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

Otago Witness, Issue 685, 14 January 1865, Page 13

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

By the Lile we have Mauritius papers to the 28 th November, but they contain no news of interest here, nor do our files give any commercial report.

The Bazaar which was to have been held this week, in aid of the building fund of the Hanover- street Baptist Church, has been postponed lor a week or two, in consequence of the non-arrival of the Ramsey, on board of which vessel are several cases of goods.

A shark was recently caught on the Hawkes Bay Ccast, from the inside of which twenty oue young ones were taken.

We learn from our Vancouver's Island papers that an expedition had recently been made against the Indians on the Great River, composed chiefly ot marines from H. M. S. Sutlej. The expedition was successful, the Indians being utterly routeST

It is stated in the " Victoria (Vancouver's Island) Evening Express," that the wife of Governor Kennedy had been struck severely with a whip by a maniac whilst out driving.

Mr George Stephenson, officer in charge at Mount Ida, Dunstan Creek, writing thence under date 7th January, sajs :— " The Christmas and New Year's sports being now pretty well over, the miners have nearly all returned to their work. Patterson and party have commenced to enlarge their water-race, and the Enterprise Company are now rapidly nearing completion. Several miners Inive gone to assist both companies; even with those two races completed, the supply of water wijl be none. too much, as the field for sluicing purposes is- very extensive. A party of miners have cut a tail-race along the side of the main gaily leading from the township, with the intention of sluicing the tailings, which, as the gully was rapidly filling up and thereby be.

coming a source of annoyance, will prove a boon to the community in general, and i» expected to well repay those, engaged in. ,it. Ckial has been discovered at the Lover Dunstan Creek (or Four-mile). I. yesterday received a sample, which appears far superior to any as yet found ia this district. Dod and party are advancing steadily with their race to the Woolshed diggings. •

We notice that. Mr and Mrs Charles Dillon have arrived in Auckland, and have been engaged to give a limited number of performances, prior to their departure for London.

In the month of December, 1864 — one rood of Town Lands only was sold in the Township of Lawrence, which realised £60. During the same month 1355 acres, I rood, were sold to thirteen purchasers, which realised £1,355 7s.

In the billiard match on Friday night, at the Empire Hotel, the Champion gave his opponent, Mr Franklyn, 700 points out of 1000, and won by 90 points, the score standing Roberts 1000, Franklyn 910. Mr Franklyn did not appear at all able to cope with his antagonist, and played throughout as if he had made up his mind that he had no chance of winning. The Champion made 221 points in the first half hour, and when an interval took place for refreshment, the numbers were were 500 to 834. In the latter part of the game the Champion scored 500 to his opponent's 76.

The "Wanganui Chronicle" of the 24th ult. contains the following items of native intelligence :—": — " We understand that there is now little likelihood ot an attack by the rebels on the friendly natives up the river. Pehi, with sixty men, is stationed at a pah about 200 yards beyond the furthest pah up the river occupied by friendly natives, and was said to be intending to make an attack as soon as he had received a reinforcement from Taupo for which he had sent. His messenger, however,, has returned with the information that no assistance can be sent, as a fever hes beenraging at Taupo which has carried off almost all the fighting men. We learn from Mr E. T. Wood that the Ngatiruanui have resolved to allow soldiers to continue the Waitotara road through the Nukumaru Reserve to the banks of the Waitotara. Hare Tipene has agreed to this ; and if the military go out there they are at liberty to camp on this side of that river, but if they cross they will be fired on. It is also said that a body of Ngatiruanui from Waimate (half-way to Taranaki), have gone with 100 Waikatos under Tikaokao to Tataraimaka, to assist the Taranakis, should the soldiers come further south than that post. The remainder of the Ngatiruanai, on this side of Waimate, are divided into tvo parties, one of which is to look after (tiaki) Pate, and the otner to help the Ngaruarus in resisting any attempt to carry the road further than tha Waitotara. Notwith standing these arrangements, we shoul i think it doubtful whether much resistance will be made if the formation of the road be vigorously prosecuted. Rewi is at Waikato.

A general committee meeting of the Southern Separation League, was held at the Provincial Hotel on Wednesday, 11th January, when amongst others present were his Honor the Superintendent, and Messrs T. B. Gillies; H. Bastings, M.P.C.; R. Murray, Dalrymple, J. Lazar, B. L. Farjeon, Hughes, M.P.C., W. W. Wilson, J. Grey, Millar, Bird, Watts, Crate, and J. Hyman. Mr H. Bastings having been voted to the chair, the election of office bearers was proceeded with, when the Hon. Mr J. H. Harris was elected President of the League, and Mr T. B. Gillies Vice-president. Mr Dalrymple was elected Treasurer, and Mr Talbot secretary pro. tent. A sub- committee, consisting of Messrs T. B. Gillies, convener, H. Bastings, B. L, Farjeon, E. Chalmer, W. W. Wi'son, Crate and Oliver, was appointed to draw up a plan of the proposed operations of the League, and after it had been resolved to print 500 copies of the report of the late public Separation meeting in the shape of a pamphlet, the meeting adjourned till Tuesday next, when the subcommittee will bring up their report.

The "General Government Gazette" notifies the appointment of the Hon. Henry Sewell, to the post of Eegistrar- General of Land, vice T. B. Gillies, Esq., resigned.

Mr Warden Robinson, in his report from the Dunstan of the 7th January, says .-—The Victoria Tunnel Company have this week obtained a very good prospect of rather heavy heavy flattish gold, at a distance of about 350s teet from the entrance of the tunnel. Two or three parties have lately begun sluicing, in a systematic manner, on the banks of the Molyneux, opposite the Camp' and the Hospital. It seems probable that all the bank* are more or less auriferous. Tunnelling ia the neighbourhood of Cromwell still continue? to be the principal. item of mining industry; but at the junction of the Kawarau with the Clutha, opposite the town, where tunnels have been worked for the past two years, upon three distinct floors, the sluicers are now setting to work to wash all before them, and it seems almost a certainty that- they will be well paid. Mr Mining Surveyor Coates has lately explored some remarkable caverns near the Roaring Meg, and has procured some very beautiful specimens of stalactites and stalagmites. It is anticipated < that these discoveries will be of great value, eventually, as indicating a source whence a plentiful supply of lime for buildiDg purposes may be derived.'

Another batch of appeals against the Town Board assessment for 1864, were heard and disposed of yesterday afternoon, but none of them presented any feature of public interest. At the conclusion of the appeals, there was some general business to be taken up, but as there were only three members *of the Board present and one of them insisted on leaving, it could not be proceeded with.

Mr Warden Beetham, in his report from the Lake District, received 9th January, remarks :—": — " Two extended claims have been granted during the week, and one applied for, make during the month ending 31st De•cenooer, five claims of this nature now applied for. I consider the regulation one which has given the utmost satisfaction in all •quarters.

We take from the " Lyttelton Times" of Saturday last, the following particulars relative to the approaching Champion Races :— "By the Phoebe, on Thursday evening, Messrs Redwood brought down four horses, which are to appear on our course next week — namely, Otto, Harebell, Kettledrum, and Voltigeur. By the same steamer Mr Redwood's entries were received. Mr T. Harding also brings down Lucy 'Glitters. Otto is entered for the Champion, the Canterbury Cup, and the Queen's Plate ; Harebell for the Lottery and Tyro Stakes ; "Voltigeur is entered for the Canterbury Cup, Queen's Plate, and Jockey Club Handicap ; Kettledrum, for the Criterion, Metropolitan, and Railway Stakes ; and Lucy Glitters, for the Railway Stakes only."

One of the most important items of news from the North is that the " Native Lands Act, 1862," is to be immediately brought into force all over the Colony. By this Act, the natives are enabled, under certain conditions of proof of owners! 1 ip, to exchange their uncertain tenure for a Crown Grant, and be thus in a position to deal with their land vrith the same freedom as a European landowner. There cannot be a question of the utility of this measure, for there is no stronger inducement to the due observance of the laws than a vested interest in property.

A meeting of the OtagoXocal Committee of the New Zealand Exhibition, was held Monday afternoon. Mr St. John Branigan in the chair. There were present Dr Richardson, Messrs Logan, Forman, Redmayne, Ick Haggitt, Fulton, J. S. Webb, hon. sec, and Mr Waymouth the Secretary, a coummu nication from the agent to the Dublin Exhibition was reserved for further consideration. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Goldfields Department, stating his readiness to send assistants to Mr Brummond,to enable him the sooner to complete the model of the Blue Spur RiVge Gold field. It was then stated that this would be unnecessary, as Mr Drummond had destroyed the model referred to. Great regret was expressed by several members of the committee, at the destruction of this model, as the Tuapeka Committee had referred to it as one of the most important exhibits from their district. It was moved by Mr Ick, and seconded by Mr Haggit — " That the conduct of Mr Drummond in destroying the model of the Blue Spur, be brought under the notice of the proper authorities, and that the Committee regret that so important an exhibit should be wantonly destroyed." On the motion of Mr Webb, it was resolved " That the attention of the Commissioners be drawn to the fact that the workmen in their employ are in the habit of handling articles not in their immediate charge. " After a conversation it was resolved on the motion of Mr Iek — " That the Secretary be authorised to draw up a report showing the attendance of the members ot the Otago Local Committee on general and sub-committees." The meeting adjourned to Wednesday.

The erection of toll bars has given cause for a good deal of discontent in Canterbury, and the persons aggrieved have taken the law into their own hands. The " Lyttelton Times," of the sth inst., says: — "Another demonstration of the hostile spirit with which these impediments to travelling are popularly regarded took place late on Saturday last or early on Sunday morning. It appears that many persons have been in the habit of evading the tolls on the Papanui Road by passing through St. Albans, or by traversing the private roads in the vicinity. In order to catch these delinquents, the Board determined to remove the bar from its present position and to place it farther down the road, nearly opposite Medding's Hotel, at the junction of the Harewood and Papanui Roads, The selection of this spot was viewed with even more disfavor than the present site. The bar "was left in the place which it occupied, until preparations should have been made for the erection of the new one in the spot we have indicated. Some choice spirits of the Avon district determined to make an auto-da-Je of the obnoxious obstruction. About 4 a.m. on Sunday, a gentleman residing in the neighborhood, observed some flames arising near the spot. It was found that the toll house, which was nearly completed, had been pulled down. The fragments, together with the materials of the new gate, had been piled up and placed in the middle of the road. A quantity of straw had been abstracted from the premises of Mr Meddings, and the whole had been set on fire. The materials were wholly consumed, a few charred timbers only remaining, and the place presents a desolate and wasted aspect. It is evident that several persons must have been concerned in the outrage, as the erections so wantonly destroyed were of considerable strength, and must have required much violence to remove them from their position. No clue has, as yet, been obtained as to the perpetrators, although the police have been actively employed in investigating the circumstances of the case, and have been unceasing in their exertions to fathom, the myotery. The Board have offered a reward of £50 for the discovery of the offenders. This has been supplemented by rewards offered by several members of the Board in their private capacity. In connection with this subject, we may mention that some portions of the gate destroyed on a previous occasion have been recovered, having been found in a paddock belonging to his Honor Mr Justice Greeson."

The Nelson Almanac Directory and Year Book for 1865, compiled by L. L. Bailey, has been laid on our table. It contains a very great amount of useful information, not only 'of a scientific character, but relating to general and local übjects. In addition to the usual astronotu.cal intelligence, there are codes of signals, a description of the Province of Nelson, a short historical notice and a summary of events for 1864. A very useful Itinerary and Directory follows, including postal arrangements, customs tariff, wharfage rates, several " Things worth Knowing," and lastly a comprehensive garden calendar. This multifarious information is contained on 84 pages of reading matter, is very neatly got up, and will be found useful to every class of persons connected with the Colony.

At the Empire Hotel, on Monday, Roberts, the Champion Billiard Player, had for his opponent Mr Clark, to whom he gave 600points out of 1000. Mr Clark is commonly enough regarded, by good players here, as about the best in the Province ; and we believe that the Champion declared after the match was over, that Mr Clark plays in the best style of any man he has met since he left England. But Mr Clark, more markedly than any one who has played with Roberts in this series of matches, seemed overpowered by having to contest with the Champion. During the first half of the game, he appeared thoroughly dispirited. The balls did not favor him, and although his style is an easy and even dashing one, he was unable to make a successful effort to overcome either his bad luck or his depression. The result was that when Roberts had scored 500, Mr Clark had only made 92 points, the game standing 500 to 692. But in the second part of the game, Mr Clark was more like himself, and was no doubt encouraged by the fact that the Cham-^ pion several times missed, by a hair's breadth, strokes that everybody felt sure he would make. While the Champion was scoring up from 500 to 797, Mr Clark raised his score from 692 to 869, thus making 167 points to his matchless opponent's 297. But then the Champion came in with one of his great breaks, and the game stood at 930 to 875. When it was at 989 to 926, Mr Clark made his best break, scorins: 32 in capital style; and at the end his score was at 968 to the Champion's 1001. Mr Clark made some splendid canons ; and, although, on the whole, he made a most respectable show, we believe his friends who saw him last evening will agree that they have seldom, if ever, seen him play a worse game. The Champion made three of what must be called his great breaks, viz. — one of 164, on the first half of the game (182 to 345), and two, of 145 and 133 respectively, in the latter half. It was only in the 164 break that much use was made of the spot stroke. He then made it 20 times in succession, and, after altering 1 his play, making three red losing hazards, and again getting the stroke, he repeated it nine times. The break was composed of 33 winning and 1 1 losing red hazards, one winning and two losing white hazards, and 13 canons. The 145 break took the score from 526 to 671, 54 being made by red losing hazards and 50 by canons; and the 133 raised the figures from 797 to 930, there being 57 made by red losing hazards and 48 by canons. No game previously played created so strong an interest as did this one ; and the Champion has not in Dunedin, more beautifully shown how match- 1 lessly perfect a mastery of the game he has acquired. The saloon, including the great temporary gallery, was so much crowded that the spectators were rather in the way of the players. On Tuesday evening, the Champion played his last match for the present ; Oamaru, Timaru, and Christchurch, are certainly to be visited ; but we believe that Mr Roberts will, if possible, return to Dunedin. It should be stated that the table on which the matches have been played at the Empire, is one manufactured by Alcock and Co., of Melbourne ; and that the Champion thinks very highly of the productions of that firm. The match between Mr Perotti and Mr Norclifie Monday, 500 up for £50 a-side, was won by the latter, who made 501 to Mr Perotti's 404.

We take from the "Canterbury Standard" the following extract from a letter recently received from the diggings on the Greenstone River, West Coast of Canterbury :—": — " I have been here for nearly eight months, and I have wished almost every night that I was anywhere else. I have known hardships before, but the sufferings I and my mates have had to endure heie are beyond all comparison more severe than any I have hitherto undergone. At one time we were on the point of starvation, and did not kDow where to turn for food. By mere chance we were supplied, but at a most unconscionable rate. This is not likely to occur now, but the necessaries of life are still very high. I am sorry that I cannot tell you of any personal success in the way of digging. I and my mates have made sufficient to keep us, and that is all I can say. Others have, been more successful, it is true; but I know hundreds who are a great deal worse off to-day than they were when they came here. The fact is the gold is in patches, and a few lucky individuals get it all ; no amount of hard work will make a man successful. Still Ido not despair. While I can manage to make enough to pay food and clothing I will remain where I am, at least for a time. , Like MrMicawber, lam sanguine of something good ultimately turning up. Diggers continue to arrive, mostly by way of Nelson, but a few have come overland of late. I have been talking to some old hands who have been here for a mpnth or two, and the tone of their remarks leads me to believe that although they do not consider their prospects very bright in the meantime, a day will come when some fresh discovery in the neighborhood will reward them. I believe the population on the various diggings will amount to pretty close on 1000.

The Chrietchnrch ■ " Evening Mail" gives the following particulars of the progress of the tunnel on the Lyttelton and Cbristchurch Railway : — " The total length ot heading made up to the end of the year was 1850 feet, caving 988 feet vet to be bored through. At the rate of the lasfc year's work, the tunnel will take nearly two years to complete. At present the Lyttelton end is being made to the full size ; the incline being towards the mouth, the water has ready outlet, but at this end, the mouth bping at higher level than the face of the work, the tunnel is not being made down to the bottom, so as to help the outlet of the water until the junction is completed, when it will flow through to Lyttelton." -

The "New Zealand Herald" thus grandiloqnentlv descants on the Separation question . We fully recognise the magnificent resources of the North Island, but we cannot accept our contemporary's comments on those of the Middle Island :—": — " But we have always maintained that these dreams of the future greatness and independence of New Zealand, do not depend for their realisation on the political connection of the two islands ; nay more, we believe that the Northern island of New Zealand is more likely to acquire future greatness when disencumbered of the Southern one. As one state, the Middle Island will always be a source of weakness to the State. It will be a corpse bound to the living body of the North. It 13 the North, and the North only, which has, to use a very common expression, " the makings" of a great country. The Northern Island is capable of feeding and employing an immense population of men. The Middle Island, only a population of sheep. They have but few ports, and can never be a maritime people, such as ourselves, or as Britain, neither have they means of becoming a manufacturing people. Their lands are infertile, and what is worse, incapable of profitable settlement, except as moors on which to run a sheep to every three or four acres ; while the climate of a large portion of the island for ever places it beyond the pale of successful colonisation. If we turn on the other hand to the Northern Island of New Zealand, we shall find a country as largs as England, indented with navigable creeks and harbors, watered throughout with numberle-s fresh water streams, and possessing a magnifi cent climate. We shall find all the mineral products that constitute the wealth of a nation of manufacturers lying at our very doors — coal, ironstone, limestone, gold, copper, and lead, magnificent forests to be converted into a navy which can ride safely and securely in our own splendid harbors, the finest in the Australian seas. We have, too, a climate and lands capable of producing food for the use of a people quite as numerous as those of Great Britain at the present moment —and all those elements of greatness, so like those which have raised England to the present high position, are, like hers also, contained within the defensive bulwark of the ocean, the highway of our future fleets. As with her, so with us, war may be restrained rom setting foot upon our domain. Our battles need only be fought upon the ocean, and no future country in the hemisphere will be able to compete with this Northern Islan 1 ot New Zealand upon the water. Her people will bo a people of seamen ; her harbors, of refuge and of outfit, will be numberless. The Middle Island could only be to us what Ireland has been to England, a source of weakness ; with this greater disadvantage even, that on the one point in which Ireland has been a source of strength to England, the Middle Island will not be so to us, namely ; the supply of men to our future army. In this point alone perhaps Ireland has repaid England for her possession — but the same rule will not apply to New Zealand in the future. Great Britain is surrounded by vaster continental nations than we can ever be, even if the whole cf Australia be occupied by man. We should not therefore need so large an army to enforce respect, in this hemisphere at least, but if the protection of the Middle Island is to form part of the duty of the Northern one, as one state — then we think the greatness and security of the future of New Zealand may be more visionary under a combined government, than those who now oppose separation think it will be under that system,"

The Billiard Match at the Empire Hotel, on Saturday evening, was .between the Champion and Mr Cattabeni, who received 650 points out of 1000. Mr Cattabeni made a good many exceedingly difficult strokes ; and his score would, no doubt, have been much better but for his constant bad luck in missing easy ones. The Champion played under his average game, in respect to long scores ; but there was an almost const mt succession of scores of between 30 and 60 ; and, of course, there were frequent brilliantly executed strokes. When the Champion had made 501, Mr Cattabeni's score was 758 ; and when the former had won the game, the latter had raised his figures to 920.

Per the Konig Oscar, from Vancouver's Island, we have files to the 11th of October. They contain no intelligence from the seat of war in America so late as that received by the last mail from England. An expedition had been sent out to explore the island. After being out some time the party reported as follows :—": — " Mr Brown says, in reference to minerals, 'we have carefully examined the whole country, and though we have found gold in several of the rivers, I regret to say only in such quantities as to render any further account of it useless.' Mr Brown purposes exploring the country around Alberni for ten days, and then, if he does not hear from the committee, terminating his labours for theseason, and returning to Victoria (Vancouver's Island.) The party are all well, but very much fatigued with their long and arduous labours."

A notice appears in our advertising columns' from Captain and Adjutant Graham, that the Guards of Honor are to hold themselves m readiness to turn out in the event of the Governor's arrival. . - -

The " Lyttelton Times" of the 7th inst. furniilies the following us the intended programme to be observed on the Governor's ■visit :—" The Governor will probably arrive in Lyttelton harbour by H M.S. Falcon on the night of Sunday, the 1 5th inst. On Monday morning he will land in Lyttelton, when it is arranged that a procession of boats will accompany the debarkation, under a salute of nineteen guns from the shipping, and the volunteers will form a guard of honour at the landing. An address from the Corporation of the town -will be presented, and his Excellency will probably visit the railway works and tunnel, as well ns other objects of interest, and will then be entertained at a dejeuner before crossing the hill. The mode of travelling, whether by carringe or on horseback, will be at the Governor's option ; and both means will be provided by Messrs L. G. Cole and Co., who are enstrusted with the whole arrangements concerning horses and vehicles during the visit. At the Heathcofp, his Excellency will enter the railway, the volunteers of that district giving a guard. At Christchurch extensive arrangements will be made to meet the Governor on arrival, which will take place about four o'clock in the afternoon. The City Council and Chamber of Commerce will present congratulatory addresses. The Rifle Volunteers will furnish a 'guard of honour, and the Yeomanry Cavalry an escort ; and His Excellency will enter the city accompanied by the most imposing procession that can be organised, and will be conducted to the residence set apart for him, which is understood to be Melville House, close to the Government Buildings. We pass over the arches and other pieces of decoration which. will adorn the town during the passage of His Excellency through them. The rest of the programme can be given only in outline. We believe the levee will be held on Tuesday morning early, so as not to interfere with the races, and it will take place in the Council Chamber, which is admirably suited to the purpose. The remainder of this and the following days will be available for visits chiefly to the race-course, but also no doubt to many places of interest in the district. On Thursday it is proposed to hold a public ball. On Friday, the Governor will take a trip to the north, and pay a visit to Brackenfield, the residence of Mr Weld, whence he will return on Saturday, and Kaiapoi will be brought face to face with his Excellency on his downward, if not on his upward trip. Monday will be a clear day, to be appropriated as circumstances may direct or his Excellency may desire ; and on the evening of that day a public dinner is intended to be given by way of farewell. On Tuesday, Cobb and Co. will receive Sir George, and convey him towards the South, perhaps on the first day as far as Mr F. Jollies residence, and on the next day Tiraaru will be visited. At the Waitangi, the Governor will pass from Canterbury, and will accept the escort of the Government of Otago through that province. It is understood that his Excellency will be accompanied by a personal staff, consisting of his Private Secretary, the Rev. J. Thatcher, Mr Holt, and Sir Henry Havelock."

The lastof the seriesof Billiard Matches was played at the Empire Hotel on Tuesday. The Champion had for his opponent, Mr Paul, and gave him 700 points out of 1000. The Champion's game was barely up to his average ; while Mr Paul, who has an exceedingly neat style and played with confidence, was constantly unlucky in missing losing hazards, and so losing promising breaks. He had raised his score to 940 when the Champion had completed the game. As we have before stated, it is very probable that Mr Roberts will again play in Dunedin before leaving New Zealand.

The gale on Tuesday last, which was so violent on this coast, appears to have visited Canterbury, and caused serious damage. The "Lyttelton Times," of the sth inst., says :—: — "On Tuesday lasfc a violent gale swept over Christchurch and the neighborhood. For some days previous the weather had been hot and sultry — just such weather as in Wellington usurJly precedes an earthquake — hence the weather- wise presaged a change. Considerable damage was done in the city. One of the chimneys on the premises of Mr Symington was blown down, the fragments falling through a sky-light in Bonnisgton's Hall. Fortunately no one was injured. The guttering was torn from the roof of the Congregational Chnrch, and a great number of tiles were removed from that of the Catholic Chnrch. In the latter instance the damage has been promptly repaired. The galvanised iron roof of Mr Fisher's store was likewise injured. About two p.m. the direction of the gale changed to the south-west, and heavy -lit prevailed during the afternoon. From theiatelligence which has reached us, the gale seem* to have prevailed with more or less violence almost all over the province. At Lyttelton considerable loss has resulted from the storm. The roof .of Messrs Heyvrood's store was torn off, several boats were sunk, and a few of the smaller craft placed in jeopardy. At Kaiapoi, great injary has been done to the fruit crops, the trees in many instances being completely stripped. The grain . crops have also suffered, but not to such an extent, as might have been anticipated. From Leithfield, we learn that at least one-third of the crops on. Mount Grey Downs has been destroyed. In some fields of barley nothing but the straw has been left. The wheat, which was just coming into ear, has been severely damaged. We have only to remark that Saxby foretold that the day would be a stormy one.

At a recent meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society it was resolved:— * e That a list should be plneed in the Emigration Office, Loivion, offering the undermentioned prices for .'inimnls and birds whirl) might be impo>-fe<i by immigrants, such to become tlie property of the society: viz. Black cock and urf>»«o per pair, ax-k juiii hen, £10 10s; English partridges, .£.»; common singing thiu«hes, £2; hluckbints, £2; skylarks, £2; rooks, £2; .robins, £1 10s; wrens, £1 10s; grey linnets, 15s; green linnets, 15s; sparrows, 15<; goldfinches, 15s, hedge sparrows, 15s ; hares per couple, buck and doe, £10; and that the Secretary be requested to write to Mr Marsbman, asking his permission to have the list" referred to put up in his office, and to give some encouragement in the way of advice and assistance to those immigrants who may commence the 1 undertaking."

The Volunteers of No. 1 Company assembled after drill on Wednesday, at their usual place of meeting, in the Long Room of the Shamrock Hotel, at the invitation of Mr F. Moss, the late Captain of the Company. Captain Turton said they were called together at the request of their late captain, who would himself state the object of the meeting. Mr Moss said that they were, no doubt, aware the last '-Gazette" had notified the acceptance cf his resignation and the appointment of Captain Turton to the command of the Company. He need not again assure them that he was proud of having so long been at their head, and could only thank them for the consideration and good feeling with which they had always supported him in the maintenance of discipline and preservation of good order in the Company. During the two years of his connection with them, there had teen nothing to cause any angry word or to produce the least unpleasantness between himself and the members of the Company. They had been obliged to meet difficulties, of which the Volunteers of the present day Bad no conception. Without drill or practice ground, drill shed, drill instructors, uniform, or arms, and with petty but annoying obstacles continually arising, it was not to be wondered at that some of the less zealous and less persevering members of the Company had lost heart, and that their numbers had at one time been materially reduced. Still they could always say that they held in their ranks some of the oldest and best drilled men in, not only Dunpdin, but perhaps in New Zealand. They had now begun to bring up their numbers again, to the former standard, and he felt confident that if they continued as steadfast as they had been for the last two years, the old members would form a nucleus of a Company which would prove second to none in Otago, either in numbers or efficiency. In taking his leave of them, he therefore wished them to meet him on the present oocasion for the purpose, in the first place, of drinking the health of his successor, Captain Turton, who, he felt assured, would prove worthy of the j>ost to which they had unanimously elected him, and aHv fulfil his duties as their commanding officer, ne wished, also, to ask their acceptance of the piece of plate now on the table, which he begged to place in the hands of Captain Turton, to be competed for at such time as he mi^ht appoint as a prize for the best shot in the Company. He proposed to them, therefore, the health of Captain Turton, and cordially wished success to the Company. Captain Turton, whose health was received with three times three, then responded, and in the emirse of his remarks said they were in a position in which they had every reason to hope that No. 1 Company would always fitly occupy the place to which its comparatively older services rendered it reasonable they should aspire among the Volunteeis of Otago. He trusted they would always endeavour to distinguish themselves by strict discipline and good drill. He had every confidence that their numbers would always be as groat and increase as- fast as they need wish. He should feel glad if at the end of a similar period of service he could leave the company with the same good feeling towards him as they had shown that evening to their late Captain. They would with him thank Mr Moss for the handsome present he had made the Company, and he hoped that it would be an incentive to musketry practice, so that when won it might be with a good score. He would now ask them to drink the health of Captain Moss, whose connection with the company they would all remember with pleasure. Mr Moss's health was enthusiastically received, and responded to by that gentleman in appropriate terms. The names and health of Mr O'Loughlin, who had recently retired from the Company, and of the Dewly elected Lieutenant, Mr Robertson, were also proposed and cordially received. A rather serious disturbance took place ■on Wednesday afternoon, in connection with the Bell Hill woi ks. It is generally known that Messrs Lonnie and Co. are, under a contract with the Provincial Government, engaged in reclaiming a portion of the Bay, with material got by reducing to the permanent level so much of Bell Hill as is represented by the Presbyterian Church reserve. Messrs Lonnie and Co. have been paying Is l£d an hour to the borers and blasters, and Is an hour to fillers ; but last week they gave notice to reduce the wages of each class a halfpenny per hour. The men, however, at the time refused to accept the lower rates, and they struck work. Holidays and bad weather prevented any resumption earlier ; but yesterday morning about 120 men presented themselves, accepted the reductions, and commenced work. As some not before employed were included, they excluded a portion -of the former hands, for we are told that the conditions as to the limits within which stuff shall be got prevent the employment of more than

about 120 men. Whether from disappointment arising' out of this fact, or from a determination to prevent the reductions in wages being catried out, some of the previouslv-om nloyed mpn, rojjprhpr with a number of others, assembled in Moray Place "•hen labor was resumed aitt-r dinner y. s'Prilny ; and thpy soon mule their way on to the works, densmding thut those working Miotild desist. This was complied with by some but resisted by others, and a serious disturbance scorned, imminent. One man, who woull not come down from the place at which he was at work, was jostled and tumbled down ; and then the assistance of two police officers on duty in the neighborhood was obtained. They apprehended a man named Alexander Minshull, whq.took a leading part in this outrage, but he was rescued by the other discontents before he had been taken far. A message was then sent to the Police Barracks, and the Commissioner, with all the available force at hand, went off to the spot at " the double." They succeeded in clearing the neighborhood of the works, and Minshull was subsequently rearrested.

The Members of the Executive have resigned office. It is understood to have arisen through the determination of the Provincial Secretary, Mr Paterson, to retire from office on account of some difference of opinion — his colleagues came to the conclusion to follow his example, in order to leave his Honor a wider ranee of choice. By the Executive Council Ordinance retiring Ministers must continue to act for thirty days alter tendering their resignations, or until their successors are appointed. It is probable therefore, that no arrangements will be attempted until after the Governor's visit.

We notice that the steamer Wm. Miskin has brought from the mouth of the Molyneux two tons of steel sand, for the purpose of being transmitted to Melbourne to be smelted. This sand contains a large percentage of the metal, and it is to l>e found in large quantities on the beach. Should the experiment to which this sample is to be subjected turn out favorably, a new and valuable branch of export and manufacture will be opened up.

A most melancholy accident, resulting in the death by drowning, of four boys, occurred a few days ago in Soiuhland, of which the " Southland News" of the 7th inst, iurnishes the following particulars :: — '• It is our melancholy duty to record the death by drowning of four boys whilst bathing in the Waihopai river, on Thursday afternoon last. Two of these were brothers named "William and James Gray, and the other boys were named Robert Campbell and Francis Jack. These ill-fated youths formed part of a large number of bathers, who resorted to the Waihopai, near the railway bridge. They were neither of them able to swim, and they fell victims to the treacherous nature of the banks, the tangled weeds at the bottom, and the force of the current, against which they had no power to contend. A deep channel runs down the centre of the stream, although the banks are shallow near the sides. It appears that one of the bathers named Smich had swam across the river, and the rest had waded across on a shallow bar which runs across the river at this place. They succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, where they stopped for five or ten minutes. On returning they were all swept by the force of the current off the sand bank into a deep hole. Two of them, named Smith and Boyd, were the only ones of the whole number able to swim. Smith caught hold of Wm. Gray's hair, and attempted to drag him to shore, but the hair came away in his hand, and then William Gray caught hold of his right arm and dragged him under water ; when he got clear he swam ashore and gave the alarm. A young man name! Coverlid, who was standing on the bank, then ran to where three persons were bathing and called out that the boys were drowning. They rushed up immediately to see if they could render any assistance, and one of them named Winter, swam out to try and save them. When he got out into the stream, he seized one, but as they all caught hold of him he let him go again and swam ashore. A youth named" Patrick Devally, (who is employed in this office), then went in, and got hold of Debenham, who caught him by the neck, and both sank. A young man,^ named Kerr, who was in the water near them, then took hold of Debenham's hand, and drew them into shallow water. Coverlid then ran into Harrisville,and two blacksmiths, named M'Keilar and Dunlop, came down and went into the water. Dunlop almost immediately found the body of James Gray, and brought it out of the water, but he was quite dead. Two youths then ran to the jetty for a boat and drags, which they brought up in about three quarters of an hour. The police had, in the meantime, arrived with a boat and drag. A punt had also come up. After searching for about an hour, one of the men in the punt caught hold of the foot of one of the bodies, but they all leaned over the side and the punt was capsized, and was not seen again. After an unsuccessful search of three hours and a half, a net was stretched across ttie river, at about \ half past eight p.m. At low water, early next morning, the search was resumed, and the body of Francis Jack wag found by Mr Dunlop (who had recovered the other body). The body of William Gray was found yesterday evening lying on the beach.

Four new members of the Port Chalmers Town Board were elected on Monday. The following was the state of the poll at four p.m. :— T. Taylor (baker), 51 ; R. Dyason 44 ;T. Robertson, 42 ;R. Ritchie, 38. The other gentlemen voted for were D. Millar, who get 37 votes, and J. Taylor, 23 votes.

We are in receipt, per the Eonig Oscar, of papers from Vancouver's Island to the 13th October.

The coal deposits in the Auckland province, the coal mines at Tampiri, on the Waikato, continue to be veiy profrnhly "worked, under the able manncc-mi'iit of Mr W- Rowe, inspector of mines. Sjvit.il branching shafts have been struck from tii>« main line of shaft, and extensive chambers duj, th. superincumbent mass of earth being supported by wooden pillars. Tramway lines have been laid from the various chambers to the shoot, which has been recently erected, and enables the workmen to fill the coal bunkers of the steamers very speedily. We regret that, owing to the late heavy rains, one of the side shafts Ml in, and some earth at the mouth of another ; but workmen were engaged, and the shafts are being set to rights. These accidents did not, however, interfere with the working of the other shafts. The box and shoot will hold 100 tons, so that a large supply will always be kept for consumption on the river. The coal seam is imsome places ten feet thick, and tapers off to a thickness of a few inches towards the top of the mountain. The quality of the coal is improving as the seam is farther worked. At the Bay of Islands coal field several miners are now at work. They have tunnelled about twenty feet into the hill in which the coal is situated, and a considerable quantity is now awaiting the completion of the road in progress for getting it conveyed to the wharf. By the next time the steamer arrives it is hoped there will be as much put alongside as will suffice to coal her for the trip. The miners report that the quality of the coal is excellent, and that it will improve as they advance. Its appearance is now black and shining as jet, and although rather apt to crumble at present it is expected to be more firm farther from the entrance. Contrary to the expectations of many parties the roof is firm and safe, which is a great consideration for the safety of the miners, and also for the economy of the working.

"We take from the Nelson " Colonist" of the 27th ult., the following particulars relative to the Grey ltiver diggings : — The Nelson and the Wallaby have both arrived from the West Coast. .We believe about 800 ouuees of gold has been brought up by the steamers. The following letter we have received from a correspondent :—": — " Saltwater Creek, Grey River, Dec. 21, 1864. Things here are not as I expected them to be. There will never be a large population here, nor a large central place, from want of a good harbour. The diggings extend for about 35 mile 3 along the coast,and the farthest inland for about 30 miles, everywhere amongst dense scrub. Very few are making more than small wages. Provisions are very reasonable, as goods and stores are in abundance. I think it would be very beneficial to the public, and especially the diggers, if you would publish the following f.iccs, for the accuracy of which. I vouch :—: — The cutter Petrel, from Nelson, ana Nugget, from Invercargill, with 38 diggers, have just put in here. They have been out prospecting Jackson's Bay and surrounding country for about three months, finding only the color cf gold on one place. The Nugget is commanded by Barrington, of Queenstown celebrity, and was fitted out for the purpose by private enterprise, on the famous statement of Barrington and party when they came back to Queenstown from a prospecting tour towards the West Coast from Lake Wakatipu — " that they had found payable gold, and had got several ounces of nuggetty gold, but had dropped the bag on the ground, and being so weak from want of rations that they could not pick it up and carry it further, so they left it there." (But then they carried a double-barrelled gun, and about ten pounds of powder and shot.) The parties belonging to the Petrel complain very much about Barrington's conduct ; he has completely led them astray. There is no such goldfield as he represented. They could not even get the color where he stated that he had found gold before. The men have prospected for about 40 miles inland from the co<;st of Jackson's Bay, are sadly dissapointed, and of opinion that it is not at all likely that any gold will be found there. The cutter Thames, from Nelson, is still at Jackson's Bay. Nearly the whole prospecting party has left her."

The "Port Louis Coramsrcial Gazette" of 7 f h November contains the following account of the sixth ascent of the Peterbotte :—": — " On j Wednesday, 2nd November, a party consisting of Drs. Colahan and Fergusson, Lieutenants Montgomery and Somes, and Messrs R. A. and J. Kyshe, started at five a.m. from Port Louis, and were met at the foot of the mountain by four Indians. They commenced the ascent at seven a.m., and reached the shoulder at eight. After a rest of an hour and a half, the ascent of the ladder-rock was accomplished by an Indian, who took up a small rope ; and Messrs C. M. and S. reached the neck at ten. A lead-line was thrown up over the head from the neck, and the summit reached at half-past eleven. Up to this time the weather had b?en very clear, but at noon clouds assembled rapidly and the rain feH in torrents, rendering the descent a matter of some difficulty. At half-past two the party reached the shoulder in safety, and were in town shortly after 5 p.m., having accomplished the expedition in twelve hours. The arrangements were made under the able direction of Dr Fergusson. A piece of lead was left at the top, with the names of Messrs C. M. and S. scratched on it, aad a fag was nailed to the flag staff already erected. A lead-line was left over the top, the ends being fastened to opposite sides of the neck, for the convenience of future expeditions. Two Indians accomplished the ascenji of the head, the remainder only' reached the neck. Another ascent is contemplated on Wednesday, 9th November."

The following important proclamation, fixing a penny rate on pll newspapers posted > in the colony, to come in^forceon the Ist ofe February, appears in the " General Government Gazette" :— " By his Excellency Sir George Grey, Knight Commander of themost h'-no'-able Order of the Bath. Governor.and C"i"in in ler in-Chief in and over her' Mnjesty's Co'ony of New Z"almH. und jts-'iepen'li-nrii 3 *, and Vice- A<l mini! of the same, &c, &c. Whereas by an Act of the General/ Assembly of New Zealand, 21st and 22ndi. Victoria, No. 15, intituled the New Zealand' Post office Act", 1858, it is enacted that it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, by proclamation in the New Zealand ' Gazette,' to fix, alter, and abolish' the rates of postage at any tima payable within the colony, for the transmission of" letters by post, either between places within-. New Zealand, or to or from places beyond seas, and at what tima the same shall bepaid ; and that the postage so made payable shall be charged and paid accordingly ; and by the same Act it was declared that the term 'letters' should include, amongst other things, newspapers r. And whereas, by a proclamation bearing date the twenty-ninth day of December, 1860, made in pursuance of the said recited power, certain rates of postage have been fixed fortransmission of letters, and for transmission' in certain cases, as set forth in the schedule to the said proclamation, and it is expedient to alter the rates of postage for the transmision of newspapers. Now, therefore, I, the Governor, in further pursuance of the said power and authority, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of New Zealand, do hereby alter so much of theproclamation of the 29th December, 1860, as provides for the transmission of newspapers free by post ; and do proclaim and declare that a postage rate shall be charged and paid before the same shall be transmitted by post as follows, that is to say : I. On each newspaper published in the Colony, and posted in New Zealand for any other part of the Colony — one penny. 2. On each newspaper posted in New Zealand for England ' via Southampton,' or by ship direct, or for any place beyond the seas (except as is specially provided for in the aboverecited proclamation) — one penny. And I do> further appoint and declare that this proclamation shall take effect on and after the first day of February, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. Given under my hand, at the Government House, at Auckland, and issued under the seal of the colony of New Zealand, this twenty-ninth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.— G. Grey. By his Excellency's command, Henry Sewell. Approved in Council, Forster Goring, Clerk of Executive Council. God save the Queen !"

We take the following account of the spread of the new superstition amongst the Maoris from the "New Zsalander":— " The letter from our Tharae3 correspondent, which we published yesterday, notifies the spread of the Pai Mariri superstition, and conveys some interesting particulars of that mischievous delusion. It appears that some hundreds of the fanatics lately visited the Thames district, with the purpose of gaining proselytes to their new creed ; and in this they were only too successful. ' All the natives,' says our correspondent, ( iv this p*rt of the district, with the exception of Ngatimaru, went up to Okawhukura to see the flou Pai Mariri, an&l am sorry to say have most of them very foolishly joined this imposture, which is nothing less than electro-biology or mesmerism. This they do by putting up a flag-staff, and then they all bow down, spreading out their arms ; after going through all this nonsense, they arrange all who. wish to., join this creed in a row, and the Pai Mariris commence operations by forming a row of the believers on the opposite side. They then' begin waving their arras up and down like a regular professor, jabbering at the same time I a regular b\bel of gibberish, which quite bewilders the would be proselyte. After a little time some of the weak-minded succumb to the power of these professors ; and then commences the most hideous sound or gibberish, which in some cases lasted from four to five days. This, the Pai Mariris say, is to loosen the tongue, so that they may shortly acquire some foreign language. The Pai Mariris say they can stop the rain when they like, and" as for the troops they do not care a fig? for them, as they are proof. They intend to build no more pahs, but fight it out in the ciaar. They allow a plurality of wives ; their Sabbath is on Saturday ; when they pray, theypray to God, but not to Christ — their watch -word is Hou Pai Mariri. Even Native ministers, who ought to know bettsr, have joined this new plaything. A few of these nativqs are going to a great political meeting at Rangitoto, to see the head prophet, •John the Baptist,' and find out if. this newcreed has any truth iti it. There is no doubt this new faith is got up to retrieve the broken fortunes of Kingites by one last blow. William Naylor is to be destroyed. These Natives, running after the new creed so quickly, show they are not much better thaa children ; any new thing pleases them. There is. no doubt that when this gets a little older, it will be discarded as quickly as it was taken up,"

Mr Warden Hickson, writing from Manuherikia on the 7th January, reports :—": — " A new rush took placo this week to a gully on the top of the Raggedy Ridge, within one mile and a half of Black's Home Station, about midway between it and the working at the east side of the ridge. I have not bad time to visit it yet, as, on my last visit to German's Hill, I had so much Court business that I could not go there. I mean to visit it, if possible, next week, when I shall report iurtber. At Ger- 1 man's Hill mining matters are progressing satisfactorily. The weather has been very unsettled this week."

Aa" Order in Council appears in the "General Government Gazette" increasing the rate of interest on moneys to he hereafter raised under the Loan Act, 1863, to 6 per cent.

When the steamer Lord Aahley "was at Wellington, the transport steamer Alexandra arrived. Her dates were to the sth, two days later than those by the Lord Ashley, but the purser of the latter vessel was inable to obtain aDy Auckland papers. There was a floating rumour that the rebel Rewi had surrounded one of the occupied pahs with a force of a thousand natives, and that a renewal of Hostilities seemed imminent. Nothing was known as to the movements of the Governor.

The "Hawkes Bay Times" of the 6th inst., says: — "We have been informed that certain portions of the remains of a large vessel have been found on-the coast, near the Kidnappers, including portions of what appears to be a skylight and a man's leg (we preaume part of a figure head). We also learn that some time since a vessel was observed by a shepherd in the employ of Mr Gordon, laboring in a stonr. OS the coast, and apparently in distress, and which had shortly atter disappeared. We fear that we have another of those melancholy instances of vessels leaving port and being never heard of more."

Mr Warden Charles Broad forwarded the following* report from Taieri, Hamilton, under dale January 7th :—" Mining matters have gone on very quietly during the past week, but the washing-up of the United Company, on the hill at Hamilton, will materially swell the escort. The gold receiver has already 15200z. lodged for transmission. 'The weather very changeable. The population still remains steady at the number reported last week, a slight increase perhaps perceptible at Faller ton's and Hamilton. The census returns as compiled here show my estimate of the population a correct one."

We are in receipt of our Auckland files to the 3rd inst. The news is not of any but lacal importance. The annual races came o^ on the 2nd, the following being the names of the winning horses : — Maiden Plate, 100 soys., added to a sweepstake of 10 soys. each, for .all madden horses up to the time of entrance, Mr Graham's b h Dundee, 5 yrs, was first at the winning post, but was disqualified by the stewards on account of his jockey having jostlfd Mr St. Hill's Siren, and Mr H. Stafford's b g St. Patrick, was declared the winner. Epsom Plate, of 150 soys., added to a sweepstake of 10 soys., each half forfeit, two miles, gentlemen riders ;Mr J. Da3 r 's eh g War Eagle. ,Onehunga Stakes. 40 soys., Mr 11. Stafford's b g St. Patrick. Innkeepers' purse of 50 soys., Sir George Grey's br h Dainty Ariel:

The following despatch from the Secretary of State for War has been published in jreneral oiders : — "War Office, Bth October, 3 864. Sir — I have received and laid before the Queen your despatch of 7th July, together vith its enclosure, giving an account of the defeat of the insurgent Maoris in the neighborhood of Tauranga, hy the force nnder the command of Colonel Greer, 68th Regiment. I am commanded by the Queen to convey to you her Majesty's satisfaction with the condnct of the troops on this occasion, and especially with the manner in which Colonel Greer executed the instructions which he had received. The charge of the 43rd and 68th Liffht Infantry, we-ll sustained the high reputation of those distinguished regiments, and their hand-to-hand conflict with the rebels at the rifle-pits was marked by conspicuous bravery. I have lenrned with much gratification the high opinion which you entertain of the manner in which Colonel Greer has discharged the highly responsible duties which have devolved upon him since he entered upon the command at Tauranga, and I have had much pleasure in bringing his services during thi9 period, and especially at the action of the 2lst June, under her Majesty's notice. The Queen commands me to convey to you her Majesty'sapproval ot Colonel Greer's conduct, as well as that of the officers and men men tioned in the enclosure to your despatch. — I I'.ave, &c, Earl de Grey and Ripon. To General Sir Duncan Cameron, X.C.8."

A correspondent of the " Daily Southern Cross" gives the following arousing particulars concerning the new superstition oi the Maoris :—": — " When questioned as to the grounds of their belief in the new god, the natives naively enough assert that the Pakehas have their protecting gods and aDgels— and more particularly they had their telegraph gods, with whom they were in constant communication. To prove this assertion they (the natives) had frequently listened at the telegraph posts, and had heard conversations continuously going on. Amongst the voices of persons speaking with the telegraph gods, j they had recognised that of General Cameron and others with whom they were acquainted. The Europeans proving thus that they depended so much upon the telegrpah, it was only reasonable that the Maoris should have their own gods upon whom they could depend. So much for Maori intelligence in the 19fch century. Another god has now sprung up, and i 9 denominated Rura — taking the place and trident of good old Neptune. This personage is said to be endowed with immense strength, and will in future destroy any vessels belonging to the Pakehas which may enter the ports along the West Coast. The modus operandi of all this is simple enongh ; as Rnra catches the vessels by the keel, and turns them over, thus drowning all the crew and passengers, and destroying the cargo. His home is on the briny deep,'and he is ever' ready for his prey ; so that it }s expected to fare ill in future with any Pakeha craft entering the harbors of the West Coast with hostile in teat."

In the Oamaru Hundred the receipts from License Fees and Assessments on Stock amounted to £125 2b 6d, and the payments to £79 19s 2d, leaving an available balance of £45 3s 4d.

The '' Provincial Government Gazette "' contains a departmental statement of the revenue and expenditure of the Department of Crown Lands for the quarter ending 3lst December. The total received from the sale of rural lands was £15,958 12s, and from payments under the Otago Waste Land Act, Town Lands, Transfer Fees, Depasturing Licences, Assessment of Stock and Timber Licences, .£lOls 5s Id. Tbe Gold Fields revenue, miners' rights, &c, fees and fines in the Wardens' Courts, have yielded £5863 3s . The total expenditure was £22.837 Os Id, leaving an available balance of £480.

A laughably malicious hoax was perpetrated just at midn : ght of Wednesday. It was understood that when news of the arrival of the Governorwas received from Port Chalmers, a gun would be fired by the police, and that this was to be the signal for the assembling of the Volunteers. The old carronade which so long stood on Bell Hill, was removed and was, with a companion piece, placed on the reclaimed land, in front of the bonded store which is being erected for Messrs Cleve and Lizarus. Some malignant jokers took advantage of the known arrangement as to the signal, and of the fact that it had not been thought necessary to leave any one to watch the guns. Just at midnight, a bugte was sounded in the rear of the Police Barracks, no doubt by oneof thu confederates, as a pretended signal from the Police authorities ; and in an instant the gun was fired, ttie report ringing out very loudly and sharply. In another minute, bugle calls were to be heard in different directions— the hoax had thoroughly succeeded, and the volunteers and hundreds of others hastened from their beds or homes. A number of inquirers rushed to the Police Barracks, only to learn that no one there knew why the gun had been fired ; whilo others, too eager for a sight of the Governor to think of prudence, dashed down to the jetties to secure good standpoints. From the directions of Anderson's Bay, Cavershara, and ttie North east, Valley, musket shots were heard, showing that there, too, people were being befooled. Two or three of the Royal Commissioners were amongst the early arrivals in the neighborhood ot the Jetty ; they were breathless, but evidently pleased : for had not the Governor at length arrived, and put to shame all sceptics as to his coming ? But tlieir pleasure was soon ended. ''I'd like to have the blackguard that fired the gvin : I'd soon lock him up, 1 ' said au angry policeofficer ; and the Royal Commissioners were angry too, then. In Princes street, Volun teers, not quite accoutred raced along 'to the space in front >t of the Custom House, which had been assigned as the muster-ground ; but they soon learned that they had been " sold," and they tried to show that they believed the joke was not a bad one. Ie was at least a beautiful night — as pleasant a one for a run as we have had this summer ; and running is good exercise.