NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 1115, 21 October 1874, Page 8

NOTES.

The local nomenclature of New Zealand is as polyglot as it is bizarre, and unsuitable. The name of the colony itself is Dutch, and conveys not the slightest idea of the country which it is used to signify. Zeeland is a, province of the Netherlands comprising . eight little mud-flat islands,, scarcely rescued from the ocean ; its highest elevation is an artificial mound of earth, thrown up for a refuge from encroaching tides ; its area is something under seven hundred square miles, and it has no forests, rivers, lakes, capes, harbors, bays, or other noticeable natural features. It is a laboriously put together piece of most unsightly and uninteresting industry, and is as oldfashioned hum-drum a place, perhaps, as the world's surface can produce. New Zealand consist of three islands of magnificent proportions whose distinguishing feature is a back bone of splendid mountains, rising m several places to a mighty altitude ; ' its area is just a hundred and fifty times as great as that of its European namesake ; and it stands alone amongst all countries m the world for wealth of scenery and singularity of natural formation ; its forests cover more than ten millions of acres ; its coast line is superb by boldnoss, variety and beauty ; it has eternal snows, volcanoes, geysers, towering headlands, deep land-locked sounds, and bays and inlets and harbors and islets, torrents, cascades, boiling springs, hot lakes, and fathomless inland waters, resting amongst its mountain heights. In short, it seems the handywork of infant-giants, flung together with the wantonness and fanciful display of children, but asserting everywhere a sense of magnitude and strength. America got its name by a literary accident ; but it is at least melodious, and carries the mind back to its glorious discovery ; New.Zealand is as ugly a name as well can be, and has no historical association m the world. Abel Tasman running east from the island which now bears his name, come to a shore which he called Staten Land, taking it for part of the couutry sighted by Schouten and Lemaire to the eastward of Cape Horn ; and it was not until some time afterwards, when the two places were found to be nowhere near each other, that the later discovery was rebaptised. So much for the name of New Zealand. Tasman left but few other names here, and none of them perhaps were so unlucky as that chief one. Cape Maria Van Diemen, the Northwestern point of the colony, records the navigator's attachment tp the daughter of his patron, the Batavian Governor, and is so far interesting while not without some euphony. Cook gave the greatest number of the European names of headlands, bays, and inlets, but mosfc of them are fanciful or accidental. Poverty Bay is the richest district m New Zealand ; Cape Farewell, the westerly point at the mouth of Blind Bay, was only called so I because the Endeavor Bailed thence for 7

New Holland. Cape Turnagain was the point where Cook, sailing North East from Queen Charlotte's Sound, made up his mind that there really were two islands, and turned again westerly through tha Strait which bears his name. The great captain ignored the native names, or mado such a mess of them that they are hardly to be recognised m his descriptions ; D'Urville, the French explorer, was much more observant m this respect ; there is a familiar sound m this passage from hia travels — "L'lle dv Sud s'appelle Kai-Kohoura." The old Maori-myth names of the islands Eaheinomawe and Tavai Poenammoo, as Cook calls them, or Ika-na-mawe and. TavAi-Pounamu as D'Urville more correctly calls them, still disfigure many maps, but are' utterly obsolete for all practical purposes. The first means the Fish of Maui, and is connected with the common Polynesian legend about that hero-god dragging the islands from the sea. The other is probably a mispronunciation of Te Wai Pounamu, the Greenstone Water or river ; but neither is ever used as a geographical term except by ignorant English mapmakers. D'Urville gave his own name to the pretty island which makes the French Pass what it is, and also called the little harbor near it the Croixelles ; Pepin Island, and several other French names m thatneighborhood are also due to him. The early navigators, with however little fitness they might name the spots they visited, as a rule chose moderately well sounding names, and names which had some sort of meaning or association ; thus Mount Egmont waa called so from the Earl of that name, who was at the head of the Navy ln Cook's time ; Queen Charlotte Sound from the consort of George the Third ; Banks Peninsula from Mr., afterwards Sir Joseph Banks, who was a passenger m the Endeavor on the Transit of Venus expedition ; — but the colonists m many instances appear to have chosen the ugliest and most senseless names they could possibly invent. Otago — its own name a corruption of tho Maori name Otakou — is the worst of all m this respect, and unless the namea there are altered soon, will eventually be unique by hideous nomenclature. All the names ending m "burn" are of Scottish origin, and signify a stream or creek, and some are not ill sounding ; but Hogburn, Sowburn, Dogburn, Fillyburn, and ever so many more, should be at once erased. Pigroot, a little place where coaches stop, near Waikouaiti, is as bad as any. The mispronunciation of Maori, too, has given rise to some very ugly names ; thus Oamaru, a pretty word of four syllables, becomes Wommaroo ; Wakapnaka, near Nelson, is called Hokey Pokey ; Motueka, Muddywake ; and Ngaruawahia, m Waikato, a very graceful word m sound as well as meaning, - became Naggery- Waggery m the mouths ofthe soldiers stationed there. The Press is making a great fuss about flogging m schools, and gets quite maudlin because the head master of Shrewsbury having given a boy eighty-three whacka with a birch, Lord Powii and the Bishop of Manchester, who were present at tha enquiry which was made, did not think the puuishment excessive. Their reason for not thinking bo probably was that they had often had a good birching themselves, and did not care a bit for it. The fact is that a great deal of twaddle is talked about flogging, especially by those who have never had any experience of it. It is not from public school boys who have been well flogged ih their time, that these whining complaints are heard. Not at all ; if a poll were taken of all the men who have been brought up at schools where flogging is the rule, we have no doubt that the system would be supported by a large majority. The Press says, " one of the effects of such usage upon the character of Englishmen is to make them brutal m their treatment of those over whom they can exercise authority — their wives and children, their horses and dogs." Now this is sheer nonsense ; Englishmen, especially- the higher, best-birched classes, are famous for their kindness to their wives, children, and servants, and altogether over-do thoir indulgence of their animals. If ever an Englishman is seen cruel to a weaker creature, it is perfectly safe to set him down as one who has failed to get his proper share of birching m his boyhood. Russians, and other foreigners, who have no public schools or birches, : but are brought up m gymnasia or military pensions, beat their servants, and illtreat their animals ; Frenchmen are'. r disgustingly cruel to horses and dogs;' Spaniards, who are mainly trained by priests, are awfully. V cruel ;. but anyone who has ever been at school m England or seen anything of English life, must know that cruelty is universally held, equivalent to cowardice, and is voted low and caddish, by every youngster whose back is broad enough to lay a birch on. There aro doubtless many boys who are physically unfit to be caned, just aa there are hundreds who can never enjoy cricket, fighting, football, or any of the keener f delights of youth ; but how many more, we would ask, are there, to whom it does permanent injury to be kept stewing over impositions for hours and hours, when they ought to be at play? The birch, like all of nature's gifts to man, " should be used, not abused. J?o flog a poor little consumptive shrimp^rithin an inch of his life, is a brutal atrocity which only a snob and a sneak would be guilty of; but m the case of a jolly, : chubbyj well-bred scamp m the full possession of his faculties of endurance and appreciation, the birch ■ ' droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath ; it is twice blessed J It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Timabu Cricket Club. — Practice was commenced by this club on Saturday afternoon last at the Saltwater Creek"! There was a good attendance. The annual meeting for Ihe election of officers and transaction of other busiocn will be held to morrow ab the Clarendon Hotel. Goon Templars. — Wo observe by our advertiting columns that the nomination of officers for the ensuing quarter takes place at the meeting of tbeAlexandra Lodge to-morrow evening. A member will also be recommended to the Grand Lodge for the office, of Lodge Deputy. Kaxahu Bush and Township. —Mr John Thompson desires to draw attention to his advertisement m another column, re the very ■ valuable ■ freehold bush and township at the Kakahu, which is to be offered for aale at the Olub Hotel on Thursday, 29th October; he has also for private sale, a valuable property at the Hook. — [Advt] AGRiotmnrßAii Show 1873.— -The medals for the Timaru Show of 1873 have arrived at Timaru, and can be procured upon application to the secretary. Resident Magistrate's Court, ___abu.— - At thiß 'Court on Monday, . before W; C.Beswick, Esq., J. P., Andrew Morrison, charged with bsing drunk and disorderly, ; was remanded for three days. Yesterday, before the same Magistrate, John Bennett, ' for being drunk and disorderly, was. fined ss. Timabu Agricultural and Pastobal Show. — The public are reminded that no entries for the approaching show" will be re« ceived after this day. Entries by lette- a bearing Wednesday's date will be admirable.

Bvbz Mail. — -The English mail via Suez arrived at the Bluff from Melbourno yesterday morning. Booms at the Show. — On Monday last Mr John King sold by auction the privilege of holding booths at the forth-coming Show. The following were the prices realised : — General license booth £12, wine and beer booth £9, confectionery booth £3 10s, making a total of £24 10s. ' Wesleyan Church. — We observe tbat the foundation stone of the new Weßleyan church, afc Timaru, is to be laid by the Bey. James Buller, of Christchurch, on Wednesday next, the 28th inst. Timart; School Committee.— The poMing for the election of a school committee foy the Timaru Public School took place on Monday last. The affair did not create any grejfc interest, but the voters were more numerous tban afc last;election. Mr Lough acted as poll clerk, and shortly before 5 p.ra. rend out the numbers polled by each candidate as follows: Turnbull,' 88 ; Tate, 88 ; Cliff, 83 ; Hammond, 83 ; Buchanan, 83 ; Sutter, 77 ; Jackson, 76 ; Padget, 76 ; Cain, 59 ; Fyfe. 57 ; Hill, 55; Hutton, 46; Simpson, 44; Mcßae, 11. The first nine are therefore elected. Board of Education. — From the Lyttelton Times we learn that the following business with reference to schools m South Canterbury, was transacted at the meeting of the above Board on Monday: — The Inspector's report on examination of pupil teachers at fche Timaru school was read. It stated that Jonathan Roberts had passed as a pupil teacher of the first year, and tliat F. Mansfield would be promoted to a pupil teacher 'of the second year. Attention was called to the fact that the pupil teachers of this school had not been taught according to the regulations of the Board Qazetta, vol. xxi., No. 38, August 14, 1874, ifc was also stated that a continuance of the present system of female pupil teachers being instructed with the youth of tlie other sex by the master should not be contiuued, aud that Miss Forbes (the mistress) was highly qualified to instruct them herself. Attention was also called to the committee having reduced the school hours from fivo hours per day to four and a-half hours per day, The Board approved the appointment of Roberts as a pupil teacher of the first' year, and of the promotion of Mansfield to the position of pupil teacher of fche Becond year. The Secretary waa directed fco call fche attention of the committee to that part of the report which said that pupil teachers were nofc being taught according to the regulations, and to state that Miss Forbes must have entire charge of the girls' department. The Inspector reported that Miss Chapman full pay candidate afc the Temuka school, was doing her work satisfactorily, and that he proposed to defer her examination until ' the general examination of pupil teachers m February. It was decided that fche examination of Miss Chapman shouid stand over until the time referred to. The Inspector reported that a mistress, was necessary for the Pleasaut Point school, snd recommended that tho appointment ahould be offered to Miss Worthiugfcon. The Board decided to authorise the appointment of a mistress for fche Pleasant Point school at £50 por year, and the secretary was instructed to inform fche committee that the salary will be raised to £60 par year, when tho attendance reaches 50; also that the Board would sanction fche appointment of Miss Werfchington as mistress. A letter was read from fche Washdyke committee, asking for a grant of £10 for the payment of a secretary during the past year. The secretary was instructed to inform the committee that the Board cannotsanctiontheappoiutment of secretaries, except m fche case of large Borough schools. A letter was read from the Temuka committee, stating that Miss Ferrier had resigned her appointment as mistress of the school. The Board sanctioned the acceptance of Mi.'s Ferrier's resignation. A letter, was read from the Kakahu committee, stating that no auditors were appointed .at fche annual meeting of householders, held on Monday last, and asking what should be done m fche matter. Ifc was decided 'that a meeting for fche. election of auditors- should be held m that district on Monday-next. A letter was read from the Geraldine committee, informing fche Board of the result" of the annual meeting of householders ;• also stating that the committee had appointed Mr W. Grimmer, secretary, and recommending that a salary of £10 per year should be allowed him. A letter was read from the Waitohi Flat committee, stating the result of the annual meeting of householders ; also requesting authority to carry out certain improvements on the school sit, at a cost 'of about £50. The Board sanctioned the carrying out of the improvements as desired. A ietter waa read from the chairman of the Milford committee, stating that he had forwarded money fco the amount of one-sixth of a levy iv mistake (this amount being additional to the special rate), and asking fche Board, to authorise the return of the money. The secretary was instructed to ask out of what money the chairman had paid this amount, whether personally or otherwise. Decline op the Maori Bace. — The following remarks on the decline of the Maori race will be read with interest>eoming as they do from such nn authority on native matters ns Mr Mackay is supposed to be : — Judging, he says, from, the best information obtainable on the subject, tho 'purely aboriginal race is gradually melting nway, and their piice being taken by the mixed race. According to data partly collected by Dr Shortland m 1844, while engaged m tho South with Colonel Godfrey investigating land claims, and from other sources, the aggregate native population of the South Island at that date approximated 6,000, and the half-caste population were estimated at 100. Assuming that the foregoing enumeration is correct, and there appears no reason to. doubt it, as tho numbers were confirmed by subsequent computations, it will be seen by the present census, that the native population has diminished nearly one-hnlf iv thirty years, while the mixed race during the ■amo time has increased .over sevenfold. In New Zoaland wo have nofc only tho European and Maori mingling their blood, but the Maori and the hal&castc, the half-caste and the half-caste, and the offspring of each of these with -the offspring of tho other, or with members [of either of the paronfc stock. In all of these cases, the union', is • usually prolific, but unions between the pure Maori are rarely so. It is generally advanced by authorities on fche subject, that it is impossible to determine ' how far the mixed colored race is capable of j permanency, either by the development of .a fixed type, or by continuous fertility until ' the predominant primary .type re-asserts its ' pewers, by their return te that of the origi- ' nal white or black parent. Through these ' half-bred' descendants, the Maori may now ' contrive fco possess the reserves set apart; by ' him, but he himself is fast disappearing, ' and may eventually disappear altogether ' before the advance of civilisation. This gene- ' ral decline is not merely confined to the New < Zealanders, but is universal wherever the ' Polynesian race is found, owing to their 1 utter disregard of all those social and i sanitary conditions which are essential to the * continuing vitality to the hamau race. One a of the positive cheeks to increase that t exists amongst the natives is the want of < fecundity * amongst the females m * cases -where they cohabit wifch, or are married - to males of their own race; another I cause is - living m unwholesome dwell- f ings. The mortality cau-ied amongst the p children by improper or insufficient food o is another ; others are the want of suf- w ficient food' or clothing by persons of all fi ages. The 'former is ohe of the chief causes si which operate unavoidably against a people a like the Maoris, who depend principally for a subsistence on that which is most easily ob- ii tamed, and consequently suffer through the h variations of the seasons. In reviewing the a whole question, the largest diminution amongst c the popula'ion has taken place m the southern a provinces ;. their former number, according to d the census of 1844; was 1,900, against a pre- h sent population of 944. In the northern part of " the island, and the West Coast the estimated tl number m 1844 was 1,100, and the "present ci number is 867. showing a decreaso of 233. '.*■ J()je decrease m the population at this end of d

the island has been caused to a great extent by lemovais to tho north. In 1860 the wl ole of the N,'aliiihii-i tribe, formerly residing at Ariakiw i, left Queen Charlotte Sound for Taranaki, and since then members of other tribes have migrated fram this province In tho south the decrease is caused entirely by deaths, attributable m a great measure to thc introduction of European complaints, and the evils of a transition state. The faoteinnot bp disguised that the natives ore gradually passing away ; and even if no cause should arise to accelerate their decease, the rate at which they .are now 'disappearing, points to tlieir extinction m an exceedingly short pi riod. Fiji. — Fiji, according to the first Admirality' report;, consists of some 200 islands, islets, and rocks, 1900 miles N.JS. of Sydney, and 1200 north of Auckland. The two largest islands may be some 300 miles iv circumference. 65 of fche islands are said to he inhabited. Fkickhold Land m the Colony.— The freehold land held m New Zealand consists of 7,029,354"J acres. Of this quantity the North Inland has 3,009,911. and the South Island 3,968,439 acres. The following are the proportions amongst the various provinces : — Otigo, 1,G86,876f acres ; Auckland, 1,025,4584; Wellington, 1,000,552f ; Hawke's Bay, 954,967 i; Canterbury, 877,9701 ; Marlborough, 704,5184 ; Nalsou, 683,752a ; Taranaki, 79,934 ; aud Westland, 15,324, French Vineorowers m Auckland. — What may be done by inexperienced strangers to better their condition, under very adverse circumstances, m this colony, is very well illustrated by the following, from the correspondence of the Southern Cross : — " Some French vine-dressers arrived m Auckland lately as Government immigrants. They leased a farm at Stokeß' Point from Mr Lusk, aud are now engaged m the cultivation of ifc. These yiue-dressera started farming with a capital of £5, and during tlie last three months they have planted 800 vines and one acre and a-half of strawberries, besides bringing under cultivation h.ilf-an-acro as a vegetable garden. This shows that these people are very industrious, and it would be a boon to the province of Aucklaud if ifc had some two thousand of tins class scattered over its waste lands." Cool Trick under Wabm Ciroumstances. — The Wanganui Herald publishes fche following suggestively vague paragraph : — " We learn that Wirihana. the Aramoho chief, took lodgings m the New Zealander Hotel during his recent stay m Wellington, and one night during his stay, finding the room getting uncomfortably hot, adjourned to an outhouse without giving the least alarm. The fire was fortunately discovered by Mrs M'lntosh, and with some difficulty put out. We presume that Wirihana smoked his pipe m bed, and, falling asleep, set the bed on tire. A whito man would probably be charged wifch arson under suoh circumstances. Our New Governor. — A "Bohemian," who contributes to the Queenslander, is sorry to los-- the services of the Marquis of Normanby. He say* that " the Marquis is a gentleman, every inch of him, just as much' as if he had no title and had to work as hard for his bread and cheese as a Bohemian." He continues, that the sort of which the Marquis is, is a rare one. " Without forgetting for a moment that he was a nobleman, and the biggest man iv the calony, he could and did always make himself conforfcable, and everybody he came m contact with. He never lost his dignity, yet never patronised anybody, nor was rude, nor haughty, nor stuck-up, nor had the least tinge of the prig or cad about him. It's a real pleasure to have a man like that to represent the Queen out here." Mackerel. — Somo very fine mackerel have been caught and exhibited m Auckland, where thoy havo excited great interest as a now aud valuable find, and as likely to add materially to the resources of the fishermen on the cousfc. Consumption of Spirits.— The Inspector of distilleries, m his report presented to the General Assembly, states that iv 18^3 the consumption of spirits was three gallons per hoad, aud recently it had full-in to one and four-fifths. This, Mr Seod .believed, was owing to the decrease ofthe drinking habits of tho peoplo. The Fruit Crop m tiie North. — The Auckland Herald states : — " Ripe lemons are dropping from the trees m the Mason Brothers' nursery, Parnell, so abuudaut is the crop. Ifc will soon be found an unprofitable business to import this fruit. Messrs Mason's vinery is m a Bplendidly forward condition, and beforo many weeks ripe grapes will bo obtainable from tho nursery; thero is ulso good promise of a prolific strawberry season." AnoiuaiNAL Art. — A curious discovery hns lately been made by a party of surveyors who were at work m the neighborhood of Palmerston (Wellington). Somo few miles from the township they camo upon apiece of sculpture, if it may bo termed such, oxecuted m a manner far superior to anything of the kind previously believed to ho the work of Maoris. The features, cut m the solid rock, are said to be moet regular and natural, more especially the finger nails, which display an acquaintance with the art of sculpture for which it' is hard to account. Acclimatisation op Carp.— Several yearß ago, says a northern paper, a number of carp wero sent from the ponds m th'e Auckland Domain Gardens and placed m Lake Taupo. For some time thoy were lost sight of, and it was uncertain whether they had become reconciled with their new abode. However, various accounts havebeen recoived recently, from native and European sources, that large numbers of carp had been seen m ■ one of the swamps flowing into Lake Taupo on the western side. It is satisfactory to know that the efforts of the Acclimatisation Society to spread this hardy and rapid growiug fish have boen attended wifch so much success. Wherever this fish hns been taken m this colony, wo bolicvo it has Bucceedod nnd multiplied afc a wonderful rate. Ifc was originally a gift to' the society, and tho manner m which ifc has increased m districts both nortli and south, must be very gratifying to those who wore the original donors. Red and Fallow Deer m Nelson. — A traveller from Marlborough, by way of the i Pelorus, reports to the Colonist, having fallen m with a considerable herd of deer on the Maungatapu range, about ono hundred yards m the bush from Franklyri's Flat, and only a short distance from the woll-known " Murderers Rock," whero Burgess and his companions " bailed up " iheir victims. The deer looked exceedingly well, and wore not less than a dozen m numbor. This is the greatest disdist'anco baok from Nolson, where tho imported animals were liboratcd about fifteen years ago, that we have heard of the red deer being soen, and as the country m the adjoining ranges is of vast extent and difficult to traverse, the animals will be certain to increase for many years, with little or no molestation. They conld nofc have found a more secure spot;. We hear from time to time of tho fallow deer, liberated a few years later m a valley running into the Wairoa, abovo Waimea East. Theso idso are increasing m number, and, no doubt, some of them have likewise_found shelter m tho ranges of hills which overlook that part ofthe country. Thb Hot Springs op the North Island. — The wonderful curative properties of the ' hot springs at Waiwera have for a long time past been « ell known, but if au additional ' proof is wanting one is supplied by the case of P. Sweeney, well known m Auckland, who had been suffering for some months past "* from a paralytic stroke by which his right dde was so much affected as to render the ' arm and leg comparatively useless. By the : advice of certain friends, Mr Sweeney was induced to try a course of bathing at the bot springs, which he commenced on Sept. 6, md on September 18 he was completely jured. The course adopted was a bath of -tbout twenty minutes duration twice every lay, after each of which' he remained for from one to two hours covered with blankets, m onler tio cause perspiration. For the first three days no perceptible amendment m his s joudition was noticeable, but afterwards he mproved rapidly, and ;>fc the end of twelve I lays he was altogether convalescent. \

TIMARU BOROUGH UOUNCIIA meeting of the above Council was held on Monday evening. Present: — The Mayor, Councillors Fyfe, Jacksou, Hill, Sutter, Padget, Jones, Thompson, and Wilson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Town Clerk of Dunedin, m reply; to oue from the Council forwarding a form shewing the manner m which the corporation leased their reserves. Councillor Jackson handed m the following notice of motion—" That the various sections of land held by the borough of Timaru be at once placed under the Laud Transfer Act." Councillor Fyfe moved, Councillor Padget seconded, and it was resolved — "That a committee he appointed to take into consideration the alteration of corporation leases, and report by next meeting, the said committee to consist of Councillors Sutter, Jackson, and the mover." A letter was read from the Secretary to the Board of Works, stating that the Board had voted the Council the extra cost of metalling and channelling Stathallan and George-streets, amounting to £151 Sa 9d. A ietter was read from the Secretary for Public Works acknowledging receipt of a petition praying that a separate rate might be levied for tho purpose of defraying the expense of completing the kerbing between Sefton and Brown-streets, and asking for his Honor the Superintendent's approval to the levying of buch rate. In reply he had been directed by his Honor to state that he had been advised that it was necessary that a 1 special order reciting the petition and aubse--1 queut proceedings, and defining the particular .portion' of the borough iv which the pro--1 posed work was to be done, and stating the amount of the rate proposed, should ba 1 signed by the Mayor m Council and forwarded for approval to his Honor the Superintendent. ! Tho Town Clerk was directed to submit a ' copy of the particulars iv connection with tho matter by next meeting. A letter was road from Mr J. Collins, asking 1 for an oxtonsion of time m which to complete . his contract for erecting pump m Church- ; street. Tlie letter was roferrod lo the Engineer. A letter was read from Mr James Parsons, asking whether Church-street had boon formed 1 to' its proper level. Ho was under tho impression' thnt it was raised three feet 'higher than tho proper level, thereby causing hii property to lie below the level of tho street. > Tho Engineer said th >t the street had not ! been raised above its proper level. It was resolved to inform Mr Parsons that Church-street is formed to the adopted level. ; Tho Mayor explained that the tank subcommittee had been unablo to conclude ' arrangements with Mr King to allow the tank to encroach on his property, and had therefore fixed the site at the corner of tho Ship Hotol. Tho action of the Committoe m removing the site was approved. It was also resolvod — " That tho Engineer lay out tha road round the cornor of section '■ 35, nt tho corner of Stratbnllan-street." A letter was read from Mr Fulbort Archor and thirteen others, calling attention to a leading artiole which appeared m the Timaru Herald on tho 14th inst., relating to the establishment of a land registry district under the Land Transfer Act m South Canterbury, with an oßice at Timaru ; and also for tho appointment of a local deputy commissioner of stamps. They also pointed out that . the establishment of Supreme Cuurt offices, where bills of snlo and proferablo lions could , be registered and searched against, was urgently required. Councillor Sutter spoke as to the great convenience such establishments us those alluded ■ to m the letter would be to South Canterbury. I He stated that he believed there wero ns many ■ applications for transfers under tlle Act from i this part of the province as from the whole of the northern part, and pointed out the dolny ' that was now experienced m obtaining land i transfer documents aftor their being forwarded . to Christchuroh, tho delay sometimes extand- ■ ing to six months. [ Ou the motion of Councillors Jackson nnd i Thompson, it wns resolved — "Thai his Worship i the ' Mayor be requested to take the necessary steps to carry out the request of MrF. Archer i and others." i Accounts amounting to £626 9s 4d were i passed for payraont. i A lotter was rend from Mr D. Fyfe aud Mr Graham, asking for payment of expensos mii curred m putting a crossing over the Pareora water raco, where it intersected their land, i It was decided to forward the letter to i the Secretary for Public Works. Teuders were opened for improvements m Bank, Sophia and C streets, as follows : — P. Blake £166 14s. shingling 2s 6d per yard ; J. Bullock ; £165 5s 6d, shingling 3s ; R. B. Sibley, £165, shingling, 3s; K. Tacou, £127, shingling 2s Bd. Councillor Thompson proposed, Councillor Hill seconded,: and it was resolved — "That the Engineer call for tenders for | forming aud shingling George, Heaton, and . Queen-streets; and foot-path m Rose-street." { ' On the motion- of Councillors Fyfe and Jackson, it was rosolved — " That a committee be appointed to consider and report on the best method of planting the town belt, etc., and to obtain all information on the matt.er, the committee to consist of Councillors Padget, Hill, and Wilson." The Timaru Herald was appointed the official journal for the ensuing six months, Councillor Sutter proposed, Councillor Padget' seconded, and it "was resolved— " That an advertisement be inserted, requesting that all those wishing' to arrange for scavengering, to apply m writing to the Clerk of the Couucil for the same by the 26th instant." . Councillor Padget drew attention to a letter that had been received from Mr Hugh Fraser with reference to the Bite for the water race. He said that it was originally supposed that the laud had beeu given for the reservoir, but he had since found out that Mr Fraser was to get a bridge put across the creek at a cost of £150, a road brought across <;Mr Rhodes' land, at the expense of the Council, and altogether toreceive compensation to the extent of some £270 for the site of the reservoir. He had also been iuformed that the successful tenderer! had to pay Mr Landsborough £100 for a right-of-way tlirough his property and for a camping ground. The Mayor pointed out that ifc was too late now to make any objection tothe arrangements for the reservoir, that the Provincial Government Engineer had approved of fche site, and that a tender for the work ■ had been accepted. .- Councillor Fyfe said .ifc seemed as though there had been a good deal of underhand : work going on m connection with the reservoir. When he' went to England, the site | was fixed afc oup place, and when he returned he found that had been shifted, to another, thereby turning, a. portion of the race which was to ruu through certain lauds into a mere bye wash. The Mayor thought an explanation was due to fche Council from Councillor Fyfe for making such incorrect statements. The site was nofc fixed upon w hen Councillor Fyfewent to England, aud if that Councillor had taken the trouble to inform himself as to the arrangements m connection with the reservoir he would find that there had been no underhand work m the matter. _ Councillor Fyfe said he merely expressed his opinion that it appeared underhand work , had been going on. The matter then dropped, and the meeting terminated.

has been stormy throughout the colony, and particularly so m some localities, flooding the rivers, and thereby causing considerable inconvenience and damage. It has also been tempestuous on the coast, but further than the carrying away of sails, spars, bulwarks, and deckfittings of a number of vessels, there are no casualties to record. Although damage and inconvenience has been caused by the weather m the way alluded to, the rain-fall has had a nio3t beneficial effect on tho crops. The winter was almost unprecedentedly dry, and when a month of | spring passed without any change taking place, fears were entertained that the wheat crop would be light. Tlie late rains, however, have quite caused these fears to be dispelled, the appearance of the crops now being such as to inspire the belief that the next harvest will bo bountiful. Owing to the dryness of the winter the pasture is very backward, and as stock fit for the butcher is, m consequence, very scarce, meat has gone up considerably m price, and m some of the mining districts is unobtainable, except at famine prices. The present warm weather, however, is now causing a most luxuriant growth, and therefore we can confidently hope for a speedy change from the unsatisfactory state of things referred to, At the time of the issue of our last summary it was thought that we had received the last English mail by the San Francisco service until fresh arrangements were made ; and the arrival of a mail, therefore, on October 9 was rather unexpected. Tho vessel — the Mikado — came on her owners' account, and arrangements have been made by which she takes a return mail for transmission via San Francisco. We learn from New South Wales that the Government of that colony have organised a temporary service via San Francisco till a permanent one is established. By a telegram received yesterday it appears that Mr Thomas RusseU, who proceeded to Sydney to negotiate on behalf of the New Zealand Government for the establishment of a San Francisco service, has come to an understanding witli the New South Wales Government on the matter. The Premier of New Zealand, Mr Yogel, who, it will be remembered, went to Australia to make arrangements with a view of establishing a sub-marine telegraph cable between that colony and New Zealand, is still m Melbourne, but will shortly proceed to England. He has had interviews with reference to the question with delegates from New South Wales and Queensland, and tho Governments of theae two colonies have appointed representatives to act with Mr Yogel m the matter m England. The scientific expedition sent out by the English Government for the observation of the transit of Venus on the 9th December, arrived by the Merope on September 27. The chief station selected by the expedition for the observation is Burnham, situated some eighteen miles south ef Christchurch, on the line of the southern railway, and arrangements are also being made for the establishment of other stations m various parts of the colony, one at Timaru or the Waitaki ; one at Dunedin, one at the Hurunui, and another at Wellington. The American scientific party, who take up their station at the Chatham Islands, arrived at the Bluff from Hobart Town on Friday last m the steamship Swatara, and started for their destination on the following day. The reported discovery of rich goldfields at the Palmer River m Northern Australia has had a great effect on a certain class m tliis colony. Numbers of men have already left for that place, and many are still leaving notwithstanding the news received that the field is not so rich as anticipated, and that great hardships are being experienced by the diggers, owing to the heat of the climate and the difficulty to procure food. In referring to matters particularly pertaining to our own province, we have nothing unsatisfactory to record. The land sales still keep up, the quantity sold during last month being 33,857 acres, realizing £67,715 10s. A return lately published shows the revenue from land during the year ending September 30th, 1874, to be 032,692 153, as against £515,832 10s 3d for the previous year, the receipts for 1872 being £119,911. During the month the annual meetings of ratepayers under the Provincial Educational Ordinance for the election of new committees have taken place m the several districts. The deduction to be drawn from the several reports is that the Ordinance is working very satisfactorily. The wool season may be said to have commenced m Canterbury, the first clip having arrived at Lyttelton on Wednesday last. Ifc will be some weeks, however beforo shearing operations are m" full swing. Mr Whately Eliot, the engineer sent out at the instance of the Canterbury Government by Sir John Coode, to make a survey of the beach, and take soundings, etc., with a view of enabling his superior to report as to the practicability of erecting a breakwater at Timaru, will, it is expected, complete his work m about a week. Great signs of substantial progress are still observable m the town of Timaru, m the way of buildings and public improvements. The new school buildings, the largest and most oxpensive buildings yet erected m Timaru, were completed during themonth. A description of the buildings and report of the opening ceremony appear elsewhere.