News of the week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 26 August 1871, Page 15

News of the week.

Nearly threo inchea of .rain fell in seven hours at Nelson lately. It is proposed to initiate an efficient system of drainage in the city of Auckland. At Queenstown building operations are going on with great vigour. An unusually large number of joint-stock companies have been registered in Auckland recently. A frost fish, 13ft. <>in. in length, and having a maximum breadth of 14 inches, was found on the beach at Kaiapoi the other day. j The Permiasivu Bill agitation has extended to Invercargill, where a petition in favour of the jjassing of such a measure is being signed. The road-steamer imported by the Auckland Government appears to have astonished the Maoris, who declared that it was "Taipo's (Satan's) father." The tender of Messes M'Looil and Co., for the carrying out. of what is known as the " Clutha contract," on the Clutha end of the Southern Trunk Railway, has been accepted. Messrs Bathgate and Reid, M.H.Ji.'s, and Mr Hislop, Inspector of Schools, were passengers by the Gothenburg on Sunday for Wellington. The foundation stone of a new Oddfellows' Hall was laid at Christehuroh on Saturday week. The site of the building is in Liclitield street.

The timber trade of Hokitika is assuming large proportions. On one day lately vessels sailed from that port for Lytteltou, Dunedin, and Nelson, whose aggregate cargo amounted to 200,000 ft. of sawn timber.

Foot-rot has made its appearance among the sheep in Taranaki. In Hawke's Bay some experiments are to be made with the view of ascertaining whether this disease is contagious.

The early closing movement has been inaugurated at Port Chalmers. Tt has been announced that all the respectable shops will close at 7 o'clock, and will do so every day in future, Saturdays excepted.

Alexander Finlay M'lvenzie, butcher, committed for trial at the ensuing sessions of the Supreme Court, by Mr Wood, R.M., charged Avith cattle stealing at Tapanui, was received into the gaol on Wednesday, escorted by Constable 0' Donnell.

The Australasian says that '" in New Zealand the manufacturers of ploughs appear to be along way ahead of their fellows.' 1 This eulogium is bestowed in connection with the four-furrow plough recently manufactured at Oamaru.

The forests of Victoria annually furnish timber to the value of half a million sterling for mining purposes, alone. In a very few years, it is said, unless the forests are efficiently protected, there will be left no timber large enough for such purposes.

Mr James Bridge, of Queenstown, has shown the local paper a magnificent piece of quartz, studded with gold, which, he alleges, he discovered on a recent visit up-country. He declines, however, to indicate the part of country lie found the specimen in.

Referring to Mr Dillon Bell's election to the Speakership, the Southland News says that Mr Bell, " during his canvass for the Representation of Oteramika district, was taxed with having an eye to the Speakership. His reply was characteristic- ' hadn't the slightest idea of ifc. J "

We have been informed that Corporal Christie, of East Taieri, has taken up the open challenge lately given by Mr Walker, of the Thames Rifle Volunteers, for any sum up to £250 that Mr Walker likes to name, the event to come off in Dunedin. Information to this effect was sent to Mr Walker.

The Rev. Mr Reid, Weslej'an Minister, attended at the Gaol on Sunday afternoon, an d celebrated Divine service in the Maori language to the Protestant Maori prisoners. The Roman Catholic and Protestant Chaplains also attended as usual, and conducted their respective services.

A man named Thomas Carney, whilst at work on a farm at Oamaru a few <Lvys ago, was attackeil in a savage manner by a boar kept on the premise?. The animal inflicted a wound on the outer part <>f the thigh. Carney wa* afterwards admitted into the Dunedin Hospital, anil is now doing well.

The Rev. .1". M'Cosh Smith, M.A., D.D., has received a very cordial call to the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church of Naseby. It is understood that Mr Smith has indicated his readiness to accept it. During the three monthb of his residence at Naseby he has commended, himself by his diligence to the people of the town and neighbourhood.

Scarcity of water, says the Mount Ida Chronicle, is still the cry throughout this part of this district. Though there have been during the past week many indications of rain, tlie clouds have invariably disappeared without distharging the supply of water so essential to the welfare anil prosperity of the district.

The European Mail has the following :—: — "Mr Dicker has suggested th.it all Australian sound, substantial, dividend - paying quartz companies should have a register in London. It could be easily managed, and there can be no doubt whatever it would benefit largely all companies which acted upon that suggestion, and would pave the way besides to the steady How of capital towards the mjn.es of. Victoria and New £ealaud,"

A social gathering of the passengers by the William Davie, from Glasgow, took place at the Sussex Hotel on Wednesday. Mr Henderson Carrick occupied the chair. There were nearly 60 tirst, second, and third class passengers, including many females, present. A watch was presented to Mrßannatync, the^jirst officer of the ship, and another to Mr Porter, the second oih'cer.

Matters in connection with the Chinese question appear to lie coining to a head in the Wakatip district. Indeed, if our Queenstown telegram is to be believed, a ' ' scrimmage" between the miners and the "heathen" is not unlikely. "Money is forthcoming freely," "the organisation is proceeding rapidly," and excitement prevails ; the crusade is about to begin.

Thomas Parsons, a groom, formerly in the employ of Chaplin and Co., at Pigroot, applied for a certificate of discharge at the sitting of the Supreme Court, in .Bankruptcy, on Monday. A Mis& Catherine Duncan was the principal opposing creditor. The bankrupt's certificate- was .suspended for six months. Additional evidence was taken in Caleutt and Another r. Campbell and Others.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Waikari district in the Provincial Council, in the place of Mr Driver, resigned, took place at the K.ukorai drill shed on Tuesday. Messrs J. Maeassey, G. Hepburn, and H. Howorth were proposed. The nomination of the latter gentleman lapsed through want of a seconder. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

A coloured man named Joseph Hill, residing at Upper West Harbour, died very suddenly at about b" yesterday morning. He had not been very well Lately, and only left the Hospit il some three weeks ago. It is believed that death was caused by the bursting of a blood- vessel. He leaves a wife and two children in a destitute condition. Deceased bore the character of an honest and hard-working man.

The Arrow Advocate says : — "Mr Vincent Pyke, the well-known Warden and Resident Magistrate of the Dunstan District, has, we understand, sent in his resignation to the Government. We believe he has been induced to take this step because recently his salary has been reduced by the Provincial Government. Mr Pyke is one of the ablest and most respected officials on the goldtields. "'

The Rev, James Maxwell, who has come over from Sydney to undertake the pastoral charge of the Congregational Church at Port Chalmers, arrived by the Gothenburg last Aveek. We understand that the Rev. Mr Roseliy, of Sydney, has accepted the call recently fon\arcled him from the Congrega: tional Church, Moray Place, and that he is expected to leave Sydney for Dunedin in a few weeks.

A rather singular defence was set up yesterday in the Mayor's Court by counsel for Mr James Muir, who was charged with having allowed a dead horse, his property, to remain in a lane off Alva street. Counsel urged that as the animal, which had been buried, was found under, and not on the surface of the ground, the defendant was not liable. In spite, however, of this attempt to evade the clutches of Inspector Nimon, the defendant was fined 5s and costs.

Messrs Dalgety, Nichols, and Co. have received a telegram from their L widon agents, dated Sth July, which fully confirms the report mentioned in our recent telegrams rid Suez, that a marked rise in the price of wool had taken place. The telegram says, '"Wool advanced 2d per lb on all sorts on May rates."' The prices given for special brands were also quoted, showing an advance on greasy wool of 3UI to 4d per lb on the prices realised f&r the same clips last season.

On Saturday we witnessed the taking up of a prisoner to the Port Chalmers gaol for being drunk and disorderly. One sergeant and two constables were employed in this dntj, and the three, in the absence of a wheelbarrow, had as much as they could do in conducting the prisoner to the lock-up, situated as it is on a hill. Other ground more convenient could be obtained for a proper gaol. If the present were sold the proceeds would build a substantial stone edifice on Government ground, close to the jetty.

The spots on the Sun mentioned in our Thursday's issue, as observed through MiLake's telescope, with a power of (500, have advanced considerably farther on the disc, and are consequently seen much more directly ; they are now looked into, as it were, having previously been seen sideways. As seen yesterday, with a power of 750, they appear much more spread out, and cover a considerable portion of the luminous surface. It is not often that such a large group of spots is seen on the Sun at one time.

In another column we publish the petition got up by the Arrow District Miners' Association against the further influx of Chinese into the province. A letter on the same subject, by Mr James Miller, the President of the Association, appears in the Arrow Observer. It contains the following startling passage :—": — " We are freemen — they are slaves ! We are Christians —they are heathens ! ! We are Britons -they are Mongolians !!!'" It would appear from this that Mr Miller thinks it a greater thing to be a Briton than to be a Christian.

The correspondent of a Southern paper writes from Auckland as follows : — "Patuone is dying. This chief is said to be at least 114 years of age, and well remembered Captain Cook. Patuone was related to Heke, the rebel Bay of Islands chief. He was also a wear connection, of X&ujati Wafca Kene,

Heke's conqueror. For some time past the aged 'rangatira' has lived at Lake Takapuna, across Auckland harbour. He was very infirm, by reason of his many years, and seldom tame to town. Patuone was kindly disposed to Europeans."'

Intelligence has been received from Wellington that a Bill is to bo introduced into the Assembly to legalise marriage with a deceased wife's sister. It is to be hoped that ample time will be given to enable the country to express its mind on a change so fundanient.il, and which reaches to the hearts of its families. Year by year for more than twenty years has a compact party in the British Parliament contended for this object, but without success. In South Australia a measure was passed with this object but was disallowed by the Privy Council.

The Bruce Herald has the following :—: — " The pmspeetois of the Ocean View Reef at Table Hill, reported in our last, have sunk a shaft 45 feet in depth, and come on n, reef about 3\ feet in tliieknov, the trial crushing of 10 tons went about (Jdwts. to the ton. which gave great satisfaction to the ]irospcjtors, who have started driving the level at both ends, and are able to got up 10 or 12 tons of quartz in S hours, this tliey are now conveying in drays to the Table Hill Company's machine. Some men are still prospecting the spurs in the vicinity, but have not as yet proved succcessful."

There arrived by the William Davie, as open for employment, 3 blacksmiths, 2 bootmakers, 2 butchers, 2 cabinetmakers, 1 engineer, 30 tarm-servants, 1(5 female servants, 5 labourers, 1 laundress, 3 mechanics (trades not specified), 1 mill- worker, 1 rope spinner, G shepherds, 2 saddlers, and 1 upholsterer. Of these, 5 male servants and 5 female servants were engaged on Tuesday — the ploughmen at from £40 to £45 per annum; and the female servants at from £25 to £40. There had, up to Tuesday evening, been hardly time to make generally known through the various sub-stations — the country telegraph offices — the fact of the arrival of the vessel and the number open to be employed.

We observe from the Bruce Standard that an action for libel is being raised by Mr Evans. Postmaster, Horseshoe Bend, against the proprietor of the Bruce Herald. In the same paper, Mr J. L. Gillies complains that during his absence at the Provincial Council "' some person or persons have maliciously and industriously circulated reports regarding me of a grossly libellous character. " Mr Gillies expresses his determination "to teach, scandal manufacturers and scandal mongers a lesson which they will not forget in a hurry," and intimates that he has instructed his solicitor to proceed, against all and sundry against whom he can iind evidence. The nature of the libel referred to does not transpire.

The Southern Cross has the following :—: — "The high-level survey ordered by the General Government, and conducted by Mr J. J. O'Neill, C.E., frrthe supply of water to the Thames Goldtields, is nearly completed, and the plans in course of preparation are to be laid before the General Assembly. The carrying out of this work r jfiects great credit on Mr O'Neill, who, in spite of the weather and the difficulty of transit through the bush, has made much progress with the undertaking within a comparatively short time. The water is to be taken from the Kauwaeranga creek some miles up, and terminates at the Moanataiari, the whole length of the survey being about 50 miles."

In another portion of our present issue we publish a letter from a settler at Martin's Bay, in which he depicts with considerable force the neglect of that settlement. We have also received a letter, which is unfitted for publication, from another settler at the same place, in which the writer complains that three tons of flour which were sent by the Government to be distributed amongst the inhabitants at £15 10s a ton, was sold to one settler, who re-sold it at £19 to £20 per ton. This writer also says that the settlers "were all but starved out of the place for •want of tucker." and he adds further on, that "if the Government were to send round provisions at an ordinary price, they most certainly would be most thankfully received by the inhabitants.''

As a consequence, apparently, of the unusually dry season, a great deal of sickness lias been prevalent in Oamaru— the medical men being all fully employed. Feverish attacks, influenza, bronchitis, &c, have been very prevalent, and there have been rumours of more virulent forms of disease, which, however, at present cannot be traced to any certain foundation, and it is hoped these rumours will prove untrue. Some refreshing showers are now much needed to clear the air and supply the houses with water, which has been so scarce that families have in some cases to pay from four to eight shillings a week for cartage from the creek of the necessary supplies. The crops are not yet seriously affected, but rain is much wanted to bring the grass forward.

The Chinese question continues to occupy the attention of the Goldtields newspapers, almost to the exclusion of other topics. The Arrow Advocate says that one effect of the Chinese immigration will be to compel the European miners to turn their attention to the development of our numberless quartz reefs. Our contemporary concludes as follows ;—"; — " To the system at present in vogue there (Bendigo) must be attributed its prosperity. We allude to the 'tribute' sy&tem of mining, which has, at a single blow, swept away boards o f directors, mining Hi&B3gere } leg? 4 jnanagwp, $nd all oilier

managcrn. Probably before lone this system I will take root in Otago, and then, and not till then, may we hope to see our quartz ree f s in prosperity, and a road to fortune opened, which will not, at any rate, be hampered by any fear of encroachment by 'John.'" y

During the month of July, there were 13 days on which rain fell in Dunulin, the total rainfall being 1.222 inch, and the greatest rainfall in one (lay -288 inch, on th~e 28th. The mean daily velocity of the wind was 247 miles, and the greatest velocity observed for 2£ hours (>!»0 miles on the 23rd. S now fell on the 22nd. The highest maximum temperature registered was (52 degrees on the Hlth, and the lowest nnniimun temperature 82 degrees, on the 22nd — giving an extreme; range of 30 degrees. The mean daily range, however, was only 11 degrees, and the approximate mean temperature for (he month was 43.1 degrees. The barometrical ob&jrv.itions show the h 'ghost atmospheric pressure to have been 130-187 inches on the 23rd, and the lowest pressure 28-720 inches on the 10th. giving a range for the month of 1.4(37 inch. The mean atmospheric pressure during that period was 2!M(M inches.

The Oamaru district has experienced a very dry winter. The total rainfall for April, May, and June, as. shown by the rain gauge of T. W. Parker, R.M., was only 2.15 inches, and for July .53 inch, or a total of 2.(58 inches in four mouths. The greatest rainfall in any one day was .31 inch, and the total number of days on which rain fell during the whole period was 31. In six of these only one-tenth of an inch fell. In Dunedin the rainfall during the month of April, May. and June was 4.296 inches, or very nearly double that of Oamaru. A reference to the meterological statistics taken at Erith, near London, and published in the London Times, show that; last year, durin» the months of October,' November, and December, which, in relation to harvest prospects, may be taken to agree nearly with our April, May, ami June, no less than 8.08 inches of rain fell on 57 days, although for the whole year (1870) the total was only 18.80 inches.

The Wakatip district appears to be in anything but a flourishing condition. The Mail says :— "We regret to record that failures continue unpleasantly numerous. The times are critical, and our mercantile establishments meet the losses inflicted on them with courage. It must, however, be a trying period to business men, but we sincerely hope that they may all be able to weather the gale. The present crisis may be traced to two distinct causes, namely :— Excessive investment in real estate, and overbuilding orimprovements, thus locking up capital ; relying too miu-h on the future.— Our local money market is frightfully tight. We are glad to notice that the credit system is gradually being extinguished. One person complained to us- the other day that he could not now get ' tick.' and yet he was an old resident, and had paid his way, and did not owe enough to become insolvent. Perhaps the limitation of credit is a little too much stretched, but caution is the prevailing element of trade at present. "

A congregational meeting was held in Knox Church on Monday night, when it was resolved to purchabc a section at the comer of Pitt and George streets, adjoining the present Manse property, and erect "the new church thereon. It was further resolved to retain the present building for a Sunday School and lecture room in connection with the church. The considerations which principally influenced the meeting were the difficulties attending the getting of a suitable place to worship in whilst the new building is being erected, and the breaking up of the large Sunday School during the same time, if the present building Avere pulled down to make way for the new one, We think Knox Church and the inhabitants of North Dunedin are to be congratulated on the increased facilities which will be afforded not only for public worship but for social meetings, lectures, &c. We believe it is intended to erect a plain substantial church, of stone, and that subscriptions to a largo amount have already been obtained.

A building, intended as a wool and grain store for Messrs Cargills and M'Lean, is now being erected in Princes street south. It is 150 feet in length, by 08 feet in width. The walls are two feet in thickness, and are for the present to be 15 feet in height. They are to be entirely of Port Chalmers bluestone. The whole building is to be covered by a roof of one span, thus leaving the -whole floor space clear for storage. The building is calculated to hold 2200 bales of wool, with spaces, (» feet wide, between each two rows for inspection. There is to be a paved roadway, kerbed on either side, through the building, so that waggons can enter at one end, and having discharged their load, pass ant at the other. The roof, which is to be of slate, will have skylights in it. When completed, the building is to be coloured inside of a light blue colour, so as to show off the wool to advantage. Everything about the building is to be of a substantial character. The architects arc Messrs Mason and Wales. ; and the contractor, Mr Hunter. At a special meeting of the Otago Schoolmasters' Association, held on Satxirday to consider certain resolutions in regard to public elementary education, the following were unanimously agreed to :—": — " That in the opinion of this Association a colonial system of public elementary education -would bemore acceptable to the people of this proviuce, and more successful m bringing the wans qjj education, within the reach of ali

classes of the community than any other scheme that could be adopted. That elementary education should be made compulsory ; that all teachers at present employed, or that hereafter may be employed, should be classified and registered according to their attainments and teaching powers, and paid accordingly ; that it should be illegal for any person, whether male or female, to commence school-keeping without a diploma from a properly constituted authority. That for the successful working of any scheme which gives local committees or boards certain powers in regard to teachers and schools, it is of the iirst importance that these powers be clearly and unmistakeably defined."

"A Mistress," writing to the Argus on " Tho 111-used Servant Girl "question, gives a description of ' ' the class of domestic bervants the most objectionable to masters and mistresses, viz., ' the reader.' " She says :— " I had one once. My bitterest enemy could not wish me a worse punishment than to see me with another. Her mania — like your correspondent's —for literature was astound j ing, and she mixed it with the duties she should have done at every opportunity. Over, and over, and over again have I set her to do some work, the most trifling thing, and returned in about half an hour, hoping to lind it done. Vain hope ! There would my lady be snivelling over the love stories in a hastily-concealed and very greasy London Journal. At her washing she generally prcforred the Weekly Times (sent by her friends in England) propped up iv front of her ; and I have often traced the very blue appearance of the clothes to the all-absorb-ing and prurient columns of that journal. When at last I broke the news to her that she must leave, she treated me to some of the choicest extracts from her favourite novelists."

According to the Mark Lane Express of June 12, a revolution in the practice of milling is imminent. Carr, of Bristol, has brought out a machine for grinding corn, without the intervention of stones of any kind, except for the purpose of reducing tho inferior products of the grain which are left incomplete by the machine. The machine occupies the space of only 12ft by Sft, while, it is said, it will reduce " with perfect ease"' from 20 to 25 quarters, or from 100 to 200 bushels, per hour, thus doing the work of more than 30 pairs of stones, reduced to 25 by requiring live pairs to grind the semolina, or mi-Idlings, and bran, if required. The flour, of which a sample has been sent, handles very bof t, which in other Hour would indicate a want of strength, and consequently a less production of bread per sack. It is maintained, however, that this flour will produce more bread than the common flour, and that it fetches several shillings per sack more than that made by mill-stones on the Edinburgh market, where, at the mills of Messrs Gibson and Walker, one of the machines has been at work for &ome weeks.

It is our painful duty, says the Oarnaru Times, to have to record the death of Mr Robert Miller, who has for some time back been connected with this office. For some weeks Mr Miller has complained of depression of mind, and about three weeks since went to Dunedin, where his relations and friends reside. He returned about a fortnight ago, and appeared somewhat better in health, continuing to attend to his work as usual; but on Saturday morning, on coming to his work about S o'clock, he brought his rifle with him, and after a few remarks to one of the boys, stepped into the press-room, and in a second or two afterwards an explosion was heard, and to the utter dismay of those who happened to be in the office at the time, they saw the unfortunate young man fall over a corpse. The evidence taken at the inquest would lead to the belief that it was self-destruction, while suffering under temporary insanity. The deceased was an excellent tradesman, abstemious, and upright in his conduct, and respected by all who knew him, and the melancholy event has cast a gloom, not alone over the companions with whom he worked so long, but over the ■whole community.

Complaints, which are only too well founded, are continually being made regarding the board at the Telegraph Ollico on which the arrivals and departures of shipping are posted. On Monday, for instance the arrival of the William Davie from Glasgow at Port Chalmers was never posted at all, and similar negligence was displayed with regard to the departure of the Claud Hamilton from Tiinaru for Port Chalmers with the Suez mail on board. The departure of the Nevada for Lyttelton, also, was not posted for at least two hours after she had left. These are but illustrations of what is constantly occurring. The manner in which the movements of the shipping are posted also calls for radical improvement. At present to obtain any information from the board is a task requiring much skill and patience ; on Monday one might almost as well have attempted to decipher the Moabite Stone. A correspondent lately suggested a method for rendering these entries intelligible at a. glance, but of course suggestions nrith any such object are never acted upon. If no improvement is effected in this matter, the entries may as well not be made at all, for as at present made few understand and fewer trust them.

The Tauranga correspondent of the New .Zealand Herald writes regarding Te Kooti as follows: — "It is stated that Te Kooti is again *to the fore,' having turned up somewhere in the Uriwera country, in the directisn of Waikaremoana ; also, that the whole f trejigtb of tbo IWive Contingent, wtor C»j>«

tains Potter, Preece, Mair, and Ropata, has started on another expedition to capture him, with — it is averred— some prospect of success. This is a consummation devoutly to be wished, though past experience does not inspire confidence for the future, the renowned personage named appearing to bear a charmed life, or else to be very hard to catch. As a sensational hero he is by this time a decided failure, for the public interest is completely exhausted, and nothing short of a new star of murderous proclivities can possibly receive the slightest attention. If he were to pay a flying visit of inspection to some of the contracts on the Tauranga and Taupo trunk road, the growing incredulity might be partially dispelled ; but so long as he coniines his appearances to the dreary mountains of the Uriwera country, he affords a very eligible means of keeping Native Contingents and flying columns unused."

The influx of Chinese into Otago is beginning to attract attention outside the province. The Evening Post has an article on the subject, in which it says, "we regard this influx of Chinese into New Zealand with much doubt and misgiving," and concludes as follows :—" This Chinese question is one worthy the most serious attention of the Assembly. It will not, of course, do to talk of prohibiting Chinese immigration altogether, though the exclusion policy pursued towards foreigners by the Chinese in their own country might, in a certain degree, afford some justification for such a course. Still, something might be done to check the threatened influx by imposing a pretty heavy poll tax on every Chinaman landing in New Zealand. Such a tax can be shown to be quite fair, when it is considered how much less the Chinese would contribute towards the Customs duties than the Europeans, while enjoying an equal amount of Ijenerit and protection from the institutions of the country. This kind of tax was levied in California when that country was becoming inundated with Chinese ; and as the same state of affairs may arise in New Zealand, it would be well to attempt the application of what may prove m some small degree a means of remedy. We trust this question will be brought up in the Assembly during the present session."

A meeting of the Scott Centenary Committee took place on Friday week, 'at Wain's Hotel, for the purpose of winding up the business of the Committee. At the termination of the proceedings, a vote of thanks was recorded to Mr Thomas Callender and Mr John Stables, the Secretaries to the Committee, for the energetic manner in which they had performed their duties. At the same time the chairman, Mr George Brodie, on behalf of the Committee, presented to each of those gentlemen a silver cup, on which there appeared a suitable inscription, as a memento of the occasion. A similar compliment was paid to Mr W. C. Kirkcaldy, the Treasurer. A vote of thanks was also recorded in favour of Mr Brodie, who had acted as Chairman of the Committee. The Chairman, upon stating that the duties of the Committee had ended, said that there was a general feeling that they should carry to its completion the suggestion that a Scott Scholarship should be founded. After some discussion, it was decided that the Secretaries should communicate with Mr E. B. Cargill, asking him to call a meeting of those interested in carrying this movement to a successful issue. The Committee agreed that their names should be included in any new Committee formed to carry out that object.

The Sydney Morning Herald prints the following extracts from a letter to Mr G. M. Stephen from his son, who is in charge of a mining expedition to New Caledonia : — "Mindine, 11th April. — From what I have seen of the claim, I am perfectly certain we shall clear €5000 or £(iooothe iirst year; but at present I can see nothing to justify more sanguine expectations. 2nd May, — Nearly all the miners have left here ; nothing in the way of a goldlield has been discovered, although a man got nearly half a dwt. in a tin dish the other day, about 10 miles from here on the banks of the river, but he says the place is not payable. We have decided to wait until we have l,ooooz. of gold, and then two of us will escort it to Noumea, and from thence send it to you to place it in the Mint.

. . I dare say it seoms an immense time to you all, but if you could see the hills everything had to be carried up and down, and the excavations and dams we have had to make, you would not be surprised at the time it has taken, Fernhill Reef, 1 1th June. — The more 1 see of the reef the better I like it. On Friday afternoon we fixed up the ' Cradle amalgamator,' and started washing the stuff (after stacking all the stones), and continued washing until last night (Saturday) We put through about seven tons, and got 13oz. 13dwt., which is very good, considering, as I believe, there is twice as much gold in the stone."

The Argus of the Ist inst. has the following :—" Specimens of New Zealand stone, obtained at Kakanui, in the Province of Otago, are now exhibited in Melbourne for the purpose of having attention prominently drawn to what is considered building material of a superior quality. The stone is of a ■white colour, and lime is its principal constituent. It is said to be easily worked when quarried, but to acquire durability after exposure to the weather. The comparative softness of the stone when taken from the quarry is one of the chief merits claimed for it, inasmuch as it allows of carving .and ornamental work being wrought upon it easily, and subsequent hardening prevents the sharp outlines from wearing down, ftakauuj gtone. has apt yet h&4 a

trial in Melbourne, though Oamaru stone has, but testimonials furnished by local authorities state that it has answered well in several public buildings in Dunedin. It certainly has a very good appearance as regards colour, being nearly pure white. Mr Samuel Packham, who exhibits the samples at the office of the West Melbourne Building Society, Collins street west, has been appointed agent here for the quarry owners. Steps are to be taken to see whether the Public Works department will use the stone in the new Supreme Court houses. The supply is stated to be abundant, and the stone is deliverable in Melbourne at Is 6d per foot less than the Tasmanian stone."

It is fully a year ago since the erection of a bridge over the Kakanui River was proposed. The work is now, however, fairly under way. This work has been undertaken by the associated Road Boards of Chelsea, Incholme, Lambourne, and Totara. The contract was let in May last to Mr "Watson. The plans and specifications have been prepared by Mr J. Hardy. The bridge is to be 532 feet long, in nineteen spans, 28 feet each. The roadway will be 12 feet in width. The bridge will be constructed of totara, with piles, struts, and strain-beams. Each pier is designed to be of great strength, and the superstructure will be wrought and painted. The bridge is on the road hue which will connect the Port of Kakanui with the fertile districts of Chelsea, Sydney, Incholme, and Lambourne. By its erection the distance between Oamaru and the townships of Otepopo and Hampden will be considerably reduced, and it will open to the ports south of Oamaru more ready communication with that thriving town. The iirst pile of the bridge was driven on Friday week in the presence of a large gathering of persons interested in the improvement of the district. The Rev. J. Ryley, the Presbyterian minister in charge of the district, gave an address on the occasion, concluding with a prayer. Mr John Bath gate, M.H.R., then made a long and eloquent speech, which was warmly received by the audience. He then proceeded to set in motion the machinery which worked the "monkey." Mrs John M'Lennan pulled the "trip-line," and the first blow was struck amidst the applause of those present. After the ceremony, a general invitation was given by the manager of the Meat Preserving Works to partake of refreshments, which were liberally provided.

The usual monthly instalment of literature by the Suez mail was received at the Athenaeum on Tuesday. Among the books received are translations of " Madame Therese, or the Volunteers of '92," "The Forest House," "Catherine's Lovers," and a work in three volumes, ' ' The Outbreak of the Great French Revolution," all by MM. ErckmanuChatrian. The following pamphlets have been received : — " Truth vertsu* Edification," by W. R. Greg; "Unionism, with remarks on the report of the Commissioners on Trades Unions," by James Stirling; "The History of Co-operation in Rochdale ;" "A Scheme for Proportional Representation," by "Walter Baily ; "A Letter to the Right Hon. H. A. Bruce, Her Majety's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, on the utilization of the Criminal, the rights of Life and Property, combined with Economy to the State." The author of the pamphlet last mentioned is Mr C. P. Measor, late Sub-Inspector of Factories, and formerly Deputy-Governor in the English and Irish Convict Service. "The Shoemaker's Village," 2 vols., by Henry Holbeach, is another work received. " The Coming Race " is a work which has attracted a considerable degree of attention at home. Amongst the books to arrive by the Otago are : Lives of Brewster and Faraday, Simonin's "Underground Life," "Chaniiing's "Works" in 20 volumes, Noye's "American Socialisms, " and the late Archbishop French's works on English.

"We were in error in stating that the Act of South Australia, legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister, had been disallowed by the Privy Council. It appears that at the commencement of the present year, the Legislature of that colony, for the fifth time, passed a measure for that purpose. At the close of the session, the Governor forwarded it to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure ; and in the reply, which was received in June, the Earl of Kimberley enclosed an Order of Her Majesty in Council assenting to the Bill. His Lordship wrote :—": — " Her Majesty's Government have given this Bill their careful consideration, and looking to the fact that a Bill nearly similar to this has passed the Colonial Legislature five times, and that this particular Bill was passed by both Houses almost without opposition, and with other circumstances indicating a strong feeling in its favour, they are of opinion that it would not be right to resist further the wishes of the colony so clearly and repeatedly expressed. I have therefore felt it my duty to advise Her Majesty to assent to the Bill." Judging from the tone of the Adelaide press, certain constitutional phases which have arisen out of the repeated refusal of the Imperial authorities to assent to the Bill, seem to have created a greater amount of interest in the colony than the merits of the question itself. The approval by Her Majesty of a measure, which is repugnant to the law of England, is pointed to as showing that the powers of selfgovernment possessed by the colonies are virtually supreme, and the Adelaide Observer concludes ' ' that so useful a lesson as to the virtue of pertinacity is not likely to be thrown away." We do not feel called on at preset to dj&cupp tlie writ* of the question

We believe it possesses but little interest to the majority of our readers, and the public, no doubt, will come to the conclusion that there is not the slightest occasion why our statute book should be cumbered with such an Act.

The following account of the horsewhipping of the Editor of the Napier Telegraph by Mr Maddock, formerly of Dunedin, is given by the Hawke's Bay Herald ;—"; — " The com« mencement of the proceedings [in celebration of the Scott Centenary] was marked by an episode of an unusual character. Mr Maddock, a solicitor in this town, who had been several times grossly insulted in the columns of the Daily Telegraph (to give readers out of the province an idea of what these insults were, it is sufficient to say that he had been called a' devil," a 'bad egg,' and said to be 'no credit to the place, morally, socially, or professionally,') came straight up to Mr Lord, the editor of that journal, and struck him twice on the face with a horsewhip, making a mark each time. Mr Lord grasped at the whip, and the two combatants closed in. At this juncture some persons interfered to stop the fighting ; others were in favour of making a ring, and letting them fight it out. Constable Farmer, however, brought the matter to a conclusion by stepping in and separating them. Mr Lord, on seeing the constable, called out to him, ' You see ; I give you this man in charge.' The constable, however, not having seen the commencement of the fight, knew his duty too well to arrest him. Towards the close of the fight Mr Maddock let go his whip, in order to strike at Mr Lord. The whip, we understand, is still in the possession of the latter gentleman, but the former has stated his intention of taking out a summons to recover it. After the fight had finally ended, Mr Maddock put up his hand to signify that lie wished to speak, and a moment's silence being obtained, he said, ' Gentlemen, this is on behalf of the lathes of Napier ; before I leave this town I intend to give him another horsewhipping on my own behalf.' Cheers from the crowd followed upon the delivery of this speech. We learn that several ladies have since sent thanks and compliments to Mr Maddock for his championship. For those unacquainted, with the antecedent circumstances, it may again be desirable to state that the Telegraph had lately accused the young ladies of Napier of walking up and down the streets of the town all day, looking for eligible young men, and had alluded to them otherwise in insulting terms. Altogether, it must be said that Mr Maddock came out of the affair with great dclat, and almost everyone considered that Mr Lord had been rightly served. "

There was a crowded attendance at the annual soiree of the Knox Church Young Men's Association, which was held in tho school-room on Tuesday. After the various edibles provided had been partaken of, the Rev. D. M. Stuart took the chair. The report for the year ending the 7th inst. stated that the Committee could not offer their usual congratulations on the prosperous atate of the Society. It was only too apparent that not only had no progress been made, but that less interest had been felt in the Society, both by the Church and by the Society itself ; and unless some vigorous measures were taken, the Society was likely to come to an untimely end. During the year 10 additional members had been admitted, but this had not increased the attendance at the meetings — the .average attendance being only fourteen as compared with fifteen last yean With a membership of over 50 this was not satisfactory. During the latter part of the year other societies had been formed, which had taken away some of the most active members. The Choral Society and the University had taken away a number. During the year sixteen essays on various topics had been delivered by members. An evening had also been devoted to readings on subjects selected by members. The majority of the essays had been of a high character, and there was a marked improvement in the speeches made by members. The Treasurer stated that there was a balance of £3 17s in hand. The Society desired to record their sense of the great loss they had sustained in the death of the late Mr John Gillies, Who hail taken a warm interest in the welfare of the Society, and occasionally attended its meetings. The Committee were desirous of impressing on the members the necessity of attending the meetings if they wished to prevent the Society from collapsing altogether. They also wished to return thanks to the ladies of the congregation for the interest they had manifested in the Society. After the report had been read, a glee was sung by the choir, and was received with great applause. Messrs E. B. Cargill, Eeith, Reid, Adams, Ferguson, and Grant, addressed the meeting on the great advantages to be derived from such societies. Mr Cargill said that he was sorry to hear the despondent view the report took of the Society. He thought such a feeling as despondency should not exist hi a society of young men. One great advantage to be derived from these societies was the opportunity they afforded for social intercourse, the passion for which was so strongly implanted in the human breast, and must be developed for good or evil. Mr Adam Johnston read some letters, which appeared to afford considerable amusement. Several glees, duets, and solos were sung between the speeches, and appeared to give general satisfaction. Mr Begg proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies, which was unanimously carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was also passed, and the pro« ccedj»Ss terminate wita the benediction.