SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 477, 20 May 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

POLITICAL. T1!-: month has been pregnant with political !Lie. The Provincial Council has been opened lor the work of the Fifteenth Session. The event was looked forward to with more than ordinary interest. The peculiar circumgtar.ivs under which the Government had been carried on, from the month of December previous, had invested the occasion with an imporinnee sui-passiug any that had arisen iv this youthful Province. The Opposition, which at th:^ time succeeded in passing a "want of confidence vote" in the Government, and requested the Superintendent to recommend a dissolution of the Council, (which he declined) was known to have somewhat changed its complexion. Its leader, Thomas Dick, Esq.. h;..d been re-elected to a seat in the House of lie'Hwnmives, which would necessitate his ab.-j:ice from the Province for some time ; and this, combined with oilier circumstances, led to « brisk speculation as to the f;-te of the Government. Had the Superintendent met tin- Council with a liberal and well defined pnv;r.unme. no doubt ran be entertained but th;U the Opposition would have been satisfied to Ivava the then Ministry to work it out, and given their aid in the undertaking. But no such programme was forthcoming. On*"Wednesday the 10th April, at 12 o'clock, the Council met. The .Speaker having taken the chair, the usual preliminary proceedings we: c disposed of, and his Honor the Superintendent entered the House and delivered a loin; opening address. The speech drew a bright picture of the past progress and future | prospects of the colony ; and a list of Hills to be introduced, including an Emigration Ordinance and Amended Land Regulations, with a nun".her of measures of only local interest. No liii'ther business of any importance was entered upon. The next day the Council met, bi-t no business was taken, an adjournment till the following day having been moved ami ?nrricd.

On Monday the 21st the members musten\! in strong force. Notices of motion rolled in from the one after another in prolific abundance, and it soon became evident that they meant business, whatever position rhev might occupy: among which was a string of resolutions by Mr. Dick, setting forth the urgent desirability of a Separation of the Middie from the North Island. An address of condolence to her Majesty the i.'i!--vn. on the decease of his Royal HighiH.ss tiie Prince Consort, was unanimously adopt*.1;!. The '• Reply to His Honor the Supcrin-temk-iu's Opening Address" was then brought up ;i\' the Hon. Mr. "Walker, a member of the i'ixc iirive. The reply was short and simply r.-;v vakiting the chief items touched upon i:i II is Ho:!. is speech, and expressed a '''trust that 11 r;ie Council would be able to co-operate " will: you in the preparation of such measures '• a* >.iiail be adopted to our altered eircumt: i-taucvs, and calculated to promote and eonu siiidnte the prosperity and weli-beingof the li co1 .;y." Mr. Dick at once rose and siiggoted that a day should be allowed ibr lion, members to consider the reply, as it was Uc--ii-:;h!o that the question of the present Executive remaining in office or not should be nt once settled. It was evident that lie was b-enf upon mischief, and the adjournment was decided upon without opposition. The debate on the reply was resumed on Tuesday, the 22ml April, by Mr. Walker mining its adoj>tion. Mr. Dick moved an amendment, containing th? following clause: —".it the close of last session we expressed l* a Vi ii'it of confidence in your Honor's present 11 Executive, but from difficulties to which we uwe will not revert, there was no new '- Executive formed. "We trust thai your '■ i !;> i'ir will now he able to make such ur- '■ v augeineuts as >hall give you an Executive '■ possessing the confidence of the majority of ': 11;::- Council, so that the business of the '■ Province may be conducted in a constiti:- ---' ii.1!;;! manner." The lion, gentleman ]ioi::i.-d oiit the position the Ministry held ij.-i,-i!y reviewing the events which t-.Tininated i;: ail expression of "a want of confidence" in t'i..' ■■ ivisers of His. Honor, and pointing out ti'.u reasons that led him to conclude that ;,:.ihi;;g had been done during the interval, li '. w>.-..• n tiie List s;.t lings and the pre.-vn? :;v:-.-i'im of the Council to lead to a reversion of ,be -i'-.-jision then arrived at. He could not iii -;::'a er in His Honor's speech an indication o ':i:j adcipiion of .'i ])olicy by the (Ji.vcnivi.! i j.iie'jiiau! to meet the re'.p:ircr.ichts of il.u: c<;h:;!ry, or of ;i nature, to justily tlie Comicii in ;.;:.-;p;isii:ig the oni-ideratiou ni' a Mini.-^e-ri;: cjanu;e ; and th\i ha.vmgarviveti at t!)is uoji- «•'•:•! :0. should tin; anietidmi-iit l;v c.'irned, he v.:-. j'!v;i-iivd i'oi' t!ie cons./ijiuii-.-es. The " :; .:;'ii)]-.-nt was soeo'.Hlet! by ?i!i". .McC-i;1-!'.;;,!. > .!■: deitute, which h'.sted a'mnl. live h'.'.i/.-;. -'•.••.''.,v'i in the ilc-leat of the Miuir-try by ;■. in v -riry of five. T!v.' Ibllowing v.as i!:o <ii- •.;•-:•).) : — For tiii- :rn.n;hiK!:t -M^->;->. I--Yy-ir;:,-, i >av.'rs.')i), ?;i'i il-;.;h:t:i, '<i!!i,-~:. I\ ii/oui', ':■.■'<■■>;•, L'eiwvick, >,i-Masters, i!e;.!;., 1..;,. '•■r .'l, Hepburn, and Dici:. A:::\'n-l - '.'.::>■>. J to'.vfirj!) (i'roviiu-i::) S: >.! icif .»••). '•'< '.'-' _ (Trr-isnrer and >.>n tnry). <U:'Avn ( i- .•.:mvsii;iier of (.',■!•,-. ii J.-iMi's). i!.'i:i ."•.<;■.••.-;•.-. ■A [ :::r. i'h-w'm. :>:u\ T:;<j;.:. 'L".v: \'i'),i.■•■ t;;.'; a .i,-:.eJ uiitii '['ii;i)si!;,v. the ii j11: \ ;■:;!. •• hi TJji.i.-s--Iv,' !h<: -JJii; rue < o\:\..\i nv-t. .•.;.-. \nd< staled tlrjr, 'Vi.-..i the v-r,- ;! j 0 . ..e })iVvi-iiH. Tu--v,!-,;... ..ii tin.- ii.M.lv t'i liis !:,..!!:•':> ;uid;v-v ; the ■':;(:, :i'ive ;1:-,ji i: il h;;.! t ■■■ ■•■'yd thcii- resiif-,! ( )tiwn 4 mv\ :h- - r;1" \,;,,'- ---1 ■ ■ MccepJed. 11.. hit! 1,. ; -; i .-....,> ■;,, ;,. ;j.;J •. •': )/, ii:i''i ri'M'iv-.i!.'*1, io !";i-;!, :i I v-,\-i<-.\ \\,- /. , \ co:j);)!ied v.-ii!i t!i:■ re.]!].-t ;l)1 .; woul'il \la ;. ?• :;■ Hi: fhc il>i'!!es of tiie gc!iri;:--i, •: a',,, j i; i,j (; ' <!ii.'d to l'ir:n .< !<!;;•:■• ■•.■ ■■-■•■'■■•■• iv; ,•■(•■:> .•••j-:>l l; •.:-::;?■■•!•, Th;i:;vis J >;■■!;. i'r■.■.••, -,•-. ■.< ■'~,-- --f •;. M^i!;i.--h.:n, and -1.;,.-:,-,- ;■: : :,.-, :;;i . i; ... .;•;. a.id i^a'i1!"■■.';:!, wi' h.>:i.:. ■)•;!: ... ;iv New Miiii-'iry U>•>''-. '•■ kh:''!.-. ;• h :vc S'ic-Ne:.i' r.i '-.■■■•. i\ ■'<> '. ' '<■''■>'y .^iiofi '. •: ;.i of !ii;e.' '.'.■.•••.<••'. ;;i U. r ;:.:. r ; ".ri>i:</ ;;' :''.'.■ ::i:i')wi!! ol vsir';. 'I .if.' l'i\e !••;. '">, i ' 'jc-'ii loC1'! ordiiiiiiii:; :. Miiri th'1 iv.ti:-i;i!.; j:;: f. ■ have also mooted Hie co:isk.^;,,itioii oi

Messages from II is Honor, upon the important subjects of Emigration, and the alteration of the Land Regulations. In lv.oving that " The House resolve itself int.-) a Committee of Supply," (Thursday, the Ist May), the Provincial Treasurer made the (bli'iv. iug statement: —

" The Provincial Treasurer, in moving iiiir tiiat the House resolve itself into a Commitee rt r'r.pply, xVul—At this late hour ot the •vght. I f-el that 1 shall best consul! the feelings o! !'.on. members by benig a? brief possible. Those lion, members wiio Imvh copies of the old Estimates wiil lind that the estimated amount of goul diK-y was j)ut down at, £jO,OOO. This was an cri""r, and in the amende;] Estimates it was altered io £2;.,WJ. The salt; of debentures was put down at J'25,000. The House had now ;i bill passed authorising the sale of debgntures to tb.e extent of £oO,'X)0 : arid as there were to be large improvements made, the Government mislit have to dv.in- <m these debentures. The estimated revenue of the Province for the half-ye^r was £20-U»S2 "s. 7<1.. being coosiileral'ly larger than Mint of the General Government, or of any other Province in New Zealand, hi considering the expenditure of any large sum, he truste<l the Council would not deem itself called upon to he extravagant, !>iu would ap])ropriate the public funds wit-i judicious caution, having a due regard to the exigencies of the service. There would be. large, sums for steam which were not yet filled in, as provision for carrying the mails would have to be mafic. It would be for the Council to determine in what way, whether by grant- of land, assistance in money—it any—it would encourage immijiT.'iiion durine: the nest six months. There

were other items of importance to l)e taken into account, which would require mature deliberation. Therj was a Message from his Honor the Superi.'iVvuU'ut. recctnniMidiug t!ie Provincial (lovcrmnent to erect a Gaol, and Buildings for the purpo>i'S of a. Supreme Court, post Office, and the Kegisiry Departments, which buildings the I General Government bad intimated musfc be ! erecied, and which involved the expenditure of very large sums. There were iilso other buildinu>\ more strictly of a Provincial character, which the Council had agreed to have put up, whidi were undertakings ot some magnitude. There was in most departments a considerable increase proposed in the salaries. Last session, an augmentation was voted in the majority of eajips." n consequence of the gieat rise in rents, and it was now proposed to increase many of them :vaiin. it had been ascertained that efficient clerks could not be retained at, the salaries they were formerly receiving, anil it had been deemed advisable "to require of all clerks in the public service (lira they should conline themselves to their respective duties; and in order that these gentlemen might have no occasion for complaint, in this respect .'their emoluments and salaries had beeu augmented." The Estimates were almost all passed without material alteration. The total of authorised expenditure is £-2-25,429 12s. 4d. The sessionclosed on the 10th May, tore-as-semble on the 4th Ju*>c The new Ministry are viewed with hopefulness. The energy with which they entered upon their labours," and the known progressive instincts of several of the gentlemen com- I posing it, has given a conlidence in its stability which cannot but act most henenciably. The J Jibentl votes for Public Works, Education,and j othevbranches ofGovernment. have b.'eu taken a^ an earnest that the old, slow, mediocre order m" Governmental proceedings has given place to a liberal, progressive, though not democratic administration. SEPARATION. The question of "Separation" has assumed an important and almost imposing character. On Saturday the 10th May, a meeting was held in the Princess Theatre, the largest public building in Dunedin. It was presided over by his Honor, Major Richardson, the Superintendent, and on the platform we observed T. Dick, Esq., Provincial Secretary and Treasurer ; T. 11. Reynolds, Esq. (Member of the Executive), T. li. Gillies, M.11.R., Mr. Strode. U.M.. and most of the leading merchants,legal gentlemen, and others of all shades of political opinions.

The tone of the meeting was unmistakable. The separation of the Middle island irom the North Island v.'as a necessity which nothing could change. It was evident that the speakers, who for the most part were men of long standing and much experience, had not given their sanction to the movement without careful consideration, and while they unflinchingly counselled the severance of tiie connexion with the: North, that such counsel was not dictated from any narrow or selfish motives, but as the result of honest conviction reluctantly come to. "With one voice separation was declared not to mean repudiation, but simply the adoption of a Government adapted to the work of governing an European population, which it was impossible to obtain while connected with the Northern Provinces, which were necessarily compelled to make legislation subservient to .Maori interests. It was announced that between £;>OO and .£■!■(>>> had been subscribed by about twenty gentlemen, as the commencement of a fund with which to agitate the question, and push i: In a successful issue. The following resolutions were carried unanimously: — Ist—'• Thai tlio proper Government of the Middle Island of .Now '/fniiund from a .seat of Govern.■iiuin in the North Island, at all times inconv';ni<;ni-, has now. from the vast increase of Knrepcan population in th" 1 Middle Inland, bcimmi'.h ail imp'.'S.-iliiltly.* iii-.'.l —'• Thai, justice to the British Colonistsof the Middle Islam!, now numbering nearly f»0,000 •;sixty il.oiisaii'l), demands (hat legislation and iidiuiii!s!raiioii (or their infero-Ls, which are so •.'iisiiiiil.ir id t.'no.-e of the North Island, should not \r.\ as liilherlo, tnunelled by, and subordinated to coii:;i(l'.:i'iitio]is of a Native Policy with which the Middle island has no immediate cohiii e:-<-u." :];■(! — "Ti at this meet ing considers th;-.t th;.1 only iviticdy for tiie evils referred to in the foregoing i! s-.iiutiot s is ihc separation of the i.wo Islands, •uil ii:e )nvi::ii a G<>vi'r;:i:!ont. mul Governor p'T-u);-.-ifi:i!y ro-ii'ic.nt in the Middle Island, and that, t!i;< k pif.it idii sliuald 1)0 effected upon tennscon-.-'•••'."Mi '.vi'.h thy honourable fuKiliueut by i.he Middle- 1.-!;\ud of ali public liabilities to which ji is :iniV a ,i:iv: v." ■!i(i—-j'is.a n siib.-ci'i|iLion be o;;er,(!d to raise the m-C'jvi.iry i'lsmlr, for Otirrving out liia agitation for :;'•[',lii-.fioi! to it Micvessfid issiu-.' ij;'n —■'•■!!/;'!. a Coiii'.iiilieij (with jiower io add (o its nr.snb'.M1, and ajipijiuL <-'i())-(Jo![intit,t,eos) bo a|i:i'ii!ih'l t'i f!ili.:t ilkj co-op'M'ai.io!) i.l't'io o'Jwv I;ro.ii'.c^ o: -in' Middle !:-i';uid of N'j\v Ziiisland, and >iy i!.i; a.s 'A tlie pn'p.s, me'Ming:'-, deputa*.iou.s, ''■::•''!: :'•;>. piiiiiicalion.;, ]!(ji;iiiuis, and ol'ie/'-vise, :•■>-ili'-y cvii.-.i-kT e.vpcdient, lo use every 'jll'ort. iv u-ii.i;;; i .s r>j):ir.(.L ■•.• ' ;i>\vr:\:n-Mt, for the Middh; i.-l.ii!'!, xiil iiia: sn-'ii C'^niainoo shall cons;.-L nl M'--.-!-s. T. \\. Gillie-, Il'im-vy, Walkci. Hiirris, v.-yi, Uc-yiidlds. Dick, \\. ?,. Martin, W. U. V-,i;u", .VM-ii^.^, Lldward G.ispcr, 0. T. lik, i:■:•!•.■!!; .foiic;;, I'icMc, Kfitvi'ii, I.L-J.aiiOreps, \ <■:>*, IVf.'.n-!'.', K'L-ille, S..lc»!.L>.-:', T.S For^iUv, li i f.>.\Mi■:!), i';i::.fri>:)n. MurisMii, Gicesun, J. C. ''■i.'.'n ■•!•■;!, I ■■•L-ini.'-.i-ga. i, ail-.! sueii oihor !iie;nbe:s ;'..- .'■•: iii«>.'t:;ig shi-.1l sol-'t:!.' rDM/.MviMTAL. '! :i ;-isl iu')::l'i ?>-i ■- not presented the same siv\. \' :.i c ~,,; ..-rial nuu'ler, ;;.- ill..- m:»:it!i ■ >.'■ <•■■ ■:•!.;!,■. '•'!:::■: is d 1.1. >:i^ i'.n to •'■!_■, jurm;:----i: "'ii cir..;r/y \>\ !iir :■••.••:, !si::tic.-' o1 !'iie I'l'-tviiice, i"!l t-.: ■ ;'Vfiu! :;:!ii^!.-.; ■. h'ch co p;j!. aiieet lite -■t; ; !;'(.>y .nn:n- f.iti.-v ;.,-)s;)L'cfs. '!.-•_■ '.vcii1 lier ;;; w lys e.\'.:rr.s a marked in- j Huc-:ice on fiie .-tate oi'trade, acid alt'io;i:'-h fho I autuu!.-! hitherto has beeu uuu.sualiy Hue, iitiil,

the more frequent recurrence of rain as the season advances, must affect to a considerable extent the operations of commerce.

I Another cause for the apparent falling off in our commercial returns, which may be regarded as more potent than the state of the atmosphere, is the decrease of the number engaged in mining operations. The rush to Coromam'.cl took away a considerable number, and ninny more have returned to Victoria, merely to secure the advantages of a milder winter, purposing to return in the .spring. The future transactions of Dunedin will be materially assisted when the line of telegraphic communication to the Port, now in course of construction, is completed. The following statistics will afford our disfant readers some data upon which to form an accurate opinion of our commercial state. During the past mouth—that is, from the j IGth April to the 15th May inclusive, fifty j three vessels with cargo, of the aggregate burden of 15,544 tons—have entered inwards from various ports. The number of passengers brought to Otago | by these vessels was 1,218. ' During the same period the shipping statistics outwards,stands thus:— Entered outwards with cargo, 31 vessels. „ „ in ballast 1G „ Total 47 Of the aggregate burden of 11,813 tons, conveying from our shores 1,591 passengers. i'Jy this it would appear that the number of persons departing, exceeds that of those arriving during the month by 373. This, however, cannot be relied on as strictly correct, as the Customs' returns do not embrace every new arrival. For the information of onr readers in England and elsewhere, and as a preface to our statement of the past month's Customs revenue, we think it desirable to place before them the tariff, according to which duties are levied:— Ale, Boer, Cider, and Perry, in wood, per gallon .. .. .. 0s Gd Ale, Beer, Cider, and Perry, in bottle 1 0 Cijrai-s and Snuff, per lb. .. ..3 0 Coffee, Chicory, Cocoa, Chocolate, per lb 0 3 Cutlery, hardware, plated ware, and Ironmongery of all sorts, and candles and soaps of all sorts, per cwt .. 3 0 Fire-a' ras of every description, each .. 5 0 Ounpo\vder,*per lb .. ... ..0 3 Manufactures of silk, cotton, liven, and woollen, and all articles manufactured therefrom, drapery, haberdashery, hosiery, millinery, furs hits, boots, shoes, confectionery, bottled fruits, dried fruits, mustard, olive oil, pickles, preserves, sauces, spices, and oilmen's stores of all kinds, (measuring outside the package) per cubic foot .. 4 0 Spirits and strong-waters of every kind sweetened, or otherwise, of any strength not exceeding the strength of proof by Syke's Hydrometer, and so on in proportion for any greater strength than the strength of ])roof, per gallon .. .. ..90 Sugar, treacle and molasses, per lb ..01 Tea, per lb. .. ... ..0 4 Tobacco "■ ... ... ..16 Wine in wood and bottle, containing leas than '25 per cent, of alcohol, of a specific gravity of-820 at GO ° Fahrenheit's thermometer, per gallon 3 0 All other goods, free. According to the above tariff, the duties ! collected on the various articles of import, amount during the month to £13,258 os. lOd. The export duty on gold is 2s. Gd. per oz., and the amount of revenue from this source during the same period is A' 1343 os. Bd. Making a total of Customs' revenue for the | month of £14,(101 Is. Gd. The total of the preceding month was £19.571 17s. lOd. The excess being principally accounted for by the greater quantity of gold exported—the difference of revenue from this cause being no less than £3,771 1 Is. 9d. in favor of the month ending 15th April. The quantity of gold brought down by escort, from the various localities where mining operations are going on. during the past month, is as follows : — OZS. DWT3. Prom Tuapcka 15,91u 10 From Waitahuna 4,80(5 0 From Waipori 1,240 2 From the Woolshed 308 0 Total, during the month.. 25,389 12 This, however, does not include various parcels constantly arriving by private hands. KXI'ORTS. The quantity of gold exported between the IGth April and 15th May inclusive, is stated at 24,9(35 ozs. 7 dwts., the duty on which was £2,995 14s. This includes the export per " Chariot of Fame," which leaves to-day. During the same period the export of wool was l,17!),05(ill)s., valued at £74,517. As a useful appendage to the foregoing, and as another test by which the commercial status of Otngo may be proved, we add a digest of the Post Office transactions of the past month : Letters and newspapers received— LeHers. Newspapers. Colonial (inland) 8,(518 2,178 Local 10,-1.);.; j,5U:j Foreign 2('>,2B(> 10,978 Totals .. 40,400 14,749 Letters and newspapers despatched— Letters. Newspapers. Colonial 1,553 1.521 Local 2:-J,B-;>G (>,f>92 Foreign 10,-Jl/O 0,079 Totals .. 3.v,8:J9 14,702 These statistics will, we imagine, be perused with interest, by our friends in England and elsewhere, and prove more forcibly than we could (!•) by other means, the growing importance of this fine Province. I

THK (JOLD FIKLDS. The amount of work done in mining during } the month has been less than that of previous periods. This has arisen from a combination ot'circir.nsiaiices, which, although calculated to cast a shade over the anticipations of the future, are by i>o means of a character which i would justify the smallest forebodings of continue.! retrogression. The major portion of our mining population were men from Victoria, who have already experienced the hardships a:i'l privations attendant upon a winter campaign at the diggings, in that country. with its miid climate; who lia.l left behind | the:p. ''.snug winter quarters," and. not i:i a i lev/ instances, their wives and families: :in:i who, in coming to Otago, intended their trip to i;e one partaking more of (he character of a bur of ins:>er ;tion than a preparation ior permanent settlement, it v,-;is to he expected fh.f .-Hch iiK'.i would leave n- at. the :!j>;v.-oaeh of the "cokl and fh)sty" weather, whi-ii renorL liad docked in ■'•shiveri:i<;\ ii'\' ':'iT"i;.' Tii: v have left: but from con/ersah;);!-. '.',-ith ;i !-ii"ge nunii.er, \vj knoiv flint they have only ';•<:;■;■■ ::■■■■ .iy (;>r a short : ';-,-on, with the firm F?i. :^i;t ;>!' ■• burning vriih ; M tiieir "household gvi;, ' and making this Province their iioine. Then t'u old ground at Tmipeka and \\ etlier- i stoiio's i:; nearly worked gut, and although j the Woolshed., Waiperi, and other localities I

are continually giving fresh indications of the payable character of a vast, extent of country, the difficulty in obtaining mining appliances, and the unsatisfactory nature of the regulations for that class of mining, requiring the use of machinery, led many to postpone intended operations for a period. And again, those who remain, for the most part, have bopn employed in preparing for the rain and Hoods, which may now be shortly expected— huts to live in, races to carry off the storm water, and other operations for the protection of claims, have occupied much of the time of the miner, and consequently retarded digging operations. All things considered there is no reason to believe that the diminution in the yield of gold is indicative of a permanent depression in^the milling interest. The actual business of mining, from these causes, lias very considerably decreased, and I "prospecting," for a time, will only be carried on to a very limited extent. Still, we are continually hearing of new discoveries, which are of a most encouraging nature, and which would justify the assertion that Sp'/iug will bring with it a larger population, and that the gold fields will give a larger yield than at any period since the discovery of the Otago Diggings. The .Mining Regulations have been expanded and rendered much more adapted to the requirements of the miners. A Mining Board has been established, and as most of the gentlemen elected to seats at its table are men of large practical experience, we may confidently anticipate that in all particulars the Mining Regulations will be revised and made perfect in the course of a few months. Among the reports of new discoveries of auriferous country, that of Mr. Bailey is the most important. This gentlemen, some days since, communicated to the Government the particulars of a gold-bearing quartz reef and payable alluvial ground, which he had discovered near YVaikouaiti. The Government at once despatched a gentleman to visit and report upon the district, and it is satisfactory to learn that the result, of the examination is the announcement that a considerable tract of country, of considerable promise, has been found. The report has been prepared with care, and a determination not to " over-paint." We shall let it speak for itself: — " Waikouaiti station, "13th May, 1862. "Mounted Comt-ble Stratfordr epor s, for the informal ion of the Commissioner of Police, having on the Sth instant, proceeded from Waikouati to the goldlietd recently reported to have been discovered by Mr. B.iily, arriving there on Friday evening; distance from Waikouafi about, 4G miles. On Saturday morning visited the miners in Timbrcll's Gully, 21 in number; two parties only sluicing, viz., O'Brien's party of six, and Nelson's party of five; the others were prospecting in different, directions, not having the necessary articles required for sluicing:. " O Brien's party had about three quarters of an Time in a pannikin, of course, rough, gold, which they stated to be the proceeds of the morning's work. On being questioned, they stated that their average enmities wan about 12s. per day each. They bad set in about ten days; depth, about three to four (but sinking. They visited Nelson's party of live. Th>>n had been at work above a week. Saw what th«y had in the pannikin, about two ounces of coiir-^ rough gold, the produce of one and a half day's labour; also a nugget nearly an ounce in weight. Timbrcll's Gully commences at the foot of Highly Hill, and is about live miles in leng'h, running in an easterly direction towards the Vwavi River, but in breadth is not mor<: ihan fifty yards in the widest part. There are three tents only erected. "Afterwards visited Deep Dale Gully: found about.ten men and three tents; one a party of four at work; those men admit, their average earnings to be from 10s. to 12-;. per day, but the whole decline to state what amount ot gold is in their possession. " Also visited the quartz r<?ef, on a langu running from Highly Hill in an easterly uiroction. On looking at somo of the quartz I could perceive with the naked eye, snutil specks of yokl. The reef projected above ihe surface of the range, about 3(i foot in length; also saw several other quartz ruofs bearing in the same direction—i.e. E. and W. With reference to Ihe supply and prices of provisions, they can only be had ut the nearest stations —viz.. Mr. Saxton's and Hopkinson's—at the following prices:—Flour, lid. per pound; sugar, Is. per pound; tea, (is.; sheen, 40s. each. Toois cannot be had at present ou the field, as no stores of any kind have yet been established.

" Fuol is very difficult to be had, the only wood that can be found is the dried totara. There are in tli« neighbourhood peat, bops, but these cannot peove of any service to the miners during the present winter, as peat must necessarily be prepared during the suniner months. There is, however, afc Pukitapti, distant twenty miles, abundance of timber. Coal Creek is distant about live miles in a direct line, but the road is at present almost impassable. " The road throughout, 'rom Waikouaiti to the fields may fairly be termed a good dray track. There is one fording place across the Pleasant liivor, and four different, crossing places along the Shair liiver, all very shallow, and may be easily crossed with drays, and also by pedestrians. Then! are no accommodation houses on the road, but meals can be obtained at .Messrs, Hamilton and Wain's station, situated about balf-wuy between Waikouaiti and the Held. "On returning met. oih: dray containing fl.inr and boards lor sluicing, and about thirty miners in ditll'i'ent parlies proceeding thither, some having tools. "S. It. STRATFORD, ".Mounted Constable."' SOCIAL AND RKLKUOUS. The Social aspect of the gold fields has somewhat changed for the hotter. Drunkenness and dissipation are still prevalent, but. !>v no means to the extent exhibited a fvw months previously. This may bo attributed to the retirement to " winter quarters" in Victoria of a largo portion oi' the •'flash and loafing" fratcrtiiiy, and to the good ex;:mi)i'j of many of those who are decnuim'd to ma^e this their home, at the same time resolved to [Hit f >rth ail cflbrt to -plant, those insiihuions which alone give stability : m;l ciianicii,;' to a community. Hitherto it, h,■>..-; been a matter for regret, if not repro.^-ii, th:u no resilient clergyman of any of ihe Hvangelic.xl Henominntiotis had been setrial iv the gold fields. The I'resbyterians have done wlnt lav in their power to supply rue spiriruals wan No!' tin's class of colonists, and a minister has weekly visited S'>;ac one or other of tin; mines. A lay association ims been ii>rmed, and is working witii cr.ergv w-mI m,irked success. .If is a pLasiiig feature in the: s.-ioia! progress that ail denominations havo uniivd in erecting a pi'.itl'.jnn on which they c.vi co-operate in carrying forward (he givat work of Fivanuvlis.ifion. Three churche.-I—viz.,1 —viz., our at WV'he:'Ftoue's, ono at C'abnef-; (hilly, and one at the W;ii f::!:una—huve been erected, and ivg:il;nservices orgjiiii.-.ud, upon broad i'iVnM^eiie'i! principles. Tin; IVeshvlvry o!' Ofign have give;; the movement their warm i-ouutciiaiK'e anil support; tho \Wsleyans, though lunger in taking action than is '.isua! with ih<j:n. !::>vcappointed a mini.-krio be sti-.tiaiu-d •;? YWtberstoii'.'\>; who will etnbraeo as hisn.i.' oi' hhuiuthat ai;d the other mentioned lorrditio'i. The earue<i; :uid liberal character whivh tinl I>Yy. Mr. Vie'e^rs has earned, for him ;e!f has giv;.r, the worker* who !uve ;!<-.ue >■'.• imi:;li uniiidsul by the presence of a resident minister amowg-

them, good grounds for hopeful anticipations of future advancement. In addition to these, there is another church at Gabriel's Gully, of a denominational character, which has been erected by the Wesleyans of that locality. Young Mbx's Oth ipti a n Association .—A Young Men's Christian AssocHtion has been j formed in connection with the Union Churches, j which we understand numbers about fifty members. ft has a stall of efficient la}' preacher?:, a library bar. been collected, and meetings for discussion ;\nd mutual improvement are held. Tjir Hospital.—A large hospital lias been erected and opened tor the reception of patients. This was much required, and will bo the moans of removing one of the greatest drawbacks to tho miners remaining on the gold fields during the winter. Fi;i:r..—Lignite of a very superior quality can now be obtained in any quantities at the different "digging?." It burns remarkably | well, and for almost every purpose is an excellent substitute for coal. SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. SrPHKME Cotjht.—The Supreme Court General Sessions commenced on Thursday, the Sth May. His Honor Judge Gresson occupied the Bench. The learned Judge in an able address expressed his satisfaction at the marked improvement that everywhere was visible in Dunedin since his last visit; and while regretting the increased number of cases for trial over that of ibrmer sessions, did not look upon it as excessive consideriag the vast influx of population since the discovery of gold in the province. He recommended, in order to supply the want of increased gaol accommodation, the building of a prison that should allow of classification of prisoners, -without which the less hardened of the "prisoners were exposed to the corrupting influence of those more practised in crime; and after referring to the efficiency of the police force now in the province, dismissed the grand jury to their labours. The calendar contained more than 40 cases for their scrutiny. Eli-x-tric Tkm-:gra.i'h. &c.—With our social growth has arisen a desire to achieve as soon as possible a permanent class of works suited to the necessities of the Province, and the subject of internal communication, and the means and agencies by which it may be rapidly accomplished without unduly burthening the Province, a<e now attracting general attention. Warned and experienced by "the result of the premature railway 'operations in Victoria, the yearly tax of half a million to support them— and the fact that the inordinate expenditure on two short trunk lines has placed it beyond the power of the colony to extend its operations, our Provincials will undoubtedly .eschew railway operations, except on a limited scale, and will adopt the cheapest mode by winch they can most extensively open up the* interior. The success of the tramway in the Dun Mountain Copper Mines in an adjoining Province, which has been formed for about £2,500 per mile, and is found to work very successfully, is now attracting much attention, and the tramway question is being prominently introduced to the notice of our public. It is urged that by constructing a trunk or line of say 50 miles' to the interior, we should command all the country, now proved to be pavably auriferous, and be in a position to extend branches wherever settlements indicate permanency, and that by this means the Province would be at no distant date intersected by a net work of workable highways. This country is physically obstructive and unfavourable to railway construction, and its contour can only he adapted to steam locomotive purposes at a cost something resembling the enormous expenditure on early English lines ; and the choice of highwiiys will therefore necessarily lie between metal roads and tramways. Assuming that £3000 would be a fair estimate of cost and that well selected trunk lines and branches Avere decided upon, it is thought that the Province might without any imprudence undertake their construction: and that the expenditure of say £."iOO.OOO, on one hundred miles of road, would be the means of a great development, and-'of settling the arrivals which we may fairly reckon on from the mother country and the adjacent colonies. Should these views be carried into action, the Province would needs look to the English market for her capital, and in such an event, a prospect of such fair promise would, it is hoped, be successful. Canterbury has incurred a debt of £300,000 for the construction of a railway, six miles long, from her Port to Christclmrch, and we are now meditating how the means of communication from Port Chalmers to the town, a distance of nine or ten miles, is to be accomplished. At present the main portion of imported goods is transhipped from the vessel to lighters at the Heads, at rates varying from £1 per ton ; and this process is found both tedious and liable to risk. Tlie country between the Port and Dnnedin is quite untravcrsible at present for this purpose, and there appears to be no other resource than a substantial railway, which it is estimated" will I cost between £200,000 and £.;500,000. As yet the Government have no.1; determined under what aspect this necessity is to be confronted, but as private enterprise would scarcely encounter the work without aid, it is probable the Uovernment will extend sufficient encouragement to cause it to be speedily undertaken. A contract for the erection of a telegraph between the town and the Port is now in hand, and we arc promised that this means of communication shall be open and in working order by the Kith of the next month. Associated I enterprise has not as yet taken any strong I root among us-, but various projects have been or are about being launched—amongst others (i\e Ota'.jo Fire and Marine Insurance Comi p'.ny, which, it i- understood, is now daily I giining a proprietary. Gas, too, is to be j placed within the reach of our townspeople, who arc offered '"a. goad, cheap, clean, and j | safe light " ••& 20s. per''looo feer to begin with. j These objects' are so indispensable that their I provision is only a question of time, and the i success of the undertaking, may be taken as ! granted. i Tun Atmkx.kum—Tin's institution is showi ing signs of Hfe. The Committee have notified j their intention to open this institution on the I Ist. June. iK-xr. The reading room', in addition ] jto a considerable library of standard works, it. j jto contain the leading periodicals, and ino^-fc of I the English and Colonial journal.-. I A similar, though somewhat more private, i institution has been projected by Messrs. Lam- j | berl & Vo, proprietors of the Colt-ni.-;'. A ! sp:iciou.-". room in their new building is to \m set apart as a subscription roo.n. <;;i;l i.-: to be furnished with all the principal pe:\u:iicals and papers of the day. Capiains of v> ssds and oilier casual visitors me ta r.-.' admit- j ted free. Those two inslitution-; v/i:!, ir is considered, lie very uf.'l'ul additions to the social jidvant-igcti of Dnnedin. I T:?r: Mr.;n\v.'< Association.—This As.-oei- J ■ifioii U making progress. Th.-'y make iheir j :i!•:■' nubile debut on the "24th of this ;•).■»',th, | Her >!-tje.'^y's birth day, with a concert of j ;ni;ee'in;Koi!:-- music. From what we hoar of (he proficiency of the members we anticipate a success. Other sources of asaWcnui-nt are by no means scarce. Several aightly casinos,

I and places of j)iiblic resort of this description | could be dispensed with without loss. Tjij? Thhatre nightly attracts large andunces, and the performances, for so comparatively young an establishment, are very good. T hatchet?, the local satirical poet and improrisatar, is ntiil a reigning favourite with the miner 3 and other lovers of fun. Nothing escapes him. Every passing incident is laid hold of, and embodied in verse, often too good to bo termed doggrel, and is made the vehicle of administering to the mirth and merriment of crowded audiences. 1 RELIGIOUS. The Presbyterians — Knox Ciiunca.— The attendance at this church continues to increase, and it is now almost too small to accommodate the numbers that worship there. Last Lord's Day the Second Anniversary Services were held. The Rev. I. Harding (Wesleyan) preached in the morning; the Rev. Dr. Burns in the afternoon; and the Pastor, the Rev. D. M. Stuart, in the evening. Notwithstanding the weather was extremely unfavourable, the congregations at each service were large, and liberal collections were lifted. Walker Street Church.—This building, which replaces the old canvass church in Stafford-street, originally erected as a temporary convenience "for the population of the vicinity, was opened tor religious service on the 4th May. It is a neat and commodious building, and will seat about .500 persons. The congregations, on this occasion, were numerous, and the collections in aid of the building fund good. The ceremony included throe special services. Dr. Burns preached in the morning, the Rev. Air. Will, of the Taieri in the afternoon, and the Rev. Mr. Glasgow, the stated minister of the place, in the evening. Tin; Wesleyan Society.—This earneset and active body of Christians have fairly entered upon their labours. Two ministers have been appointed to aid in the promotion of religion in Otago. The Revd. Isaac Harding, who has just completed four years as superintendent of the Auckland circuit, is now appointed to Dunedin, and the Revd. R. L. Vickers, from Christchurch, is about to proceed to Wetherstone's, and to extend his labors to the neighboring gold-fields. We understand that about 105 members of the Wesleyan Society have already been enrolled in the Province—being in about equal proportions in the town and port, and at the diggings ; but as the members of the society do not usually comprise more than one fourth of the adherents of the Wesleyan body, there will no doubt be a much larger number of persons of this denomination in Otago than at present appears. A church to seat about 500 is in course of erection in Dunedin. and according to the Secretary's report on Monday, read at a public meeting, £665 have been promised to meet a contract of .£1330, to which, if we add architect's fees, and extras on the debit side, and proceeds of the public meeting to the credit side, we may very probably say thut £750 have yet to be raised by subscription; which, we doubt not, the Wesleyan» and their friends here will not fail to contribute. At Fort Chalmers there is a small Wesleyan Chapel, and at the diggings one of canvass. These constitute at present the church property of this section of the Church in Otago. The Wesleyan service has for several Sabbaths been held in the Athenaeum in the morning, and in Knox Church in the evening. But at present the former building being under repair, the service is confined to tilt evening in Knox Church—and only on such Sabbaths' as that can be spared. We hope that soon the Wet>leyan people will have their own building completed, out of debt, and filled. They are well received, and there is ample room for their labors in this Province now—so rapidly becoming peopled, both from the other colonies and from the home couniries.