News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 679, 3 December 1864, Page 13

News of the Week.

[prom the daily times.]

A special meeting of the Education Board) will be held at the Government offices on* Monday next, at two o'clock p.m.

On the 18th nit., the beat was very excessive at Adelaide, the thermometer standing at 154 degrees— seven degrees higher than on the hottest day last summer. '

It is notified in the " Provincial Gazette " that his Honor the Superintendent Las appointed Mr John Hislop to be Inspector ofSchool Buildings,

In the New South Wales Legislature notices of motion have boen made embodying a censure on the Government for their delay in providing for the defence of the colony, and declaring that a vote of £20,000 should be passed immediately for §uch object.

The previous mail from Auckland brought intelligence of the wreck of the paddle steamer Aphrasia at the Bay of Islands. We now learn that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of William Stewart, the Captain, on a charge of scuttling the vessel.

Mr John Grey, in answer to a requisition that he should offer himself a candidate for the representation of the High Ward in the Town Board, has consented to be put in nomination. The requisition was signed by upwards of ninety., of the ratepayers. ' - *

Goodall's Tokomairiro Hotel took fire on J Sunday morning, but the flames were fortunately discovered almost immediately on' their breaking out, and were at ,once extinguished by men on the premises! The fire ' is supposed to have been the work t)f an incendiary. By the Herd, which arrived from bourne on Wednesday, our lntelligenceis to the 23rd inst. The great topic of interest there ' was the case of Molesworth v. Moleaworth, which was brought to a conclusion on the 22nd. instant, and resulted virtually in a verdict in favor of the respondent, Mr Justice' Molesworth. The letter of our MelbourneCorrespondent, in another part of the paper, contains the family history made public in' this remarkable case, with the issues placed before the jury, and their .finding upon them.

John Gibson Skinner, who was formerly agent for the Bank of New Zealand at the Dunstan Branch, was yesterday indicted at the Criminal Session of the Supreme Court for stealing money, the property of the Bank. The general evidence related to a charge of stealing £300 which was deposited by a man named John M'AUister. The prisoner conducted bis defence in a very shrewd manner, and after the evidence for the prosecution had been clo»ed, the Judge held that there was no case lor the jury, and directed an acquittal. The prisoner yet has to be tried on a charge of forgery.

By an Order in Council an important additional clause baa been established in the Mining Lease Regulations. It runs as follows :— " The Government reserves to itself the right of ingress and egress to, from and across any land for which a Gold Mining Lease may or Bhall be issued under these Regulations, and of granting to'any person or to the public such rights of ingress and egress, and of granting to any holder of a Miner's Bight the privilege of entering on' such land for the purpose of cutting water races or tail races, and of leading head water or tail water through the same." A notification appeared in the Gazette of November 30th, appointing the following Postmasters in the Province of Otago :— Thomas Kinross, to be Postmaster at LoDg Valley, from Ist August, 1864. Thomas Sitfield, to be Postmaster at Kawarau Gorge, from 10th 1 August, 1864. Robert Miller,. to be Postmaster at Molyneux Township, from 16th August, 1864. Francis Thomas Walker, to be Postmaster at Oamaruama,from Ist September, 1864. Richard Wilson, to be Postmaster afcMorr.n Hills, from Ist September, 1864. George Hay Low, to be Postmaster at Upper Ferry, from Ist September, 1864, Thomas Goodwin, to be Postmaster at Maori Point, from Ist September, 1864.

It is said that in consequence of the statement made by the " Times" concerning the projected plan of attack on the Australian Colonies by the Russian fleet, the Govern-

xnent of South Australia has taken measures to induce an increase of the Volunteer force in that Colony. We have Tasmanian advices to the 17th ultimo. The Government intend to grant JEIOOO in aid of the gold-prospecting fund, unhampered by conditions The " Hobart Town Mercury" says :—": — " It is believed that illicit distillation is carried on to a considerable extent in the Colony. The Government have therefore offered a reward of £50 to any person who will give such information to the police or Customs departments as may lead to the capture of stills and the conviction of the offenders " The " Hobart Town Mercury" observes -.— " On Tuesday, the tide in the Derwent was lower than it has been known to be for many years past. The boat wharfs and fisherman's docks were nearly dry, and the water in Sandy Bay receded a considerable distance beyond the bathing-houses." The Longford Regatta took place on Wednesday. The " Cornwall Chronicle" intimates, that Government have decided that the champion prize for rifle shooting for 1865 shall be shot for atLaunceston. On Monday, Mr Hargreaves, accompanied by the Mayor of Launcestou, and other gentlemen, visited the west bank of the South Esk, and tested the top-drift, which resulted in obtaining from twenty to sixty specks to the dish.

On Saturday afternoon the Port Chalmers Naval Brigade met in Mr Taylor's parade ground, and, for the third or fourth time since the establishment of the corps', paraded through the street, with their brass band leading. Though only tor a very short time under the instruction of Mr Meyers, this band already performs very creditably, and the Brigade went through drill with considerable case and accuracy.

We have been shown a very handsome silver cup, which has been presented to Captain E. B. Curthoys, of the Chili, by Messrs H. and E. Parker, who were passengers by that vessel on her last voyage from London to this port. The cup bears a suitable inscription, and was, we believe, presented 'as a parting mark of respect to Captain Curthoys lor the uniform kindness and urbanity with which he treated his passengers during the voyage. The cup was manufactured in the establishment of Mr Jones, of this city.

We take the following particulars relative to the forthcoming Canterbury Champion Race from the "Ly ttelton Times" of Saturday :— " Since our last no fresh horses have arrived ; those already mentioned continue their regular gallops, without any noticeable alteration. A rumor, we believe, however, to be* quite without foundation, is going the round of the town, to the effect that Tarragon is yet coming — the insurance difficulty having been overcome. But on an examination of our Sydney files we' can find no foundation for the report. Up to the present not much business has been done in the betting line, but we attach the quotations of such events as we know of. At the opening of the hotting Lady Bird appeared the favorite, but Otto is now assuming first place, and in Nelson he stands in great favor, and has been quoted at 10 to 1. Yesterday he was offered at 6 to 1 and taken readily. One large bet was made about Shillelagh, 750 to 50 being offered and taken. We have also heard of a bet made in Nelson about Otto and Lady Bird, one well-known sporting gentleman having backed the former against the latter for places for £500. We cannot help referring to a letter from a " Small Investor," that appeared in our last issue, suggesting that the correct state of the odds should be posted under authority and

which could be accordingly depended on as a gnide. It appears to us that such a course would be productive of much good, and would give a healthy tone to the book transactions. It is our intention, at intervals, to give to the public such transactions as we know have already taken place. The latest betting is as tinder :—4: — 4 to 1 agst Otto, taken ;sto 1 agst Lady Bird, tk ; 6to 1 agst Una, tk ; 10 to 1 agst Ellesmere, tk ; 10 to 1 agst Viscount, tk ; 10 to 1 agst'Nourmahal, tk ; 15 to 1 agst Shillelagh, tk ; 15 to 1 agst Bungaribbee, tk."

By the Melbourne " Age," we are informed, " There was a numerous assemblage ■of the inhabitants of the city, at St. George's Hall, on the evening of the 18th instant, to adopt petitions to the Queen, and to the two Houses of the Imperial Parliament, against the continuance of transportation to Western Australia. Tbe speakers were Sir J. F. Palmer, the Bishop of Melbourne, the hon. J. P. Fawkner, the Rev. Dean Hayes, Mr J. D. Wood and the Rev. Dr. Cairns. The speakers were favored with occasional cheers, and the peroration of the last mentioned reverend gentleman was especially applauded. The point of Mr Harker's speech, towards the end of the meeting, lay in his appeal to the 1 pnblic on behalf ot the league funds, which, it seems, are not and have not, as yet, been sufficiently replenished. He moved the adoption of a petition to each of the English Houses of Parliament, which was agreed to. The "Southland News" republishes a letter ftom Mr G. Sutherland, of Invercarsill, which has appeared in the " North British Daily Mail," under the head, " A warning from New Zealand." The writer, after giving what purports to be a description of the climate and the soil of Southland, adds — *• In Otago it is all mountaius, fit for nothiDg but pasturing sheep or cattle ; and even when they manage to get a little of it ploughed, the crops have all to be cut green, as the winds are so high that the grain would all be blown out of the ear before it was ripe."

It was stated by oufWellington correspondent, in - his letter published in our columns the other day, that amongst the contributions from Wellington to the Exhibition, was an organ built in the Colony by a Wellington builder. The instrument was for some time in the Odd Fellows* Hall, Wellington, and is in every respect a credit to its constructor. We heard it a year or two ago and can bear testimony to its good qualities. The organ will be a great acquisition to the Exhibition, and organ performances will form an attractive feature. It is to be hoped that the instrument may find a purchaser in Dunedin.

The "Argus" gives the following account of pnblic works in progress in Williamstown : — " The visitor to Williamstown may observe signs of activity on the part of our Victorian Admiralty in more directions than ono. The new dock, so greatly needed for the repair and overhauling of ships of large burthen" bound to this port, has been commenced, and is likely to be vigorously prosecuted. In the Government yard may be seen the frame of a new screw steamer in course of cons rruction, under the supervision of the chief harbourmaster, Captain Ferguson. Some particulars of this little craft may be interesting to our readers. We believe she is the first colo-nial-built vessel of similar structure. She may be described, generally, as iron framed, with external wood-planking. Her ribs are formed of double angle iron, strengthened with diagonal braces and longitudinal plates. Colonial timber is used, except for the planking, which is of four-inch Oregon pine. The keel and kelsons are of"blue-gum, the stem and stern-posts of red-gum and boxwood, the stanchions of black-wood. Her length between the perpendiculars is 110 ft; extreme breadth, 19ft Bin ; depth, 10ft 9in ; tonnage (builders' measurement), about 200 tons ; load-draught, Bft- 6in. Her engines are being made by Fulton and Co., and will be of fifty-horse power. She is expected to be afloat early in January. The Government intend hey for the general work of the harbor. She will perform the duties hitherto undertaken by the Empire in shifting buoys and supplying the lightships, &c, within the bay, and will also be capable of other work outside, which had to be executed by the Victoria. At the same time the Government have kept in view the possibility of her being required as a gunboat, in which service she will be capable of carrying four Armstrong guns. She is to be schooner rigged, and will have to do much of her work under sail. As a specimen of naval architecture, the J new craft promises to be a credit to the colony. The vessel was inspected a day or two ago by several gentlemen connected with the Australian Iloyds."

The Argus of the 23rd say? :— " The folloving is from the Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser, and must be taken for what it is worth : — We propose to furnish our readers -with a hitherto unwritten chapter in the history of Victoria. As it relates to an event so recent as the threatened raid of Russia upon Australia, it will perhaps be read with some degree of interest. Among the officers under the command of Admiral Popoff, was a voting Pole, a lieutenant in the Russian navy. When the Bogatyr reached Shanghai, after her visit to Melbourne, this Pole, becoming acquainted with the atrocities perpetrated upon his countrymen by the Russians, solicited the admiral's permission to resign. This was refused, on the ground that the Russian Admiralty alone had the power to accept of such a resignation ; but hoping to attach the lieutenant more closely to the Russian service, Admjral PopofJ promoted him to the command of a vessel. While on the China station, and in the temporary absence of the admiral, important despatches arrived from St. Petersburg, which were to be opened, if the admiral should be away, by the next in command. This was Captain . Those despatches disclosed the plan t pf attack on Melbourne, and other Australian cities, in the event of a war between England and Russia on the subject of Poland. The Pole felt that he could be sxo party to reprisals of this kind — reprisals upon the subjects of a state whose only crime was its sympathy with the miseries of his oppressed and unhappy country. He therefore took the earliest opportunity of deserting the service o Russia, at the same time communicating his motives for so doing to an eminent compatriot. That compatriot divulged the plans of Russia to Mr Sumner, of the firm of Grice, Sumner and Co, of Melbourne, by whom they were revealed to the Government of Victoria. This was in July last, and by the same mail intelligence to that effect was forwarded to the Imperial authorities ; and hence the appearance of the article in the " Times" which has created such a sensation in. Australia. We understand that certain precautionary and defensive measures were taken, but we do not feel at liberty to mention their character. Captain found his way to Europe, was afterwards heard of in Paris, and at the present time it is understood that he holds a commission in the service of Spain."

A man of the name of Thomas Lily was brought up a few days ago at the Auckland Police Court. The Commissioner stated that this man had completely baffled the police in their endeavors to find out his occupation or means of living. At first it had baen thought that he was a deserter, but he had been constantly among the regiments, and they all disclaimed. The only feasible conjecture that could be come to, wa9 that he was a spy. He was now brought down from Maketu. He was required to find two sureties of LIOO each for his good behavior for the next six months. This is not the first time that this man has been before the Magistrates ; on a former occasion he waa required to firid sureties in the same way for twelve months.

By the Hero, from Melbourne, which arrived on Wednesday, in addition to 500 sheep and five merino rams, a live English fox has been imported. This »ovel stranger on these southern latitudes, will be an object of curiosity to young New Zealand, and of interest to the majority of the elder male colonists, many of whom will recall with pleasure the days when following on with hound and horn, they strove to win poor reynard'a brush through the speed and mettle of their horses.

We clip the following from the " Argus " of the 21st ult. :.—" Roberts, the billiard champion, played hi 9 last mateh — at least for a considerable period — in Melbourne on Saturday evening lust. It was very interesting, but the conclusion was scarcely expected, and redounded much to the fame of Lamb, our colonial champion, who, since his matches with Roberts, has picked up many crumbs of valuable experience. Lamb received 600 points, and did his best, but the skill and genius of his opponent — who made one break of over 130, and several others ot about 70 and 80 — brought the scores to — Roberts, 892; Lamb, 897. The latter then made a great effort, and scored a break of nearly 70. This, and a mis-cue from Roberts, gave Lamb such an advantage that he was able to score the game when Roberts was only 13 behind. Roberts is about to leave for New Zealand, but probably, before his departure, he will play a game at Sandhurst."

The Sydney Morning Herald of the 18th, contains the following telegram from Gundagai :•—" Thursday, Noon. — The Gundagai mail was stuck-up yesterday by Hall, Gilbert, and Dunn. The mail coach was under the escort of Sub-inspector O'Neill and Sergeant Parry, who saw the bushrangers on tbe top of a hill, near Blacksprings, between Jugiong and Gundogßi. The police approached the bushrangers, who retreated, then suddenly turned round and fired on the police. Shots were exchanged until Parry had discharged his last barrel, when Gilbert called upon him to surrender. Parry said he would die first, when Gilbert shot him dead the ball entering his right, and passing out of his left side. Sub-inspector O'Neill, after firing all his ammunition, struck Hall with his empty weapon. A constable named Roche, who was armed and in the coach bolted, it is said, in a most cowardly manner. The bushrangers had a number of teamsters and others baiied up ; and those who had the opportunity of witnessing the affray say that O'Neill and Parry -acted most courageously ; and the bushrangers, who were literally belted with revolvers, fought desperately, and eventually took every valuable enclosed from the mail-b^gs. The remains of the unfortunate police-officer are being taken to Jugiong, This town is in a state of great excitement about the mail robbery and murder." A telegram from the same place, despatched on Friday, at eight p.m., says :—: — " After Hall's gang left the scene of the enconnter with the mail escort, the body of Sergeant Parry was taken to Jugiong, where an inquest was held. A verdict of ' Wilful Murder' was given against John Gilbert, Benjamin Hall, and John Dunn, and warrants issued for their apprehension. The remains of Sergeant Parry were brought in a coffin to Gundagai yesterday, and buried today with every mark of respect and commiseration for the fate of so brave a man. All business was suspended during the day."

Wednesday being St. Andrew's Day, a variety of sports were announced to take place at VauxhaU Gardens in the afternoon, in celebration of the occasion. The former part of the day was dark and threatening, but in the afternoon the weather cleared, and was very favorable for outdoor amusement. Notwithstanding the inducement that on this occasion admission to the Gardens was free, the attendance ot the pxiblic throughout the day was very limited. Those who did go enjoyed themselves by rambling about the beautiful walks of the Gardens and by engaging in various games. The principal event ] of the day was the continuation of the ! Tilting Tournament, which waa commenced on the occasion of the celebration of the Prince of Wales' Birthday, The tilting waa for a silver trophy (cross spears), presented by the proprietor of the Gardens, and a sweepstakes. Originally there were nine entries, i and on the first day of the tournament six j rounds were taken, the result ot which we have already published. Yesterday, only four of the competitors came forward to continue the tournament, the others having withdrawn in consequence of the smallness oi their scores. The following is the entire score of the four competitors, showing the result of each of the fifteen rounds :—: — R. Morton 22104010121223 2-23 M. Jone« 200222011112222-20 E. Pewit 110121112121210-17 T. Bailey 010110102101001— 9 At the conclusion of the tourney Mr Hamilton presented the winner with the trophy, which, was a very neat design of cross-spears, with a silver clasp and ribbon, for wearing on i the breast. In the evening, an alfresco ball 1 waa given, when dancing in the rotunda was kept up till a late hour. We noticed, in walking round the grounds, that a spacious scenic erection is being rapidly finished, and learned, on inquiry, that the object is for a night display of pyrotechnical effects. The present pictorial tableau represents the Town and Fortress of Dnppel, being a faithful copy of a sketch taken by the special artist of the " Illustrated London News," and it is intended to represent (by means of fireworks and machinery) the exciting bombardment of this important Danish fortress. A private trial of the cannonade, explosions, aad conflagration is likely to take place on Saturday ; and, if the result be as successful as anticipated by thef proprietary of VauxhaU Gardens, the first public exhibition of the sort in New Zealand, will take place early next week.

A numerously attended meeting of market gardeners was held at the Provincial Hotel on Taesdrfy .Mr Dobbie was called to the chair ; and James Pryor was appointed S~£retary. A letter was read from the Secre^ry for Pnblic Works granting the use of the site between the Custom House and the Bank of New Zealand for the purpose of holding & public market. It was resolved that a market should be held there on Saturday next, and on subsequent Wednesdays and Saturdays. '

The usual weekly meeting of the Town. Board took place on Tuesday,, when a large amount of ord'nary business was disposed ot. The recently published ratepayers' roll was revised, and objections to the same heard. A number of applications were received for names to be placed on the roll, and after consideration the applicants' names were so placed. There were also a few applications for names to be struck off, but as these applications can only be decided at the annual Appeal Court, the names were retained. The* Board adjourned for a fortnight.

An instance is afforded in connectiou with the efforts to open up the navigation of the Molyneux, of how awkwcrdly the proclamation of diseased districts, under the Cattle Ordinance, may work, in directions not at all contemplated. Captain Murray's venture in building his stern-wheel steamer Tuapeks. under a subsidy from Government, was and is regarded with interest by the great proportion of the people of the Province, from a conviction that he would do all that is possible towards opening up the navigation of our chief, and really noble river. So, too, the recent subsidy to the screw steamer William Miskin, for a weekly service between Dunedin and the Molyneux township, was felb to be absolutely necessary, if a river trade was ever to be established through the agency of Capt. Murray and the Tuapeka, The two subsidies amount to £3600 a year, which' is really a trifle, supposing success to be achieved, and will be well spent in thoroughly testing whether success is possible. But there is & considerable body of runholders and 'settlers on the westerly side ot the Waipahi,*who cannot get their wool down to the Pomahak* junction or to any other useful point on the Molyneux, or fetch stores up thence, supposing* them to be brought by the steamers, because only bullock-drays can be ,nsed for the work, and bullocks cannot be. driven* across the Waipahi, which is supposed to be ft boundary between a diseased and a clean district. It is suggested that the runholders who would be likely to be affected— and they are very few — would at once consent to have the boundary removed ahout ten miles easterly to the Waiwera, which would give free access to the Molyneux to those now shut out from any advantage derivable from the steam communication. We should think that a proper lepresentation of the matter to His Honor the Superintendent would ensure the required change, if it can possibly be made ; and no time is to be lost, if a large bulk of wool is to be conveyed to Port Chalmers quickly and cheaply, instead of having to wait the chance of return drays to town, and if a great discouragement to the owners of the Tuapeka and the William Miskin is to be avoided.

During some sports at the Tauranga Camp a few days ngo, a bear, kept as a regimental pet, slipped his neck collar and gave chase to a Maori woman. The commissariat clerk passing at the time, the woman seized hold of him for protection, but the former finding that Mr Bruin intended a good hug, and not being inclined for such an embrace, disengaged himself, and attracted the brute's attention till such time as she made her escape, which opportunity she availed herself of by climbing to > the top of a thatched stable, but as soon as Bruin espied her, he mounted the stable, when she slid- off, and terror-struck found shelter in a neighboring* whare. Bruin having lost his enchanting object wandered from whare to whare evading those endea-ouring to capture him. He subsequently reached the top of a fowl-house^ into which he fell, and finding some eggs, indulged in that to him a luxury. The modu* operandi now appeared clear, a noosed rope being let into the house ; but Bruin had not quite completed his share in the sport, he set out then on a voyage of discovery on the tops of whares, and through trees and shrub*, turning over the strongest that endeavored to hold him, his paw acting at the same time as the " sailor's friend." The dogs and fowls bad their turn, he making all in fright and terror fly. At last his game was over, he being recaptured and led to his old quarters. i The Criminal Session of the Supreme Court commenced on Thursday. The following is » calendar of the prisoners for trial this Session:— Alexander Anderson, stealing a watch and chain. Ellen Anderson, stealing from tbe person* Edward lirewer, horse stealing. Edward Brewer, stealing a saddle and bridle. Thomas Barrows, borse stealing. " Wm, Baker, stealing from a dwelling. . Alfred Blake, obtaining goods by false pretences. -- -r -_ ... James Dake, horse stealing. Jame* Dake, cattle stealing., • John Freeman, embezzlement. John Hurst, forgery, Jehn Hurst, obtaining money by fatee pretences* John Jonea, perjury. John Jones, ember element. Alixan^er Johnstone, bigamy. Evan Henry Lewis, embezzlement. Patrick Mandville, stealing from. * dwelling 1 . James. Myles, murder. John H'latosh, obtaining money oj false pittences, Thos. M'Peak, stealing from a store. James Riley, stealing from the person. George S. Richardson, emb?zslement. John 6. Skinner, embezslement. John ft. Skinner, forgery. Wm. Warney, uttering a forged cheque.

Toe Golden Age steamer, after undergoing various repairs and improvements", is again ready to resnmß her trips between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, and will re-commence running this day. There are many good stories on record of the cunning or r;its in ear-ring r.ff to their taunts auy thing temptingly eatable, mid of their perseverance in ovHrcotnioii difficulties in the way; and the following story, seems good enough to be added to the list. The ecene was on board a steamer running from this port ; and the good faith of the teller of the story is above question. A few nights ago, the steamer was south of Dunedin on one of her regular trips. There had been left in the captain's cabin a parroquet, shot the day, previously, and which was so finely plumaged that the shooter looked forward to having the skin stuffed. The bird lav on what served the pcrpose of a table, beside .a fixed desk. Under the table of the cabin proper, there was one of the well-known 71b. tins of fancy I>iacuits, with a piece of glass let into one side and a half-lid at the top on a roughly formed hinge. In the morning it was found that the parroquet had disappeared, and that the biscuit tin, which had been left all but full, iraa two-thirds empty. Eager inquiries we«e made, as to the missing bird especially ; but no one could suggest what had become of it. In the captain's cabin, there are a couple of clothes drawers; and the lower one of these being casually opened the clo hes were found to be thickly strewn with fancy biscuits. This led to the upper drawer being opened; and • there the feathers of the parroqaet were found nicely laid out on a Crimean shirt, like the lining of a nest, a few biscuits being placed around it. The conclusion is that a big she- rat, in preparation for adding a litter of young to the contents of the ship, had made these her careful maternal arrangements. If this be correct, and there is no other possible explanation, the rat having decided to appropriate the bird and fee biscuits, must have guessed — if such a phrase may bo allowed— that the drawers wou?d make a lomfortablo bed and a convenient Store, and must then have set to work to open a road to the drawers, by gnawing through some wood-work at ' the back of them, nearly on a level with the deck. In all probability there • were other places that had to be eaten through before the point last mentioned was reached. How the lid of the tin was raised, seeing that it closes rather tightly, having a flange or rim, is not very clear ; but there happened to be a footstool beside the tin, which would enable the cunning party to get at a possible working height. Fortunately for the rat, the lid, when raised to an angle of about 45 degrees, would remain there. As biscuit after biscuit was removed, it had to be carried the length of the cabin, to a hole specially eaten through at the foot of the sleeping berths ; and then tracks would have to be made across the vessel, back the length of the cabins (between the lining and the skin of the boat) and then, round to the farther side of the captain's cabin, at which entry to the back of the Jrawers was obtained. About 150 biscuits were thus carried off, so that the rat or rats must have had a busy night ; vhile the parroquet would have to be dragged by the circuitous course described, to bo plucked on a Crimean shirt, and then the body io be dragged off and hidden or eaten. Certain it is that not a trace of it has been found except the feathers. It will go hardly with the she-rat or any other that may give a chance of being caught on board the steamer in question, for many months to come !

In the Melbourne Police-court, on the 14tb ultimo, Moses L. Wooif and Hyman L. Woolf, on summons, were charged with re losing to supply to Messrs. Malleson and England, attorneys for Henry White and Co., porter bottlers, London, information of the name and address of the person, from whom defendants obtained eighteen cases of stout, •which they sold on the 23rd September to Xewis Benjamin. Mr C. A. Smyth appeared to prosecute; Mr Attenborough for the defendants. The case against defendants, as stated by counsel, and made out in evidence, was as follows : — Some time last month Mr F. D. White, agent in Melbourne fbr the London firm of Henry White and Co., saw some cases of porter at the store of Greig and Murray, the bottles of which bore what appeared to him to be the label used by the firm. The price of this porter being so much b^low the market price, he thought something was wrong, more especially as it was known that large quantities of porter mre being sold bearing labels forged in imitation of that of White and Co. On examination he .found that the beer was of a very inferior quality, and on removing the labels from some of the bottles some other old labels were found beneath them. Messrs. Greig and Murray at once informed him from whom the porter had been purchased ; '.md by tracing it from one hand to another, it was found that it was part of a purchase. of eighteen cases bought on the 23rd September by Lewis Benjamin from the defendants. Benjamin stated that one of the defendants wanted 12s per case of four dozen bottles for the porter, but afterwards agreed to deliver them at a place named for 9s per case. On being served with a written notice, the defendants had refused or neglected to aopply information of the name of the person from whom they had received the cases ; and this prosecution was laid under the 7th section of the Act, to compel them to give tha information required. Having beard the evidence, Mr Sturt considered that the label on the porter in question was evidently such an imitation of that of White <md Co, as was calculated to deceive the public ; he conSe- , qnently mads the order required, the information to be given in writing within forty-eight hoars.

The " Nelson Examiner, " in the course of an article on the construction of the Middle Island line of f-l< otric telegraph, makes the following remarks :—": — " As to the expediency of the proposed plan of carrying the wire through the country, attas-he-l to p's's, we entertain very pi'ave doubt*. Most, of the country on the line of telepraph — in f ict we may stiy all south of Blenheim, is, with the exception of n tew Urge padifock?, inclosed within wire fencing, open grass land, ai.d is all, more or less, grazed over by ffv.llc A.* thenis literally, throughout the* whole distance, a destitution of timber, except in a few remote gullies, the cost of posts in this district is of necessity very great, and these, moreover, will be subject to frequent damage by cattle. We are inclined to believe that there would have been little or no difference between the cost of providing and erecting posts for the wire, and laying it under ground ; and that any additional expense arising froYn the adoption of the latter plan' would have arisen solely from the requisite insulation of the wire in gutta percha tubing, which would have been no great matter. Tho cost of posts, with their erection, between Nelson and Canterbury will be from £60 to £70 per mile, while the cost of the wire, in London, is only from £16 to £17 per mile, and the coating of it would increase the price by about thirty per cent, only. Now wa can hardly bring ourselves to imagine that it would cost auy thing approaching £60 or £70 per mile, to throw up two spits of soil with a grafting tool, in order to receive the wire, and to lay and bury it, in the country over which the line will pass between Blenheim and Canterbury. From very excellent testimony, furnished us by a gentleman who was specially employed a few years ago by one of the most eminent English building and railway contractors to examine and report upon the telegraph system in Germany, we are led to believe that the electric wire, when carried under ground, is but little more susceptible of injury than when carried above ground, and, under the special circumstances of the case under consideration, would be likely to receive less injury, whilst at the same time it could just as readily be repaired. The preceding remarks are intended to apply to the line of telegraph through the open country south of the Wairau river, but north of that river it is proposed that the line should run almost entirely through a wooded country, and the consequence will be, that the wire will be constantly found to be broken by falling timber, In this fifty miles of forest, a month, we fear, will rareJy pass without the communication being broken, whilst at certain seasons .of the year it is more than likely that this will prove an event of weekly, rather than of monthly occurrence. It does not fall within our province to state how this might have been obviated ; but if the engineer to whom the work oi erecting the telegraph was intrusted has made no reconnoissance of the country over which it is intended to pass, so as to determine on the most favourable line (and this we believe is the case), the public are justified in being dissatisfied with the course which has been pursued, especially as it is not difficult to foresee that such neglect must necessitate a heavy annual expenditure in repairs, to say nothing of the constant disappointment to which it will give rise through the suspension of telegraphic operations." *

In the Warden's Court, Cromwell, a case was tried before Mr Warden Robinson and Assessors, on Thursday, the 17th ultimo, in which Dalton and party sued Shanley and party for damages amounting to £700 for non-fulfilment of agreement. It was alleged that Shanley and party had agreed to lease a water race to plaintiffs, at the rate of Ll6 per month, and that plaintiffs agreed to conduct the water to their claim on the north bank of the Kawarau. Finding the difficulties greater than they calculated on, instead of doing so they took up a claim a mile nearer to Cromwell in lieu of it. The defendants then refused to allow the use of the race, and let it to another party. After the evidence had been gone into the Assessors returned a verdicc " that the plaintiffs had abandoned their ground," which was considered a verdict for the defendants.

Some important alterations have been made in the Escort arrangements. The following are the new routes : — Up Trip— The main Escort will leave Dunedin on every alternate Monday, commencing on the sth proximo. Will meet the Tuapeka Brandh Escort at Saddle Hill the same day, and the Hamilton Branch Escort on the following Wednesday at Upper Taieri ; will arrive at liunstan and meet Teviot Branch Escort on Friday, and reach Queenstown on Saturday. The Tuapeka Branch Escort will meet the Main Escort at Saddle Hill on every alternate Monday, commencing the sth proximo. The Hamilton branch Escort will meet the main Escort at Upper Taieri on every alternate Wednesday, beginning on the 7th proximo. Down Trip .-—The main Escort will leave Queenstown on every alternate Monday, commencing on the 12th December, pass through Arrow and arrive at Cromwell on same day ; leave Cromwell on Tuesday, and meet Teviot branch Escort ai Dunstan on same date ; meet Hamilton branch Escort on Wednesday at Upper Taieri, and Tuapeka branch Escort on Friday at Saddle Hill, and arrive in Dunedin on the same day. The Teviot branch Escort will leave the Teviot on Monday, the 12th December, and meet the main Escort at Dunstan on the following morning. The Hamilton branch Escort will leare Dunstan Creek on Tuesday, the 13th, and Hamilton on following day, and meet the main Escort at Upper Taieri on that day. The Tuapeka branch Escort will leave Tuapeka on Thursday, the 15th December, pass through Waitahuna on same day, and will meet the main. Escort on Friday, at Saddle Hill.

Papers from the Cape of Good Hope, dated 27 th September, have been recoivpd per the Alfred, which arrived at Auckland on rh« 16th ult. A public meeting hid been bel.i at Port Elizabeth, at which the following resolution was passed, "Thnt tliis meeting legrets to learn that many of the i:;imi<r;-:itna recently introduced into the Westrrn districts of.the colony at considerable p-ibd'n expanse, are preparing, in consequence of activity of 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 railway works." A memorial to the Governor was subsequently adopted, of which the following is a paragraph:— "That your memorialits regret to learn that many of the immigrants introduced into the Wesrern districts of the colony, at considerable public expense, are preparing, in consequence of the scarcity of work, to depart for New Zealand ; and your memorialists have heard with extreme satisfaction of your Excellency's determination to check to a certain extent such emigration by the employment of a number of laborers upon railway works."

Doubts seem to exist in the minds of some of the residents at the Dunstan, as to what is being done to secure the representation of that district at the New Zealand Exhibition. One of the local papers snys :— " We i egret to say that up to the piesent time our chance of being worthily represented appears remote Our Local Committee appears to have sunk into a torpid state, or, if it is active, its doings are enveloped in such profound' mystery, that nothing is left to the uninitiated but to wonder and to wait." This does not seem to be justified. On the 17th inst. we'published the following, in our report of the previous day's meeting of tho Otago Local Committee :— " The Danstan District Committee had written stating that the exhibits thence would comprise metals, mining machinery, auriferous quartz, timber from Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, and jewellery manufactured from gold locally obtained. The Committee requested information as to what security there would be for the jewellery ; and they also asked for a subsidy of £40, that amount having been locally raised." The subsidy was voted.

On the 25th ult. a deputation waited on his Honor the Superintendent by appointment, and presented a memorial against the contemplated withdrawal, by the General Government, of the subsidy for the Steam Mail Service between Otago and Melbourne. His Honor agreed with the views urged, and intimated his intention to forward the document by the day's Mail with a recommendation for its favorable consideration by the General Government. The following is a copy of the memorial :— ■" To his Honor John Hyde Harris, Esq , Superintendent of the Province of Otago. The Memorial of the Members of the Chamber of Commerce, respectfully sheweth, that your memorialists have observed thac the General Government has advertised for tenders, for the Steam Mail Service between Melbourne and this port for six months only ; and, from this and other circumstances, they have reason to believe that the Government contemplates withdrawing the subsidy for such service altogether, in the event of the General Assembly ratifying the contract made by Mr Crosbie Ward for steam communication with Europe via Panama. Your Memorialists view with concern and regret the prospect of such a step being taken, and respectfully solicit your Honor's assistance and support in using every legitimate means to prevent the withdrawal of the Steam Mail Service, between Otago and Melbourne; which has, for the past two years, been most satisfactorily performed, with . great convenience and advantage to all classes of the community. Its stoppage would inflict a serious blow on the Commerce of this Port — be prejudicial to the interests of a large por_ portion of those engaged in Agricultural, Pastoral, and Mining pursuits, aud be viewed with regret by the great majority of the inhabitants of this important Province, as well as those in the adjoining settlements of Southland and Canterbury. This Province, and those of Canterbury and Southland, entirely depend upon the Service in question for the prompt and regular receipt and despatch of their European Mails ; and while the three Southern Provinces have doubtless received : the greatest direct benefic, your memorialists believe that the subsidised steamers betwixt MelbourSe and the Middle Island of New Zealand, have been of great advantage to the whole Colony. Moreover, even if the Panama Route were established, it would probably be many months before the regularity of" the Mails by that line could be depended on, while the anticipated advantage of fortnightly mails would be virtually neutralised if the present Mail Steamers between this and Melbourne were withdrawn. Your memorialists desire to guard themselves against stating anything which might be construed into a want of support, on their part, of the Panama Route. On the contrary^ they are strongly of opinion that a regular line of steamers to Europe via Panama will not only he of immense advantage to the commercial comma- j nitj throughout New Zealand, but will tend to promote the progress and prosperity of the Colony, and develop the resources to an extent that will far more than repay the expense which the country will be put to. They are, however, at the same time deeply impressed with the importance of continuing the present direct mail service to Australia, and trust your Honor will feel it consistent with your j duty to afford the Chamber your • valuable ! support, with the view of inducing the General Government to continue the subsidy piid for the performance of the mail contract between Otago and Melbourne. Signed on behalf "of the members of the Chamber of Commerce at Dunedin, (Signed) R. B. Martin (Chairman), Henry Driver, Geo. Turnbull J. T. Wright, Alfred Cleve. 24th Nov, 1864."

' The "Waikouaiti Herald" states that .the, weather at Kakanui Coal Creek has been very severe l.itely, snow having fallen in considerable quantity on the ranges. A great numberof ream* were weather-hound between' Sailor's Cutting »nd Hamilton's. ' > It ba< loitir b -en knovn th it , toe sand on the beach at Moerakl U auriferous, but the extivnvi fineness :in't lightness «>f the gold ami the quantity ut" iron saml with which ie is intermixed has rendered the work of extracting the precious metal difficult and too costly to pay. It appears, however, from the " Waikouaiti Herald," that au attempt is being made to work the auriferous sand by some new process. Our , country contemporary iays :—": — " The matter has now, been taken up, and an experiment about to be made how far certain chemical appliances will carry off the debris matter from the gold. ' Our informant showed us a quantity of the sand which he had succeeded in getting adhesive, and which presented all the appearance of a piece of sand or limestone 1 ; and although he did not entrust us with the full particulars of the process he intended it^to go ! through, he gave us to understand that this amalgamation was intended as the preparatory step." -

A meeting of the ratepayers of Befl Ward was held on Thursday, in the, Royal George Hotel, George street, for the purpose of nominating a member to represent the Ward in the Town Board. The attendance was very limited, and .very little, interest seemed to be , attached to the occasion. Mr M'Leod was called to the chair, and after stating the object for which the meeting had been convened, called upon any gentleman present to propose a candidate. Mr Armstrong: proposed the old member for the Ward (Mr Howard), as a fit and proper person again to representiheWardin the Town Board. Mr Denniston seconded the motion. No other candidates having been proposed, Mr Howard proceeded to explain the action which he had taken in municipal matters during the time he had been a member of the Board, and answered a number of questions addressed to him by several ratepayers. The Chairman, at the request of a ratepayer, gave the, meeting a brief detail of the various clauses of the^Water Works Company's Bill, which was now before a Committee of the Town Board for consideration ; hut he refused to give his opinion upon' the Bill until the proper time. The Chairman having repeatedly asked if there was any oth.er candidate to be proposed, without receiving an ? an3wer in the affirmative, put the motion to the meeting, when it was carried nearly, nnanimously. Mr Towers then came forward and proposed Mr J. R. Hood as a fit person to represent the Ward in the Town Board. Mr J. Williams seconded the motion. The chairman allowed this motion to be put tp the meeting, and on a vote being taken, only t vo hands were held up for Mr Hood, and the greater majority of those present for Mr Howard, who was once more declared elected by the meeting. A vote of thanks ,iio the chairman terminated the proceedings.

It will no doubt be fresh in the minds of our readers that in August last, a burglary was committed on the premises of Mr Lachaume, watchmaker, in George street, and property to the value of LBO abstracted, in the shape of gold and silver watches and chains. The case was evidently involved in mystery, and it was thought that by this time the property had been irrecoverably lost ; but on Thursday the whole affdr turned up in the Resident .Magistrate's Court, in the shape of a remanded case trom Melbourne. The Dunedin burglar, who had at one time been intimate with Mr Lachaume, was detected in the act of pawning one of the stolen watches and chains in , Swanstdh street, Melbourne, and on his lodging being searched, the greater part of the - missing property was found in his travelling v bag. along with a key, which, when applied opened the door of Mr Laohaumc's " inner room, where the rroperty had been placed 6a the night when it was stolen. The, case was very clearly brought home to the prisoner, Alexander Mackenzie, who was > committed to take his trial before the present sittings of ths Supreme Court.

The sitting of the Supreme Court, for the transaction of the criminal badness, was commenced on Thursday forenoon before His Honor Mr Justice Richmond. His 1 Honor told the Grand Jury that with the exception of one charge of wilful murder, the calendar was an ordinary one as to tho nature of the offences charged, and about an average as to the number of prisoners! John M'lntosh, charged with obtaining £1 13s by a false pretence that a certain document, given to Edward Doolan, at Clyde, Dunstan, was a good and valid cheque on the branch there of the Bank of Austialasia, waa found Not Guilty. The Judge expressed an opinion that the case was a very weak one, as res* pecting the pretended cheque being the means whereby the money was 'obtained ;' but he allowed the case to go to the jury, who found ■ a verdict at onca. Alfred Blake,' Ellen Anderson, and James Riley were brought np and discharged, *he Grand Jury haying -found; "No true bill" in each case. Thomaa Barrow was found Guilty of stealing a mare belonging to James Duff. The offence was committed in August, 1883'; but the prisoner, who was caught and "committed :for trial, managed to escape while being brought down from the D»nstan. Sentence will be passed this morning. JbhnE. Freeman was indicted for embezzling three sums of money, the property of Samuel SI arks, his employer, was found Guilty of one count oat of three, and was strongly recommended to mercy; He leas sentenced to three month?' imprisonment, with hard labor. About a dozen prisoners were arraigned, and three or four, of them pleaded Guilty.

A pair of spirited bay horses was on Tuesday afternoon harnessed to a bupgy in the yard of Messrs Hoyt and Co., Stafford street ; and before the gentleman who was to have driven could take his seat, the horses dashed out of the yard. Turning down Stafford street they raced along Princes street, and then making a dash into Rattray street, they smashed the buggy against the lamp-post in front of M'Cubbin's Hotel. The buggy and the harness were sufficiently damaged to free the horses, which then ran against the shop of Messrs Dean, Gardiner, and Co , butchers. There the horses were secured, by some men who were standing near the entrance to the Commercial Sale-yard. It was most fortunate that no person was injured. The damage to the buggy was, we understand, not very great.

The Southland Times says :-— " The gentlemen lately appointod by his Honor the Superintendent to inquire into and report on the management of the Provincial Hospital, viz., Drs. Deck, Grigor, Bemdt, and Mr W. F. Tarlton, have submitted the following recommendations to his Honor :~(1) In order that the Hospital may be carried on at a less expenditure on the part of the Provincial Government, it is recommended that it be maintained by private contributions, and by a subsidy voted by the Provincial Council, and that for this purpose the provisions of the 'Hospital Ordinance, 1863/ be applied to this institution, and the further management be conducted by a committee of management elected by contributors, according to the provisions of Rule 4 of the aforesaid Ordinance. The Commission consider that by this arrangement the Hospital will be regarded more as a public institution than as a Provincial one. And that it will receive public support and «ympathy to a greater extent than it has >hitherto done. (2) It is recommended that His Honor the Superintendent be requested to lay before the ensuing Provincial Council the above resolution, that their opinion may be taken as to the desirability of applying the provisions of the ' Hospital Ordinance, 1863,' to the Provincial Hospital. (3) It is recommended that, in the event of the concurrence of the Provincial Council with the above resolution, His Honor the Superintendent do , call a public ireeting of those who may wish to be contributors to the funds of this institution, in order that a com- . mittee of management and other officers may be elected by the contributors, for , the future management of the Hospital, acr cording to the provisions of Rule 4 of the 'Hospital Ordinance, 1864.' (4) It is recommended that the sum of fifteen hundred pounds (£1500) be placed upon the estimates tor the ensuing year, as a provincial contribution towards the maintenance of the Hospital. (5) It is recommended that the Hospital be used only for sick destitute per- , sons, and in cases of emergency. (6) It is . recommended that the office of Resident Sur- . geon be for the present dispensed with, and that his Honor the Superintendent do appoint some honorary medical officers, who may be trilling to act, until such time as the future management of the Hospital may be decided .upon. (7) It is recommended that, as the Gaol and Lunatic Asylum are not necessarily .connected with the Hospital, and are not generally regarded as public, but as Provincial institutions, a Provincial Surgeon may be appointed to act as medical officer to those institutions."

Mr J. S. Webb has been appointed by the Royal Commissioners for the New Zealand Exhibition, to be employed by exhibitors, at their own cost and risk, in unpacking, putting together and arranging their exhibits, when r-they are unable to attend to ao doing by tbem- - selves or their agent. Messrs. Tomlinson and . Co. have been appointed to cart from the wharf to the Building, at 3s per Ml load, and Is 6d per half load : machinery, and heavy packages weighing over a ton, at the rate of 63 per ton, inclusive of labor. The tender of Mr H. W. Woods for the erection of the refreshment department and corridors, has been accepted ; and the work is to be completed by the 12th of December. This addition to the building will be 93ft by 72ft, and will stretch from the main Building to the annexe for machinery, its outer side being in line with the northern or Frederick street side. There will be included a 25ft corridor, communicating between the main Building and the annexe, and some space for general exhibits, as well as the refreshment department.

We extract the following from the " Southland News ": — " A statement of the revenue and expenditure for the Province of Southland, tot the last eight months, is published in the

Provincial Government Gazette.' The revenue return exhibits a deficiency of not less than £46,000 upon the estimated revenue, which was eet down at £98,817 3s lid, whereas the actual receipts for the eight months have been only £52,297 9s lid. Crown Land sales, estimated at £40,000, have yielded only £22,419 Is 8d ; customs (threeeighths) estimated at £20,000, have yielded only £12,537 3s. Under other heads the estimated and actual revenue compare as follows :— Jetty dues, £3500, and £1488 16s lOd ; pilotage, £1500, and £1008 Us 9d ; immigration bills, £3500, and £1394 11s Bd. Under the head of "Refund," the actual receipt, from the General Government, is £7624 19s 7d, against £1340 estimated, and miscellaneous, £2769 13s 2d against da. estimate of £100. In this summary of ordinary revenue the railway accounts are, of course, not included. The total ordinary expenditure for the period covered by the return, amounts to £59,884 11s, Bd, including a sum of £8655 2s 9d in excess of the votes of the House, and classed, therefore, under the head " Unauthorised." This amount is made up of ijt.ms under the following heads : — Treasury

department, £52 3s 4d j Survey department, £112 Is ; Engineers' department, £146 13s 4d ; Jetty department, £12 12a ; Harbour department, £72 ; Hospital, £3 18s Id ; Goldfields department, £50 ; Supreme Court, £20 ; Town Board overdraft, £3935 15s ; purchase of Stewart's Island, £2000 ; and advance account, £250. The following is the expenditure on Railways to the 30th September last :— Blnff Harbour and Invercargill line, £160,152 16s lOdJ; Oreti line, £59,528 2s 4d. The balance-sheet of assets and liabilities of the province for the financial year ended the 30th September, exhibits the following stste of affairs : — Assets, including unauthorised expenditure for which future provision is required, immigrants' bills, amount in hand of London Agent, loans to Town Board, Railway loans, &c, £324,377 49 8d ; liabilities, unfunded debt, loans by Banks, outstanding accounts, and balance of advance by General Government, £379,553 7s 3d— thus leaving a nominal balance in favor qf the province of £55,176 2s 7d. Under the head of outstanding balance of advance, the sum of £26,859 12s 7d is set down. The permanent debt of the province is represented by the sum of £18,000, being its proportion" of the New Zealand Company's debt, allocated by the Otago and Southland Public Debt Apportionment Act, 1861.

The "Argus "of the 18th ultimo says,— " The hearing of what promises to be another cause ceUbre in the annals of the Supreme Court of Victoria commenced yesterday before the Chief Justice, sitting in matrimonial jurisdiction. The case vr&s that of Molesworth v. Moiesworth, being in the form I of a petition filed by the wife of Mr Justice Molesworth, one of the Supreme Court judges, for a judicial separation. The matters involved — the alleged adultery of Mrs Molesworth with Mr E. D. Ireland, late AttorneyGeneral — which have formed the staple of much scandal for nearly nine years past, were yesterday all raked up, and it would seem | that at last the whole facts will come before the public. Mrs Molesworth bases her application up the facts of her husband's cruelty, and her denial of the various charges of adultery made against her. Almost immediately after an opening speech from the petitioner's leading counsel (Mr Dawson) the petitioner entered the witnessbox, where she was kept till the Court adjourned. She told the whole story of the dif ferences between herself and her husband. She married him, she said, when only seven teen, and gre*atly liis junior ; but not very long after their arrival in this colony, in 1853, her husband's jealousy, of which she had had some experience, became won>e and worse, its principal object being Mr Ireland, with whom he had had two personal combats. The hearing was continued at the Supreme Court on the 18th. Mrs Molesworth, who was Checked by the Chief Justice for impropriety of expression, concluded her evidence, and the greater part of the remainder of the day was taken up with the examination of Mr Ireland. Mr Ireland traversed all the allegations made by die respondent regarding his alleged familiarity with Mrs Molesworth. Only one other witness was examined for the petitioner, a coachman formerly in Mr Moles worth's employment, and his evidence was not material. At the conclusion of the petitionsr's case, her. counsel suggested I that a compromise should be arranged, but the respondent's legal adviser declined to entertain the " extraordinary" suggestion. Mr Miehie then opened the respondent's case, and intimated his intention of placing Mr Molesworth in the witnesp-box. Voluminous evidence taken by an English commission, the object of which is to prove adultery on the part of Mrs Molesworth, and more particulary, to identity her with a Mrs Smythe, who was delivered of a male child at the latter end of 1862, was partly read to the Court, and will be proceeded with this morniug."

The "Nelson Examiner" states that the coal-beds at Motupipi, which have for some time been neglected " are again, we are glad to find, about to be turned to account, a party of three men, two of whom are practical colliers, having recently taken a lease of the field, and commenced mining operations there. Instead of seeking to supply our market with coal of inferior quality, obtained at or near the surface, an effort has been made, by deeper workings, to reach the coal in a more compact and pure state, and we are glad to find that this has been attended with very great success. It is the intention of the lessees of the Motupipi coal-field, to ship coals regularly to Nelson, and sell them at a pricwhich will enable them to compete successe lttlly with coal from Australia. Having tried these coals for our steam engine, we can speak with confidence of their value, and although we cannot undertake to say that they are at i present quite equal to the best Newcastle coal jfor steam purposes, for the consumption is rather greater, yet the price of theae coals being only about two-thirds of the price of Newcastle coals, they are more economical, while they otherwise answer exceedingly well. We found no difficulty in getting up steam with them, and, as we are giving these coals some further trial, we shall publish the reBulte. There is nothing objectionable about these coals, and we shall be glad to see the enterprise of working them succeed as it de serves."

We understand three requisitions hare been presented to Mr Horace Bastings, to allow himself to be placed in nomination for the representation of the city in the Provincial Council, At the adjourned meeting of the supporters of Mr A. M'Leod, held last evening, at M'Cubbin's Hotel, a numerously-signed requisition was presented to Mr M'Leod, who afterwards stated his views on the leading questions affecting the Province.

The ceremony of the installation of the office-bearers of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge, No. 417, took place in the Masonic Hall. Princes street, Dunedin, on Wednesday evening. The cerfmony was very ably conducted by Past Master Bro. Vincent Pyke, assisted by Past Masters Mills and Caldwcll. There were aUo present Bros. J. H. Harris, P.G.M. E.C , and Bros, Lazar, Nathan, and Hyman, his substitute master and junior and senior wardens, with the masters and officers of the various Lodges of .the craft in Dnnedin. The officers installed were Bros. J. M'Kellar, as R.W.M , W. Barron, as S.W.. — Hawkins, as J.W. ; and Bros. M'Leod and Derraer were also installed as substitute and deputy masters. The ceremony having been completed, the brethren adjourned to Bastings' Oriental Hotel, where a banquet had been prepared. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having received due attention at the hands of the brethren, the evening wa3 spent in a very social manner.

A committee of ladies residing in Port Chalmers and its neighborhood have for some months past interested themselves in procuring or manufacturing articles suitable for sale at a bazaar, which it was resolved to hold in aid of the buildin? fund of the local W^sleyan Chapel. By indefatigable exertions they succeeded in accumulating a very large and varied stock of goods, and on Wednesday the bazaar was opened, in the building opposite the Royal Hotel, at present occupied as a drill-shed by the Naval Brigade. By a liberal and tasteiul use of flags and evergreens along the walls, and around the numerous stalls, the interior of the building had a very gay and lively appearance, and when the tables came to be laden with the numerous pretty things which formed the stock-in-trade, and these pretty things came to be sold by pretty girh, saying pleasing and pretty things all day, the inhabitants naturally forsook their ordinary avocations, and made a universal visit to the most attractive sight that had yet been produced in the Port. From the time of opening till a late hour in the evening, the building was crowded by a succession of visitors, who were, of course, " bailed up' in the most gentle but effective manner possible ; and at the balancing of accounts the fair stall-keepers had the gratification of finding their exertions had resulced in the accumulation of a good round sum. One considerable attraction in the evening was the presence of the Naval Brigade Brass Band, and of some glee parties, whose creditable performances interrupted agreeably the monotony of buying and selling ; and there were not wanting the usual adjuncts of bazaars, in the shape of post offices, portrait galleries, Aunt Sallies, and lucky bags. Though the greater proportion of the goods was disposed of on the first day, the bazaar was again opened yesterday, and at the closing was unanimously declared to have been a great success.

A meeting of the ratepayers o^Leith Ward was held on Thursday in White's Royal Hotel, Great King street, for the purpose of nominating a gentleman to represent the Ward in the Town Board during the ensuing year. Mr T. Birch was called to the chair, and there was a very large and enthusiastic meeting. Mr John Booth proposed Mr James Wilson as a fit and proper person to represent the Ward in the Town Board. Mr James M'Gl&shan seconded the motion. Mr Alexander Ford proposed Mr James Turner, the old representative of the Ward as a fit person to be again elected to that office. This was seconded by Mr George Dempster. No other candidates having been proposed, the gentlemen nominated addressed the meeting at some length and answered many questions relating to municipal matters. The Chairman then called for a show of hands for the candidates, when there voted for Wilson 27, and for Turner 29. Mr Turner returned thanks for the honor done him, and hoped that whatever the result of the election might be, it would be conducted in an open, straightforward, and friendly manner. He proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried by acclamation The meeting then dispensed. We understand that a committee was afterwards appointed to secure the return of Mr Wilson.

On Thursday a boat left Port Chalmers with several fishermen, for the purpose of searching for the bodies of the four unfortunate fellows who were drowned a few daj-B ago an Wycliffe Bay. Drags, and other appliances for the search were taken, and the surviving mate of the lost men accompanied the party. We have to correct some inaccu racies which occurred in our ' report of the accident. We mentioned that the name of one of the lost men was Alexander Maclean — it should have been Alexander Maclaren. It is also stated that a nephew of the deceased, and bearing the same name, was frowned. This was not the case, the name of the man being John Sutherland, and not Maclean, the cousin of the man Maclaren.

The first lecture of Mrs C. F. Evereste was given on Tuesday at Farley'B Buildings, Princes street, the subject being " Flirtation, its evils and remedy." The subjsct was treated by the lecturer in a style which fully justified the encomiums passed on similar entertainments given by her in the press of the Australian colonies. Apart from any merit of the lecture the audience could not fail to be amused if not instructed with the very pleasing manner in which the lecture was delivered. Mrs Evereste is a good elocutionist, possesses a fine voice, and certainly knows how to use it , to advantage. The audience, which was not so numerous as «ye should have wished to have seen present, owing no doubt io the unsettled character of the weather, api peared to appreciate fully the entertainment [ provided for them.