News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1499, 7 August 1880, Page 18

News of the Week.

It has been more than once pointed out (writes the " Anglo- Australian in London ") that the wool trade of Buenos Ay res, where there are upwards of one hundred million of Bheep, might be made to take a foremost place on the London and American markets, where, in regard to certain descriptions, it might enter into competition with Australian and Cape wools. This idea seems about to be put to a practical teßt, and an experiment, which will be watched with peculiar interest by stock-raisers, is the shipping of American merino sheep to the Argentine Eepublic by Mr W. G. Markham, a well-known farmer, living near Eochester, New York. It appears that Mr Markham's attention was drawn to the possible advantages of such a venture by the success which has attended the crossing with Mongolian 6tock of American merinos, 200 of which he recently took to Japan under a contract with that Government. The improve • ment in that instance is estimated as high as 400 per cent. With the view, then, of demonstrating the superiority of the American breed, Mr Markbam has sent out to Buenos Ayres 16 of the finest merino rams that could be obtained in New York State. Already the stock raisers of France and Germany have made large shipments of their choicest stock to the same market, so that the wool interest of Australia and New Zealand must look in the course of a few years to encounter a robust competition in this article from South America. The reading of the following letter caused much amusement at the Education Board meeting on the 29th :— " Cambrians, 21st July, 1880, Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that my successor at Cambrians, Miss M'Naughton, reports that my late pupils at Cambrians are, as regards information, anxiety to learn, and obedienc?, fully equal to the Dunedin scholars with whom she has been brought into contact. She confesses that the work of my late pupils is an agreeable surprise to her, and she frankly admits that it is impossible that this work can be the result of her very recent superintendence. I have the honour to ask you to ask your Board to request Mies M'Naughton to draw up a written report on the present condition of the Cambrians School. Her report will still leave the unfortunate examination of Bth March 'a problem of poverty 'j But at all events it will justify my character, and show all concerned that, although another person quite as worthy as myaelf may reap, it it indisputably manifest that the < seed of the harvest was sown by myself. Miss M'Naughton's candour in admitting the good work which she has elicited recently, augurs well for her future career.— l have, &c, M. W. Stack." It is as welj that persons engaged in the preparation of poisoned grain should be aware of the risk they run. Monday's Southland Times says ._»A man named Turner was received into the Hospital yesterday from the Waimea Station. It seems he ha 3 been employed for some time past in mixing phosphorus with grain, and the other day inhaled more of the former than his constitution could stand. The probability is that the unfortunate fellow had the phosphorus in the room in which he slept, and through closing the door was affected by the fumes, though on this point we have no definite information. Turner, who is in a very weak condition, was brought into town by a special train that came in from Waimea during yesterday." In the House of Representatives on the 15th inst., Mr Ireland asked the Minister for Public Works if the first section of theTapauw railway is yet open foe traffic j and if not, who is responsible for the delay. It would be remembered that the honourable member fpr the Dunstan had asked a question of similar import on the 29 5h of last month, when the Minister for Public Works stated that he expected that this saction of the Tapanui railway would be open for traffic in about a week. The Hon. Mr Oliver said that when he replied to the former question it was reported to him that this section of railway could be opened for traffic within a week. The engineer had reported to him lhat that part of the line could be easily completed within a few days if the contractor would comply with his requirements. The contractor, however, failed to finish several small matters which the engineer considered necessary to be done for the safety of the public. The contractor would ba urged to complete the work as soon as possible, so that there would be raeanß of communication with the main trunk line. Our East Taieri correspondent expresses a hope that the local Mutual Improvement Society will not be allowed to die a natural ■ death When jt was cloßed last session it was to have been re'suspit&ted in April or May, but up to the present , time nothing has been done, though there is plenty of latent tjytenE m the j district, which needs to. J?& righ#y owwa»

The 10 per cent, reduction is to be applied to the Education Department, a telegram having been received from Mr Eolle3ton conveying the intimation. The vote for the Ofcago educational district suffers to a total extent of about LBOOO. It is not long since j the Education Board raised tho salaries of teachers throughout the district, so that these officials will not feel the reduction so acutely. " Eeading, 'Eiting, and 'Eithmetic " in some up country schools are boing threatened by a powerful competitor as regards their fascination for the youthful mind. A country teacher, writing of one of his truant pupils, says :— "He hates the three E's ; but there is a fourth that he loves with a love that never grows .cold, and that is, Eabbiting." In a case that came before the Bench at the Dunedin Eesident Magistrate's Court last week, fit was stated by counsel for the plaintiffs that a man residing at the Beaumont had been sought to be brought to town as a witness, but that he had managed to evade the bailiff, who had made two ineffectual attempts to serve a subpoena upon him. Mr Bathgate suggested that in cases like that, service should be made by means of registered letters, a process which had come under his notice during his recent visit Home. By so doing there would be a great .saving to the public, and the onus would be thrown upon the defendant of showing that he was not served. We quite endorse Mr Bathgate's proposal, and trust he will have it brought into operation in the Court over which he presides. The Te Awamutu correspondent of the Auckland Herald says :— " Mr Gerse, one of the Inspectors sent here by the Government, but dismissed by the Board because he persistently refused to find pleuro, and a veterinary surgeon of long standing, maintained from first to last that there had not been one single instance of epizootic plouro-pneumonia in Waikato. The letter of Mr Pottie, veterinary surgeon of New South Wales, finally settles the matter, and we find that it is, as most reasonable men expected it was, a mild and less dangerous form of disease, and not epizootic pleuro-pneumonia, which affected a particular shipment of cattle, introduced by the Hero. That it was not even infectious is to be inferred from the fact that the disease— to speak of Waikato — has never been found elsewhere than where the3e cattle were dispersed to, and in no colonial bred animal. Such of the inspected colonial bred cattle aa were charged with being affected as diseased, as have been killed and examined, have been found to be free from pleuro-pneumonia. This was notably the case the other day when a black steer, belonging to Mr Burke was slaughtered. The animal had been pronounced diseased by Mr Naden, but, when killed the other day, was as healthy an animal and aa fine beef as any ever seen in Waikato. A most successful vocal and instrumental concert was given in the Mornington Town Hall on the evening of the3obh ulfc., the proceeds being devotedto the assistance of the widow and family of the late E. Marks, of West Dunedin, who wa3 accidentally drowned off Eattray street Wharf a few weeks ago. Mr Moss moved in the House of Eepresentativea on the 30th that a Eoyal Commission should be appointed to consider the most suit able form of local government for the Colony ; such Commission to consist of nine members, to be elected by the registered electors of the several Provincial Districts. After discussion the motion was withdrawn on the understanding that it would be brought on again. There appears to be some doubt after all (s&ys the Press) whether the fish caught in the Cam by the members of the Anglers' Society who undertook the task are Calif ornian salmon. Mr M. P. Stoddart, an experienced disciple of Izauk Walton, who has fished in California, gives it as his opinion that they are Californian Bea-trout, a very valuable fish, and one which is pretty plentiful in the rivers of California. Early in June the Chinese Embassy in Berlin denied all knowledge of the reported war preparations in China, and stated that no applications by German officers on the retired list for appointments in the Chinese army could be entertained at the Embassy, nor would any reply be given in future to tenders for contracts forwar material At a general meeting of the miners of Green Island district, held at Walton Park on the 27th inst., the following resolutions were carried amidst great applause :— " ' That the beet thanks of the miners be accorded to the editor and manager of the Daily Times for their kindness in sending a special reporter to Shag Point, and the interest they have frequently taken in representing favourably to the public the coal-miners' rights and grievance?.' ' That the Secretary be instructed to convey to those gentlemen the best thank of this meeting.' " As has already been mentioned in our columns (says the Oamaru Mail), some 40 telegraph officials have received notice that their services will be dispensed with. In the majority of these cases those selected for dis- ' missal are the ringleaders of the operators' strike at the commencement of the year. We have, however, heard of one dismissal which bears the appearanca of extreme hardship. It is the case of an operator who has been many years in the service, and who, through long hours of night-work, has become nearsighted. He has been a faithful servant, and now that he has become almost inoapable of following any other calling, he has been cast out into the world as of no further use to the department. This is certainly a case into which some inquiry should be made. The adjourned meeting of those desiring to receive information about Port; Natal aa a field for emigration took place on Saturday evening, in the Douglas Hotel. The room could not hold all who attended, and a number had to leave. A chairman was appointed, and the meeting lasted about a couple of hours, but no definite results were arrived a';. Several of those present gave their opiuions about the climate, the chance of obtaining employment, &c, but these were of the most conflicting character* Mr Canning repeated his experiences, but they were of over 20 years ago ; and another gentleman entered into particulars as to what he knew of the country from a visit to the diamond-fields. Nothing that was heard was deemed satisfactory by the meeting, and it was agreed to adjourn till a future time. Mr Can. ning, who appears to be the leading spirit in the matter, stated that a committee of nine had been formed to " forward the movement," and at his request several additional names were given in by persons willing to join the committee, whose main object is to get information and place it before persons wishing to emigrater It ia intended to hold meetings in tbe suburbs, in Oamaru, and elnewhere j and, if possible, to obtain funds to send a couple of delegates to Natal, to spy out tho land. One gentleman who 'joined the committee stated that he expeoted authoritative information 1 about tbe Colony from a person settled there ; by an early mail. Judging from the questions , asked at ,the meeting, railway employes bulk I largely amongafc those who desire $0 snow wore

The police changes came into force on Saturday. The third-class sergeants, who have been reduced to the grade of first-class constables, each receive charge of a station— Sergeant M'Donald going to Caversbam ; Sergeant O'Brien to Kensington ; Sergeant Moore to North-East Valloy. In the Dunedin district the only stations done away with are Eavensbourne and "Wainola, which each had a constable. The Ofcago Harbour Board Empowering Bill was read a third time and passed in the House of Eepreaentative3 011 the 29fch, after considerable discussion. At the meeting of the Vincent County, Council on the 28th ult. a letter was read from the Chairman of the Patea County Council stating that that Council bad resolved to recommend Government to appoint all County Councils Land Boards, and asking the co-operation of Vincent County. Councillors Stronach and Fraaer spoke against Buch a proposition, the latter saying it was ridiculous to suppose for a moment the Government would ever allow the administering of the lands to pass into the hands of County Councils, and no men in their common senses could ever think so. Further, it would open the door to too much j corruption, and on the constitution of the Councils would depend entirely the system of administration—say, if the mining interest preponderated their own particular interest would be protected ; and again, if the runholders were in the ma j ority their interests would be similarly protected. It was ultimately resolved to cooperate with the Patea County Council. Mr G.T.Evans, superintendent of railways in New South Wales, is at present in Wellington. Rie object is to gather information with regard to the workiug of tramways in New Zealand. The Vincent County Council resolved at its last mooting that the following telegram should be sent to the Premier and the Caairnian of the Council :— " The County Council of Vincent desire to express their indignation at the report of the Eailway Commission re Otago Central line. The Council denies the truth of both the facts and deductions therefrom, and feels it an insult to the highest intelligences of Otago as expressed and urged for yeard. Council believes that the Commission was eminently unfitted for reporting on this line, either in knowledge of^ the country Jfco be travered, or in. sympathy with the inhabitants re county revenue. Stsppage of necessary county works must renult from proposed withdrawal of subsidies and laud fund, and possibly cancellation of current contracts involving compensation will follow. Can nothing be done to secure at least the completion of work s in progress and under contract by some assurance of funds being provided? The county is direcdy and indirectly pkdged to expenditure of say L 25.000, and reduced revenue will not exceed half that amount." Mr A. G. Allan, secretary to the Miners' Union, has received the following communication from the Under-secretary of Mines on the publication of reports :— " Mines Department, Wellington, 27bh July, 1880.— Sir,— I have the honour, by the direction of the Honourable tho Minister of Mines, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th inst., directing attention to a resolution of the Miners' Union upon the subject of the publication of reports of inspectors of mineß, and, in reply, I have to inform you that a report upon the control and inspection of mine 3, including the inspectors' reports, is now published annually, and forwarded to each coal-mine owner or manager, and I enclose two copies of the second annual report, which has just been laid before Parliament. Should more of these be required, they can be obtained from the Government Printer, Wellington, at a cost of one shilling a copy, and copies may also be seen at Mining and Mechanics' Institutes.— l have &c. (signed) Oliver Wakefield." Maclaggan Btreet, in the neighbourhood of the business premises of Messrs A. and J. M'lParlane, grocers, and of Mr W. Patrick, butcher, presented an extraordinary scene of animation on Saturday night. Quite a revival haa taken place .in the meat tiade since the advent of Messrs Shand and Worth's establishment, aud the displays made at the various butchers' shops on Friday and Saturday nights would have done credit to the proprietors as Christmas showa instead of being the ordinary weekly display. Going a shade beyond the reduction in price? which has resulted from increased competition, Mr Patrick advertised that after 9 o'clock on Saturday night, poor people, unable to pay for a joint, would be hupplied frea ; and his next-door neighbours, Messrs A. and J. M'Farlane, also intimated by advertisement in our columns thatheads of families, unable to pay, would be supplied with bread aud potatoes free, in i order to complete the Sunday's dinner of butcher meat to be Bupplied by Mr Patrick. Messrs M'Farlane and Co. had their large Btock of goods displayed in the windows and throughout the shop in a most artistic manner. Their commodious premises enabled them to do this most effectively, and we must confess we have not before seen anything like it in the Colonies. To add to the effect, also, the electric light, fixed on a building immediately opposite, was brought to bear directly on their premises, and this, with the addition of a number of flags stretched oveihead, and the large crowd which thronged the street, gave the neighbourhood a most; unusual appearance. Mr Patrick's display of meat was very large, amongst it being some of the first lambs of the season. To prove that the promised free distribution of j provisions did not end with wordi only, we are j enabled to state that Mr Patrick gave away to poor people one whole body of beef ana 10 sheep, and Messrs M'Farlane and Co. abou 250 loavea and 20 bags of potatoes. It is not very cheering to think that there exists in Dunedin such an amount of distress as this large distribution of food seems to indicate, for it is not to l)e expected that it could be_ continued by butchers and grocers after their first experience of tha extent to which their generosity may ba drawn upon. Probably few in Dunedin, except those who have had control of our Bsnovolent Institution, and who in other ways may have had special means of obcaiuing an insight iufc<) the poverty which exists, have any idea of hfi extent. VVe feel bound to add, however, thsc there is reason to believe the charity wus in some instances abused, and that pwtxun who obtained the free supply had previuu ly spent on diink the mouey with which they uiigai; have bought the wcioles in the uaual way Mr George Bell lectured ou Monday night in the TaiuperatiCß Hall, to an audience of about 50 person", on "Man, a social being." Mr Eobert Gillies wais in the chair. Dr Macdonald, in proposing the vote of thanks, fittiugly described the lecture as a thoughtful and suggestive one, and although it was of a somewhat dry order, yet its briefness lessened the objection that might have been taken to it on this score. The lecturer traced the progress of man in tbe earlier ages of which we have record, and with a few wholesome words of advice to the young men of this Colony

The Admiralty haa published an account of the unsuccessful search by H. M.S. Comus for the shipwracked prew of the Knowsley Hall at the Crozst and neighbouring islands, Captain Eant states that the Comus left the Cape on February 21st with a pilot named Benjamin Miller from Saldanha Bay. They explored successively Hoy Island, the Twelve Apostles, Penguin Island, Possession Island, and East Island, concerning all of which Captain East gives interesting particulars. Hoy Island was found to be swarming with game—sea-ele-phants, seals, albatross, penguins, and many birds in large numbers, some of which were shot by the crew. A hut was erected on the island, and provisions stored on March 6th, with a notice-board stating that they were only for shipwrecked people. Signals were fired from the ship at various places, and landing parties sent ashore without finding any trace of human inhabitants. On tho 29fch the Comua arrived at Isle de Bourbon, where a party of 29 French fishermen wera found, to whom Captain East gave a supply of provisions. This party had seen or heard nothing of any shipwrecked crews. The Comus afterwards sailed for Singapore. Colonel Gordon has asked the Bombay cprrespondent of the London Standard to publish the following statement :— " My fixed denire is to persuade the Chinese not to go to war with Russia, both in their own interests and for the sake of those of the world, especially those of England. In the event of war breaking out I oannot answer how I should act for the present, but I should ardently desire a speedy peace." Colonel Gordon was (the correspondent says) invited to China by Li-Hung Chang. Some news of a startling and interesting character will be found in our telegraphic columns. The Princess Louise is in such a delicate state of health through the effects of a recent sleigh accident that she has been compelled to leave Canada for Germany, Prince Leopold accompanying her. Madame Skobeloff, mother of the celebrated Eusaiaa general, has been murdered— it is supposed by the Nihilists j and it is reported that General Skobeloff, the oommander of the Russian expedition againßt the Turcomans, has been captured by the eaemy and beheaded. It ia believed that the EusaoChineae difficulty may be amicably settled. Cricketers will be glad to hear that a match has been arranged, to be played in September next, between the Australian Eleven and 11 of the best cricketers in England. The information is contained in a special cable message to the Melbourne Ago, and no further particulars are given. Mr Bathgate, E.M., made the following remarks at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday : — " I have to draw the attention of the Bar and the public to the fact that the new table of fees comes into operation to-day. These fees must be paid in stamps. The fee for hear, ing a judgment has been separated from the fee payable at the filing of the plaint. The hearing fee must therefore be paid by stamps before the 'case can be heard. In every case where the bearing fee is not paid by stamps the plaintiff will run the risk of having the case struck out. Parties should therefore come to ! Court provided with the necessary stamps." Our Gore correspondent writes :— " A capital turn-out of th 9 Gore and Mataura contingents of the Southland Hussars took place on Wednesday last, about midway between here and Mataura Bridge. Thirty-five troopers were present. Captain Heywood and Lieutenant Burwell, of - Invercargill, put the company through their drill. The corps undoubtedly look well, and when in full uniform, which they hope to be shortly, will not by any means disgrace our Volunteer Force." Our cablegrams announce that great excitement has been caused in England and abroad by tho illness of the Eight Hon. W. E. Glad. stone, who is not expected to be able to attend the House of Commons during the remainder of the session. Further details have been received with reference to tha Afghanistan disaster. Tho British loss was 20 officers and 400 troops, and 800 friendly natives killed and wounded. Statements having reached us implying that the present Miniatf r of Public Works was interested in the supply of material^ to the railways, we have made careful inquiry, aud find that the total sales made to that department by the New Zealand Hardware Company, of which Mr Oliver is a shareholder, were oil, value L 32, in March, 1879, and signal wire, value Ll2, in October, 1879, both articles being unobtainable elsewhere at the time ; and neither the Hardware Company nor Oliver and Ulph, their predec2S3cra, have ever held a contract with tho Eailway Department, though they, like other firms, have tendered unsuccessfully. These injurious abatements regarding public men might be treated with contempt if it were not that for party purposes they are so persistently reiterated that they get at last to be believed by some. We have reason to believe that Mr Oliver, Biuce he became a member of the Legislature, has taken no active share in the management of the business of the New Zealand Hardware Company, and is as much unacquainted as the general public with the transactions of the Company. The reduction in the police force in the whole of the Colony will be 63 men and officers. In the North Island 42 will be dispensed with, and 21 in the South Island. Mr Justice Gillies and Mr W. S. Grahame, of New |Z«aland, have been elected Fellows of the Eoyal Colonial Institute. Our Kaitangata correspondant write3 :— ' *An attempt; is being made to relaunch the steamer Ino. She is lying oa the south spit, at. the new mouth, Coal Point. Captain Eussell is superintending the work^ It is thought she will be got off. She is quite dry at low water. Our Sohool Committee have appointed Mr Nicholson as teacher. He is a naw arrival, having [come out iv the ship Otago, and haa had experience in the Home country." The Supreme Court was occupied the whole of Tuesday in hearing the case Slesinger v. Wheeler, an action for alleged libel arising out of tho publication of the name of the plaintiff in the "Bankruptcy Gazette." His Honorin summing up, having defined libel as meaniiig the publication of a statement calculated to Injure the plaintiff, on the question of damages said that if they found the statements were libellous, then plaintiff should receive such damages as might reasonably be expeoted to compensate a person in his position for the injury which might reasonably be expected to ensue by the publication of a libel of the kind in a paper having the circulation of the Bunk, ruptcy Gazette," and taking also into consideration the class amongst whom that Gazette circulated. Tho Jury answered the issuas in favour of the plaintiff, but only awarded 20a damages, the amount claimed being LSOO, and the damages, as estimated by the plaintiff, aocording to his evidance, L2OOO. His Honor declined to certify for cußts, and said that the award being under the amount which would carry costs, he could not, except under special circumstances, grant costs.

The duties of licensing ofnoers under the Arms Act, hitherto performed by the oolleotora of Customs, are to be performed, by (he polios taipeotQK.B,

The Home Ncwb of June 18th says j— " A feat probably without parallel in the history of oricket was performed last week by Spofforth, the Australian bowler, in a match against; Eighteen of Burnley, inoluding five local professionals. TheAnstraUanshad madel4Bm their innings j the Burnley Eighteen were disposed of in their first innings for 43 runs. Spofforth in this innings bowled 14 overs, of which 11 were maidens. In three overs— that is, tho 18 balls— lo runs were made off his bowling, but at the cost of 12 wickets. The ' Demon ' has never done anything like this hitherto, and there is no similar record in English chronicles of the king of sports." Mr Vincent Pyke, M.H.R., has strongly advised the Vincent County Council, of which he is chairman, not to engage in any new works of magnitude until Parliament has decided on the Government proposals. If these proposals are c»rried subsidies will cease, but counties can ! claim assistance to the extent of three-fourths of the cost of wotka that are approved by the Board. A reduotion has been made in the rates of %^ discount charged by the bank. The following came into force on Monday last : — for threemonths' bills, 7i, and four-months' bills, 8£ per oent., or a reduction of one-half per cent, on the rates hitherto ruling. The rates of interest on deposits will also be altered^ to three, four, and five per cent., for three, six, and twelve months respectively. The Victoria Insurance [Company (Limited) has declared a dividend of 103 per share, or 100 per cent. The Minister of Public Works stated in the House on Wednesday night that the responsibility of the malconstruction of tbe railway waggons referred to in the report of the Civil -s' Service Commission had now been fixed upon the railway workshops ftt Dunedin. In the Cemeteries Bill, introduced on the 4th by Mr Rolleston, provision is made for cremation in place of burial. A Bitting of the Supreme Court ia Banco waß held on Wednesday before Mr Justice Williams. Judgment granting the appeal was given in the case of Wilson v. Bussell. In the case Mackenzie v. Smith a rule nisi for a nonsuit, or, failing that, a new trial, was obtained by the defendant, and Bimilar rules were obtained in the cases Beid v. The Friendly Societies' Hall Company, and Braukman v. Toohey. A motion for a rule nisi which would have called in question the professional conduct of a solicitor was moved for, but refused, the grounds of tbe refusal being fully stated by the learned Judge. Tbe last case on the list, an appeal from the R.M. Court, Oamaru, was of very general interest, as ifc involves a question of grave importance to County Councils— the question whether County Councils are to regard unnavigable natural watercourses as drains, and to protect from injury the property adjoining them. On this oase his Honor reserved judgment. The value of imports at the several ports of Now Zealand during the quarter ending June 30tb, 1880, was LL350.814, and for the corresponding qaarterof thepreviousyear, LI, 791,267. The value of the exports for tbe June quarter of 1880 was L 1,436,986,, 436,986, against L 1,292,580 for the corresponding quarter of 1879. The number of telegrams forwarded in New Zealand during the quarter ending June 30fch, 188 D, waß 337,957, showing a decrease of 5370 on the second quarter of 1879. The cash revenue received was L 17.748 11s 2d, showing a decrease of Lllß7 16a 4d. The value of Government telegrams cent during the quarter ending June 30th, 1880, was L 7986 6s 6d, showing a decrease of LB2O 0a Id on the corresponding quarter of the previous year. During the quarter ending June 30th, 185 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 105,549 tons, entered inwards at the several ports of New Zealand, against 226 vessels, aggregating 117,655 tons, for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. During the June quarter of 1880. 201 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 113,927 tons, cleared outwards at the several New Zealand ports. Th« figures for the cor - reßponding quarter of 1879 were 249 vessels" 131,658 tons. A meeting of the Committee of tbe Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association waß held at Wain's Hotel on Wednesday. Present : Messrs Brydone, president of the Association (in the chair), Eoberts, Peake, Souter, X, B. Ferguson, Patrick, Taggart, Shand, Stephenson, Charters, Philp, Dowse, and L. Maclean. It was resolved that the next show of the Association should be held on Friday and Saturday, the 3rd and 4th of_ December. It waß also resolved that the admission-money on each day should be Is, instead of 2a 6d and Is as formerly. Committees were appointed to canvass for funds generally, and for special prizes. The programme of laßt year was also approved with some slight alterations ; and it was resolved that a further meeting should be held on Wednesday, Ist September, to receive the report of the sub- committees, and to adopt and issue the programme. A report of attendance at tbe Otago High School during the first three quarters of the present year shows the following .-—First quarter, 202 ; second quarter, 209 ; third quarter, 205. Accounts amounting to L484 17s Id were passed for payment. It 1b evident that the police^ have succeeded in putting a stop to a systematic course of robbery from dwellings, which was commenced in thia city about the beginning of July. Tbe man Thomas, who pleaded guilty to a couple of charges previously at the Police Court, on fthe 4th inst. pleaded guilty to no less than eight more, amongst them being the case of robbery of watches from the shop of Mr Nelson, watchmaker, in George street. The other cases com!)riaed robberies from private dwellings, jewelery and clothing being the articles principally taken. Mrs Thomas aud the man Dutton pleaded not guilty ia all the cases iv which they were charged. All three etand committed for trial at the next Supremo Court sessions. On Saturday (says the Tuapoka Times) a painful accident occurred to ono of Mr Jas. Crowd boys— a lad about 10 years of age. Ifc appears that he and a number of boys were playing together with bowa and arrown, when an arrow from one of them shot him in the eye. Tbe sight, we are informed, U completely gone, but it is hoped tha eye will heal and not require to b» t;\ken ont. The lad was taken to the Hospital and placed in a dark room, and every chance given to him. This ahould act as a caution to parents not to allow their children to play with dangerous weapons. Mr Aogus Milne, Cbristchurch, has received i a letter Jfrom his brother, conductor of tho Suh-Bngineer Department at Cotacamund, Madras, India, giving particulars of the goldfields in that locality. According to the statement of this gentleman, who was, at tbo iime of writing, engaged in openiug out the reefs for inspection by the Governor of Madras, there is no douht about the exigence of gold, but it is not certain whether it i^xiuts in payable quantities, and the lichest quartz reefa are in very unhealthy places. Mr Brough Smyth, from Australia, was at Cotacamund for the purpose I of prospecting the reefo. F r '

The Dunedin correspondent of the Bruoe Herald is responsible for the following i— "Polite duelling, I thought, was confined to France. It seems not, when even here — in unromantic New Zealand— blood must be shed to quell the fury of a heart. As fate will have it, two Lotharios basked in the sunshine of a certain young lady's eyes ; and the one, feeling powerfully under the influence of the " greeneyed monster," •• oalled the other out," and the Ocean Beach was the spot chosen for the sanguinary soene. Having arrived there one dark night and seconds appointed in tbe orthodox style, the opponents blazad away at each other until one of them was wounded in the shoulder, when he acknowledged that the other was now entitled to the lady, and accordingly retired from the amatory contest. Of course, the affair is hushed up ; yet chivalry of this kind, like murder, "will ont." Duelling in the American fashion is carried on here too. Late one night two young men had a quarrel, and feeling that (he only way to settle the affair was to hack eaoh other's ears off, they proceeded to do so with the aid of Bailors' knives. They cut and|sawed each other until a large pool of blood was drawn, when, feeling quite satisfied, they went on their way, and, strange to say, untouched by the police." The Wellington correspondent of the Southlan d I News quotes as follows from a speech recently delivered by the Premier :— " Rabbit statistics : Skins exported in 1877— Number, 265,463 ; value, L 3167: year 1878-1,33 L,153; value, not Btated : 1879— number of skins, 1,492,952 ; value, L 13,128. Assuming five rabbits to be equal to one sheep, the 1,492,952 rabbits will have consumed tbe feed, in round numbers, of 300,000 sheep, the wool from which would be worth, say, L 55.000. The skins exported do not probably represent more than a tenth of the rabbits existing in the various districts ; hence it is probable that the actual loss ia rapidly increasing. Reliable informa- j tion enables an estimate to be formed, to the j effect that 500,000 acres have been virtually abandoned owing to the inorease of the rabbits. Buns such as the] Takitimo, 44,000 acres, have been let for sums as low as LlO per annum, and the rabbits are gradually creeping up the slopes of the Southern Alps in Canterbury." A match has been arranged between the Dunedin and Inveroargill Carbine Clubs (10 men a side), and, weather permitting, the Invercargill team will fire on Friday, and the Dunedin m6n on the following day. The Inveroargill team is composed of Messrs Buchanan, Smith, Friend, Selby, D. Taylor, Kingawell, M'Kenzie, Ffaser. Huffadine, and Muir. It is now understood that the Public Works Statement will be delivered on Friday, There is atill a large amount of grain moving on the railways. During the month of July 56,096 bags were carried on theOamaru-Timaru section. It may be mentioned (says tbe Oamaru Mail) that last year the grain traffic was 'over in June, none being carried in July j but this year the season was very late, and as the farmers have been and are holding out for better prices, there still remains a large quantity of both wheat and oats to be brought to town. With an improvement in prices, of whioh we have indications, the railways should have a busy time for some weeks. It appears that among the assets of the City of Glasgow Bank was a gold reef in the Indian mines, to which public attention has lately been directed, and it now appears that this "claim" has proved very rich; indeed it is rumoured that its product may possibly bB of sufficient value to return a moiety of tbe Bank's debts, the payment of whioh utterly ruined so many previously well-to-do shareholders. But those (and much the larger number) who haye failed or compounded with the liquidators will have no share in tbis windfall, which will go to the very small number who have been rici enough to weather the storm and retain their position on tbe roll. It has been suggested that the mast of the Orpheus, now lying on the Manukau beach, New Zealand, should be taken to England as a relic of a catastrophe not surpassed, perhaps, in naval annals for the courage and resignation shown in connection with it. There are many uses to which the memorable spar could be put. Apropos of the missing training-ship Atalanta, the London Weekly Tim6S of June 6 th, received by the Garonne, says :— "Captain Sturrock, of the Scotia's Qaeeri, from Demerara, arrived at Queenstown, reports that on April 30th he passed a raft, which had apparently been made on board a man-of-war or first-class steamer, as it was bolted together and not lashed with chain. Two days afterwards he passed several dead bodies, with white j uinpero on. A vessel just arrived at Queenstown reports a circumstance which tends to show that the raft recently discovered in the Atlantic had been made on board the Atalanta. The vessel in question passed apparently the same raft, and soon afterwards the bodies of two young men were seen in the water, who from their dress and general appearance might have belonged to a man-of-war." A very remarkable commercial " operation " is, according to the British Medical Journal, now going on. An Anglo-American Syndicate, controlling very large' funds, ia purchasing all the medicinal opium in the world. About 4000 cases are known to be in existence, of which the Syndicate have bought half ; and they intend to buy the coming short crop from Turkey, estimated at only 3000 cases more. As opium is an article tf prime necessity in medicine, and is consumed at the rate of 6000 ca^ea a year, they calculate on raising tbe price from 18 j a pound to 48s, and indeed have raised ib already in New York to 26<*. The profit, if thty succeed, will be enormous j but they run one or two serious riakc, of which one is that a high price may check the consumption of laudanum for purposes other than medicine, and another is that ecience may utilise Indian opium. That drug is at present too refined and too weak in narcotic properties for medicine ; but if the doctors want it, a second and much Bfcrdnger extract could be made and forwarded to Europe. The trick, however, is constantly played with quinine, and occasionally succeeds, the speculators getting double prices. A meeting of Home 400 persons claiming deBcent from Sir Androw Chadwick, of Westrntttsttr, who died intestate, as regards hu r<>al estat e, which iR chiefly in London, and ia said to represent about L 7,000,000, wns hold in Rochdale tho other day. An associative was formed, and if its efforts to find the "real" beir amongst the members should prove successful, the property is to bo divided in proportion to the number of LI shares taken up.

Our subscribers will receive with this issue an illustrated | advertising supplement, containing lithographed sketches of a number of the finest of the business premises of Dunedin. Among the numbers may be|mentioned Mr W. L. Philp's new Central Railway Terminus Hotel (a description of which appeared in a previous issue), the new Sussex Hotel and Hall ; Brown, Ewing, and Co.'s drapery warehouse ; Mollison, Duthie, and Co.'s drapery warehouse, in George street ; Charles liegg and Co.'s music warehouse, &c. Application has been made to register the Premier Gold-mining Company as a limited company under the provisions of " The Mining Companies Act, 1872."

The 26th insfc. has been appointed the, day for the election o( members of the Toi-Tois District Road Board. We have beon requested to draw attention to Messr A. and T. Inglis 1 advertisement, which appears elsewhere. . . The following subscriptions have been given in aid of the fund for the assistance of the poorer cures in the diocoso of Dunedin :— Dalgety and Co. (for Morven Hills), £200; F. G. Dalgety (for Hawkdun), £200 ; P. a. Dalgety (for Oraarama), £2 00 ; G. Gray Eussell, £500; H. Le Cren, £100; C. Jacomb, £100; Richard Foster, £100 ; the Bishop of Dunedin, £100; H. J. Gibbs, £100 ; Henry Eose, £100 ; J. M. Ritchie, £100. The Union Steam Ship Co. have issued their Pocket Guide for August. On the 12th inst. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Will hold a clearing sale of draught horses, cattle, implements, &c. at Mr Donald Miller's farm, Maungatua. . . The assessment roll of the AVest Taieri River District is now open for inspection. The Corporation of the City of Melbourne offer a prize of £200 for the best essay on the underground drainage of Melbourne. The date for the reception of essays has been postponed until Ist February, 1881. We have been requested by Mr James Grinley to state that of the monoy collected in Port Chalmers for the Benevolent Institution the sum of £13 5s 6d was the result of a canvass of the East Ward, made by himself and Mr Morgan. Messrs Maclean and Co. will hold a sale of horses, drays, and harness at their Bazaar, George and Great King streets, at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Mr Patrick, butcher, of Maclaggan street, exhibited one of the earliest lambs of the season on Saturday night. It was from Balmoral Farm, Outram. The hon. secretary of the Benevolent Bazaar received £4 7s 6d from Blueskin, per Mr James Green. The Taieri County Council are calling; for tenders for a timber water-opening on the North Taieri road, near Mr Turnbull's. Charles Hulston, of Christchurch, has challenged J. M'Donald, of Dunedin (late Canadian champion), to run 120, 150, and 200 yards, for £50 a side, six weeks from date. On Saturday, August 21st, Messrs Bastings, Leary, and Co. will offer for sale by auction a valuable allotment in the Moa Block, Taranaki, containing 110 acres of land. The Secretary of the Benevolent Carnival Committee acknowledges the receipt of the following donations :— G. and J. A. Cook, £2 2s ; collected by W. Wilson, £3 Bs. A sale of licenses of runs in the Wakatipu pastoral district for 10 years will be held at the Crown Lands Office, Dunedin, at noon on September Ist. Full particulars can be obtained at the Crown Lands Office, Dunedin. Applications will be received at the Crown Lands Offices in Otago on Wednesday, Septembor Ist, for 735 acres of land, under deferred payments, at 80s per acre, in the Earnslaw district. James Blair, John and William Edgar, and Alfred Rhodes are enquired for in our advertising columns. Tenders are invited for laying drainpipes on the Clarendon estate.