News of the WeeK.

Otago Witness, Issue 826, 27 September 1867, Page 11

News of the WeeK.

[krom the daily TncEs.3

The New Zealand Gazette of September 16th announces the appointment of the Hon. Mr J. C. Richmond to the office of Commissioner of Customs.

We described a few weeks ago a building, for offices for the New Zealand Insurance Company, which it waa proposed to erect in High street, near the offices of the P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Co. Excavating for the foundations has now been commenced ; the contractor for the building being Mr E. Horsinan.

Mrs Moodie and Mrs Bristow, the widow* oi the captain and mate of the schooner Vixen, who were lately drowned on the Ninety-mile Beach, desire most heartily to thank the public of Dunedin, Oamaru, Port Chalmers, and Tokomairiro, for the liberal manner in which they have subscribed to the Fund collected on their behalf. The amount received by the Dunedin Committee is LIBB.

The erection of a Masonic Hall, including a room or hall specially designed for musical performances, will shortly be commenced. We publish a report of a meeting held on th subject on Tuesday evening. The site selecte by the meeting, out of about ten offered fc the Provisional Committee, is in Mor» Place, opposite the premises and grounds Mr G-. Matthews.

The ceremony of installation of W.M. of Hiram Lodge took place last Tuesday, at the Masonic Hall, Princes street. There was a large attendance of brethren. Bro. C. J. Levien was installed as W.M. for the ensuing year. The ceremony was performed by Bro. P.M. Eva, assisted" by Bro. P.M. Hyman and Bro. P.M. Fish ;* after which the brethren adjourned to a banquet provided by Bro. Wain.

A discussion upon the question of Total Abstinence took place on Tuesday evening, in the room beneath the Congregational Church, Moray Place. Mr Jago presided, and there was a good attendance. Messrs Bessemeres and Fraser opposed the doctrines advocated by the total abstainers ; and their remarks were replied to by Messrs Hooper and Grant. Mr Jago announced that at the next meeting he would fully review the speeches of the advocates of "Moderation."

The Melbourne Argus gives the following information: — "The race of tea-clippers from Foo-chow-foo to Loadon, this season, promises to be a very closely contested affair. We observe that the Taeping passed Anger on the 27fch of June, followed by the Fiery Cross on the Ist ©f July. The Ariel came next, on the 4th of July, followed next day by the White Adder. The Taitsing, which sailed from Foo-chow on ,the 10th of May, and the Yangtze and Black Prince, which 3ailed together on the 12th, all passed. Anger on the 14th of July. The Chinaman followed on the 18th of July."

The second of the twelve preliminary contests between the members of the Volunteer Naval Brigade, for the .Rifle presented by Capt. Stavely, took place on Saturday afternoon, at the Brigade's butts, Ocean Beach. The conditions or these preliminary matches are— Ranges, 200, 400, 500, and 600 yards ; five shots •at each ; Hythe position. The winner on Saturday was Sub-lieutenant Stewart, whose Bcore was 52 ; the first m&tch having been won by Senior Petty • Officer Smith, with a score of 56. The matches are arranged to take place fortnightly, each being open to all members of the' Brigade, except best men in the previous matches. The 12 best scores will, in the end, compete for the rifle.

A numerously attended meeting of tie Public Baths Committee was held on Tuesday, when it was resolved that for the .purpose of canvassing for subscriptions that por« ( tion of the~ city lying north, of the Octagon, the following gentlemen should act as a subcommittee : — Dr Robert Burns, Messrs G. K. Turfcon, W. M. Douglas and A. H. Lakeman — Prom the Octagon to' Cobb's Corner:, Messrs A. H. Jack, J. H. Maclean, C.E. Peterson, and John Hay. — Cobb's Corner to . the Imperial Hotel : Messrs Wm. Dalrymple junr., James Copeland, C. ft. Howden, \*nd^ Hubert Hunter. In the course of the meet- - ing it was stated that the LI 00 promisedoy the government in aid of the projected Baths, would be placed at the disposal of the Committee whenever tho iroxk was initiated.

The erection of lighthouses on the coast iDEJTew Zealand has cost L 44,305 Is Id, and "thie annual expense of their maintenance is •• -iL3927 ss;; The estimates "cost of the apparatus, which it is. proposed to erect at the J&oggets, and the beacon on Flat Rock, is X 4500 j and the annual expense of their anaintenance, L 675. Mr James Mackay, Native Commissioner ■*£ the Province of Auckland, supplies some whichmust be deemed authentic, to the Te Karaka goldfield. He -sprites : — " Mining operations may be said "to have commenced at Te Karaka on Ist August.' The ground prospected was not <«f a highly auriferous character ; but' the m'ners were able to procure small grains of fine gold almost anywhere in it. This in my •opinion would have paid for ground sluicing in some places, and not in others. The general desire, however, appeared to be to get to the l»d rock (bottom) in hopes of finding some--fching heavier. Owing to bad weather and the -want of timber for slabbing, tins has not yet "been attained, and many parties after sinking to considerable depth (varying from twenty ■to forty feet) abandoned the undertaking. I Jbelieve, in nearly all cases, more or less of fine gold was found from the surface downwards. About six parties arc now sluicing at the Karaka, and there is also a company of twenty-four men formed to carry on deep sinking. On the 10th August, Messrs Hunt, "White, and Clarkson discovered a very valuable reef or leader from a reef, at Karanui. A rush took place to the spot,' and several *laims have been taken up there. I may mention that, on the 30th, Mr M. Barry and party, holding a claim above Hunt, struck vrhat I believe to be the main reef there. The quartz is solid, and the gold apparently of a better quality th<in that found in Hunt's claim. Mr Tookey las struck a payable reef above the JMoauataiau stream, and Mr Boyd, who , lolds an adjacent claim, has also succeeded ; in finding a continuation of the reef. All the specimens are satisfactory. Mr Boyle and party have found a reef at Te Karaka ; but I am not in a position to report on its value, aiot having had time to inspect it. Mr Jtfnrphy, an old quartz miner, well known at the Coromandel, has also discovered a reef -above the Hope Stream. He appears sanjguine about its being remunerative ; but I cannot state any particulars about it, not Jhaving yet visited the ground, or seen specimens from it. The condition of affairs generally is, I think, hopeful" It was recently reported that the body of a man, having evident traces of foul play, had teen found in Dcadman's Creek, about four xoiles from the Buller. The Wtslport Times _says :—": — " Before the Kennedy left another dead body was found by the river, much disfigured and cut; but it is the opinion of the doctor that the wounds had been caused after death", and that the man was drowned, the wounds being referable to injuries caused l>y the body striking on snags or rocks in the • liver. There is great excitement in Westport on the subject, and many are of opinion ; •that another gang of assassins is prowling -about the diggings, acting on the principle ' ihat ' dead men tell no tales. 1 Exaggerated ' stories are current, and as yet no clue to anurderershas been found.." A later number ' of the- same journal adds in reference to the ( first case: — " Some particulars have been ob- ! -tamed respecting the late murder as the JJuller, which, it is hoped, will lead to the discovery of the murderers. It .has beeu ascertained that the name of the murdered nan was James Lennox. He was a native ■of the County Cavan, Ireland ; had been a annsieian, and came from Queensland to [ Auckland. Thence he went to Wangauui, ' about fifteen months since, and had arrived ( jA the Buller only about a month ago." ' By the steamer Wm. Miskin, from Nelson, < ye have some items of Auckland news, in : anticipation of the arrival of the regular ' mail steamer Airedale. The Auckland ' journals speak more encouragingly of the : prospects of the Thames goldfield. Several ; jeefs which had been opened have yielded sich returns, and there appears to be a di3po- : sition among the Natives generally to arrange i -with the Government to throw open their < land to diggers. By the Airedale, Mr Com- ' missioner Mackay, who has already reported 1 tipon these reefs, was a passenger to Wei- 1 Hngton. The Herald, of the 16th, says :—: — < *' The gold from the 145 ounces of amalgam, ■the result of the crushing of 6 cwt. of quartz < from No. 1 claim — Hunt s reef, was retorted ] on. Saturday by Mr Hant, and smelted into 1 two bars by Mr Beck, jeweller, Queen street. < "The amount of gold, obtained was 6Soz. " ■4dwts., which, together with lOoz. 12dwts. " obtained by Mr Beck previously from a ' portion of this stone, makes altogether GSoz. : 16dwts. from 6 cwt. of stone. Mr Hunt lakes up ths Bordan machine to-day to the Thames, and it will be set up on the claim, and kept, constantly at work night and day. "With the stone before them in this claim as it stands waiting to be knocked down, there is nothing to prevent this fortunate party of menfromgettingoutSOlbs weight of goldready to send by the mail to the Sydney mint." The following is, from the Southern Cross, «f the 17th :— " We. are glad to be able to .state that the Ngatihauas have agreed to 'throw open a considerable tract of land, south «f Te Aroha' mountain — that is, between the Aroha and Matamata. They -were on their way to see Mr Mackay, at Kauaeranga, but when they heard, of the sudden illness of Twriori they postponed their visit. We believe they' will soon see Mr Mackay, and Arrange for opening the land in question for prospecting. Should this be satisfactorily accomplished, the success of the Thames .Goldfield may be .Regarded 33 absolutely owtaia."

A meeting of the Committee of the Early Closing Association was held, on Tuesday; in FarleVs Rooms,. Princea. .street. Mr Uato, Vice-President of the Society, was in sthe chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed. The resignation of Mr Beveridge, the Treasurer, was received and accepted, Mr Low being appointed Treasurer pro tern. It was - resolved thattti e names of the various firms who have consented to close at the hour desired by the Society should be advertised. The other business was of a formal nature.

The Thinstan district contributes the last story of the Mpa. A correspondent writes to the Dumtan Times, "Knowing that anything new concerning the Great Bird cannot fail to please a great number of your readers, I take this opportunity of detailing to you what actually came under my own observation. In the first place, I must tell you that myself and three mates have been snowed-in for the last six weeks, having thoughtlessly camped in some region contiguous to the North Pole, in search of the preciouß metal ; and this is the first opportunity >I have had of transmitting the following information : — On Saturday, 27th July, about four o'clock in the afternoon, whilst enjoying a pipe by the side of a small fire in our hut, with the door open, my attention was suddenly directed to a large animal on the opposite range. I was not long in doubt as to what the stranger was. My mates cried out, ' It's the Moa ;' and the Moa suTe it was. \ The bird must have been more than a mile in a straight line from us ; but as the horizon was clear, every movement could be detected. The bird was evidently going at a great pace, and I can only compare it to the movements of the Emu or Ostrich. We had a full view of the bird for more than two minutes, when he suddenly disappeared on the other side of the range. He was travelling to the west and I should think, passed I close to the Nokomai. I forward a sketch, I as near as I possibly can recollect, of the form, but as to size I am not ablej;o judge, as the distance was so great, "and no other objects near, to which I could compare. The morning after, my mates and self took a walk up the range, where we" first «aw him, and there we discovered his tracks in the snow. Fresh snow had fallen, and we had not a chance to continue our researches. Of course I well know that many who read this, will place no reliance on these statements, put- 1 ting them down in the same category with stories of the sea serpent. T was myself sceptical for a long time as to the Moa being extinct; but having seen so many proofs on the surface of the bird's recent sojourn amongst us I remain no longer in doubt. It is immaterial to me what others may think, for I am fully satisfied now that I based my belief on what has turned out to be true; and however this tale may go down with the public, I have done my duty in making known the facts. I enclose my name as a guarantee of good faith, not for publication, knowing well, if it were to appear in print I should be assailed from all quarters; and not ■wishing to carry on a paper war on the facts of a case of which I cannot have any possible doubt, I must for the present remain incognito. Any parties desirous of seeing the enclosed sketch, you are at perfect liberty to exhibit it. I need only add that if a party can be made up to go in search, I shall only be too happy to form one of its members."

In the telegraphic announcements received by the last mail from England, it was stated that a clause in the Keforin Bill had passed the House of Lords, providing for the representation of minorities. Nothing has reached us giving exact information of the provisions of the clause ; but from the following extract from Lord Caims's speech on the second reading of the Bill, it seems that he advocated the proposal that where constituencies returned three members, they Bhould only vote for two. He said :—": — " lam not going to say," said Lord Cairns, "anything in favor of cumulative voting. I believe there aro such aerious objections to it that, although much may be said in its favor, I do not think your lordships could be induced to accept it. With regard to these three-cornered constituencies, there is a proposal, made by the noble earl opposite in 1854, which I do say is well worthy of full consideration. I allude to the proposal that in these threecornered constituencies the electors should vote for two out of the three members. I cannot heip thinking that a measure of that kind would be productive of excellent consequences. Ido not say from a party point of view, for it would leave both parties where they are ; but it would be an excellent thing to find the homogeneousness and monotony of the representation of large manufacturing towns broken in upon by an arrangement which would enable a member of opinions differing from those of the majority to come in contact both with electors and with the Legislature as the representative of that which, after all, is one of the most important constituencies, the minority of a large commercial and manufacturing town. You are destroying— l don't say improperly destroying — small constituencies ; you are overlooking what I believe to be portions of the finest constituencies in the kingdom, the minorities in large commercial towns, which at present have no direct representation ; and I venture to throw out the proposal I have referred to for your lordships' consideration. I regret the proposition was not distinctly made in the other Bouse of Parliament. Tho House discussed the suggestion of cumulative voting, which I am Bure the House of Commons never would agree to, because it would disturb the seat ofevery member in the House ; but the pro*' posal I refer to would not destroy a Bingle •member's seat."

The number of wrecks and similar casualties during the past year, says the Marine Engineer, in hia last report, has been very considerable. Thirty-nine have been reparted, and investigated under the Enquiry into Wrecks Act, and some are known to have occurred which have not, as yet, been reported, or of which the Enquiry into Wrecks Act, as at present worded, scarcely takes cognisance. In addition to these, several vessels have been stranded," and repaired on more than one occision, so that it is decidedly within the mark to say that not less than, forty -five or fifty casualties, more or less serious, have occurred. - c'Building operations have now been commenced on Bell Hill, or, - as' -it is more properly designated, Church-Hill, on the permanent level to which the greater part of the hill has been reduced by the excavations which have extended over the past four years. The building in course of erection is the Presbyterian Manse, the location of which, since the extension of the city which succeeded the' discovery of the Goldfields, has necessarily been altered several times; Dr Burns having had first to remove from the picturesquely situated cottage which overlooked the bay in tl» neighborhood of Jetty street, and afterwards, to the housewhichheat present occupies, from the manse-buildings which were erected on Bell Hill before the work of reducing it to its present form had been commenced.- Upon the proper manse reserve, the building is now, however, being erected, and it is not probable that for many years to come, any changes. will occur to again necessitate the removal of the manse attached to the Dunedin First Church. The manse is being built according to a plan by Mr E. A. Lawson, architect,- who at first prepared a design which would have made the building, while not extravagantly ornamental, a very handsome feature of the architecture of the central part of the city. Even according to the present plan, although comparatively plain, the building promises to be well proportioned and very seemly for such a situation! It is to be a two-storey building, the main part of the basement being somewhat in the form of a cross, and is to be faced entirely with Oamaru stone. Its front elevation looks towards Moray Place and North Dunedin, the principal features of the front being a fine oriel window, and a Gothic doorway. The back elevation will also prosent a good appearance, when viewed from the bay. In the details of the design there has, for economic reasons, been very little of the decorative introduced. The few mouldings and cornices there are, partake of the Gothic character. The contractors for the work are Messrs D. and J. Hunter, and they have already laid the foundations of the building, and a- few tiers of the well-selected stone of which the walls are to be constructed. The building is being erected in contiguity to the reserve for the church which it is the intention to erect upon the bill, and the working plans for which are now being prepared by Mr Lawson.

There has been published, as a supplement to la3t week's number of the Provincial Gazette,' a map of the Goldfields of the Province. The map i 3 issued from the Otago Survey lithographic press, and as an accompaniment, to the survey report for the past year, which has already been published. The map is the most complete of the same description of map yet published, and is well worthy of distribution, as exhibiting the great extent, and the precise locality, of the auriferous deposits already discovered in the Province.

The notes of an English black-bird are to be heard regularly every day, and nearly all day long, in the bush a short distance beyond the North-East Valley HoteL The bird has been heard for some time in the same neighbourhood, but from the regularity and frequency with which it is now heard in one locality, it is evident that there are a pair of them, and that they have selected the shelter of the bush there for the building of their nest. Very probably they are a pair set at liberty by the Acclimatisation Society. It is to be hoped that no one will be so thoughtless as to disturb them, or in any way to interfere with the chances of their numbers increasing. — Another bird, a jack-daw, belonging to the Acclimatisation Society, has lately made itself a source of interest by the attachment which it seems to have formed to a well-known stock-rider, his horse, or his dog, and by the persistency with which it follows them through the city, or for considerable distances into the country. The bird seems to have made the acquaintance of his strangely-selected friends at the cattle-yards in the North-east Valley, and, wherever the stockrider may go it follows him about, flying closely after him, or settling on the roof of some house or other convenient resting-place when there is any interruption to his journey. In this way it has visited Caversham, Port Chalmers, and various places in the neighborhood, returningregularly to its proper place of abode at night. The other day a number of persons were congregated round the bird at one of the sale yards in town, watching its vagaries, under the influence of its apparently strong preference for the society of man, rather than that of birds.

In the district of Cromwell, the mining intelligence is of * moat satisfactory nature. The Westmorlard Water Race from the Sow Burn is complete to the banks of the Kawarau, and a number of additional sluicing claims will be set in motion. This race is capable of carrying about twenty heads of water, and has cost for construction about L4OOO. The sluicing claims at the Kawarau Gorge are looking extremely well, and in & few weeks there will be some rich washings-up to record.

After service, on Sunday week, the congregation of the Church of England at Qu'eenstown" discussed the .question of Dr Jenner's appointinentas Bishop of the- See of Dunedin. In reporting the result of' th&>. discussion' the Wakatip Mail says. : — '* Mr Beetham (lay reader) presided. Mr Brown, proposed, and Mr Worthington seconded, a. resolution, ' That the members f>f the Church of England in this district /view with" thegreatest apprehension the" appointment" of DrJenner to the' Bishopric of Dunedin, as they? consider thY Ritualistic practices and performances y;ith which he has 30 fully identified', himself," 'arii pernicious and dangerous "in. the--" highest degree, having for thc.r sole .object - the subversion and corruption of the firm fatyh.ajnd' doctrines of tiie Oimrch of England, converting its beautiful and impressiveLiturgy into an absurdity.'. Mr Davis proposed, and Mr Handera seconded^an amend--ment, ' that the words after "degree ' bo - left out.' The original motion was carried by a large majority. Resolutions in favor of a petition being signed, and that the proceedings'of the congregation be forwardedtq His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, to His Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand,, and the Eight .Rev. Dr Jenner, were passed, •. though some amendments were moved." A new San Francisco journal, the Commercial Herald, in a review of mining matters in California, says :— " The experience - of quartz miners in California during thepast ten years has exploded many antiquated 1 notions concerning the geology and mineralogy of gold. It had become an almost, universal belief that quartz was the only matrix of this metal; that no matter where it might be found, it must have come from quartz originally. This has been found to be false teaching, which has caused serioußloss to many. We could mention almost innumerable places Where gold is found in situ, in its original matrix, in which there is not a trace of quartz, except as a silicate of someother mineral. We shall on this occasion? only refer to a few prominent cases. At a. place between the Spanish Dry Diggings and Spanish Bar, on the Middle Fork of the? American Eiver, El Dorado county, thereexists a body of talcose materials of enormousproportions, which v/as accidentally found, to be rich in gold. The discoverers took out 135 ounces in two weeks by means of a hand mortar, the gold being generally coarseA similar body of mineral has been since: found in Sierra county, in which the gold isso exceedingly fine as to be difficult to save. The famous Quail Hill mine, in Salt SpriagValley, Calaveras county — from which wastaken the first copper ever mined in theState — is another case. This is absolutely a. valuable copper mine, but is at present of infinitely more value for the gold contained in its .' Gossan,' or oxidized portion of thelode, which i 3 very rich in both gold and silver, though there is no quartz in thelode. So at the Harpending mine, near Lincoln, Placer county. The material herecomprises a broad hill, and consists of a. silicate of magnesia, of almost every conceivable color from white to black. This contains an enormous quantity of gold all' through it. This material does not contain? any rich " pockets," such as are frequently found in quartz mines ; but the uniformityin the distribution of the metal, and thefacility with which it can be extracted,, render it one of the most valuable mines in. the State. During the past month, withonly twenty stamps in operation, the company have crushed an average of 125 tons of the ore per day, whichr cost seventy cents per ton to mine and run through the mill. The average yield was--3 doL 87c. per ton, leaving a net profit of 3 dol. per ton after all expenses were paid.. This mine forcibly illustrates the losses men sometimes sustain by taking for granted: what they read in the books. The men who originally owned this mine worked it as a placer, and took a large amount of gold from the decomposed materials on the surface*. When they had thoroughly stripped it, they thought there must have been a valuable quartz ledge in it to yield so much coarsegold; they accordingly sunk a number of shafts, some of them to a considerable depth,, in anticipation of striking quartz, which they, never found, as there is none in the hill ;■ but the dirt they dug up with so much labor* was full of the metal they were seeking, butdid not find, because they never thought o£ looking for it except in quartz. Such a case* should be of value to every miner, by causing: them to test and examine every stranger mineral they meet with while prospecting or mining. The most valuable of the discoveriesrecently made have been of materials thatpresented no appearance of value." The Chamber of Commerce held a special meeting on Wednesday, to consider thetelegram from Mr Vogel to Mr R. B. Martin , as to a proposal made in the House of Representatives, by Mr Macandrew, to abolish all, Inter ; Provincial and Inter-Colonial Ste^nx Subsidies. A good deal of regret was expressed at the meeting, at the non-receipt of" a reply to a telegram from Mr Rattray, as President of the Chamber, to Mr Macandrew, asking for a statement of that gentleman's.; reasons for what he had proposed. A motion was submitted approving of the "proposal U*~ reduce or abolish the subsidies ; and an addition to the motion was made, stating that it was essential that a moderate bonus should., begivenf or conveying the • 'Suezraails between. Melbourne and the principal ports of the-. Colony." Several members had left beforethis motion was submitted to the meeting ;.-' and of 16 who were then present, only five voted — four for the motion and one against it. After the proceedings had been concluded, Mr Rattray received a reply -frottvI Mr Macandrew.

Captain Savory, ot the cutter Sea Flower, •which has arrived at "Wellington, from the '< Chatham Islands, reports that much sicknuss .•prevails at Waitangi. Measles are very prevalent, chiefly affecting the natives, and -considerable numbers have died.

Mr B. Ricmann has this month added to r the, photographic album a view of Central Dunedin, taken from the Bell Tower, and a of M'Glashan's valley, with Flagstaff Hill forming the background. Each •picture has peculiar merits. The lines of the •streets, and even the particular shops, in the • city view, are a s clearly and distinctly defined -as in an architectural drawing ; while the - suburban picture reproduces faithfully the features of one of the most beautiful walks in the neighborhood. Both pictures are excellent impressions.

The Rockhampton Bulletin gives an account *of the following outrage by blacks : — "About 4hree weeks ago, two men, named Jack Morris and Charley Considine, left Bockliampton in the Flying Cloud, a ketch of •-small tonnage, for the Broadsouud dig.gings, and, before reaching Shoal Water Bay, anchored under Cape Townshend, about lialf-a-mile from the bhore. During the • forenoon they were visited by two black - r fellows from the shore, and they treated them hospitably, giving them some tucker *nd one or two articles of clothing, being ainder the impression that the darkies intended to bring them some fish. During the afternoon Morris and Considine turned into their bunks for a sleep. A piece of canvas .hung over the bunk in which Morris slept, -and ho was awakened by hearing Considine ■groan. He lifted up the canvas, and saw a blaokfellow leaning half-way across him, and about to stab him above the eyes with a •knife— one of the weapons with which they -.delight in hacking to pieces the members of •hostile tribes. Morris jumped up, and re■ce:ved a severe blow on the head from a nullah nullah from a second blackfellow. He rushed at one fellow ; but the darkey escaped him, •and leapt into the water. There were two •■others also on board, but they beat a haßty retreat before the pluck of Old Jack, who -caught up a tomahawk, and aimed a blow -at one fellow's head in the water ; the nigger ducked and the weapon went overboard. Morris then laid hold of his gun, but could not find the caps, because of the blinding ■•stream of blood that came from the ■wound on his head. He picked up pieces of fire"wood and pieces of iron lying upon the deck, «nd threw them after the blackfellows, but without effect ; they swam to a canoe "manned by a lad, and lying in wait some •distance from the ketch. It appears that four of them boarded the boat, and Considine, before awakening Morris, had a piece ■of his scalp sliced off by the knife of one of ■ the scoundrels. Ah attempt had also been ; made to cut his throat, but the attempt was -foiled by Gonsidine having lucidly a thick woollen comforter -wrapped in several rolls round his neck. Morris nursed Considine -for several days, and then proceeded on their trip. On the way back they called in at the same spot to pay out a compliment to their visitors, but could not get within * talking' rangs."

A correspondent informs us that on Mon- • -day evening, the third anniversary of the <*reen Island Brass Band, the members • -celebrated it as on two previous years, at the residence of their much esteemed Band Master, Mr J. G. Scott, where a most excellent supper was provided. A number of friends, among whom were a few ladies, -added greatly to the enjoyment of tho evening. After supper they engaged in a round ■of songs, dances, and other amusements, which were kept up with great spirit till a late hour, the band playing at intervals some of their choicest airs in first rate style. At the close of the evening, a hearty vote of tfchanks was accorded to Mr and to Mrs Scott, thatlady having treated themwitli the utmost kindness. The band is now three years in •-existence, and is working harmoniously ; it is looked, upon as a general benefit and "pleasure to the district, as they are ready at ■Jill times to go to any part of the district gratis, to give their services to any •charitable purpose ; they have had many •difficulties to contend Avith, as all bands have at first, but they have managed to -.-overcome them all, and now they stand ■on a clear ' footing, with a splendid practice room, •which, they have managed to er^ct lately, at their own expense.

Two cases of strangely sudden death are ■reported by the Timaru, Herald. On Tuesday evening, last week, a man named Fowler, .» coach builder in the employ of Messrs Slocton and Co, went to the door of the Assembly Rooms for the purpose of taking a ticket for the dramatic performance, but finding he had no money with him, returned •i;ohis lodgings, at Mrs Simpson's boarding .-hduse, for the purpose of getting some. He ■entered the house and left again, but in a few minutes returned, holding his pockethanker--«chief to his mouth, and asked for water. Mr Massey, who was present, went to his assistance, and tried to seat him on a chair, but in endeavoring to do so, the handkerchief • <lropped from his mouth, and blood spouted • out in a large quantity. Before the unfortunate man was seated, he dropped back quite -dead. Breaking a blood vessel in the heart is supposed to have been the cause of death. The poor man leaves a wife and family, in Tasmania, to whom he had that veiy morning sent a remittance of money. In the other •case, Mr John Bowles, a farmer near Waimate, retired on Saturday evening, apparently in good health, and sometime during the Bight, or early on the Sunday morning, he -awoke from sleep, complained of feeling very *«old, and almost immediately expired. He has left a widow and five children.

One of the prizes ©f the Association for the Promotion of the Fine Arts in Scotland, and a prize of considerable value, has been won at the late drawing by. an Invercargill member." The picture is by Horatio M'Culloch, R.S.A., and is entitled "In the West Highlands." Its value is Ll5O. The fortunate ticket is No. 2787.

Until the other day, the erection of the numerous new buildings in Princes street North had been unattended by accidents. An accident did occur on Friday, however, and it iB marvellous that it was not a very serious one. Fortunately, its worst result has been some injury to the building at which the accident happened, involving some additional outlay by the contractors. The building to which the damage was done is that which is intended to form the northern wing of the Criterion Hotel. The accident, and the consequent damage, were directly caused by overloading the scaffold upon which workmen were engaged while laying the cornice of the building. The cornice consisted of heavy blocks of Oamaru stone. Several of these blocks were on the scaffold. The platform of the scaffold rested on horizontal bars, the ends of which were inserted in the brickwork of the building, in apertures about three feet below the line of cornice. By the deadweight upon the platform each of these bars was made to act as a lever, slightly uplifting the wall. From this cause, and probably also from the vibration caused by the movements of the workmen, 'the cornice was shaken before it was properly set, and, with very little notice, it toppled over on to the platform, and brought down the scaffolding throughout almost its entire length. Fortunately, the workmen observed the forward movement of the cornice in time for them to jump upon the roof, and thereby save their lives, one of their number making a very narrow escape. Most fortunately, also, there were no passengers on the footpath at the time, although the accident happened at that hour in the afternoon when the pavements in Princes street are most crowded. Two gentlemen were standing underneath, but tliey were sufficiently fonrarncd and expert to escape into one of the shops on the ground-floor of the building, and were not injured. Had any more persons been underneath the scaffold at the time, it is difficult to imagine that the accident could have happened without inflicting, upon some of them, fatal or serious injuries; several tons of stone having fallen, and brought down with them, in detached pieces, plunkd four or five inches in thickness. Besides the replacing of the cornice, the accident -Kill necessitate the reconstruction of three or four feet of the wall along the whole frontage; and, no doubt, the present narrow escape will be the means of ensuring sufficient precautions being taken to prevent the recurrence of a similar accident.

The third competition for the Challenge Cup of the No. 1 Company, City Guards, took place on Saturday, at the Kaikorai Butts, the conditions being — Ranges, 200, 500, 600 yards, live shots at each range; Wimbledon targets, and Hythe position throughout. The Cup is fired for once every four months, aud becomes the proparty of anyone -winning it three times, twice out of the -lures times to be consecutive. As will be seen from the subjoined score, it has this time again been won by Corporal Tresseder, the nuf-cessful competitor on the last occasion, who finished a most uphill race ahead, but only by one solitary mark. At the conclusion of the COO yards range, Private M'Gregor had scored 44, while Corporal Tresedcr had but 35 to his credit, or nine points less, but on proceeding to 600 yards, M'Gregor fired but indifferently, from some cause or otlier, while his opponent kept on steadily increasing his score, and succeeded in tieing at the last shot but one. Amid great excitement Treseder knelt, took a long and steady aim, and fired. A breathless silence followed, and the ring of the target proclaimed a hit, and simultaneously the centre nag was exhibited from the marker's butt. When it came to M 'Gregor's turn to fire, the excitement was at its height. The crack of his rifie was followed by the answering ring of the target, but the white nag only rose from the butt ; he had only scored an outer, and had to yield the honor of the first place to his more fortunate rival. The day was all that could be wished for, there being an excellent light, and little or no wind ; and, with, the exception of a few gro-wls at the Government, for not providing a supply of good ammunition, the match passed off most pleasantly. The smallness of the scores may be accounted for by the fact that, being early in the season, many of the competitors had not had sufficient practice, and others (among whom was the winner, who made 61 on the last occasion) were suffering from severe cokls. Subjoined is the complete score of all wko made 30 points and upwards :—

Mr Wrigg, who has been engaged by the Nelson Government to make a rough survey of a line of railway from Nelson to Westport and Cobden, was to start from Nelson on Monday to make a preliminary inspection of the country through which it is intended the railway shall be carried.

The Amateur Performance at the Princess Theatre onFriday evening, in aid of the funds of the Philharmonic Society were at least as good and. enjoyable "a dramatic performance as any that has been given in Dunedin. If the point of precedence had to be settled, we should, perhaps, agree with those, and they will be many, who will cay that what was done last evening was more enjoyable than anything of the kind which stands earlier in date. The performance was enjoyable, not for a reason similar to that in accordance with which an abominably bad pun is said to be only less good than a good one ; for the amateurs last evening were very far indeed from "muffing" their work. Neither of the pieces undertaken by them is easy to be played ; and we could by no means have agreed before hand that the programme was "judiciously chosen," aa it is common to phrase preliminary commendation. The amateurs were not wholly free from members who could not look otherwise than uncomfortable on the stage ; and that terrible puzzle to non-professionals, what to do with the hands, was occasionally not solved with a graceful result. But there was a good deal of what, for amateurs — and especially for men who had never before attempted to act, which was the case with several last evening — must be ranked as good acting ; and there was scarcely any of the under-toned hurried talk, which is so often all that is achievable. — The pieces played were Sterling Coyne's comedy of " Black Sheep," of which we need not tell the story, for it is known to most theatregoers ; and the farce of " The Irish Tutor," which we suppose everybody has seen. We shall not attempt detailed notice of the doings of each amateur ; but three demand brief mention. In the comedy, Jacob Mortmain and Mr Bunny may be "bracketed" for merit. Bunny wasperhaps the more remarkable for ease ; but Mortmain had a dry, hard consistency about him which was most fitting, and was very well maintained. The quarrel between,, the two, in the second act, was capitally worked up, and was loudly applauded. In the farce, the hero, Terry O'Rourke disguised as Dr. O'Toole, was an altogether good, vivacious, and natural bit of acting ; and the song, " The Groves of Blarney," was racily enjoyable, because, while good, it was utterly unlike what it would have been made by a professional actor. The jig was capitally danced, both by the amateur and by Miss Jenny Nye. So much, we have felt compelled to write as to the amateurs : but having done bo, we prefer to leave the whole of them to the knowledge gained from the audience, that as a whole they achieved a decided success. Miss Cassy Matthews was Lady Barbican ; Miss Shepparde, Ethel Maynard ; and Miss J. Nye, Mrs Todlianter. The ladies each played heartily well ; as did Miss Shepparde and Miss Nye in the farce. There was a capital house — indeed each part of the Theatre was nearly filled.

A valedictory address, signed by the members of the Congregational Church and congregation at Port Chalmers, and by a number of the inhabitants, was presented to the Eev. T. S. Porsaith in the course of last week. It is beautifully illuminated, and is an elegant specimen of ornamental writing. It acknowledges the services of the Eev. gentleman, aud expresses good wishes for his success in the new sphere of labor which he is about to enter. Mr Forsaith is expected to sail in the Parisian for Newcastle, N.S.W., this morning.

The preparations for the building of a larger steamer than has yet been employed in the Lake Wakatip trade, is thus noticed by the local paper :— "What the Lake Wakatip Steam Navigation Company (Limited) proposed to do and have not done, a private firm propose to do, and will, in all probability, successfully carry out, viz., the building of a superior steamer. The three steamers now afloat on the Lake are not exactly adapted for trading purposes, being more fitted for carrying passengers. It happens, however, that the passenger traffic is at present at a low ebb, while that in lumber, &c. is pretty brisk. As settlement is fast goiug on around the shores of the Lake, and in fact, throughout this district, the demand for a good steamer able to carry cargo will increase. Messrs J. W. Robertson and Co., to meet their own requirements, and partly in anticipation, we presume, of an increase of trade in the direction just mentioned, have resolved to build a suitable steamer, and the model and lines of the boat are fixed. We are indebted to Mr Tamer, oi this town, for the following particulars, and may here state that upon the design furnished by that gentleman the steamer in question will be built. It is gratifying, moreover, to notice that we have in our midst high class talent able to lay down such work as this, and that we have also amongst us boat and ship-builders able to execute any orders in the shipping or boating line. The steamer in question will have a 65ft keel, the depth of hold will be 7ft. Gin. ; she will be about 69ft. long on deck, and her breadth of beam 16ft. This breadth will allow of making the steamer 120 ft. long ; but for the purposes in which she is Intended to be used such a length is not required, as she is to be a cargo, rather than a fast passenger, boat. Her engines will be high pressure ones, of 40 horse-power, and her draught of water, when loaded, is calculated not to exceed 3ft. 6in. She is to be a paddle boat, staunchly built, and well finished throughout. The keel is already laid down on the Greenstone, near Messrs Robertson's saw mills, and the craft will probably be afloat in about five months. The model shows a very handsome boat, and we have only to mention one more particular — that her speed is to be 10 knots an hour."

At the close of the week ending September 20th, there were in Dunedin Gaol, awaiting trial 2 men ; sentence of death recorded^ 2 men ; penal servitude, 15 men ; hard labor,. 46 men, 12 women ; imprisonment, 1 woman ; debtors, 6 men, 2 women. Beceived duriog the week, 16 men, 1 woman ; discharged, 12 men, 4 women.

The Campbelltown (Bluff Harbor) correspondent of the Southland Neios writes : — " Some little excitement was caused in the district yesterday (Tuesday) morning, about 9 o'clock, by the appearance of two whales. at the mouth of the harbor. These fish were of the largest of the black whale species, and. when first seen were apparently engaged m taking notes of the strange locality they were visiting. A whaleboat was quickly launched, and manned by the resident ex- whalers, and steered towards the leviathans of the deep, but upon the boat approaching sufficiently near for the noise of tbe rowlocks to "be heard, they took the alarm and made towards the Straits, the boat following them until off Dog Island, when the occupants were chagrined at observing the fiafrtake a ' header,' and their subsequent whereabouts lost sight of. The explanation of the boats being unable to get within strikingdistance is, that the weather was too calm, and still, a windward breeze and morning; sea being absolutely necessary fcr the capture of this description of marine mammalia. In connection with the subject of whaling, X may state the wtalingbrig Amherst, so long: laid np in the port, is being vigorously fitted, ont by Capt. Gilroy, part owner, for an expedition to the Auckland and Macquarie Islands, in search of seals, &c."

"Working Men's Clubs and Institute Union. — The fifth annual meeting of this Union was held on May 18th in ExeterHall, London ; Lord Lyttelton in the chair. A letter was read apologising forthe absence of Lord Brougkam, owing ta " his great infirmities." The adoption of the annual report was moved by the Key* Mr Waldron, of Charter Home. The increase in the number of clubs in the Union during the past year is 38. Many of the clubs have entirely failed, in consequence of youths pressing into them, grown men being thereby drivea away. The failure of 34 clubs during the year has been reported to the council, but the council cannot admit that the general value of the movement is. in any degree compromised by the failure; of individual clubs. The report states that the following statement of statistic* and results was presented :—: — The numberof working men's chits and institutes, o£ the existence of which the council are at ' present aware, is 202 ; but, as they are frequently hearing accidentally of the | establishment or existence of cluba previously unknown to them, these figures must be taken only as an approximation to the truth. Judging 'byexperience, the number actually now in i operation, would be about 280 to 300. According to returns received from 114: clubs, ihe number of members varies from ll'l'i and 1000 clown to 27, givingan avei j^je of 171 members to each club. : This is an increase on last year, when the. j average was 152 for each club. If the same average be taken for those clubs thathave not sent in returns (and some of the Scotch clubs, which are among the latter, have very high numbers), we have a total of about 43,700 men belonging to the? clubs -whose existence is known to the Council. Of the 114 clubs sending returns, 69 report themselves as self-supporting, or very nearly so ; and. of these, 53 are entirely self- supporting-. This is a much larger proportian than that of last year. If there is the same proportion among those that have not sent in returns, we should have a total of about 162 clubs self-supporting, or nearly so, at the present time. In these 114 clubs sending returns, there have been J49 educational. classes in operation during the past winter. These, however, are to be regarded as a subsidiary, though very important, element in the operations of thet clubs. Thirty clubs report that provident societies of various kinds have either been formed by their members, orhold their meetings at the club. Nearlyall state that they have had various lectures and entertainments during the six. winter months, amounting to 244 lectures and 1076 entertainments for the 114= clubs; or probably 616 lectures and 2741. entertainments for the -whole number of clubs and institutes during the last winter. Tiie number of books in tho various l libraries of the clubs amounts to 51,436. 'The games, &c. provided include chess, draughts, dominoes, tactics, bagatelle,, skittles, bowls, boxing gloves, gymnastics, quoits, cricket, football, &c. The chairman said that Lord Brougham had now arrived at such a state of infirmity that it was to be feared he would never again. appear on any public occasior, and the gratitude of the meeting was expressed, for the life-long labors of the venerable lord. The speakers put prominently forward the importance of working men's chibs becoming independent, if they were to bo sxiccessful. Another point urged. strongly was, that promoters of these clubs should not be too ambitious to instruct -working men. —JEwopetin Times*

Corporal Treseder Private M'Gregor „ Shepherd j, Stalker... t ... „ Wilson... ' ... „ Creagh Sergeant Douglas Ensign Wales Private Wedderspoon ... ,", Wilkinson Corporal Huggins „ Speight 20 22 20 19 2t) 20 16 ]5 lti 18 17 20 <JUU 15 22 18 17 10 19 19 18 17 13 11 5 UUV XI. 21 — 56 11 — 55 12 — 50 13 — 49 17 — 47 4—13 6—41 3—36 3 — 36 2 — 33 4 — 32 6 — 31