News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 643, 26 March 1864, Page 13

News of the Week.

| FROM THE DAILY TIMES.]

The All England Cricketers arrived at Sydney on the 13th instant, and were entertained at a public breakfast on the 14th.

His Honor the Superintendent has appointed Edward Kempthorne to be Gaoler of the Public Gaol at Tokomairiro, tice Golder, resigned.

Fearful floods have been raging in Queensland; in one case a shepherd and 5000 sheep were swept away, and several lives have been lost in various parts of the colony. Plenro-pneumonia is said to be committing great havoc amongst the herds in Queensland Over eighty head per day had died in one district.

A trotting match, four miles, over the Silverstream Course, came off on Tuesday between Mr Corsan's bg Sebastopol, aged and Mr Smith's bg Daddy, aged. The latter won easily.

Mr John Wesley Jago has been authorised by the Superintendent, to sell Government property by public auction, from time to time, as provided for by Clause 16, of the Licensed Auctioneers Ordinance, 1862.

Applications for the unsold sections in the following blocks in the Potnahaka District will be decided by auction at the Laud Office, Dunedin, on Tuesday the 22nd day of March, ("this day), at twelve o'clock at noon, viz ■. "Pomahaka blocks 6 to 10 both inclusive."

Messrs A. R. Livingstone, of Dunedin ; John Barr, Clutha Ferry ; John Smith, Waikouaiti; John Young, of Hampden ; and Frank Pinkerton and Co., Oamaru, have been appointed agents for the sale of the Survey Maps within the Province of Otago.

An adjourned meeting of persons formerly advertised as qualified to vote, will be held in Carey's Hotel, Blueskin f oa Saturday, the 2nd of April next, at 12 o'clock, for the purpose of electing from among themselves, three persons to act as Wardens for Waikouaiti Hundred for the coming year.

We learn from the Lake District that the Arrow and Shotover are very low, and that in consequence there is great mining activity. Cases of enormous good fortune continue and the favorable season promises to cause a large increase in the gold escort from that district. The weather continues fine, and the snow has almost disappeared from the ranges.

Colonel Waddy, of the 50th Regiment, at present serving in New Zealand, and Colonel Budd, of the i4th Regiment, have had conferred on them pensions of LIOO per year for distinguished and meritorious service. Colonel Waddy has been more than 31 years in the army. He was with the 50th at the battle of Panniar, and commanded the Regiment in the Crimea. Colonel Budd has been nearly 30 years in the army, and was with the J4th Regiment in the Crimea.

A notice is inserted in the •• New Zealand Gazette," No. 7, under date Auckland, the 15th February, 1864, <• That in all iuture * cases persons receivhisj appointments in any of the Chief Postal Oflices (except messengers or letter-carriers) viill have to undergo a previous examination as to their general geographical kuowledge, and especially as regards the geography of New Zealand and the Australian colonies. The fcxurnhutions will be conducted by the respective postmasters,"

Extensive drainage operations are being carried out on thß Recreation Ground, which is furrowed in all directions, around the plot used by the Cricket Club, with pipe-trenches, running into deep cross drains t!mt open into the outer or surrounding drain. Ot course, this work is merely a preliminaiy to planting the ground. The form of tiie cricketers' plot will be altered to an oval, which will be skirted by a broad walk, on each side of which poplars will be planted ; and numerous diverging walks will also be formed and planted.

The Key. Mr Plarding met with an accident on Monday whilst on his way to preach at Port Chalmers. The reverend gentleman, who was on board the Peninsula steamer accidentally fell down one of the hatchways, causing a violent strain to his knee ; he however was able to preach at the Wesleyan Church at Port Chalmers the same evening. Although the injury Mr Harding sustained will probably prevent his fulfflliog his engagements at Taieri, Woodshed, Clutha and Tokomairiro, he is announced to preach at Wesley Church, Dunedin, on Sunday next* for we understand the last time in this city. Who is responsible for the proper keeping of the ground set apart as a Roman Catholic Cemetery ? If there is any person or body so responsible, the state of the ground is a disgrace to him or it. There is not a pretence of fencing : horses, cows, dogs, goats, can roam over the ground, and the unfenced graves, at will. Some of the grave-mounds have been almost trampled out; and on every hand there is gross defilement. The remains of burned flax, left by the late accidental fire, are rotting into noisomeness. And apparently there is no one with the will or the power to apply a remedy.

That übiquitous individual Gardiner, the bushranger, who has been for so long the bete noir of the New South Wales police, appears to have at last lallen into the clutches of the law. A telegram from Queensland under date of the 14th instant, states that Gardiner has been captured and lodged in the Brisbane gaol. He had for some time been keeping an inn under an assumed name, and his identity being discovered he was arrested in his own domicile. It is said that his inamorata, Mrs Brown, adheres to him in his ill-fortune and will accompany the modem Turpin to Sydney, where he is to be tried.

During the strong, puffy wind which prevailed on Saturday evening, Messrs Cornwell and Horsman, contractors for the Exhibition Building, became sufferers to a considerable extent pecuniarily, although wo believe they will not be at all thereby delayed in their important work. They had all but completed a carpenters' shop, 100 ft long ;' it being intended to do all the work of that kind on the ground. By one heavy gust the whole range of this building was toppled over — some parts of it being generally smashed, others remaining in gre.it lengths of the sides, with most of the gla«s in the windows quite sound, while one end was turned over without being more broken tlnn would nnturally result from the upset. We have no doubt thai iv a week a new shop will have been run up. On Saturday evening last the new Gymnasium at St. "George's Hall was formally opened. Mr H. F. Palmer delivered an inaugural address on the occasion to a number of subscribers. He pointed out that the Gymnasium was not to be looked at in a recreative light alone, but it was for the pupils to consider that the physical advantages they would derive actively, mentally or bodily tended to increase the power of the functions. The human body contained upwards of four hundred muscles, and as a mere matter of health it was necessary to keep them in moderate exercise. He gave descriptions of muscular fibre and the uses of muscles generally, and hoped to show how favorably gymnastic exercise affected their development. He denied that man in a savage state was superior to the civilisi d being, and quoted authorities in support of this iroru M. Perou, a celebrated French experimental philosopher. M. Peron, it appears, tested the strength of natives from Van Diemen's Land, Timor, New South Wales, Prance and Great Britain, and found that the British were the strongest, the Jfrench next, xhen the Timor, and this difference was attributable to the different muscular exercises in which each were indulged. He then gave examples of what the human frame was capable of if properly trained and exercised. The strength of a weak man was estimated at 1251b, that of a very strong man 400lb, but these might be enormously in«easedby proper training. A complimentary reference was made to the Caledonian Society for the exertions they had made to preserve • and stimulate manly amusements, and at the conclusion of the address, an appeal was made to those present, chiefly subscribers to the (rvmrivinn). In TT-flcHrp vpgnlflrlv. At the wiiciiioiijii iL' Caaper endorsed the Tenuities of the lecturer, and hoped that they would be productive of benefit. Several new members were then enrolled, and every preparation made for commencing a brisk gymnastic campaign. We can with confidence recommend this institution, for the arrangements are most complete, and well worthy of inspection. The lower part of the building is devoted to the gymnastic exercises, the upper is a dane ing hall 35 feet by 70 feet, well lighted, and very tastefully decorated. In the Gymnasium tlie following apparata will be found : — The trampeze, the trapeze, parallel and horizontal and obiique bars ; foot and hand rings, climbtag and oblique poles ; swinging, perpendicular,, arid horizontal ladders ; oblique planks ; vaulting horse with spring boards ; wrist forces, handbars, rowing and swimming practice ; extensive practice wit,h weights, Indian clubs, foils, qtiok"', gloves, broadswords, and a variety of other gymnastic ruduhiuerv. The Gymnasium will be open daily, and instruction in every branch of exercise will be given. The prices fixed are very reasonable, and the establishment of such an institution cannot foil to be productive of great benefit to those ■who are believers in the school of Muscular Christianity, and those who from their business are unable to take other any active oxercise. "We are informed that the contemplated steeplechase ground at Anderson's Bay, has 750 v/ been looked over two or threa times by several sporting gentlemen, interested in the success of this real crosa-country event, and acknowledged to be really the desideratum of a &ir •' hunting line." Every leap has reasonable difficulties, and the view of the vvhole race will be uninterrupted. We learn that there has been established, •11..,I 1 .., _' ; ! .^ L?t f.,w v,-uc!:j, a Coi'src^r.iona! ' Church in Port Chalmers, under the pastoral ' care of the Eev. John Fraser. It seems to' bave been an object for some time to have a " SDeeting house, or place of worship, and the resident denomination of Independents or Congregationalists having met together regularly on Sabbath for worship, had forwarded Sfeeir wishes to the London Colonial Missionary Society, that a minister might be directed to Otago to take the oversight. Those ■wishes were responded to by their recommending the Rev. J. Fraser thither, who arrived the commencement of January, in thia year. We understand the Masonic Hall is for the ' present hired for their Sabbath and week • awning services, which place is an appro* ' priate building, capable of holding at least ■■'*00 persons. Soms valuable ground, situated in the im"mediate vicinity of Port Chalmers.and having fi onuses to the Bay, was sold in allotments, on Saturday, by Messrs Gillies and Street, the majority -of the allotments realising high prices. The ground advertised for sale ♦covers an area of between fifty and sixty acres, but less than a third of this area was disposed of, and the total proceeds of the sale exceeded £800, the principal purchaser being Mr Millar, City Engineer. The locality, which \ias been named the township of Mansronj. After its' proprietor, W. H. Mansford, • 3£so., of Coombe Bay, contains some fine situations for private dwellings, hut it is chiefly valuable on account of the natural advantages of the situation for the erection *f o intpnt slip, and of similar works con- ■"<.{■ ... with shipping.

The Volunteers appear, by the unanimous consent of those who took part in their march out on Wednesday, to have spent one of the most pleasant clays since their enrolment. About sixty men, including members of the recently organised Artillery Company, and No. 1 and 2 of the Kifle Volunteers, left the drill shed at eleven a.m.. under command of Captain Moss. They proceeded to Green Island, where they were met by twenty of the Green Island Volunteers (a contingent of No. 2 Company.) The wtather, at starting, was very unpromising, but as the day advanced the sky cleared, and one of those bright, dry, bracing south- westess, characteristic of a New Zealand autumn; made the weather all that could be desired for out door enjoyment ami hard exercise. Ou arriving at Cap f . Cargill's they piled arms, and did ample justice to the refreshments provided for them on the lawn, a large marquee, erected for their accommodation, having been blown down by the hard breeze of the morning. The Volunteers then formed into two companies, marching past in review order — in slow, quick, and double time— breaking into columns and performing other parade movements. No 1 Company was then thrown forward in skirmishing order with No. 2 in suppoit. After some active skirmishing, No. I was relieved and formed in its turn a support of No 2. This was the first opportunity which the Rifles have had for a day's, good skirmishing, and their " dropping fire" sounded pleasantly to the ear and was well sustained. The skirmishers were then called in, and rallying in compuny squaies, formed ; after which, the companies were again formed into. column and wheeled into line, winding up their day's exercise with a series of voilies and charges at the double up to the crest of the hill, iv front of which they formed. The day's exercise being over, an adjournment was made to their first quarters on the Uwn. Captain Moss then proposed the health oi Captain J. Cargill ; at whoso kind invitation they were there assembled, and had enjoyed one of the most pleasant days within his volunteering expeiience in Otago. Captain Cargill wished him to express his regret that unexpected business requited his presence iv Melbourne, and that he had been obliged to leave in the Scotia last evening for that C:t.. They must all regret the absence of Capt. Cargill, and he was sure that it required no fuither speaking from him thau to ask them to join [ him in heartily reiponding to his toast— 'the health of Captain J. C.irgili. The toast was iwewul with three limes throe, as was also a toast to the health of Captain Junor, the late adjutant, whose services the Volunteers appear to have held in high estimation. After this the health of Captain Ross and the Artillery Company, to which he had just been appointed, was warmly received. The Green Island Contingent, whom they met that day for the first time, was the next toast, and they ■ were complimented by Captain Moss on the proficiency they had shown so soon after their formation. The Companies then fell in, and with three cheers for Captain Moss, returned to Dunedin about half-past six alter a day's nmrclrng and exercise, which they will j remember with pleasure as their first real Volunteer day in Duaedin, and which would have been more largely attended but that many of the body were officially connected with proceedings for the celebration of the Anniversary of the Piovince in other ways. The London correspondent of the •' Argus" says :—"The people of Australia will be glad to learn that another attempt, under most favourable auspices, is about to be made to introduce salmon spawn into the rivers of the southern colonies. Mr. Youl, having had j special facilities offered him by Messrs. Money, Wigram, and Co. for a rapid conveyance of ova from this country by the Norfolk, made known his urgent wants through the columns of" The Times," and in a fortnight's time he was in possession of what he so much desiderated. He has obtained a supply of ova from the Severn. About a fortnight ago he went down to Worcester by invitation, and from the river near that town eighteen salmon were taken by a number of fishermen, who acted under the direction ol the officers of the United Association for the Protection of the Severn Fisheries. Prom the fish taken, five were «e!t?ctf"i •>•• being fit for the purposp rpquinjd. These Mihnou were from iiiteeu pounds to eighteen pounds each, three spiwners and two milters just ready to shed their spawn and milt The fish were kept one day, when the spawn was pressed from them, and the tnilt of the male fish also shed over the spawn, which was then deposited in a vessel prepared for the purpose. The fish were then returned to the river, apparently quite uninjuredj ured ; while the spawn thus impregnated was conveyed to London on the 17th, and at once despatched to its destination — the vessel having been detained on ita voyage expressly to receive this precious freightage. It is earnestly to be hoped that the experiment will issue as successfully as it has commenced. It is our painful task to have to record the deatli of Mr. James Mulholland, a gentleman widely known in Dunedin, and as widely respected. He succumbed shortly before midnight on Wednesday to au attack of gastric fever from which he had been suffering more or less severely for some time. Mr. Mulholland was for some time editor of the " Evening News," and has since been connected in various capacities with the " Daily Times;" and it is no idle tribute to him who has thus in the prime of life been called away to say, that he had earned the respect and affection of all with whom he had been brought into contact. He possessed abilities of no mean order, and in all the relations of life was remarkable for gentleness of temper and a sincere desire to do bis duty. He leaves, to mourn his loss, a widow and four children.

A special general meeting of No 1 company of the Dunedin Volunteers was held on Monday at the Shamrock Hotel, for the purpose of revising bye-laws and other business. Lieut. O'Meagher was vot"d to the chair. After the minutes of the past meeting were read and approved or. the Treasurer's report was adopted. It showed that after payment of all claims, there was a balance of Lls 11s 6d to the credit of the company, in addition to L 5 which was due from members. The rules were then gone through seriatim, and altered in many respects. The subscription was fixed at 12s per annum, and all accounts arc to be audited half-yearly. The Secretary was insliucred to have the bye-laws printed, an 1 to issue copies to each member. The chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of Captain Moss, and the explanation was received cordially. A small wooden church building has been very nearly completed for the use of members of the Church of England resident in Caversham and its neighborhood. The building stands on the hillside, to the right of the road, and borne distance on the town side of th? Edinburgh Castle. Hotel. The dimensions of the building are 39ft by 18ft, inside measurement, and 17 ft from floor to ceiling. At the chancel end there is a three-light window, projecting about 2ft from the line of the gabl ; and on each bide of it there is a canopied recess, which will be used as lectern and pulpit. American pine is the wood chiefly used, the interior lining being varnbhed. There is a small bell turret at one of the angles of the building, aiitl a porch at the side fronting the toad. The plans were supplied by Messrs Mason and Clayton; the contractor is Mr D. Ross; and the amount of the tender (fittings not being included), L 390. The church is to be called Sfc Peter's. Applications for sittings must be made to Mr E. B. Pearce, of Princes street and Caversham. An inquest was held before Dr Samuels, Coroner of Gold Fields, on the 14th inst., at Munroe's Gully, on the body of a man named Henry Kremer, metal moulder, a native of Schienfeld, who was found drowned in the Tuapeka River, with his legs strapped together by meaus of a leather girdle. On the beach, near the river, were founl a swag, a great coat, a bundle containing bread and \ cheese, a billy with coffee grounds in it, a pipe, and several other articles - T there was also a place where a fire had been recently kindled. The spot was most picturesque, with a large tree overhanging the river. The body was found by a foreigner when in search for a ridge pole for his tent. Several witnesses were examined. One of the witnesses stated that he met the deceased on the Wednesday previous, and inquired the way to the Dunstan. After directing him (the deceased) a conversation took place ; the deceased appeared perfectly sane and bade him good night. Dr Halley stated that he had made a post mortem examination on the body and detailed the appearances. There were no external marks of violence, The following was written in the pocket-book found on deceased ; it Avas written in German, and translated in the court by F. Falk, Postmaster at Weatherstones :—": — " Should somebody find this swag, he may keep it as his own. . . . I see only death before my eyes, and God knows what I have to go through. I am afraid to state more than I can bear. . . . Many people say a self-murderer is mad ; do not believe it — it is men's own fault who are enemies to life. I have my intellect till the last hour. Now I girt round my legs, that I j need not struggle so much, then I drink my last drop of coffee, and smoke my pipe. . . . . Good bye, bad world." The Coroner summed up, and concluded by pointing out the great difference between temporary insanity and felo-de-se, and trusted that the ury would well consider the evidence before returning a verdict. After upwards of one hour's deliberation, during which time the Coroner was called in twice, the jury returned a verdict of felo-de-se. The Coroner gave directions that the burial should take place between the hours of nine and twelve that night, without Christian or any religious i service being read, the grave to be flatteued down as though no interment had taken place. At meetings fur the election of Wardens in the various districts, Messrs Robert Mitchell, William Kennard, and James Henderson, were chosen for the district of Hawkesbury; Messrs William Craig, Peter M"Farlane, and Charles Campbell, for Moeraki ; Messrs Joseph Donaldson, Alexander Anderson, and Fairfax Fen wick, for Otepopo; and Messrs William Fileul, Henry Campbell, and J. C. Gilchrist, for Oaraaru. On Tuesday, the sth April, the following applications for Wine and Beer Licenses will be taken into consideration, at the Provincial Secretary's Offlce, viz. :— John Knox, Farmers' Arms Hotel, Princes street, Dunedin ; Joseph Fort (of the firm of Fort and Olegaris) Dunedin Boarding House, Princes street ; Mary Power, Dunedin Hotel, Prince 3 street, Dunedin; and James Fitz9immons, in or near Stafford street, Dunedin : as well as those of Messrs Alexander M'Leod (of the firm of M*Leod and Gibson), Princes street, Duuedin; and Alexander Morton (of the firm of M'Nee and Morton), Richmond Hill, for Bottle Licenses. Objections (if any) may be lodged at the Office, or stated when the cases are under consideration. An undoubted proof of the stability of the up-country gold fields may be noticed by the very large number of letters now forwarded direct by the home mails, Messrs Henry Hoyt and Co., the inland mail contractors, despatched by their coaches on Monday, for the Dunstan and Queenstown offices, letters and newspapers amounting to ten hundredweight, whilst the MoJyneux bags alone weighed three hundredweight.

Will the Town Board expend a little money in watering the principal streets? On Saturday and Monday, the dwellers, shopkeepers, and pedestrians, in Princes street particularly, suffered an infliction of dust that must have occasioned not only personal inconvenience, but positive loss, in the spoiling of goods and dress. As if to assist the frolicsome wind, some nice little heaps of dust had been swept together and left at the edge of the roadway, with which the wind toyed and amused itself. But this was not thought sufficient, for at midday two men with a cart went round to gather up the heaps; and we must certainly compliment the men on the praiseworthy perseverance with which they endeavored to toss their shovels full of dust in the teeth of the wind. We need not say that a considerable portion found its way again to the roadway, whence it was hurled in clouds along the street. A couple of water carts would have made the streets tolerable; but although water runs to waste every day at the Princes street tanks, lr seems never to occur to the Town Board that it might be applied to a useful purpose. A second unsuccessful ' attempt has been made to sell Vauxhall Gardens. On Wednesday afternoon, during an interval in the Tilting Tourney, Mr M'Landress offered the gardens and the baths in one lot. The advertisement of the sale contained the statement, that there was " every reason to believe that there are now purchasers in the market who had not the opportunity of attending previously;" but ' none such was present yesterday. ' There was really no bid at all; and after submitting to some chaff, the auctioneer withdrew the property and himself. Of the company attracted to the gardens by the Tilting Tourney, not many remained in the gardens after it was concluded. But the calm beauty of the evening, and the glorious moonb'ght, combined with the promised f.mcy dress ball, and fireworks, were sufficient to induce a large number of persons to cross the Bay during the evening; and the gardens were more nearly "thronged" than they have been, except on one or two occasions, since they were opened. The fireworks were very good indeed, but the moonlight somewhat diminished their brilliancy. Between the 16th February and the lltb. March, both inclusive, applications were received at the Land Office for 1279 acres 1 rood and 21% perches of rural land, in sections varying in area from 10 to 293 acres each. Of these, six were for areas of 10^ acres each; two for 50; twelve for 50 to 100; three tor 100 to 150; 3 for 150 to 200; and one for an area above 200 acres. Observation Point is one of the most picturesque situations in the vicinity of Port Chalmers, and is hallowed by the presence of some of the earliest graves of the white man in Otago. But it has the misfortune partly to owe its picturesqueness to seme beautiful natinal shrubbery, and thia has been discovered by some, whose cupidity is greater than chetr admiration of Nature, to be a useful article as firewood; and to secure this they have been guilty of the triple offence of trespassing on a Government reserve, destroying j the natural beauty of the spot, and desecrating graves which even a Goth would respect. As the offence is one of daily repetition, this is surely a case in which the police might legitimately interfere. At about half-past 12 o'clock on Wednesdayafternoon, emokewas seen issuing from the eaves of the house of the Messrs Lakeman, in Albany street. It speedily became evident that the upper storey of the building was on fire; and the increasing density and volume of smoke plainly indicated that the fire had got extensive hold. An alarm was at once raised, and a number of road laborers and a troop of neighbors ran up to the burning house to render assistance. The wind was blowing briskly from the south, and carried the smoke clear of one side of the house; and fortunately, the iron roof and strong floor kept the fire smothered in the upper storey long enough to admit of the whole of the furniture and effects in the rooms on the ground floor being removed to a place of safety. There was very praiseworthy activity shown by all engaged in the work of salvage, and in a very shore time, not only were the contents of the lower rooms removed, but portions of the building — such as doors, windows, verandah, &c. — were taken down and removed. Beyond attempting to delay the eruption of the fire into the lower rooms, nothing in the way of extinguishment could be done There was a small well on the premises, and Mr Justice Richmond, whose residence is contiguous to the scene of the fire, kindly placed his tanks and well at disposal, so that water sufficient to keep back the fire for a short time wa3 procured. As to saving the building that was simply impossible, if even there had been a fire engine at hand. The house stood alone on high rising ground, and was exposed to the unbroken sweep of the strong wind then blowing. After the flames forced their way through the roof and sides the whole building was speedily enveloped in fire, and a few minutes sufficed for its complete destruction. The fire-bell was rung about halt an hour after the fire broke out, and a fire-engine and some members of the Brigade arrived shortly afterwards, but too late to be of any serrice. Several members of the police force rendered good service iv the removal and protection of property, and the prompt service ol the neighbors and laborers was worthy of all praise. The house, which was a new one of seven or eight rooms, was the property and residence of Messrs H. and A. Lakeman, and we regret to say was entirely uninsured. His Excellency the Governor has appointed Charles Macindoe, Esq., to be Registrar of Marriages, and Registrar of Birtha, Deatha, and Marriages for the Wakatip District, iv the room of Robert Peterson.

A Professor Belew is giving performances in Auckland a la Rarey, which, according to the local papers, have been very successful. In one instance an unbroken and wild colt was in a short time rendered as docile as a dog by the Professor's manipulations.

There was fortunately fine weather for the General Holiday on Wednesday, in commemoration of the 16th anniversary of the settlement of Otago. The Tilting Tourney was the chief attraction, and nearly 2000 persons visited Vauxhall Gardens for the purpose of witnessing it. The Volunteer Rifles, Nos. 1 and 2 Companies, and some of the Artillery, marched to Green Island, and afterwards had luncheon on the lawn at the residence of Captain J. Cargill, of No. 2 Company. Some other members of the Artillery, with members of the Scotch corps and Naval Brigade, joined and had a short march. In the evening there was dancing in the rotunda at Vauxhail, and a fine display of fireworks. A "tilting ball" was held in the evening at Hildreth's Anderson's Bay Hotel, and passed off very well. The Princess Theatre was crowded ; and " The Bearded Lady" had an unusually large number of visitors. As a whole the holiday seemed to be rationally and happily spent.

We have before mentioned that a monument has been erected in the — neglected piece of ground called — Roman Catholic Cemetery, to the memory of the late Sergeant Garvey. Eortunately there is a light iron railing around it, or the memorial provided by poor Garvey's comrades would ere this have been splintered and chipped and made beastly, if not toppled over, by stray horses or cows. The monument is a well finished cross upon a neat base, and is the work of Mr X, 8001, statuary and sculptor. The inscription is as follows :—": — " Sacred to the memory of Edward John Garvey, late sergeant in the Otago Mounted Constabulary, who lost his life in a snow storm on the Kakanui Ranges, Mount Ida Gold Field, while in the execution of his duty, on the 25th day of September, A.D. 1863, deeply and sincerely regretted by all who knew him ; aged 30 years. Itequiescat in pace." At the back are the words. " This monument is erected by his comrades, as a mark of respect and esteem." On a border above the inscription proper is the monogram, " I. H. S. ;" and upon the other faces, there are carved a trooper's horse, fully equipped, his carbine and sword, and his cap. In one corner within the railing is an unobtrusive cross, with the letters "E. J. G., 1863," in front, and this incription on one side :— • " This cross erected by bis brother-in-law, H. J. Sproule, as a mark of affection and esteem."

The " Hobart Town Mercury," in a leading article discussing the commercial relations between Tasmania and New Zealand, expresses itself very strongly on the subject of the recent Proclamations closing the Australian ports for the exportation of cattle to New Zealand. Our Tasmanian contemporary says with reference to the closing of Port Albert:— "There ll no more pleuro-pneu-monia in Gipps Lund mi. Mornington at this moment, than there is in Tasmania. Nor has there ever been any ' contagious or infectious disease' in that part of Victoria, any more than there has in any part of this colony. We heard, indeed, many, many months back, of some cattle brought from Gipps Land or Mornington having died in the neighborhood of Geelong of pleuro-pneumonia, as was supposed by some, but that was utterly repudiated at the time. And we have not, most certainly, since heard the breath of a whisper of anything of the kind, either against Gipps Land or Mornington. Whence then has Mr Harris his information ? Not from Victoria ; or we should have had samething of it in one or the other of the Melbourne papers ; but from interested parties in Dunedin, who are amenable to the charge of having practised upon him a great deception. And who are these parties ?

A meeting of the legal profession was held at the Provincial Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Cook in the chair, for the purpose of arranging preliminaries to receive the new Judge, H. S. Chapman, Esq. A committee of five was formed, and it was also resolved that at the same time the deputation should point out the desirability and, indeed, almost absolute necessity, for the learned judge to fix his residence in Dunedin. Constant occasion arose for a second Judge, and as our present one cannot hold two courts at the same time, the public have to suffer loss, delay, and in■convenienee. It was suggested that if their Honors took Invercargill on circuit at stated intervals, it would meet all the requirements of Invercargill, whilst at the same time it would not disadvantage Dunedin. About 18 professional men were present.

The gold discoveries in the Hamilton's district are rapidly extending. On Saturday splendid prospects were obtained near Fullarton's station, about twelve miles east from Hamilton's township. The sinking was only thirteen feet, and from \ oz to 1 oz to the dish was obtained off the bottom of a newly sunk shaft ; in several others also nearly equally good prospects were obtained. The news created great excitement at Hamilton's, and numbers of miners left for the scene of the new discovery. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, an incessant stream of miners and teams passed from the township, the carters obtaining large profits.

An inquest into the cause of a fire which had occurred in the Port Chalmers Hotel, was held there on Tuesday by the Coroner. The fire had occurred in a small bedroom in the hotel, and was fortunately discovered before it had communicated with other parts of the premises; when, by the exertions' of the landlord and others, it was speedily extinguished. The verdict of the jury was that there was no evidence to show how the fire -*ad occurred.

Justin Alymer, Esq., has been appointed by His Honor the Superintendent, under date the 21st March, instant, Warden and Judge of all Warden's Courts now or hereafter to be constituted within the Province of Otago.

John Turnbull Thomson, Esq., and William Thomson, Esq., have been appointed Commissioners to inquire and report what lands adjoining or near to Port Chalmers, should in their opinion be reclaimed irom the sea, having regard to the present and prospective requirements of the Port, the cost of reclamation, and the comparative suitability of the lands for operations incident to a shipping port ; and also to prepare plans and estimates of the said reclamation.

A special meeting of the Town Board was i held on Thursday afternoon, to consider the question of giving increased temporary assistance to Mr. Millar, the City Engineer. There were present Messrs. Turner (in the chair), Barnes, Bastings, Gray, Howard, Lowe, and D. Millar, jun. The City Engineer, in reply j to the Chairman, said that his only object in the steps he had taken was to get such assistance as would ensure that all the works included under the L 35.000 loan should be under contract by the time the Council met, with a view to the re-appropriation of the amounts unexpended. There were 15 applicants, but he had returned all testimonials, &c, to 13 of them ; and he only asked that Messrs. England and Coe should be engaged. He would probably want Mr. England for a month, -md Mr. Coe for a fortnight ; but as he held himself personally responsible for the work, he had wished to retain power of dismissal at any time, so that ho might be sure that the work was done, and dene properly. The majority of the regular staff were busy laying out work for contractors. He had told Messrs. England and Coe that they should be paid just what they proved themselves to be worth, but not more than Ll a day. Mr. Bastings believed that the services of these two gentlemen were necessary ; for he was quite sure that the Engineer had more upon his hands than any man could do. He would move, " That the services of Messrs England and Coe be engaged at a rate not exceeding Ll a day, and tor a term within the discretion of the City Engineer, provided that the same do not exceed two months." Mr. Gray seconded the motion. Mr. D. Miller, jun., hoped that when the Engineer again wanted temporary assistance he would remember that two members could call a special meeting of the Board, and not go advertising for men en his own responsibility. The motion was agreed to, and the Board adjourned to Tuesday next.

We have some further information Avith respect to the fine building stone discovered at Pleasant River, six miles from Wakouaiti; and which, as we have before stated, it his been resolved to uae in finishing the intended new Post Office, not only externally, but also in the great hall. The expected block lihs been received, and Mr Swyer, the Provincial Engineer, has arranged with Messrs Maekuy aud Goodfellow, who are engaged on the High School extension contract, to cut the block into a cube and finish it. One face will be polished, and each of the others will be differently treated, so as to show of what the stone is capable. What Mr Swyer thinks of the stone may be inferred from the fact, that had he been in time aware of its existence in such si situation, he would have unhesitatingly used it for the Cargill Monument, in preference to Hobart Town stone ; on the grounds that its color is preferable, and that it is susceptible of much more delicate working. Ucin^ an almost pure limestone, every chipping will be oi value ; for if burned, it will make a lime which there is no doubt would be more cohesive than any other which could be used with the stone. The face of,a building so constructed would, in short, become (in almost homogeneous mass. Mr Mason lias retured from his trip to Pleasant River and its neighborhood ; and it is satisfactory to aM that the result ot his examinations and inquiries is greatly confirmatory of the belief that the stone will be found in work.il/lu quantities from the point where it was first discovered, down to the vicinity of the port oe Waikouaiti. Mr Mason has brought with him a sample of dove marble, which is being polished, and as to which we may give some particulars hereafter.

With reference to the temper of the E >st Coast natives, the "New Zealand Herald" says: — " One or two small craft arrived in hacbor from Opotiki on Saturday morning, bringing several settlers and their families, long resident in that quarter, but who, from the tone and temper of their native neighbors, accounted it perilous to remain longer among them. A gentleman, long and intimately conversant with the Maori character, assured us that the passions of the Opotiki natives haa reached fever-heat; that they scouted the oitpture of Rangiriri as so much pakeha 'bosh.' They say the Maoris left Rangiriri, and the soldiers marched in ; but that the Europeans were thrashed; that they them selves were determined to fight and drive their enemies into the sea. To attempt to reason with them on the folly of braving their fate, was, said a Welshman, — a resident of more than thirty years — to run the risk of one's life. And such being the state of affairs, he deemed the only alternative left was to abandon his long-cherished home."

We are glad to learn that arrangements have been made which will enable the Dunedin Chess Club to resume its practice, Mr Riordan having kindly offered the use of a room in his cafe in Princes street, which has been accepted by the Club with thanks. The regular practice nights are Tuesdays and Fridays, on which occasions the room will be devoted exclusively to the Club, but the members will also have the advantage of being enabled to play any night during the week.

An adjourned extraordinary meeting of the Dunedin Gas Light and Coke Company will be held on Tuesday next, the 29th instant, at two o'clock in the afternoon, at their offices in Rattray streot.

The " Provincial Government Gazette" of the 23rd instant, states that Messrs Thomas Taylor, sen., George Dobson, John Mains, James Blair Robertson, and James Matheson were duly elected members of the Port Chalmers Town Board.

A rumour reached us on Thursday of a very good prospect having been obtained on Saxton's run, and that a rush had set in to the locality. The prospectors obtained .^-oz. to the tin dish, which is said to be an average of the ground. We give the rumour aB it reached us, and our readers must takß it for what it it is worth. We shall probably have further particulars shortly.

Under date 19th March, it is notified in the " Provincial Government Gazette," that William Hunter Reynolds, Esq., has resigned the office of Commissioner under the term of Port Chalmers Extension Commission, and that the Superintendent has accepted the resignation .

Another contraec for Harbor Reclamation is about to be let, it being notified in the " Gazette " that plans may be ?een at the office of the Provincial Engineer, and that tenders will be received at the office of the Secretary of Public Works until noon on Monday, the 11th April. Tho work proposed to be let is nearly three times as extensive as tbat which was Lately completed by Mr James Mackenzie ; 15j acres being now to be reclaimed, as against the 5£ acres finished and partly sold. It will be remembered that Mr Mackenzie's contract terminated at the Old Jetty. What is now to be done is to continue the line of that work parallel with Princes street, and 400 ft from its easterly side, from the Old Jetty to the Anderson's Bay Road ; and it will be at once obvious how great will be the city improvement that will be thus effected.

A correspondent writes to the " Hobart Town Mercury," complaining bitterly of the charge on fruit from Tasmania to New Zealand. The " Mercury" says :—": — " His complaint was levelled chiefly, if not exclusively, at the shipowners of this port, and was not by any means guarded in its language, or moderate in its tone It came to us, however, in such a form, aud from such a quartet-, that we could rfot well dec'ine Us insertion, and yet we felt bound to make some inquiry as to the strict accuracy of its contents. That inquiry has led to a belief, that our correspondent was more than a little out in m' 3 facts, and that his remarks on what he assumes are more than a little illiberal and ungenerous. He appeals to us to cry down the charges on fruit carried from th is port to New Zealand as ' an extortion' on the community. He alludes to the owners of vessels trading to New Zealand and other colonies, as doing all in their power to cripple, if not absolutely destroy, tho fruit trade of the colony. He says these gentlemen are in the habit of charging two shillings and sixpence on every smull case of appfrs sent to New Zealand, and that that has had the effect of rendering our early apples almost valueless. His opinion is. that freight ought not to be kept up to the figure at whirh it stood when apples were ten to twelve shillings a bushel, inasmuch as seamen's w.igcs are considerably lower, and vessels can be victualled at little more than halfprice. An 4 h<: sulds, moreover, that the ship, ov.-ners. by t!ui3 destroying tiadc. are not on'v inflict in;, r a bl-nr o\i rh-j prosperity of the colon}', but will ultimate!}- find it opposed to their own interests. It must, in his judgment, lessen the trade for their vessels."

Th** area bounded towards the North hy Deep Stream to Ciutha River; theno by Allan's Creek to its source; thence by a direct lino to a Triarnomi trical Station, Waikouaiti Survey District; thence toward the East by a direct line to Trignometrical Station Lin the said Waikouaiti Survey District; thence by a line direct to Brin's Point; thence towards the South by the ocean to the mouMi of the Taieri River; thence towards the West by the Taieri River to the Waipori Lake; thence by tho Waipori Lake and the Waipori River ro Lammeriaw Creek; thence by Lammerl.iw Cree'- to its source; and thence by a line due North to thy Deep Stream, the starting point, has been proclaimed an infected district under the provisions of the Diseased Cattle Act, IS6I.

The following gentlemen have been appointed to be a local committee for promoting the adequate representation of the Canterbury Province in the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, viz.:— The Hon. H. J. Tancred, A. C. Barker. C. Davie, James Crawford, W. C, Beswick, Alexander Lean, W. T. L. Travers, the Yen. Archdeacon Matthias, Dr Haast, R. Wilkin, F. A. Weld, Wm. Donald, W. J. W. Hamilton. Herbert Belfield, Jatnes Edw. Fitzgerald, Esqs.

Messrs. S. Parry and Co., ironfounders, &c, Great King-street, have just turned out what is believed to be the largest casting yet made in Otago. It weighs 21cwt., and is in> tended for the flax mill, now being erected by Messrs. Bowler j'.nd Walker, in the valley of the Water of Leith. The mill will soon be in operation, and we understand that Messrs. Bowler and Walker feel confident that they will be able to produce a superior sample of flax. We heartily wish thern'success in their undertaking.

A judge being present at the representation of " Pizarro," fell asleep in the midst of Rollas speech to his troops. Mortifying as this must have been Sheridan said, with his usual goodhumor "Let him sleep; he thinks he is on the bench."

Why should a civet cat be a good hunter?— Because she never loses her scent.