News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 677, 19 November 1864, Page 13

News of the Week.

[PROM THE DAILY TIKE&/J

The "Nelson Examiner" of the 15th inst,, reports that a party of diggers had arrived in Nelson from the Lyell Creek, bringing -with them a splendid lot of nuggets weighing* altogether 212 ounces. Ten of thennggew weighed respectively,. 88nss I4dwt 38gr $ 21oz 7dwt ; 4oz2dwt' ; 3oz2dwt; 2o? 17dwt; loz ? loz 18dwt ; loz 17dwt ; loz 12dwt. The news generally from the Nelson West Coast diggings was very encouraging, and a rich gold field had been discovered about 40 miles below the Grey River, a gcceral~rush to which was taking place. The extremely difficult nature of the country about the Lyell, and the impossibility, of securing a regular supply of provisions, operate aa great obstacles to the development of this goldfield. The committee of the Otago Benevolent Institution acknowledge with thankVthe receipt of £32 Is 6d., from the Volunteer Anfateur Dramatic Club, being proceeds of a performance in 'aid of the Charity, held at Princess Theatre, sth October, 1864. By proclamation 'in tne . Government Gazette, John Cargill, Esq., MJP.C, is appointed Acting Provincial Secretary, during the absence of James Paterson, Esq. from the province. Messrs. Thomas Lee and Peter Robertson, of Tuapeka, have been appointed Inspectors (without salary), under the. Diseased Cattle Act, 1861. A second Amateur Concert in aid of the St. Pani's Church Organ fund has been projected, and is intended to ,be given towards the end of the present month. ' The Island of Mauritius now enjoys the ad- ! vantage of a fortnightly mail to Europe, a new line of French steamers having commenced running alternately with the P. and O. Company's vessels, The 'first 'of the " Messageries Imperiales" line (the new line of steamers), L'Emirae, sailed for Suez on the 17th September last Wo notice by advertisement in another column that a series of interesting and amußing lectures will shortly be delivered in this city, by Mrs Charles Fanshaw Evereste, late Alice Marryat, daughter-in-law of the celebrated novelist of that name. Mrs Evereste's lectures are highly spoken of by the Australian papers. We notice that the Intercolonial Royal Mail Steam Packet Company has changed its title to that of the Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Corapany. The Warden at the Arrow reported on the sth November :—" The extemive preparations necessary to effectually work the claims in this district are, in many instances, completed, and our next escort will show the result. There will be upwards of a thousand ounces to go by it, and I am of opinion that & permanent increase may now be expected. Estimated population, 1223."

Mr Warden Beetham, writing from Wakatipu, on the sth November, says :— "There is little to report in mining matters, except that the necessary repairs after the late heayy fresh are progressing towards completion. Reports from the head of the Lake still continue most satisfactory. Estimated population 2100." *

Mr Warden Schaw, in his official report from Cardrona, dated 'sth November, remarks :— " Thomas and party have struck , very good gold in a terrace about one mile from the Camp; they are actively en->, gaged in erecting a wheel and pump, awl intend to tunnel, as the ground appears firm. Several parties have arrived during the week' and taken up ground, while a few bare left for Dunstan Creek. Weather very fine. Eat*, mated populatien, 200,"

A second monster meeting was held in the Princess Theatre on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of receiving the report of the deputation appointed to wait on the Superintendent, for the purpose of inducing him to open the ports, for the importation of cattle. Resolutions were adopted expressing regret at the course which his Honor had seen fit to adcipt, and resolving to petition Sir George Grey "tor that justice which has been denied by the local authorities."

The Rev. R, Connebee preached on Sunday night a very impressive sermon, suggested by the sudden death of the late Mr John M'Glashan. Notwithstanding the unpleasant weather, the church was well filled. The rev. gentleman took life text from 1 Cor. 15 eh., and, after explaining his views on the doc* trine of the Resurrection, made some" vefy appropriate'ohservations on the character aftd labors of Mr M'Glashan.

Further numerous outrages by the bushrangers are reported from New South Wales, On the 2nd November, three bushrangers attacked Sharp's store, at the Pyramid diggings. They forced open a door which the servant-attempted to secure, nnd in so doing was shot dead. Sharp then fired, and the bushrangers retired. -leaving a pun marked with blood outside the door. Sharp supposes that he shot one of the party. Darkness prevented {he identification of the robners. The affair has caused great excitement. No clue to the discovery of the villains has yet been obtained. / A deliberate murderr was committed in Sydney on the 4th inst. About seven o'clock at night, Mr Wbitfield, the gunmaker, oft King street, was standing a!t his own door, when another gunsmith named Glynn apv proached, and without saying a word fired a pistot at Whitfield. The ball passed through Whitfield's head. He immediately expired. The murderer was forthwith secured. An old Quarrel is supposed to be the .ground of the affair. The murder has caused great excite ment, both persons being well-known tradesmen. By the steamship Egmont, via Melbourne, we have five weeks' later news from the Cape of Good" Hope. The Great Eastern (Grahamstown journal) contains the report of a public meeting held at Port Elizabeth, on the 17th September, at which the following resolution was passed :—": — " That this meeting regrets to learo that many of the immigrants recently introduced into the western districts of the colony,- at considerable pnblic . expense, are preparing, . in/ consequence of scarcity' of public work there, to depart to New Zealand ; and this meeting highly approves of the Governor's determination to check such emigration, by employing a number of them upon raiiway works ; 'that in 'selecting Works to be so commenced, it is, in the opinion of this meeting, very desirable that special consideration should be given to the prompt commencement of the railway from this town to Grahamstown, by' way" of Commando Kraal, on the Sunday's River." One ,of the speakers (Mr Harries) said he did not think it creditable 'to Sir G. Grey that he had held out the inducement of small grants of land to seduce the people of the colony to New Zealand. The Great Eastern, in the course of an article on the subject, speaks in anything but a respectful way of the Governor of New Zealand. It says: — "That 'artful gubernatorial crimp, Grey,- is robbing the colony he half ruined ftfr ' the benefit of his new set of acquaintances' ; and the poor fellows he is luring away from the Cape Will find when they land in New Zealand that they have gone further to fare worse." The agitation on the- subject of the annexation of British Kaffraria to the Cape colony was still kept alive. Governor Sir P. E. Wodsbouse ' has informed a deputation that the. question is entirely one for the Imperial Government. Conditions for the occupation of the territory between the Kei and the Bash^e had, bean published by the Government. The paper from which we have already quoted also states :— " Although there are no • prospects of a war just now, or jay evidences of excitement from this quarter,, there is a manifest .- uneasiness amongst the tribes located in the neighborhood of the free state and our- border. A correspondent, writing from Winburg to the free state, paper, says:— *The' Basutos are again occupying many frontier, farms granted by the British Government, and destroying everything they can lay their hands on.' Smuggling of fire-arms, notwithstanding the heavy penalty inflicted on persons found engaged in it, is now being carried on to & considerable extent. It is agauv confidently asserted that a great number of gups have lately be.en landed on the 'coast' near" St. John's River. At one kraal three of Sharp's breech loaders were eeeri, and the natives reported that sixty or seventy of these were sold to the Kaffirs, amongst a great number of other guns, with Yankee marks and names upon them. The " Great Eastern" also says that a movement is on foot to introduce English fish into the rivers of the colony. The merchants of Cape Town think v of attempting the introduction of the alpaca.

. The Mount Alexander Mail • says the contest for that district caused an excitement which has not been witnessed in Castlefflaine since the defeat of Mr Ireland. "Everthing, however," it adds, "passed off most orderly." The same paper records the following fact :— " At one of the polling booths in the Castlemaine district a novel Bight was witnessed.' 'A coach filled with ladies drove up, and the fair occupants alighted and recorded/their votes to a man for a bachelor candidate— Mr Zeal." The Bendigo Independent mentions that at the Sand-* hurstf election, also, the "fair sex," to the number of ten or a dofeen, exercised the franchise, and recorded their votes for their favorite candidates.

Mr Warden Robinson, writing from the Dunstan, on the 12th November, says : — " At a gully leading into a tributary of the ] Earnscleugh River, and situate about fourteen miles from Clyde, and about seven or eight i miles from Candy's homestead, heavy nuggetty gold has been discovered. At the abovementioned locality a prospecting claim, of quadrangle area, or 32,400 feer, has been granted to Charles Johnstone, George Paul, John Sivf s, and James Gißson, wbo reported having obtained a prospect of loz. 13dwts. for four men sluicing for one day. They exhibited the sample of gold, which was heavy and dark in color. They describe the gully as lying very high in the ranse, and beine very deep, so thai the sun hardly reaches to the bottom, where snow lies ten feet thick. This snow has to be got through to reach ths auriferous soil, the stripping of which, however, is only from three feet to six feet. The prospectors state that the gfclly is about half a mile or three-quarters of a mile in length, and the gold found in a width of about twenty feet on each side of a run of water, which affords the means of Washing. They found gold all along the gully, but not eveiy where equally rich. There is not, as yet, an actual rush to this gully, but the discovery has excited considerable interest, and some few miners have already gone out to see the ground. With the rise of the river the beach workings may be said to be finished for the season ; but this is not likely to cause any further diminution of the arriving population, as there is plenty of work in the banks for tunnelling and sluicing. The 'Homeward Bound' Company, at Cromwell, are getting down rapidly with their shaft, in spite of the difficulties of blasting large rocks. The new company that have taken possession of the old Victoria tunnel, at Clyde, are already beginning work, and are sanguine of success."

An adjourned meeting ef the Town Board was held on Wednesday afternoon, and resolved itself into committee, for the purpose of considering in private the application of the Water Works Company, for the sanction of the Board to their scheme. On , the Board resuming, a report w,as brought up from the Committee, to the effect that before any further steps are taken in the matter, the Water Company be reqnested to forward to the Board copies of the Bill about to be submitted to the General Government. The report was adopted. In onr report of Tuesday's meeting of the Board, we stated that a resolution was carried, giving power to the Town Clerk to employ an auditor. We are now informed that this resolution was not carried, but that Mr Charles White was appointed auditor.

A special meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago washeld on Wednesday at M'Cubbin's Hotel, for the purpose ot making final arrangements for the forthcoming games, to take place on the 2nd January next/ Mr. Anderson occupied the chair, and there .were present— Messrs. A. T. Campbell, Milne, Finlayter, M'Gregor, Edmund Anderson, Calder, Murison, Stott and Dick. The minutes of the previons meeting having been read and confirmed, the honorary secretary reported, that in compliance with instructions given him at the last meeting, he had written to his Honor the Superintendent, thanking the Executive for the uses of 1 the North Dunedin cricket gronnd. The hon. secretary also stated that he had communicated with the late treasurer, who is at present at Picton, and an answer was expected by the return mail. A ground committee, consisting of Messrs. Finlayter, Edmond, M'Gregor, Calder and Sumner, was appointed, with instructions to report to the next meeting. A printing committee, consisting ,of Messrs. Milne, Stott, Murison, and the hon. secretary, was also appointetl ; the hon. secretary to act as convener. Some routine business having been disposed of, the meeting adjourned till the 23rd inst.

The members of the City Guards mustered strong on Wednesday evening, it having been announced that the election of the remainder of the non-commissioned officers would be proceeded with. Mr Cleve, in the absence of Captain A. G. Fisher, occupied the Chair, He said he felt it to be his painful duty to acquaint the meeting that, in consequence of Mr W. Fisher's resignation not having been accepted by Captain Paterson, of the Naval Brigade, the election was void, and that a new o3icer would, therefore, have to be elected. The following gentlemen were then proposed for the vacancy : — Messrs W. Mills, Waters, Hislop, Bond, and Somner. Mr Mills being i declared! duly elected, returned thanks to those wh,o had* voted for i him in a „ few" appropriate remarks. The election of Sergeant having been disposed of five gentlemen were proposed as' Corporals and ballotted for, the result being that Mr Hißlop, llr Bond, and Mr Thomson were elected by a large majority. At this stage of the meeting it was proposed by some one that Mr W. Fisher's explanation with respect to his resignation not having been accepted be considered satisfactory, which was carried unanimously.^ Messrs Tully and Chapman were unanimously appointed permanent Secretary and Treasurer. Several new members were proposed, and will be ballotted for at the next meeting. The meeting' then adjourned till Wednesday next.

Our advices from the Lake District give encouraging accounts of mining prospects. The weather at the date of writing was mild and settled, and though the snow had nearly disappeared from the higher lands, the rise on the rivers had been so moderate as to give reason to suppose no serious interruption to the labor of the diggers would occur during the summer. Some claims had been flooded, and it is possible the escorts may be slightly affected by the temporary stoppage of work.

There was a large attendance on Wednesday evening, the long room of the Provincial Hotel, on the occasion of paying the Sweep on the late Melbourne Cup and Ascot Vale Stakes. Some excitement was manifested in consequence of a dispute having arisen respecting the right to the winning tickets. By unanimous consent, the original drawers were declared to maintain that right, and Mr Bird handed over the stakes to the parties accord inply. The remaining claims were duly mot, and the settlement passed off satisfactorily.

Their Honors, Mr Justice Richmond and Mr Justice Chapman, held an adjourned sitting of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, for the purpose of giving judgment on theapplication for leave to appeal, made by the defendants, in the' case of The New Zealand Banking Corporation v. Cutlen and Voyel. Mr JusticeRichmond said the Court had given consideration to the application of Mr Gillies, on behalf of the appellants, for leave to appeal ogainst the decision of the Court in this matter. On "looking into jfchp authorities,' and into the Court of Appeal Act, they were of opinion that the Court had no power to entertain such an application — no power to grant or to deny the appeal. That decision - did not, of course, at all affect the right of appeal of the matter ; but it must be made by presenting a petition to the Judiaial Committee of the Privy Council— to Her Majesty in Council. Mr Prendergast : Will your Honors say anything about the costs of this application ? — Mr Justice Richmond : Ido not see that you have any locus stand i upon the ' application. It was made ex parte ; although it is true that we heard you upon your request.— r Mr Prendergast : I had notice; but if your Honors have auy donbt about it I Am content. — Mr Justice Richmond : We think that there should be no cjosts allowed. Mr Justice Chapman : It is not the custom to allow costs where a new point of practice is raised — on the principle, I suppose; that it is equally useful t</ both parties.— The Court was adjourned sine die.

The "Yass Courier" of Saturday relates the following strange story :— •" On Wednesday night a respectable-looking lad arrived in Yass, on horseback, and put tip at Mr Martin's Hibernian Hotel. He circulated a reported that Morgan had been taken tot a station up country, and described the encounter that had occurred as somewhat remarkable. He also asserted that he, had seen Morgan in the custody of a large number of '■ police ; and that the bushranger, prior to his capture, and while in the act of discharging his revolver, had had his arm turned aside, and lodged a couple of bullets in his own arm. The story was altogether too astonishing for the police of Yass, and by a sort of instinct they jumped to the. conclusion that the horse Ihe had ridden was a stolen one. They made inquiries quietly, still keeping an eye on the lad. The result was- that the youngster I was x taken into custody the same night, sufficient information having been | procured to justify the proceeding. i The young man, as we have stated, bears the stamp of having beenu-espectably brought up ; and it is to be regretted* that he hag placed himself in a position the consequences of which he does riot seem correctly to understand. His story is, that the name he gives (W, N. Marsh) is a false one. He is sixteen years old ; his father is a large manufacturer in Manchester, and also a member of the House of Commons. He was at a board-io%-school at home, and -less than twelve mouths ago he ran away, and took passage for Melbourne. There he tried his hand at several things, and asserts he wrote several articles on ' Labor,' for a Melbourne paper ; and that he changed his name on his arrival in Melbourne, in. order to avoid detection, and to prevent his friends at home learning the straits to which he had been brought. From the police account, however, it appears that the prisoner reached Tarculta .by mail from Wagga-Wagga ; that the coach left without him, and he then borrowed a horse from the landlord of the inn, in order to reach Gundagai. He stopped at Gundagai one night, and next day got as far as Juglong, where he remained that night. He then started for Yass, stopping at Bdwning for' dinner, for which he failed to pay ; and-ar-rivea here, as stated, on Wednesday evening. On being questioned by the police, he asserted he had come from Lambing Flat. To the landlord of the Hibernian Hotel he stated that he had particular business to do iv Goalburn, and asked Mr Martin to keep the horse in the stable for three days, ending by requesting the loan of £2, to pay the coach fare*. Mr Martin lent him the required amount, for which he received, an IO U. .Before he was taken into custody, he returned the £2 to Mr Martin. The police have ascertained that a warrant had been issued at Wagga Wagga for his apprehension ; ' and, meantime, be re.mains in custody at Yass."

The " Argus " of the 7th November rinforms us that "A man flamed JohnTrew, who has just' returned from New Zealand, while under the influence of liquor on Saturday night, was robbed of a silver watch with gold chain, three 'gold nuggetß weighing about thirteen pennyweights, twenty sovereigns, a cheque for £70 on the English, Scottish, and Australian Bank, and a passager ticket to England by the ship Lincolnshire. He could . give no < account of the matter, ex cepfc that he came to himself on Sunday morning, when picked up by a constable in the street, when he found that his trousers and pocket had been cut open, and the sovereigns cut from a handkerchief tied rognd his waist."

The .Melbourne " Argus" says :— -A clerk in the Oriental Bank, named John E. Barry, was brought up at the City Court on Saturday, and remanded, on the charge of stealing £450 from the bank."'

. The Newcastle .(N.S. W.) '.' Chronicle,'^ states : — " That a mass of coal, supposed to weigh upwards of two • tons,- has been excavated from the pit of the Waratah Coal Company.' We understand-that it 38 intended to forward this pioce of coal' to .the forthcoming " Exhibition at New Zealand."

The " Australasian " gives the followingaccount of the last billiard match played in Melbourne, between Roberts and Lamb, prior to the departure of the City of Hobart :— " The match between Roberts and Lamb on Wednesday night .was, for the extraordinary play of the champion, quite unparalleled during his visit to these parts. It was one of those triumphs of skill— if it may not be called art— which are characteristic of the man, and; ' now J that he is in his most perfect " form," become more , and more frequent. Lamb received 500 points ; but by the time he had scored four, Roberts had made 100, including a break of seventyfive. Before Lamb's game stood at 511, hig opponent had made 200, which he increased to 245 without Lamb making another point. By the time Lamb had'reached 537, Roberts had raised his score to 300, and,' without the former scoring. one mpre, to" 400 points'. When Lamb had reached 587 points, Roberts had scored 500, halt the- game, in - exactly one hour — a feat almoat unrivalled, in- the history, of billiards. The score subsequently stood : Roberts, 587 ; and Lamb, 587. Lamb' these ! began to play exceedingly well, and rnade^' break of 50 points ; but Roberta continued' his wonderful career. JHis single break of 87, which had brought his score up tdt'Lam&y* was beaten by .his break of 122 points, includ- - ing 33 consecutive red hazards off the spoi made by him, .earlier in the game ; but. he sor-.' passed both" of these. He subsequently, scored 169— including 43 consecutive redspot hazards.— in one break ; thus making the • game— Roberts', 904 ; Lamb, 713. • Lamb managed to reach 854, but at that- point" Robertt scored out. The game- occupied just' two 'hours and fortyminutes. ' rXt is worth"' mentioning that ,thß.inconye,niencea arising from ill-ventilation' of the.rroom and lack of accommodation have been since amply remedied, so that .now the spectators are at ease.

The Lyttelton Times states " that a want; of employment is undoubtedly felt both In Christc iiifcli and Kaiapoi. "* We lire "aware * that inquiries' have recently -been made which result in the statement that a considerable number < of men about; the town* are actually unemployed.' From this number we are able. to .strike off a good many who are mere passers by* perhaps on .the look-out ' for work, but not compelled to' stop here to get it. Among these are the, digger's who are moving northward and southward, with , their horses and ' tents, across the province to gold- fields -' on either side. To these are to be added not a *few"wi» are very independent' of the labor market^ and are fond of an idle life. Bat malting all , allowances necessary, , there, is a residuum of willing hands who "would take' employment ■ and work, honestly if they could get it. These men are, without- exception, fathers ef families. About Kaiapoi, as the, late meeting proves, there are several men wanting employment. .There is something special in this case, in that a considerable number are Lancashire men, those who have been least fitted of the whole number-to 'live a colonial • life. The Government an<j, the^ public at large are bound to be (peculiarly, tender towards these men. They are not exempt from the common lot of man, but. they must nofc.be allowed to starve upon 'the shores to whichf we have brought them. We believe that we do these men no injustice in .saying * that-, they, being the least physically powerfulof the Lancashire immigrants, are not able; to, earn their sustenance by their work in the fields. CWe have 'thus several classes to consider.

, The " Hobart Town Mercury" says :—■" At ' the last ' ball at Government House, Hobarfc Town, there appeared the last male aboriginal inhabitant of Tasmania. ,We have-read much before of the last man, and heard much of the last man of his race,, but had never expected to be favoured with the sight of such a person. In this. case, indeed, the person in question was accompanied by three aboriginal femalei, the sole living representatives of 'the 'race beside himself, but not of such an age, .or «uch an appearance, as" tolustify the' expectation of any future addition' to the^r num- • ber. We may, -therefore, look'upon this individual not only as the" last" mim ' of hia, race ' : in esse but also in poise. In this "there » something very serious,' if not very 'affecting--If we are to receive, in its* strict literal acceptation what we read in holy.writ of God's having made of one blood alL'naftoris ,bf man that dwell on the face of the. earth, and of his having determined the times before appointed and the bounds, of. theu; habitation, the blotting, out of an orb from the starry sphere that rolls over our- heads i would involve no such consequences as the blotting out of a race of men. And" yet, t where the white man has been brought in contact with those of another hue, there is too much trutlLin what has sometimes been alleged, that bis shadow has appeared, a6if by an ordained law of Heaven, to be "the' shadow jof death to " all others. 'In all, his attempts to. civilise the aboriginal races of ootherr r countries-, t of j» ( different hue, the white man has found, theta melting away before him as show beforejft^ summer's sun. What wasj to baye exalted them has tended- to their*., debasements What was to have beeri a source of prolonged life' to them as a people haa 1 led to their speedier extinction. That* lias been strikingly illustrated in the history -of the I ' aborigines of this country, W far 'as. it *<£an' be( | traced. From, their first contact, w^b.. the whites, until their final separation," fthe tendency, wa* downwards, and it was then too late to arrest the progress in that direction* ". ...

. The first exhibition of the diorama of the Burke and Wills exploring expedition, was given onTiiesdny evening at Farley's ßuildingfi, Princes street. The Inhibition was prefaced l»y a brief but im>-restiner lecture by Mr Evereßte on the vnrinii<» efforts which havp been ninrio to explore the vast continent of Australia, commencing with those .of Xeiclmrdt and Sturt, and ternrirnting with the successful nMn'tvements of the lamented Burke and his brave com: unions. The illustration's compiised a representation of all the places of interest or note connected with the journey of the explorers, including the start from the Royal Park at Melbourne, the arrival at Menindie, Cooper's Creek, the pas sage of the Stony Deserts, and the termination of the exploration in the region of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The effect of the pictorial illustrations, which are in themselves ' highly interesting, was considerably increased by the descriptive remarks of the lecturer as the diorama proceeded ; and some graphic illustrations, representing the return of the party to Cooper's Creek, the death of Burke and Wills, and the finding of the survivor, King, completed a good entertainment. There was a moderate audience, who testified their approval of the exhibition by hearty and frequent applause.

A very full meeting of the members of No. 1 Company of Dunedin Rifle Volunteers was held on Tuesday at the Shamrock Hotel, and much business 'of an important nature was satisfactorily considered by tbe Company. The question of " uniform," has at last been settled. The "full dress" of the Company will consist of scarlet tunic 3 with dark blue facings, dark blue trowsers with red strips, and felt shakos with red' band and hair plume. The « undress" will be the same as the uniform at present worn by members, viz., ot dark grey cloth tuni-s and caps, with dark trousers. We understand Messrs Hanslow and Sampson are to ,supply the' dress uniforms, and Mr P. Glover the shakos, Mr Farrow was elected Hon. Sec. of the Company, vice Mr Hodge? resigned ; and the height of the Company was settled at H feet 6 inches.

A very extensive confl igration took place on the Old Wharf, Hobart Town, on the inor,ning of the 30th ult,, which resulted in the complete destruction of three lai ge stores, several other 3 being also injured. The " Mercury," referring to the damage, says : — " The stores occupied by Mr' Patterson are the property of Mr M'Naughtan, and are insured, we are informed, for L2OOO, with the Imperial Insurance Company. Mr Patterson's stock was insured for Ll 550 in three offices, namely, the Northern, Derwent and Tarnar and Imperial. Mr Hawkins's store belongs to Mrs Salmon, aud was, we believe, unin sured ; It* Hawkins's stock was, however, partially covered in the Liverpool and London office. The Restdown lime store is the property of Messrs Guesdon and Co., whn, -we are told, hold a policy for £400 from the same company. Mr Wiso's house >is uninsured, but the damage Id it is not very extensive ; he is, however, d great loser by his furniture, over which there was no insurance. - It was all of a valuable description, and was .very much destroyed an<l broken up in process of removal. Mr Durey's stock and premises are uninsured, and we regret to say that he also will be a heavy loser." The hon. Richard Cteburne died on the 29th ult.

Messrs Lonnie and Co., have now got into full and systematic work und r their contract for reclaiming about 17 acres of the baycontinuing the present line from the jetty to the Swamp Road. When Messrs Lonnie and and Co. commenced, there was a tolerably large gap in Bell Hill, on the bay side as left onUhe completion of Mr Mackenzie's contract. The new contractors commenced from this point, and also from the Moray place side, to cut completely through the hill. They have now not only completed this, but they have removed so much material, that the opening through the hill is abundantly wide for the loading of waggons on each side,- direct from the heaps as left after blasting, but for a couple of spare lines of rails also. All thdse lines converge upon the two which are laid along the inclined plane to to the level of the reclaimed iand, and thence to the constantly progressing limit of the ■work, or the " tip" a3 it is called. The work of blasting can now be carri&l on in accordance with the lay of the rock, so as to tell most effectually; and some of the "shots" ■where the borings are from the surface of the lull bring down very large quantities of material. One shot, recently, thoroughly dislodged about 1200 square yards of stuff. .There are at present 116 men employed, and the daily average of stuff sent down and deposited is from 110 to 120 waggon loads, each equal to about five yards. There is 'a large drum with brakes, &c, to check the speed of the descending wng._'ons, which arc allowed to acquire momentum enough to run very nearly to tho "tip." The empty waggons are drawn up the incline by the loaded ones; and in every respect the work seems to be systematically carried on.

The City of Hobart has brought to the Province another selection of Rambouillet rams, similar to those recently imported by the same vessel. The present lot are imported by Mr Oleeson, under charge of Capt. Darby, who is entiu*t*d with their transmission by the breeders, Messrs De Graves and- Co., of Coliban Park, and who is empowered, with Messrs Driver, Maclean and Co., to rective orders for the few remaining lots. Already this breed of Merinos has been imported, fron the same source, by Mr Bastin, and Mr H«rvey, of Southland, and, from the fact of . there being admirably adapted to v improve in fleece and carcase the New Zealand flocks, there is little doubt of still more extensive importations being made, though it is only a few of the proper age which are this season left for sale.

The Prince of Wales' birthday was kept a 9 a holiday by the inhabitants of Waikouaiti, who celohrnted it by a variety of amusements! Quoits, foot-racing, and skittles engaged the attention of some, and a wicket match was played between two'Muwm. one married men >!iml tiic other bachelors. The }j:ime was well pontcstcil, mid resulted in i\w victory of the Benedicts over their opponents by 29 runs. The Ahlingn, s.s., with the English Mails, arrived at the Port on Tlmr-d:iy mnrning at 2 o'clock. The steamship No! chain arrived in Hobson's Bay at abtmt half-past 2 o'clock on Friday the 11th inst, and the Aldinga sailed within two hours afterwards. Among the passengers from Melbourne is Miss Joey Gousjenheim, whose advent at the Princess Theatre has been sometime expected.

From the following paragraph in the "Lyttelton Times," it would appear that our Canterbury neighbors have chosen a rather summary mode of dealing with the toll-bars question :—": — " On Tuesday morning, between the hours of 2 and 5 .30 a.m., a portion of the toll barrier adjoining the intended toll- keeper's house on the Papanuiroad, was removed. Two posts placed in the ground, having six rails running parallel, were taken away, together with the notice-board aud the post to which it was attached. The rails, with the exception of one, were found by some lads in a paddock closo by the gate, the notice-board being discovered shortly after by Sergeant Brown lying \in a trench ia the North Town Belt. The posts, which are of considerable size, and very firmly fixed in the ground, had been' forcibly wrenched from their position, but they were perfectly uninjured, nor wa3 even tbe paint defacad in the slightest degree. All the woodwork has been recovered with the exception of one raiU Several persons mnst have been concerned ia the outrage, to which as yet no clue has been obtained, and there appeared a great unwillingness on the part of the residents in the neighbourhood to give any information respecting it. The occurrence seems to have taken place from the strong dislike manifested to the erection of the bar in the first instance by those whose avocations lead them to the place and whose interests are affected by it. Judging from the facts of the case, Rebecca must have some expert followers in ' Canterbury. The gate might have been, and probably was, a great grievance, but its forcible and lawless removal cannot be justified. The gate has been replaced, tolls being levied yesterday. A reward of £10 has been offered by the Road Board of the district for the conviction of the offenders."

Notice is given in our advertising columns, that the annual meeting of the members of the Taieri Agricultural Society, will be held in the School- house, East Taieri, on Friday, the 25th inst., at seven o'clock in the evening.

The following report of the Select Committee appointed by ths Provincial Council to inquire into the management of the Provincial Engineer's department since the appointment of C. R. Swyer, Esq., C.E., as Provincial Engineer, was laid on the table of the House :-— " Your Committee report with regard to the Provincial Engineer's department, under the control of Mr Swyer, that they know of no imputation which has ever been cast upon it, and they have therefore sought for no evidence as to the conduct of a department whose efficiency and good management have, so far as your Committee know, never been called in question. The office has been abolished only because the Government considers that its duties being now so much more limited than heretofore can be more cheaply performed by the employment of private professional assistance. Your Committee have only to report that the evidence before them is to the effect' that the carried out by this department have been planned and superintended at a cost to the country considerably less than the usual architects' and engineers' commission^ for planning and supervising works of a similar character would have been. That the abolition of this department is not to be interpreted as conveying in any way the slightest imputation on the professional character and conduct of the gentleman recently at its head. The conduct of the department has been invariably regular and irreproachable, and, that the works devised by and executed under it, have been characterised by a high degree of professional efficiency and skill. Signed F. Walker, Chairman. Members of the Coramittee,'Messrs Brodie, Adam. Burns, Morris, Dick, Walker, aud E, B. Cargill.

Mr George Stephens'on, officer in charge at Mount Ida, writing thence under date 12th November, says .— " The second "Water Race Company now rapidly nearing completion, the applications for extended claims for sluicing purposes arc numerous. At the deep sinking on the hill, closo to the township, the | miners continue to do well. A considerable | rush has taken place to the Rough Ridge,' situated about five miles from Messrs Comber and Douglas's station, and across country from Blackstone Hill about thirteen miles. At Hill's Creek the miners who have not been allured away by the cry of new rush, are nearly all doing well. Messrs Do 1s and party have completed one mile of their water race towards the Woolshed diggings, and in its intended course will run through German and Blackman's Gullies, which places hare proved only to require the assistance of water to make them highly remunerative. At the Woolshed the exodus has been very great during the week, both storekeepers and raioers making for the new rush ; but the general impression is that when the water race will be completed, they will nearly all return. TheDunstan Cfeek proper, or Four 'Mile, continues to support a steady population all making good wages. Estimated population, 1870." ■

■We, are indebted to the-" Grenville Advocate" for the following :-" On Wednesday afternoon a ludicrous foene look place in connection with the arrest, \,f n Chinaman, in. Argyle Gc]W, who is ciiarpred with < a robbery of boots from Mr Duninp's premises. Detective Daly and ' Scotch Jock ' were at the door of a Chinese hut. D ily went into the hut, and in a jiffy cume mv ."^ain, bringing a Chinaman with him by tlu: cellar. .Tho! Celestial was at once consigned to the flare ofj old ' Jock,' and the detective again went tt)-\ side the tent, for the purpose, it is presumed, of searching for the goods in question. As soon as he had turned his back, the prisoner, who had on an immensely large pair of boots, suddenly sprang out of them, and, bursting away .from the grnsp of ' Jock,' took to the lulls. 'He's gone ! ''shouted ' Jock/ atthe top of his voice. Detective Daly was outside in an instant to give 'chase, and just as he got out, * Jock,' who with stiffened steps had run about twenty paces after the fugitive, tripped and fell at fu}l length. The Chinaman was now ascending the northerly side of the range, blowing like a grampus, and the detective was gaining ground, rapidly, when all at once he met with a contretemps of the same s&rt as that which befel old ' Jock.' This was the signal for vociferous cheera from the on-lookers on the neighboring ranges, which range far and clear along the gully. The representative ot the law was again in pursuit in an instant, and soon began to near the Chinaman, who was using his hat, wing-like, to expedite his flight. The detective, on coming up within some thirty yards or so, stooped for a stone, which he flung at the Chinaman with full force, and which, although iniasing the Runaway, struck his hat, and went through it like a jthunaerbolt. What came over John we are left to conjecture, but, at all events, he stopped short and stood like a statue till he was once more in the clutches .of the detective." '

A fatal accident' occurred at Maori Point to a person named George Hutton, who was part owner of the ferry-boats at that place. One end of a hauling rope having given way, he with his mate went across to re-fasten it, and while paying out the rope gradually, it got foul of something, suddenly tightened, and jerked both men overboard. One named M'Reckney floated down a short distance and was rescued with some difficulty at the Defiance claim, but Hutton sunk and was drowned. The body had not ' been recovered at the date of our Correspondent's letfer. On Monday evening, the Port Chalmers Company of Rifle Volunteers was inspected and sworn in by the^Adjutant. The evening was not a favorable one for a very large muster, but there was a good attendance notwithstanding, and forty-three members took the usual oath of allegiance. With this beginning, and the number who were not present to be sworn in, " the company gives promise of becoming rather a numerous one. After a brief inspection of the corps ia the several movements -which they have been taught, the Adjutant expressed himself highly gratified wi;h the progress which the members had made in their drill during the short time they have been under instruction, and promised very soon to furnish with rifles, of which a very inadequate*upply was as yet only obtainable. He was also to make arrangements for their having the advan tage of the services of & drill instructor twice a week, instead of once a week, as at present, the duty of drill instruction being •in the mean time chiefly undertaken by Mr D. M'Lean, who is a member of the corps. At a subsequent meeting of the company, a vote of thanks was given to the Adjutant for his attendance, a new committee was appointed, arid other business transacted, one subject of consideration being the much felt want of a proper drill shed in the Port On the same evening, the Adjutant, with Capt. Paterson, inspected the Naval Brigade, the members of which aye now considerably advanced in their drill, the chief object of the inspection being to test the qualifications of the recently appointed officers, Messrs Thomson, Robertson, and Toms. ,

CrUELT? OB OTHERWISE OP HiilGIKG.— This is a question upon whir-h we are not at all disposed to dogmatise. But is it or is it not true, that death by hanging is most analogous to death by drowning, of the sufferings of which there i, some knowledge "from the accounts of persons who have been restored, and who all agree that there is little or no pain after the fiHistrugg'e? Next, is it, or is ii, not true, that death by drowning is death by apoplexy, the unoxygenated blood passing to the brain ? Thirdly, is it, or is it nob true, that death by hanging, by process of strangulation, is also death by apoplexy, the suff*ri..g of which through suspension ia the air is not likely to be erreater than that through immersion in the water? Lastly, is it true that convulsive movements are sure indications of pain and its degrees? We know that Brodie thought not, and that consciousness and sense of suffering have ceased generally before the most frightful appearances of dissolution subside. It is, wo believe, an accepted doctrine of medical j urisprudenoe that, whatever the other incidents of a case of hanging, pressure on the trachea has, at the outset, infallibly pro duced insensibility. Scott, the American diver, and a man named Hornshaw, whose case wis published by Dr. Chowne about twenty years ago, p ayed at hanging, in iihe form of a slow strangulation, to amuse the public, Siott pUy -.d once too often. Hornsh'aw was three times re'sus citated, and said that he lost his senses and th? power of thinking nlmost at once. Resuscitate 1 ! persons have always describeJ hanging as painess* There was a singing in the ears, a flish of light, then darkness and stupor. A too familiar Ulnatration of ihU wo have had in the garotte robberies, where the victim is, by pressure on the windpipe, made immediately senseless, and his chance of recovery 1b a question only of the number of seconds during which the pressure is maintained.— .Eka miner. '

"A Hit: a Palpab&b Hit."— What popular air does the style of itoberts, tbe champioa billiard player, suggest?-" The Perfect Ue-r."