News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 666, 3 September 1864, Page 13

News of the Week.

[from the daily times.]

We draw particular attention to the first of a series of illustrated articles on gold mining which appears in this day's paper, and which will be found replete with interest.

The powers of the Governor, under the Gold Fields' Acts, have been delegated to the Superintendent of Canterbury.

By the City of Dunedin we have Havelock papers to the 20 th inst., and extract pars, which appear elsewhere.

A despatch from the Secretary of State concedes the title of " Honorable" to members of the South Australian Executive who have ceased to hold office after serving three years, or one year as a leader of Government. This distinction, however, has effect only in South Australia.

One of the largo iron lighters belonging to the Otago Steam Navigation Company was successfully launched on Wednesday from the spot, near Rattray street jetty, where it has been put together. The launch was accomplished without the slightest hitch, and the vessel was immediately taken alongside the Old Jetty, where the wood work will be 1 finished

The Argus records the death, on the 18ttt August, at St. Kilda, of Dr. S. Patterson, late of H.M.C.S. Victoria The deceased gentleman served with the ship with credit in the New Zealand war, and in the expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

A farmer writes to the South Australian Register offering to find tenants for eighteen aheep runs, comprising together 184 square miles, at a gross rental of £59,000 per annum. The same area of land, he says, is now yielding only about £4300 per annum.

By an Order in Council, dated 16th August, 1864, a sitting of the Court of Appeal of NewZealand is appointed to be held within the Supreme Court of Dunedin, on the 17th of October next, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.

Mr Warden J. S. Hickson, writing front the Manuherikia under date, 20th August, reports :— " The weather this week has been remarkably good ; the days being warm and sunshiny, with hard frosts at night. The Molyneux still falling by slow degrees, and within three or four inches as low as before the last flood. Miners generally obtaining good prospects on the beaches. I find that manyare setting in to the rocky banks of the river, where some have already made good prospects, with a prospect of better results the further they get in. An application was made to me yesterday, for the abandoned quartz reef on the south Rough Ridge, near the Serpentine, and I am told, there are working on on the flat immediately under the reef, about two hundred and fifty men, who are said to be making fair wages.

The bill of indictment against Mr. Charle3 Williamson, charged with assault with intent, was ignored by the Grand Jury yesterday.

"We take the following from the Southern Cross of the 16th inst. :— ln a letter from our Tauranga correspondent given in yesierday's issue, reference was made to the old chief Taraia, who had given expression to threats of dire vengence, against the Tauranga natives, and we quote the following from Thompson's "New Zealand" to profe that his hatred of the Ngaiterangi dates f.om a considerable time back :—": — " Between Taraia's tribe in the river Thames, and the Tauranga natives, wars have occurred for several generations, and their hatred commenced thus :— A marriage took place in which the husband belonged to one of these tribes, the wife to the other ; and some time afterwards the girl's father was cast ashoij near his married daughter's residence, where he was killed and eaten. The girl fled to her father's people, and war broke out be ■ tween the two tribes, which has been renewed on trivial grounds ever since. It wss theTauranga people that killed the eanorwrecked man, and in excuse for their conduct they alleged that it was a la\7 written on their hearts, that persons saved from drowning always brought evil to their preservers. In 1842 Taraia was living* quietly in his pah, when he received insulting letters from the Tauranga natives. Secretly he collected forty picked warriors, and started \ with the night flood up the Thames to wreak his vengeance on the slanderers. Oa reaching the upper part of the river the war party disembarked, dragged their canoes on shore, and crossed the mountains which lie between the Thames and Tauranga. Oa the road, they halted until evening, lest their approach, might be observed. The pah to be surprised was Engaro, and in it were sixteen men with, women and children ; the remainder were absont at a funeral ceremony. Before dawn Taraia's party approached close under the pah. One man within it had risen early to smoke his pipe, and was standing at the fence overlooking the sea ; heating the stones rolling under the war party's feet, he called out, ' Hallo ! whence come these men outside our pah ?' Te Whanake, who came to the fence on hearugr tiie cry, said, 'No, it is the tide dashing against the stones ;' but the chief, whose Christian name was Thompson, called out a second time, • Which of our men is outside our pah V Te Whanake again replied, 'No, it is the tide dashing against the stones.* Thompson now saw the enemy advancing, and shrieked out, ' 0 my friends, there is a war party attacking us ;' but before the exclamation was finished the enemy were in the pah. Three chiefs, one woman, and a child were slain, and twelve women and children enslaved ; the remainder escaped to their canoes. Ths bodies of Te Whanake and Reko, after being cooked, were entombed in the warriors' stomachs. Tautahanga was interred, and not eaten, being a blood connection of the war party. After the action Taraia went over the deserted pa, and collected the guns, the religious books of God, aud the hymn-books of the people ; then his party returned to their canoes on the Thames. On the road they robbed a white man's house, but Taraia made tliem restore the blankets. Pa ialing down the Thames they stopped one night at a Christian settlement. There they ran to the church with the two chiefs' heads, rang the bell, and caricatured the Christian service ; to the great God of Heaven they prayed boastfully, and danced war dances ; one old man tore prayer books with his teeth, put out his tongue at the Christian natives, and stretching wide his arms, cried aloud, « When will Christ your God come to save those of you who have been cooked in the oven ? What is your God ? — all lies.* Then the whole party jeered the Christians. The next day Taraia reached his own village. In it there was a church and a few believers ; here they rang the prayer bell and mocked the God of Heaven. When the Christians were at their evening prayers, Taraia rolled the two chiefs' heads into the midst of them. A portion of the body of Te Whanake was sent to Te Taniwha at Coromandel, but that chief returned the flesh, and announced that he and his people would continue worshipping God only."

u»

Tauranga, it seems, is destined to be a place (f some importance in the North Island. Government surveyors are actively engaged laying out a township — a military township is also being marked off— and a Custom-house and Post-office are about to be established. Mr Rice, of the Civil Service, at present acting Custom-house Officer and Native Interpreter is to be appointed permanently. A wharf is also in contemplation ; and this very desirable district for settlement may therefore be expected soon to attain the dimensions of a prosperous township.

A telegram from Sydney in the Argiu of the 20th, says that a party of police, under Sir F. Pottinger, encountered a bushranger, who fired at Seigeant Condc-11, near Wheo^ro, yesterday. A regular bubh fight took place. A number of shots were exchanged. Tiie police horses got bogged, aud the bushranger escaped. The police are still on the track.

The difference between the Governments of Victoria and New South Wales on the subject of border duties appear t.) have reached a crisis. The New South Wales Govoi nment have decided that the demands of the Victorian Government respecting the navigation of the Murray prevents further negotiations, and they have instructed a staff of officers to proceed to the Murray, and commence collecting duties from the 10th September, on all dutiable commodities crossing the border, or carried along the river, unless they come from Soutli Australia, the Government of which colony will collect duties under arrangements made.

The following regulation, with respect to the inland postage of newspapers, is published in the General Government Gazette :—": — " Any letter, newspaper, or packet requiring to be redirected to any place within or without the Post Office district to which it is at first addressed, becomes liable to a fresh rate of New Zealand Postage, which new rate shall be payable, upon delivery, by the person to whom such letter shall have been so redirected. This regulation shall not apply to letters addressed to the officers and men of Her Majesty's naval and military forces, or of the militia and volunteer forces engaged in the field or on active service."

Mr Michael Keogh, officer in charge atSwitzer's, under date 20th August, writes as follows :—": — " Within the last week there has been an inclination towards an increase of population in this district (as I anticipated would be the case a few weeks since). On my return (after leave) I perceived several indications of improvement here, such as residence an as enclosed. During my return journey I found the track between the Molyneux "and the Pyramids in first-rate travelling order, no rain (of any moment) having fallen here for upwards of a month. The greai^ rain fall, which recently caused so much injury on the Molyneux, thus appeais to have been confined to the other side of the dividing range,"

Rowdyism has broken out in a serious form on the Marlborough diggings, where the police protection appears to be quite inadequate for the preservation of order. We take the following from the Haveloch Mail of the 20th ult. : — At Deep Creek, on the night mentioned, we learned that a violent and dangerous riot occurred, and that, in the attempt to arrest a man who was in a drunken condition, one of the assisting members ot the Police Force there stationed received such injuries, that at the lime information reached <us his life hung by a slender thread. The facts, as we heard them, aro of the following nature : — Constable Good all apprehended a man at Deep Creek for druukenness, and, while endeavoring to effect his arrest, re■oeived assistance from S.rgeant Cruikshank and Mr Mulray ; their attempt, however, met with resistance, for according to our informant, they were assailed by a lot of rowdy "ruffians, who kicked aud abused them in a frightful and cowardly manner. In self-defence, we understand, Sergeant Cruikshank fired one of the barrels of his revolver. The mob at once tore it from his grasp, and discharged the remaining •contents, but yet it has not been ascertained whether in the air, or with intent to slay any of the peace conservators. Sergeant Cruikshank was then bruised and otherwise illtreated to the extent we have described. Mr Mulray deserves much credit for the prompt action he took to procure succour, for notwithstanding the injuries inflicted on himself, while attempting to uphold the constituted custodians of our lives and liberties, he ut once mounted and rode into Havelock with the intelligence we have narrated. The whole police force of the district immediately departed for the theatre of action, leaving the town in the care of one policeman, and at the mercy of any similar outbreak of vagabondism that might happen at our ©wn thresholds. The crisis contemplated for some time past by ourselves and our correspondents in the columns of this journal has now arrived. Repeatedly the attention of the Government was drawn to the inefficient police protection of the town, and particularly of #ie diggings the Pelorus district possesses. Only 11 constables, officers, and detectives, inclusive, to keep watch and ward over her Majesty's lieges through a distance of 25 miles, and in a country, too, which, from its difficult and impenetrable character, affords facilities for the commission of crime, and renders its detection a matter of hazardous uncertainty. The distribution of this fdrce is regulated amongst a population of 2,800, stretching from the Forks to Canvas Town — So. At the Forks two police, who have to preserve the peace, and apprehend criminals, amongst 1200 men ; then, again, we have three at Deep Creek, and two at Canvas Town, which leaves 1800 inhabitants to be controlled into channels of propriety by five officers of the peace; Ilavelock and the Escort service absorbing the remaining balance.

Mr Warden Beetham, writing from the Wakatip district, on the 20th icst., reports -.—. — " The weather during the week has continued fine. Re: airs on the river are progressing rapidly. The fine open weather gives a full rush of water for sluicing purposes ; the claims are in full operation. An inque3t was held, on the 18th, on the body ot Jane Simpson, who died very suddenly in Queenstown. The immediate cause of death appeirs to have been pneumonia."

The New Zealander says :— " We have received a communication from a gentleman who has some thoughts of organizing a company, to obtain from China a very prolific breed of sheep, which finds much favour with the inhabitants of that country. Their fecundity seems very surprising, as they arj said to produce from three to five at a birtii, or as our account calls it, a litter, and to have a litter of this kind twice a year. Their maternal ingenuity is not, it seems, inferior to their fecundity, as they wean the stronger lambs, ami allow the more weakly ones to suck for a longer time. They are said to produce from sfrven to twelve pounds of wool annually, to weigh 14.3 lbs. to 170 lbs. as mutton, ami to be of a quality not inferior to Leicester sheep. These sheep inhabit the northern parts of Ciina near the Great Wall, and would therefore requiie to be acclimatised to our warmer climate. We fear that their rapid rate of increase would soon out-run the increase in the extent of our pastures, the limits of which must necessarily be the limits also of the sheep for which we <"an find feed On the unlimited grassy plains of the Middle Island such sheep would find '■' ample scope and verge enough/ and prove most valuable to flock-owneis. The climate, too, would, especially on the southern parts of the island, approximate more closely to that from whence they came.

The Marlborough Press of the 17th announces the discovery of another seam of coal near Picton :— " We were yesterday shown a very fine sample of coal discovered by Messrs Symms and Wigstrom within a mile of Picton and close to the sea shore; in fact the sample shown us was covered with small shells, clearly indicating that it was obtained from a locality in close proximity to the sea. We witnessed a portion of it burning in a grate at the Ship Hotel, and it gave forth a bright but cheering blaze, without emitting any of the noxious gases for which our New Zealand coal is so celebrated, and we are bound to confess that it is the nearest approach to the Newcastle coal that has yet been obtained. If the seam from which the sample produced was obtained proves to be of any thickness, it will be an invaluable benefit to the Province. We are not psrmitted for the present to give publicity to the locality, but will shortly be in a position to give fuller particulars.

Tlie Argus states that the prospectus has been issued of a dry dock company, for the purpose of constructing a dock on tin site of Ohessell's slip, on the south hank of the Ynrra, opposite the Australian Wharf. It is proposed that the dock shall be capable of taking in ships drawing thirteen and a half feet of water, the deepest water on the bar at the highest tides. For iron vessels such a dock would be particularly useful, as it would bring them near to the engineering establishments. The prospectus states that the gross tonnage of the steamers belonging to and trading from the port is 15,000 tons, and there are fully 500 sailing vessels, of an aggiegate burden of 70,000 tons, belonging to the port, besides ethers trading from it The proposed capital is £20,000, in shares of £50 each. The estimate for the dock is £13,700, and it is stated that a well known contractor has made an offer to carry out the contract for a less sum. The plans are by Mr Elsdon, of the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company, and have been much admired.

The following account of the Volunteer Prize Firing at Wanganui and Taranaki is extracted from the New Zealayider -.--The highest score of Nelson was 39 made by J. Tunnicliff. Wanganui and Taranaki have both beaten this. The Wamjamn Chronicle says :—": — " That our riflemen have not entirely lost their skill for want of practice, is evident from tiie scores that a few of the cavalry volunteers mndc - yesterday morning, the highest of which was forty, made by Lieut. W. T. Owen, of the Wanganui troop, who has, as far as is yet known here, made the best score in the colony. His shooting was, however, surpassed yesterday by Mr Summerville, who gained the third prize of a former year, and who, in practising, made fortyfour. Whether ho will be equally successful in firing for the prizes remains to be seen." The Taranaki Herald, of the 16th instant, under the head " Prize Firing," has the following :— " The firing for the Government prizes was begun this week. We have no room for details, but the highest score made was that of Corporal W. Humphries, of No. 3 Bushrangers, who yesterday made no less than 40 points out of the 15 shots (13 at 300 yards, 14 at 400, and 13 at 500). This looks well for the champion belt ; but in aay event, we may congratulate Mr Humphries, on his having made a splendid score. Pa .The second here as yet is Mr F. Hursthouse for the same company, who made 31."

The New Zealander of August 16th informs us :—": — " On board the Sea Breeze, schooner, from Russell, Bay of Islands, we have had an opportunity of seeing a cpecimen of Mtuvakawa coal. It is a good black coal, not brown, and appears to indicate an old formation. The officers of the Sea Breeze speak highly of its burning qualities. We learn that the miners have bored to the extent of ten feet without having reached the bottom of the seam. The importance of a really good coal-mine in the Bay of Islands could scarcely be estimated."

In the Haveloch Mail it is reported that a number of Maoris " stuck up" the carrier of the mail bag between Havelock and Deep Creek. The story of the man is that seven natives presented a pistol at him and demanded the mail bag. Tho tale appears to be an exceedingly improbable one. The mail bag was subsequently found quite iutactjuear the scene of attack.

We take the following from the Ne/jon Examiver of the 20th instant : — " By the return of the steamer Nelson from the West Coast, on Thursday evening, the Government received twenty-five tons of coal from the Grey, and two tons of coal from the Buller, The former was got out by contract from the seam on the river bank, about seven miles from its I mouth, and was taken down to the port in | canoes ; the latter was obtained from the seam in Coalbrook Dale, at the back of Mount Rochfort, and, consequently, had first to be carried up an ascent of 317 feet, in order to cross the mountain, and then convpved down the mountain from a height of 2129 feet — a distance altogether of twelve miles — on the hacks of men, assisted only by one horse. Mr Burnett having been unable to procure the aid of bullocks. Both sample* of coal appear to be very good That from the Grey is highly bituminous, boils and cakes rapidly, and lights easily. It appears to be a coal better adapted for household purposes than for the furnace ; the seam from which it was taken was worked from roof to floor, and proved to be fifteen feet thick. The seam from which the samples of coal from the Buller was taken is peculiarly hard, and this, it is helieved, will furnish a superior coal for st"amers. The seam was eight feet thick, but among this there were seven or eight inches of a somewhat earthy coal, but no shale was met with. Acting upon Dr. Hector's suggestions, Mr Burnett traced several scams of the coal considerably further than ho had done before, in order to assure himself of the extent of the coal field at the Buller. The boring on the seaward face of Mount Rochfort has not yet been attended with success, as the ground first tried proved to he a landslip. Another snot was then chosen, and when the steamer left, a depth of four fathoms had been obtained in solid ground without meeting with any coal."

Mr E. H. Carew, officer in charge at Nokomni, under date 20th August, writes as follows :—": — " The newly occupied tunnelling claims mentioned in my last report are prov ing payable, on an average from fifteen shillings to a pound per day per man, and the holders expect the yield to improve as they penetrate further into the hill. At the Surface Hill extended claims (old worked ground) are eagerly sought after. This ground was originally very rich, and it is expected to pay handsome wages for re-working. No river claims have been taken up for some time past, as the surface eartli on the banks, generally used here for filling in head and wing dams, has been so much frozen as to be unprourable."

The New Zealander states that the East Coast natives at Makctu have conceived the rather novel idea of emigrating to the South Sea Islands The prime mover in this scheme is Marsh, an influential chief of the Arawa tribe, fie has gleaned, it would appear, some particulars respecting the fertility of the soil on these islands, and is enamoured, with others of his tribe, of the bananas, cocoa-nuts, and general productiveness of the land. Govern ment, it is believed, were contemplating the purchase of a plot of land on the Sandwich I-lands for this purpose, Marsh repaying the outlay with his own claims. It would be a very satisf ictory solution of the native difficulty if this example were generally followed.

It would appear that the natives who lately surreudereiat Tauranga are not held in very high estimation in consequence by their rebellious brethren. The coi respondent of the Southern Cross says :: — %t The rebel natives call the Maoris who have surrendered, and are now living here, a set of potatoe-eating sneaking cowards ; and they are, if possible, more anxious to punish them for their cowardice than they are to resist the intrusion of the troops into native territory. A concerted arrangement was made with Taraia, that on the day of the fight at Te Ranga ho was to make an attack upon the camp, by an onset upon the Judea Redoubt, and crossing the Waikiriau river ; whilst William Thompson was to descend with a large body of followers from the ranges in the direction of Kahakaharoa, where Penetaka's pah was situate. But Taraia, although leading his dusky troops in close proximity to the camp on the memorable Tuesday on which the victory at Te Ranga was secured to our arms, did not venture to make an attack. He listened for the firing to take place at Te Ranga to assure himself that the troops and natives were busily engaged ; but not hearing any sounds, he declared he was " sold." He appeared to be more thoroughly cony need in this opinion on hearing that Te Ranga had fallen so easily into our hand 3. The wily William Thompson re-enacted his well-known Rangiriri tactics. Although he had reinforcements in the neighborhood he was too cautious to endanger his personal safety from arrest, and having, as the old adage puts it, a sound mind, he was determined to keep it in a sound body. Sickness was made an excuse on this occasion for not appearing. On the return of the Sandfly towards the harbor, the natives on board expressed a strong wish to be initiated into the mysteries of the firing of the guns, and to satisfy their curiosity one of the pieces of ordnance was discharged just as the steamer was entering the harbor. They gave a loud " hip, hip, hurrah," on hearing the noise caused by the discharge, and appeared highly pleased as well as interested in the explanation given as to loadiug the piece.

The Superintendent of Canterbury has removed the restrictions on the importation of cattle from the provinces of Nelson, Maryborough, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington. This measure is reciprocated by the Wellington Superintendent.

We clip the following from the New Zeal ndr of the 18th instant :—" The colonial gunboat Sandfty, Captain Marks, which brought up the Ministers from Tauranga, and his Excellency the Governor from the Kawau on Monday afternoon, had on board some of the most influential of the surrendered chiefs from the former place, on a visit to Auckland. Amongst the hulk prisoners at the Kawau were five Tauranga natives, whom the Governor had decided on liberating, three of them being the very men who volunteered to fetch water for the wounded in tho Pukehinabina engagement, along witli a fourth, who perished in (.he attempt. Colonel Booth, when lying wounded at the camp, spike in high terms of this noble effort on the part of the natives, and His Excellency has been pleased to liberate them from bondage in consequence. Amongst the natives brought by the Sandfly from Tauranga was the brother of one of the three prisoners liberated, and the joy of the two on meeting each other so unexpectedly, and under such an altered aspect, was affecting to all who witnessed it» The g-eeting of the two lost ones v/as pathetic, and the other natives joined in a general expression of their joyous feelings at the un-looked-for iucident."

The following, from the Argus of the 23rd, will prove interesting to some of our readers : — " A public meeting was held last evening at the Wesley Church, Lonsdale street,- iv connexion with the jubilee of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church. The Rev. I). J. Draper, chairman of the Melbourne district, took the chair ; and a rather numerous audience attended. The chairman, in explaining the object for which the meeting had been called, referred to the enthusiastic manner in which the jubilee of the Wesleyan Missionary Society had been celebrated at home, and said at the last Australasian Conference it was resolved that it would devolve upon the church here also to celebrate the jubilee of that branch of the mission to which the denomination in these colonies owed its existence. lie then read some interesting statistics of the growth of Wesleyan Methodism in these colonies. He traced it from its foundation at Sydney, in the year 1815, by the arrival of the Rev. Samuel L»igh as a missionary, down to the present time, when it numbered 215 ministrrs, nearly 40,000 church members, and 200,000 persons 'vho sat under its ministry. In the year 1820, one missionary was sent from Sydney to hew Zealand, and one, the Rev. Walter Lloyd, to the Frien.lly Islands. Returns of the total number of ministers and members were then given for several of the successive 3 r ears, and then an account of the number of ministers and members in each of the' Australasian colonies and the dependent missions in the Friendly Islands. In conclusion the chairman referred to the want of an institution for the training of young ministers for the work, and while recapitulating the wonderful progress of the past, desired his hearers to remember the great-, extent of the field which yet remained untouched, for the culture of which many more laborers and equally zealous endeavours to these of the:r predecessors would be required. The Reverend Joseph Dare followed, adding to the statistics given by the last speaker, thatat the present time,in the Australian colonies, there were 127 ministers, 530 churches, and 290 rented places used for worship, 15,000 members, 30,000 school- children, and more than 100,000 of the population, under the spiritual care of the church, and these all Europeans, besides the vast numbers of the native races in New Zealaud and in the Friendly Islands who were members of the church, or regular attendants at the services of the missions. By these speakers, together with the Revs. Egajleston, Harcourt, and others, the progress of the Wesleyan Church in each of the colonies was traced from its beginning, and the present flourishing condition of these bodies was pourtrayed. One need was adverted toby most of the sp a akers, that of a training institution for young ministers, and hopes were expressed that before many years this great want would be supplied. The theological college at present existing in Tasmania, where they first minister arrived only twenty-five years ago, was spoken of in terms of praise. Several other gentlemen having addressed the meeting, a collection was made in aid of the jubilee fund."

The following paragraph from the New Zealander will be of interest to our sporting readers •.—". — " The whole of the racing stud of Mr Joseph Ilargreaves was passed under the hammer on Saturday last by Mr Alfred Buckland, at the Haymarket, Queen street. There was a large attendance of people, but, judging by tho bidding, there were not many buyers in the crowd; indeed the prices atwhich some very fine blood stock was knocked down were little over the ordinary quotations for saddle hacks. The bay entire, Dundee* four years old, was bought in on a private offer of £100, to be taken to Wanganui. The brown mare, Conntes3, with a S.B. pedigree* and in foal by Dundee, brought only £22; and her foal, by Visiou, £20. Heather Bell, sister to Kauri Gum, in foal by Dundee, went at £28 10s., and her filly foal by Vision £10 10s. f Refraction, in foul by Duudee, brought £16 103. A filly by Vision sold for £25, and one by Pacific at £18. A bay colt by Towion, out of Countess, brought £61; a roan horse, out of Retraction, by Pacific, coming four years, £30; and a brown cole by Pacific, out of Deception, £61. This was all that was offered belonging to Mr Hargreaves, although there was more thoroughbred Btotk sold,"

The quantity of gold exported from Auckland, in the quarter ended 30th June, was 1696 ounces, -valued £5095. The whole of this was exported to New South Wales. From Lyttelton to Great Britain, 23 ounces valueL9l ; trom Dunedin, 1 38,032 ounces^value £534,874. The greater part of this v»as sent to Victoria and New South Wales. From the Province of Nelson the value exported was .£17,676 ; from Marloorough, £27,919.

, Further serious floods are reported from New South Wales. AJvices from Macleay Eiver represent the effects of the flood as most disastrous. Over 200 persons arc rendered homeless, and are starving. The flood was neaily eight feet higher than was ever known pieviously. Twenty-three houses were swept away.

The Argus is just now producing a series of very interesting articles on the provincial districts of Victoria, entitled, " Country Sketches." From one on Ballarat we extract the following notice of tho Benevolent Institution of Ballarat :—": — " The Benevolent Asylum, which also stands on ths Westernhill, is a fine showy-looking building, in the Elizabethan style, its red brick walls relieved at the numerous angles with white facings,. while points and minarets add much to its ap pearance. This institution is quite cosmopolitan in its character ; it relieves a more varied class than even Goldsmith's village clergyman was in the habit of sheltering. Founded in 1859, as a refuge for the old and infirm, its objects have been gradually increased, until now it is also a lyingin hospital, a homo for incurables, and an asylum for orphan and deserted children. Though not so light and airy a structure as is the hospital, built in the modern Italian styl°, yet the accommodation in the asylum is more capable of subdivision — an important point where classification has to be strictly attended to. The women and children are lodged in the southern wing. Of the former, there are but few. Though tho days when the paucity of women led to their being ( cooeyed ' in the streets are over, Ballaarat has yet, it seems, no surplus of the softer sex. There are sehlom more than a dozen female adults in the place, and these are either old Avornen or sick and hclples-» wives, whose husbands are playing the truant on New Zealand El Dorados. The women have plenty of sowing found them, for all tho inmates are attired in raiment made on the spot, or altered from the clothes charitable people supply the institution with. Tlie children are educated, and taught how to do domestic work. The males, boys and adults, have distinct quarters in the centre and the north wing of the huilding. The men arc employed about the grounds, but in most instances decay or disease prevents their services being of much value. Many of them, drink, the bane of the colony, has prematurely broken down ; hut melancholy cases of far-gone consumption, frost-bitten limbs, grey hairs, and wasted forms, tell how well the charity is applied. Among the inmates at the present moment is an old Waterloo veteran, still upright, as a soldier should be, and tolerably hale and hearty. The building accommodates 224 residents, and last year 336 persons were afforded a home. Out-door relief is also given in cases which have been investigated by the committee. A distribution of flour, rice, tea, and other creature comforts, is made once a week, and on an average day in the present month 147 families, consisting of 410 persons, were relieved. Last year the total expenditure was £7950. The erection for the aged and the diseased of an institution which costs itself neaily £9000, and its liberal maintenance, say much for the goodwill and charity of the public of tho district."

Within the past few days the warders in the jail and in charge of the convicts at work on Bell Hill, have been armed with Colt's revolving rifle. Each rifle, though having only one barrel, contains in its chambers five cartridges, and is sighted for a range of 600 yards. This is a great improvement on the old rifle formerly carried by the warders, and gives an additional security to the community against escape or revolt on the part of the large number of convicts now in our jail.

We learn from a telegram in the Argus that a Berious collision has occurred between the Europeans and Chinese, on the New South Wales diggings. The former attacked and attempted to drive the Chinese from the Spring Creek diggings, The Chinese resisted tho attack, and ten were severely wounded. One European has been injured. The police restored order, but further riots are feared.

We learn from a telegram from Adelaide, in the Argus, that important news has been received from Gawler of Mr Leichardt, the explorer. Mr Charles Hock and his party arrived from the far north. They report having discovered Mr Leichardt's skeleton, with those of two other men, 150 miles trom Lake Hope. They also found Mr Leichardt's papers. On thetrcs near the spot where they were found were cut the initials of the men in Leichardt's party. The Telegraph Bays it is reported that Leichardt'e journal has been recovered. Mr Charles Hock has just reached Adelaide. He states that the remains he found are those of Mr Leichardt and party, and that he has Mr Leichardt's writing to confirm his statement. Mr Chapman, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, has been appointed by the General Government Registrar of the Court of Appeal, which is appointed to be held in Dunedin in the month oi October next. He is empowered to make such arrangements as are suitable for the accommodation of counsel and appellants; and Messrs Mason and Uayton have been consulted, under whose directions tho necessary works will be done.

Donizetti's Opera of "Lucia di Lammermoor," attracted a full house at the Princess Theatre on Tuesday eveuing. Scarcely a seat was empty in the dress circle and stalls, and the pit was crowded. Although under an Italian name, the main incidents of the plot are familiar to those acquainted with Scott's beautiful novel of the "Bride of Lammermoor," the only variation being a few necessary for stage effect. It ie a story of one of those family feuds, which in feudal times descended as heir looms from father to son, and were perpetuated from generation to generation, until a union ot the families, the extinction of a race, or the advance in civilization brought them to an end. The plot is simple : Edgardo, (Air H. Squires,) ia secretly in love with Lucia, (Madame Lucy Escott), who returns his aftection, and, notwithstanding the quarrel which has for many years back divided the families, they exchange pledges of affection. But Lucia's family are poor, and her biothev, Enrico, (Mr. Henry Wharton,) in order to lepair their broken fortunes, determines that his sister shall enter into a mercenary marriage with Arturo (Mr Frank Trevor), a rich nobfeman. Lucia, to the chagrin and disappointment of her brother, n-jects him, but gives no reason for her determination. Enrico is unable to imagine why she is so firm in her refusal, uutil it is suggested to him by Normano (Mr Biker), that her heart ia preengaged ; that a young stranger had some time previously saved her life, and that they held frequent meetings in the park. In rage and wonder Enrico inquires who the stranger is, and is informed that it is the traditional enemy of the house— Edgardo. Animated by rage and hate, he gives vent to those feelings in the aria " cruda, funesta smania," which was very effectively given ; and iv " La pietadc in suo favere," devotes the lovers to destruction. Edgardo is despatched on State affairs to the continent ; but meets Lucia at the accustomed trystin? -place— the fountain in the park — previously to his departure. She arrives there first, and breathes forth her misgivings in the be.iutiful cavatina " Perche non ho," which was exquisitely given by Madame Lucy Escott. The duet in the parting scene between her and Edgardo, with which the first act closes, was finely rendered and loudly applauded. The plot is developed as tho opera goes on. In order to compel obedience the letters of the lovers are anticipated, and reports are spread of Edgardo's falsehood. These fail to shake the constancy ot Lucia, until at length a letter, I forged by Normano, is presented to her to rend. She imagines she has been forsaken, and in despair consents to her brother's proposal to mairy Arturo. The varying emotions which agitate her mmd — her grief, her unwillingness to make the sacrifice dgmanded by her brother, her reproaches, her despair and final acquiescence, were finely depicted by Madame Escott, Agitated by these feelings her constancy gives way, and she consents to the marriage. The ceremony is scarcely over ; tho ink with which tho bond is signed is hardly dry, when Edgardo returned from his mission enters to claim Lucia as his brile. All the treachery of which she has been the subject flashes at once upon her mind. Edgardo ia informed of her marriage, and, notwithstanding her impassioned desire to explain, he reproaches her for desertiug him -, gives back the ring which he has received from her, and thrusts her from him. No description can do justice to the manner in which Madame Escott and Mr Squires . performed this scene— both the singing and the acting were true to nature, if music under such circumstances can convey tho idea • the impression produced on the audience will be long in their memories. The sad sequel of the story is soon toll— Lucia's reason gives way under the blow her affections have received, and in frenzy she murders her husband in the bridal chamber. One of the sweetest scenes in this impassioned play is where in her madness, she fancies herself once more with her lover, and safe under his protection. The contrast between her eong of peace and her distraction is given in melodious and mournful strains, which were deliciously warbled, and at length, sinking on the stage, she is taken away by Raimondo. Edgardo too, informed of her fate, notwithstanding the efforts made to prevent him, unable to bear her loss, stabs himself, exclaiming in the aria, "In che a Dio Spegasti," that though they have been parted in earth, heaven will unite their souls. It is sufficient to say with regard to this performance, that the acting of Madame Escott and Mr Squires, apart from the perfect rendering of the music, was throughout ia the highest degree artistic, and they were well supported by Mr Wharton, Mr F. Trevor, Mr Kitts, and Mr Baker, while Mrs Ada King both looked and acted well as Liza. In one or two instances we scarcely thought the chorus perfect in their part ; but the drawbacks were so slight as not to mar the pleasure of the evening. Between the acts Madame Escott, Mr Squires, and Mr Wharton were called before the curtain, and received with warm expressions of approbation. Tho Daughter of the Regiment concluded the performance, in which Madamoiselle Rosalie Durand played the part of Marie, and Mr E. A. Beaumont that of jTonio, with great effect.

If anything was wanting to justify the hearty enthusiasm which the public of Dunedin have manifested with respect to the visit of the Lyster Opera Company, the performance of Wednesday supplied it. Verdi is undoubtedly one of the most popular of operatic composers. Critics have damned his style, vocalists have complained bitterly of the strain he imposes upon them, and yet wo question if I

any operatic writer enjoys so much popularity as Verdi. The opera produced last night is not only the greatest favorite with the public, but may with justice be considered the best effort . of the composer. There is nothing in the o her compositions of Verdi to compare with what he has done in Trovatore. This opera is free from many of the extravagances which characterise the other productions of Verdi, and it contains choice morceaux, compared with which, all the other emanations of the composer's brain sink into mediocrity. We are aware fhat strict musical ciitics do not generally believe in Verdi. There is an abandon in his style which is hardly reconcileable with the more chaste and perfect works of the other composers of the Italian School. Yet we do not think that either Bellini or Donnizetti wedded their music so happily to the <text as Verdi has done iv Trovatore. The plot of the opera is one which affords great scope for the display of the passions, and the composar has certainly proved himself a clevsr interpreter. Soire of the duets and concerted melodies in thi3 opera are most beautiful, and arouse the sympathies of the most exigent listener. " H Trovatore" is founded on a gipsy story. An old woman is burnt for bewitching the infant son of the Count di Luna. Azucena. the daughter of the gipsy, in revenge, steals- the Count's son, and, as she supposes, throws him on tho same pile which consumed her mother. She discovers, however, to her horror, that the child she consigned to the flames was her own, a mistake out of which arises tho most striking action of the plot. Tne Count's son whom she intended to destroy, is brought up as her own under the name of Manrieo. He grows to manhood and becomes distinguished for manly accomplishments, and in a tournament is crowned by Leonora with whom he fulls deeply in love — an affection which is as ardently reciprocated. But there is a Count di Luna living, brother to the stolen child, who also loves Leonora and is incensed at her preference for Manrieo. Manrieo goes away,and it is reported that he is dead, and Leonora, in the depth of her grief, resolves to end her life in a convent. Count di Luna attempts to carr> Leonora off, and is only prevented by Manrieo, who most unexpectedly appears on the scene. Leonora and Manrieo fly ami take refuge in a castle, which is, however, stormc-d and taken by the Count. Manrieo is condemned to death, and Azucena is also apprehended and ordered to ba burnt alive, on account of her having, as it was thought, consigned the Cmnt's brother to the flames. L?onora is heart-broken at the imprisonment of her lover, and implores the Count to liberate him. He refuses, until Leonora, determined to rescue her lover at any cost, promises him her hand, on condition that Manrieo is set at liberty. The Count accepts the sacrifice, and Leonora flies to the prison to communicate the tidings of his release to Manrieo. She tells him of what she has done, and urges him to fly. Manrieo refuses to take his freedom at such a cost, but he little think 3 that Leonora baa already taken means to prevent her falling into thu hands of the Count. The* fact is that Leonora, after promising her hand to the Count in exchange for the liberty of Manrico, takes poison in order to prevent any consummation of her promise. After vainly endeavoring to persuade Manrico to fly, Leonora dies in his arms. The Count infuriated at his double disappointment, orders Manrico for immediate execution, and forces Azucena to witness her son'a execution. But the exultation of accomplished revenge is turned into terrible horror, when he discovers that the so called son of the gip3y is in fact his own brother. Azucena is thus avenged and so the plot ends. Having given a sketch of the plot, we must mention the names of the artistes who appropriated the principal characters — Mdm. Lucy Escott was Leonora ; Miss Hodson, Azucena ; Inez, i Mrs Ada King ; Count di Luna, Mr Henry J Wharton ; Manrico, Mr Henry Squires ; and Fernando, Mr Kitts. Taking the opera in the order of its performance, we must speak in terms of commendation of Mr Kitts' rendering of the aria"AbbiettaZingara;" there wasalittle want of accord between the vocalists and the ; band, but on the whole the song was well done. The chorus " SuW orlo Dei Tetti" was somewhat unsteady, and there was a marked want of attention to the p.p, passages— a fault which existed in every chorus in the opera. Mdme Lucy Eseott sang the beautiful cavatina " Tacea la Notte Placida" most exquisitely, and her conception of the music of her part was, if possible, excelled by her consummate action. Siie was equally successful in "Di tale amor che dirsi,'' her rendering of which was perfect. The band, however, was hardly delicate enough in the accompaniment. In the scena "Ah dalle tenebre," Mdme Escott showed how possible it is to sing a not very easy nor comfortable scena of Verdi's, and still to avoid all sign of eflort. There was all the requisite vehemence without the rant. The terzetto "di geloso amor sprezzato," was given exceedingly well by Mdme Escotfc. Mr Squires and Mr Wharton. The gipsy chorus, at the opening of the second act, was about the best thing the chorus accomplished, although in it there was evidence of carelessness. Miss Hodson's singing of the canzone, " Stride la varapa" exhibited her powers to the very best advantage. It would be difficult for the most sensitive of critics to pick put a single fault in Miss Hodson's conception of this part. Her action reflected every note she sang— and both action and singing were perfect. The "anvil" chorns (if so it may be called) went capitally ; and the following scene between Manrico and Azucena was moat effectively given. In the duett " Mai Reggendo," Mr Squires did wonders; his voice was iv good order and the finished style of his acting

I added no little towards his success. Mr Henry Wharton deservedly received an encore ia "II balen," an aria which lost none of its intrinsic beauties at Air Wharton's hands— or rather voice. He was also equally successful in the aria, "Per me ora F.itale."" The following chorns, "Ardir Audiani,"" was strictly given as regards the notes and time, but certainly not with respect to the modulations. The composer might just as well have omitted all mention of piano an<\ forte-— to say nothing of other signs of musical notation. The chant of the nuns was open to the same complaint,, the nuns sang much too load. Miss Hodson,. iv '• OBiubari, ' evinced how thorough is her knowledge of the character allotted to her. It is a difficult thing to draw the line between Mdme. Escott and Mi 33 Both sing equally well; but in action, they are different. Mdme. Escott is perhaps more studied in her acting; but Miss Hodson is treading close in the footsteps of the bost actors. We have not time tonotice every part of the opera, and must now go on to the " Miserere," What a disappointment it was that Mdme. Escott did not ping that exquisite aria " D'Amor suIP 'ali Rosep." Why was the opera curtailed at all ? The Miserere chorus was very badly done, and Mr Squires jeopardised his reputation considerably in " Ah ! che la Morte." Both chorus and solo singer betrayed a supreme contempt for the band, and the result was a palpable "mess." The duetto, " Mira di acerbe" was one of the gemsof the performance, as also was the duetto "Si la Sfcsnchezza." The latter was encored. No words can do justice to Mdme Escott'a acting in the last scene— indeed, we may with justice say no more perfect Leonora could be wished for. The performance concluded brilliantly as it begun, and the tumultuous call for the prima donna and Miss Hodsonproved how delighted the audience had been. On the whole, we may consider " Trovatore'* as the best thing the Company have done yet. It is a pity the scenery was so bad, but of course that could not be helped ; but both in it and the chorus a great improvement might be made.

Donizetti's Opera of La Fnvorita''" was performed on Thursday evening. There was a very good attendance, although the house was not crowded. The plot of the piece is not very intricate, but yet there are situations of great interest, especially when played with tho exquisite feeling and taste displayed in the acting of Madame Lucy Escott. We are left in the opening scene to infer that Fernando (Mr Squires), although appearing in the dress of a novice in the interior of a monastery, has seen and become deeply enamoured of Leonora, not knowing: that she, though unwillingly, is the mistress (La Favorita) of King Alphonso. In a duetto, which wa3 beautifully sung, between Fernando and Baldass'.re, (Mr J. E. Kitts,) tho former declares .iis pas3ion, and it appears in the sequel that Leonora too, is equally smitten with Fernando. From the equivocal character of her position, the subsequent misfortunes of the illfated pair arise. Fernanda "has performed brilliant military services which are acknowledged by the King, who, desirous to reward him, asks what recompense he shall make. Fernando asks only the hand of Leonora, and at once the rage and jealousy of the King are aroused. The plot, however simple, would not be complete without a traitor, and such a one is found in Don Gaspar,. (Mr F. Trevor,) who, from some cause not developed, is the enemy of Fernando and Leonora. In order to effect her ruin he contrives the imprisonment of Inez, (Mrs Ada King,) the confidanteof Leonora, who has sent her to reveal her position to Fernando, whom she has determined not to disgrace. Imagining that he isfiillv informed on the subject, she is overjoyed that Fernando still desires to marry her, when, on the ceremony being performed, he is cut by all the nobles and treated with contempt, on account of having married theKing's mistri-ss. Believing she has deceived: him in concert with the' King, his rage knowsno bounds, and in scorn ho hurls at "him the badges of honor conferre3 upon him, leaves the court and returns to the monastery, where he meets with Leonora at the altar, a penitent. A most touching scene occurs between them -, but at length love triumphs over pride, and while clasped iv each other's arms Leonora sinks and dies of a broken> heart.

The population on the Upper Shotover diggings is estimated by Mr Warden Aylmer at 1300, of whom 1100 are miners. Hereports the weather as favorable to mining operations, and the miners working with great energy on the river.

Mr Warden Broad, under dato of the27 th August, estimates the population of I Hamilton's and neighboring diggings, at 2,3Bs— distributed as follows : Hamilton's, 200 miners, 100 othera ; Hyde, 1,000 miners, 200 others ; Hindon, 200 miners, 50 others - y Sowburn, 80 miners, 20 othera ; Serpentine, 80 miners,' 15 others ; Fullarton's, 120 miners, 20 others ; and 300 in other parts of the district. He appends the following remarks to his report :— The number of men now at work in the gullies beyond the Sowburn is about 100, and daily increasing. A pennyweight to the dish appears to ba about the average yield. The large sluicing companies on the hill at Hamilton's still continue to work with snecess, and the supply of water has been good. The miners at Hydo have i not been washing up during the past week, when they do the escort will shew a perceptible increase. Mr Mackenzie ia on the ground surveying the township and sites ior agricul tnral areas. We have had a alight fall of snow the last two days, but it is rapidly disappearing.

The adjourned weekly meeting of the Town Board was held on Thursday afternoon, at which a large amount of business was disposed of, A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, stating that the Government are not prepared to place a sum on the Estimates for the construction of Maclaggan Street sewer, as they did not consider this was a work which could properly be made a charge upon the revenue of the Province. A motion was agreed to instructing the Clerk to write to the Government again on this subject, pressing the matter still further on their consideration, and showing the hardship which it would be to assess the inhabitants of a special locality for the construction of such large sewernge works, when they are for the benefit of the wholo town. The business of the meeting was nearly concluded, when a "scene" took place with Mr David Miller, which ended in that member lodging another protest.

His Honor the Superintendent has appointed the after-mentioned gentlemen to be Medical Officers under the " Vaccination Act, 1863 :" — For the Oamaru district, William Keynolds Hayue, Esq., M. D., and John Stubbs Wait, Esq.. M.D.; for Dunedin district, the Resident Surgeon at the Hospital, who will attend every Tuesday and Friday, at one o'clock p.tn. ; for the Tokomairiro distrier, Daniel Cameron, Esq., M.D. ; for the Tuapeka district, Ebenezer Hully, Esq., Surgeon ; for the Molyneux district, John Gibson Smith, Esq. Surgeon ; for the Dunatan district, Charles Lloyd Morice, Esq., Surgeon, Clyde; James Corse, Esq., M.D. Cromwell ; Charles Shand, Esq., Duntstan Creek ; Wakatipu district, John Douglas, Esq., M.D. The following sections from the Vaccination Act are published for general information : — 3. The parent of every unvaccinated child born in New Zealand after the first day of March 1864 shall within six calendar months after the birth of such child take or cause to be taken the said child to a Medical Practitioner or to tho medical officer appointed for the district within which the said child is resident, for the purpose of being vaccinated, and the said medical officer so appointed shall thereupon, or ai soon after as it may properly be done, •vaccinate the said child. 4. Upon the eighth day following the day on which any child has been vaccinated as aforesaid, the parent of the said child shall again take, or cause to be taken, the said child lo the medical practitioner or medical officer by whom the operation was performed, in order that the medfeal practitioner or medical officer may ascertain by inspection the result of such operation.

Mr Warden Simpson estimates the population of the Mount Benger district at 1250, of whom 900 are miners. He makes the following report : — " The week has been marked by very fine weather, with light frost?, causing the river to fall within a few inches of the level she reached before the last flood, and all the beach holders who stuck to their claims are again busy at work. In the beginning of the week a great many of the river miners left for the LoDg Valley and Serpentine direction. At the Gully on Wednesday there were about 200 miners on the ground, and some very good finds made, but since that they have got more scattered, a good many going in the direction of the Laramerlaw. The weather is atill too severe to admit of muoh prospecting being done there, but that part of the district is well spoken of for the summer. Sluicing claims on the banks are attracting more attentiou among the miners inclined to settle down. In the upper part of the river portion of the district, near the Fourteen and Sixteen-mile Beaches, within the last few •weeks five or six water races have been applied for, to be used to sluice the banks— which are there turning out very well, heavy gold generally being found. It is to be regretted that there the banks are limited by reason of the narrow gorge through which the liver flows. One party of miners near the fourteen- mile Beach purpose fetching a water race across the river from the west to the east side. On the small flat i»t the Fourteenmile Beach, which sometime ago I reported a party of Frenchmen had struck a patch, the same party are still at work, and continue to do so with success, for no later than Tuesday they obtained in two loads 12 ounces. The gold seems to be in a narrow lead, but, strange to say, none but the Frenchmen can strike it. The other day I went over M'Auliffe and Co's large race from the Teviot, which may now be said to be completed ; it is certainly a ■work which displays engineering skill. The ■water is taken from the creek about two miles up, and is carried along the gorge for threequarters of a mile or thereabouts in fluming, in the construction of which there has been about 8000 feet of timber used. Some parts of this flaming are upwards of 100 feet above the creek. At one part considerable ingenuity is shown in carrying it through a most remarkable natural split in the rock from 150 to 200 feet in depth. The race is about five miles in length, and has taken some nine months to complete, and its cost is estimated at from £800 to £1000, a proof, I should say, in the belief by some of the auriferous nature of the banks of the Clutha. Next week, I believe, will see it in full operation. Of the ■works in the lower part of the district, I will report on in my next."

The heavy weather which prevailed at the early part of the week, was felt severely at Waikouaiti. On Tuesday, two small schooners, the Undine and the Andrew Maria, parted their anchors and drifted ashore. The Andrew Maria became a total wreck, and the TJndine was washed high and dry on the beach, with little chance of her beiDg floated off. The crews were rescued by the exertions of the boatmen at the Spit, who put off at once to their assistance. A third schooner, the Midlothian, managed to run into the river with safety.

By proclamation in the TSew Zealand Gazette under date 16th August, John Hamann, Shipping and Custom House Agent, Dunedin, Jahenßrouren, of Sandfly Bay, and August BoUenhager, of Kaikorai Valley, have been declared natural born subjects of Her Majesty under the provisions of the Naturalization Act, 1863.

Mr Warden Hardcastle estimates the population of the Mount Ida district at 2300, distributed as follows :— Dunstan Creek, Welchman's and neighborhood, 1400 ; Hill's Creek, Pegleg, Blackstone Hill and neighborhood, 200 ; Rowland's Woolshed, 250 ; Hogburn, Kyeburn and neigborhood, -150. There have been no new discoveries nor new rushes. Mr Hardcastle says :— " The district is progressing satisfactorily. When at Dunsfan Creek it transpired in a case I waa hearing, that a claim in the deep sinking Kildare Hill, pays £15 per man, per week ; and at Rowland's Woolshed, near Hill's Creek, a disputed heap of washdirt containing about four or six loads, was valued (on oath) at £170. Dods and Company, at Hill's Creek, have, got their race nearly completed, and are already at work. The prospects shewn me by them (about 6 grains to the tin dish,) promise handsome results."

Mr Warden Robinson states the population of the Dunstan Gold Field to be about 2700 of whom 2000 are miners. He says :— " The rivers still continue to go down and a few more beach claims are consequently being worked, but there has still been no rush into the district, and the river is, therefore, not being by any means thoroughly worked. Some miners are reaping the reward of the dogged pertinacity with which they have stuck to claims known to be rich, while others have in some cases found gold where it was least expected. The claim at Duffer's Point, near Cromwell, alluded to in my last report, is still paying splendidly ; and two other parties are also getting good returns in claims adjoining The idea of fluming water across the Kawarau in hose, having been once started, has been taken up by several parties. There are already three iac.es of water so carried across the river and three others are in progress. The works of the Pioneer Company, near Clyde, are now at a stand still. Fortunately the hands have found employment at the river beaches, so they remain in the neighborhood. Some of the water race parties are short of water, but the advance of spring will obviate that difficulty."

Under date of the 20th August, Mr Lowther Broad, Warden of the Arrow Gold Field, estimates the population of his district at 1100, of whom 900 are miners. He says . Since my last report I have visited the southernmost portion of this district, following the Kuwarau Eiver to it 3 junction with the Roaring Meg. At the Gentle Annie Burn there are two or three parties of miners at work, and judging from the facts of their having applied for extended claims, and that head races are being made at no inconsiderable expense, I am led to the conclusion that they are quite satisfied with the ground, and probably have been quietly making a very good thing out of ground which is almost untried. The high terraces Df the Kawarau are attracting more miners weekly, and wherever a head of water can be brought on to the spot, the returns are good, indeed there can be little doubt that the wholo of the area is auriferous.

The part of King Alphonso was performed with great effect by Mr Wharton, and Madame Escott represented Leonora. Without entering into particulars, we cannot too Jjighly praise the singing of Madame Escott, Mr Squires, and Mr Wharton, who were very well supported by Mr J. E. Kitts, Mr Trevor, and Mrs King. The chorus was on the whole good, though some little carelessness was manifest more than once, and it might add to the interest of the performance if a little more attention waa bestowed on scenic effects.

The following is the latest intelligence from the Grey River, contained in the " Nelson Examiner :—": — " By the steamer Nelson, which arrived on Thursday evening from the Grey, we have obtained information of a more reliable character than we have previously been able to procure, relative to the character of the country to which the late rush took place, and of the prospects which it offers as a payable gold field. The Hohonu, the locale of the rush, is a tributary of the Teramakau (not of the Arahura, as we stated a few days since), and partly drains Lake Brunner, at its westernmost point. The diggings are 15 miles distant from the mouth of the Teremakau, which is seven miles to the southward of the Grey, so that there is a distance of twentytwo mile 3to be travelled alter leaving the steamer. Mr James Rochfort, who has been surveying on the West Coast for the Canterbury Government, was a passenger by the Nelson, and brought up with him from 25ozs. to 30ozs of gold obtained at these diggings. Mr Eochfort reports that some of the JBuller diggers who have resorted thither, were well satisfied with their prospects. The gold is very coarse and nucrgety, and of a rich bright color. There are j about 200 men in the neighborhood ; but many of those who went down from Nelson have never visited the diggings, but have remained at the Grey. Thirty-five of these men returned in the steamer. Stores were plentiful at the Grey, with the exception of flour, which was becoming scarce. Mr Rochfort has surveyed a township for the Canterbury Government on the southern side of the Grey, to consist of 200 quarter-acre allotments, and has laid oft, in addition, a number of five-acre allotments. The site of the township is very good, having a frontage to the long lagoons, which will 6ome day form natural docks. Mr Rochfprt has surveyed the coaßt as far down as Jackson's Bay.