ive some foundation. Not only the districts above this township have suffered, but at the Ma-iu-herikia and Mount Benger districts. Mucli Ics of property and, in some casts, of lives, are reported. Two men at trie Teviot were endca^ oringtopull a large log out of the river, wl.cn the stream suddenly caught the log and pulled the two men into the current, where they sank to rise no more. These aie not the only ca-es. Rumors have come in from all quarters of similar casualties, and we fear, when the total is arri\ od at, it will show how wide-spread has been the damage inflicted hy the flood in the Molyneax. Miners, who bad made themselves snug for the winter, having built sod huts with thatched roi.fs, are completely washed out ; ami so disheartened have most of them tecomo, that even good claims have been left in utter disgust."

We notice that the new stern wheel steamer Tuapeka, which lias been specially built for the navigation of the Molyneux, is advertised to make her first trip on Saturday next, the 20th inst. The performances cf this pioneer of the Molyneux river navigation will be watched with some anxiety by all interested in the opening up of the inland water communication of the Province.

We understand that Robert Henry Forman, Esq., has been appointed Sheriff of the Province of Otago, vice John Gillies? Esq., resigned.

Robert H. Forman and John Orbcll Esqrs., have been appointed as Justices of the Peace ior tbe Colony of New Zealand, On Monday evening the heavy fall of snow upcountry completed obliterated all traces of coadi trace, and the Dunatah conveyance was literal/y si.owed up. The driver, icins in hand, sat on the box the whole of tho night, and the passengers intnm the coach bad to make themselves as comfortable as best they could. Mr William Logic, the C.'ifef Inspector of She. p Swnr ?,f' ]mS a l J P oin tea Mr Hcct ,r M Nem Campbell as a Sub-Inspector of Sheep U>r the Province of Dingo. Tho following are tho addresses of tho Sub-luspectors for the trounce—Mr 1. livard IWH. Oamaru j Mr H ei ,ry Campbell Port Chalmers; Mr 11. M'Niell Camnbdl Seals Station, Taieri Lake; Mr Mark Dale Waitahunaj Mr Simon Harvey, Waimva. Popo tunoa. Each Inspector is confined as much as possible to the locality near his residence, but can •t i» *ny part of the ProTince,

In the Armti and Navy Gazette, in Januiry, 1861, there appeared an article which we reprint in auother column, from its singular appropriateness to the circumstances of the present Native war. It offers some invaluable hints as to the tactics to be pursued in carrying on hostilities against a semi-savage race, with whom it is impossible to deal on the same principles of military raanoeiuring by which Wellington won Waterloo. The war with the Maoris is precisely what the writer of this article describes as f a war of surprises and ambuscades, in which individual efficiency is of far more importance than numbers, or than that tactical machinery which Avorks by rule and regulation." Most judicious and timely are the counsels given as to the best mode of conducting this struggle and the surest means of putting a prompt and final end to it, and we commend the article to the thoughtful perusal of all who have any iesponsibie part to play in this unfortunate war.

We learn from the weekly report of the Otago Benevolent Institution that tho number of cises on hand on July 17th was 22 ; for whose relief a weekly expenditure of L2O was incurred. TVI2 extent of relief afforded by the institution varied from 15s to L 2 per week, according to the requirements of the respective cases. The recipients of the cli irity comprise children, orphans or deserted by their parents, persons who from sickness or old age are unable to work, and ha\e no other sources of income, and others whose peculiar circumstances may recommend them to assistance from this estimable institution.

We have had submitted for our inspection a sample of gold alleged by the finder to have been procured on Saddle Hill, or in its immediate neighborhood. The finder is a lad named Adams, and he states he discovered the specimen whilst out prosj>ecting in the district mentioned. The specimen is a small nugget about three-fourths of nn inch long, half an inch wide, and three-eighths of an inch in thickness, and is composed ot quartz, cor.tcu and intersected with gold, of which probably there is 15 to 20 per cent, iv the nugget. The discoveries which have from time lo unit: been made in the neighborhooi of Saddle Llill sec-m to indicate the probability of a payable gold field being found in that district.

The alarming spread of sma.ll pox in England and tho possible introduction of the disease into tliis colony by means of immigrants, should induce the most prompt and anxious attention of the authorities to protect the colony from such a visitation by every possible moans. A strict fulfilment of quarantine regulations will do much to prevent its introduction; but equally impoi taut it> it that preventive means should be adopted by the colonit-ts themselves, so as to lessen the consequeness of so deplorable a circumstance as the uutbrcak of small pox. In the absence of a compulsory Vaccination Act, tho very necessary precaution of vaccination is, there is reason to bs-

lievp, much neglected in the cisc of children born in the colony— a neglect which may prove a fearful misfortune in the event of small pox becoming prevalent. So important is vaccination considered by all medical authorities, that the revaccination of a'lults is earnestly recommended as the best safeguard against tiie fearful scourge which is proving so fatal in England at the present time, and which has in other countries in bygone years decimated whole communities. It is to be

hoped the Government will prep ire a Vaccination

Act ntxt session, as by no other than compulsory legal means can the grand bulk of the population be induced to adopt so necessary a precaution. In Victoria, the Government have announced the intention to rigidly enforce! the provisions of the Vaccination Act of 1853, the police being instructed to bring all cases of neglect before the authorities. The Victorian Act is substantially as follows :—": — " Sec. I. The parent ' of any child above the age of six months and under the age of fourteen years, who on and after the first day of April next bhall not have caused such child to be vaccuiated, shall, in respect of every such child be deemed guilty of an offence against this Act, aud shall ior every bucli offence forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding five pounds, unless such parent shall show to the sati>';KHion of the Justices before whom the coinplamt =Vl be hoard, reasonable cause or excuse for not having caused such child to be vaccinated. Sec. 2. On the hearing of any information or complaint under this Act, it shall not be necessary tor the complainant to prove that any child therein mentioned is above the age of six months and under tiie age of fourteen years ; but ihe tarv\ei\ of proof that s>uch child is not above tiv age of six months, or is not under the age of ' fourteen 3"ears, shall be upon the parent against v itom the complaint shall be made. b^c. 5. \7hcie the father of any child shall be absent i. nn the colony, the mother shall be t'cemud ihe I 1 ivfliit of such child fin llvj purposes of such Act; I a-! 1 t!ic; gooJs and chattels, if any, in tl>u colony, hJo.igm" 1 to the father, whether in possrssit n 01 the mother or not, shall bj liable to be taken Li execution, and disposed of in satisfaction of such p-.uilty as may be awarded against tho mother. »Si '. o'. Where both the parents of any child shall Lo dtad, or absent from the colony, or their place ( - residence shall not be known, the person wHi viiom such child shall usually reside, or win 'li'ill have the care or charge of such child, slnll, .'. r the purposes of this \.;t, be detmed to be the I .vent of such child .—Colonial Secretary's Office £2ii.l Juno, lSliO.'' On SaUmlay lust the Daily Times leichei a higher cii dilation than noc only it, lut wo believe, any other paper in the tvlony ever attained. The circulation was considerably over 0,500 copies, aud at least 1500 more at a moderate computation could have been disposed of! The same morning, the edition of the Witness issued fiom thesameoffice, was over 3000. Wo h'lve not hitherto mentioned that sometime back, to meet the gi owing demands on the printing department, a powerful steam engine was added to the office. By its aid two single cylinder machines are driven, each of which is capable of striking of from 900 to 1,000 sheets per hour. _ Tho reported gold field at the North Taieri, is situated some twenty-four miles from town. It ii on this side of the rher, about ten miles above Hooper's. The prospector is Simon Fraser. lie found gold in a small creek running into the Taieri, and on sinking into the bank obtained a prospect which induced him to visit town to ask for a prospecting claim. The prospect is stated to be 2 dwts to the tin dish, sinking from one to four feet. He produced in all about 4 dwts of gold, one piece of which averaged nearly 2 dwts. The creek takes its rise from Powder Hill, or us it is called in the map Boulder Hill. It is situated on a run formerly belonging to the present Superintendent, but its present occupant is Mr B jyd. The auriferous appearance of tho locality was the 6ubject of comment, we are told, years

ago. On Wednesday a number of gentlemen met at Green Island to celebrate the opening of a new coal pit in that district. The proprietor, Mr John Honey, formerly of the Welsh collieries, lias had considerable experience in the coal mines of this Province. The ground in question is said to be of the most promising description, as from a citting in an old road in the neighborhood the run of the coal can be plainly seen. After a number of (happily brief) speeches, a bottle was duly broken by Mr Frank Rogers, of the Knikorai Hotel, near which the works are situate, and the shaft was christened the " Abbotsford Colliery." We are glad to see in this an addition to the sources of local industry. The want of a brass band has long heen felt in Dunedin. On public occasions considerable difficulty hag been experienced in obtaining a respectable muster of musicians, but this want is likely now to he supplied. On Tuesday evening, the first lehearsal of the Provincial Band took place at the Provincial Hotel. The instruments have been purchased by Mr S. E. R. Jones ; and the band already musters some thirteen performers, who, by the promise given last night, bid fair to attain a high degree of excellence. Mons Fleury is the conductor, and we understand it is the intention to increase the band to twenty members. A numerously attended and influential meeting was held at the Provincial Hotel, on Wtdnesda}' afternoon, for the purpose of initiating an Artillery Volunteer Corps. Mr Carrick was called to the chair. After some preliminary business, it was moved by Mr F. H. Evans, seconded by Mr C. Webb, ' and unanimously agreed " That those present do form themselves into the Dune din Artillery Volunteer Corps " Other resolutions were adopted ; and after a few remarks fiom, Mr C. Webb, the following were Appointed a subcommittee to report generally as to tho best steps to bp taken to consolidate the movement: — Messrs C. G. Ross, F, Pandin, Stevenson, C. Webb, Stoddart, A. Girriek, and J. 11. Webb. The meeting was ad j turned to four o'clock to-morrow afternoon, for the reception of the Committee's repor

It would appoar that tho Alpacas introduced into Austral.a under the auspices of Sir Ledger, have not prospered under tho management of that gentlemen, to the extent anticipated. A Sydney telegram in the Aryus states that in consequence of the expressed dissatisfaction of the New South Wales Government, Mr Ledger lias resigned his charge of the animals.

In the agricultural report of the Argus of the 10th. instant we find the following paragraph relative to pleuio-pneumonia in Gipps Land :— " Gipps Land is now, nt any rate, contributing ita quota of diseased meat to the metropolis ; for of one iot of cattle in the market yesterday irom there, at least a third were in a b.id state with pleuro-pneumonia. These were not wo may presume, from the late proclaimed clean portion of the district ; but unless this disease differs very much in that part of the country from what it is elsewhere, no such inspection as is possible there will prevent its crossing the boundary line, if, as is so stoutly alleged, it has not done so long since." In the same paper appeared letters from the salesmen of the cattle and from the purchasers, distinctly denying the statement of the Argus' reporter.

The revenue tables of the Colony of Viet )ria for the year and quarter ending the 30th June are published in the Aryus. The revenue from all sources for the year amounted to L 3,005,609 8s 10d., against L 2,679,247 7s 2d for the corres ponding year ending June 30, 1862, the balance being in favor of the later period by the sum of L236,3G2 Is 3d. The revenue for the qiurter amounted to L 606,318 4s 2d, against L733,20G 8s 3d, showing a net decrease of L 146,888 2s Id jor the second quarter of the current year.

In consequence jjof the refusal of a few of the passengers to move out of His Victory on Saturday, the hundred remaining on board o\ her j were not conveyed to the quarantine ground on ! that day, but yesterday their removal was evKoted, i and all except t)<e cabin passengers and the one patient are now out of the ship. For the removal [ of such a number of passengers, vhe day happened to be most unfavorable, and the discomfort 10 all must have been considerable, but it is understood that every provision his been made hy the Go\ eminent for their reception. At any rate, Mr. Allan, member of the Harbour Department, ar.l other officials have been exceedingly biK.y throughout the week, and still continue to be busy, couveying stores of all descriptions to the quarantine station, the cost of providing the people falling in the meantime upon the Government, to whom the matter will be one ot" very considerable expense. A quarantine g-iar I, consisting of four police officers, along with Mr. Pilot Stevens, the pilot appre itice, and Mr John Thomson who held mvntly the appointment of custodian of the gunpowder deposited in the buildings, remain in quarantine along with the immigrants. Tiie period of quarantine will, of course, depend upon the appearance or non-appearance of any fresh cases of small-pox or other epidemic, bu', it is

hoped that it will not extern! beyond seven or ten

days. The buildings on shore being unc^.ial to the accommodation of all the passengers, a has been arranged that the young men shall jvmam on board the hulk Thomas and Henry, obtaining leave to go on shore during the day, and regaining on board during night with two of the quarantine guard in charge. Take at a great disadvantage as the officials were in being called upon to carry out the different arrangements, they have done their best to meet the necessities of the contingency, hut the present case ought to be a lesson to the Government to have their prgparations more complete for any contingL-ney than they have been found, and to retai 1 t!ie quarantine station at all times in something like working order. One or two resident attendants might not only keep the buildings and

their contents in thorough order, but mi-jlit so improve and embellish the surrounding grounds as to make them an additional ornament to the naturally beautiful situation, instead of the place being left as a wilderness, as it has been in the port. The following speech was made by Dr. G lUirie at tiie banquet to Lord Paluierston, in Ivlinburgh : — "The Rev. Dr. Guthrie, who was received with loud cheers, said, — I rise becu^e I have been requested to rise — (Laughter) — [ rise for the purpose of acknowledging your kin hiess, and expressing my gratitude in the nsviie of my brethren — a particular class of nretlren — (Laughter) — for the honor which you haw done them on this great occasion. (Cheers.) I happen to belong to a class who, according to the legal term, are tolerate.l. (Laughter.) Not that 1 fancy that you think so ill of us as to believe that we are an evil that must be tolerakd beciuse it cannot hi got rid of. (L'tiightc r.) 1 ri-,e to return thanks, as my friend Dr. L(-e was supposed to return thanks ior the clergyman of the Established Church. (.Cries of " No, no,'' and laughter.) Well, I am only doing what i was bid do. (Loud laughter.) I was asked to come here to return thanks on behalf of the clergy who are not endowed — (Cheers) — with all respect to the clergy of the Established Church. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Ministering, as we are called to do, to a Luge portion ot the community, I may say that I do not think we are unimportant members of the community. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) 1 think I may venture to say that in regard to my brethren ; I wish also to take the opportunity of saying that they are under a mistake who suppose that because we are not endowed by the State, that in the smallest degree affects outloyalty—(Cheers) — either to the Sovereign or to the Goveinnient. (Hear, hoar.) I think it right to take the opportunity of saying that, without casting the slightest suspicion on the motives of others, I may be pardoned for saying, that the very circumstances of our not being en Jo-ved by the State, makes our loyalty, if not more genuine, I think more apparent. (Loud laughter and cheers.) I agree with what Bailie Cassels has said in many things ; I am happy to agree with him in tiiis, that the clergy were underpaid. I agree with what Bailie Cassels has said iv regard to the right which the people of this country have to think for themselves. (Applause.) At the same time, those whom I have the honor to represent here are strongly attached to those principles of civil and religious liberty for which our fathers bled— (Cheer.-) — by which their sons are blessed, and which I wish to see soon spread far and wide overall the face of the earth. (Cheers.) It is happy indeed for us that one attachment to those principles of civil and religious liberty is entirely consistent with the most devoted attachment to the Crown and constitution of this country. (Cheers.) And, speaking not only for my brethren, but for the people, I will venture to say that her Majesty has no more dutifnl or more devoted subjects than the ministers and the members of the denominations that are not endowed. (Loud cheers). I agree entirely, and I am happy to agree in the sentiment expressed by Dr Lee, that what ever differences there may be among us, and are likely to be among us (though I for one, am for union, whenever union is practicable), wha kever differences there may be among us, we are united in one thing. — namely, deep and dovotel attachment to our Queen. (Cheers). We set no mortal on earth above or before our Queen — • (Cheers)— we prefer no constitution to our own — (Cheers)— and we are one in this, that the exalted virtues of her Majesty have endeared her to us all, — that we arc devotedly attached toher person, and arc ready under ail circumstances, aye, even to the death,— to prove our loyalty to her (Cheers). Borrowing horses without the consent of the owners appears to bo a prevalent proceeding on gold-fields. Many of our readers can no doubt bear testimony to the mysterious manner in which the horses of persons travelling up-country often disappear, if left for a ievv hours to graze at large. Not long ago a well known minister made a tour through the gold-fields, and being at the Arrow on Sunday, the horse he had been riding wa3 placed in what even in that district was considered " a safe place" for the night. On the following morning, the animal was not to be found, and although the neighbourhood was searched, no traces of tho missing horse could be found, and the unfortunate minister was compelled to walk to the Dunstan, some 60 miles distant. Subsequently the lost beast was found, but in a wretched condition, having apparently been worked very heavily for some time. Equestrians should be on their guard against these borrowers of other person's horses, anil take more care of their steeds. The police, too, might devote a little special attention, to this phase of horse stealing. Applications were received at tho Lind Office from 27th June to 14th July, for 1905 acres of rural land. The number of applicants was eighteen. The largest quantity applied for in any one case being 400 acres, and the smallest 25 acrea. The principal portion of the land up plied for was in the Ciutha district.

A deputation from Port Chalmers, consisting of Messrs Crickmore, Murray, and Ritchie, members of the Town Board, accompanied by Mr Milhr, ns Consulting Engineer, had an interview on Monday with his Honor the Superintend jut for the purpose of urging upon the attention of the Provincial Government various matters c> <v nected with the improvement of the Port. The first subject brought under his Honor's nofce was the necessity of permanently forming the main road through the town, for the completion of which it was requested that the sum of £2000 might be placed on the estimates. The next was the permanent formation 'of the Jine of Mount and Ajnx-&treets, iv which die Government intend to erect the new Court-house, the Police B irracks, and other public buildings. The ent ire cost ot this work was estimated at £5000, town n.U which it Avas contended that an equitable prop. >rlion ought to be placed upon the cstimaics. Lastly, the deputation represented that the Town Board were desirous of obtaining authority for raising a sum of £10,000 by loan, the interest to be paid annually from the [ proceeds of the local rates, and the principal to be secured upon the property of the Municipality — the money so borrowed to be expended generally in improving the main line of stieet, and the streets leading therefrom. The Engineer's estimate of the cost of the whole of the works was, in round numbers, £20,000. His Honor gave the deputation a most courteous reception, and in stating th*t he would bring the subject under the notice of his ministers, left an impress ; on on the minds of the members that, so far as his Honor's personal good wis-hes went, the several objects of the interview weie likely to be attained.

The Victorian Government departments set in many things an example worthy of being followed by the jS'uw Zealand authorities. The dilalory publication of official returns is not tke least o the many subjects which require an immediate reform. The revenue tablss for the quarter ending 3Ut March have only just been published in New Zetland, whilst the Argus of the lOthJulv enabled to republi3h from the Victoiian

•' Gazette" the official revenue returns up to the end of June.

The measures being taken by the Victorian Government for the defence of Port Philip, contrast strongly with the apathy of the Now Zealand authorities on a matter of such vital importance to the colony as the safety of (iie important harbors in both islands. We extract from the Aryus the following outline of the defensive arrangements for Port Philip :— '• We understand that the portion of Captain Scratchley's scheme of defence of Port Piiilip which received tiie approval of the O'Shan.'is»y Government is about to be completed. Me Isures have been taken for arming the head of the Railway Breakwater Pier at Williamstown with six sixty-eight pounders, mounted on naval slides firing through ports. The magazine accommodation, for this battery is not to be constructed this year, owing to want of funds. When the battery is armed, it is to be manned by the Wiiliiimstown division of tho Naval Brigade, of which Captain Payne is the staff-ofßcer. As it is

probable that the works will not be commencel until after Captain Scratchley's departure, in August, it is intended that Captain Payne shoulJ take charge of the arming of the battery, which arrangement is necessary, because the work is ot a

special nature, great care and special knowledge 1 being required in the adjustment of the vat ions matters, fitting up the battery, &c. Over the guns a light shed is to be erected, to protect them, their carriages, and stores, from the weather. The interior of the battery is to be fitted up as much as possible like a man-of war's broadside gun-deck, As the batteries for the inner defence of the bay proposed by Captain Scratchley are not to be built, it will be necessary to remove the line of rails which runs in rear of the bulwark of the battery, iv order that the guns mounted on the sea-face may be shifted to the head of the pier to fire upon any of the enemy's ships which may have run the gauntlet of the shore batteries, and forced a passage inside the line of defence. This arrangement would increase the value of the pier battery very considerably. An application has, vre believe, been made to the railway department, to have theralis removed. A magazine, comprising a shell-filling room and a powder-room, is to be built in the Sandridge Lagoon Battery, which is armed willi three sixty-eight pounders and tour thirty-two pounders. At present this battery and tho central battery for ten thirty -two pounders at WilHamstown are utterly useless as means of defence, owing to the want of magazines. A similar magazine is therefore also about ts be erected in the latter mimed battery. Giptain Scratclily has also decided upon placing three sixty-eight pounders on the sea wall at Queensc'iff, converting it into an open battery. These guns will be mounttd so as to bear upon the entrance to the west channel and the anchorage off QueeuscliiF Jetty. A small expense magazine and shell-room will be constructed. A site will also be selected for the two thirty-two pounders, now mounted for practice, in order that these guns may also be brought to bdar, if necessary, j upon the anchorage and entrance to the west I channel Ie is proposed to employ H.M.C.S Victoria in conveying the three sixty-eight pounders and their stores from the main reserve stores at Williamstown to Queenscliff, where they will be landed, and removed to a spot situated in rear of the sea wall. The seamen of the Victoria will be employed in mounting the guns wh?n the battery is ready to be armed. By this arrange- ! ment about LIOO will be saved. It is of the utmost importance that Queenscliff, the first point to be attacked, should have an efficient a tillery j corps ; and we believe that the Queenscliff Volunteer Artillery will form p iri of the proposed coast brigade of artillery which is to be paid according to the number of days the men turn out for train"

At the time of the late Port Chalmers Eiec tion, we promised to publish the names of the electors who voted, with the candidate for whom they recorded their votes. The delay that has intervened is due to the Returning Officer not being aware that he was bound to furnish the information we sought of him. We are at length, however, enabled to fulfil our pledge :— For Mr Thomas Tayler : Thomas Tayler, Frederick Basire, Wm. Thomson, Thomas Tayler, junr. William Jackett Jarmin, Arthur Brown, John R. Monson, William Randall, William Carr Young, W. H. Mausford, John Tayler. For Sir James Macandrew : Peter Shae, H. S. Ridley' James Lees, John Clark, John Solomon, David Marr, Hugh M'Kiulay, Thomas Jones, John Shanks, Joseph Swan, David Miller, James Dick, Anthony Bowling, Archibald Ritchie, Joseph Morris, James Fairly, William Murray, Andrew Wilson, John Campbell, Alexander Campbell Thomas Brcbner, Samuel Perry, John Crickraore, John Maxwell, David Kilgour, James Farquharson, John Thomson.— Certified by William Reid, Returning Officer. The Chief Postmaster calk for tenders, to be sent in before the 10th August proximo, lor conveyance of mails twice a week, between Queenstowa and Maori Point via Arthur's Point. It is well known what a strong penchant Maoris have for imposing fines for every possible offence. They have indulged this idiosyneracy to an almost unbearable extent amongst themselves, and whenever they have a chance they try to perform the same process on Europeans. We learn from the Hawke's Bay Times of the 10th instant that the natives at Wairoa lately imposed a fine on the Rev. Mr Hamlin, a clergyman, for Sabbath desecration. It appears that the rev. gentleman started from his station on horseback to perform the afternoon service at a place five miles distant. The next day a chief demanded a fine of five shillings, declaring that it was impious to ride on horseback on a Sunday. It is needless to say that tho rev. offender against the squeamish Sabbatarianism of tho scandalised chief, did not comply with the demand. We drew attention some time ago to a project for holding an international exhibition of sheep at Melbourne. We now learn from the Argus that "a meeting of subscribers, intending exhibitors, and other persons who feel interested in the great show of colonial bred sheep, to be held on or about tho sth November, is called for Thursday, the 23rd instant, lo decide on the exact day for the show, to arrange the classes, to appoint a committee of management, and determine on the mode of selecting and appointing the judges. T/ie ftonorary secretary, James Ainsl y, Es j , notifies his willingness to receive suggestions in writing, and to submit them to the meeting. The subscriptions already promised amount to a considerable sum, and will no doubt yet receive many additions', so that, with the entrance fees, the champion prizes will be worthy of the name, and calculated to bring together a fine collection of sheep irom the different parts of this, as well as from most of the neighbquring colonies ' 3

The Dtinstan News furnishes the following in formation respecting Manuherikia ;—"; — " Mining matters are almost at a standstill in consequence of the rise of the river. Several stores at the lower end of Victoria-street were flooded right out. Luckily the owners took the precaution to remove their goods before the river entered, or a serious loss would have been the consequence. An iron piace belonging to one of the boatmen, situate on the point on the opposite side of the river, was completely swamped, only a small piece of the gable end being visible above the swollen torrent. Many parties were bu«ily engaged on Monday in picking up legs, and succeeded in collecting a goodly pile. Business is stagnant, many leaving for where they imagine brighter prospects may await them."

A meeting of the members of the "Brooke Dramatic Club" wi'l be held this evening, at eight o'clock, at the Exchange Hotel. £

The following reply has been forwarded 0 Messrs Brown, Pateison, and other Memomlists, who desired the appointment of an additional Warden within the Mount Benger District ;— Gold Fields Dep*rtment, Secretary's Ofiice, Dunedin, July 22: id, 1803. Gentlemen, — In reply to your memorial, of the 10th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the Government do not cousider there is at nresent sufficient cause for tbe appointment of an additional Warden within the Mount Benger District ; but, should such a necessity arise, the Government will immediately make the necessary appointment. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obo'lient S Tvant, (Signed) Vincent Pyke, Secretary. To Messrs T. Brown, W. F. Patorson, and the other Meinoria'ists, Molyneux River,

His Worship the Resident Magistrate gave judgment yesterday in the case of Leannont v Mackie, in favor of the plaintiff for the amount claimed with costs. The police charges were light, and the civil business was of an unimportant character, consisting principally of claims for small amounts.

A proclamation by his Honor the Superintendent, published in the "Provincial Government Gazette" of yesterday, notifies that from and after the 11th July until further notice, the district of South Australia, and so much only of the district of Gipps' Land as lies soutli and west of the rivers M'Alister, Thomson, and La Trobe, according to the description annexed hereto, shall not be deemed Infected Districts, within the meaning and for the purposes of the " Diseased Cattle Act, ISO I," The Proclamations of the

Superintendent of the Province of Otago, bearing date the sth day of June, 1862, and the 2nd day of June, 1863, so far as the same relate to the district of South Australia, and the before-mentioned portion of the district of Gipps' Land, are rescinded. Schedule: — Commencing at a point on the sea coast, on the soutli side of Lake Reeves, and bearing south-westerly to the south-east angle of Lake Wellington near Scacombe Township ; thence bounded ou the north by the south side of Lake Wellington, bearing westerly to thej unction of Lake Wellington and La Trobe River ; thence bounded on the north-east by the La Trobe River, bearing westerly to the junction ot the La Trobe and M'Alister Rivers ; thence bounded on the northeast by the M'Alister River ; bearing north

westerly, and by a line bearing north-westerly to

a mountain range between Mount Buellcr and Jamieson Township ; thence bearing southwesterly along the summit of said range to the nor. hern boundary of the County of Evelyn ; thence bounded on the west by the County ot Evelyn, and bearing south-easterly and westerly to the junction of the Counties of Evelyn and Mornington ; thence bounded on the west by the County of Mornington, bearing southerly to the sea .coast ; thence bounded by the sea coast and Corner Inlet, bearing south-easterly, northerly and north-easterly to the point of commencement. Applications, under the twenty-second list, for Publicans' Licenses, will be considered at a licensing meeting to be held in the office of the Provincial Secretary, on the first Tuesday iv

August, at 2 o'clock p.m. All objections must be lodged at the said office, or stated when the casss are under consideration. Applicants must attend personally or by agent. The following are the names of the applicants : — W. 11. S. Roberta House at Ardmore Station, Pomahaka ; Wm. M'Kinney, House at Moeraki ; W. G. M'Pherson, House at I.Ja Burn Valley j (these are deferred applications.) The following are new applications : — J. M'Bride, Deep Stream Hotel, on Dunstan lload •, Henry Wilson, House at Oamani ; J. H. Gilligan, House at Shag Valley; W. M'Donald, Shamrock Hotel, at Old Man Creek; George Wynuse, Princess of Wales Hotel, at Warrie Creek, on the Dunstan Road, A French nnster and a drill master .ire required for the High School. Applications must belonged with the Secretary of the Education Board on or before the 27th instant. The following list of tenders, which have been received and accepted since the 2 Uh day of June ultimo, is published for general information :: — ■ "lload — Tuapeka to Dunstan, about 4} miles, L 2.001 5s ; Newton and Co. Road — forming Taieri Ferry to Tokomairiro River, about 1 1 5 chains, L3,00l 8s ; J. A. Ross. Dobbin CartsProvincial Engineer's Department— six, LIOS ; John Barnes. High School — additions, L 8,553 •, M'Kay and Co. Hospital— supply of butchers' meat to 31st December, 1863, 83d per lb, best quality, G inches off the shin. Harbor Supplies — Port Chalmers— to 3lsfc March, 1864, Thomson Brothers : — Police Stations — oaten hay, 0 tons, first-class Tasmanian, at Ll3 "per ton ; A. G. Fisher. Police Stations— oil, colza, at 7s 6d per gallon ; Tickle and Co, Police Stations— cartage to Deep Stream, L 5 17s 6d per ton of produce ; Bainbridge and Co. Police Statious — Chaff, Lll 10a 1 per ton ; Edward A, Amies. Gaol — leather aud grindery ; John Switzer. Carting from Bell Hill to London-street, firewood to temporary Manse, 10s per cord ; Wm. Michael. Carting from Dunedin to Quoenstown, building material, about one ton, at L3O ; Pickford and Co. Road — North Trunk, near Ilawkesbury, metalling 500 yards, at Ll 3s 9d per cubic yard ; Thomas Dillon. Ferrics — leased to Henry llill ; 1, Clutha River, at the Teviofc Junction, 2. Clutha River, at the Lower Dunstan township. 3. Manuherikia River, at the Lower Duu&tan

township. 4. Chitha River, at Upper Dunstan township. 5. Clutha River, at the Kaivnrau Junction. 6. Kawarau River, at the Clutha Junction. 7. Clutha River, at the point south of the Lindis stream. 8. Kawarau River, below the Falls of Frankton. There is too much reason to believe that the

passengers of the Victory will have to undergo a longer period of quarantine than was at first expected. In the meantime a number of carpenters among the passengers are employed in erecting additional buildings, for the better accom-

modation of the large number on the island, and

for the separation of any fresh cases of the epidemic. The harbor and other boats are daily kept busy in conveying to the quarantine station all the necessary supplies, and assistance is other-

wise rendered by the quarantine guard. Dr. Garrand, is residing also on the island as the Health Officer pro tern. The ship's surgeon remains on board. The following appointments in the Police Force are gazetted : —Samuel Mead Dalgleish and Gilbevt Francis Percy, to be Sub-luspectors for the Province of Otago. Johu Emerson of the Otago Constabulary, is appointed an Inspector of Slaughter-houses and of cattle intended for slaughter, within the Slaughter-house District of Tuapeka.