News of the Week. [FROM HE DAILY TIMES.]

Otago Witness, Issue 680, 10 December 1864, Page 14

News of the Week. [FROM HE DAILY TIMES.]

Thirty thousand pounds have bean voted by the New South Wales Legislature for the purchase of artillery for the defence of the ports.' We notice that the Government of New South Wales have offered a reward of £1000 for the capture of either of the celebrated bushrangers, Hall, Gilbert, and Dunn.

The miners near the Ida Burn rejoice in being able to obtain a plentiful supply of eels with which the stream abounds. They are caught with spears, and are sold in the township at Gd per Ib. The Commissioner of Police arrived at Clyde on Saturday last, his visit being to enquire into the circumstances of the late mysterious abstraction of gold from the custody of the Escort. John Rutherford Ryley, Esq. t M.D., has been appointed a Medical Officer,, under the Vaccination Act, in the room of James Douglass, Esq., M.D., resigned. James Purvis of East Taieri, has been appointed to be keeper of the East Taieri public Pound ; and Archibald Valentine of the Waikouaiti Public Pound. By proclamation in the "New Zealand Gazette," the jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrates' Courts at Lawrence and at Hamilton is extended to one hundred pounds. Thursday next the 15th instant, is the half-yearly fast-day of the Presbyterian Church, on whicn day it is usual for mem bers-of that Christian denomination to close their. shops, and in consequence, most probably, very little business will be transacted in Dunedin. Mr H. D. Maddock, having been solicited by a numerous requisition to allow himself to Be put in nomination as a candidate for the representation of the city in the Provincial Council, has acceded to the request. There are row four candidates in the field, an exciting dontest may therefore be anticipated. It will be seen by the letter of our correspondent at the Dunstan, that on the evening of Thursday, the 24th ultimo, a parcel of gold addressed to the Bank of New Zaaknd, which \>as under the charge of the police awaiting the arrival of the Escort, was abstracted from the Camp, and has not been recovered. It appears that it has been the practice to deposit gold in transitu in the iron boxes in which it is transmitted to the Treasury at Dunedin, and to place them in the Police Sergeant's room until the Branch Escorts have all arrived. . One parcel of 147 ounces had come in from the Teviot, and was placed " under the charge of Sergeant Wilson, who, having locked it up htrag the key on a nail on the wall of the apartment, and during his absence the gold was abstracted and the key replaced. Sub-Inspector Sincock arrived on the following Tuesday evening, and placed the whole of the police force on duty at the time of the robbery under arrest. A searching investigation is anticipated on the arrival of tlfe Commissioner of Police, who was hourly expected. A meeting of the directors of the Caledonian Society was held on Wednesday, in the Otago Hotel. There were present — Messrs. Finlater (in chair), Stott, Edmond, M'Gregor, Murison, Fargie, Kennedy, M'lnnes, Campbell, Allan, Somner, Wilson and Dick. The

minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. The Ground Committee reported that they had examined the various tenders for the erection of the Grand Stand, together •with fencing, in all numbering sixteen ; and

thafc the tender of James Lockie had been -accepted, for the sum of L 235 for Grand Stand, and at the fhte of L 3 7s 6d per chain for fencing. The Printing Committee's report was also read and adopted. The Secretary reported that he had communicated with Mr M'Landress in reference to the sale of the refreshment booths. Mr M'Landress' answer was read, intimating the willingness of the firm to auction the same on terms similar to former years, viz., free of commission. It was then resolved 'to fix

Saturday, the 24th instant, as' the day when the sale of the booths should take place. A „ special meeting of the directory was appointed to be convened for Monday next, for the expresa purpose of appointing judges for the forthcoming games. The meeting then adjonrned, ' There was a very fair attendance at Vauxhall Gardens on Thursday to witness the pyrotechnic representation of the Seige of Dappel. The weather was somewhat un-

favorable for the display ; there was more

wind than the pyrotechnic artist could have wished, and the threatening clouds which scudded, across the bay, no . doubt, deterred many who would have otherwise visited tho gardens. The town and fortress is well depicted, and the mimic war steamers are sufficiently deceptive in appearance. Shortly after darkness had set in, the mock siege commenced, and by means of plenty of rockets, fire-balls, and other pyrotechnic effects.avery good imitation of thedinand glare of a real seiga was produced. This was the first public representation, aud although several minor defects, which could be easily remedied, were apparent, the display was on the whole a

success.

We regret to state tliat an accident

of a serious nature befel one of the assistants. A quantity of powder by some means exploded, and seVerely burnt one of the men near it. He sustained great injury about the face and arms, and his clothes were much burnt. Fortunately Dr Hocken was> in the Gardens, and he promptly rendered such assistance as' was possible. Every attention was paid to the sufferer by Mr Jones, and it is to be hoped his injuries will not prove so serious as they certainly appeared to be.

The Exhibition Committee have been successful in laying down two most perfect and interesting specimens of the Moeraki boulders at the jetty for transmission to Dunedin ; we observed also several specimens of building stone from the neighborhood. Our townsman, Mr W. <3\ Spiers, cabinet-maker, has executed a very elegant ladies' work-table, all of local woods ; it contains six hundred different pieces, and does great credit to his taste and skill.

From Hamilton our news is to the sth inst. The weather had be»n wet for a few days, which afforded a supriv of water for mining purposes that was very opportune. Miners appeared to look torwaid with confidence to the success of their operations, and were applying in numbers for extended areas under the new regulations. The new race from the Pigburn Creek is (Jornpletdl, and it is expected will prove a great benefit.

In the "Provincial Government Gazette" of Wednesday, the annual report of the Chief Inspector of Sheep'is published, by which it appears that the total number of sheep in the province is 1,205,451. Of these 985.208 are ew s, and 220,243 wethm,—exclusive of this season's lambs, which are too young to be entered on the return. Since September, 1863. there have been 117,811' sheep brought into the province, 45,000 wethers and 30,039 ewes having been landed at Port Chalmers, and from Canterbury and Southland 29,622 wethers and 13,150 ewes About one-third of the males were sold as fat and the remainder as stores. On comparing the nurnner of sheep slaughtered during the past twelve months with the previous year's consumption, there appeared to be a filling off of about 45,000, the number killed in 1862-3 being 165 000, and in 1863-4 only 120,000. The number of wethers^is equal to eighteen months' consumption.

The usuul weekly meeting of the Lncal Committee of the New Zealand Exhibition, was held on Wednesday in the Athenaeum Buildings. Pi esent— Messrs Hnckett, Redmayne, Legatt, Fulton, Hughes, J. S Webb, hon, sec. Mr Ick occupied the chair Two letters were read from the Royal Commissioners, respecting several matters of routine business relative to Provincial and Victorian exhibits, and offering the use of a room in the north-east corner of the basement floor of the Exhibition Building for tlv> use of the Local Committee, until the Exhibition is opened. Another letter was read from the Secretary of the Commissioners, in answer to a letter from the Otago Local Committee, requesting to know at what hour, if any, exhibitors would be admitted free into the building for purposes connected with their exhibits. The reply was that the minutes of the Local Committee on this subject were at fault, and stating that hours would be fixed for the free admission of tho exhibitors to the building, both before and aftor the hours fixed for the admission of the public, but these hours had not yet been fixed. Mr Webb stated that the fault lay entirely with the Secretary of the Royal Commissioners, and he referred to the meeting of the Otago Local Committee, held on Monday, tho 3rd of October, when a series of questions was drawn up and handed to the Secretary of the Commissioners to be answered, One of these ques • tions was to tho following effect :— " Will exhibitors have at any time free admission to the building ? " The answer was — " Not after their goods are once arranged." Mr Burt and other intending exhibitors wrote, asking information as to the supply of water which would be at their disposal. The Committee had received no information from the Commissioners on the subject, and the Secreretary was instructed to communicate with them on this subject. On the motion of Mr J. S. Webb, the names of Messrs Caldwell and Simmons were added to the Fine Arts Committee, and a meeting of tliat Committee was ordered to be called for the purpose of endeavoring to collect any valuable pictures in the Province. It was resolved in future to hold two meetings of the Committee in the week, on Mondays and Thursdays. The Committee adjourned to Monday next at four o'clock.

Mr Warden Charles Broad reports from Hamilton, under date 3rd December: — "I have this week visited the Serpentine township and the end of Long- Valley. About 200 men are at work, and at the latter place appear to be doing well. I inspected the Eliza quartz reef, which appears to be very rich, the gold -being distinctly visible in the broken stone. A shaft has been sunk about 20 feet, and a second one about 30 feet not yet bottomed. The reef appears to be dipping into the hill, and from its direction would appear to be rathera leader than the main reef. From the height up the spur, it would be necessary to convey the quartz to water for the purpose of having it crushed, as I think it would be impossible to get water to the reef. The specimens forwarded by last Escort are fair average specimens. Nothing is being done in the way of working the reef at present, and it is a pity that some company with capital do not take it in hand. The miners are returning to Hamilton and Hyde from the new rush, and I have had this week a great many applications for double areas in worked and abandoned ground."

Mr Warden Stevenson, writing from Mount Ida on the 26th ult., remarks :-— " Nothing of importance has occurred during the week. The prospecting claim, which I mentioned in my last report, has proved to be a failure. The ground was well tried on Monday last, but is now completely deserted. Mining operations in general continue steady. At Hill's Creek and the Woolshed, although the population has diminished considerably •of Ute, those who have remained are doing well. Tho Dunstan Creek proper continues to support a steady population, and all seem well , satisfied with their earnings."

From a correspondent at Hampden, we learn that the first of a course of lectures was delivered by Mr Alexander Familton on " Agriculture," in the school-room, on Friday evening. The lecture was very interesting to those directly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was well attended, and we hope the good folks of Hampden will give the same countenance and support to those that follow.

The practice of lynching Chinamen, when caught in the committal of the depredations for which they have become notorious, appears to be on the increase. The following instance is reported by Wednesday's " Grenville Advocate "\- — " On Sunday morning last, at an early hour, a rather amusing scene was witnessed not far from the works of the Wheal Kitty Company, Scarsdale. A Celestial coolly approached the mullock heap ot a claim, and from thence bent his steps carefnlly towards the sluice box. He was no doubt in temporary blissful expectation of making a good night's work, and ha 1 produced various tools for scraping the gold out of the box, but, unfortunately for his calculations, clear eyes were watching his movements, and just as ' John ' was about to commence operations, some two or three shareholders, who were on the look out, pounced upon him and secured him. The captors then held a council of war to decide what should be done to the prisoner. A decision was come to, and all set to work to see to put it in operation. 'John' was then in the first place denuded of his tail, which was cut off close to his finely shaved pate. This was by some considered enough ; but others thought that ' John s might possibly soon forget his tail, and they would give him- something he would not forget iv a hurry. Accordingly, they almost completely covered him with antifriction grease, and after a few jovial parting remarks from "the shareholders, and an unlimited number of * no savees,' from • John,' he was released, when, we need scarcely say, he did not forget to; make the best use of his time in clearing o^" the claim."

_ Another terrible story of Australian bush life is thus narrated in the Marengo correspondence of the Yass Courier :—": — " Perhaps some of your readers may recollect that about twelve months ago I sent a communication to the Courier, to the effect that several Marengonianshad, while looking for stray cattle, bepn much startled by the sudden appearance and disappearance of a wild-looking man, hatless, with dishevelled hair and torn clothing ; also, that I belisved ths poor creature to be no other than a certain , ex-publican of Chance Gully, Burrangong, who had been driven mad through the gross dishonesty and shocking infidelity of a very near connexion. This surmise is now proved to have been correct, for last Monday the wandering maniac's remains were found, much gnawn and decomposed, in the bush between here and Youn?. The police are in a measure responsible for this horrible death ; for the unfortuuate deceased, after being given in charge, escaped from one detachment, and other members of the force, when two or three times informed of the lost one being seen near here, sai 1 ' it was not the man,' and gave themselves no further trouble about the matter. Three or four private individuals made an unsuccessful effort to secure him. On one occasion a few teamsters camped one night near the Wambernumba Inn, were much surprised by the unhappy man making a dash at their ' billy " of tea, hastily drinking part of it, and then rushing again into the bush. Yet, though the authorities or their representatives were informed of all this, they appeared by their actions to evince but little interest in the affiir. and thus the poor forsaken wretch was apathetically allowed to wander day after day until fatigue and want killed him.

By way of Sydney we have intelligence from Port de France, New Caledonia, to the 6th November. The "Moniteur" states that many of the colonists have already planted tobacco, and has published on the 2nd of October semi-official directions for the instruction of thoae who are engaged in the cultivation of that plant. The Government still continues to occupy itself with exploring the interior of the island, every locality in which will evidently, ere long, be visited and carefully described in the official journal. On the 14th ■ October, Mr D. N. Joubert, residing at Koutio Koueta, in the commune of the Port de France, was fined 100 francs for having omitted to inform the Colonial Government of the " sanitary state " of his newly-im-ported herd of cattle. A private school for the instruction of aboriginal girls is about to be opened at St. Louis by Madame P. Phelippen, whose norn de religion is Marie de la Croix. There is a project to entourage emigration from the Isle de la Reunion to New Caledonia. The Isle de la Reunion has, it appears, for some years past not been in a flourishing state in consequence of the failure of the sugar crops. M. Duboise, formerly resident of Reunion, is already stated to have settled on the banks of the Dumbea. A M. 1 Clam and several other gentlemen have also visited Post de France, to inquire about and report upon the colony as a future scene for emigration from Reunion. Every facility for making the requisite inquiries have obviously been afforded by the Government of Now Caledonia.

• Another btiggy accident happened on Wednesday, not, we believe, through the bolting of the horses, but through the king-bolt breaking. The horses, with the fore part of the vehicle attached, dashed down Stafford streot, into Princes street, and thence into High street, 'where they were stopped, but not until they had race! along the pavement under the verandah, fronting Messrs H. Kirkpatrick and Co.'s premises. Fortunately no person was injured. The buggy, we hear, belonged to Mr Dyer, M.P.C-

We take the following trom the Hobarfc Town " Mercury," relative to the contribu- - tions from Tasmania to the New Zealand Exhibition :— " Mr James Scott, of ,Lavn T ceston. has been appointed agent for the north- , em side of the island for transmitting Tasmaniiut products to the Dnnedin Intercoloninal Exhibition, hiessrs Robert J. Archer of Longford Hall, Chas. Headlam of Macquarrio River, Robert Crawford of Ellenthorp Hall, R. Gibson of Dairy Plains, and G. Scott of Mount of Morriston, have promised to send samples of wool, and Messrs Grubb and Tyson will contribute quantities of sawn shingles, lath, railway sleepers, &c. Mr James Stewart, of Symraons Plains, intends to send fifty rams to the show of stockl'

Roberts, the champion billiard player, has been signally defeated* at Bendisro. The game took place at the Bendigo Hotel, and %h& following particulars are given by the " Advertiser :" — " In tlie absence of Mr Hay Mr John Hadlev handled the cue. The game was commenced at eight o'clock precisely, Mr Roberts allowing Mr Hadley 550 out of 1000. Mr Roberts led off with a break of 15, and Mr Hadley with one of 13 5 then after a~ succession of short breaks Mr Roberts made one of 52, which was the largest made throughout the evening. He went on scoring ropidly until the game stood, Roberts 102, Hadley ,25. The former went on increasing his score until 202 to 42 was called. During this time Roberts had scored two break 3 of L 36 L 36 each, one of 40, and one of 35 ; the highest made by.Hadley being 18. At this poiofc the game took a decided turn, Roberts falling off and Hadtey rapidly increasing his score. At several calls the score, stood— Roberts 242, Hadley 603, .301 to 623, 400 to 663, 501, t0 839. In the last interval (t will be observed that Hadtey had scored 176 to Roberta's 100. After an interval ot ten minutes, play was resumed at twenty-five minutes after ten. Roberts di 1 not seem to play with his usual skill, and fortune was decidedly against him. He missed four tolerably easy middb. pocket losing hazards, and two winning hazards. Eadley made one break 0f,35, and he finished the game by another of 33. Roberts's best in the second part of the game was 50, 30, of which were spot strokes. Hadley was playing in, very superior style, and fortune was with him ; and, although Roberts evidently tried his best, when the former had scored the requisite number of 1000, inclusive of the 550 given in, Roberts had only scored 791. The result of the game was received .withstood cheers. This is the most decisive defeat Roberts has sustained in the colony. He was evidently aot in playing trim, and we believe he found the table faster than those he has usually played on." We are in receipt of our Tasmanian files to the 23rd inst. The " HobartTown Mercury" of that date supplies the following information relative to the infant salmon and trout :' — " The salmon, or rather the parr, atour breeding establishment on the Pleoty, ljave nowfound their way into the large pond prepared for their reception below the hatching boxes, and are progressing in a highly satisfactory manner. During the last fortnight, ' they have fed eagerly, and have perceptibly increased in size, though their growth, up to the present time, has not been so rapid as that of the trout. For the trout, a serpentine . pond seventy 'yards long, varying from ten to twelve feet in width, and leading into the round clearing pond, has been constructed. The upper part of this serpentine pood consists ot a series of shallow gravelly rapids with here and there a few'larger stones. The trout evidently appreciate , the arrangements made for them as, in fine weather, a few are. constantly to be seen darting off the rapida £0 the friendly shelter of the larger stories.! Many of them are from two to three inches in length. As they have ample room, they . 'will be kept where they are till they become spawning fish, which will "probably he in the autumn of 1866." We have our files from New South Wales to the 22nd inst. The "Sydney Morning Herald," of the 21st, says:— " At a meeting of the electors of West Sydney, held yesterday evening, the Treasurer, in his address, stated that the actual deficit for the year 1863, and previous years, amounted to £359,822 Is lod, and, to meet this, the Government had issued Treasury . bills to the amount of £400,000. The deficit for the present year, 1864, he estimated, in, round numbers, at £400,000, and accounted for it as follows-. — Decline ia the Customs, decline, in land reventfe, £102,000; taxation scheme not passed, £220,000. Total, £382,000. Had .the schema of taxation he proposed been agreed to, the deficit of expenditure over the revenue would have been very small. The Government, at the meeting of Parliament, he said, intended to propose a scale of taxation somewhat similar to the last ; but omitting those articles the duty on which were considered of a protective character. They intended to> propose a tax on luxuries ; but it would be imprudent at present to specify the articles, lest the mercantile community should avail themselves of the information. He anticipated realising by the border customs £40,000 to £60,000, and the annual cost of collecion would not exceed £3000 ; and pointed out that the savings on the salaries of next year would amount to £27,549. The Treasurer has since been defeated for West, Sydney, but , purposes standing for another constituency."

The Post Office .return, of money orders issued and paid in the Province during the month of November, shows that 535,Tepresenting £2495 Os Bd, were issued, and 205, amounting to £832 6s 2<J, were paid. Thetotal issued since the commencement of the system is 12,166, representing £61,224 93 3d ; and the total number paid is 3342, amounting to £17,387 3s.

A complimentary dinner was given on Tuesday, to Kr'C. S. Saxtori, at the Old Club Hotel, orr the occasion 'of bis leaving the Province of Orajju for that of NMson. A large and parry assrinhlrd. the chair being taken br. Vinc?*t Pyke, Esq, Secretary to the Gold Fi-lris Dtiwritnpnv whils- T)r Hocken, the Coroner * fi>r< Duriwlin, actid as Vice. A'ter the fiintonvrv lovn) toasts, the sentiment of ih»j (veninar wa*. Of course, -the. health of Mr Saxtoti, and it was received most warmly by the assembled guests.. Every person who spoke, and some were justly enthusiastic, took pains to express their opinion of Mr Saxt'on's trne liberality as an empinyov, and as a sportsman, and all united in regretting his approaching departure from ,Otago,

The monthly, meeting of the Volunteer Fire' Brigade was, held on Monday, in the xwra over the engine house ; 'it being also the meeting for the annual election of officers. Capt Hobbs presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved that, in compliance with a tedjuest, the patronage of the Brigade should be given to the cominx fete of the M.U.1.0.0.F., it being to be held for a charitable object. The Treasurer reported that the amount of the general- fund in hand was £192 17s 6d ; and that of the member*' fund, £53 193 41 Several accounts were ordered to be paid ; including £U } expenses of the funeral of the late Private Burns, which amount is to come oat of the members' fund. ' A sample helmet was recently obtained ; but the test of it "being so far unsatisfactory, any decision was postponed ' for a month. Oapt. Hobbs reported the result of some inquiries he had undertaken to make, in connection with an opinion expressed at the last meeting, that the engine keeper's duties proper now required so much of his time that he ought to "be relieved from duty (between the hours of eight aud twelve at night) at the watch tower. He (Capt. Hoobs) believed the feeling of the representatives of the influrance companies would be in favor of augmenting their subscriptions, so as to enable a watcherjo be- specially appointed, rather than of themselves appointing a watcher, and «o interfering with the functions of the Brigade. . Mr Holmes moved, and Mr Millard eeconded, " That the engine keeper be exempted from watching on the bell tower, as heretofore." It was urged that, apart from the increase of apparatus, which entailed additional work, the labor of the engine keeper was greatly increased since the removal of the bouse, by his having to fetch water up from the tankg ; and that, there being about a dozen members living within 20 yards of the tower, some one of them vas sure to see any flre that occurred before midnight. Mr Beissel moved, and Mr Cropp seconded, an amendment, " That the engine man be not exempted flrom watching until the appointment of some one as a result of the action of the insurance companies." The amendment was negatived, and the motion was agreed to The election of officers for the year was next proceeded with. For the captaincy, Mr Hobbs and Mr Robinson were nominated, and Messrs Amos and Millard were appointed scrutineers The result of the ballot, was— Hobbs, 46 ; Bobinson, 14 — so that Mr Hobb was declared re-elected. Captain Hobbs, on taking the chair (which had been temporarily occupied by Foreman Hughes), said that his re-election ■was only another proof of the goodwill of the Brigade towards him, and also that what he had been able to do for the Brigade during his term of office had secured the approbation of the members. He hoped that when he next Tetired from office, he should enjoy the same confidence as he did at present. For the lieutenancy, Mr Robinson was proposed for re-election j and Fort-man Hughes was also nominated. The voting was— Robinson, 31 ; Hughes 28. Mr C. A. Jefivrson was unani mously re-elected honorary Recretary. Mr H. W. Murtay and Mr James Holmes were nominated for the treasurersbip ; and the former was chosen, hy 35 votes to 23. Lieut. Bobinson has for some time hi Id this effice ; but he desired to be relieved from it, and the bye- laws are being amended so as to prevent any member holding two offices. Mr Hughes was unanimously re-elected as Foreman ot the Hook fend Ladder Company. The late Foreman of the Hose Company, Mr Siiverston, has gone to Melbourne. Ttiere we re now proposed for the office, Mr James Spicer and MrThos. Amos ; the former being succeessul, receiving 4i votes to Mr Amns's 19. Capt. Hobbs explained that, under the rules, as they were being amended, a second foreman of hose, and a foreman of the fire. company, would have to be elected. The amended rules would be submitted at the next meeting. Some new me:nberß were balloted for, and other busineis was transacted.

The correspondent of the '• Lytbelton Times," under date November 16th, writing from the Totara River, gives a minutf account of the prospects of the Grey Gold Fields. A party of Maoris having obtained gold on the Totsra returned to Teremakau aud reported they had discovered a gold fit-Id capable of supporting many thousand miners on the Totara and its tributaries. Maori messengers were dispatched to different native tribes, the intelligence became exaggerated, and a rush took place of Maoris and white men. On . examination of the ground the writer stated that the country was extensive, could not be easily prospected, a d he feared the gold was. not in sufficient quantities to pay. A minute description is then given of the j various spots where gold has been *ound ; the letter closes with the following paragraph :- «• Finally, the prospects here are slightly improved, and only slightly. There U nothing found here to warrant a rush, and all the reports that may have reached you by the last steamer as to the richness of this new gold field are as absurd as uncrue. Storekeepers will be far better paid than miners."

. A sad accident occurred at Bfyde^oa Fridaylast. Richard Deem, a storekeeper, a man much respected, had' been packing a load of goods to his stcvo at Fullartbn's, and after unlondinc bis horse .he mounted |ho packsaddlc, VHfnj^stimip leather*, withmij; irons to them. Unfortunately his hotsp" throw him, and galloped nmdly away drugging the poor man with him as his foot rercuii'irti fast in the stirrup. He was dragsml in this manner some miles, and when the ho* s;< whs caught Deem was found quite dead. Ili-i jip< 1;, legs and arms were broken, and his whole body a mass of wounds.

The Canterbury " Press" of the Ist inst., ' publishes the following extract from an official letter from Mr Revel to the Provincial Government, dated from the Grey, November 21 : — ■' The rush which took place to the Totara River about a fortnight ago has, up to the present time, proved a failure, owing partly to the continuous rain on the ranges at this time of year, which keeps the rivers and their tributaries full and subject to frequent freshes, and also to the high, price of j provisions, which have to be packed from the Grey, a distance of 40 miles, with three large rivers and several small creeks intervening, all 1 more or less aflected by the tide. Flour is £5 per 1001b at the Totara, and other goods at a j proportionate rate. Two-third 3of the miners have returned to the Greenstone, whilst others— about fifty or sixty — are leaving the coast either by the overland track to Christohurch, or by steamer to\ Nelson. The miners generally speak favorably of thelocality about the Totara, and are of opinion that in February or March next, when' the fine weather sets in, it will prove remunerative. It appears that the original prospectors got their gold in crevices, and on shallow bars about six or seven miles up this river ; they have done very little on their claims Bince, four or five dwts. a-day being all, and they have since sold out for £25. About 100 miners have remained on the Totara prospecting the various creeks, which run into it for a distance of fourteen miles in land from the coast, the first five or six miles of which have to be traversed through the water, which reaches up to the waist. The Greenstone is still the 'favorite resort of miners, most of whom , had good payable claims, and have therefore returned to pre- ! vent them being jumped. The Maori claim on the Greenstone sold for £20."

The annual election of four members to represent the various Wards of the city in the Town Board took place on Monday. Each of the four Wards was contested, but, as the result of the poll will show, the old members have all been returned. In the Bell and Leith Wards especially there was great excitement during the day, and the greatest interest taken in the result of the contest. The result of the polling is as follows :— South Ward. MrJ. Griffen 73 Mr W. Hooper 42 Captain Davidson 31 Majority 31 High Ward. MrJ. Grey 129 MrHili 41 Majority 88 Bell Ward. Mr Howard 107 Mr A. J.Burns 93 Majority '. 14 Leith Ward. Mr J. Turner 179 Mr J. WilSon 135 Majority 44 We notice that the New Zeatander expressly disclaims the assumption that it is the Governor's organ, or that Hi 3 Excellency is in any way connected with it. Our contemporary would stand a better chance of beit g believed if it did not protest quite so much. The denial is so impressively reiterated that one is inclined to fancy there is some truth in the general impression that it is the organ of the Governor. ' Tha " Marlborough Press " of the 26th gives the following account of <a serious accident which occurred through the imprbper use of fire arms :— " It is our unpleasant duty to record a very serious accident , which occurred yesterday afternoon, and which, we regret to state, may yet prove fata?. The circumstances are as follow : —Mr Blundell the cashier of the Pictou branch of the New Zealand Bank, had been out on the previous evening practising with a revolver pistol. On the following morning (yesterday) Mr Parkinson, in whose company Mr Blundell had been, called at the Bank and had some conversation respecting the previous evening's proceedings. The pistol was brouglu out and laid on the bank counter, when Mr Parkinson, under the impression that the charges had all been fired off, presented the pistol to Mr Blundell and pulled the trigger. The weapon, wbicli unhappily for the unfortunate gentleman, was loaded, went off and a bullet lodged in his ?f ck m ABBiBtUBCeA 88i8tUBCe w as at o-ce sent for, wheu Drs Tripe and Kilgour arrived within a few minutes after being summoned.^ On making a careful examination of the wound it was ascertained that the bullet had lodged in some portion of the throat, but the probe faUed to show the exact part. Mr Blundell at a late hour was suffering greatly, and for the next few hours it is impossible to pronounce the termination of the lamentable affair.' The injury was purely accidental, but caused by thoughtlessness, and has certainly injured a young gentleman for a lengthened period ; will cause a deep grief to his family, and for a time cast a gloouvover the town."

From-Nokomai, on---tbe«'2Bth'~Hlfcj~Mr Warden Wood reports,:— "The miner* on. the Nokomaiseem satisfied that the mok will, in all cases, pay wages, with the chance of lining well, as some,,, are.,dping j ; and mVn.wiit not leave wages, now unlfß3 there U something very attractive at a cjjstanco to allure Estimated population 930." We are in receipt of.Sniithkrfd papers' to 1 the 2nd. The Provincial Council «m<j opened i on the Ist.' The first business' wus the'el«ction of Superintendent, under the> new Provinces Act, by which the Superintendents 'of provinces formed .under the Act, are to be elected by the Council. A rather singular muddle- has occurred in the election" of.the 1 Southland Superintendent. There were two candidates, viz., Dr Menzies, the previous 1 Superintendent, and MrHeale. The votes of the Council for the candidates were for Menzies, 7; Heale, 9. But the Act specifies that the' Superintendent shall be" elected by an absolute majority of the Council, and herein lies the difficulty. An obsolute majority of the Southland Council would be 10, that is supposing the Act to mean that the raajerity shall be of the whole Council 'and ! not simply of the memberg present-. A difference of opinion as to the exact meaning of the Act is held by the partisans of the' rival candidates." and consequently Southland may be said to possess two Superititendehts\ as the late (or present) Superintendent;, Dr Menzies, refuses to recognise the validity' of Mr Heale's election; The matter, we suppose, will have to be settled by the Supreme Court. ~

The following, relative to the West Coastdiggings, is taken from the Nelson Colonist ot the 25th ultimo : — The Nelson returned yesterday from the Grey, bringing about 230 onnces of gold from the' adjacent diggings. There is no particular news to record .with respect to this district. Numerous diggers are arriving from time to time, and many remaining, while others are coming away in consequence of the more than ordinary difficulties of the country and sparse supplies. About thirty men came back in the Nelson, soms of them never having reached the neighbourhood of the diggings, whilst others are in search of further appliances, provisions, and means of conveyance. At the last new rush flour is fetching £6 per bag, so that under tlvesa circumstances the men had need to find something r»ore than average ground on which to expend their labour, if, desirons of making more th in a bare subsistence. The Examiner of the 26th, confirms the foregoing unfavorable intelligence as follows ;— By advices from the West Coast we learn that the new rush had not turned out so as had been expected. AH the diggers who had gone there had,»with the exception of about 100, returned to the Greenstone Creek. Those who hainotremaimd on the ground to which the new rush took place say that, so soon as dry weather shall set in,' they have no doubt great finds will be made. There are now, it is presumed, about 500 men on the Grey gold field, and one who should be well informed on the subject, says that the average weekly amount of gold purchased is between 350 atid 400 ounces. The weather had been so exceedingly wet that men could not travel about, and when it is remembered that, in the twenty miles to be traversed by those proceeding via the Grey, there are three rivers that must be swum in anything like wet weather, the difficulties diggers have to encounter will be readily understood. The Tereraakau is, at present, the most central spot on the diggings, it being nine miles from the Grey and nine miles from the Greenstone river ; within twelve miles of the mouth of the latter, most of the diggers are working. In order to proceed a distance of two miles up the Greenstone river, it must be crossed no less than twenty times. The new rush was to a place thirty miles from the Grey, and provisions were very dear, flour having reached the price of £6 per 100 lbs.

In reply to the strictures of a recent correspondent of the " Glasgow Mail," concerning the social condition of Southland, its climate, soil, &c, the people of Riverton have addressed the following letter to the " Southland Times :" — " Sir— Having seen in your columns a few days since an extract from the " Glasgow Mail," of a most deplorable picture of the sufferings of a certain • individual in Invercargill, and his wonderful ten-mile circuit. It is very fortunate that the said party did not re»ch as far as Riverton. There he would have seen some 1 broad acres of wheat and oats, and we ourselves can testify to having seen sixty bushels grown to the acre, and we do not remember during the last fourteen years to have seen a single instance of our crops not ripening. "We beg to say 4 for the information of this * chiel amang us,' j that had he been in Riverton to-day he would have marvelle 1 greatly to have -seen as fine a crop of barley cut down as the eye could wish to see— over five feet high. Then, again, as for vegetables, I think from the ' sense he ha 3 displayed in his lengthy epistle of grievances, that - his " own head and a | Riverton" cabbage' would 1 not be 1 'dear 1 at a shilling ; and -as regards the climate and health of the' inhabitants, we saw this morning our oldest identity, who is now verging on eighty years, and nearly ' forty years a residenter here, carrying a 50ib bag of flour up Falraerston street to his home three miles in the country. ' Should his eye glance Qh bid Toby, another forty years' residenter, and whose brow has weathered over, seventy summers, be would consider that our medical men are taking the right step in' leaving." 'We cannot venture' to follow up all his mishaps and grievances, but we can say that in this district there is corn and beef in plentyApologising, for occupying so much of you • space,-— We remain, yours, &c, Rivjeetonians. Riverton, 28th Nov., 1864. P.S.— As the 1 chiel' states, • fruit, there is none,' we tender our invitation to him, through you, to a treat to a gooseberry fool."

["•"-At "Sff&fio'ay'if sittirigr of" -3hr-- t l!BPHffi£ Court, the following prisoners; wer£ tried and found Gnilty.i-rf-PatriQk' ManderOle, stealings two , Crimean -shirts, at; Hamilton;, .William^ W.nrnincr, uttering ; a cheque, knowing it to b& forged, at Wethpi^tones ; ;in li-JphTi" Kobertson, bjirg)«ry «n<l n)frh<*ry , Daniel 'Jl'Gleag* han wa«i'tbund No. fc'Guilty okstealinj? money, at a. juibiin house,, in , s VV"a fker street ; " nad. ■ liewhs, <lischarj{;'f]v- 4 .J^tw^qjiee SiiDivaoi iv«a»4n-« dieted, tor woundiug Joim Daly) a coatitable,. at the NokqraaJ, ,with intent. ,to, do bimgrievous "y'odily tiara. ' "To^his^fte. J&d pleaded N^t Guilty ;, hnt: now!, under the" a'a~ I vice of his'counsel (Mr MaiQ)he,a4miljVe^liiß' guilt of '£he v ( .rtitipi*;'o^en'ce\\'qf..^nlSwf^lr Wounding' and, as $!ok\ Crown ? depline4 to offur evidence': in support' o,£i;he; fel6|y: HisC Honor directed, a Verdict' oCfJuilty of unlaww* fully wounding. In each' of wie" ca'sef o'feonijvietion,:se&.te.pce <was"d eferred.: Thecrimiiiat information for -libel ' Against \&J. M'Combe, was, .mentioned during theUday;> Mr Prender gaat, on .behalf of the complainant ,! stating.that the bill eoojd nj&ifc jßafeJyigOMbefbnj; the Grand .Jury in the absence of a material witness, with' respect > to ! 'wh6a? r 'fayiibjjtttty/at, present to attend ; there was a certificate from ; a surgeon. Mr Howorth said that It&re' were two other' cases id which' thereha'rjust'beeri' committals, and in which indfcinients-'wblid/ have to be prepared. ThVcljoice befrig aritP sequently given to. the'Grarid'Jdry of 'attend* ing again on' Wednesday < or on" ThtlrsdayV 1 ' they chose the latter day.- •* * -' ' •" ' ' '■'

A correspqndent;of the.," New^ealander" writes as follows as to^ the young ,*maa , who , surrendered lately^andLwho has, been_ spoken of as William TJ^mpson'^soii^-p"! made all', the inquiries I could about'Wml Thompson's child, and air I- could" gather is' tKit Hojte in not Thompson's soti>t all, buf.^n iaii'cijpte"^ son. I have' this from 'severaT\Maor!s,* and also from Mf'D.^Therry, who 1 fs'interpreteVat'' Te Rori, and who, I believe v , is well acquainted ' with the Maoris." • <■* - ,•,..-!.,.„ - ,s, s

The following despatch from'theSepretary ,of State for the Cplbnte's,tp Governor Sir "Charles Darling, pa th' 6 uubjec'fc 6f the coloaialf p'reX* cedency of seniorfn'avaratfi tjiilftkry 'officers, is 1 published in thY " Victoriah GazetW: "~ ' " Downing 1 'street, August ' 27,; .18.64. „ Sir^~J have the honor to communicate to you certain , alterations in the table of coloriial'pre'ce.dency., 4 which, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State for War. of His Royal Highnessthe'; Field Marshal Commanding r in-Chief, and of . the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I have submitted for' the approval of the Queen. Under the regulations hitherto in force, the precedence of the officer" in «om- : mand of Her Majesty's forces in any, colony is dependent on the question whetherjv not heis entitled to administer the Government; of the t polony in the absenceof the Governoi;. But the- ; alteration of circumstances has rendered this arrangement in, some cases inconvenient or ! anomalous, and I am to convey to you Her -Majesty's pleasure that the following rules be hereafter observed in thß colonies in regard . to the precedeucy of military and naval officers in, command of," Her Majesty^ forces^ - 1. The senior officer, in command of the • troops, if of the rank, of a general, and the officer in command of Her Majesty's naval, forces on the station, if of the^ rank of ani admiral) ,are to have precedency next after the Governor, their own relative rank being determined by the Queen's regulations on> that subject 2, The senior ofßcerm command of the troops, if of the rank of colonel or lieutenant-colonel, and the -officer in command of Her Majesty's naval forces on the station, if of equivalent rank, are to •, have precedeucy next after, the bishop, and tne "chief justice, theic own relative rank being determined py' the Queen's regulations or*. ,that subject. 3, If below the rank of colonel . or lieutenant-colonel, the senior ~ .officer in command of the troops and the officer in command of Her Majesty's naval forces on the station, are to continue to take- rank as hasheretofore been the case, next after the So- * licitdr-General. Whilst, however* these rule» will take effect in everyplace in which Her Majesty's instructions communicated through the Secretary of State^avaii for the.pdrpose, , they will not override the ."precedency, which in a fsw colonies is conferred on 'Certain officers either, by law or ]yy thg. terms, of letters patent from the Crown, which -instro. . ments cannot be set aside or altered .except by* the issue of others having the same form rindequal authority. I have the honor to be, &c... EDWARD CaHDWELI.'? - ,' - ; t , la the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Evan Henry Lewis, found guilty of stealing money.the property of the Union Bank, was sentenced to twelver months' imprisonment; with/ 1 ' hard labor. William Baker,' charged .with stealing, at Weatherstone'a, notes and a smo nugget, the property of John Elliot,- wa* found not guilty, and was discharged. Thert was a similar result in the case o^Edward Baker,' who was charged with stealing a sadi' die arid briille'the property of f John'Prosser. A bill against Brewer for horse -stealing, wa» thrown out .by^he Grand , Jury. John Andrews wm found Guilty of stealing a silver .. watch, and chaia, and was sentenced to three months' hard labor. ' ' . ..We^rejn receipt of ourDanstan. corre- ' Bpondence.tQ the sth insfc Our-correspon-dent informs us that, the. rnalr to "German' Hil! has proved « a decided success,*? and that the field is .Jikeljr tabefcome apermanentone. The miners appear to be well employed,and the storekeepers are doing a good business^ ■' The main- street; of : this young, township > already numbers 63j places of, business. 'The' population is estimated to be about 1 206, = which would, he much increased were, a better , supply of water at jband ioi- sluicing purposes. Gold is at present being found in the -*' spurs of th 6 inUya'ad' sjnall , guUiesweioJuns . from two up to twenty fire feet, the 'shallow % ground being the richwC 4 "5»* v « ff

Messrs Hoyt and Co.'s new six horse coach, the "S. Abbott," made its firet trip to Tokomairiro, starting from town at noon, on Wednesday, and returning about the same hour on Thursday. Nearly thirty gentlemen availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting Tokomairiro. The country is now at its fairest aspect, and many of the crops on the road up are noticeable for their splendid condition.

A former miner on the Shotover, named Charles Shillingford, a butcher by trade, from Kelson, was drowned at the' mouth of the Teremakau River, on the 22nd November. He had only arrived on the 20th, and going on horseback up the river, missed, we suppose, the ford, and was found by the natives dead in some fifteen feet of water.

It is rmraored that a Bill to repeal the New Provinces Act will be in trod need in the General Assembly by one of the Otago members, and that it will probably command a large majority in its favor in both Houses.

It is necessary that some attention should be directed to the state of the telegraph vires laid on to Southland Across the bridge at Green Island, again at the Taieri Ferry, and in many other places, the wires hang loosely down so as almost to touch the heads of the passengers travelling on the road. Some of the posts also require attention, the distances between them being in some instances too great.

The « Marlborough Preas," of the 30th ultimo, does not contain a single item of goldfields' news. From a private source we hear very discouraging accounts.

By proclamation in the "Provincial Government Gazette" the district between the Beaumont Burn and Talla Burn has been declared an infected district under the Diseased Cattle Act, 1861.

A meeting of the Dunedin Highland Rifle Brigade was held on Thursday at the Drill Shed. Mr Baxter took tho chair, and after some remarks a resolution was adopted, moved by Mr J. Anderson—" That in consequence of no drill instructor being in attendance at the drill shed*on the nights appointed for drill by the adjutant, the company unanimously tender their resignations. Another resolution censuring those in authority to whose neglect the dissolution of the company was owing, was adopted, and the meeting separated.

Otto still stands as the favorite in Canterbury for the forthcoming Champion Race, and Lady Bird second.

On Thursday a very numerous meeting of the electors resident in Bell and Leith Wards, was held at the York Hotel, George street, for the purpose of affording Mr Horace Bastings an opportunity •of explaining his polidcal views. Mr Menlove was called to the chair, and after briefly •explaining the objects for which the meeting was convened- he introduced the candidate, Mr H. Bastings, who said, that although he was, comparatively speaking, unknown in the locality in which he was then «ddressing the meeting, he nevertheless •esteemed it to be the duty of every -candidate for a seat in the Provincial Council to make himself and his political views known to every elector. Relative to a most important question which he had mooted lapt evening, at the Imperial Hotel, as to the education tax, he ceuld only confirm I the opinion which- he" then expressed and which opinion had been already reported in the "Times" of the 7th inst. He considered 1 "that the mining interest was one that required the greatest consideration by Government, so "that it should have its resources fully developed. He was in favor of making the squatting runs smaller, thereby enabling a numerous and industrious body of middle men to find room for the exercise of their industry in pastoral and agricultural pursuits. As to the franchise, he was in favor of its ■extension, and not only that— he would most decidedly support vote by ballot. His opinions as to other topics of tho day had been so fully enunciated, that he considered ife unnecessary, unless requested so to do, to make any further explanations, In answer to various questions, Mr Bastings said he thought the Government should carry •out the sewers arrangement, and as regarded the water scheme, he had much pleasure in stating that his Honor the Superintendent had used his influence and given his support to the measure. Unfortunately the Superintendent's liberal views had not been entertained by his Council. Several other questions of comparative unimportance having been considered, it was, on ' the motion of Mr Blair and duly seconded, carried unanimously, " That Mr H. Bastings is a fit and proper person to be representative of Dunedin in the Provincial •Council." The usual vote of thanks to the •chair, and an addition to the members of the concluded the proceedings.

On the 26th November, Mr Warden Schaw weported as follows :—": — " Several parties have arrived from the Molyneux since my last re}port, and have taken up claims on the Carflrona, near the head of the creek. The miners are doing very well just sow • lam sure that on an average, they are making more than one ounce per man a week. Several large wheels are being erected, and the miners are now finding out, that with a small outlay ttey can work the deep ground to advantage and profit. Vegetables will be had in abundance in a few weeks. Estimated population, 200. . The « New Zealand Herald," of the ,28th November, states that Mr George Law, late «ivil commissioner at Taupo, has been apprehended on a charge of embezzling at various times sums of money, the property of Her Majesty. r '

We extract the following from the Southland Times — "About six months ago a firm in this town sent home to Great Britain samples of fibre prepared from the New Zealand flax plant, with a view to having its market value ascertained. The replies received are not favorable. Mr James Paterson , of Heathfield Works, Dundee, reports that " £25 a ton is the most that could bo made out of it." Messrs. Marshall and Co., fiaxspinners, of Leeds, ttate that " we have on previous occasions tried the material, and find that it does not possess the characteristics of flax, and that it is not possible to adapt it to our purposes. It might probably be made available by some of the jute spinners, at a price in proportion to their usual material." Messrs. Renshaw, of Manchester, say it is not suitable -to their business of fine spinning. Mr, Briggs thinks *'if it had not been spoilt by being rendered tender by bleaching or cleaning, it might do for ropemaking ; as it is, it is hardly strong enough for the purpose ; " and he farther questions " whether the price to be obtained would be a sufficient inducement to grow it ? " So far these reports «re not encouraging, but we cannot think it wise to accept the dictum of home manufacturers as final, at the same time ignoring theoionpin of practical men in this country. They have been the first to suggest; to us that it is policy on the part of the consumers in Great Britain to name a low figure for the article, as they are under the impression that it can be prepared at a comparatively trifling cost, and therefore that the margin of profit would preponderate too much in favor o ithe producer. Quotations formerly received from Britain range from £30 to £60 per ton, the latter figure being quoted for hand-prepared fibre, A practical rope tanker assures us that for colored twines the Now Zealand fibre is certainly before the Italian, which is almost exclusively used in the trade, and which cannot be purchased under 7d or 8d per lb in London. To the spinner the New Zealand article likewise offers this advantage, i.e., that there is a one-fourth larger yield of fibre than from the Russian ; and it is also lighter, consequently weight for weight there is more of it. For the refuse after heckling, our informant states that he has paid 7d per lb for greatly inferior material in the home country. At the same time he frankly informs us that in his opinion it will not answer for fine spinning purposes. We are in hopes that, by comparing the samples sent to the Exhibition, and examining the different modes of preparation, that a system may be discovered whereby the practical utility of our famous indigenous plant, as an article of commerce, will be satisfactorily de monstrated, and at once taken advantage of."

A meeting of the electors of Dunedin, called by Mr Bastings, was held in the Princess Theatre, on Tuesday afternoon. It was expected that the other candidates for the vacant seat in the Provincial Council would have complied with the invitation of Mr Bastings's Committee and been present, but none of them appeared. About half an hour after the advertised hour of meeting, the Theatre w.is very poorly filled, but the numbers slightly increased towards the close of the proceedings. Mr Dyer, M.P.C. for Tokomairiro, was called to the chair, and very briefly introduced Mr Bastings, who expressed his regret that the other gentlemen who were standing for the vacant seat ia the Council had not thought it necessary to come forward on the public platform and let the public hear what were their political principles. He then proceeded at some length to give a statement of his opinions on a variety of subjects affecting the public welfare, similar to that given at the public meeting on Saturday last, and already published in our columns'. On that occasion he promised at a future meeting to give his opinion on the question of an ad valorem duty. He now said he was in favor of the abolition of all customs duties on the necessaries of life, and an ad valorem duty on all luxuries. He would so regulate the tariff as to make Dunedin the depot for the supply ot all the other New Zealand Provinces. He was in favor of the granting of agricultural"leaseß and giving valuation for improvements at the end of the term. He had always been a staunch advocate for vote by ballot and would be so still. He would always advocate a liberal system of education, and he thought that where the parents neglected to give their children education it was the duty of the State to step in and do so. He was in , favor of the Gold Fields being divided into electoral districts, and of representation according to population. He did not advocate the total abolition of the duty on gold, but he would support the passing of an Act to assimilate the present regulations with those now in force in Victoria. He was in favor of passing a law to facilitate the conveyance of freehold property, and he thought the Act now in existence in Victoria — Torrens's Act — would meet the requirements of this colony. He would not advocate the removal of the Government Offices to the Exhibition Building. He had never called any meeting of hotelkeepers for the purpose of getting their support, nor had he ever employed any men to canvas for him at so much a vote. After a number of questions had been put and answered, Mr H. S. Fish, jun., moved— " That Mr Bastings is a fit and proper person to represent the electors in the Provincial Council." Captain Jarvey seconded the motion, which was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr Bastings having retured thanks, moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which terminated the proceedings.

An improved puddling machine and a cradle, which promise to be of considerable interest to the mining community, have just been completed by the New Zealand Iron Works Company, Cumberland street, for Mr Robert Wilcox, the inventor, who is about to take steps for patenting them. The inventor claims for his machines that they are the result of constant practical experience as

Mr Henry Clapcott, M.P.C., and Mr William Mason, M.L.C., have been appointed Trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank, in lieu of Mr T. S. Forsaith, resigned, and Mr George Duncan, who has left the colony.

Charles Broad, Esq., J.P., of Hamilton, has been appointed one of the Coroners of the Province, a miner, from the time when the Californian diggings first commenced ; and his object has been to combine economy of labor and of water with greater certainty of securing the gold. The cradle, in a somewhat crude form, and roughly made, has. we understand, already been tested on the Manorburn and the Mol> - neux ; so that it has no doubt been seen by many miners. As to the puddler, the inventor claims that it gets rid of a waste of power which is attendant on all existing machin <g and avoids the use of much wood, which is here often very expensive, if not all but impossible to be obtained. Mr Wilcox's machine consists of a semicircular iron trough, 6ft long, and 15in deep, partly covered at the top, which is 3ft across, and having three rows ol spikes or breakers protruding from its bottom. It is placed in a high iron frame and is made to oscillate byalever ; it is self-emptyiDg ; and the inventor says that four men can pass from 15 to 20 loads of dirt through it during a day, while it is hard work for three men to pass three or four loads through one of the ordinary machines. The chief advantages claimed for the improved cradle are the greater use made of a given qnantity of water, owing to the increased motion resulting from the distance between the bottom and the point of oscillation ; and the almost certainty of saving all the gold, owing to the conversion of the slides into a series of ripple boxes. The stuff in this machine will also be forced to travel 6ft. before being discharged, which is said to be a very great improvement over tho sudden drop from the ordinary cradle. A blanket is placed over the lower slide, and is kept suspended so as to bag into the ripples, which has been found to be a most effective arrangement for retaining even the finest gold. Instead of having a apout fixed on sticks or tressles, and therefore independent of the motion of the cradle, Mr Wilcox's machine has the spout fixed to it ; so that aa the stuff moves with the oscillation of the cradle, the great body of the water is made to follow it, and so to lose no portion of its power. Mr Wilcox is confident that with his cradle one-third of a sluice-head of water will do more work than is done now with a full head ; and he says that four men can in a day put from 30 to 40 loads of stuff through. There is a provision for intercepting and saving any gold which may fortunately be too coarse or nuggetty to pass through to the Blides, but which would be washed through an ordinary cradle. We can only hops that the improved machines may answer the expectations formed of them ; for the inventor believes that they will make pay handsomely any ground that would pay well if sluiced, and of which there is no doubt a vast extent in Otago, much of which it would be very difficult as well as expensive to sluice at all. The machines will be removed from the New Zealand Company's Worka for conveyance to Hyde.

It has often been urged that had the Governor kept his promise to the natives after the •battle of Rangariri, viz., that when the ■ Queen's flag was hoisted at Ngaruawahia " he would talk to them," the probability is that the war might have been brought to a termination. Hitherto there has been wanting positive proof of the desire of the leading chiefs to come to terms, but it is now supplied by a letter written by William Thompson to Bishop Porapallier, shortly after the occupation of Ngaruawahia, of which the following is a copy :— " To Bishop Pompallier. — Salutations to you. Friend, your letter of the 2lst March, 1864, has reached me. You say that lam to give serious thought to that letter, that is, to put an end to the war. Friend, the fighting (or the war) would have ceased had it ended at Rangiriri. It would have been ended, and we should have sat (or remained) quiet. The prisoners proposed that there should be peace, we agreed, and went to Ngaruwahia. When the soldiers came to Taupiri, I said to the Chiefs of Waikato, Arise, and let us go to Maungatautari and leave this part, for (in consideration of) the peace made by the prisoners. We went there (but) the soldiers went there (also). I therefore said to the Chiefs, let us go to Patetere. Enough, 0 friend. I was now at a loss to know hW to act. Do not suppose that lam a man to persist in fighting (i.e., one who is doggedly determined to fight). No, I am sitting quiet. When the (two) prisoners came to me (and said) leave Waikato (i.e., give up Waikato), I obeyed (listened) at once. This, O friend, is all I have to say to you, — From your Bon, Te Wbaroa Tamihana."

It is feared that two men named Martin Sounson and Joseph Pride are lost on Lake Hawea. They were both residents at Kawarau Gorge Township— the first being a hotelkeeper, and the latter a miner. They had been engaged as partners in the timber trade, and were about to establish a timber yard at Cromwell. They had been up the Makarora River, in Canterbury, cutting timber and sending it down in small rafts to the Lake Hawea, thence it was made up into a large raft, and forwarded under sail to the Clutha. They have been missing about three weeks, and it is supposed, that having passed the landing place with a small raft, it has been driven into rough water on the Lake, where it has been broken up, and they in .consequence have been drowned. Sounson, who was a capital seaman, had been at one time chief officer of a large merchant ship. Two men left the Gorge on receipt of the intelligence, to endeavor, if possible, to ascertain what has become of them.

Mr Warden Robinson, on the 3rd instant, in his official report from the Dunstan, observes :— The Victoria tunnel in the immediate neighborhood of the town of Clyde is now being vigorously worked by a company who have taken it up afresh, and who Seem resolved to work it to profit. They 'have cleared out th° old tunnel, and laid a tramway from the mouth inwards, upon which to • run 1 trucks. It is understood that they have already obtained very encouraging, prospects.

Mr Warden Lowther Rroad, at the Arrow, reports on the 26th ultimo: — ".Accounts irom all parts of the district are encouraging; the fine weather enables the miners to work irainteruptedly, and there is in consequence a considerable quantity of gold getting. The prospectors of the quartz reef have sunk their shaft 26 feet, and the reef is found to widen considerably, while the stone is equally good as that taken out at first.

! Mr R. D. Harvey, officer in charge at Hindon, reports under date 3rd December :— . "There is nothing of special importance to I report this week. Miners are spreading themselves more generally over the district, and as a consequence new ground is being opened up in many places ; gullies also that could not, last winter, be properly worked through an over-abundance of water, are nowreceiving a fair, and systematic trial. The • "Hope of Hindon" river claim has almost, entirely changed hands, and the first act of the new company has been to increase their numbers from six to ten shareholders. Other parties are also turning their attention towards the river, the season having now, arrived when a fair opportunity is presented for prosecuting work therein. Some 'fine pieces of srold were lately turned out of a new gully offFrazer's, the largest weighing 30z., with two or three others of a lesser weight." Mr Warden Aylmer, writing from the Upper Shotover district on the 26th November^ says:— Stewart and party (Stapleton's Beach,) averaged from 30 to 40 oz. per day, and divided £40 per man on Saturday, after paying all expenses. They only worked three days this week. Mr Warden Hickson, in his official report ~ fiom Manuberikia of the 3rd instant, states : --" Mining operations in the vicinity of Alexandra are still being carried on vigorously. At the new rush, German's Hill, which I ' visited again yesterday, every thing seemed to be quiet. Those miners who have had pood prospects, are stacking their auriferous dirt until they can make a good washing up. Others again are washing up small quantities to enable them to purchase provisions ; and from all I could learn a very small quantity; of gold has been sold to the storekeepers in the township, who, I believe, are the only buyers. It is impossible to judge of the ca- , pabilities of this field until water has been brought to bear upon it ; it is of large extent, and increasing every day. Miners are now working within a mile of the Home Station (M'Pherson's), obtaining from 3 to' 6 dwts to the dish, and in all the intervening spurs and gullies between that and the ground originally worked." Mr-Warden Croker, under date 26th November says :t— Another company (Keppel and Co.) has been foi raed to bring two hundred inches' o£. water ouj to the Blue Spur, Gabriel's, on this occasion, from Reedy Creek, which is the main branch of the Waitabuna River. Nesbittand his seveu mates, employing eight other working men, washed up their. No. 4 claim, Blue Spur,- Gabriel's, last week, obtaining 320 ounces ot gold, the net proceeds to each partner being £110 cash for ten weeks."

At Hamilton, on Thursday last, a man named Thomas Barns was charged before the Resident Magistrate with having stolen a chamois leather bag containing some notes and a deposit receipt for £86 from John M'Ateer. The prosecutor and prisoner had been, working together at Mr Jones's station, at Coal Creek, and on the 30th ult. had gone to Kilgour's Halfway House, where M'Ateer went to bed about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Shortly afterwards the barman heard a scuffle, and on entering the bedroom saw the prisoner in the bed with the prosecutor, apparently ia the act qf choking him after having severely beaten him. He immediately seized the prisoner, and put him out of the house, but a few minutes afterwards M'Ateer, having sufficiently recovered to spsak, said he had been robbed of his purse. The alarm was given to some men in' the house, who pursued and caught Barns, and found the money on his person. He was then fastened up in the diningroom, but managed to get out, and threatened to shoot anyone who attempted again to seize him Undeterred, however, by his threat, he was attacked, and, after a long fight, was again, taken, and handed over to a constable. Ha was committed for trial.

It is gratifying to find, from the market report received to-day, that the vegetable market lately established is likely to prove a success. It appears to have had the support of both *buyers and sellers, the supply being better than last week, and the purchasers more numerous. It only requires these relations between producers and .consumers to be continued to render the market a substantial benefit to both.

Mr-Warden Ilardcastle reports as follows, under da.te 3rd December :—": — " The rush to M'Pherson's has ceased, and several parties have returned from there to Dunstan Creek. I The two races in course of construction from Hill's to the Woolshed are being proceeded with vigorously, aa is that from the Kyebum to the Hogburn. Notwithstanding the diminished population now in the neighborhood of Hill's,' Dod's party are able to sell all the water they' can bring in, at the prices men-" lion in my report of 22nd October.