News of The Week

Otago Witness, Issue 1005, 4 March 1871, Page 14

News of The Week

Apples are selling at Napier at Id to l£d per lb.

The establishment of a market is being, agitated at Christohuroh. Winding up is reported to be the order of the day in Auckland. Several of the flax- mills in Canterbury have recommenced operations. - It' is in contemplation to form a cooperative society at Wairarapa. > Oas- works are now in coarse of erection at Q-reymouth. Levuka, Fiji, now boasts of an amateur dramatic club, and the establishment of a theatre also is' contemplated. ' i Fish preserving has bean successfully attempted by Mr Edward Pearoe; of Wangazei, Auckland. "0 ■ ; A lady recently dislooated her jaw while yawning during a sermon in a church, in Ballarab.

The Airedale, according to the Taranaki Herald, was valued at L 9500, and is believed to have been insured for L6OOO.

The Tuapeka Times states that two or three cases of scarlatina, amongst children are reported from Beaumont, Ferry. i A publican of Christchnroh has been' fined L 4 for supplying drink to men previously in the state of intoxication. The assessment of Chrlstchuroh for the current year is estimated at £68,000, being a slight inorease on last year. Mr William Barr announces that he is a oandidate for the representation of the Kai-| korai district in the Provincial Council. King Thakombau, of Fiji, has adopted a novel method of supplying himself with' drink. He has fined a number of his subjects' ;a bottle of ohampagne each. , 1. , . It is said that there were a dozen applicants for the office -of hangman at the later execution of Anthony Noble at Hokitika.; •Work must be scaree 1 in* that? quarter. ' ';l; l j By the new Licensing Ordinance ptsse'd by the Provincial . Council -of . Aaokland,: publioans are prohibited from soiling .drink; to any one except boarders or travellers, [ from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.. or on Sundays.' ' '.

In the New Zealand Gazette of the 18th and 21st mat., six more ofßoials are authorised to frank, free of postage,- letters or packets on the public service. < i The Galatea dredge,' which is at work near Alexandra, has obtained 107 ounces' J of gold for a week's work.' <f The other v - dredges we, also doing very well indeed:' ■„-.--- ■ '

The' Southland! News states that about; L 20,000 fn all has been received in Inverc&rgUl towards liquidating the' liabilities of Southland. ' ' a • ' '" ' . '' ■ ' The Council 6f the Canterbury. AdcliiriatiJ sation Society have voted the Bam of LlO for the purpose of introducing skylarks'- frbjn Nelsoa. 1 . , i ,> j At Turakina, in the province of fellington, is 'a wonderful hen,, which has adopted -four kittens instead of 'chickens, "and is' said to'be> "wild at any I 'attempt jto deprive her of hersingularjcharge." 1„;1 ••■„; ; ,•. /, » a A proposition i« ;at)oufc to.be submitted;. to t the Provincial Council of. iMarjiborjoUgati MarjiborjoUga t! j^9i pass an Ordinance by which the revenue de-j 1 rived' frbm'p'ub]icans''licienses sHalTbe' solely 1 1 devoted'to educational purpbsesv- ! '> 'h; < i>rr { The want V)f' rain is aeverelp felt ia ine 1 ' , Wanganui Theo fphrpfe\cje.. stated that, the pastures .ev^rywjh^re.arp brpipn anoi parched, ' and cattle 'begin to r find it hard %o pickup 1 a s'uecuFeirt ; bitel •"'' J11 ' : J- I " ' J < j '" Raih'fs 1 anbaofasly-lootted for By tW ( v7e'st-[ liridimmersi' 'whose opeirationW , greatly < impeded ,hy-i rave phenom^n^i] on, .the' Wes^Coast^a^long,^;^: weatner. , > • 1 • '■'.^^e' polling fbrtne Southern' 1 Maori' 'ftieci toral Disirict dledtion" has' f resulted' iri ( the : return o£ HbrinEoßnei-Taiarott «f Otßgoii'b^l d WJority % qf,^, x TJala] „ <A. reamsition^tp Mr. ; l)onald. Sfejd, askwg him to offer "himself "as a candidate, for^he rebresentation; ! 6f ; the-' Taieri ' iti' '«»' Pr6yik| cial Council, is being numerously) signed; >.{A thedUt^et.v,. ;.,,(,(„ j '•.-,,, „„;, » -/i"i. ,. | jljiW&b W^tl^i.qonnJiy/Qftu^JV.has (J^e solved to set • aside 26,P00'»aores of land or the Westland Waste Lands Act, 1870.

1 m^M 'ks' i W& ot itim<m&m ii %£t >&%offl pliimce'--mtV ! ferms v ol! f » t reqnaißda s fiftM a nrimber of the" electbrs'.of 'tki l oiviyHam distriofc, he is a candidate for the ref r^fen'tii tion bf the'distriot in the PrOvinciat^o'tinßil. • ;A| Vifsh, .^e'-WatatiM44*M^®l ate ,^itw^3^ff'. ' „ ib? ftJurifiy hftefy fortne^no\v>n^ ones, tne Goi?ernm^nt l^v'edeor^d^/siftTex'^f^re^Bele^ltfoAl^^ .*," ' „ The WJairo^ "correajpoflijleiat ojtj^e, Hav(k^« Bay Herald complains of . the. .dullnessTof tfiings^bere', an<l' Ja)ments tKa]fc r^.B6i J eveii : a Miori' alarm : t caV he'^ found, to.'reheye p^ ,JMr ; ]^eyi»%ck h« been, appointed JJeguj^ Registrar of births, deaths, and murrjagtw,, for- tUie,di«tEiot^iG*briel«^«ad»MisEr«^. Brown Deputy-E«gistrar of .marriages for the district of I ."^ ' l "«'«^

regret to learn that Mr t .E. Menlov& who ti well.known.in'tiis'.ci^ hafr J two^'of aiiribs brokien iafefy b£'a ! f all tryat nis hbrie at W*ikouaiti, -H^ was r oonvoy«d« ill ■% oarriagefto,town oa Monday.- v i. >» . 'tin 52 ■ . The demand for the.Bsy,:oMal»hdßOO»l continues to inorease, and ; the ctVmpajiy working the mines have quite enough to do to keep pace" with' it." " A company nas'alao been formed to work the coal B dbpoßitr"iri'th« Waik*>o. - ■. .. m*' ■ „J •„ .•„' The Her. Samuel -T. Nevill, ., WL.-M Magdalene College, Cambridge,; and Eeotor of Shelton, Staffordshire, .and, who is now resident in Danedin, was, at yesterday's meeting of' the Diocesan' Syhb3, elected' to the See of Dunedin, ■ <'■' '''.-'•' , ; 3 ■ We undoretund that a reqaisition, which hsß already been numerously signed; i» in cou rßer 8e of signature to Mr H. Howorii, aeking him j, to. allow himself to be nominated as a candidate , for the representation of the dify in the Provincial Council. The damage done to jublic property by floods in Victoria during the J year " 1870, is estimated ■ari^^S^'mosfi "orwhich' was caused by.,the;.c«ryingjao«ay of wooden bridges.- Stone bridges stood in nearljr every instance.. j v ">•«.( ,'',--'!'O3J- 'ij; 1 ! us"

The City Council of Wellington seems to be about as impeounious as the Provincial Government. According to the Post, "the rates will not aildw-tKe Corpbratimr'liofe&y for the g&s for a few lamps, " and "it seMia hopeless, to talk of , drainage, or waterworks^" The meteor, mentioned in < a late - Tawuiaki telegram as having been seen there j* £$y days ago, is .^described by, - the Taranaki Herald as having a red and fiery look, and a tail' of some length. Its course was from east to west - • ~ - ~ - Jt -^~ J The Auckland Evening Star publishes a statement made by John Cash before "the committee of .tha t ProvkciaLCoußoil<agt6Jße result of, prospecting for gold on the JjP^st Coast of the North" lsland. It, says he i obtained alluvial prospects of lo?'and 2oz to thedißh.' ! As the Clio did not oall at Hokitika on her way south, the members of the County Council and a few friends " disposed of " the , banquet Jthas_; hid 'bden^ prepared, .f orj'B^s Excellency the Governor, and, ''they '»ilMid ample' "justice to* 'the' spread/ We, don't doubt it. *"' ; '•' The '{guard "of theooabh now runningbe* tween Patea and Taranaki was, the Wellington Independent statVs, "the principal leader "of the attack on * Gene"raT TJame'foh, at Nukamaru; when that officer very nearly sustained a tremendous defeat at the head of a large section of the, British armyf," • It is stated, says a, contemporary, tosfe. a single man in Auckland con five well, if he oan dispense with a horse and gig, for nine shillings a week ; yet,"Btrange to Buy, one of the jpurnala s 1 ates 'that there are fifteen hundfed men in that city who do not know how a mealis to beobtaisied. / >' ( 3 < -V. >***

The good folks of }W«llington were thrown into a state of consternation,, a. f^w nights ■ago, b^' three" guns being 'fired" "about ' Midnight, on board H. M.S. Virago, in rapid succession', others following - : at intervals^ It [turned- oat .to be, 1 not .the .Russians;' bat 'night.practioe." .., ~, „! , .o . „ ...j.^ , At the meeting the City, CpuncjiLon Wednesdayv.a Committee. conßistingof Messrs '.Cspgili/' Walter;; and'Thonemaljf «"*s& Ma^or, Was ap^pomted^o make thV'n^sijsry arrangements for the foception of His feceellency the Governor on his approaching viait to Dunedin. - '■' *>>•[■ c

The Pall Mall Gazette of the 22nd Deoembet tflays several years the officers men, belonging to the various corps at 'Chathami "who were en. gagedj; in., operations in, L ]S[ew Zealand jnithe suppression of the Maori Insurreotion,' have reoeived their New Zealand medals." lIJ Divine Service was 1 held in All SaJnV Church on Tueßday~avenine. The Bishojrof ■Mfep^tae'Ked'an l^sermon >*tefctogsTor?>4»is teWJ&tftf'ivf; Vfcttlj 23. The offertory, whioh was .iiai>.»id col j, the Port Chjjbnerp Chorph;Bc|U^ling Fund, amounted to about £y.

Scarlet fever has broken ont at Port ChalmefW/.vThefii^rto'MVdaiirfWieJiQflGiJlptain Tonkins. The -case-has-been a bad one, but ,lW»'*»< informed that jbh* patient Jsjqojp^Jßßa fair way to Recover !# IMva^fTthe" children of Mr Dugall, beeperofe the Qnar»atin©l«lafid t are also dfill eaff^rito^otn'sCariet^ever.^ j* The Wangsnur Ghroniole' gives <ist)ie <- following caution" to the 1 ptiblib ■.-^♦"We',woujd caution the public 'posting' ii^wspa/p&rs in envelopes,, not -.-to sttek the /stamp-p artly on the envelope • attd»<ptfrtiy> on 3 *th# pSpe"r. Wneii titffy&gffti ;re>W;Enfl^Mp|&^a thi^way^W -fcam letters.' .1 > SbeJßjkamp ?ifflu&iifa-sfcMld. eittfer oo the envelope «r on the paper."

The ecltii^ionSrreieFveß^seC^apsii^KyTEßß Provincial JGw«ri&aenf of i Wellington', afo, stated by tbe Independent • to- >be >. '".not leased nor fenced r .iLaEjasGd-fjor..any~practioal porpoae ; for the, moat part^tbey remain in an unreclaimed etirte.^aiidßo'far as-educa-tion is cpjaceraed, they- ar,e, : for .the praseni} of ao^W^W-"': Vv. vi < ..,-!,:> •< By the last trip of the Lord Ashley, we have addition. io.aur racing stock, vjz :— • Slander ty Traducer/ and Yatterina by _Vat : . tingdon". ' • Both a(ref now quartered at the Com&Vctal"^^^.?" '.They, are the" pro- { pertyl or" Mr 'Wi' Walters of Napier, arid* wilVin aIT probability compete for the Forbury' Park and Tdkqmairiro prizes.' " Arrangements arre' in "progress, the Wajjganni Chronicle' un&eorstands, for an immediate survay of the country :- from Manawatu^tib. Tarana\i;\&r't'H& 'p'urposePor reporting upon" ( a line 'of railway, 'through tho^e dwtr'icta^ej. epectiwely^ • 'Mfr > StewaT^<'%o' ( far l -as' thei Chronicle ■ haa heard, • will: be engineer-in-chief.', >,'.'■■ - > i '< ■' .;-,'> It may npt be generally: known that' there > are Zouaves : in lZSfew Zealand as well as in France^HfThat^tbifris the oase,- however, we, learn from a recent issue of the, New Zealand Gazette, in •which -it is notified,. that Hia Excellency ,the, Governor.^asapcepted the aervices of the*" Egmpnt Zquavcs, Rifle "Volunteers;.'^ , j/ y^' \ .'' ; '."",, „ The Auckland... correspondent of ..the Hawke's Herald, writes, that a queer state of affairs prevails in tJpper .Waikatb.' For r h'iß Maori' Majesty, the " Princess'^Sophia',''- and the' King s council-lors-hare been almost constantly intoxicated on ram; purveyed from Raglan to the Royal precincts; j - • By the coach .whion left for the north on Monday^ morning Mr A. Carrick toot with him brace of Californian quail, which have lately beeu received^ by the Acclimatisation, Society", here, from- j San Francisco. Their destination is Queens, town,, where they will- be handed over to the local society for liberation in the, Wakatip4istrict. Daring the month of '.February there were 73 birthftjegistered in Dunedin. The number of deatb.B registered daring the month was 2o« the excess of births over deaths thus being 48, or at the rate of 192 per oent. The number of marriages registered during tbe same period was , 20. , The figures for the corresponding month of 1876 are as follows : — Birth*, 96 r j deaths, 42 ; marriages, 29. A requisition is in course, of signature, requesting.Mr John Roberts, of the firm of Mesere Murray and Roberta, wool merchants, Dunedin, to stand for the Kaikorai district ■as member r for the Provincial Council. It states that from Mr Roberta's position and mercantile experience, he is Well 'qualified to undertake Legislative duties 1 . Blegou Theodore alias " Billy the French* man", was received into H M.' Gaol. Dunedin, on Sunday evening, ' having been sentenced at Hawk&bury on the 25ch inst-., by Mr J. W. Murdoch, R. M., to six weeks' hard labour, on a charge of indecency \ and to a further ternvof nix weeks' hard labour on a charge- of stealing a quantity of onions,! the property of Mr Reid. Two juvenile delinquents were. brought up at the Mayor's Court on Monday on a charge of robbing "the., .garden of Mr M 'ln tosh at Carisbrqok,. , The offence being proved, the Mayor, who presided, fined them . each fis, and recommended" their fathers to give them a good flogging into the bargain, saying thai he regretted that fie*couTd "not~drSer them to undergo the latter salutary punishment. From Riverton the Southland Times learns that the.miners of Orepuki are makitig.satisfactory progress, it being asserted that they are all, earning good wages. One party has just commenced to form an extensive tailrace, and when it is completed there will be work for at least 150 more, miners; The great complaint with the residents on this goldfield is the miserable road to it, ' The a,.s. Stormbird left Invercargill on Sunday morning's tide for Bligh Sound, in order to 'bring on His Excellency the Governor from the Clio InvercargilL From thence he is to make the journey overland to Danedin. The .Virago sailed on Saturday, at 1 a.m., .from Wellington, .to assist the Clio, , which, after being temporarily repaired, will be brought to Port Chalmers and docked. A correspondent of a n Auckland paper says that he has learned in the course of conversation, with the natives of the Upper Waikato that there are muny Europeans who mnkea profitable trade' out of selling arms and' ammunition tolthe natives — powder, 10s per \ft", caps, '5s "per box ; L2O for a doublebarrel gun ; and L 6 fora rifle.' The correspondent affirms that the traffic ,is extensive, and' well known to all the Maoris. Thomas , Whiter seaman, Pott Chalmers, was "received into the gaol on Monday, having been "sentenced "at Port Chalmers on the' 25th ult., by Captain Thomson, J.P., to two months', imprisonment with hard labour, in default 6f a penalty of LlO 6s 6d, including costs,/ ori'the information of .Captain Brown, of the ship Christian ;M^Außland; for h'avihg on the/ 23rd Jan.' enticed twelve artioled. seW men to desert from the said. shi£>, contrary to' the form of 'theqjfc&twta, ' " The -Press^ in commenting. on the reported repudiation of the San. Francisco, mail contract, remarks :— :" It iasaid that, before Mr VegeUsf.fc ,Wellin|<ipn,rhe | engaged a .steamer. to ran, to. the'F^jui in connection with Mr Hall's new line. Jf this'iS tie casef-W Lytte^il *Tlme* v will "^jnaiy 1 "inform" 1 m' whether' it is so br.not-ho*couli'not have' given "it clearefproot tb*t he looted hi*-

agreement with' Mr Neilson'to come to no--fchiig." . TJVe learn from the Cromwell Argua that the' Chinese throughout the goldfields celebrated the advent of their New Year with the usual feastings and rejoicings. Large numbers of fowls, ducks, geese, and pigs, besides unlimited quantities of rice, flour, ale and •pjorter, brandy, &c, &c. M were consumed on this festive occasion;, and there was a genera I cessation of. work among the Chinese miners pn Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

„ We have been told of an amusing incident in connection' with, the voting in the recent , .election fpr £he,superintendency in one of the country districts. An elector, who appenred . ,to think no doubt that the.people's choice on j .that occasion, lay between two evils, invalidated his ballot paper, by striking out the l nameS(O.f both candidates, and writing below 1 r tlie' words, " Arcades avibo." 2fo Returning 1 Officer, we may state, has furniahed us with tMa piece of information. . i A correspondent of "the' San Francisco ' News of the" World 1 ' suggests that Yankee ingenuity may be able to solve the prot>l<m 'of flax-dressing to a profit. He Bays :—": — " A few Bamples of green flax sent over here by each steamer for' experimental purposes, might result in the discovery of the much . needed machine. It would also be well to send any pamphlet treating on flax-dressing, which can be had. Explicit information should also be given as to what is desired to be accomplished." , The dates for four of the Provincial Council elections are announced by the Returning Officer, Mr John Burnside. |For Dunedin the nomination will take pi cc on the 7th, and the poll on the, 13th March, For North Harbour the nomination will lake place on the 9th, and the poll. on the 17th March. For Waikari the nominations will take place on the 11th, and the poll on tbe 20th March. And for Caversham, the nomination will take place on the 22nd, and the poll on the 27 th . March. Mr J. T. Thomson's model of a machine for utilising the currents of rivers to the purpose of raising water on the river banks, in order to carry on sluicing, supply towns, and provide mill power, was tried at the Water of Leith on Saturday, in the presence of members of the Qtago Institute, and worked well. A full description of the system upon whioh the model is onetraoted, together with, other particulars, iB given in Mr Thomson's paper, which appears elsewhere.

At a meeting of the Canterbury Aoolimu. tisation Booiety, held on Friday last, the Curator staged that the poaching of rabbits and pheasants had been go.ng on for several years. At the same meeting the following resolution .was carried unanimously :— '•That the Secretary be instructed to write to the Secretary of the Otago Acclimatisation Society to ascertain whether they were willing to dispose of any of their birds by the Warrior Queen, and if so, at what price.". ,

A good deal of disiatitf action has been expressed that the telegraphic summaries of th 6 news brought by the Suez mail BaonM be almost entirely a repetition of the news received ria S*n Francisco. The explanation isaimple: the City of Melbourne could not hhve reached Sydney with the San Franciso mail until some 36 hours affor the Rangitoio left Melbourne with the Suez mail, consequently the telegraphic aaents in Melboflrne were unaware of what news had been brought by the former mail. The nomiriatjoiiß for the various handicaps to be run at the race mooting which ie to be held in Forbury Park on the 23rd and 24fcb. instant were made at the Empire Hotel o i Wednesday last, and the nominations being more numerous than on any former occasion gives reason to hope that the races will be the most successful Dunedin meeting that has been held. The 23rd, being the anniversary of the province, will be a public holiday, and it is more than probable that the Governor will honour the races with his presence, As a means of keeping down thistles, a correspondent of the Australasian sugi^esta the, introduction of large numbers of small birds, B«>ch as goldfinches and linnets, into the colonies. These birdß, he says, keep the thistleiu cbeok in Great Britain, by living almost exclusively on its seed, so that in some parts of th,o country they arc oa,'!ed thistle finchi'S. Wo may mention in this connection tha,t the shipment of birds, deBpatched by the Warrior Queen for the Qtago Acclimatisation Society, includes 61 goldfinches, as well as some linnets. A meeting of the friends and supporters of Mr Donald Reid was held on Saturday evening, some seventy or eighty gentlemen being present. After discussion, it waß unanimously resolved — "That steps should be taken to raise a testimonial to that gentleman in recognition of the valuable services he has rendered the province) 1 and also for' the spirited manner in which he has contested! -the late 1 election for' Superintendent in tljie inijereftabf the people 'of O£ago." A subcommittee was formed, to, oarr^ oat the" |above 'resolatlon, "and. tne meeting adjourned . 1 The usual weekly meeting of the Dunedin Catholio Young Men's Association was held on Wednesday. The, Rev. D. Moreau, the President of the; Association, was in the chair. His Lordship, the Bishop was present, and delivered a. very eloquent and instructive ad r4r 4 dress,, expressing-the pleasure he, felt in being present! among thatp, and, assured them of hist taaityj'? co-operation.;* He «lao gave a bis'labours in don-, •ntedtlifin iwijft jjimilar BOoiefcies at home. At •^ olott..Qf tho B»^»4dw«« r -whi^^(|fl A

attentively listened to, a special vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

f'Mr Branigan," says an Auckland correSpondent of a Northern paper, "is sufficiently recovered to realise his Bad condition, and everyone seems to feel for his misfoitune. Now it is nnderstoo > how some peculiarities that made him unpopular were, perhaps, owing to tbe gradual approach of a fearful malady. Every care is being taken for his comfort by express orders of the Detencu Minister, who, I hear, first apprehended the true state of affairs, and took measures accordingly some days before the arrest was found indispensable."

At last the Auckland papers have had the honesty to admit that a scrip mania did at one time rage at the Thames. Referring to the late rich yields of the Caledonian Co. 's claim, the Southern Cross says :— '* We should exceedingly regret if the events that are now passing at the Thames should be the means of reproducing anything like the wild stampede of the past. The city and province have suffered in all their interests from the mania that almost took the place of reason when the richness of the Thames first beoame known."

A feat in the building line of true Yankee smartness was performed at Half Ounce Gully, in the West Coast, a few days ago. The Grey River Argus says : — "Cavioha vioh'a Hotel, which is a weather-boarded building with a shingled roof, 25ft wide by 35ft in length, was taken from its Bite in the lower township and rebuilt and opened for business at the upper town, some distance away, in six hours. The roof was sawn into sections, and the frame, piles and all, were carried away bodily, by a number of volunteers, who made Bhort work of the removal."

The following is the calendar of prisoners for trial at the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court, Dunedin, commencing on Monday next, the 6th inst., before His Honour Mr Justice Chapman : — William Day — Burglary at Blueskin. George Murdoch— Assault and robbery with violence on the Port Chalmers .Road.

George O'Brien — Stealing from the person at Papakaio. John Rusßell — Obtaining money and goods by false pretences at Clyde. Charles Hare (on bail)— Perjury at Cromwell,

A meeting of the eleotors in the And r son's Bay district was held on Wednesday, *i tke SohooJhoußo. There were about sixty persons present. Mr Braid waa called to the chair, and introduced Mr Tolmie, who gave his vi«ws on the polit-c»l matters principally afteoting the province. At the close of hiahdiress Mr J Muir moved, and Mr Thorn s Brown seconded, " Teat Mr W, A. Tolmie ie a fit and proper person to represent 'he Otago Peninsula district in. the ProvinciiJ Counoil." On a 6bow of hands being taken, the resolution was canied without a single dissentient.

A decidedly cool proposal waa made in the Westlaod C>uaty C uinoil a few oaya ago. The Oounoil having decided to set apart the sum of L2OO "to be paid to the country members, for expenses incurred in attending the session," toe question arose as to howic was to be apportioned. Mr O'Connor, the member for Paroa. thereupon moved that it should be divided between himself and the members for Greymouth, Ok<*rito. and Arahura. The Coui;ol, however, <iid not grant this modest n qut- st, but resolved to leave it to the Chairman to apportion the money at his discretion.

We observe in the yard of Mr Mnnro, sculptor, George street, near the Octagon, an ornamental vase of Oamaru stone, executed by him. The vase proper, supported on a foliated base, is fluted with an enriched band round the top. On its four sides are grotesque beads, from whioh hang festoons consisting of flowers, fruit, &c, beautifully cut. The top 1 portion iB moveable, and when removed, the vase becomes suitable for flowers. It is well adapted for the ornamentation of gardens, terraces, &c. The deBiga ot the vase is, we belipve, by Mr David Rosa, architect.

John. Murray, seaman, was on Wednesday received into H.M. Gaol, Danedin, having been sentenced at Mwitzers, on the 2 1st February, by Mr "Wood, R.M., to six months 1 imprisonment with hard labour, on a charge of stea'ing a waterproof coat, a pair of cord trousers, two saddle straps, and a crupper, valued at L 4He was also sentenced to a further term of six months' imprisonment, with hard labour, on a clwga of stealing one half-crown, one shilling, and two sixpences, the property of Messrs Skeue., storekeepers ; the senten^oi^ to be cumulative.

The othes?. afternoon, as, a boy named John Wilsipn was. passipg through sewn© bush between Cargill street and Y.ork Plftoe, he noticed s.ome calces of tobacco under a tree, and. on sQranjng away some leaves, he discovered a larjje* quantity. On Bailiff Goodman being informed of the circumstance, he proceeded "to the spot and secured the tobacco, whioh was mouldy and wet. Thia. is no doubt the same tobacco as, that stolen from Messrs Hogg and Hutton's about three months ago, and for whjeh'tbe thieves are now lodged in the^Dnnedin'Gaol, as they would give no information as to its whereabouts.

A^ largely.attended meeting waa held in the school-room of St. Joseph's Church on Thursday week, for the purpose of raising funds to provide a dwelling place and sohoolbuildings for the nuns who have recently ar-i rived 9 , and of,, securing , additional Qhuroa «o; commpdation,. The Right Bey. Dr Mown, the Bj*hoD t of, tfce Se^ Vf« voted to tbe

Chair. Resolutions pledging the meetmg-to-rajse the necessary funds .to sepure the-obv, jects named were carried, and a Committed consisting of twelve laymen and five ojergy- .< men appointed. Subscriptions to the extent of more than L4OO were promised, of which about Ll6O were paid in the room.

The annual general meeting of the members of the Obaeo Provident Society was' - he)d in Farley's Buildings, on Monday evening, the President in the chair. The Committee's Report for tbe past year, j>nd the 4 ' Treasurer's balance-sheets, were read and adopted. On the motion of the Secretary,' alterations made in the' apportionment of the • various fnnds of the quarterly subscriptions were agreed to ; as also were other alter*- 1 * tions in the Rules. It was resolved ta issue prospectuses setting forth the benefits to be derived by members of the Society. After the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year, the meeting adjourned.

Then was a considerable assemblage of persoHMtt the steamboat jetty on Monday to witneßß>she arrival of Mr Bills and his feathered charges. The birds appear to be in • excellent condition, and in none of the' pr«» '. vjous shipments were there such a proportion ' of birds rendy for immediate liberation. > With the exception of some of the blackbirds ' and thrusheß, all the birds, we understand, will be turned out within the next few d&yi. Two ohamnohen, two redpoles, and -a ■ sky- -. lark have been lost since the Warrior Queen' arrived at the Heads. The red deer, whioh • consist of 2 stags and 7 hinds, have been placed at Mr Hcott's stables, prior to their departure to the country.

The Rev. A. Blake, Missionary to fche r r Maoris at the Heads. Moeraki, and Waibon*-, aiti, attended at the Gaol on Sunday mornings and afternoon, and .performed Divine servicein the Maori language to the Maori prisoners'. ' The sermons were appropriate to the occa* sion, and were listened to with the greatest attention. The reverend gentleman also visited the sick prisoners in the Hospital;' and held Divine service there. The Rev. ~ Father Moreau alßo attended and performed Divine service in the Maori language to Ibj ' Roman Catholic Maori prisoners. We may ' st»te that the reverend gentleman attend! every Sunday and holy-day, and celebrates Divine service m the Maori language to the Roman Catholic Maori prisoners.

Several coses of aoarlat fever have ocoorred in Inveroargill, the infeotion being, supposed to have been brought from Danedin in the lusgage of a passenger by the ship Robert H-nderson. Referring to this the Southland Nowb sys :— lc will be well if the fesra of, the community arouse it to a sense of the daoger arising from the inefficient state of. . the drainage system of the town. In some parts of the most frequented streets the effluvium after nightfall is something horrible, apd must predispose to infection those who are constantly inhaling it, The free iwe of oa'bolio aoid is recommended in those oases in which the more effectual remedy of thorough drainage oaonob at once h& had. recourse to.

Our Macraes correspondent writes >-.« A, meeting waa held here oo tbe 23fd itai. to ■ take into consideration a priptaA paper of * questions tranamitted to. % swra&eeper by • Mr Robinson, Warden at Nswby, who w* civad it fiom Mr Haughtois, who is, I infer. Chairman of tha Committee who hays •- drawa up the question. These questions • relate almoat eoleiy to sluioing diatriots*,, and to the practicable means of augmenting:' s isatur&land artificial supplies of water ,on» <■ the goldfields. There was a good; atten- - danoe, and Mr M. W. Stack- having beew voted to the chair, explained the Pffbßd Works Act, and read the question, A conversational debate ensued, and resulted 1n,,--the appointment of a Committee, with power" to discuss the question and report on the .. 2Stkult- to another public meeting." ; The following gentlemen will probably bo.- * candidates for the representation of Dunedha in the Provincial Council at tbe forthcojaanb ' election :— Messrs E. B. Careill, Jlnhn."' Bathgate, J. H. Harris, W. C. Yeans," Hv. "f Howorbh, J. Smith, G. Tur&bull, Bl " i. Haggitt, J. Mlndoe, Ji. Millar,, " F.S.A., H. Smythiea, J. Si-bald, WJ H. Reynolds, W. B. Cp,tten, G. Dtraoanv C. S. Keeves, H. S. F-ish, jun., and W. Jago— lß in all for the 7 seats vacaut; fc Mr • J. L Gillies aod Ji. E. Brown, in compliance with requisitions, have consented to stand for MiUon, Mr W. A. Murray offers himself ' to, the electors of South Tokomairiro and *M«tau, and Captain M'Kenzie to the M*Itaura eleotoia. Mr George Riohardsoiv an reply ta» yeqaisition asking him to com*for(ward fo» datha, declines the honour on the. I ground that oiroumstanceß do nob nermit ofi 'his accepting it. When speaking of the Saperintendeacy election, a few days »go, we said that. - Mr Maoandrew "itaa to thank re-uoioai ' with Southlmd for his present position^ as had the, provinces remained separate his oppoa.int, Mr Reid, wonld have headed him, by more than a hundred votes."' . The* v of our remarks is abundantly proved! - by the official returns bow published.. Im, Otago, Mr Maeandrew obtained 2648>votm> and Mr Reid 2785, or 140 more than Mr Maeandrew ; while in Southlands the latter obtained 607 votes, and Mr Reid 185. Th we . figures wouldi give Mb Maeandrew a gross ? majority in, the united province of 282, but i from. them, must be dednot«d the informal;. ... votes, xegazdiog the distribution of which vt*--, are not informed, and whioh increase. MrMdoaidrw's majority to 292. •.. » „„ Onr'RiTerton oorretponiieiiti wr!tt» wiSdte*- '* J d»te February 25fc!i m foUoWV r—"" Wi* tV bwvMt Ijm aow bocooao ge»6x»Ji. The to*,-

ther during the past week, Tuesday exeepted, has been favourable for the ingathering of the crops, and it is to be hoped that it will ooutinne so until they are all secured. The news of Mr Macandrew's re- election to the effioe of Superintendent caused quite a itir in this little town, where, judging from the returns, be seems to ■ be very popular. Friday next, the 3rd March, is the day appointed for the nomination of candidates for the representation of Riverton in the Provincial Council. Mr T. Daniels, who formerly represented Riverton, and subsequently the district of Longwood, in the Southland Council, has received a requisition signed by upwards of 100 of the electors, asking him to allow himself to be put in nomination for the two-dis-triote named, whioh are now united. Mr M*Gillivray has also received a similar requisition, signed by a few of the electors, but there is little reason to anticipate that he will be returned."

We understand that criminal proceedings have been instituted by Mr G. B. Barton •gainst Mr Lemon, the General Manager of the Telegraph Department, for a breach of the 16th section of the Eleotrio Telegraph Act, 1865, in furnishing the Bon. Mr Gisborae on the 22nd April last with a copy of a telegram, tent to the Otago Daily Tunes by its spuoial reporters at Timaru, containing a report of an address de,'ivered by* the Hon. Mr Stafford. Mr 3uborne has been subpoenaed as a witjets. The clause of the Electric Telegraph £ot referred to states that any person employed in the working of the telegraph line, .ho shall improperly divulge the contents of ny menage, shall, on conviction thereof, be table to a penalty not exceeding one hundred or to be imprisoned with hard labour for any period not exceeding six months.

At the last meeting of the Southland Acolimatiiation Society, we learn from the News, Mr Butts introduced the subject of the cultivation of lint. Having given the subject considerable thought, and being conversant With it, he was fully of opinion that it was one of the best crops a farmer could grow—being specially adapted for new •oil and the laying down of permanent grasses. The great extent to whioh the plant was sow cultivated in South Australia was referred to as an evidence of its safety as a crop, and value as an export ; and it was urged, with reason, that the soil and climate of Southland were much more congenial to Ita habits than those of Australia. It was daoided to import a barrel of Riga seed, of the very best quality, and to dispose of it to any of the fanners who might wish to try its eultiratlon.

Th* candidates who are already announced to be coming forward for the Provincial Council elections are as follows :— Mr G. M'Lean, for Blueskin j Mr W. A. Tolmie and Mr D. Boss, for Peninsula ; Mr W. Martin, for Green Island and Kaikorai ; Mr E. M'G-lashan, for North Harbour; Mr JEL Smythies, for Dunedin ; Mr J. L. Gillies, for Tokomairiro; Mr A. Molllson, for Waiholaj Mr D. H. Mervyn, Mr C. F. Roberts, and Mr O'Loughlan, lor Mount Ida ; the Hon. John M'Lean, for the Town of Oamarn ; Mr D. Hatoheson, and Dr Webster, for Oamarn Country ; Mr W. Mason, Mr T. Eedmayne, and Mr W. Muroott, for Moerahi ; Mr John Douglas, and Mr J. M'Kenzie, for Wainemo; Mr W. A. Murray, and (probably) Mr H. Clark, for Matau. It is also reported that Mr George Richardson will come forward for the Clutna.

A concert, nnder the patronage of the Masonic and Friendly societies, and for a "bene-wlent purpose, was given at the Masoafo Ball the other evening. Th ire was a aood attendance. Of the songs, "The Slave Ship," and " The Red Cross Banner," atng by Mr Benjamin, were, together with their respective encores, well rendered, and were loudly applauded. This gent leman has a good voice, and the additional merit— scarce among amateurs — of a distinct enunciation. Miss Webb gave a song which was well received, and being recalled, sang another in excellent style. The duet, " What are the wild waves saying," by Mies Waterhonse and Mr Joseph also met with an encore. Master Harper and Miss Harper gave a recitation in » manner highly creditable to them, and were called on to repeat it. There were dances by Messrs Burgees. Hannigan, And JEfoigh, who were each culled upon a iiVWd time an unreasonable audience. Com«j ft'QPgs and Negro delineations as usual teok well. Mr Sykes, who acred as pinaiet played an overture and a solo in brilliant etyle, receiving id" t&e latter an encore.

The •cwweoration of the handsome new Roman Catholic Chapel, lately erected at; East Taieri, to.ilk place on Saturday. There j were about 300 persons present. * g°°d m«ny «f whom htd-como fwuu Dunedin, »:*d others from Tnkoraairiro, West Taieri, ana Kiwi Bath. The ceremony was .performed by th# Right Her. Dr. Moren, Biehctp at the Dio•ooae, assisted by the Rev. 'Father tQoleman *p& the iHev. Father Maloney, who a»ng Itighisau, hfierwhich the Bishop preßobed » an Mapreerive twmon on the holy sacrifice off the new law. He waa U«tened to with marked Attention throughout. He congratulated the people on the handsome new ohapelthey had erected, and whioh be bad mow opened, and' trusted they might long fee able to meet' together and support one another in 'he good! work. He also added that he was greatly! •leased to be able to state that they were| ikftt day free from debt. The choir aangj Uteveutl pieces with great effect during the «roce#bgi. Tho congregation deserve great '• credit for the neatness of the chapel and its *pp4atoneat«, a* well w for tfce efforts tfcey %tw «wde to fcftvo it oiew of all debt,

I Mr Warbrick, the contractor for the mail between the Thames and Tauranga. took ome Maori ladies, relativss of Mere Kara, the renowned Amazon, the other day to see the Post and Telegraph Offices at Grahamstown. At the Telegraph Office, we learn from the Southern Cross, "theirastonishment reached a climax. One of the distinguished ladies was good enough to express to Mr Bull, through the medium iof Mr Warbrick, who officiated as interpreter on the occasion, her entire satisfaction with the • talking wire.' She said she had been led to believe that powder and guns were actually being sent along the wire by some mysterious process which rendered them invisible to Maori eyes, and that generally the telegraph was an infernal machine of the Pakeha devoted to witchcraft and devilry. She was, she said, delighted beyond measure that this was not true, that the apparatus waß perfectly harmless, that the telegraphist was not a man with horns and cloven feet, and that the wires were made to talk by simply rattling two little knobs."

Writing of the cental system, the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald Ba y S • — "It is evident that more troable'wiil be encountered than was anticipated in the introduction of the cental system in the grain and flour trade. Private transactions are taking place to a considerable extent under the new system, but the auofcions have proved a serious difficulty . Bidders are familiar with the old denomination, and will not take the trouble to calculate the difference between a cental and a bushel Hence the auctioneers have found that so much time was lost in answering questions, and such like interruptions, that they have had to revert to the bnsheL Something more will have to be done to familiarise the public mind with the cental, but as it is feared that while the quotations are given in bushels the dealers will not take the trouble to calculate the prices per cental, it has been suggested by the Chamber, of Commerce that the journals should give their quotations. This, it ib thought, would effectually establish the system quickly, as it is only to necessitate for a short time a little trouble on the part of the trade in con. suiting their tables, and very soon the tables would be discarded and the dealer would reckon only in centals." The quarterly meeting of the Ofcago Yacht Club was held in the Athenaeum on^Wednesday. The Commodore, Mr C. H. Street, occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. It having been found that the present code of rules was not satisfactory, it was resolved that a new oode be drawn up, and the Sailing Committee was instructed to attend to this during the winter. Several new members were elected, and the resignation of several members, principally gentlemen leavingthe province, wereaccepted. Considerable conversation took place on the subject of the formation of a rowing club in connection with the Club, and the Sailing Committee was requested to provide for it in the new code of rules. The inconvenience resulting from starting the races from buoys was considered, and it was resolved to adopt the "flying start," which is the method now almost universally in vogue amongst English clubs. The fouling consequent upon starting a number of yachts in a close line is by means of this start avoided.

Court Robin Hood, Port Chalmers, No. 3991, of the Ancient Order of Foresters, have only one anniversary in four years, having been inaugurated on the 29th of February, in leap ye*r. On Tuesday evening, however, several members and their friends, to the number of 41, assembled in Mr Denoh's large room at the Port to celebrate the inauguration on the last day of February. A liberal and tastefully gotup supper was sat down to at about half -past nine, ample justice being done to the good things provided. The C.R. C. Williams, who was supported on his right *>y the D.C R. F. G. Wilson, imd on the left by S.D.C.R. J.Wilson, proposed the nßual loyaL toasts, as abo the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, which was responded to by Bro. Robertson. S. D. 0. R. Wilson then proposed the toast of the evening — "Court Robin Hood." After euloguring the working of the Court, he said that it was second to none in the province. The C.R. replied ; and tho Secretary. W. Peacock, read a statement of the funds, showing that the total worth of the Court was L 355 14a 4a. j The toaet o£ " Friendly Societies" was next proposed, and was responded to by Bro. Robertson. "The Province of Otago and the Superintendent" being proposed and responded to, Bro. Fail proposed "The; District Officers." D.C.R, Wilson, in replying, said there were upwards of 800 Foresters now enrolled in Otago, and congratulated the Court Robin Hood on the fwt that there was no other Court in the Province equal to it. He believed th»t all the other Courts were in a healthy condition, and maintained that if the male population would join our friendly societies, the fanotiona of our Benevolent Institution would be greatly lessened. Although some wetrfc branches had broken off, it did not iniure the parent stem, which was still prospious, "ike Ladies," "The Press," "The Host and Hostess/ were each proposed and acknowledged. Thetpfots were interspersed with a number of songs, wMoh added considerably to the enjoyment of Ijhe eyemng. We h*»d an opportunity of seeing, aday or two since, at the brass foundry and popper factory of Mews A. and T. Burt, »«P^] of win" still, manufactured bythera .for the New Zealand Diitaiery. **? » lt « »i«fele*t form is well ***** _*jw, *°*«v«« v «f •

pistorius — used mostly in Germany for the production of fine spirit used for rectifying and in the arts. It will at a single running convert a spirit 70 per cent, under proof into one 65 per cent, over proof, and will make about 200 gallons per day. Spirits of wine was the name given to alcohol, from the fact of its having been first distilled from wine. It is the essential ingradient of all spirits, and is first produced by fermentation and the decomposition of BURar. The object of passing the decomposed mixture through the still is merely to separate the spirits from other substances, and this is easily effected through the tendency whioh alcohol has to boil at a lower temperature than water. Alcohol boils at 173, while a heat of 212 is required to vaporise water. But the ordinary still leaves a large proportion in the aloohoL This water will, to a great extent, be extracted by the new still manufactured by Messrs Burt, and our market will be supplied with a home produotion eqnal to the best imported. The weak spirit to be operated upon, is placed in a central boiler (No. 3) heated by the direct action of fire. It passes in a state of vapour to No. 1, in which there is a steam coil. It is then carried through a series of vesse's to the rectifying pans and back again, when it is finally condensed. The whole of this apparatus, whioh costs upwards of L2OO, is of copper, and the work, mtmsbip is very superior. We are Matured hy Mr M'Gregor, the distiller, under whose direction we believe it was manufactured, that is is tho finest piece of copper work he has ever seen- fully equal in all respects to the best work executed in the first factories at home. As far as we can learn, there is not another still of the kind in the colonies. The distillery in Cumberland street will be well worthy of a visit, if it is only to see this beautiful piece of apparatus.