Provincial News.

Southland Times, Issue 935, 17 April 1868, Page 5

Provincial News.

On Friday, the 3rd April, upwards of 460 acres were sold at the Ltnid Office. The Amateur Benevolent Concert at the Theatre Royal»on Friday evening came off very succassfully, although, owing to the increased heavj rain, :the bouse was not »o well filled as we could ha-ve wished, lo show the high class of music given •we cannot do better than insert the programme, , -which was as follows :— Part I— Wedding March, Mendelssohn ; Quartett — " Lutzow"— Weber ; Aria (ba3s), "Honor and Arm 3" (Samson), Handel ; Ballad—" Alas those Chhnes !" (Maritana), Wallace; Quartett— " The Hardy Norseman," Wallace; Duett (soprano and tenor), "Night's Gentle Queen" (La Traviata), Verdi; Solo, pianoforte, " Songs without Words," Mendelssohn; Scena (tenor), "Philistines! Hark!" (Eli), Costa; Madrigal (a.d. 1540), " Come again Sweet Love," Douland. Part 2— lnstrumental selection — " Dinorah," Meyerbeer ; .Duett, *' Autumn," Mendelssohn ; Quartett, " The Soldier's Love," Kucken; Ballad, "The Blind Girl to her Harp," Glover; Duett (tenor and bass), "More Glorious to Die," (Masaniello), Auber ; Aria (soprano), " The Power of Love, 1 ' (Satanella), Balfe; Overture, pianoforte, "Jessonda," Spohr; Aria (tenor), "Sweet Form," (Lurline), Wallace ; Duett, " A Voice from the Waves," Glover; Song (bass), "The Sea," Neukommi. Of the execution we may remark that it, was excellent, and far above the average of amateur entertainments ; certainly no better performed concert has yet been given in Invercargill. The instrumental music and accompaniments were beautifully done, and the vocal pieces, solos, duetts, and quartetts, were rendered not only correctly, but with admirable taste and expression. The audience applauded most vociferously. The concert ended at 11 p.m.. with the National Anthem. The incessant heavy traffic passing over Eskstreet, between the railway terminus and Deestreet has, during the recent heavy rains, so cut it up as to render it almost impassible, and to entail on the various road contractors, by whom it is principally used, an extra, expense of no Bmall amount in the wear and tear of horse flesh, harness, and vehicles. It is really distressing to witness the struggles of the poor horses who do then- utmost to drag their heavy loads of metal through the crunching, wexy mixture of clay and gravel, nearly axle deep, which now forms the " roadway ;" still more so to see the severe punishment occasionally administered to less willing or weaker animals when they absolutely stick fast. As the incline from the Station up to the level of Dee-street is considerable, this portion of road will always be a dead pull for heavily laden drays, and as the whole traffic of the province may now. he, considered as centered upon it, itshould at once he made both of sufficient width to permit of teams passing each other easily, and of sufficient firmness to bear all that is required of it. Metal alone will do thw, and as it is most convenient the work could be done at very small expense. Laid on now it would bind at once with the material already on the road, and, with a little attention to the filling up of ruts before they got too deep, would soon present a surface as smooth and hard as a brick. No doubt the contractors would gladly place the the great benefit it would be to themselves. We have previously directed the attention of the authorities to the state of the Waihopai Bridge. This is now becoming a serious matter, as the planking in several places is perfectly rotten and nearly worn through. Unless the repairs be at once attended to some casualty, serious both as regards expense and worse consequences, will ensue. We learn from the "Daily Times" of the 6th inst., that Captain Alexander M'Kinnon, long and favorably known in connection with the coal hulks at Port Chalmers, was a passenger yesterday by the Auckland; he proceeds to Lyttelton, thence overland to catch the Gothenburg, thence to Melbourne and Sydney, en route for Japan. The following are the estimated quantities of ova shipped per Celestial Queen for this Province. Salmon ova, Severn, 113,000 ; Irish, 50,000 ; Scotch, 56,000; Wye, 1000. Total, 220,000. Sea trout from the Hodder, 4000; "Salmo umbla,', from Schliersee, Bavaria, 9000; river trout from Lord Essex, 1500. Making a gross total of 234,500 ova, contained in 334 boxes. Mr Kortwright, Her Majesty,s Consul at Philadelphia, in his report which was presented to Parliament in November last, thus speaks of the trade in petroleum :—" The trade in petroleum for 3866 has increased to immense proportions. The principal sources of this extraordinary product seem to be confined chiefly to Venango county in this state (Pennsylvania) and West Virginia ; and large as the trade is, it would be still more extensive were it not for the high prices charged by the railways for its transport to the coast. The price of the oil at the wells is only 2dol (6s 7d) per barrel, hardly remunerative; whereas the cost of transportation to Philadelphia and New York is 4dol (13s 2d), or double its value at the -wells, leaving the profits chiefly to the carrying trade. This anomalous state of things has induced a proposal to be made, which, though feasible, will be attended with great expenditure, viz., to lay a vast oil pipe from the wells to the sf si-cospt ; and so extensively is the article entering into the various branches of manufacture, and so important is it becoming as a substitute for fuel, that, bold as the project is, it is not impossible to be realised." The exports or 1866 he states at 75,000,000 gallons, and the home consumption 30,000,000 gallons. The value of this annual product he put at £7,263,000 sterling. Truly, a gigantic branch of native industry, and one worthy of a mode of transit peculiarly its own. The Melbourne " Age " speaks of an up-country paper, as one which " still lingera on, it appears, but in a hopelessly moribund condition." The "Age" quotes the following as the opening sentence of a "leading article" in the dying journal: — '.'Death and decay somehow leave a melancholy impression* even when associated with the most insignificant objects ; and there is a certain amount of pathos even in the gradual collapse of a bladder which has only just been, bounding about . in, the swelling consciousness of its owu bigness and invulnerability. The census returns show the population in the Hawke'a Bay Province to be — Males, 3120; females, 2055— Total, 5175. .'....

On "Wednesday Bth inst», at noon, at the Hall, Prince of Wales Hotel, Brother George Reese was duly installed into the office of Worshipful Muster of the Masonic Lodge. The new VV.M. then invested the following gentlemen as Ms officers:— 3. W., Brother Cotton; J.W., Broths Webtter; S.D., Brother J. T. Martin Tn-us-.irer, Brother Tapper ; Secretary, Brother Bain ; 1.G., Brother Saimders. After the oiMiumy business of the Lodge had been disposed of, the members sat down to a cold luncheon, provided by Mr Smith, to which ample justice was done. The customary installation banquet was postponed until the 23rd inst., in consequence of the absence of a number of the brethern. A match between ten of the members of the Invercargill Volunteer Kifie Corps, and ten of theEiverton Company has been arranged to take place at the Riverton butts on Monday the 13th inst. This being the first friendly match between the two companies considerable interest is dis- j played as to the result, and a large number of j spectators it is expected will be in attendance. . We understand that special conveyances will be j put on for the occasion, to leave Invercargill at 6 o'clockfon 'Monday morning. We learn that Mr Watt, who has form my years discharged the duties of Resident Magistrate at the Bluff, has been appointed Sheriff for the Province of Otago. Although his duties at Campbelltown have been comparatively light, he has nevertheless in their discharge given general satisfaction, whilst in social life his gentlemanly and courteous demeanor secured numerous friends. The following are the particulars of the cargo of the Robert Henderson, and its estimated value :— M'Pherson and Co., 928 bales, 329,9911b5, of tke value of £17,158 10s 6d ; Calder, Blacklock and Co., 616 bales, 213,4161b5, £11,798 15s lOd ; J. Stock and Co., 449 bales, 111,7931b5, £6,658 8s ; Whittingham Bros., 200 bales, j 82,4031b5, £5858 15s lOd ; Mitchell and Co., 42 bales, 14,0421b5, £702 2s. Total number, 2,235 bales, representing 751,6451b5, of the total value of £42,176 12s 2d. This vessel also contains the following :— Calder, Blacklock and Co., 3 bales skins, and 2 boxes effects, £53; M'Pherson and Co., 4 bales skins, £33 ; Whittingham Bros., 1 bale skins, £8 18s 6d ; making altogether the value of the cargo, £42,271 10s Bd. Some little excitement was created in town on Tuesday aftornoon, the occasion be ng a foot race, which came oft about 3 o'clock. The scene of the contest was about a mile down the Blnff road. The competitors were Billy Malone, alias the Sydney Kangaroo, a New South Wales halfcaste ; and Billy Bates, alias the War Bird, a half-caste belonging to Riverton. The distance to be run was 100 yards, and the stakes were £10 a-side. A considerable number of people collected to witness the event, but there was very little betting, the Sydney man being decidedly in greatest favor. The result fully bore out the fay orable opinion of his backers, as he won his money with perfect ease. The premonitory symptoms of approaching winter which we have lately " enjoyed" should be sufficient to direct the attention of owners of private property and the custodians of the public estate to the condition of all drains, gutters, &c, &c In order to prevent the formation of permanent pools of water in places where they ought not to be, surface gutters should be made to conduct the rain as it falls to the nearest dr»in, and all drains and ditches ought to receive a thorough overhaul. The outfall or mouth of main drains should receive particular attention, as the slightest obstruction at this part of their course soon causes the whole to silt up and renders the entire system connected with theminoperative, and worse than useless. The state of the main drains in several parts of the town have frequently called for remark of late, and nevermore urgently than now. The covering timber is in some places broken through, leaving most dangerons ugly holes which should be at once secured. Several of the street crossings also require a little attention. The side gutters, in the main thoroughfares at least, should be thoroughly scoured and the trap gratings and culverts opened up and cleared out so as to allow a free race for the surface water. The side drains of a portion of the North road beyond the town belt, are especially in want of attention. The sand carried into them by the rains has in some places completely choked them up, so that during wet weather the water lies at a level encroaching on the crown of the road, which in consequence must soon succumb to the heavy traffic passing over it, unless the necessary repairs are at once made. These need cost no ! great expense. The main ditch, from the road to the sea, is in first rate order, and a few days of the prisoners, as on a former occasion, would ensure the safety of the road through the winter. It may be well to remind the ladies that the several drapery establishments in town are now closed at 6 o'clock in the evening, except, ox. Saturdays. During the summer months the hour for shutting up shop was 7 o'clock, but as winter has now set in, the time has very properly been fixed at an hour earlier. In a place like Invercargill it cannot possibly be any inconvenience to the public that business should be restricted to the very reasonable hour named, while . by its protraction to some indefinite time, as is too generally the ease in retail warehouses, a grievous hardship is inflicted on both masters and employes connected with the trade. The matter, however rests entirely with the drapers themselves, there are but a few of them in town now altogether, and they can surely act unanimously in a matter which must ultimately be equally advantageous. A firm adherence to the rule for a week or two would be certain to secure the early attendance of their respective customers, and the consequent benefit to themselves. Marriage between Chinamen and European women, instead of exciting a feeling of disgust as was the case a few years ago, seem now to be regarded with great complacency by some of the mining population. Thus the Grenville Advocate states that there, was to, be a kind of holiday: at Browns, on the occasion of the marriage of a Chinaman with a European woman, and a general invitation of the residents ofthe locality to a dinner at the Washington hotel was made. The Rev. S. Walker, the Episcopalian minister, was to officiate on the occasion. ' A fearful murder has taken place near.Rockhampto^n. A German settler, whilst under the infliience of drink, murdered his wife and two daughters with a tomahawk, and then committed suicide throwing himself into the river.

Fo* the past few days we have oxperieneed such a continuance of heavy rains as haa filled every watercourse and drain to overfiowing. The soil everywhere is thoroughly saturated. Inland communicatiou is temporarily cheeked by the swollen rivers, and the operations of hariest have been for the time suspended. Yesterday, however, the clouds again cleared away, and we hid a fine blue sky, with a favorable drying breeze, which will no doubt be eagerly availed of by farmers for the securing of their remaining outstanding white crops. In situations naturallydamp the excess of surface water will most probably induce wet-rot amongst potatoes, and. as this root is likely to maintain a good price throughout the winter, they are too valuable to be allowed to go to waste. No time should be lost in having them taken up and safely pitted.. Timely attention to this matter will save a proportion of the crop which will ultimately amply repay the grower for any additional expense he may at i present incur in the temporary employment of ! an extra hand or two. I The favorite clipper ship Eobert Henderson, [ Captain Boyd, cast off her moorings in Bluff i Harbour, on Tuesday morning about nine o'clock and stood to sea with a fair wind, bound for London with a full and valuable cargo of wool and skins. The good ship appeared in excellent sailing trim and her commander anticipates adding another to her already long list of rapid passages. In addition to her cargo she takes five passengers, returning to their native land. With even ordinary good luck Captain Boyd will no doubt succeed in landing his freight in ample time for the July sales. On Wednesday hist Mr C. D. Irvine, well known in Invercargill, was brought up at the Eesident Magistrate's Court, charged with having been found on the previous evening, dressed in female costume, loitering surreptitiously about the premises of the Rev. Mr Tanner, North Road. It came out at the examination that the prisoner had been annoying Mr Tanner's family greatly ior some time past, and that the matter had ultimately been placed in the hands of the police, the result being that Mr Irvine was arrested on Tuesday evening under the circumstances stated. Constable Tuohy, who made the arrest, stated that, according to instructions, and acting from information raceived, he was on duty on the North Road about half-past ten o'clock on the night in question, when he saw a person, apparently a feniale, enter Mr Tanner's garden. Suspecting that it was the prisoner, he followed and saw the individual go round to the back door, and, after knocking, converse with some one within. The only part of the conversation heard by the constable was the words " there is company inside." The pretended female then went away, and broke a paling or two off the fence to get through to the vacant ground at the back, when the constable went up and took him in charge. On the application of Mr Harvey, who appeared for the prosecution, the case was remanded until the 15th inst. ; the counsel for the prosecution intimating that he inten led to press for severe punishment being awarded. The manufacture of cloth at the works of the Victorian Woollen Cloth Company on the Barwon is an established fact. The " Argus" states that some fifty hands, many of them women, are regularly employed from six a.m. to six p.m. Two additional looms have been set going. There is a large quantity of tweeds of various hues ready for placing on the market. The " Wallaroo Times" states that the sandal wood is found in abundance upon some portions of Yorke's Peninsula, and that a large quantity was awaiting shipment t> Adelaide. The South Australian journals are very sore at the manner in which their successful efforts to entertain Prince Alfred have been ignored by the English Press. The Advertiser writes : — " In the London newspapers our demonstrations are quietly ignored, or put off with a small paragraph or two. Our big brother Victoria obtains all the credit. The " Times " publishes a report of its own correspondent in Melbourna, which of course refers almost exclusively to the reception in that city. The fact is, our demonstrations were nearly a month old, and were growing stale, while those of Victoria were just beginning. We have therefore been overshadowed by the greater colony. The principal London dailies have published leaders on the reception which His Royal Highness met with in Australia ; but it is evident their notion of Australia is Victoria. We undei stand no official recognition of our reception of the Prince has reached the Government ; but we have no doubt that will come later on. We did our best to make the son of our Queen welcome while he was amongst us, and the consciousness that we were successful in this is our sufficient reward." A monster case of sheep stealing is reported in the Adelaide papers, the number stolen being no less than 1399. The sheep were got out of a paddock at Ryeland's station, they were driven to Adelaide, a distance of about a hundred miles, and there actually sold before the theft was discovered. The auctioneer, however, had some suspicion that all was not right, and withheld the proceeds of sale from the two supposed squatters named Gipson and Marshall, until inquiries could be made. Oil the facts of the case being made known the two men were arrested. Gipson pleaded guilty, Marshall stood his trial and was also convicted. We extract the following from the " Australasian" : — " The committee appointed. at Sydney to push forward the preparations for shipping a cargo of meat under Mr Mort's care, are now , appealing to the stockowners of several Colonies for assistance in making up the sum of £8000 or £9000 to provide the meat and pay the freight on it. About 300 tons are to be shipped, the patentee undertaking to provide the necessary machinery, plant, chemicals, materials, labor, &c, and to go with the meat to England. The (subscribers are, of course, to risk the loss of their money in case > of failure ; but whatever results from the sale of the meat, if landed sound, is to be divided amongst them in proportion to the sums contributed. The disposal of the meat is to be lett entirely to Mr Mort, and such confidence have the Sydney people in the ability and judgment of that gentleman, and so fully has the freezing principle been tried on shore, where it must act to least advantage, that the money and subscriptions m kind will no doubt be shortly forthcoming. The neighboring Colonies are invited to contribute, as the success of the experiment is calculated to promote materially the good of all ; but those individuals who. are inclined to assist are asked to signify their, intentions without delay, to allow of arrangements being concluded as quickly as may be. It is hoped that the vessel, with this novel cargo, on board, will be ready il in about two months.

The " Scientific American" states " that- the American Wood Company, at Manayunk, Perm., have the largest works in the world for producing paper from wood pulp. Logs of wood, principally poplar, are cut into chips by revolving steel knives, which can cut forty cords every twentyfjur hours. These chips are then boiled in alkalies and reduced to pulp. By a pecliuar process of evaporation, eighty per cent, of the soda iB saved, and 20,0001 bof }.rinting paper are made daily," Sir Henry Parker, as chairman of a special general meeting of the propriet >rs of the Union Bank of Australia, held in London, on the 13th of January, spoke in glowing terms of the career of the institution, at home and in the colonies. "It affords me great satisfaction," he observed, "to be able to meet you to-day with such a favorable report and statement; of accounts. (Hear, hear.) Bearing in mind the great, monetary and commercial depression which is, now prevailing in this city, and which of course, must, indirectly at any ratr, affect our relations with the Australian colonies ; also bearing in mind the vast amount of banking competition which we have to encounter there, I think I am not too sanguine in congratulating you, as I do most sincerely, on the very sound and prosperous condition of our affairs. (Cheers.) I ought not, to pass from this subject, however,, without calling your attention to the fact that this result has been arrived at, after she most careful investigation, by the committee of accounts, of the state of affairs at the branches abroad as well as the affairs of the bank at home ; and that after this investigation the most ample provision has been made for all debts either bad or of a doubtful and an exceptional character. (Cheers.) As we have received the mail this morning, although we have not yet had an opportunity of reading our letters as carefully as they will require to be read hereafter, I may also mention that this provision extends down to the very latest date, that is to say, > the 26th of November last, and that we know of nothing to conti adict the very satisfactory report which has been laid before you this day. (Hear, hear.) Here I may, perhaps, be permitted, in passing, to pay a tribute to the zeal and ability which have been displayed by the staff of officers of the bank both at home and abroad ; at home presided over by our able manager, Mr Saunders, and in the colonies by our excellent manager and inspector, Mr M'Mullen. (Hear, hear.) A great deal is due, of course, to the officers of the bank for the success which has attended our exertions." The 'Bruce Herald' states that the annual meeting for the election of Wardens for the Hundred of Tutarau, Mataura, was held on the 26th March at Mr Stewart Shanks' home station. Messrs John Turnbull, T. S. Shanks, and Findlay Mackay were duly elected Wardens for the current year After the election a meeting of license -holders, of whom a large majority were present, was held for the consideration of some matters of general interest. Twe delegates, Messrs J. S. Shanks and John Turnbull, were chosen to co-ope ate with delegates to be similarly chosen in the Hundreds of Makaretia and Toetoes, in taking measures to represent to the Provincial Council at its next session, the neglected state of the main road through the Lower Mataura district. It was stated that the Otago Provincial Government had as yet spent nothing on the roads and bridges in this district, and that about 20,000 acre 3of land had been sold in it, and settlement was going on rapidly. By the courtesy of the Wardens for 1867, the accounts current for the past year was laid before the meeting. A balance of over £120 sterling remaining in the hands Jof the Wardens. Messrs Allan Gait, John Turnbull, and T. Stewart Shanks were appointed to act as a committee empowered to apply to making and improving roads and bridges within the Tutarau Hundred ; the sum of £112 to be at once handed over to them, and also the one half of the assessment leviable for 1868. An authority to this effect was drawn up to be signed by all the license-rholders in tt« Hundred, and received the signature of all licenseholders present at the meeting. The Melbourne " Evening Star " says : — "Information has been given to thu Police Authorities, with a view to their communicating with the Police Authorieties of South Australia, of a perfectly organised and large band of Fenians, that has been known to the informant (who, until recently, resided in Adelaide), to have been in existence in that city for some considerable time past. The gentleman giving the information is a most reliable authority, and gives full particulars as to the names and addresses of the parties implicated — we believe one reason for not giving the information while in Adelaide, was, a fear of the consequence of his name being made known." The same paper adds:— "We may supplement the above paragraph by saying that we are in possession of positive information that there are at present in Melbourne several accredited agents from the principals of the Fenian organisation at home, and they are stopping at well-known hotels in this town. It is also a known fact that a short time since a large number of firearms was landed from a vessel in this port, the consignees of which were rather doubtful characters. It has also been mentioned that the offices of one of our contemporaries has been threatened, with destruction, in consequence of its remarks upon this subject ; but this threat we treat with contempt, as we are quite sure that our police and other forces are quite capable of protecting the property and lives of the peaceable citizens of Melbourne." It is stated by the Sydney correspond *nt of the Melbourne " Argus," that the homeward voyage of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh is likely to be made' by way of Torres Straits, and will probably commence a little earlier than has been hitherto reported. This, at least, is the news as it comes by telegram. The "Sydney Morning Herald" of the 19th inst., however, states that there is still a probability of the Duke continuing bis, voyage at least as far as New Zealand, and then proceeding on to England. It is suggested by the " Argus " that the news of the mock funeral at Hokitika, published in Sydney on. the 18th inst., may, at the same time, have determined, the,; Duke to take another route Home. To this it, adds, on the authority of a ; private telegram received yesterday from a trustworthy source, that no determination whatever has been arrived at as to the future movements of the Duke. ' The " Oaraaru Times " Btates that the Presbyterian Church extension committee have appointed for three months, the Rev. L. M'Gillivray, of Riverton, to the Waitaki district. He hopes to get some distance up the Waitaki this week, and will be glad if arrangements can b« made at the several Btations for holding service.

We learn that; a company is being formod In order to start s. new paper in Wellington. It is understood that it will advocate the views of the Centralist party. The " Bruce Herald" relates the following :— " The ' Sunderland Times' tells this very good story of the ' Circumlocution Office ' : — ' A lock was wanted on premises in Sunderland, of w><ich the Board of Admiralty has the official charge. The proper local functionary, a cordinuly, made application to their Lordships at Whitehall or Somerset House for an order to buy the lock, which would cost two shillings. In due course he received four or five folio sheets of inquiry the blanks in which he had to fill up, and forthwith return. This having been done, a gentl man was sent over from Tynetnouth to survey the hole in the door on which the lock was to be put. He came and returned first-class, and his railway fare and hotel charges (:or, of course he required to lunch and dine there) came to a good round sum. The surveyor's report was transmitted to London, under the orthodox envelope, and then an order came down to Sunderland authorising the lock to be bought and fixed on the door." Such is officialism at home, but it is little if any better in New Zealand. A gentleman, upon whose veracity we can depend, recently arrived from the North Island, has told us the following .-^-A Government officer conuected with the Volunteer Department, had occasion to travel a distance of 25 miles, and was told there wse a public coach by which he could travel; this did not suit the dignity of the pampered official, he must have a coach to himself, and so accordingly he got one, costing in going and returning some £5 or £6 ; and what think you, gentle readers, was the mighty duty he had to perform ? to review THREE men. This is how our money goes— this, and such as this, is what increases our Colonial debt and makes taxation grievous. Seven hundred aad seventy nine acres of land, principally in the Hokanui district, were sold at the Land Office on Tuesday, the 14th inst. Thehon. J. C. Richmond, a member of the General Government, spoke at the Wellington Execration Meeting, last week. The views of the Government are no doubt stated in the following passages of Mr Richmond's speech, which we quote" from the " Independent" :— " What had happened to the Prince, might as easily happen to any one present, for he was only distinguished by position, and had no more to do with the Irish question than the humblest member of the community. It was becoming to mark detestation of such a crime as has been attempted. (Cheers.) It was politic to do so, for no one was safe from the bullet and the knife. It was politic also for the people at once to express their not to allow such practices to go on— to put down for ever the reign of terror a few fanatical creatures wished to institute. Backed by vigorous public opinion it would be put down. (Cheers.) The Government were desirous of seeing meetings like the present held throughout the colony, in order to assure them that it was backed by the cordial and universal support of the people in putting down the system of terrorism which was being attempted. This lot of mischief-making persons-^-some actuated by misguided patriotism, some by darker motives— ought to be made to know that the people of New Zealand not only feel true and heartfelt sympathy with the Prince in his sufferings, and horror at the atrocious attempt made on his hie, but are determined not to submit to a system of terrorism. (Cheers.) There was no one present who would not admit that the Irish population was not identified with this crime. (Cheers.) We (" Argus ") understand that there is every probability that Mr Riddell will succeed in forming an Administration. His principal difficulty will be to obtain law officers, but no doubt he will be able in some way or other to overcome the obstacle. The opinion also appears to gain ground that in the event of the Darling grant being sent to the Council in a separate bill, it will be passed by that body, although perhaps under protest. The following is given as the number of buildings and inhabitants in Wellington at the commencement of the current year :— Number of buildings— lnhabited houses, 2068 ; uninhabited houses (including stores and other buildings in which no person sleeps), 135 ; houses building, 36. Number of persons— Males, 3927 ; females, 3533— 7460. Of these there are, under 15 years o f age— Males, 1483 5 females, 1542—3025. Above 15 years of age— Males, 2444 ; females, 1 991 — 4435. Increase since 1864 — In number of h ouses — 1011, or 95 36 per cent ; in number of p ersons — 2807, or 60*33 per cent.